time appointed;
Although many cleave to us by flatteries, yet there be a remnant who keep
their integrity, and the Lord shall doe good to these that be good, but
such as turn aside to crooked wayes, shall be led forth with the workers
of iniquity.

The Lords people in _England_ and _Ireland_, who adhere to the cause and
Covenant, may be perplexed, but shall not despair; they may be persecuted,
but shall not be forsaken; they may be cast down, but shall not be
destroyed: And although uniformity, and the work of Reformation in these
lands, seem not only to be retarded, but almost pluckt up by the roots,
and the foundation thereof razed; Yet the seed which the Lord hath sowen
there, shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward, The zeal of
the Lord of Hosts shall performe this.

_30. July 1649. Antemeridiem_ Sess. 30.

_Act concerning Catechising._

The Generall Assembly taking to their serious Consideration the great
darknesse and Ignorance, wherein a great part of this Kingdom lyeth,
together with the late Solemn Engagement, to use all means for remedy
thereof, doe ordaine every Minister with assistance of the Elders of their
severall Kirk sessions to take course, that in every house where there is
any who can read, there be at least one Copie of the Shorter and Larger
Catechisme, Confession of Faith and Directorie for Familie worship. And
doe renew the Act of the Assemblie _August 30. 1639._ for a day of weeklie
Catechising, to be constantly observed in every Kirk, And that every
Minister so Order their Catethetick Questions, as thereby the People, (who
doe not conveen all at one time but by turns unto that exercise) may at
every dyet have the chief heads of saving knowledge in a short view
presented unto them, And the Assembly considering that notwithstanding of
their former Act, these dyets of weekly Catechising are much slighted and
neglected by many Ministers throughout this Kingdome, Doe therefore
Appoint and Ordaine every Presbytery, to take triall of all the ministers
within their bounds once at least in the halfe year, whither they be
carefull to keep weekly dyets of Catechising; And if they shall finde any
of their number negligent herein they shall admonish for the first fault,
and if after such admonition they shall not amend, The Presbyterie for the
second fault shall rebuke them sharply, and if after such rebuke they doe
not yet amend, they shall be suspended.

_4 Aug. 1649.