The Copy of a LETTER FROM Duke Hamilton, TO THE MINISTERS AT LANCASTER, With their ANSWER to the same.

Published by Authority.

LONDON: Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honora­ble House of Commons. August 25. 1648.

FOR SUCH MINISTERS Of this Shire as are now at LANCASTER, And have lately forsaken their own DVVELLINGS.

Reverend Gentlemen,

BEing informed that divers of the Ministry of Lancashire, upon the causless apprehension of receiving injury from this Army, have lately forsaken their Charge and Benefices, and are now at Lancaster, to the inconveniences of themselves [Page 4] and Parishioners, for the which I am grieved; and that they should so far mistake our intentions in coming hi­ther, it being for settling Presbyterian Government according to the Cove­nant, liberating and reestablishing His Majesty, and for other ends conducing to the good & Peace of the Kingdom, according to the Declaration herewith sent, and not to harm any (much less) the Ministers of this Countrey; I there­fore thought good to certifie, that such as have so absented themselves, may freely and without fear return to their several Dwellings, to exercise those duties belonging to their Callings, without any prejudice to their Per­sons, Families or Goods from any in this Army; and if any of them be pleased to repair unto me, I doubt not [Page 5] but to give them that satisfaction, that they may clearly see, none shall study more the happiness and preservation of this Church according to the Cove­nant, then

Your assured good Friend to serve you, HAMILTON.
Hornby, 10 August, 1648.
May it please your Excellency,

WE acknowledge our selves but weak men, and therefore subject to mistakes, but are not satisfi­ed of any in having our present abode at Lancaster, it being incredible to us how we should have safety and free­dom with your Army, knowing our old Enemies of Religion and the Kingdoms peace are with your Excel­lency: VVe have all taken the Cove­nant, and are zealous for reestablishing His Majesty, and doubt not the reality of the intentions of the two Houses of Parliament, according to their late De­clarations, nor yet of the settling Pres­byterian Government, whereof we have lately had good assurance in this coun­ty, [Page 7] and how much we shall own it (un­to the death) is known to all the world in our late Testimony to the Truth of Je­sus Christ, subscribed by us, together with the rest of our Brethren of this Province, unto which Truth we pray nothing may be acted prejudicial by your Excellency, and rest

Lancaster, 10 August, 1648.
Your humble Servants,
  • Tho: Whithead.
  • Iames Schoulcroft.
  • Io: Iaques.
  • Pet: Atkinson.
  • Io: Syll.
  • Edw: Aston.
  • Tho: Denny.
  • Io: Smith.
  • Sam: Elwood.
  • Tho: Fancet.
FINIS.

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