THe great differences between the two King­domes, England and Scotland, through the great mercy of God being now appeased, and an act of oblivion past of all by-gone deeds since the last troubles; we may with cheerefulnesse and thank­fulnesse, not only settle all things here at home, which by reason of the want of the benefit of ordinary judi­cature, are now out of order, likewise with all duty and affection to consider of, and assist his Majesty in such matters and enterprizes, as he shall be pleased to propound unto us.

Now first for the difference give mee leave to say somewhat of them.

(And indeed) in speaking somewhat of them I may hold my peace, and say nothing at all, for the truth is, there was no difference between the 2. Kingdomes.

There was troubles and feares on every side, but consider, it was not through the default of the two Kingdomes, that were like to produce such miserable effects and calamities as were threatned; But it was the fault of malignant men, who by their wicked Actions and improvident Councells, strived (what in them lay) to sow the seeds of discord and discention [Page 2] betwixt his Royall Majesty and good Subjects of both Kingdomes, if then these Calamities threatned and feared, were by ill Instruments wrought, and cau­sed, and that now by the goodnesse of the Almighty, the wisdome of his Royall Majesty and prudent en­deavours of the Honorable Assemblies of both King­domes, both the cause and the causers are removed and averted, what cause is there, or can be there ima­gined to be, that either Kingdome or any particular member of either, can be otherwise then really uni­ted, in more tender and hearty affection one towards another, then ever they were.

For our Kingdome of Scotland, however the great Impostures of these troubles, and scattered false Ru­mors and reports; both in the eares of his Majestie, and many of his Loyall and good Subjects, that wee should ayme altogether at out owne ends, and that all our pretences were to insinuate both into the hearts and estates of the Subjects of England; yet J hope it hath now fully appeared to his Majesty, and the Honourable assembly of that Kingdome, and all other his loving Subjects, that will not be wilfully or maliciously blinded, that we sought onely our owne peace, and not the least prejudice, (much lesse the ru­ine) of our Brethren of England, for the truth of this, I dare boldly say; I may call even the Northerne Countries to witnesse, where our army lay, that they cannot say that our Souldiours used them as enemies, but as friends, and that where such an army lay so longtime, there was so little harme done to a Coun­try, and that little which was done (I hope satisfacti­on is or shall suddenly be made) and hope none of his Majesties good Subjects in England, will take it to [Page 3] be any dishonor in granting us that summe of mony, the Parliament did, towards our great losses and char­ges, which have appeared to be more then douoled; and the summegranted, but a friendly demonstration of one Nation towards another.

We are Brethren, not enemies, and by ill Instru­ments were forced both into the field, having no cause of malice one towards another. Let the mis­chiefe then fall on neither Nation, but on those In­struments, let them be made Exemplary that was the cause of such Calamities, and great miseries, let the Honour be to his Majesty, and the wise and prudent Assemblies of both Kingdomes, that have applyed themselves to faire things, and composed the quar­rell, without shedding of blood, and even from a state Gasping, have restored both Kingdomes to their former unity, Peace and Concord; and disbanded the Armies upon reasonable conditions; since then, there is such an vnity, betweene both Kingdomes, and that the Armies are both vnited, in true hearty affection one towards another, how considetable may these armies make us abroad, if God shall blesse us, then certainly those armies that were lately ready to of­fend one another, may shew a Capability with vnity of hearts, and well designed may effect great matters, and may by vnity of Councell, raise both Kingdomes to as great estimation, and as great honour in the world, as euer; and how can they be better desig­ned then to restore the Electorall Family to their former inheritance, can there be a better cause then the truth of God? Can there be a cause wherein we can be more interessed, then to assist his Royall Ma­jesties dearest and onely Sister, and her Royall issue, [Page 4] to obtaine their lawfull and right Inheritance, out of which they have beene so long time unjustly dive­sted, doubtlesse, there cannot; now, to the interest of the cause, let us adde his Majesties proposition, which makes all compleate.

Let us therefore proceed to the perfecting of so Religious, so lawfull, and so laudable a worke as this, and no doubt, but our Brethren of England will be as willing and forward as wee being interested in the cause alike as we are, I shall heere, not unfitly make mention of a homely story; I have read of an Empe­rour in Turky, that hearing there was Civill warres in England, had a designe to have taken the advantage of the times, and invaded that Kingdome, but an En­glishman being in some favour and estimation with the Emperor, and wishing well to his Native Coun­try, caused a couple of Mastive dogs to be set toge­ther by the eares before the Emperour, and as they were fighting, caused a Beare to be put to them which the Dogges perceiving, left fighting, and fell both upon the Beare. which the Emperour taking notice of, the Englishman told him he had caused that to be done, to shew him the condition of his Country­men, who would fall out among themselves, yet they would take part each with other against an E­nemy; and therefore although they were at vari­ence amongst themselves, yet it would bee little advantage to his intended undertakings, upon which, the Emperour changed his resolution touching that designe.

If then this were the nature of Englishmen; unto whom wee now by the Almighties providence are vnited under one King, one Nation, and one Island, I doubt not but the same remaines, and although wee have beene lately ready to offend each other, yet being now united in more tender and hearty affecti­on, one towards another then ever wee were, shall hold and maintaine such a good correspondence amongst our selves, that shall not onely bring both Nations to a condition of prosperi­ty at home, but make us formyda­ble to our enemies a­broad.