HAving received the double of a Let­ter sent from his Majesty with our brother Mr. James Scharp, to the Presbyterie of Edinborough, commu­nicated by them, by his Majesties desire, to the severall Presbyteries of this Province (as it was also to other Presbyteries within this Kingdome) and by these, referred to this Assembly, because of the near approaching of our meeting, for some returne to be given thereupon. And the same being read, once and again, in the publick audi­ence of the Assembly, we were so, to our great comfort and joy, affected with his Majesties gra­cious resolutions, therein expressed, in order to the matters of God: That, as we could not but break forth into joyfull thanksgiving to God in His Majesties behalf; So judged we it our duty to expresse our sense hereof to your Lordship, His Majesties Secretary, which we humbly de­sire your Lordship will be pleased, as convenien­cy may serve, to make known to his Majesty.

WHen it seemed good to the Lord God, whose waies are all holy and righteous, for the i­niquity of the people of these Lands, to permit the power of rebellious, and ungodly men, so far to prevaile, as to the expelling His Sacred Majesty out of His Kingdomes, and from the government thereof: This was, to us, the taking from us the breath of our Nostrills, and the shadow, under which we were to have lived among the Nati­ons. And we did finde it indeed to be so, by many sad and bitter oppressions, and confusions, as well in civil interests, as in matters ecclesiastick, which followed thereupon, under, and by the domination of the Usurpers, and are so notoure to the world, that we need not trouble your Lordship by taking up your time with a rehears­al thereof. As soon as His Majesty returned, and entred again into his Kingdoms, we found, a reviving: especially by that most Royall, Chri­stian, and Pious Proclamation, issued by his Ma­jesty, the very next day after His first coming to His Royal Palace of White-hall, against unchri­stian heart-burnings, and revilings amongst His Christian Subjects and against profanenesse, and debaucht ryotings. This, as it was a clear [Page 3] evidence, that the Lord had sanctified His Ma­jesties afflictions to Him, and given Him his Judgments, and Righteousnesse; So was to us a strong ground of joyfull hope, and assurance, that the righteous shall flourish in His daies; And that wisedome, and knowledg, shall be the stabi­litie of his times, and strength of salvation: And that the fear of the Lord is his Treasure.

But now this His most Sacred Majesties gra­cious Letter, hath fully quickned us, and set us, and this Church upon our feet; And is as the Lord were saying to us. Fear not, peace be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong. As it is matter of great peace to our consciences before God, by whom Kings do reign, that in these by-past times of try­als, and tentations, we have through the grace of God, according to our measure, sympathized with our King in his sufferings, and continued constant in our affection, and loyalty to His Majesty, as our onely rightfull Soveraign under Almighty God: So it is no small matter of com­fort, happinesse, and rejoycing to us, that His Majesty hath been graciously pleased to declare His assurance of, and good satisfaction with the [...] of the generality of the Ministers in this [Page 4] Kingdom, as to this. And as we do verily be­leeve, that for the generality of the Ministers of Scotland, there is real cause why His Majesty might well be so perswaded of them: So it is to us great grief and affliction of Spirit, that any in this Kingdom, of what station, or calling soe­ver, have, in the time of tryal, under whatsoever pretences, swarved from that Duty, and Allegi­ance they owed to his Majesty: wishing that God may grant them repentance, and forgiveness of that grievous sin, so hatefull to God, and so op­posite to the principles of our holy Profession.

But our hearts were filled with joy, beyond all, for the grace of God bestowed upon His Majesty, and his abundant goodnesse tovvard this Church; by inclining His Majesties royall Heart to resolve, and, for assuring his people, graciously to declare it to be His resolution, by the grace of God, to discountenance profanenesse, and all contemners, and opposers, of the ordinan­ces of the Gospel; to protect, and preserve the Government of this Church, as it is established by Law, without violation; to countenance in the due exercise of their Functions, all such Mi­nisters, who shall behave themselves dutifully [Page 5] and peaceably (which, indeed, becometh men of their calling, and for our selves, we trust, through grace, shall ever be our sincere endeavour to do) as also to take care that the Authority, and Acts, of the generall Assembly of St. Andrewes and Dun­dee, in the year 1651. (wherein the peace of this Church, and the reputation thereof, in the eyes of all Churches about us, are so much concerned) be owned, and stand in force, untill another generall Assembly, promising graciously withall, that he will call another, as soon as His Majesties affairs will permit (a blessing which the sad affects that this Church hath sustained by the want therof, through the oppression of Usurpers, makes us the more to long for, and will render the more sweet to us.) My Lord, we cannot expresse, how great obliga­tions, we are sensible, doth lie upon our hearts, to blesse the Lord our God, who hath set up such an hedg of royall Authority about this Church, and the matter of Religion among us, a people so un­worthy, and misdeserving. And what addition we do finde these His Majesties Gracious, and Pi­ous resolutions, make to all the other Bonds and Engagements, Naturall, and Divine, we are under, to study to approve our selves faithfull, loyal, and [Page 6] loving Subjects to His Majesty. If now, when the Lord hath procured to us such a shadow, and assurance from His Sacred Majesty, that we may live under Him a quiet, and peaceable life, in all godlinesse, and honesty, any should yet labour to create jealousies in the mindes of people, it were high wickednesse, and ingratitude, to be abomi­nated, both against God, and the King. We do heartily homolog at the resolution of our brethren, hinted in his Majesties Letter, not to meddle with­out their Sphere; and are resolved, by the grace of God to do accordingly, in our respective Judica­tories, and every of us, in our particular Stations, judging it very aliene from our Calling, and con­trary to the clear revealed will of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, to intrude into, or intangle our selves with medling in matters that are not Ecclesiastick. We will also, according to our duty, whereunto we are so straitly bound by the Command of God, and the tie of our Allegiance, and so deeply obliged in gratitude to his gracious Majesty, endeavour, as is competent to us, to pro­mote His Majesties Authority, and interests with His Subjects, against all opposers: And shall, in the way allowed to us, take notice of all such, as [Page 7] shall in any way transgresse the limits of their Calling, by endeavouring to corrupt the people, or sowe seeds of disaffection to his Majesty. And, as we esteem it a singular mercy that we may expect His Majesties favour in our Calling, and Work, (trusting that our Lord will furnish us with wisedom, and grace, so to carry our selves in all the managements thereof, that we shall not deserve the withdrawing of His royall favour, and encouragement from us) so, it being the will of God, that prayers and supplications be made for all men, in special for Kings, and all in Authority: And His Majesty being such a King, who himself, is so piously, and affectionately desi­rous of our prayers (which makes us confidently hopefull, that our Addresses to the Throne of Grace in his behalf, shall not be in vaine) we shall not faile, as the Spirit of the Lord shall help and enable us, to pray, in publike, and private, that our Almighty gracious God may multiply grace, mercy, and peace upon His royal heart; pour out blessings upon His Throne, and Go­vernment; preserve his Person long to reign, a Nursing Father to the Church of Jesus Christ, in his Dominions, Amen.

My Lord, We humbly beg leave to trouble your Lordship with this one word more. VVe do heartily blesse the Lord in your behalf, for the good offices, we are certainly informed, your Lordship has done at this time for this your mo­ther Church. And we assure our selves, your Lordship will continue, and abound more and more in so good a work. We verily do think and look on it as a special mercy of God to this Church, that such a Son of hers as your Lord­ship, a Person so eminently gifted and enabled of God, so well principled, is come to such place and trust about his Majestie, at such a time as this. Your Lordships improving the advantage ther­of in so pious a service, will be acceptable to God, be honourable to, and bring a blessing, we doubt not, upon your Lordships Person, and Noble Family. That so it may be, shall be the earnest prayer of.