i i PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS Appointed by the Kings Majeftie and Parliament of Scotland \ For conferving the Articles of the Treaty and Peace betwixt the King- domes of Scotland md England, WITH Two Letters fent to His Majeftie , by the Lords of His Privie Councel , wherein the Councell doth re- commend to His Majeftie , the defires of . the faids Commiflioners : and the Peti- tion of the Gommiflioners of the Gerierall AfTembly. Printed by Evan Tyler , Printer to the Kings moft Excellent Majeftie. 1543. CUM PRiriLEGTO. it) At Edinburgh the laft day of {March, i 643, \8e Commiflioners appointed hy the Kings UWajefly + and Parliamem of ikk- Kingdome, for cmferving the Verne be- twixt the two Nations , Having in dif i charge of that great md nec^fary trufi re- \p$fed inthem^fent fome of their own num- ber to deal with His cMaje0y ^ and the Parliament of 'England \ for Jet 'ling the fe unhappy differ ernes that are arijen in that Kingdome , and having at feverdS memngs fill expected to heare of their progre^e info goods Work; Yet contrary totkeir expectation , they fnde that aM meanes of intelligence is taken away betwixt them , fo its they whoarefent, are no more able to return to the Commissioners an accompt of their diligence a&d endeavours , then the Com- mifsioners themf elves can imagine what may be conceived t§ be amijfe in the Commifsion and tnftruttions fent with them. But in regard that the ufege andfucce(Te, whatsoever it [hall be at this time ^is the true touch- ftone andundeniable evidence for this whole Kingdome yoh at they may expect in the growth and increafe of thefe troubles of their Brethren in England : And because even in this Kingdome 3 all that are enemies to the Peace and Reformation eftablijhed within the fame f arefet on mrkpfpurpofe^ to fpread falfe reports in all the corners of the Land, for ftrengthening the wicked and malignant party, and weakningthe mindes and hands of all honefi men'- 7 and A z hap- happely at this time are fpreading falfe pretences of the hard and unexpected restraint of the fe that are imploycd tn Com- mission to His xjfrlajefly^ and Parliament of England^ as if they were warranted by the Com?wfsioners who Jent them , to feekfuch things, as were not ft for His Majeftie togrant^ or this Kingdome to crave. Therefore the [aid Cdmmifsioncrs for conferring the Peace, have thought fit^ that for the right information of all whom it cone ernes, this following Cope of their Proceedings be forthwith printed andpublifhed 5 That ' thereby the C ommi f si oner sthemf elves may have from all bo- ric fl men that love the Truth and the intended Reformation in England , a teflimony and approbation that they have done their 4 uct h Thcfe who are imploycd from them , maybethje more encouraged to go on againfi all f raits and difficulties^ in furfuance of fo heccjfary de fires $ without the obtaining of which f he preftnt Peace and happinejjeofthis Nation y cannot in all likelihood long continue : And this whole Kingdome may have the true grounds of their refentment , in behalf of thefe who reprefevt them and all t her defires at this time. Arch. 'Trimerofe Cler. Commifsioiie HIS cm MAJESTIES LETTER, Dire<5l to the Commihio n e rs at their firft meeting in September. 1542 . qh A%LES x sight trufty and wcl-beloved Co'uffns and Counfellours, right trufty & trufty and wel-beloved CounfelloUi's 3 & trufty and wel- beloved 3 We greet you well. Having bin informed that-upon Petiti- on of theCommiflioners from Our late .Generall Aflembly , Our Counccll thought fit that you ftiould meet , for difchargc of that truft impofed on you by Us and Our Parliament, whereby all fair means may be ufed to prevent fuch troubles and divi-fions as may in- terrupt or endanger the Common Peace of Our King- domes: And as it ought to be.therontinuall ftudie y and care of all good and pious Princes to preferve their peo- ple^ So certainly it is tfoedttetie of all loyall and faithfull Subje&s to maintain the grcatneffc and juft «Authoritie A3 of (4) of their Princes . fo that without this reciprocall endea- vour , there can be no happintfle for the Prince , nor fe- curity for the people. We are confident Our late A&ions inScotland,willtoallpofterky be an acceptable witnes ofOurcareinprefervingthe libertie of thefeOur Sub- je<5ts, and Our defire to fettle a perfed peace in thatOur Kingdome : And We are als confident 5 that the many good Ads we have paft here fince the down- fitting of this Parliament ( indeed denying none but fuch as deni- ed Us any power at all , and were never fo much as de- manded from any of OurPredeccffors ) will bear the liketeftimonieof Our AiFc&iontothegood and peace of this Kingdome , though thefuccefle hath not been a- like. For though We luv c ufed Our beft endeavours to prevent the prefent diftra&ions and threatning dangers, yet fo prevalent have beentheoppofersofUs,andthe peace ofOurKingdomes , as not fo much as a Treaty can be obtained ( though by Our fcverallmeffitgfcsWe have defcended to demand and pretfe it ) unlefle upon fuch conditions as would , either by taking all power of Government from Us^makeUs as no King,Or by force- ingUs to quite the protedion of fuch,as(for obeying Us according to Law and their Oath of Allegeance ) they would have Traitours^ and fo make us do an A& unwor- thy of a King : Yet fo defirous We are to fa ve Our Sub* je&s bloud,(which cannot but be prodigally fpent 5 ifWfc beneceffitateby Force of Arms todefide thir unhappy differences) that no fooner any fuch Treaty (ball be offe- red unto Us by them ( which with Honour and Safety We can receive ) but We (hall cheerfully embrace it. This We have thought fit to acquaint you wkhall ^ that from Qur felves you may know Our Love to peace: And We (J) We doubt notbut your meeting at this time wil produce fomething which will witnefle your tender refped to Our Honour and Safety-, And to much do We confide in youratfeaions , as We fhall abfolutely leave the waves; and means of expreflmg it to your felves. So We bid you heartily farewell. From our Court at Staffed the Tlic Commissioners Anfwer To His M a J e s t 1 e s Letter, - UMeft fared Sez*e?asgne x ;Swe efteem itafpeciall mark of your Royall Favour , that Your Majeftie is gracioufly pleafed from Your felfto ac- quaint us with Your love to Peace, and that Your Majefty thinks that the con- _tmuall care and ftudieof all good and pious Princes, ought to be the prefervation of their People 5 So do we with all thankful neffe acknowledge That it is the duty of all faithful! and loyall Subjects to : maintain the Greatnes and juft Authority of their Prin- ces. And left the dangerous differences betwixt Your Majefty ,and Your Parliament, mould any longer eclipfe Your Majetoes Favour from Your good Subjeds, or weaken that wherein doth chiefly confift Your MajefHes greateftftrength,the Affedions of Your People ; wee arc - U) are conftrairied ( from the confcience of our duty, from our love to Your Royall Pcrfon, from the fenfe of Princely benignity, and for difcharge of that truft impo- fed on us by Your Majcfty, and the Parliament ) to en- deavour by all fair means, and fo far as in us lyes, to re- move thefe unhappy troubles and divifions, which may; interrupted ( as we conceive ) do really endanger the common Peace of Your Kingdomes fo far, as if by the wifcdome of Your Majeftie,and Your Parliament , there be not a more amicable decifion,than by the fword, can- not but in end produce efFufion of bloud, and a world of greater calamities than we can expreffe. Thefe confide-" rations have moved us to refolve to fend fome of our number for our felves, and ( according to the truft com- mitted unto us ) in name and behalf of this Kingdome, To tender our beft fervice and endeavours, for removing of thefe unhappy diftra&ions. And in regard of the pre- fent pofture of that Kingdome , wherein Armies and Troopes are on foot , through the feverall parts thereof- And that thefe who fhall be fent from this, may without danger repairc to Your Majeftie , and Your Parliament, we defire that a fafe conduft may be fent to them : For which end alfo we have ad- dreflcd our defire to the Parliament , as will appearc to Your Majefty , by the Copie of that which wee have fent to them, and will be fhowne to Your Ma- jefty by the Lord Secretary. Which being granted and returned , we intend ( with Gods afliftance ) to walke in this great bufineffe with that dutie and in- tegritie as may give reall demonftration to the world of our high refpe<5t of Your Majefties Greatnefle, Honour, and Safety, and of our true affe&ion to the profperity K7) Profperity and Peace of Your Kingdomes : which k and ever {hall be the earneft defire.and continual! care of Your Majefties moft humble and faithfull Subje&s and Servants. Edinburgh , 29 September, 1642. I I MB— III ' "~~ ' ~~*~ ' ' ' ' ~ II 1 Declaration fent from the Commifsloners to the Parliament of England.. He Noblemen ? Barons,and RurgefTes,Com- miftioners appointed by His Majeftie and Eftates of Parliament of the Kingdome of Scotland , for conferving the Peace fo happily eftablifhed betwixt the two King- domes, being met at Edinburgh, September 29. 1642, and entring into fuch ferious confederation , both of their intereft and duetie, as the importance of fo great affairs , and the prefent condition of the Kingdomes do require , They find themfelves bound, not only by the common Bonds of the Law of Nature and of Chriftian duetie,to follow after the things which make for conftr- vation of peace , and prevention of trouble, But alfo by the more fpeciall Bond of their nationall Oath , and the publick Faith of the Parliament of this Kingdome,in all juft and honourable wayes to endeavour theprefer- vation of the Union betwixt the Kingdomes of Scot- land and England-, And not only thisJBond, but authori- fed alfo by the lateTreaty,& by their Commiflion to be carefull( during the intervall betwixt the fittings ofthe Parliaments of this Kingdome ) that the Peace betwixt B * the the two Kingdomes be continued , and to endeavour by all good means to prevent all trouble and divifion. And if any debate or difference fliall happen to arife , which may tend to the difturbance of the common peace , to labour to remove or compofe the fame, according to the power granted unto them , And if any thing (hall fall forth , which is above their power,and which cannot be remedied by thern 5 To reprefent the fame to his Maje- fly and -the Parliaments ftjpcctivs , Th^t by their wife- dome and authorise ail QCcafions and caufes of trouble being removed , the peace of the Kingdomes may be perpetuate to all pofteritie : In performing of which weighty and necefTary dutie they muft give accompt of their diligence and iaithfulneffe to the next enfuing Parliament. And confidering the imminent dangers and calamities which the great differences , and diftra&ions betwixt His Majeftie and His Parliament of England, may bring upon that Kingdome 5 and by confequence up- on this ,Their intereft in His Majeftie their native Sove- raigne being fuch , that they are neerly concerned in the fafety of His Royall Perfon , and juft Authority -, And fuch their relation to England , that the prefervation of the libertie and peace of that; Kingdome, doth much im- port to the prefervation of the Religion, Libertie 5 and Peace of this •, the union of the two Kingdomes being (o Anh in the Bonds of Nature, Religion and Policie,that they cannot but (hare in the profperitie and calamities of each other : So tjiat if thefe differences betwixt the King and his Parliament , fliall come , by Force of Arms,and by the effufion of bloud, to be decided , ( which GOD forbid ) the Kingdome of Scotland cannot but in end be Evolved in. that common calamity. They therefore from (9 > ftoffi the deep fenfe and feeling they hive of the appa- teilt danger of His Majefries Perfon , and the ruine wherewith His Kingdomes arethreatned , Have refold ved by all good means to acquite themfelves of that duety they owe to G O D by their Nationall Oath to their Soveraigne by their allegeance, and their greateft Native intereft in His Royall Perfon , To their brethren of England by their publick Faith 5 and the ftrideft Bonds of the alliance of the Kingdomes in the profperi- ty , and fufferings of each other , and by their like care expreft towards this Kingdome in the time of their troubles, And to their Countrey by nature 3 and the truft repofedin' them by the Parliament of this Kingdome 5 to which they cannot be anfwerable , if they fhall be fi- lent at this time, and fit ftill as idle beholders : By con- tributing their beft endeavours to prevent all troubles and divifion % and labouring with all tenderneffe accord- ing to their power , to remove thefe differences and di- flra&ions , which do evidently tend to the diftur- bance of the common Peace of the Kingdomes-, And by reprefcnting thefe imminent dangers and calamities , to His Majeftie and the Parliament of England - 3 That by their wifedome all thefe occafiorts 5 and caufes of troubles being removed 3 the peace of the Kingdomes may be preferved, for which purpofe they will never fhtin any pains or travell : And at this time , left the evils be more incurable afterward , they have thought fit to fend up to his Majefty and the Parliament fome of their number? And that they in thefe commotions of Souldiers 3 and people in Arms , may repair thither with the greater fafety , doe defire that there be granted to them a fafe conduct by His Majeftie and the Parliament of England, B 2 that ( io) that no good means may be leftun-a{Tayed,whereby both Kingdomes may attain to their defired end of Ho- nour and Happineffe to His Majeftie, and Unity and Pe&ce among themfelves. His zfMajeJlies fecond Letter to* the fommtjsioners. QHA%LES ^ Tght truftie and right wel-beloved Coufins and Counfellors , right truftie and truftie and wel-beloved Counfellors , and truftie and f wel-beloved , We greet you well. By your letter of the 2p. of September We perceive how fen- iible you are of the prefent diftra&ions of this King- dome , which cannot be a greater grief to any then to Our Self : But feeing all the means We could poflibly ufe for the removall thereof are ( by the pra&ices of fuchasftudiedivifion ) prevented, and all Our offers of treating ( in a fair way to fettle thefe diftempers ) flighted and not regarded ; We are (for the defence of the true Religion , the maintenance of the liberties of che Subjed , the Priviledge of Parliament 5 and Our juft 5 and ever till now unqueftioned Authority ) jiecef- fitate to put Our Self in the pofture We are now in, and We fhall no further beg a blefling from GOD on Our Proceedings, then We intend the prefervation of thefe. As for your refolution of fending here fome of your number. , We fee no reafon why they fhould ap- prehend (It) pfehend any danger in their repair to Us 5 for they may be confident to have a fafe and free acceife to Our Per- fon , which we have never deny ed to any of Our good Subjecfts who repaired tolls in a duetiful manner, and were not out of Our protejtnfiyer to the Commi/sioners Declaration ofthezS. ofSeptemher y i6^z. E the Lords and Commons in the Par- liament of England, having duely con- fideredthe Propofition made to us by the Noblemen, Barons, and Burgefles, Commiffioners appointed by HisMaje-" fty,and the Eftates of the Parliament of theltingdomeof Scotland , agreed upon at Edinburgh B| the. ( 12 ) the 2p.of Sept . 1 642 .do acknowledge their w ifedoms & brotherly affe&ion therein exprefled,for confervation of the Peace of this Kingdome,according to the late Trea- tie,ratified in the Parliaments of both Kingdomes: And that they being equally intereft in the caufe of thefe troubles, That is,the malignant defignes now in hand, by force of Armesto hinder Reformation of Religion and Church-government, and to introduce Poperie and Supcrftition, cannot long be free from the confequences thereof. The like combuftions and commotions in that Kingdome , if the Popifli and malignant party prevaile here : And do well approve the tendernefle and care of our troubles and dangers,as being agreeable to the Inten- tion of that Ad , and anfwerable to the like care lately expreffed by this Parliament in thir troubles. And whereas for difcharge of that mutualltruft , which by the fore-mentioned adion of Pacification , is repofed in the Commiffioners of both the Kingdomes respective, They have thought fit to fend fome of this number to His Ma jefty,and this'Parliament 5 and for the better fe« curity in thefe times of commotions of Souldiers and people in Armes, we have refolved that we the Lords and Commons,fhall grant them a fafe condud, as is de- fired in their Propofition afore-mentioned , excepting out of the fixmeyfames Duke of Lennox^ and Robert Earle of Roxburgh , being both delinquents to this Parliament. And that we will concurre with the Commiffioners of that State in all good means, for the prefervation ofGods true Religion , the honour and happinefle ofHisMa- jefty,the juft right and liberties,together with the peace, profperity, and unity of both the Kingdomes. O&ober 20. 1642. SubfcriOit&r Jo.Hnown. Cler.Parliam. U3) §A n ordinance of the Lords and Qommons in Parliament for thefecurity andfafe conduB of the Commifsioners of the %ealm of Scot land, for the confers aiu on ofthe c Peace made i^.OBoher \6^i. Hereasin purfuance of the Ad of Paci- fication and Oblivion, made in the 17. year of His Majefties Reigne , diverfe Noblemen 3 Barons,andBurgefTes 5 have been nominate and appointed by His Majefty, and Eftates or Parliament of the Kingdome o£Scotland- } to be Com- miffioners for the confervation of the Peace of both the Kingdomes, who have thought good to fend being fome of their own number , to His Majefty, and this Parliament , in difcharge of that truft repofedin them by that Adl of Pacification, for their better furetie in thefe times of commotion of Souldiers and people in Armes , It is ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament , thauhe faids Commiffioners which are to be lent as afore , with all their fervants and retinue, fhall.be prote&ed by the power and authority of Parlia- ment, and kept life and free from all danger , moleftati- on, reftraint,and detention in their repair to London, and during their abode here , and in their return back again. 4,nd for the further aotkeaiKl. manifestation hereof, it is ordered ordered , that the Speakers of both the Houfes fhall fubfcribe this full and free fafe conduft and iafcguard to the Perfons above-written, whereby they may be fecu- red from all harm & reftraint in their paflage ,abode,and repaffe, to be interpreted in als large, and ample, and be- neficiall manner, and with als full and reall affurance, as ever any fafeguard or fafe conduit, may or ought to be interpreted, ftrengthened, and confirmed,by the publick Faith of the Kingdome 5 and that any Copy hereof un- der the hands of both, or either of the Clarkes of the Lords or Commons Houfes , fhall be of als great force a nd effect, for the fafe conduit, and fecuring of the faids Perfons, or any of them,their retinue and fervants, as the Griginallfigned by the Speakers, as is before expreft. Requiring all Officers and Souldiers in the Army , as likewife 111 Sheriffs, and Majors , and others His Majc- fties loving Subje&s, to obferve the fame with all due obedience and care : And likewife to give them all aid and afliftance , as often as occafion fhall require , as they will anfwer the contrary at their perill. It is fur- ther ordained, as before, That fames Duke of Lennox 3 and Robert Earle of Roxburgh , fhall . be excepted out of this prefent fafe conduit , and fhall receive no be- nefit nor proteiiion by the fame. Gray of Work , Speaker of the Houfe of Peeres. William Lenthal, Speaker of the Houfe of Commons. The 1*5) T^he Commissioners jecond Letter to His Majestie for a fafe conduit. Ottofi f acred Soveraigne^ ig the high refpe& we owe to Your Ma- jeftie, and the truft put upon us for pre- ferving the common peace of this Kingdome, did lay a neceffity on us to offer our beft fervice for removing thefe unhappy troubles and divifions betwixt Your Majefty, and Your Parliament , and to crave a fafe conduft for fuch perfons, as to that end,w r ere to repaire to Your Majefty 5 fo the fenfe of the fame duety and afFe&ion , makes us to renue our earneft and humble defire,for the reafons more fully expreft in our. letters to Your Majefties Secretary , and to the Earle of Lindfay. And Your Majefty manifefting,that the fervice which we offer, is acceptable to Your Majefty, will be a great encouragement to enable us with the more chear- fulneffetogo about the performance of that duety, which in a time of fo imminent dangers we owe to Your Majefty, and the Peace of Your Kingdomes. And fo praying God to blefle Your Majefty with a profperous reigne over us , we reft Your Majefties moft humble and faithfull Subjeds and Servants. - Edinburgh \6 '.November 1642. Tk / (i6) ^The Commifsioners Letter to the Earle of Lanericl^His E the Commiffioners , appointed by 1 the Kings Majeftie and Eftates of Par- liament, of the Kingdome of Scotland, finding our felves warranted and ob- liged by our Commiflion , and by the late Treaty betwixt the two King- domes, to ufe all good means, and to contribute our utmoft endeavours for unity of Religi- on and Uniformitie of Church-government within His Majefties Dominions , and for removall of the diffe- rences betwixt His Majeftie and His Houfes of Parlia- ment , and being willing to acquit our felves 5 accord- ing to the trim repofed in us by our Commiflion , and to leave nothing undone , whereby we may difcharge our confciences to GOD, and our duety to His Ma- jeftie our Native Soveraigne^to teftifie our affedions to our Brethren in England 5 and provide for the peace be- twixt the two Kingdomes 5 Have given and granted, and by the "fenour hereof gives and grants full power and CommifTion,exprefIe bidding and charge to ^W^Earl of LowdonJLovd High Chancellor, $ohn Earl otLwdfay^ Sir ^Archibald J>ohnft on of Wariflonn , and Mafter Robert Barclay 5 Proveft of 'timing , or to any two of them 3 the LordChancellor'beingoneofthetwo , andtofuch o- thers as from time to time (halt be joyned tothemby our Warrant , to repair to the Kings Majeftie and Hou- fes of the Parliament of England , and to ufe their belt endeavours for effectuating the particulars above- writ- ten j and all that may advance the fame, conforme to C-3 the ( 20) thejparticular Inftru&ions given, or Co be given to them for chat effect 5 firme and (table , holding and for to hold , all and whatfoever things fliafoe lawfully done herein 5 according to their Inftru&ions. In witneffe whereof we have fubferibed thir prefents , with our hands. At Edinburgh. 18. January. InflruBions gfaen by toe Commifionersap^ pointed by the Krngs Majeftie and Tar^ liament ^Scotland ^ for conferring the Articles of the ^Treaty , and Common peace betwixt the K^ingdomes ? to lohn Earl of Lowdon > Lord High Chan^ ceUorofthisE^ingdome, &c •Ou fhall with all earneftneffe intreat His Ma- jeftie and the Parliament of England , that Epifcopacie may be totally removed 3 and that there may be unity of Religion and uniformi- ty of Kirk-government in all His Majefties Dominions, which by the late Treaty betwixt the Kingdomes 5 and \>y our Commiffion we find our felves VVarranted and obliged by all good means to endeavour upon therea- fonsandgroundsexpreftin our former defires 5 given-in in name of this Kingdome, the time of the Treaty , and in the Remonftrances fent from the Parliament of Eng- land to the Generail Affembly of the Kirk of Scotland, and ( 21 ) and the Supplications and Declarations fent from the Generall Aflembly , and their CommifTioners to the Kings Majeftie & both Houfes of Parliament,and which was feconded with the earneft recommendation of His Majefties Privie Councell , and is now renewed by Peti- tion from the CommifTioners of the Generall Aflembly-, the defire whereof you fhallaffift. And to this effed: you fhall follicite His Majeftie and both Houfes of Par- liament for a meeting of found Divines of both King- domes , who may prepare matters for the confideration of His Majefty and the Parliament, and of more full Af- femblies. You fhall {hew , that although we neither fhould, nor Will ftretch our ielves beyond our line, to judge of the laws & proceedings of another Kingdome^nor take upon us to decide the differences betwixt the Kings Majeftie and the Parliament of England : Yet w r e are fo needy in- terefted in the fafety of His Majefties Royall Perfon 3 and juft Authority,and in the prefervation of the Liberty and Peace of the Kingdome of England, more fully expreft in our Letter and Declaration of the 29. of September Iaft ? that we cannot be anfwerable to our manifold obli- gations, and the truft repofed in us by His Majeftie, and the Parliament of this Kingdome 5 if we fhould not en- deavour by all means the removall of thefe unhappy differences betwixt His Majefty and His Houfes of Par- liament. You fhall therefore humbly entreat, and earneftly la- bour , that His Majeftie and the Honourable Houfes of Parliament may in the deep of their wifedome,take fuch fair and compendious wayes, as may remove the caufes. and occafions of thefe troubles £ withoutthc effufton of: more ( 22 ) more biou^ and that there may be a more peaceable and amicable decifion, then by the fword, which cannot but be the occafion of great jealoufies and fears to -all His Majefties good Subjects, and tend to the endangering of His Royall Perfon and Kingdomes. And that there may be a right underftanding betwixt His Majeftie and His Parliament , you fhall fhow,that it is-earneftly wiflied and defired , that the Honourable Houfes of Parliament would think and refolve upon the fitteft wayes,for removing of all prejudices and miftakes, and leave no good nor fair means un-affayed which may witnefle their high and tender refped of HisMajeftiesfa- cred Perfon and Royall greatnefle , and may induce His Majeftie to return to His Parliament , that they may be honoured and ftrengthened with His Royall prefence. You iliall likewife from the deep fenfe we have of the danger of His Majefties lloyall Perfon, and the ruine wherewith His Kingdomes are threatned , fhew His Majefty, that it is our humble deiire and faithfull advice, that (the impediments which keep His Majeftie and His . Parliament at fuch a diftance being renioved)His Majefty may graciouily be pleafed to hearken to the invitations of His Parliament , that there might be fuch a mutuall confidence , as His Majefty may return to His Parlia- ment , which is His great and moft impartiall Councell, that by a happy conjun&ion with them,all the great and pubiick affairs of that Kingdome may be fo fettled , as may tend moft to His Majefties Honour ? the maintenance of His juft Authority,the prefervation of the Priviledges of Parliament , the liberty of the Subject and profperity of His Majefties Kingdomes. In regard not only of the great impediment to the Work Work of Reformation , but alfo of the evident danger of the Proteftant Religion, by Papifts in Arms within His Majefties Dominions,as was more fully remonftrate to us by Petitions from the Kirk, and from the Gentry, which we cannot but acknowledge. You fhall deal ear- neftly that all Papifts now aloft and in arms in England^ be dif-armed & dif- banded out of any Armies , wherein" they are-,and efpecially thofe m the Earl of New-Caftles Army , becaufe the moft part thereof have been levied^ and have their refidence neer our borders, and may do us greater prejudice , nor Garifons in Barwick and Carlile, which yet were exprefly contrary to the laft Treaty. You fhall (hew His Majefty , That as we are obliged by our Commiffion to be carefull that the peace betwixt the Kingdomes may be continued, and when any debate or difference doth arife to the difturbance of the common peace,to labour to remove and compofe the fame accor- ding to our power -, fo when any thing falls out be- yond our power , and cannot be remedied by us, we are bound to prefent the fame to His Majeftie , and the next enfuing Parliament reft-cfitive^Thax. by His Majefties au- thority andtheirs , the peace of the Kingdomes may be perpetuated to all pofterity. And therefore feeing we conceive the removing of t e prefent diftradions,to be a work of difficultie beyond our power, & greaterthan can be by us remedied , and may come to that height before the next Trienniall Parliament ,that any remedie that can come thereby will prove too late, You fhall therefore in all humility befeech His Majefty according to His graci- ous promife expreft in the late Parliament , prefently to inJidt a new Parliament, to als fhort a day as upo \ War- rant from His Majeftie , the Subjects may be lawfully D warned warned thereto , that by their wifedome and care ," fome good means may be. found out, whereby the oc- cafion and oaufes of thefe troubles which have already fhaken > and do threaten the over-throw of our com- mon peace ,may ( als far as is poffible ) be removed, and the calamities liketoenfue thereby, timoufly prevented. Concerning the time of moving this demand, if you find the offer of our fervice acceptable,and that the King, and Parliament are upon accommodation, and like to agree,you may forbearthe proponing of it. But if you find that His Majefty and the Parliament are not like to agree in hafte , then you fhall inftantly without delay, defire that a Parliament be prefently indiited 5 as is a- boveexpreft. You fhall be carefull , that the whole Articles of the former Treaty may be obferved , and make the beft ufe thereof , for removing of all differences , and impedi- ments , and for continuing of the Peace and Union be- twixt the Kingdomes. You fhall adhere clofely and pofitively to our defires for removall of Epifcopacie , and other impediments for unity of Religion,and uniformitie of Kirk- government : But concerning differences betwixt His Majefty, and the Houfes of Parliament , about particulars or perfons in matters civill, you fhall defire and endeavour , that the Parliament may out of their wifedome , love to peace, and rcfpe