IT was the desire of King Iames (by whose instigation I know not It was some Bish a thousand to one else. For what mischiefe is there, specially if done against the true worship of God, but these Creatures of the Earth have their hāds chiefly in it. See Syons-plea; A Looking glasse for the Prelates; the Abreviate, &c. that the Church of Scotland would admitt, that such men as stood Ministers, to those Churches, which in the time of Poperie were called Bishopricks, might have the Title of Lord-Bishops, and voyces in Parliament. Parliaments will doe better without these men. For they well resemble, that filthy bird, which caries this motto: contactu omnia faedat
To this the people consented, Better they had not; for they have smarted for it ever since, as their owne relation here manifesteth. As the Trō ians in consenting to take the Horse into their Citie, had their citie spoyled by it: So from the Hierarchy (as out of the Troians Horses belly) hath issued the cause & ground of al their late troubles. Se Pro. 29 2. and in the yeare 1602. it was by a Parliament confirmed; Yet so, as with certaine provisoes and conditions, then and there expressed: That is, that all such as were then resident in such places; and all such as afterwards should happen to be presented to them, should by solemne Oath, and publick subscription, sweare and be obliged, neither to propound nor give consent to any thing propounded in Parliament, without a precedent Commission of a generall assembly. Moreover, that they should not pretend any authority or jurisdiction above other Ministers, and that they should be as lyable and subject as any other Ministers to the Sentence and Censure of Presbyteries, Provinciall and Nationall Synods: To bee short, if they transgressed either against those rules, or any other institution, which the Church tyed them unto, they might be (and should be) excommunicated by the Pres-bytery and Synod, and deposed a beneficio & officio. Jf we had such Law with us in Englād, & executed, we should not be troubled long with Bb nor any of that Brood downward to the Parater. For their blasphemies; treasōs, murders, &c are so obvious to all mens eyes. As the severest punishmēts in any civil Court would be light enought to be laid upon them. See Quench-Coale; Epist. Remonst. the last Parl.
Howsoever at the first thus they were sworne to doe: And were admitted no otherwise, neither upon other tearmes, [Page 4]but what is before expressed: Notwithstanding they having gotten a footing, it was not long ere they brake their Oath, and attempted many unlawful actions, to the great dishonour of Gods name, the scandall of the Gospell, and to the likely dissipation of the whole Church, had not the Lord prevented it, by a wonderfull deliverance. Such a deliverance God grant England; and when we see it, we will say; thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power, thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in peeces the enemies; and good cause too for this would prove to our Land a greater blessing thenwas our deliverance from the Gunpowder treason. And therefore wee would nor faile to keepe a day of thankesgiving in remembrance of it; as did the Iewes, after Hamon and his Sonnes were hangd.
It would required a large volume, to set downe all the particular evils and troubles, which those Lordly Prelates brought upon that Church; And more would have brought, had not their hornes By the Hornes of the Beast, is meant the Antichristiā power, which they exercise over their brethren; By which (as a Beast with hornes, they push the godly sometime into prison, other-while to the Pillary, many times into forreigne Countries; so that untill these hornes bee cut off, there is no keeping house with them. beene cut off. Among other acts of their Lordly Government, they tooke upon them to depose Ministers as they pleased, and when they pleased: And admitted sundry scandalous persons The Prelates in Scotlād never shewed so much prophanes this way, as ours have done; For whereas, idolaters, adulterers, lyars, forcerers, whoremonngers, theeves drunkards, & quid non, are allowed and liked off; On the contrary, they suppresse all them, who will not be their Drudges, to serve thē, and their great Landlord the Pope; witnes Wren the Norridge Beast. See the unbish: of Timot. and Tit. (like themselves) to the Ministery, and chardge of Soules; And kept back from the Ministery all honest and able men, what they could. And not contented with this, they procured from the King a warrant, under the shew or pretence whereof, they silenced the most Godly, learned and faithfull Ministers in the Kingdome: And also by the same authorities they brought into the Church many Popish Ceremonies, to the generall greife of the godly, both there, and in many other places.
And these great abuses of theirs, they brough the sooner & easier to passe, in regard there were some Courtiers and Counsellers about his Majestie, that were Popishly affected, and bore ill will to Sion: this is cleare in the cause of Melvin, Forbes, Bruce, and others Worthies of that Church who were exiled Doth the Church of Scotland reckon it for one of her greevances, that they have unjustly banished some of her Ministers; How then would they have taken it, had they seene them whipt in their streetes: stood on Pillaries, burnd-marked [...] about the time that the Earl of Northhamton and B. Bancroft had greatest acceptation with K: Iames: Soe againe when the 5. Articles were introduced by a most illegall, injurious and violent way in the Assembly at Perth, who were then present with the King, but Buckingam and B. Land, twosit instruments as could bee, to bring such an evill worke to passe.
They having thus begun to spoyle the Lords Vineard, afterwards they caused many idle pamphlets to be published, [Page 5]against that good old way, of Government Our Bb. have a trick which the Scot. never used, that is to cast men into prison, and there deprive them of all meanes of writing and then ser then Parasites and Sycophants to rayle against them; Now truly these are wise in their generation, or they know had their opposites the liberty that they have, they were better be hāgd out of the way, then suffer the just shame which they would doe, for their filthy lies & blasphentiess. of that Church; by which Government before their Lordships ruled, the corrupt Doctrines, and ill liues of Preachers were severely corrected and suppressed; But for their parts, they gave way and liberty, unto evill doers, and sought only to curbe and suppresse the better sort.
Add hereunto their procuring from the K: a warrant for to exercise such a jurisdiction in the civil Government Forgs (the Tipe of Bb.) are said to have 2 small threads hanging neere their eyes, wherwith they make trapps, & lay them in muddy places, for to devoure the Fish; these tove threads signifie the civill and spirituall functions of Bb. wherwith (as the Frog with her tvvo threads) they take the godly and devoure them. as is inconsistent with the Lawes of that Relame, the honour of the Soveraigne; & peace of that Country: Nay, not here withall are satisfyed, but seeke further for a Commission from King Charles, and under shew or colour of which warrant As the Scribes & Pharisees never left Pilate, till he had passed sentence of death against Christ: So the Prelates are earnestly importunate with the Kings of the Earth, to have Commission and vvarrant from them, for to crucifie Christ dayly in his members. they make many greevious acts of injustice, and greatly oppresse many of his Majesties loyall & good subjects. If you complaine of oppression, and thinke you have just cause for it, to vvound the Beast; What may wee say of our oppressions, which are more for number, more heinous for nature, longer for continuance, and more common and generall. For what condition is there of men, among us, but are horribly abused by them. See the Abbreviate.
These abuses are not all, for besides they have (vys & modis) used meanes to gert another Commission from his Majestie, whereby to cover their unlawfull wayes unto benefices, for themselves and their freinds: and withall got a colour of an Act of Parliament, to bring the Surplusse into the Church, they caused fome Popish Lords to sit upon the Articles of the Parliament An: 1633. they were also the instruments that procured an act to be contrived, beeing a racification of the Kings prerogative and power to impose such apparell upon Churchmen in divine service, as he should thinke su; Yea and to bring this to passe, they moved the King to presse all men, either to consent or dissent to the whole Act, as it was framed, thereby cunningly to draw all the Parliament-men either to deny the K: prerogative, or else to consent to their plott for the Surplusse.
More then this, they perswaded his Majesty to sett downe with his owne hand, the names of all the Noblemen that should discent from the aforesaid Act; and that they should be taken as men disrespecting his Majesty and his Service, and that hee should not heare them to give any reason for their dislike of the thing: And whereas there was found afterwards with the Lord Balmerin: a certaine writing containing [Page 6]some reasons wherefore the Noblemen could not ascent unto the said Act; And some other passages, expedient to vindicate their persons and cariages from the reproach of beeing dis-affectionated to his Majesties Service, and this set downe in a Potition, with an intent that it should be presented to the King, by the Noblemen, but was not. The Bishops getting a sight of this Copie, according to the rest of their doings, caused this good Nobleman for having this Perition to be condemned of Legis Majestatis; And it went neere with his life. Our English Preates this way are None-such; For if they perceive a man to bee an enemie to their unblessed Kingdome, they will bee sure to have his blood for it if they can: & this our Noblitie know well enough, the which makes thē the unwillinger, to power out their vials upon the throne of the Beast.
Their Lordships having gone thus farre, are not affraid to publish a Booke of most wicked Canons, Consider O Englād what cause thou hast to free thy selfe, out of the hāds of these theeves & murderers, who have many yeares bound thee, (as Tyrants and Turkes doe Gally-slaves to their oars;) I say bound thee with their Canons, Articles, Injunctions (as so many irons & fetters) to row for them, Romes Boat. So that Scotlād bath nor the cause which thou hast, to putt those Amalekites to the sword. among which, one is, that whosoever shall affirme that the Service-booke (which was not yet out but in hatching) containes any thing erronious, shall be excommunicated, ipso facto. it was not long after this, ere they caused the said Service-booke to be published. Which hath in it, not only the Superstition and Popery contained in the English Leiturgis, but some thing more; and that they might bring the Church (nolens volens) to use this Jdol-booke, they procured a Proclamation Quae: whether the Scotsmen did well, to refuse the Service-booke, being commaunded by the K. to use it; & quid sequitur. to be published, wherein al his Majesties (subjects were commanded, to conforme strictly thereunto, as to the only forme of Gods publick worship for that Church.
Beeing thus swollen Nor like Ours: For their insolencies are intollerable; specially that little great Laud; but this gives me hope, that their shame & fall is at hand; drosse assoon as ever it hath gotten up to the top, and elevated it selfe above the pure mettall, is then scummed off & cast away; These like drosse & scumme are risen up, above their betters; therefore &c. See Psa. 119 199. with a presumptuous conceit of their power, and thinking now that neither great nor small, had either the courage or wisedom to stand in their way As the Scots Bb. were deceived, so I trust will Ours be. the Bishop of Ederb: in July 1637. gives order, to the Ministers of that Citty, that they read the aforesaid Service-booke in their Congregatious: Which would be such a Masse in Scotland as the Pope himselfe. Pope Pius 4 sent Vincentio Parpatia Abbot of S. Saviours to Qu. Eliz: offering her to confirme the English Leiturgy, if she would yeeld to him in some other things. Cambden in An. 1560. L. Cooke de jure div. Reg. Eccles. fol. 34. I am sure, would willingly authorise and allow, provided that the King would grant him such a Headship as must be granted him by such, as say their Episcopall jurisdiction is Iure Divino, and derive their calling from the Pope.
And because this Bishop conceived, that all other townes in the Kingdome, would follow the example of Edenb: hee comes therefore himselfe into the Cathedrall Church, of purpose to have the said booke there publiekly read: but it fell not out according to his expectation: for the people not being for merly tanght, that, that way and manner of Divine Worship, which they had ever vsed from the reformaticn of that Church, was not fit nor lawfull, neither it structed by the BB: that the English. Popish service Booke This all Reformed Churches tax us for; viz. that the Servicebooke, is the Masse, translated into English; and the Papist hit us for it in the teeth, saying that we are behoulding to them, for mattens and Evening song; & this is known to our people generally, which makes their cause theworse before God; in that they offer him such a sacrifice, as their conscience tels them is an abomination. was agreat deale better: nor being vsed to heare mattings and evening song, and singing service: the Scotsmen I say not beeing used to such geare, could not digest it: For they beleeved (and well they might,) that there was little difference between this booke worship and the Popes masse booke The Scotsmen say very true, as appears by the words of K. Edward the sixt; It seemes to you (sayth he in his Proclamation to the Rebels of the West) that you have a new service, novv indeed it is no other but the old, the selfe-same vvords in English vvhich are in Latin &c If therfore the service of the Church, vvas good in Lattin, it remaineth good in English for no thing is altered but to speak with knovvledge, that vvhich vvas ignorantly before uttered. Act and Monum. vol. 2, pag. 1497. 1498. Edit 5., saving that the one is in Latine the other in English. c Q uaer. Whether a Papist saying the Masse in Latin, and not understanding how foolish, false, and blasphemous it is, doth not lesse offend, then he that speakes it in his owne tongue, and so knowes what hotch potch & galle mawfry it is.
And howsoever the people generally, were greatly offended with the B. for this his bould attempt: yet the women Let our Prelates look to it, least when justice is not suffered to passe in an ordinary way, God raise not up other means, to execute his wrath upon them. The Dukes death may be a warning for them. Bloody and deceitfull men shall not live out halfe their dayes, Psa. 55, 23. Let that Blood-thirsty murderous Butcher Laud thinke of the place. not so well able as the men to forbeare open resistance and opposition, rose up without any ceremony, and droue the B: and Deane out of the Church: I glad to see them whipt out, by the K. & Parliam. se Psa. 69:25. some what like to our Saviours whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple.
The Bishop being vexed, that he was thus women beaten, and the rest of his brethren being no lesse enrage thereat: what doe they now? they doe what they can, to set more discord between the King and his good subjects: and specially they seeke to increase his wrath against the towne of Eden: thinking that all other townes in the land would be afliraid, to oppose any of the innovations, which they sought to bring into that Church, if that city suffered some disgrace at his Majesties hands.
And to accomplish their wicked end this way, they procured 1: a recommendation from his Majesly vnto the town-councill, to chuse for a Provest or Major (he beeing dead that was before in place) one Hay, who had formerly served under the Townclarke aman well acquainted with all the mercinarie [Page 8]wayes, that could bee vsed for working vpon that Community, and therefore the fitter man (as their Lordships thought) to bee chosen, for furthering the execution of their deepeplots and designes: being Plots and designes, so contrary to, and against their acts of Parliament, (Confession of faith, and the Publick worship of God in that Church: as they durst not discover the same, to any one man, that was knowne to be honest or religious, or free from THAT CORRVPTION (you know what I meane) which that Hay for these many yeares, in the whole course of his life hath beene generally noted for. Novi Simonem & Simon me:
2. They procured a commandement from his Majestie, unto the Councill and Session and all civill Courts of instice, that they should depart from Eden: and sit first at Lythgou afterwards at Starling. If there were nothing else to induce our King & State, to hunt those Vermins away; this were sufficient; namely, their dayly attempts, to set strife betweene them. Oh, that his majestie did see, how ungratefull they are this way to him; As Screetch-Ovvles, whiles they suck the Goats-milke doe marre the Vdder, So these never draw any benefit from Prin ces; But they wilbe fure (like unthankfull Owles) to abuse thē for it if they can.
These unreasonable men growing thus worse and worse. the better sort at lenght of every condition and quality in the Kingdome, began to take the matter (as high time it was) home to heart: We have more cause a great deale: considering what visiose and senceable miseries the Land lies under by their meanes; Besides, there is now a faire apportunity, offered to his Majestie, to free his three Kingdomes at once from the hurtfulst plagues that they have. If some sormer Kings of this Land, had secne the way so cleare, and the work so easie as now it is, they would soone have taken off their corner Caps, and set a Tyburn Tipper in the place there of. and perceiving that vnlesse there were some speedie course taken, to take these little foxes Their Bb: may well be called Little Foxes, and ours the great Foxes, for in respect of villanie & mischeife, to ours, theirs, are no-bodies. Witnes Laud, who is more Fox wise then all the Bb. in Scotland. and cast them out head and tayle from the Lords Vineard, Some may thinke that such a worke wilbe difficult here with us, but I am otherwise minded. For these creatures are like nettles, which being softly handled doe sting, but if they are crust, the smart not, soe these are least hurtfull when they are most crusht. there would certainly come (and that soon) great preiudice to their religion, to the honour of their King and to to themselves and their posterity, many wayes: They here upon perceiving I say (as men doe the raine in a black cloud) that senceable and visible dangers lay at their dore, for prevention whereof, made choyse of one or two of the gravest Ministers in every Presbytery, & one or two discreet gentlemen of every Shier, to present their complaints, remonstrances and greviances to the Councill, that by their mediation and meanes, his Maiesty might be acquanted with the same.
These Commisioners upon Sept. 23 Oct. 15. and Decem. 7. & 27. gave in vnto the Councill, such supplications as were fit for his Maiesties information and specially, that his subjects [Page 9]feared Our is more then a feare of innovation for wee have sundry innovations established among us, and the Prelates set their jornymen on vvork, to defend them; as Heylen, Reed, Pocklington, and such like Trencher Mates; Besides his ungracious graceles Speech in the Star-Chamber. an innovation in religion, wherby the common wealth was likely to suffer much. They set us down a good patterne to follow; That is, to write up the wicked workes of the Prelates, and present them to his Majesty; and I verelie thinke, if the King were rightly informed, what knowne Traitors they are, to God to him, to the Land, and true Religion, and how detestable they are in the eyes of his people, and how much it doth alienate his subjects affections from his Majesty, that such WORKERS OF INIQVITIE are suffered. I say if Majestie were thorowly possessed hereof, my mind gives me they should not tarie in his sight.
The Bishops perceiving that their workes of darkenese w now cōming to light &, that the Commissioners taxed them, (& that to true) for many tresonable assaults against their Religion established by law, and many yeares peaceable professed, and also for seeking by crafty wayes to bring into the Church, the rags and dregs of the Babilonian whore: the Bb: I say perceiving this, vse meanes that the King, would referre all to the Councell, whereof themselves were a great part: and truly this was no small point of wisedome in their Lordships, for they were not so blind, but they could see well enough, that unlesse they themselues might bee judges in their owne Case, they would bee judged by others to be Vnsavery salt and hence forth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden under foot. What greater dishonour can it be to our Nation, then to suffer such in high and eminent places, who in the esteeme of other Natiōs are fitt only for the dunghil.
And that there ravenous wolues If the Church of Scotland doe so Iudge of them, then let them beware that they doe not upon any tearmes admitt of them againe. For wolves beeing kept a while from their prey, doe afterwards fall a devouring the more eagerlie and greedily, so will those spirituall Wolves doe, if they can get againe into their places., might escape the hands of such as were hunting after them, they procure (by whose meanes I know not) a Proclamation to bee published in Eden: sebr: 19. 1638. wherein all the aforesaid Commisioners (the hunters of the Fox) were commanded vnder paine of treason to leaue the townes of Eden: and Starling, within six houres after the publication of the same: the words of the Proclamation are as followes.
CHARLES &c. For so much as we out of our Princery care If Princes will take care for Religion, they must doe then what the Word of God directeth the and not what superstitious Prelates (for their case, profitt, pleasure, and such worldly respects) perswade them to doc. See Psal. 119.24 Gal. 4, 18. of maintaining the true Religion all ready professed, & so beating downe all superstition: Having ordained a booke of common prayer to bee compiled for the generall and vniversall use & edification Hoccine credibile aut memorabile. Will Satan cast out Satan: He were an unwise man, that would bee perswaded, that the way to get light into his house, were by shutting his doorers & windows; They that should cast aside the true worship of Christ, and thinke to edifie themselves better by using the superstitions service-booke would shew themselves were foolish: of our subjects within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland, the same being accordingly don. In the framing whereof we tooke great care I beleeve the Bb. tooke great care & paines to have it as full of superstition as they could, but blessed be God, their labour was as vaine as their worke: and I hope the great care & paines, that Laud and his Mates the Iesuites now take, to bring in Poperie, will prove so to, that is the contrivers either forced to fly into other Countries, or hangd up at home for their treacherie and villanie. & paines, so that there is nothing past therein but was seen and approved by us, before the same was divulgated or printed: assuring all our loving subjects that not only our intention is, but even this very booke a ready meanes to maintaine the true Religion already professed, and beat out all superstition, of which in our owne time we not doubt but in a faire course to satisfie the judgments of our good subjects: But having seen and considered some petitions and declarations given into our counsell against the said Booke, and late CANNONS of the booke, find our regall authority much iniured thereby, both in the matter and the carrage, whereby wee certifie these of the Nobility, Gentry, Barrons Ministers and others who have keept and assisted those meetings and convocations for contriving and subscribing of the said petitions, to be liable Better that men censured us for well dooing, then that Christ in the last day, should passe sentence of condemnation against us, for yeelding unto their unjust demaunds. to our censure, in their persons and fortunes, they having conveyned themselves without consent or authority: Yet because wee beleeve that they have done herein only out of a preposterous zeale, and without disloyalty or disaffection in our Soveraingty: Our gracious pleasure (so farr as concernes those metings for consulting and subscription of the said petitions or presenting of the same to any judges of this Kingdom) is to dispence therewith, and with what may bee the fault or error therein, to all such as upon signfication or declaration of this our pleasure, shall retaine themselves as become good and dutifull subjects. As the 3 Nobles in Daniel were the Kings good and dutifull subjects, albeit they bowed not before the image; So are the Nobilitie, Gentry & Ministers in Scotland, good & dutifull subjects, although they refuse the service-booke: Yea to say the truth they are better subjects to his Majestie, then such as conforme to it here in England. To which purpose OVR WILL is [Page 11]henceforth, and we charge you straghtly and commaund, that incontinetly these our letters seene, the particulers in our name & authority proclamation therof be made to all our leige subjects in all places needfull; that soe none pretend ignorance hereof, and therewithall in our name and authoroty It is no new thing for Princes, by the instigation of wicked Prelates, to have their names and authority abused; I has was Consiantines authority abused, when he authorized by the perswasion of Bb. the Arrian Haeresie. So Theodesius when he established the Haeresie of Entiches; So Arcedins when hee banished Chrisostome. that ye discharge charge all such convocations The way for his Majestie to have such convocations & meetings discharged; is to discharge the Bb. of their power and places, and in his name & authority, to call a Parliament, and willingly to suffer a legall pro ceeding against the Prelates; and in this God shall have glery, the King honour, the Land peace, and the enemies of the Lord their due desert, and untill this be, neither England nor Scotland wil see good dayes. & meetings in time to come, vnder the penalty of Treason, and also that ye command, charge and inhibit our leiges and subjects, that none of them on any hand presume to resort or repaire to the Burrough of Starling, nor to any other Burrough, where our counsell and Session sits, till first they declare the cause of their comming to our counsell, and declare their warrant to that effect. And further that wee command and charge all and Sundrie Provosts, Bayleives, and Magistrates within their Burroughs that they and every one of them have a speciall care and regard, to see this our Royall will and pleasure readily and dutifully observed in all points, and that no violence bee suffered within your bounds, under all the highest penalty, crime or offence that they may commit against us in that behalfe: And also that ye commaund and charge all and sundry Noblemen Barrons & Burgesses who are not actually indwellers within the Burrough neither are of number of the privy counsell and Session, and members therof, and are already within this Burrough: that they and euery one of them remoue themselves, and depart and passe forth of the said Burrough (and not returne againe without the said warrant) within Six houres after the publication hereof, vnder the said penalty of Treason: It is high time for the Nobilitie both in Scotland & England to looke about them, considering the monstrous unparaled presumption of Bb. who are growne so impudent, as they are not affraid to perswade Kings, to proclaime all the great Peeres and Princes of the Land, Traitors & Rebels, if they will not become the which used to bite people, and howsoever he was spoken often unto of it, yethee reformed it not; At last the curre wounded the man himselfe & his Children; at this he was very angry and caused the curre to be hanged immediately. We poore men have been a long time biten by the Prelaticall Dogs, and we have complained thereof to your Honours but you [...] And as concerning any petitions that shall hereafter be given to vs upon this or any otner Subject: wee are likewise pleased to declare that wee will not shut our cares there from: Soe it bee not prejudiciall to our royall authority. Given at Starling vnder our Signet the 19 of Febr: 1638.
Per actum Dominorum Consily.
For the safety of religion, the honour of the King, and the lawfull liberties and previledges of the subjects, the Nobility and Commissioners aforesaid, were forced to publish a protestation against the Proclamation: and thus they say.
WEE Noble men, It is a thing to bee wished, that our Noblemen, Barens and Ministers, would take to heart, the greevances of the time, and joyntly seek by a lawful way the redresse thereof. We see in Worldly matters, what one cannot doe, many can; So in this case, howsoever some few single men, have not prevailed with the King, to east out the bond-woman & her children, yet if there be a general seeking by the whole Nation, there is no fear but he will give a gracious answere. Barrons and Ministers appointed to attend his Majesties answer vnte our humble petitions, and to present our gree uances and to doe what else might lawfully conduce to our humble desires. Did upon the 13. of September last, present one supplication to your Lordships; and another upon October following: as also a new relatiue to the former in December after the 19. day.
In all which wee humbly remonstrated, our iust exceptions against the Service book, & booke of Cannons, Arch-Bishops and Biships of this Kingdom, as the contrivers, They may wel be called contrivers; for I know not, for what use they are in all the world, unlesse it bee to contrive wayes, how to suppresse Christs Kingdome, & to advance Antichrist. meanteaners & urgers thereof; & against their sitting as our Judges When will theeves, murderers, &c. be punished if none, but themselves may judge their cause. Might the Bb. be brought to an impartiall triall, no doubt but they would be soone condemned, for notorious malefactors; But if their facts may not be examined any where, but where they themselves are Iudges, it wilbe long enought before they suffer according to their merit. until the causes betweene them and us bee decided.
And withall wee earnestly suplicated to beeridd and delivered frō these evils, If the Scotsmen have just cause,, to seeke his Majestie, that they may be rid of Bb. and their Tayle. What cause have we then, to seeke for it, having beene a thousand sould more basely abused by them, then ever they were; Truely it is to be wondered that we are still; but it may be our Nation forbeares to petition his [...] in earnest & from all other innovations of that kind, introducted against the laudable lawes of this Kingdome: as namely that of the High Commission and other evils particularly and generally mentioned in our lupplications & complaints: And that these our Parties, delinquent against our religion and lawes might be taken order with, and these pressing greeuiances bee redressed, according to the Lawes of this Realme, as in our supplications wee have more largely expressed, the which wee gave unto your Lordships upon the 19. December aforesaid, against the Arch-Bishops and Bishops our parties, who by consequence therefore neither could be, nor may be our Iudges.
Whereupon your Lordships declared by your act given at Dealkieth the said 19 of December, that you would present our Petition to his Majestie Royall consideration, and that [Page 13]without any prejudice to us the said Supplicants, and moreover that wee should bee heard, It is a crying none of this Land, that the poore mans cry is not heard; And this comes to passe, through the crast of Prelates, who seeke to have their causes justified in all Courts without any triall or examination. If a Bat touch a Storkes egge, it becomes (they say) addle after. I know not what the secret operation is, that Bb. have in their touch: But this I know, by their touch they make many addle egges, or rather addle heads both in Church and Common-wealth. in time and place convenient, and in the meane time we should receaue no prejudice as the said act it selfe testifies for us.
Now whereas wee your supplicants (with long patitence and hope grounded upon sundry promises) were exspecting an answere unto our fore named humble desires, wee understood of some direction from his Majestie, to your Lords of his highnes privy counsell, touching our complaints: and upon the same addmitted the consulting and iudging If the Nobilitie, Barons,' Ministers, & c. had submitted their cause upon the Kings Commaundement to the Bb. their Church had not been so soone purged of Romish Superstition. And for our parts, unlesse with the Noole Scots we refuse to admitt them for our Iudges, we shall never shake them of with their spirituall whoredoms. both, of our supplication, and the Kings answere there to, vnto the Arch-Bishops and Bishops our direct par-ties: Contrary to our protestation given at Dealkeeth, and since renued at Starling: and contrary to your Lordships foresaid act It much impeacheth the honour and reputation of Statesmen, to comply with Prelates; For howsoever they hould up their heads, looke bigge upon the matter, & Blesse themselves; yet, by good & bad, they are hated all the Land over, and it is a received Maxime among the people, that he cannot be honest, and be for the Bishopes. If a Horse chance to steppe in the track of a Wolfe, he is made lame by it. These Wolves have the like strange operation, for whosoever comes into their way, he halts for ever [...]. made at Dealkeeth.
Least therefore our silence should bee prejudiciall to this soe importunate a cause, as concernes Gods Glory and worship, our Religion and Salvation, the lawes and Liberties of this Kingdome: or derogatory to our former supplications and complaints: or in briefe, not answerable to the trust of our commission: wee are forced out of our bounden duty to God, our King and natiue Country to take instrument in the no taries and Clarkes hands (seeing your Lordships refuse to admit our Declimiter for remouall of these of our parties) and to protest in manner following.
1. Wee protest that wee may, and ought to have a immediate course to present our iust greeviances to our sacred Soverainge, and in a legall way and manner to prosecute the same, before the ordinarie competent judges, Civill or Ecclesiasticall: without any offence either offred by us, or taken by your Lordships.
2. We protest that the Arch-Bishops and Bishops the parties whome wee complaine vpon, cannot bee reputed or esteemed lawfull iudges, to sit in iudicatory within this Kingdome Civill or Ecclesiasticall, upon any of us the said supplicants: [Page 14]untill they doe by lawfull tryall iuditiously purge themselves of such crimes as wee have already laid to their Charge: offering our selves to prove the same whensoever his Majesty shal be pleased to give vs audience.
3. Wee protest that no act Our Land would be happie, if it were free from the unjust acts and Censures of Orelates; For trulie Israel never sighed more, under the Egyptian bondage, thē the better sort, everywhere cry out & complaine of their oppression and crueltie. It may be they thinke, that our consciences (like Sampsons Shouldiers) are strong enought to beare all the loads they lay upon us. But our State hath learned now of Scot land, how to bee eased of their burdē or proclamation, whether pasd or here after shall passe, in the counsell, and by the states of Arch-Bishops and Bishops (our par-ties and whome we have declyned to be our Iudges) shall in no wise be preiudicall to us, that is, either to our persons, or lawfull meetings, proceedings and persuits.
4. We protest that neither our selves, nor any others, It is a sweet Harmony when mē joyn together in good actions; Certainly were there such an accord among the Nobilitie, Barons, Ministers, &. her e in Englād. It vvould make these proud Nimrods harts to quake: For their hope of standing, is in regard of the divisions in the Nobility, Ministers, & c. but my minde gives me, God vvill put it into their hearts shortly, to shevv thē a Scots trick whose hearts the Lord shall moue to joyne with vs in our supplications against the aforesaid innovations, shall incurre any danger, either in life, lands, or any politicall or Ecclesiasticall penaltie: For not observing such acts, Bookes, Cannons, Writs, judicatories and proclamations introduced without, or against the acts of Parliament, or statutes of this Kingdome. But it shal be lawfull for us and them to use our selves in matters of Religion, The Scots Nation is vvorthy of honour above many Nations; For that in Religion, they have not beene the Servants of men, neither follovved their Kings, othervvise then their Kings have followed Christ. Contrariwise it is the shame & blott of our Nation, that in matters of Gods worship, we are as our Princes are, and ready to turne and change as they doe, and what doth this argue, but that men serve not the Lord Iesus, but their owne bellies. or the externall worship of God, and policie of the Church; according to the word of God, and the laudable constitutions, of this Church and Kingdome.
5. Seeing all such as have taken these innovations to heart, have by a legall & submissiue way of supplications sought redresse, and beene calme and quiet in hope of reformation: We protest therefore that if inconvenience shall happen to fall out (which wee pray God to prevent) upon the pressing of the said innouations or evils, generally and specially mentioned in our former complaints, and upon your Lordships refusall, to take order for redresse. That the same shall not bee imputed unto vs, who most humbly desire to have all things redressed by order.
6. Wee protest before God, the Heavens, and the Angles, that these our Request (proceding from conscience, and our due rerespect to his Majesties honour) doe tend to no other end, but to the preservation of the true reformed religion, the [Page 15]Lawes and Liberties of his Majesties most ancient Kingdome and the satisfaction of our humble desires contained in our supplications, according to his Majesties goodnesse and justice; From whom we do certainly exspect, What they exspect, appeares by their petitions and complaints; viz. the exercise of true Religion, the abolishing of all Popish superstitions, & a Parliament to arraigne the Bb. upon the crime of Innovations. And I beleeve that these things, his Majestie will grant them. The which if he doe, then I doubt not, but our Nobilitie, Barons, and Ministers will sue to his Majestie for the like grant, that so this way, and not in Antichrists way, there may be a uniformity betweene the two Kingdoms. that his Maj. wil proceed & grant remedy to our iust petitions & complaints, as may be exspected from so gracious a King towards his loyall and dutifull Subjects, calling for redresse of so oppressing greevances, praying hartily that his Majesty may long & prosperously raigne over us. AMEN
THis protestation beeing published, the Prelates hereat were so daunted, as their courage began to faile So will the hearts faile of our Bb. if the State deale roundly with them; For they may be well compared to the Crocodile, who is feirce and terrible to such as feare her, & run from her; But of no courage in standing out against strong oppostion. Or rather like the Asse, that wrapt himselfe in the Lyons skin, and marched a farre of, to strike terrour in the hearts of the Beasts, but when the Fox drew neere, he not only perceived his long ears, but likewise discovered him, & made him a jest to all the Beasts of the forrest. them, & what to doe, they know not; for they perceive that their Kingdome of Darknes, is now falling Mise perceiving that the House wherin they are, is about to fall, do incontently leave the place; These Bb. shewed the wit of a Mouse, in running away in time, and for my part I cannot blame them much for it, neither would be very sory, if ours would doe so too, considering they know that their cause is so ill, as they cannot with comfort stay, and suffer for it. and out they must. Hereupon some of them secretly fled away into England, and these poore hearts, being full of greefe, used sundry episcopall meanes, or antidotes to expell the venemous desease, which they brought with them from Scotland; and among other chose helpes (as fitting best their place and calling) two or three of them, made themselves starke drunke; and in one night, brake 12: or 14: dozen of venice glasses, in drinking healths over and over, to the confusion of their enemies.
Others of them in the mean time, imployed themselves in the affaires of their state, and craued his Majesties ayd and assistance, and to prevaile this way, they made greevious complaints against the Scotts, and perswaded the King to take up armes against them, The Peast Duron perceiving her selfe almost takē, avoyds a great deal of dung thinking by the noy somnes thereof, to hinder the hunters from following her. This filthy shift dee the Bb. use, for when they see that the State hath almost eatch them, they seeke to eseape, by avoiding their dung; that is, secrerly reporting to the King, many lies and vile slaunders against the hunters of them. for seeing faire meanes would not doe it, fowl meanes might: moreover they would perswade him, that it could not stand with his honour & I know not any Honour or good Service, that ever his Majesty had by them; but rather Iosse & prejudice; for as the ivie claspes the oake, only to suck out sap from it, for her leaves & her ries; so these seeke to be in Princes favour, only thereby to rayse themselves, and for nothing else. safety to suffer The finer parts being severed from the grosser, there followes clearenes, sweetnes, purenes, &c. So when our Land is once purged from the infection of the Prelacie, both King and Subjects will doe the better after. that Kingdome to bee without Bb.
Great joy The like cause of rejoycing the Lord send to England. For I am sure they have occasioned sorrow & greife to her these many yeares. there was in Scotland when they heard the Bitesheepes had left them: and the saying every where was: The Lord hath don great things for vs. And now they found that true in Prav. and that in the Poes-
And because they resolved, to keepe peace Our Prelates are like Nahash the Ammonite, who would not be at peace with Iabesh, Gilead, unlesse he might trust out all their right eyes; So they cannot abide any man, neither will have accord with him, but persecute him to the death; Who will not sinne against knowedge & conscience in yeelding to their filthy baggage & trash. with holines among them, they tooke counsell what was best to bee don for the effecting hereof. If was at last by mutially consent agreed vpon, to renew their ancient Covenant with God, & one with another, the which band or Covenant being composed, it was generally subscribed too, by all the better sort in the Kingdome.
And as I have heard, one maine reason wherefore they were so carefull to take such a course as the Prelates should no more come among them, was in regard they saw such cruelty and basenese, in the English Bb. Such is there basenes, that they are spoken of everywhere; and in truth, sorraigne nations doe admire, that so generous a nation as the English can suffer such Dunghill Wormes, to exercise the crueltie that they doe over them. But I beleeve England will vindicate her Honour shortly this way, and like Scotland will drive away these Locusts from her Coast; And then it will truely be said of both Kingdomes, what is commonly said: Great Brittaine the most renovvne and famous Ile in the World. for said they, howsoever hetherto, Ours have not don so wickedly as they: yet who knowes what they may doe in time: therefore it is good to keepe them out whiles they are.
The Confession followes.
THis Covenant beeing made, and order given for subscription to it throughout the Land; the Bb. hereat reged beyond measure. And like Athaliah cryed out Treason Treason: The Prelates are like him, who beeing only guilty of follome: Yet in the persuru cries out as mainly as he can, stop the theefe, stop the theefe, not caring who is apprehended, so himselfe may escape without daunger: So they, howl it the Arch traitors, to God and the King, notwithstaning are so impudent, as to chardge others with such crimes, as themselves only are guilty of. And because they saw it was in vaine for them to use the courses which they had done before; viz. of silencing, banishing, imprisoning, fining, &c. (for no man now would be so used by them We doe much dishonour the Gospell to obey any of the Bb. Articles, Canons, Censures, &c. the same beeing against Gods Law and Acts of Parliament. Bur rather stand fast (as the brave Scots) in our Christian Libertie, and say to those workers of iniquitie, (as Christ will say one day to them) depart yee cursed of the Lord, we know you not. they be ganne to make ojbections against the Covenant, as thus. If the Prelates could not helpe themselves mere by their Pursevants Iayles Pillaries, &c. then they can by disputation: as no man now loves them, so then no bodie woald feare them: For assoon may a man perswade ihem to hang themselves in their Courts, as to reason by the Word of God, with any godly man that comes before them. All their abilitie lies in this terrible argument: Take him away Jaylor.
1. They produce an Act of Parliament An. 1585. which prohibited all leagues and bands made by subjects without the Kings consent, under paine as beeing holden and punished as movers of Sedition, and such is this Covenant and subscription.
to this it is answered. 1. Seeing the band and union is for the maintenance of true Religion, the Kings Authoritie and Lawes, and for the publick welfaire and peace of the whole Realme, against such as seeke the ruine thereof; It cannot be justly tear med such a league among subjects, as by the foresaid act is prohibited.
2. Ours is no private band of some particular persons, but a publick one, of the collective bodie of the whole Land; Now, it may not be thought, that they who made the Act, intended to prohibite themselves from entering into Covenant with God, and for God and the King.
3. This is no band against Law, but a renuing only of a Confession of Faith, which King lames authorized both by proclamation and his practice too.
But admitt there were some inform alitie in it, in regard they craved not his Majeties consent before they made the Covenant; Notwithstanding (rebus sic stantibus) considering to what extreame miseries What Mariners a case either they can not crane the maisters ayd, or if they craue it, cannot optaine it, I say in such a case, what mariners will not indeauour, to preserve the vessel from drowning, rather then sit still, & so maister & men peerish together. I leaue the application to the wise reader many wayes the Bb. had brought them, it was as necessarie and lawfull for them to doe wnat they did, for the good of the Church; as was Hesters approaching to King Assuerus, before he held out his goulden Scepter, made necessarie and lawfull by reason of the eminent daunger that they were in, through Hammous suggestion to the King.
Another thing objected by the Adversarie is, that all such as subscribe to this Covenant, oblidge themselves to practice such things, as by the act of Perth Assembly was appointed to be used.
To this they answer. 1. For Perth Assembly, they say as Ambrose said of the Councill he'd at Ariminum, illud ago concilium exhorreo. That Convocation was not Lawfull: For the moderators and other members thereof, were not rightly chosen. Againe, the carriages of all businesses went by craft and guile, After such a manner are their innovations brought into the English Church that is, either by craft or violence, or both. For the Bb. know, that they are so wel beloved in England, that it is not possible that any thing should be don for their meantenance, in a faire & legall way. As Wolves take the advantage of the darke night, for to kill & deuour the Sheepe: so these Wolves, make use of in justice & violence for to praey upon Christe poore lambes. and not legallie and impartially, Besides, seeing their cheife pretence for the introduction of genu-cultus then ordained, was because the memory of superstition was past. It must follow that they who forbeare the practice, have as good, or rather a better reason for it; Namelie, because the practice of it will revive thememory of superstition.
Lastly, it is well knowne, that sundry of the innovations concluded at Perth, have not been by the Prelates themselves yet practised; Howsoever the Prelates doe presse conformitie: yet it must not be thought that they doe it of any conscience: but they invent certaine Ceremonies, Canons, Articles, &c. Unto which they thinke no honest man will subscribe: & so hope, by keeping out all able & faithfull men from the ministerie, & giving others just occasion to leaue their Churches, they hope (I say) in a little time, to bring the whole nation to be Athests and Papists, & they (omnia samilia) as birds of a feather, they will agree well enought. Now, by the same reason and ground that they omitt some of those innovations, the subscribers may forbeare the practice both of them and the others also; And the rather seeing most Churches As the Lyon (in the Greek fable) would needs have the Asse, and fox to be of his Councill: because he knew they would doe any thing that he should command them, so the Bb. place abroad in the parish Churches of the Land, either Knaves or Fooles: for they know, that such fellowes like (Foxes & Asses) will doe any thing at their courmaund: I say any thing, so that it be for advantage. As that lewd fellow professeth in the poet, Dorio the Baud: non pudet vanitatis: minime, dum ad rem: Had we such in the Kingdome, have not to [Page 19]this day acknowledged, the things there concluded, for the constitutions of a lawfull assembly.
It is further objected, that Perth Assembly was ratified by an Act of Parliament Ann. 1621. and therefore the Subscribers obleidge themselves to forbeare to practice that which by Parliament they are commaunded to practice.
To answer it, 1. Parliamentarie Ratifications, can no way alter Church Canons, concerning the worship of God; For it beeing but a Counsell, the Parliament cannot turne it into a precept; No more then it can change precepts into Counsels, For that were rather to make Lawes and Canons in matters of Religion then to confirme them.
2. There are no commanding words in the ratification, which can simplie bind, the greater and better sort of subjects, to a literall obedience of the Articles made in that assimbly: the reason is, because there was a supplication given to the members of that Parliament, before they sate, that they would be pleased to heare such grounds and reasons, as should be exhibited to them against the ratification of Perth Assembly. Moreover when the Supplicators were suppresd, they made their protestation in due time and place according to order of law. Besides his Majesty Commissioners in that Parliament solemnly promised, never to presse They have had more fauour shewen them, then we have had: for Ceremonic here are so vrged, as that the Omission of them; is more seve relie punished, the the breach of any law of God: yea the truth is, so men we be, Ceremonioush supestitious. It is a [...] the religion the Bb care or and it is a [...] much religiō as the have themselves. the execution of the act, no penalty should bee exacted, and that there should not be any further of conformity to the English Ceremenies: in short the a foresaid Subscribers have protested against iurisdiction of Prelates, and inparticular against their high Commission, The City of Alexandria in Aegypt nourished the grea [...] bird this to deno [...] garbage & offall [...] it, and to cleanse th [...] streets; but he left [...] his own fithines at beaslines mor [...] noysome behind him the high Comissi [...] Court is allowed under a pretence cleanse the hand the Offals of sinn but the truth is, th [...] it doth not: but b [...] ther like that b [...] voyds so much du [...] & filthines as [...] the whole Kingdome is annoyed therewith our state therfore shall doe wel to [...] downe this house of Baal, & (as losiah did the house of the Sodomites) turne it to a la [...] or draught-house, and so it shall keepe still its nature and kind. and all other their Courts, Canons, Articles, and proceedings.
no doubt but these, and other such like objections, were suggested to his Majestie, & seing he heard not the ansers Princes should be like the sunne, which casteth her shining beemes upon all a like his Majestie wilbe pleased to receine ̄our charges & proofes against the Bb. in as f [...] and favourable a way: as he doth their charges without preffe against us we doubt but to make it cleare, yea and his Majestie shall conseld it, that they are neither fitt Church or Common wealth. d It hath been the overthrow of maine brave princes, to take things upon the [...] of the reporter: for by this meanes dissentions have fallen out between them their best subjects, & here upon, treacherous men (as the Prelats are) have taken [...] time & advantage to hurt both parnies. [Page 20]it is possible he might be offended with his best subjects: specially considering, that his Majesty hath things presented to him, in such shapes and lineaments as the Prelates conceive to to bee most for their owne ends and advantages. notwill standing such was his Maisties wisdome and loue to his ancient Subjects, as that he refused to attempt the actions which some perswaded him unto. What Prelates are, the Spun of God showeth in Rev. 16.13. viz. the unclean pirits which goe unto the Kings of the hearth, together them to battle against the Saints. Now, as Aliad beeing encouraged by his false Prephers, to goe against Raniath Gilead, was undone by it: So many in mking the Bb. counsell to warre against the Gespell, have been undone by the meanes, in their state honour, posteritie. But sent the Mar: of Ham: down into Scotland, to heare what they could say for themselves: & how they could justifie the band they had made and So to certifie his Majestie how all things stood: And no doubt but his Maiestie did this the rather as conceaving in his royall breast, that it was not possible, that so many of his best suband men of the greatest integrity and prudence, would have agreed together in an action of such a nature without Some considerable reason and cause.
The Marques being come into Eden: much speech passed between him and the commissioners for the Land: they craved the indiction of a free Aslembly and Parliament, as the only remeady of their miseries: hee required a rendring up of the whole copies of the Subscribed Covenant telling them that this would bee a meanes to remove all feares of the Kings wrath against the subscribers and If they refused to doe soe, the King: b The same remedy we crave here in England; the which being granted, we feaoe not that but Church and Common-wealth, shall be both the better for it. What Children seeing Serpents creeping in their Fathers and Mothers bosome, will not kill them to preserve their Parents: Those Bb. as so many venemous snakes, lie in the bosome (as it were) of our Abimelech Father King and of the Church; Now, the Parliament-men as good Children will kill those Serpents, that so both Father and Mother may live and prosper. (it might by) would not grant them an affemblie or parliament, for establishing religion, and setling the Peace of Kirk and Kingdome.
But they answered that thus they could not doe, for if they should they should not bee free of the great guiltines of peruirie before God: Note the wickednes of our Bb: it is their order to have infams in baptisine, to vow and promise by their sureties to fight againct the devil & al his vvorkes. yet afterwards, they doe what they can, to make them perinted & foresworne in requiring them, to fight for the Devil & his workes: that [...] for them and the Pope. Againe in this they should destroy what they had before built & confesse themselves to be trespassers, bfore they saw it besides they should shew great unthankefulnes vnto God, for a worke which by his good spirit they were moved to doe. Moreover the demaund was more then the Commissioners could doe, in regard many thousands in the Land besides themselves had subscribed: To be short, they said, and that truely, if they should grant this, all the World would wonder at their inconstancy, and their enemies would mock at them, and traduce them, as periured Covenant-breakers, and Troublers of the peace of the Kirk and Kingdome. And whereas there were many promises made of great matters that the King would doe for them: if they would render up the Copies to him. Their answere was: that this was not the first time, It is the property of the fox to come towards the sheep upon his bellie, & to shew him selfea farre off, as if he meant no harme; but being gotten with in them and where he would be: then like a fox he kils & spares not so the Prelates, till they become where they defire to be, they are very freindly & full of faire promises, but having gotten what they seeke for, then like soxes as they are they spoile ane devour the Lords sheep. that fair promises had beene made them: for not vrging of of Articles already concluded, and for not trouble them with any further innovation the which beeing credited, did ensnare manie and drew them on to doe that, which otherwise they would not have don: all which promises have beene broken and denyed, when the per formance was craved, and why may they not exspect the like in this case, especially where the thing wilbee found more hard and difficult.
There beeing much time spent, and no conclusion made of any thing, at the last there comes downe a Proclamation from the King. The which was problished at the Mercate Crosse of Edinburg the 4 of July 1638. the effect whereof was this. That his Majestie was not ignorant of their great desorders If there be disorders among them, the greatest ault lies on the Proclates who have been the cheife Authors and causers of it. And therefore his Majestie shall doe verie well, to se them severelie punished, who have by their attempts to bring peoperie into that Church occasioned much trouble in that Kingdome we use to blame such as set the house on syer, & not the good people which seeke to quench it: so &c. here, occasioned as is pretended, upon the introduction of the Service-booke; Booke of Canons, &c. thereby fearing innovation of Religion and Lawes. At this his Majestie professeth, to greeve to see them runne headlong into ruine. Yet out of his innative indulgence to his people, he desires to reclay me them from their faults in a faire way: Rather then let them perish in the same. And for further clearing of scruples he promiseth not hereafter to presse the practice of the said Service. booke & Canons, but in a faire and legall way, That which is against the c̄omaundement of God cannot lawfullie be vrged in any way what soever: now there is nothing more sure, then that the service booke & booke of can: are accursed thinges, and therefore ought not to be rged or received by any. He that drinkes povsen out ofa goulden cup, kils himselfe assoon as if he tooke it our of an Iron or Wodden Vessell: So Superstition brought into the Church in a plausible and peaceable way, is as deadly a poyson vnto the receivers of it, as if they were compelled and forced to take it. &c. And for the High Commission he will rectifie it It is as possible to wash the Black-moore vvhite. As by any rectifications to make the high commission a lawfull court. If his Majestie, doe take the advise of his Council about it, I am sure (if they be not Bb: or Athests or Papists.) they wil Counsell him to pull it all down, for there is not one stone in that building which God allowes. with the helpe and advile of the privy Counsell, &c. And for geuerall Assemblies and Parliament it shalbe indicted and called with his conveniency.
In conclusion, he requires and hartely wisheth all is good Subjects not to suffer themselves to be seduced and misled under Religion into disobedience, and draw on infinitely to his greefe their owne ruine. Which he hath and still shall strive to save them from so long as he sees not Royall authority shaken off.
The Kings Proclamation beeing published, the Noblemen, Barrons, Gentlemen, Burrowes, Ministers, and Commons made a Protestation against it to this effect: 1. That they will constantly adhere according to their vocation and power to their Reformation at first. Notwithstanding of any innovations introduced either of old or late.
2. That they will adhere to their supplications given in at Assemblies and Parliaments, against the Service-booke, Booke of Cannons the High Commission, &c. 3. That they will adhere, with their hearts As I rejoyce to see such constancy in the Scotsmen, so it greeves me to the heart, to think what reeds shaken with the wind our people generally are. As Ioab after he had fought many battles bravely & stoutly; yet died himselse at last in shame & digrace; Even so many Preachers & Professors, having a while refused conformitie to the Beast, have afterwards basely yeelded to the Bb. and so gone to their graves, with shame & dishonour to their Oath and subscription of the Confession of Faith. 4. That this Proclamation or Act of Councill or any other Act or Proclamation, &c. shall no wayes be prejudiciall If it be held a base thing among men not to keepe a mans Word & Promise, it is much worse to breake Covenant with the Lord, yet so doe all those, who promise to feare God, and doe his worke in his owne way, and yet doe the commaundements of the Prelates. to the Confession of Faith. Lawes and Liberties of their Kingdome, nor to their supplications Lawfull meetings, &c. 5. Seeing their Supplications, for Reformation, are delayed and in effect refused, whatsoever trouble or inconvenience fall out in the Land in the meane time, for want of those ordinary remedies, not to be imputed to them.
In short, they protest that it shalbe Lawfulll for them, to defend and maintaine that Religion, Lawes, and Liberties of their Kingdome, the Kings authority in defence thereof, and every one of them one another in that cause, of meantaining the Religion and the Kings fore-said authority, according to their power, vocation, and Covenant, with bodies, lives, meanes, &c. against all persuits whatsoever, or against all externall or internall invasions, menaced in this Proclamation. 6. They protest, that their former Supplications, meeting, and mutual defences, are to be commended as real duties of faithfull subjects, Que. Whether England hath not as much Previledge, to reject the Service-book & Canons, High Commission, and all other such like Idolitries, and to establish & maintaine the true worship of God, as hath Scotland. and not to be stiled great disorders, misdeamenours, blinde disobedience, under pretext of Religion and running headlong into ruine, &c.
In conclusion they exspect that his Majesty will presently indict these ordinary remedies of a free Assemblie and Parliament to their iust supplications, which may be exspected from so iust and gracious a King. When the men of Isreel were offended with their Brethren, for that they had brought the K. his Household over & Iordan, Iudah answered; the K. is neere of Kin to us. Wherefore then be yee angry for this matter? This may serve as a reason, why the Scots are first in bringing the King home from his enemies the Bb. the K. is neere of kin to them. Now, for the State of England, if they have any zeale of God, and love to the King, they will further this good worke of Iudah so happily begunne for the Kings safety and honour.
This don Iohn Earle of Caffles &c, in the name of the Noblemen, Master Alexander Gipson younger of Durie, in name of the Barrones, Master Iohn Ker Minister at Salt. Prestoun, in name of the Ministers, and Master Archbald Iohnston, Reader hereof, in name of all who adheres to the Confession of Faith, & Covenant lately renewed within this Kingdome, Tooke Instruments in the Hands of three Notars present, at the said mercat crosse in Edenburgh; beeing invironed with Numbers of the aforesaid Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Borrows, Ministers and Commons, Before many Hundred witnesses; & craved the extract thereof: And in token of their dutifull respect to his Majesty; confidence of the equity of their cause and innocencie of their carriage, and hope of his Majesties gratious acceptance, They offred in humility, with submise reverence, a Copy thereof to the Herauld.
These things being ended the Marquesse leaves Eden; and goes back to London, now what followed touching those afaires you shall-know in the next part
Reward her even as shee rewardeth you: and double vnto her double according to her workes: in the cup which shee hath filled, fill to her double: