res to have presented to your Venerable Assembly, some
of our dearest respects in writing, by that eminently learned and much
honored Commissioner of yours, the Lord _Waristoun_: But his departure
hence was so sudden to us, and unexpected by us that we could not have
time (as his Lordship can inform you) to tender by him such a testimony of
our Brotherly & intimate affections, as may in some measure suite with
your manifold and most affectionate expressions toward us, when our
sighings were many, and our hearts faint: For such hath been your love,
that no waters can quench it, and such the undertakings of the whole
Kingdome of _Scotland_ through your furtherance, that we already begin to
reap the fruits of all that Piety, Prudence, and Valour, which at this day
render your Nation worthily renowned in the Christian World; and us,
exceedingly straitned and restlesse in our selves, untill God please to
open a way for our endeavours, to make some more answerable returns.

Toward this, our thoughts and hopes were to have made, ere now, some
proceedings of our Assembly legible in yours, But such are the continued
distractions which lye upon our spirits, by means of the sad and bleeding
condition of this Kingdome, as have cast us much behinde our own
expectations, and hindred that expedition which the necessities of this
Nation, and the desires of our Brethren abroad, do earnestly call for at
our hands.

Sometimes through GODS goodnesse wee have a prosperious Gale, Sometimes
againe, we saile like _Paul_ and his company, _very slowly many dayes_.
And even then, when wee draw near _the fair Havens_, some contrary Windes
put us out into the Deep again. We walk in paths that have hitherto been
untrodden by any Assembly in this Church: We therefore are inforced to
spend more time in our inquiries, and in seeking of GOD a right way for
us, that at length we may put into that high way, the way of holinesse,
wherein Wayfaring men, though fools, shall not erre: And we will wait upon
our GOD (before whom we have been this Day humbling of our souls) untill
he lead us into all these Truths which we seek after; and we shall labour
to be yet more vile in our own eyes, as finding by experience that it is
not in man to direct his way.

Those Winds which for a while do trouble the Aire, do withall purge and
refine it: And our trust is that through the most wise Providence and
blessing of GOD, the Truth by our so long continued agitations, wil