THe Scots, whose Actions are not onely weighed with Fidelity, but also Maturity of Consideration, have now declared the absolute, and perfect Estate of the whole Kingdome of SCOTLAND.

It is not unknowne what unhap­py Warres have beene lately fo­mented betweene Vs; but if wee scrutably search into the Causes, the Effects will not seeme so strange or wonderfull: for what they did was onely a maintenance and preservation of their Religion (more de [...]re and precious to them then their lives) of their Liberties and iust Proprietie. For Canterbury in his time did tiranni [...]e most extreamly over them, and [...]ould have (as his Intentions were bended) trampled over their Co [...]scien­ [...]s, urging upon them Matters in Religion not onely super­stitious [Page 2] and prophane in themselves, but also tending highly to the nourishment and advancement of Popery, and Ro [...]ish Innovations.

After his wicked and egregious mind had compassed that resolution, and he had forced such illegall, or rather irreligious points and superstitions on them they could not in discharg­ing their cleere consciences do otherwise, then immediately stand in defen [...] of their Religion, and liberties, from any uniust violation; so that they then armed themselves and resolved to come to England for Iustice.

But it pleased GOD to call a wise, and prudent Parlia­ment together, who suddainly composed that Variance, and reconciled in two Kingdomes ingaged in Warr, man absolute Contract of Pacification, as well for the time then present as also for the future.

And ever since that time there hath beene a generall Peace concluded on, and not the least motion or suspition of any Civill discord to arise againe till of late: for the King and the Parliament have been at such extream difference, and alie­nation of affection or confidence in each other, that not onely feares and iealousies, distractions and distempers, but also im­minent danger have been greatly suspected to approach. For besides their Declarations, and Remonstrances Messages, and Re [...]nes, so often and frequently interceding, it is iustly to be seared, that they will grow to more then verball Conte­stations. For it most perspicuously appeares, that the King seduced by wicked Councell intends to make Warre against his high Court of Iudicature; witnesse his private Warrants in divers Counties to hire, and provide Souldiers for his Ma­iesties service, witnesse his going to Hull in a way of Hostili­tie; witnesse also his publique Warrants, and Commerce in Holla [...], where hee pawned not onely divers Pearles and pre­cious Iewells; but also the rarest Gemms in the Crowne for­merly [Page 3] invested, only to maintaine this pretended and intended Warre; so many Pistolls, Horse, Horsmen, and Powdet be­ing also provided for the same purpose, to be conducted and sent over to his Maiesties Service aforesaid.

The SCOTS therefore understanding most apparantly all these severall particulars, heerein included, and more were resolved to take the most iust and equitable case: And they conceived that divers malignant Persons did usually meet at Edinburgh, such onely, or especially, whom the PARLIAMENT have knowne Incendiaries, Plotters, and enemies to the State, and Peace of the Kingdome, they had iust occasion to suspect some evill Designe then hatching and in agitation.

But withall, as soone as they saw their frequent Convo­cation, and then usually bringing some part of Ammanition, and prov [...]sion of Armes with them, they immediately con­cluded that those factious and malignant Spirits intended to side with the King against his PARLIAMENT, Wherefore they stopped some, others they apprehended: and some they committed to safe custodie, accordingly as they answered at their Examinations before a Magistrate. For they conceive, that if they should permit those Sedi­tions and Discords, they may at length aspire to that as­cent of malignity, wherein they raysing a Faction heere also may engage both these Kingdomes in another unhappy Warre.

They will doe nothing that shall offend either King, or Parliament, but of the two, they will comply withe the iustest cause. The King hath sent a Commmission thither for the raising of Forces, and Armes to attend his Maiestie, but the SCOTS would not condiscend to the execution there­of, untill they had received directions, and intelligence f [...] the PARLIAMENT, least they should any way [...] gresse [Page 4] in their willingnesse to His Maiesty, for indifferent and severall Commands, a conformity of obedience is very difficult.

His Maiestie hath also sent divers Letters to the Lord Maior of Edenburgh, intimating that hee commanded him to assist his Maiestie with Forces of Armes, whensoever oc­casion or necessity shall require.

But the SCOTS whose knowne fidelity will not tran­scend the limits of Iustice, will not performe any thing, that may bee either preiudicall to his sacred Maiestie, iniuri [...]us to the PARLIAMENT, or disadvantagious to the prosperous peace, happinesse and securitie of this whole Kingdome.