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DECLARATION 
 
 .AGAINST THE (% A 
 
 CROSSE PETITION.- 
 
 WHEREIN 
 
 Some fecret letts of the intended Reformation are 
 
 dif covered. 
 The danger of Divifion prevented. And 
 The Unitie of this Hand in Religion urged, j 
 
 JB T 
 
 THE COMMISSIONERS 
 
 OF THE 
 GENERALL ASSEMBLY- 
 
 EDINBURGH,, 
 Printed by Evtn Tyler , Printer to the Kings 
 moft excellent Majeftie. 164.3. 
 
He word of G Q D , the example of the 
 People of G O D 5 and of the Kirk of 
 
 Chrifi, lince the beginnings and our own 
 late ^ but very notable and never to be 
 forgotten experience , may abundantly 
 _ teach us , that the motions , refolutions 
 and endeavours of the Godly , for the advancement 
 of the Kingdome of the Son of GOD, by eftablifh- 
 ing or propagating the Reformation of Religion, 
 muftmeet with a world of opposition and hinderances, 
 which might make their hearts to faint D and their hands to 
 fail, if upon the fame grounds aiid documents they were 
 not taught to acquit themfelves , in doing the dutie requi- 
 red of them by the necelTitie of their callings 5 and for the 
 fuccefle to depend upon the unfearchable wiledome - and 
 invincible power of Q O P 3 which a.re made perfect in. 
 the fimplicitie and weakneffe of his fervants:T&e ^ealofthe 
 luord of hofis will pc? -forme it. 
 
 There hath ever been in the Kirk of Chrtft,and mall be 
 to the end, a generation which rnaketh more accompt of 
 the World,then of the Faith of Chrift,doth conceive that 
 differences about Religion are but the contentions of 
 Kirk-men 5 that therefore there is no neceffitie of the Re- 
 formation of Religion , and that to know nothing of this 
 kinde, is the fureft Faith 5 and feeketh in their fervketo 
 Kings and Princes civilly to fupererogate at their hands, 
 beyond the defervings of others, and above the exprefled 
 defires and commands of Princes themfelves, that the re- 
 wards of their (lingular 2eal may be the greater, and there- 
 fore have proven 3 and daily doe prove the mod pernicious 
 and dangerous enemies of the true Religion : againit this 
 
 A 2 gene- 
 
<*) 
 
 o-eneration, which faith. Let us deal wifely with them , we 
 have this comfort and advantage , that we know amongft 
 all the Enemies of the Truth they leaft of all think that 
 they doe GOD fervice. 
 
 We who are intrufted for the time , to be the Com* 
 miffioners of the late Gencrall affembly , fitting at Edin- 
 burgh for the Affaires of the Kirk committed to our care 
 and diligence , fpecially for preferving of our own Re- 
 formation j and Peace againftall forts of Enemies, and 
 according to the intereft of this Kirk for Unitie in Reli- 
 gion and Uiiiformitie of Government with the Kirk of 
 England, which was no new motion of ours , but a pro- 
 portion made by the Commiffioners of the Treaty , 
 which then received from the Kings Majeftie and Parlia- 
 ment of England , fuch an Anfwer as hath been the 
 ground of many Confultations , Declarations and Pub- 
 lick Letters fince , and of a renewed fupplication at this 
 time to the Kings Majeftie 3 and of a Declaration to the 
 Parliament of England for the fame effeii. While we 
 are thus exercifed, we are defiredby fome Noblemen, 
 Barons and Burgeffes30Cca{ionally met at Edinburgh, to 
 fend fome of our numbe r to joyne with them in a Petiti- 
 on 5 reprefenting to the right Honourable the Lords and 
 other Commiffioners of Parliament for the confervat ion 
 of peace , their humble thoughts and fears that the print- 
 ing of His Majefties Letter of the date, December 5. by 
 Warrand and Command of the right Honourable the 
 Lords of His Majefties Privie Councell 5 and the not 
 printing of the Declaration of both Houfes of Parlia- 
 ment , unto which the printed Letter was an Anfwer, 
 might be taken by the Kingdomeof England, as an ap- 
 probation of the whole matter, and all the particulars 
 which it did expreffe , and thereby to animate and pro- 
 voke this Nation againft them as Rebells and Traitours 5 
 
 We 
 
W&t finding that the Petition did homologate both 
 in the end and meanes with our Commiffion > and 
 the matter of our prefent deliberations , did willing- 
 ly fatisfie the defire of the Petitioners, and there- 
 fore from our tender and dutifull refpedt to His Majefties 
 Honour 3 for preventing and, removing of all occafion of 
 jealoufles and fufpitions betwixt the two Kingdomes,for 
 prefervation both of our own peace at homeland our com- 
 mon peace with England,and for promovingthefb much 
 defired Unitie of Religion , a meane of all other mofc 
 conducing to the conservation of -both , did with them 
 ( conforme to the order obferved in fuch cafes fince the 
 beginning of our late Reformation ) humbly Supplicate, 
 that the meaning of the publication of His Majefties Let- 
 ter might be cleared, and that the Declaration of both 
 Houfes of Parliament ro their Bretheren of Scotland 
 might be printed and published, &c. 
 
 But behold ! after a few dayes a contrary Petition is 
 prefentedto the Lords of His Majefties Privie Councell, 
 by fome private Noblemen , Barons and Gentlemen, 
 which coming to our hands , we found after d ue exami- 
 nation to be nothing elfe but a lecret plot and fubtle un- 
 der-mining of all the prefent defignes of this Kirk and 
 Kingdome, for Unitie of Religion , and of all the work 
 of God in this Land : And therefore we made upon it the 
 obfervations andanimadverfions following. 
 
 That private Perfons knowing that the Commit 
 fioners of the Generall Affembly were fitting at this time 
 about fuch matters as they meddle with in their Petiti- 
 on, and that \ve had joyned in prefenting a Petition to 
 the Commiflioners for conferving of Peace, much about 
 the fame particulars, whereof they could not be ignorant 
 by reafon of the Ad of the late Affembly,they did not fo 
 much as acquaint us with their intentions, that we might 
 
 A $ -cithsc 
 
(4) 
 cither have petitioned with them , or have advifed their* 
 to defift: which although it may feem to be but in errouic 
 in the manner of their doing/ yet doth ic imply contempt, 
 ufurpationanddivifion % ancj being winked at y may be 
 the caufe of much difturbance and confufion in thefe 
 times, efpecially they prof effing thai they defire to clea.re 
 themfelves and their intentions, not only to the Lords of 
 Councell 5 but to the Kings Majeftie , to the Kmgdome 
 of England , and to all the world 5 which is nothing 
 elfe but under the colour of a Petition to make a. pub- 
 lick Declaration 5 contrary to the proceedings 5 not only 
 of the Generall AlTembly and their Commiffioners y 
 but alfotothedefires and diligence of the Commiffio- 
 ners of the Treaty of the honourable Lords of Councell, 
 and of the Conservators of Peace > who have all concur- 
 red 5 and do Hill concurre in their joynf defives of Unitie 
 of Religion in His Majefties Dominions , refolving to 
 prefle this Unitie to the uttermofl of their endeavours as 
 a neceffary prefervative of our own Reformation and 
 Peace 5 which without it cannot long fubfifl - r and much 
 croffing that claufe of our Covenant wherein we fweare ? 
 that we fhall not caft in any lett or impediment that may 
 flay or hinder any fuch resolution 5 as by common con- 
 fent fhall be found to conduce for fo good ends . 
 
 Although the Petitioners profeffe with us that 
 they defire the Union of this Hand in Religion and Kirk- 
 Government 5 yet their Petition doth too plainly and 
 palpably tend to the contrary ,as is apparent by this three- 
 fold confideration : i. Forremedieofthedivifions and 
 diflra&ions in England , the Petition defireth only the 
 ftpprcfsion of infolent Papijls , malignant fchipnaticks , and 
 dijloyall Brovonifls and Separattfls, thefpeciall 9 if not jo le fro- 
 ■movers and foment crs of thefe unhappy mtf under (landings : 
 and thus doth pafie by the Prelates, and balketh the 
 
 Biiliops 3 
 
Biftiops j who have been the molt reftleffe fticklars in this 
 btifinefle , and the prime authors of all thefe tragedies 
 fince the beginning , and thereby would takeusoffour 
 right and ftratght conrfe of preffing uniformitie in Kirk 
 government in the Treaty ] in our Declarations , and 
 m the GenerallafTem.My : The Apologifts for the Petiti- 
 on would have reduced the Prelates either to Papifts , or 
 to Sedaries •, but the Authors of the Petition intended 
 better fervice , by fending the Petition to Erigknd,with- 
 outtrenching upon the Lordly Prelacie ,or touching the 
 Prelates at all * which from ftrangers is an high provoca- 
 tion againft the Kingdome and Parliament of England, 
 and no fm all prejudice againft the proceedings of this 
 Kirk and Kingdome for Reformation. 2. This Petition 
 dothindiredlycaft foule afperfions upon thefe who are 
 moft zealous for the Reformation in England , and doth 
 very much fymbolize with the language of thePopifti 
 and Prelaticall party in England • calling the Parliament 
 and all that feek after Reformation , Browmfis , Separa- 
 tes , Authors of tumultuary conventions 5 &ic. 3 Ithint- 
 eth at our zeal and forwardneffe in the matter of the Re- 
 formation of theKirk of England.-which may appear thus; 
 The Petitioners declare 5 That fince the duty of charity doth 
 oblige all Chriftians to pray and profefje their defires 3 
 that all others were of the fame Religion with the?n~ 
 (elves , &c. Therefore they reprefent their wilhes for uni- 
 tie of Religion and Kirk government, as an expreffion and 
 teftimony of their affedion to the good of their brethren 
 in England : Declaring further, That they de fire this work 
 to be proj ecuted mi front pre fuming or u fur ping to prefer ibe 
 Idwes And fides tf Reformation to their Neighbours. And a- 
 gain they repeat , that by their wifhes and defires they intend 
 now ayes to pa^e their bounds , in prefer ibing tir fetting downe 
 rules and limits to His <Jttajeftie and Houfes of Farliament 
 
 their 
 
their mfedome and author Hie, in the Mjofm[ecwnhcmf» 
 And why do they fo plentifully purge, and carefully clear 
 themfelves concerning this particular , if their intention 
 were not to leave fome afperfion upon this Kirk and State* 
 as if we were paffing our bounds , by prefuming to pre- 
 fcribe rules and limits to His Majeftie and Homes of Par- 
 liament * For further evidence whereof D it is to be rc- 
 membred ; that in the firft part of their Petition they, 
 plainly profefle ■ that they are clearing themielves and 
 their intentions , left they fliould be thought to be invol- 
 ved with us in the fame defires 5 judgements 5 and opini- 
 on* ; So that all which they fay by way of clearing- of 
 themselves and their intentions, arifeth from this ground,, 
 that they will not be thought involved with us in our de- 
 fire* -judgements- , and opinions ', and fo condemne us in 
 tbefe oamculars,in which chiefly they juftifie themfelves: 
 neither can we knit together their words , or interpret 
 their apologie to another meaning. Now what is thiselfe 
 but tooverturne the very foundation of all our endea- 
 vours for this work of Reformation, which was the Arti- 
 cle of the Treaty for union in Religion 5 and uniformity in 
 Kirk government < Not as a matter nakedly defircd and 
 wifhedfor 5 but as a principall demand 5 andheceffary 
 mean 5 without which neither truth nor peace could be 
 fecured unto us. The importance and nedeffity whereof 
 hath been fince that time fo deeply laid to heart by this 
 Kirk and Kingdome , that as the Generall AfTembly 5 and 
 we for our part reprefenting the fame , fo the Lords of 
 Councell, and the'Commiffioners of Parliament for con- 
 fervation of the pcace,concurring with us, have been,and 
 are moft ferious and folicitous in the importunate and ear- 
 ned preffing of this union in Religion and Kirk govern- 
 ment , ref olving to ufe our uttermoft endeavours in the 
 proiecuting and effeftuating of fuch a blefled and 
 
 neceffary 
 
(7) 
 neceffary work 5 as being dearer to us then all our Lives 
 and Fortunes .• neither did the Generall AiTembly fpare 
 to reprefent their humble advice concerning the way of 
 pro fecuting that work to the houfes of Parliament , and 
 to others feeking after Reformation in England. 
 
 Their Petition doth tend to a dangerous divifion 
 in this Kirk and Kingdorne * 5 for as it doth refled upon 
 us for ourjoyningia the Petition concerning His Maje- 
 -fties printed Letter preferred to the Commiflioners of 
 Parliament, for coniervation of the Peace, upon a pretext 
 (as it faith) of the not fitting of the Privic Councell at 
 that time $ fo it infinuateth,that we did pre fume to quefti- 
 on or feek of the Lords of Councell an' account of their 
 Anions ^ both which are foule and groundleiTe afperfions: 
 yea 5 it declared^ that the Petitioners doe fo far diilike our 
 Petition , that they conceive they were wanting in their 
 dutie and allegeance to the Kings Majefiy 5 if by their fi- 
 Ience they fhould fuffer themfelves to be involved with us 
 in the like defires , judgements and opinions: thus plainly 
 profeffing a divifion and reparation 3 afwell from us , as 
 from other Noblemen , Gentlemen, BurgeiTes and Mini- 
 fters, here occafionally met, with whom we joyned in the 
 forefaid Petition. And not content to with-draw them- 
 felves from being involved with us , the Petition doth 
 alfo infinuate, that in their opinion we are involved in the 
 breach of dutie and allegeance to the Kings Maieftie- and 
 not we only , but the Commiflioners for conferving the. 
 Peace^who did hearken and aflent to our Petition, and did 
 ferioufly recommend to the Lords of His Majefties Privie 
 Councell, that part of the Petition which did concerne 
 their Lord'fhips clearing of their meaning in the publica- 
 tion of His Majefries Letter,by their caufing print the De- 
 claration of the Parliament of England. The Lords of 
 Councell are li&ewife involved in the fame breach of al- 
 
 B legeance 5 
 
( 8 ) 
 legeance, by reafonoftheirgrancofourdefireincaufing 
 print the Declaration of both Houfes of Parliament, upon 
 the warrant of anotherLetter from His Majefty , and there- 
 with declaring,. that their Lordfliips publication of any 
 Paper, doth- not import their approbation of the contents 
 thereof. 
 
 The Petition above-mentioned doth import no finall 
 prejudice to the happy Union and late Treaty of Peace be- 
 twixt the Kingdomes,infinuating to the Lords of his Ma- 
 jefties Privie Councell, that their Lordfliips in arifwering 
 our Petition concerning the clearing of their meaning in 
 the publication of His Majefties Letter , might do no adfc 
 which may give His Majefty occafionto repent him of 
 that truft for aid and affiftance , which He was pleafed to 
 declare in his Letter December 5. that he'repofethinus 
 His Subje&s of, this His ancient and native Kingdomey 
 whereby the Petitioners do intimate their defires,that the 
 Lords of Councell might not declare that for which we 
 did fupplicate , but to declare by their not printing the 
 Declaration of the Parliament, that their Lordfliips pub- 
 lication of His Majefties Letter did import their approba- 
 tion of the contents thereof , and fo acknowledge their 
 willingnefietotake Armsagainft the Parliament of Eng- 
 land 5 upon the grounds contained in that Letter 5 when His 
 Majefty fliall require them fo to doe. And for their own 
 part they declare 5 that they think themfelves obliged in c- 
 very caufe which may cone erne His C^la\efies honour to con * 
 ■curre with their friends and followers in quiet manner ', or in 
 K^Arms^ as they fh all be required of his CMd)clUe^ hisCoun- 
 celljr any having his authorise. Which if underftood and 
 applyed aright,no loyall Subject can deny, but it is meant 
 and exprefled in their Petitior^as in oppofition to our Pe- 
 tition-, So in contemplation of the Differences betwixt 
 His Majefty > and the Parliament of England, unto which 
 
 their 
 
(9) 
 their words relate. For they profeffe to reprefent fuch 
 particulars as they are confident will much conduce to the 
 removing of all the miftakes betwixt His Majefty,and the 
 Parliament: of which particulars,that is the firft,That ac- 
 cording to His Majefties truft exprefled in. His Letter De- 
 cember 5. the Subje&s of this Kingdome declare them- 
 felves willing and ready to take Armes in every caufe 
 which may concerne His Majeuies honour ? being requi- 
 red by His Majefty,or any having His Authoritie. And is 
 not this to make void the Treaty , ratified by the publick 
 Faith of this Kingdome , and A<5t of Parliament , dis- 
 charging all taking up of Armes againft the Kingdome 
 or Subje&s of England , upon any pretence whatfbe- 
 ver , without confent of Parliament , declaring the 
 breach of Peace •, and that after three moneths warnings 
 Which treaty the Eftates of Parliament did fwear to ob- 
 ferve inviolably, in the fame very oath in which they did 
 fwear allegeance to the Kings Majeftie-,therehy declaring, 
 that the obfervation of theconclufions of the treaty may 
 weilconfift with our duty and allegeance to our Sove- 
 raigne , whereas the Petition doth indiredlly put fome 
 afperfion of Lsefmajeftie upon the Parliament for confir- 
 ming and (wearing to obferve the Articles of the Treatie, 
 which in the opinion of the Petitioners are inconfiftent 
 with our oath of allegeance. If they lay that their Peti- 
 tion did only infinuate that we may not take armes to af- 
 fiftthe Parliament againft the King, they put upon it a 
 fenfe which it cannot beare, both becaufe they knew that 
 the fupplicationof the Noblemen, Barons, and others 
 aflifted by us, did not direftly nor indirectly containe a- 
 ny fuch thing, And becaufe His MajefHes truft exprefled 
 in that Letter ( which they defire His Majeftie may not 
 have occafion from us to repent) is not only a negative 
 truft, that we will not take armes againft him, but a pofi- 
 
 B % tiVe 
 
rive trutf arid confidence, that we will be ready to affift 
 him. And finally, becaufe the daufe of the Supplication 
 of the General! Affembly which they mention as con- 
 taining our obligation to our Soveraigne,and that in refe- 
 rence to the prelent diftra&ions in England, is pofitive^ 
 and not negative. 
 
 LafHy, the Petitioners for their own private ends doe 
 very much wreft and mif-apply our Nationall Covenant, 
 about which the whole Nation and all the Members of 
 the Kirk of Scotland have as great reafon,as by the mind 
 of man can be conceived,to be rxioft tender and caute!ous$ 
 and which every one amongft us, according to his place 
 and calling, is obliged to vindicate from ej^y violation^ 
 and namely, from finifter gloffes , and fl ihgrpretati- 
 oas, which may be the fountaine and ca'J^^I IfcCove- 
 riant being one principall rule of our a&iansanikinder- 
 takings) of many fcruples,tranfgreflions, and difturban- 
 ces. We acknowledge before God, andprofefle before 
 the World, that by our Covenant we are. bound to the ut- 
 mofl: of our power , with our meanes and lives,to ftand 
 to the defence of our dread Soveraigne the Kings Maje- 
 ftie, his Perfon and Authorise, in the defence &nd prefer- 
 vation of the true Religion, Lawes and Liberties of this 
 Kirk and Kingdome • likewife in every caufe which may 
 conceme his Majefties honour , according to the Lawes 
 of this Kingdome, and the duty of good fubje&s,to con- 
 curre with our friends and followers in quiet manner, and 
 inarmes, aswefhall be required of His Majeftie, his 
 Councell, or any having his authorities We know, that 
 he who wilfully tranfgreffeth one Article of the Cove- 
 nant, it being copulative, is by interpretation guiltie o£ alL- 
 And therefore under the greateft paines exprefled in the 
 Covenant, we relolve for our felves, all the dayesof our 
 lives, and doe exhort all others to that duty which they 
 
 have 
 
have fworne and fubfcribed to perform to the Kings Ma* 
 jeftie : But we defire to know of the Petitioners,who aire 
 fo ready at this time to make their own conclusions out of 
 the Covenant, which was never intended by it , nor 
 thought upon at the firft or laft time at the (wearing and 
 fubfcribing thereof, how it cometh to paiTe that they ne- 
 ver took the Covenant in their mouth 3 but in this one Ar- 
 ticle? Are they not bound by theirCovenant,and the lame 
 claufe of thefupplication, cited by them, to their mutual! 
 concurrence and affiftanc.e for the caufe of Religion ? and 
 to ftand,with their means & lives,to the defence thereof, 
 in the do&rine and difcipline of the Kirk of Scotland? and 
 to live godfojbberly\& righteoufly in this prefent worlds 
 True Com kc of duty and fincerity in keeping the 
 CovertB PBmake the obedience univerfall. Second-- 
 ly, fefl^the Petitioners would only, have unitie in Reli- 
 gion and uniformitie in Kirk-Government advanced by 
 Chriftian wifhes and fairmeanes , and yet infinuateth 
 their offer by armes to decide the municipall debates of 
 England ] anent Civill matters, while the Civill and Ec- 
 clefiaftick Judicatories , -and the reft of this Kirk and 
 Kingdoms arecefiringan Affembly ,and a Parliament y 
 to confider their intereft and duty, and to contribute their 
 beft endeavours ( in what is above the power of their 
 Commiffioners) to-further this unitie of Religion^and re- 
 move thefe diftradions in England, we ask,whether they 
 prefume that they alone keep the Covenant, and would 
 render unto Chrift which is Chrifts y and unto -Cefar 
 which is Cefar s , and that all others are Covenant- brea- 
 kers < Thirdly, do they not know that the Covenant was 
 fubfcribed in the years, 1 5 8 1 . and 1591. before King 
 zpames was King of England * and that m the particular 
 Heads and Articles , it is qualified by expreffe Hmftations 
 and reftri&ions to this Kirk and Kingdome^toth Religion ^ 
 
 B 3 ' Laws' 
 
Lowes and Liberties of Scotland', therefore can no more 
 be extended to municipall debates , and to the Lawes 
 and Liberties of England 5 unto which we areftrangers, 
 then the Kingdome of England can judge of our Lawes, 
 and determine our differences , the two Kingdomes being 
 ftill independent,&not fubordinate one to another but pa- 
 rallel! , which is more at large expreffedin the beginning 
 of the treaty of Peace : Nor is the fending of our Forces 
 into Ireland a neceflary duty of our Covenant , but a vo- 
 luntary teftimony of our high refpe&s to our King,and of 
 our brotherly kindneffe to the Kingdome of England , as 
 was expreffed by the eftates in the laft Parliament. 
 Fourthly,do not the Petitioners obferve the limitations 
 exprefly contained in the words cited by themfelves, 
 according to the Lawes of this Kingdome and duty of good Sub- 
 jects', which fome of them may remember was interpre- 
 ted in the Aflembly , as if it had been faid within this 
 Kingdome-, nor was there ever any law of this Kingdome 
 of further extent : A law and Treaty there is , we know, 
 forbidding it. Fifthly, may they not learne from the 
 printed Letter, that the Kings Majeftie exprefleth not his 
 confidence ofaffiftance from Scotland, upon any ground 
 or article of the Covenant, which His Majeftie knoweth 
 to be fo obligatory amongft us, but from the obedience, 
 duty and affedion of His Subjefts of Scotland , without 
 any mention of our Covenant i But fuch is the fuperero^ 
 gation of fome of the Petitioners above what His Maje- 
 ftie requires,that they will put a tye of the Covenant upon 
 us , where GOD and the King hath left us free. Thus 
 have we related the interpretation of the Covenant made 
 by the Affembly, and vindicate that claufe of the Cove- 
 nant , which is fo far perverted by this Petition. 
 
 The Petitioners hearing that their Petition had given 
 offence to the Commiffioners of the Affembly , and that 
 
 we 
 
we were about the examination and cenfuring thereof,did 
 di-re£t foure of their number with another Petition to 
 give fatisfa&ion to the exceptions that might be taken a- 
 gainft themes is contained in their Remonftrance which 
 they exhibite for that end : But when in a calme and qui- 
 et conference , all the particular reafons above-written, 
 were reprefented unto them , and all means ufed to move 
 them to part from their Petition, they could not be indu- 
 ced,neither in the name of others that had fent them, nor 
 for themfelves , to acknowledge the fmalleft errour ei- 
 ther in the matter of their Petition , or in the manner of 
 their petitioning $ only they made offer to joyn with us 
 the Commiffioners of the" AiTembly in a new Petition 
 for Unitie of Religion, and gave fuchgloffes and interpre- 
 tations upon the claufes of their Petition , which were 
 mod excepted againft, as could neither confift with the 
 words nor fcopeof the contrivers and authors. And 
 therefore being defired and earneftly dealt with, they not 
 only refufed to declare under their hands that no other 
 thing was meant in the Petition, then they had by word 
 exprerfed , but alfo did fhun to allow or permit us, the 
 Commiflioners of the AiTembly , to declare fo much in 
 their names, as was contained in their own verball expref- 
 fions , intending that the Petition fhould go through this 
 and the neighbouring Kingdomes for the ends for which 
 it was devifed,and efpecially into England,for fruftrating 
 all that hath been done , oris now in doing by this Kirk 
 and Kingdome , out of their pious intention , and by their 
 publick endeavours for unitie of Religion , and the peace 
 of the two Kingdomes : And in the mean time that no- 
 thing fhould be extant from them or their confefiions and 
 interpretations in the contrary. 4> 
 
 In this cafe we judge it necefTary , and finde it incum- 
 bent to us to emit this Declaration , for vindicating our 
 
 prefent 
 
(l 4 ) 
 
 pfefent and by-paft proceedings : for our filence and con- 
 nivence were a breach of our dutie to GOD, aneg- 
 led of the charge and truft committed unto us by the Ge- 
 neral! Aflembly, an occafion as well of diyifions at home, 
 as of jealoufe and mif-underftaodings betwixt the King- 
 doms^ confirmation of the Petitioners in their -errour, & 
 an indirect approbation of their petition- as like wife a c&ufe 
 •.of ftumblitig and doubting to others who (hall read or 
 hear of fuch a Petition 3 efpedally to thofe,who through 
 want of difcerning , are not able to prove things that are 
 different, might be eafily deceived by their pretexts and 
 fophiftications. We are not ignorant that this Petition 
 <Ioth very much reflect upon the Parliament 3 Privy Coun- 
 cell, and the Confervators of Peace-, but this we leave 
 to the wife consideration of thefe civill Judicatories, as 
 they fliall finde themfelves.' concerned: we have contained 
 our ftlves within our proper Spheare , not daring to ne- 
 glecfl our own duty , while wee forbeare to meddle with 
 that which pertaines to others. 
 
 The Petitioners are not all of one kinde and difpofiti- 
 on of heart , but are unequally yoked againft the Work of 
 God. Some of them are known , and fome of them have 
 been conceived to be Malignants and Incendiaries from 
 the beginning: but God forbid that they fhould now by 
 oppofing unitie in Religion and Peace, prove enemies to 
 all Religion and Rightebufnefle \ for then will it be both 
 thought and fpoken, that all this time paft they have been 
 lying in wait for the feafon,when their malignancie might 
 appearand it will be obferved,that they who were of late 
 at diftaticeamongft themftlves,are now at agreement-,and 
 that like Samfom foxes , they turn taile to taile with fire- 
 brands in the midft,to burn up the husbandrie of G O D, 
 when now the fields are white for the harveft. It cannot 
 be the caufe of God which is not either fecretly or openly 
 
 oppofed 
 
oppofed by men of perverfe mindes > 7 nor can bKnded 
 mindes and hardened hearts , till God touch them by his 
 power , choofe but fecretly or openly oppofe the truth 
 and caufe of God. Avid therefore it is very neceffary that 
 fuch men take heed unto themfelves.ieft by their fulnefle 
 of alLfobtletie and mifehief , and their not ceafing to per- 
 vert the right wayes of the Lord , they bee found to bee 
 fighting againft God , which will prove bitternefle in 
 the end : Others there be who have joyned in this Peti- 
 tion ( to judge charitably ) not from oppofition to the 
 unitieof Religion 5 they having done and fuffered fo much, 
 and hazarded all for the Reformation of Religion at 
 home , but partly out of unwillingnefle to refufe or 
 difpleafe their friends td whom they are obliged by natu- 
 rall or other particular bands , and partly by reafonof the 
 fpecious pretences in the Petition , not confidering the 
 bad intentions of the contrivers , or the dangerous im- 
 portance and confequence of the Petition it felf: Let fuch 
 men, to whom the Commiffioners of the Affembly wiifa 
 all true happinefTe,ferioufly think as well upon the condi- 
 tion of the work, and the quality of the company with 
 whom they joyne ,as upon their own intentions, left they 
 wrong both themfelves , and the caufe of God, contrary 
 to their defires,and more then they are aware of % and let* 
 them remember how dangerous it is to walke in the_ 
 counfell of the ungodly , for their foules to come into 
 their fecret,and their glory tobejoyned with their Aflem- 
 bly.If counfell be like the principall agent, confent is like 
 the inftrument •, and to be inftruments of ., oraccefTorie 
 unto the hinderance of the intended , and fo much defired 
 unitie of Religion , which maketh fo fair a way for the 
 Kingdome of Chrift through the Earth , how great & 
 fin is it? and how great a forrow fhall it be i 
 All this we have thought good to expreife concerning 
 
 C that 
 
up;- 
 that diylfive Petition, and thofe who are joyned together 
 in it 5 being caft in our way as a-fturiibling block and rock of 
 offence, for hindrance of the work of God, both at 
 home and abroad. And as we exhort and warne all the 
 People of God in this Land to obferve them who caufe 
 divifions and offences , and to avoid them y So we'hope 
 affuredly , that no fuch courfes , norcounfellsfhallpro- 
 fper , as do tend diredly or indire&ly , to the (topping of 
 the courfe of the Gofpel,or to the fuppreffion of Religion 
 and Reformation,and that God Almighty fliall againft all 
 impediments carry forward this his bleffed and glorious 
 Work.to the glory of his great Name , to the advance- 
 ment of the Kingdome of his Son Jefus Chrift , to the 
 definition of Antichrift , to the firme Peace and 
 happy Union of all His Majefties Domini- 
 ons in Religion , and to His Majefties 
 Honour and Happinefle: Whom 
 GOD prefervetoraign 
 long and profpe- * , 
 roufly over us* 
 
 F I ^C T $ 
 
At Edinburgh the eighteenth day of 
 ■January, 16/^^. 
 
 THe £om?nifsioners appointed by the Kings Cfrfajeflie, 
 and bis Parliament of Scotland 5 for conferring the 
 Articles of the Treaty Doefnde that the Petition given in to 
 his Cfrlajeflics Privie C ounce 11 by fome Noblemen and Gentle- 
 men upon the 10. of this moncth, doth tend to the hinder ance of 
 their proceedings and endeavours in this pub lick Work commit- 
 ted to them by the Kings aMajefly, and Parliament: And that 
 it is prejudiciall to the authority of this Commifsion 3 the fame 
 being in oppofition of what was that day recommended by the 
 faids Commifsioners to the Councell. i^And ordaine this o^$ 
 to be publijhed for flopping all farther progreffe of that or other 
 Petitions of that kinde^ And that it be printed with the Decla- 
 ration of the Commifsioners of the Gcnerall Affembly madehere- 
 mem. 
 
 Sic Juhfcribitur 
 
 ArchrPrimerofe Cler. CommiJJ. 
 
• •