[Page] THE Kirk of Scotland after the reformation of Religion did by degrees attaine to as great perfection both in doctrine & discipline as a­ny other reformed kirk in Europe. The sound­nesse of Doctrine appeareth in her severall Confessions of Faith approven by all the best reformed Kirkes in forraine parts. But because puritie of Religion cannot bee long preserved without that platforme of Go­vernment, which the Word of God hath laid foorth unto us, her nationall assemblies laboured diligently many years to finde out the same, and after many conferences, and publick reasoning resolved upon these conclusions, which are contained in the booke of Policie, or second booke of Discipline. But shortly thus much for the present.

Each Parish beeing provided of a Minister (who under­went tryalls before his admission to the place, and behoved to be qualified both for life, learning and skilfull govern­ment) was ruled by him and the Elders thereof, beeing the men of best life & understanding in the said Parish. Twelve sixteene or twentie of these Kirks were conjoyned in a Pres-byterie or classicall meeting, that did meete weekly and ex­ercise their gifts by course, and had the power of ordinary jurisdiction, ordination, suspension, deprivation, excom­munication, or direction to the parish Minister to excom­municat, after the sight of the processe deduced by the par­ticulare Eldership, collation of benefices, visitation of kirks within their bounds. The enormitie of Ministers either in life or doctrine were dela [...]ed, either by some parochinar, or neighbour Minister. Persons of whatsoever qualitie in the Co [...]gregations who would not obey their owne Ministers and Elders were censured: If verie great difficulties come before them, or if the Pres-byterie had adoe with great par­ties, [Page] who did withdraw any of their number, in these & the like cases there was recourse had to the provincial Synods.

The whole Pres-byterie of a shire or two mett twise a-yeare in their Synod, tryed presbyteries, and ordered what was disficle for the presbyteries, or might concerne them al in common. If any difficultie come before them, for which there was no kirk constitution, they referred the same to the nationall Assembly, which conveened once a yeere, or oft­ner pro re nata. Where they gave their judgment in the case preponed, and made some act & constitution for the like ca­ses in time comming, and other acts and constitutions need­full, received appellations, petititions, grievances, and ap­pointed some to propone their owne grievances to the Par­liament, King, Counsellor Convention. This was the su­preme and highest Kirk judicatorie, to which was made the last appeale, & which was composed of these members, his Majesties self or a Commissionar representing him, two or, three Ministers chosen by each Presbitery, one Gentleman an Elder within the bounds of a presbyterie, A commissio­ner for each regall burgh, and two for Edinburgh: some one of these Ministers was chosen to moderat, or preside by the voices of the whole assembly. This supreme judicatorie so censured the omissions of the subordinat, that no vice of a­ny person whtasoever escaped censure, no error could soo­ner set out its head, but it was presently crushed by one of these, as King IAMES confessed in diverse discourses, and gave that reason why so few errours had appeared in the kirk of Scotland, because they could not escape the censure of one of these Ecclesiasticall judicatories.

This forme of government so comfortable to the reli­gious, and profitable to the kirke was insufferable to many of higher rank, who did not think this yoke of Christ so ea­sy as to enjoy their wished libertie without controulment, which made a number of these, with Courtiers, and some [Page] of the Ministers who were more loose & worldly minded suggest unto King Iames of ever blessed memorie, that He had not so much power in the kirk as in the commonwelth. because, when any of these libertines committed any of­fence, he could not save them from kirk censure, although his Majestie had alwayes power to remit the civill censure & punishment. His Majestie beeing then hopefull of the kingdom of England, they added that reason, that if he ob­tained the Kirke of Scotland to be governed by Bishops, as that of England was, he would thereby endeare to him­self the kirk men there, who might otherwise suspect his affectiō to their state, being acquainted with another forme of kirk government, if he should not evidence it, by labou­ring that change. And if he shuld eshablish the government of Bishops in Scotland, he might bee as absolute in the kirk as in the Common-wealth.

Thus they kindled in his Majesties heart the des [...]e of an absolute power over the kirk, beeing specially moved by their owne particular ends. Great men for obtaining ere­ction of kirklands, which then appertained to the Crowne, in recompense from his Majestie, for assisting the erection of Bishops in the kirk of Scotland. His Majestie being assu­red of the Bishops consent, & of inferiour kirkmen, in hope of suceeeding to the said Bishopricks, and of both for vin­dicating themselves into a licentious liberty from under the awfull censure of the Kirk, was so earnest on that designe, that hee made it his most speciall indevour, but suppressing, the same withall, that hee might obtine it the more easily.

Where-unto hee attained by degrees, which are heere set down shortly in some generall heads Wee refer the par [...]i­culars to a more large information, which shall contain the degrees, course of defection, & advancement of Hierar by in our kirk. First, his Majestie Propounded the necesatie to have Ministers voters in Parliament, in the name of the [Page] kirk, who sitting in Parliament might bee carefull, that no­thing were done in prejudice of the kirk, and might carrie the desires of the whole Kirke to the Parliament for such things as were convenient for them.

The medling of Ministers in these civill imployments was extremely disliked, & opposed by the most judicious in this Kirk. To make the Ministers voting in Parliament the more plausible, and to move the more easie condiscen­dence therto, they were tyed to such caveats, viz. that they should propone nothing in Parliament, Convention or Counsell, without expresse warrant from the kirk, nor keep silence when any thing is proponed there to the prejudice of the Kirke: That they should give an account of their Commission after each Parliament to the next nationall Assembly, and be subject either to their censure of deposi­tion, incase they did transgresse: To attend faithfully their particular flocks as Ministers, in the administration of dis­cipline, collation of benefices, or other points of ecclesiasti­call government, to usurpe or acclaime no jurisdiction over their brethren. A number of such caveats beeing agried upon in the assembly should have beene ratified in the next parliament. But these beeing suppressed, there was insert in place there of a number of articles in favours of Bishops ne­ver mentioned nor agried upon in Assembly. These Mi­nisters who would have entred the Parliament-house to dis­cover that falshood, and protest against it, were holden out from protesting publickly, but they delivered their prote­stati win write to the Estates severally.

All this time these pretended prelats laboured, that there should be no generall Assembly at all to censure them for transgressing their cautions that they might the more bold­ly contraveene. And whereas in these generall assemblies before their dissolving the kings Majestie or his Commis­sioner beeing present did appoint the time and place of the [Page] next assemblie. His Majestiie beeing moved by these Kirk­men, who could not endure the censure of generall Assem­blyes, by his owne warrant first shifted the time solemnely appointed by the last assembly to another time, and then to no certaine time: which made some of the speciall and ablest Ministers to keepe the time last prescribed for pre­serving the Kirks right. These were conveened before the civill Iudge by commandement, and sentenced with bani­ment although only the Assembly shuld have judged, whe­ther their meeting had beene a lawfull assembly or not: some others of these were for that same cause imprisoned. The Kirkmen presented to Bishoprickes were restored to their civill estate and dignitie in Parliament, voyces beeing ob­tained by consenting to erections of sundry Abbacies, and other corrupt meanes in the year. 1606. Thereafter they began to encroach upon the kirk government. First they affected to be constant moderators; & to the end they might effectuat this point the more easily, they procured a meet­ting of Ministers at Linlithgow not long after, while as their chiefest opposites in the Ministerie were either bani­shed, imprisoned, confyned or drawne up to Court, being sent for by his Majestie to give their advice or best overtu­res for the peace of the Kirk as was pretended. That meet­ting consisted of such as were sent for by his Majesties mis­sives without mention of any generall assemblies. At this meeting these who were styled Bishops in respect of their benefice were made constant Moderators of the Presbyte­ries, where they were resident, but were unwillingly admit­ted by the presbyteries. Yet this did not content them, and therefore they accepted the power of the high Commissi­on, allowed them onely by his Majesties command, and Lords of Counsell, against the act of Parliament inhibiting any judicatories, but such as should bee established by par­liament.

[Page] Thereafter they procured an Assembly to be holden at Glasgow, consisting of such as were given in note to the presbiteries, and corrupted by sowmes of money, or hopes of preferment, or awed with the terrour of the high Com­mission. At this pretended assembly some power in Pres­byteries, and moderation in provinciall Synods upon an assurance by word, and an implicite condition in the Act it self for set or yeerely assemblyes, was graunted to those who were styled vulgarlie Bishops in respect of their bene­fice. But the office of a Bishop was not re-established, which before had beene damned by former Assemblies. Yet went some of them to England, and received consecra­tion to the office of a Diocesian Bishop, returned and con­secrat their Fellowes deserted their flocks, and governed as diocesian Bishops without respect to the limitations of the act of the pretended assembly. And this their usurpation they maintaine by the power and authoritie of the high Commission.

Finding that yet they wanted meanes to make the people stumble, & so to be brought under their censure, a nationall assembly was called 1618. Whereunto his Majesty invited by his letters above thirtie Noblemen & Gentlemen wan­ting Commissions, who voted to the conclusions of that pretended assembly. Ministers were brought in from the streets, and some were written for to assist (though never chosen for Commissioners). These who had Commissi­ons were neither suffered to reason, nor vote freely. (There they concluded the five articles, which had beene formerly condemned by our Kirk as superstitious) promising then to leave the practise of them arbitrarie. These they procu­red by the like indirect meanes to bee ratified in Parlia­ment Anno 1621. Against the which articles and ratificati­on thereof in Parliament (without the desire and consent of the assemblyes had thereunto) the most religious and judi­cious [Page] of the Ministerie did solemnely protest in name of the reformed Kirk of SCOTLAND, whereunto the most part of the particular Congregations have adhered, and never practised these Articles. Notwithstanding heere­of, the Bishops did presse them violently, and when any refused practise, there was matter for their high Commis­sion to worke on. This their usurpation even without any pretended warrant of corrupt assemblyes; and their cruel­tie encreased. For they usurpe the moderation of general Assemblyes which are holden only at their pleasure, at diocesian Synods they sit as Iudges rather than simple mo­derators. They ordaine Ministers not in the presence, or with consent of the Congregation, but in some remote place, and sometimes without the presence of any Mini­ster of the Presbyterie, or bounds where the Minister is to serve. They give orders to sundrie without the charge of any flock, they suspend and deprive Ministers usually for none conformitie, not in Pres-byteries and in Synods, where-unto they are tyed, but in the Court of high Com­mission, wherein they fyne, confyne, or imprison Prea­chers or professors at their pleasure. They stay pres-by­teries from proceeding to the sentence of Excommunica­tion. They exact subscripiton from intrants to the Mini­sterie unto articles framed by themselves alanerly, and de­barre the best qualified for refusing to subscribe. It doth not content them to admit according to the oath contained in the Act of Parliament. They convocate Ministers to promiscuous meetinges, and direct their mandates from these, as from the representative Kirk of Scotland. They consecrate Bishops and ordaine Ministers according to a forme not allowed by this Kirk. They debarre persons presented by lawfull Patrons, because they refuse to enter by the degree of a baptizing Deacon. They sit in Coun­sell, Session, and Exchequer, contrare to the word of God [Page] and acts of the Kirk. They staye processe against Papists. They teach Popish and Arminian pointes of doctrine, or preferre such as teach the like. They bring in practise of novations in the royall chappell, not warranted so much as by any pretended acts of corrupt Assemblies. But to relate their particular insolencies and usurpations were fit­ter for a Volume than for this short information.

And although at Conventions and Parliaments their oppressions were complained upon, yet neither parliament, Convention or Counsell, would heare any plaint against them. By direction of his Majesties private letters the Counsell all wayes interposed their authoritie to all their sentences in the high Commission, when it was craved, and assisted them so far as lay in them, which did increase their pride, and encourage their undertaking all novelti­es, which seemed good in their owne eyes. Thus think­ing themselves by thirtie one yeares experience sufficiently persuaded of the passive disposition of the people to under­ly what they would impose, and of the secret Counsells as­sistance, they obtained his Majesties letters patents for an high Commission consisting of above an hundreth persons civill and ecclesiasticall promiscuously, whereof the Bishop of any Diocie, might assume any six to himself, and there judge any person of whatso-ever qualitie within, or without his diocie, whereas only before Arch-bishops might held Courtes of high Commission. Some of the Bishops began to put this new Commission in practise, and and give it life and execution.

In the yeare 1636 the Bishops framed a booke of Ca­nons and constitutions for governing the kirke of Scotland. Which did quite subvert the order and forme of discipline established, contained many errours, and opened a doore for many moe both in doctrinall and disciplinarie points of Religion, whensoever the Kings Majestie upon the Bishops [Page] recommendation would ordaine the same. In this booke it was ordained that there should bee no obloquie against these Canons, or booke of Common prayer, which was to bee set foorth, notwithstanding such proceedings were illegall.

In the next yeare in Iunij 1637 the said Bishops caused print the booke of Common prayer, compiled by them for the use of this Kirk, which was appointed by his Ma­jesties letter to bee received, as the onlie forme of Gods publick worship, where-unto all Subjects either civill or ecclesiasticall behoved to conforme themselves, and the contraveeners to be condignly punished. By proclamation each Minister was enjoyned, and some charged with letters of horning to buy two of them for the use of the Parish. Approbation from the Lords of Counsell was given to it, when few but Bishops were present at Counsell.

The Bishop of Edinburgh accompanied with two Arch bishops, and sundrie other Bishops (notwithstanding the mislik Ministers and Professours had for the manner of in­troduction & corruptions of the same) began the use of it in the cheife Kirk of Edinburgh, upon the 23 Iulij. 1637. The people much discontented with the former novations, could not endure so great and sudden alteration, as impor­ted a change both of the externall forme, and nature of the former publick worship, did the most part of them all at one instant rise & hinder the new service, calling it supersti­tious or idolatrous. The same was also stopped in another Kirk of Edinburgh, where it was to bee read by the Bishop of Argyle. Notwithstanding heereof they procured by act of Counsell, the paine of death without all favour and mercie to bee denounced against all those who should any wayes raile or speake against the Bishops, or any of the in­feriour cleargie, or against the Service booke. They dis­charged the Ministers and Readers in Edinburgh, (who [Page] refused the Booke,) there wonted service, and interdited the publicke Evening and Morning prayer, reding of Scriptures, singing of Psalmes, for a long time, and still pressing the buying and practising of the said Booke by all Ministers. Which moved the Ministers first to petition, and next manie of the Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burgesses, and Ministers to meete, and to supplicate the Lordes of privie Counsell against the saids books of Canons and Common prayers against the illegall and unorderlie waye of intro­ducing the same.

The generall Supplication sent to His Majestie by the Duke of Lennox, (who was then returning to England from the buriall of his Mother in September, 1937.) was answered in October only by a Proclamation, discharging the Counsell to meddle in Kirk matters, and charging all the Supplicants to depart out of the Town within twentie foure houres, under the paine of rebellion, as also the Iu­dicatories of Counsell, and Session to remove, but no wayes answering the petitions, which the Supplicants did patiently expect, notwithstanding the matter concer­ned the service of God. The Supplicants gave in then a Complaint against the Bishops, offering to prove these bookes contained the seedes of Superstition and Idolatrie &c. and craved justice upon the Bishops, as authors there­of, and guiltie of lies, betwixt the King and his Subjects, and many other crimes censurable by Law.

The affection of people drawing so many together to waite for the answere to their Supplications gave offence to the Lords of Counsell, whereupon the Supplicants for giving them satisfaction, did with their consent choose but a few of their number to attend the same, who after long expectation, were answered only by a Proclamation upon the seventh of December, declaring his Majestie not to be inclined to Popery, which the Supplicants did not al­ledge. [Page] They beeing then earnestly required, by such as had power from his Majestie, to divide the supplications severally by shires, to restraine them only to the bookes of Canons and Common prayer, and to passe from the high Commission and the pursuite of the Bishops, the suppli­cants gave sundrie reasons, why they could not doe so, shewing also, that if the Bishops keeped their boundlesse u­surped power, they could soone frame and bring in the like bookes within a short space, and offered to prove they had all deserved exemplare punishment by their usurpation a­gainst Law, and by their heavie tyranny unlawfully exer­ced on the Subjects for many yeares.

All this time the Supplicants could obtaine no answere to the supplications sent to His Majestie, nor move the Counsell to receive them, and recommend them to His Majestie not for the space of a whole Moneth, although they continually attended, till they were ready to make protestation against the Counsell for not hearing them in so important a businesse.

Vpon the twentie one daye of December, 1637. the Counsell' received the generall Supplication, and sent it to his Majestie, at which time the Supplicants declined the Bishops from being their Iudges, as beeing now their par­ties. The answere to the particulare and generall Sup­plications was returned by a Proclamation made in Febru­arie, 1638. Whereby his Majestie had declared hee had ordained the booke of Common prayer to bee compyled, that hee had approved the same as a ready meane to main­taine the true Religion, and beate out all Superstition and Idolatrie, and doubted not to satisfie the minds of all the Subjects. Heere-with charged them all to depart from these Townes where the Counsell or Session should sit, and to abstaine from all meetings any where under the paine of Treason. A verie great number of the Nobilitie and Gen­trie, [Page] made a proestation on the mercat Crosse of Edin­burgh immediatly after the Proclamation was red, against the bookes of Canons, and Common prayer, high Commission, and all other Novations introduced in the Kirke against or without the Word of GOD and lawes of the Countrey, and against the Bishops as their parties, & that in no judicatorie they should sit as their Iudges, till they were tryed by Law. That their whole meetings were lawfull & necessare, & that they might have their recourse to his Majestie. The Supplicants were then forced to forbeare any futher dealing with the Counsell, because a­gainst the Law of Nature and Nations they would not ad­mit their declinatour against the Bishops their parties from sitting as their Iudges, whereas they offered under the paine of their lives, to prove many haynous crymes a­gainst them, and such as were palpable to the World. as their introduction of Poperie, and Arminianisme, & their many publick transgressions against Law.

The whole Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burrowes, Ministers, and Commons, who had now so often supplicat, and so long attended, were cast into great difficulties considering their Religion so well warranted by Gods Word, and e­stablished by the lawes of the Kirke and Kingdome, was now begunne to bee changed, both in doctrine and disci­pline, at the pleasure of the fourteene Bishops, and the li­berties of the Countrie like to bee infringed by their usur­pation, and that having complained often upon them to his Majestie by his Counsell, were answered by the former declaration approving these Popish bookes, their wicked & unlawfull proceedings, and condemning the Supplicants lawfull and peaceable meetings, and humble waye of sup­plicating, as prejudiciall to regall authoritie, prohibiting also their necessar meetings in time comming, All these did move the Supplicants, to bethinke the renewing [Page] of the nationall Covenant of this Kirke & Kingdom, (the breach whereof hath beene a speciall cause to bring these evills upon them) to bee a good meane for obtaining the Lords wonted favour, having many examples in holy Scripture that the people of GOD have happily renewed their Covenant with GOD.

This their Covenant containeth nothing in substance but that which is contained in the Confession of Faith, and generall band formerly made for maintenance of Religion, & acts of Parliament made at sundie times. The Confession of Faith was approved by diverse Acts of secreet Counsell, and generall Assemblbes. It was first subscribed by King IAMES himself, and his whole House-hold, after by all his Subjects, commanded by publick Proclamation to sub­scribe. Subscription to this Confession hath beene in con­tinuall practise, when any persons suspect of Papistrie were to be tryed, & likewise masters of Schooles & Colledges were ordained by act of Assemblye to cause their Schollers subscribe when they were to passe their degrees, which hath beene observed to this day.

The practise of subscribing beeing in continuall use to this time was a sufficient warrant for the Supplicants to subscribe the same for manifesting their affection to GODS trueth, and holding out all Popish superstition. To the said Confession are subjoyned such acts of Parliament, as ratifi­ed the heads thereof, and were made in favours of Religi­on professed in the same, Together with a part of the ge­nerall band formerly made and subscribed by authoritie of King Iames, and his Counsell, binding all the Subjects to the defence of Religion, and his Majesties person, and each to other in these two causes. The Supplicants bind them­selves to forbeare all approbation or practise of corrupti­ons and innovations brought in this Kirk, till the forme of their entry their lawfulnes, or expediencie be tryed in a free [Page] generall Assemblye, and to labour by all meanes lawfull to recover the puritie and libertie of the Gospell, as it was professed and established before the entrie of the said No­vations. But withall they declare that the novations and evills contained in their Supplications, complaints & pro­testations, have no warrant in the word of God, and are contrare to the articles of the forsaid confession, & acts of Par­liament. They promise to forbeare the practise and appro­bation of novations already entred, till a free assembly and Parliament, because they were never condiscended upon, but in pretended Assemblies, and upon conditions which have not beene observed, besides that protestations have beene made contrare to the same.

This Covenant was subscribed by many thousands in Februarie last, yea, in a very short time, by almost the whole Kingdome. It was publickly read and sworne in most Kirks with great motion, prayers, and teares, all pro­fessing repentance for their sinnes, specially for their breach of Covenant to God in suffering the puritie of his worship to bee thus tainted. The desire of true knowledge wrought by it in the hearts of the people may approve it to bee a speciall meane appointed by God for reclaiming this Nation to himself.

The supplicants having now both by oath & subscription manifested their desires to be religious, & their hearts loy­all and faithfull to their Prince, beeing now barred from dealing with the privy Counsell, who admitted the Bishops to sit as Iudges in the cause, after the Supplicants had de­clined them as parties, and beeing desirous his Majestie should bee rightly informed, that hee might give a grati­ous answer, they thought it expedient to write to the Duke of Lennox, Marquesse of Hamiltoun, Earle of Mortoun, as speciall members of this state, because they had neere ac­cesse to his Majestie, not doubting that they could not but [Page] bee very sensible of these evills complained upon, desired them to learne from his Majestie, if hee would bee pleased to receive a new petition from the Supplicants immediatly or if they should make their desires knowne to his Majesty by their Lordships. This supplication was sent to have been delivered if his Majestie would have received it, and also some articles containing their just desires for their Lord­ships information. His Majestie was not willing to receive the supplication, but perusing the articles did remit his gra­tious answere to bee delivered by the Marquesse of Hamil­toun, who was to bee sent as his Majesties Commissioner, with instructions and power for settling the peace of this kingdome.

Vpon the thirtie day of May a ship arrived at the road of Leith, carrying a great deale of munition, as Cannon, pow­der, with Cannon ball, musquets, Pikes, and match for the Castle of Edinburgh, foretold & threatned by the Bishop of S. Andrewes, and his followers, who affirmed the pro­viding that Castle, and fortifieng the towne of Leith, to bee the onely meane to beate down Edinburgh, and force them to undergoe any thing should bee injoyned, as also to hold the supplicants out of it &c. Upon suspition that the putting of this munition in the Castle would be stayed, the Lord Thesaurer did convey it quyetly to Mussilburgh harberie and from thence to Dalkeith. The people remem­bering the threatnings preceeding, and considering that such provision had not beene made for these places these thirtie yeares by past, began to suspect danger The Sup­plicants suspecting that the same would bee imployed a­gainst the bodie of the Kingdome, who were ayming at no thing but the preservation of Religion, and the Subjects li­bertie, resolved without giving offence, to keepe a watch lest any of that provision should bee conveyed into these places against the wonted custome: For these are the grea­test [Page] forts in the Countrie appointed for her sastetie, and not for her hurt.

The Marquesse of Hamilton being appointed his Majesties Commissioner did send a number of missives to his friends, followers & acquaintance in Scotland from Court, to meet him at Haddingtoun, and Dalkeith, the fifth day of Iunij. Where-upon the Papists applauding to the Service booke, bragged that they with some neutralls, and such as were in­different in matters of Religion, would assist the Bishops, & used all their meanes to conveene the greatest numbers they could.

The Supplicants moved with the provision intended for the Castle, and these frequent meetings of Papists & neu­trals, resolved not to joyne with them at their meeting with the Commissioner, because they would impudently ascribe the most part of these whom hee had required, to themsel­ves and these neutralls, for these and some other important reasons, the Supplicants resolved to send out some few of their number to make their excuse to my Lord Commissi­oner. The Supplicants together & the Towne of Edinburgh apart by their request procured his comming to Haly-rood-house as the most convenient place for their attendance.

Vpon the seventh of Iunij at his entrie hee was attended by a great number of the Supplicants on horse, meeting him three myles from Haly-rood-house, and all the way betwixt by many thousands on foot, amongst the which were six or seven hundreth of the Ministerie. In hope that the Com­missioner would not offer to furnish the Castle with mu­nition during the treatie, the numbers appointed for watch­ing were diminished even before his entrie.

The Supplicants renewed their former desires of a gene­rall Assembly and Parliament to the Commissioner, as the only meane to redresse the evills complained upon. He ac­knowledged himselfe unable to grant either, till first the [Page] Countrie were in a peaceable condition, & till they should first rescind and render their subscribed Covenants to his Majestie. To the first it was answered, the Cuntrie was not unpeaceable, there was many humble supplications desi­ring remedie of these pressing grievances, the Supplicants could not be moved to stay from meeting, and supplicating till they should receive a gratious answere, and the onely meane to content them was the granting of a free generall Assembly, and a Parliament, for the second, they could not draw on themselves the guilt of perjurie before God, & gave the Commissioner sufficient reasons of their refusall, which are extant in print.

The Commissioner excepted against that clause in the Covenant, bearing mutuall defence, as if the Supplicants had combyned themselves to maintaine each other in their owne private quarrells, howbeeit the clause bee cleare e­neugh of itself, yet for his Majesties satisfaction they gave in a Supplication to the Commissioner, wherein they de­clared their mutuall defence of each other, was only in the defence of true Religion, of the lawes and liberties of this Kirk and Kingdome, and of his Majesties person, and auto­ritie in preservation thereof, where-with his Grace acqui­esed.

The Commissioner professing, that all his instructions did runne on the hope of having the Covenant surrendred, and this failing, hee could doe no more but returne, and deale with his Majesty for obtaining a free generall Assem­bly and Parliament. Withall did shew that before his par­ting hee behoved to publish his Majesties gratious declara­tion, and so first made that proclamation of returning the Counsell, and Session to Edinburgh to make a faire way for the other, professing also, that the other should bee full of goodnesse, promising only a generall Assembly and par­liament, and discharging all novations introduced. Where [Page] upon a protestation was provided only to give thanks to his Majestie, and to protest that some short and convenient time might bee appointed for holding the Assemblye and Parliament.

But the Supplicants attending the publishing of this faire and smooth declaration, when it was proclaimed upon the fourth of Iulij they found it so grievous, as it necessitat the Supplicants to make that protestation, which is extant in print.

As the Supplicants were grieved at the Proclamation, so their griefe was augmented when they heard that the Lordes of Counsell had approved the Proclamation by a particular Act. For the Counsell had approved that pro­clamation as satisfactorie, and so full of grace and good­nesse, so that it might satisfie all men. Whereas it gave saisfaction to none of the Supplicants desires, and did condemne their lawfull meetings. Therefore they pre­pared a supplication for the Commissioner, which did bear their just exceptions at the Proclamation, and farre more against the Counsells act of approbation. But the Coun­sell considering better of their Act, did teare it after it was subscribed, and before it was put upon record. The next day the Commissioner was supplicated and earnestly desi­red to make some act to cleare, that the Counsells subscri­bing of the Kings Majesties declaration was no approba­tion thereof from them, but only a warrant for the Clerke to cause proclaime it. The Commissioner and most of the Counsellers declared the same solemnely by their oaths, wherein the Supplicants acquiesced. My Lord Commis­sioner promised to recomend their desires earnestly to his Majestie, and returne at the fifth of August next, or before the twelft at the furthest.

The Commissioner reported that it was written from England, that these of this Nation were comming with [Page] armes towards them. The Supplicants protested bef [...]re God, it never entred in their mindes to doe them the least harme, but that they carried toward them all due respect of Brethren, if they should not bee first invaded by them, which was as farre from their expectation, as it was with­out their deservings.

But on the contrare, whereas such of the Bishops as were chiefe authors of these evills, apprehending danger from the Panick terrours of their guiltie consciences, & not from any just occasion offered by the Supplicants, when they and their adherents, had acted the part of Incendiari­es at the Court of England betwixt the Kings Majestie and his Subjects, did thereafter retire themselves out of Scot­land, as hopelesse to find a partie for them there, these who have not subscribed the Confession, excepting Coun­sellers, not beeing a considerable part, and the most part of them no favourers of Bishops. And they bragged that his Majestie will make the people of England come in armes against Scotland, which is neither to bee expected from so just a King against his own native subjects only sup­plicating for the preservation of true Religion, and liberties of the Countrie established by lawes, nor from so good and wise a people with whom the Kingdom of Scotland is not more neerely conjoyned by marches, than all true Sco­tish hearts have beene these many yeares past. It should be an high and fearefull dissimulation, if any such spytefull intention were keeped up against brethren, whose naturall freedome and ingenuitie cannot admit the least suspition of any such thoughts: seing they live in one Iie, under one King & have intertained commerce with as litle contoversie, or debate, & with as much affection and peace, as ever was be­twixt two Nations, yea, they are so far from intention to offer wrong to the English, that they are resolved never to suffer England to be wronged by any other Nation, so long [Page] as their lives and meanes shall laste, and doe expect the like br [...]therly duetie from them, least they bee found even to f [...]ght against God himself. How can they have any pur­pose to wrong that Countrie, wherein so many worthie Preachers and professours have given both by writing and suffering abundant testimonie to the cause they plead for in all the particulars thereof, which now they maintaine. My Lordes of the Clergie in Scotland as they have borrowed somethings from England, to wit, high Commission, Ca­nons, and such other stuffe not warranted by law, as in Eng­land, thought to have repared that loane by establishing the new Service booke first heere, that thereafter their con­federats might thrust out that service so long continued in England, for if it had not been for that end, it shuld not have goten so much help and approbation from thence, and per­haps from Rome. But that current is stopped heere, prai­sed be God, and we wish it might be also there, If some En­glish Bishops, seeming to compassionate their Brethren heere, have a desire to further the plot, though it were u­pon Nationall Perills, & so may move the English Catho­licks, as persons furthest disappointed, to undertake the re­coverie of their cause, by giving their whole assistance a­gainst Scotland, which beeing once suppressed, all may bee setled there, and then undoubtedly in England: The kingdom of Scotland (with reservation of all due respect to the true English) craveth they maye not onely have help from good Christians there, in case of such invasion: but also leave to root out these Cananits, who are pricks in their sides. And this much shortly, to give satis-faction to the better sort, that there bee no mistaking amongst brethren. Cursed bee these that doe not wish and pray for peace, if it can bee had without that great losse of the Gospell of peace, in the pu­rity and power thereof according to the word of God.