THE MARQVESSE OF ARGYLE HIS SPEECH

CONCERNING The King, the Covenant, and Peace or Warre betweene both Kingdomes.

ALSO, A Letter to the Parliament of England, from Mr. Marshall. Some Votes past in Scotland, and the particular par­ties which would engage against England, and who are against it

London, Printed by Barnard Alsop, 1648.

THE MARQUESSE OF ARGYLES SPEECH.
CONCERNING. The KING, the Covenant, and the present state of both King­domes.

My Lords and Gentlemen.

THe worke of Reformation in these King­domes, is so great a worke, as no age nor history can parallel since Christs dayes, for no one Nation had ever such a Reformation set forth unto them, much lesse three Kingdomes, so that this [Page 2] Generation may truly think themselves happy, if they can be instrumentall in it. And as the work is very great, so it cannot be expected, but it must have great and powerful enimies; not only flesh and blood which hate to be reformed, but likewise principali­ties and powers, the Rulers of the darknesse in this world and spiritual wickednesses in high places. As the dangers are great we must looke the better to our duties, and the best way to perform these, is to keep us by the rules which are to be found in our Nationall Covenant, principally the word of God, and in its owne place, the example of the best refor­med Churches; And in our way wee must beware of some Rockes, which are temptations both upon the right and left hand, so that we must hold the middle path. Vpon the one part, we would take heed, not to settle lawlésse liberty in Religion, where­by, instead of Vniformity, we should set up a thou­sand Heresies and Shismes which is directly contra­ry to our Covenant. Vpon the other part, we are to looke that we persecute not piety & peaceable men, who cannot through scruple of Conscience, come up in all things to the common Rule; but that they may have such a forbearance as may be according to the Word of God, may consist with the covenant, and not be d [...]structive to the Rule it self, nor to the Peace of the Church and Kingdome, wherein I will insist no further either to insist your Lordships pa­tience or judgements, who I doubt not will be very careful to do every thing according to our covenant. As to the other point, concerning the peace and uni­on [Page 3] of the Kingdoms, I know it is that which all pro­fesse they desire, I hope it is that all do aym at; sure I am, it is that which all men doe study and endeavor, and I thinke it not amisse to remember your Lord­ships of some former experiences, as an argument to move us to be wise for the future.

If the Kingdom of England in the 1640. yeere of God, then sitting in Parliament, had concured, as they were desired against the Kingdom of Scotland, no question wee had been brought to many difficulties which blessed be God, was by the wisdome of the, Honourable House apreuedted: so likewise when this Kingdom was in difficulties, if the Kingdom of Scot­land had not willingly, yea cherfully sacrificed their peace to concur with this Kingdom, your Lordships all know what might have bin the danger.

Therefore, let us hold fast that union which is so happily established betwixt us, and let nothing make us again two, who are so many wayes one, all of one Language, in one Island, all under one King, one in-Religlon, yea one in Covenant; so that in effect wee differ in nothing but in the Name, as Brethren doe, which I wish were also removed, that we might bee altogether one, if the two Kingdoms shal thinke fit; for I dare say hot the greatest Kingdom on the earth can prejudice both so much, as one of them may doe the other.

I wil forbear at this time to speak of the many je­lousies I hear are suggested, for as I do not love them so I delight not to mention them, onely one I cannot forbear to speak of, as if the Kingdom of Scotland, [Page 4] were too much affected with the Kings interest. I wil not deny but the Kingdom of Scotland, by rea­son of the Raign of many Kings his Progenitors over them, hath a natural affection to his Majesty, where­by they wish he may be rather reformed then ruined, yet experience may tell, their personal regard to him has never made them to forget that common rule, The safety of the People is the supream Law. So likewise their love to Monarchy makes them very desirous that it may be rather regulated then destroy­ed, which I hope need not to mention further to your Lordships, who I trust are of the same mind.

A Letter from a Gentleman from Edin­burgh to his friend at London.

SIR,

THe convention of the estates of Scotland are breaking up and the Parliament meet on Thurs­day next, the house is like to be full the first day, and great are the expectations of the people on all sides, and the rather because so little as yet is knowne con­cerning the buisinesse which the English Commis­sioners come about which is wholly referred to the Parliament, to whom their papers are directed, many [Page 5] bills are prepared in a readinesse to be passed when the Parliament is convened, the Marquesse of Argyle (with whom David Generall De [...]y also cideth) and a great part of the Clergie and honest peaceable Presbyterians joyned in a Declaration, that they dis­claime to adhere to or associate themselves with Ma­lignants and disaffected persons in making any warre against England, to these there is a great party which would have had some respect to tender Consciences yet it is reported here by Malignants of which there are store that they shal have another day and that the King shall be brought again, &c. These are likewise the hopes of the Remainder of those which the Mar. of Huntly commanded formerly, by which wee may perceive that for the present the division is great amongst these, so is it in their Army; some are for Episcopacy, and setting up the King in as great power as ever he had heretofore[?]; others say, then to what purpose have we hazarded our lives, and entred into Covenant, &c.

Thus are we as men in a maze what will become of these things; especially, seeing some of our Com­missioners slighted, even by those which most favour their Cause, but the rest have now very good recep­tion, and are well accommodated.

Vpon the large Report of the Scots Commissioners which were in England, wherein some of them wan­ted not words to make good their actions at London, and laying open the proceedings of the Parliament to their best advantage, the Convention of Estates voted [Page 6] their approbation thereof: yet when the Declarati­on and Papers on the other side, come to receive a debate in a full House of Parliament, where its like all things will be well pondered and laid in an equall ballance, it may happily prove otherwise; at which the Hamiltonians, and all those which are now puft up with hopes of division, would with shame hang down their heads. Mr. Marshall hath sent a Letter to the Parliament of England, to desire leave to returne again to London, which is all for the present from.

Your humble servant, J. M.

Imprimatur,

G. Mabbot.
FINIS.

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