The title beareth , 1. that the Proclamation is intended to informe the loving subjects of England ; which is the desire of our hearts , and for which we have laboured ; being confident that all his Majesties loving subjects of England , after true and full information , wil allow of our actions , as proceeding from the love of CHRIST , and of our King and countrey , which to us are inseparably joyned , and wherein we are so emulous , that we are heartily grieved , and think our selves heavily wronged , that in love and loyaltie , we should be reckoned second , or inferiour , to any subjects in the Christian world . But what truth of information may be expected from our Prelats , with their pages and parasites , who can have no hope of rysing again , but from our certaine ruine , all the judicious subjects of England may easily discerne .

2. The title beareth that by our seditious practises we are seeking to overthrow his Majesties regall power under the false pretences of religion . None of all our actions is more challenged of sedition , then our necessarie confession of Faith and nationall Covenant , wherein we are so far from overturning regall authority , that we declared before God & men that we had no intention or desire to attempt any thing that might turne to the diminution of the Kings greatnesse and authority . We could not so much as imagin , that the refusing of the service book , and the rejecting of Episcopall government , which two over-turne the frame of Gods worship and the discipline of the Kirk , as they were here established , should ever have been interpreted to be the overthrowing of regall power ; The pillars of true regall power are religion and righteousnesse , which by our oath we have endevored to establish , and are confident , if we can have them in peace , shall be seen by all the world to be strong supporters of his Majesties throne . Our practises are called seditious , our carriages tumultuous , our returnes froward and perverse , our intentions traiterous , our informations and declarations infamous lybels , our protestations mutinous , our covenant aband or rather a conspiracie against the Lords anoynted , pretended to be with God , that we may with the better countenance do the works of the divell , such as are treasons and rebellions , our preparations for defence hostile , as if the King were our sworn enemy , our aimes to be the invasion of the good subjects of England , to make whole our broken fortunes , our actions increasing and dareing insolencies , our present case a brain-sick distemper , our selves evil and traiterously affected persons , factious and turbulent spirits &c. To which we answer , 1. It may be that the Lord will look on our affliction , 2. Sam. 16. 12. Mat. 5. 11. and that the Lord will requite good for this cursing . Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evill against you for my sake .

2. These railing accusations have proceeded from the unchristian hearts of our Prelats , who are rageing waves of the sea , foaming out their own shame , and thereby give publick proof , that by the sentence of excommunication from the Kirk , they are indeed delivered unto Satan , the spirit which now worketh mightily in them . All their revilings against us , shall not draw from us one word , which may reflect upon the Kings Majestie . They have learned an arte , like unto that practised of old , cunningly to insert the image of their Hierarchie , into the Kings portract , that no man can do reverence to the one , but he must adorethe other , no man speak , or do , against the one , but he must speak , and do against the other . But we are not unacquainted with their craft , and God hath taught us the way to honour the King , and detest treason , sedition and rebellion , without honour done to them , and without the perfidious acknowledging of their abjured tyrannie . 3. By two things all men may perceive , that the Prelats would have their anger to come to a mischief : the one is , that they use extreme bitternesse of words . Yet in this they faile of their end ; that their words are rather common railings and flyting , then sharp , pointed and proper , more labouring to speak all the evill they can devise against us , then to speak any truth against our persons and cause . The other is , that they would ingage his Majestie so far in their businesse , that no place may be left to a retreat . But in this also we trust they shall be disappointed , and that they shall never induce his Majestie , to act any thing which is not revocable . Princes who ought to be common parents , will not make themselves a party ; for that were to overthrow the boat by unequall weight on the one side , and make not only the passengers , but him that sitteth at the helme to perish ; which our Prelats have desperatly chosen , rather then to repent , or with Ionas to cast themselves in the sea , that they may perish alone . Their maxime is old ; when we are dead and gone , let the earth be burnt up with fire .

In the narrative we are glad that they judge of our intentions ( which are directly known to GOD only ) by our proceedings and actions before the world : which against their obloquies and misconstructions we justifie . 1. By our long suffering the outrages and insolencies of the Prelats ; who against the unity of hearts , authority of Assemblies , order of Ministerie , purity of doctrine and worship and whole reformation of religion in this Kirk ( which was the wonderfull work of Gods greatest mercy to this kingdome , and the glory of our land ) for no other end , but for satisfying their ambition and avarice ( which are known to be the two great inchanters of naturall men , and have proven cruell Harpyes against religion ) they did overturne all ; bringing in for unity , division , for authority of Assemblies , their own usurpation , for order of the Ministerie , episcopall tyrannie , and for the purity of worship , first humane inventions , and thereafter ( being now grown by their rents and Lordly dignities , by their power over the Ministers and other lieges , by their places in Parliament , Councell , Session , Exchequer , and high Commission to a plenipotent dominion and greatnesse ) they frame a book of Canons for ruling the Kirk and disposing upon religion at their pleasure . And yet all this time the greatest opposition was the zeale of some preachers in giving testimonie to the truth , and sealing the same by their sufferings , and the groaning of the people , and their crying to God , that he would come down and deliver them from these more then Egyptian taskmasters . 2. By the peaceablnesse of our proceedings , ever since we begune to appeare in a publick way of opposition : although their insolencie ascended so high as without consent or knowledge of the Kirk , they have framed a service book to be received in all the Kirks of the kingdome , as the only forme of Gods publick worship , procured letters of horning against Ministers for that effect , practised it themselves , and not only discharged some Readers and Ministers who refused the book , but also obtained a charge , that no man under the paine of death should speak against the Bishops or their service book : And yet although the book was brought in without order , and known to be a change of the whole forme of Gods worship ; The Noblemen , Barrones , Burgesses , Ministers and Commons conveening although in a very great number , yet in most peaceable manner without any tumult , did only supplicat most submisly the Lords of his Majesties Councell , and direct their supplications to his Majestie for remeeding their just and important grievances . Thirdly , when their supplications received no other answer , but terrible Proclamations condemning all their meetings and proceedings , and highly allowing the evils which were their grievances ; their complaints against the many haynous crimes of the Prelats were not heard , and their distresses still pressing them more ; The supplicants entering into a deeper search of the causes of all their evils , and of the barring of their supplications ; found them to be from themselves and their former perfidious dealing against the Covenant of God . And therefore resolved to renew their nationall oath and Covenant with solemne humiliation and prayers to God for reconciliation , and for better successe afterward . They resolve also to renew their supplication to the Kings Majestie for a generall Assembly and Parliament , as the ordinarie and able meanes to redresse their evils , and essayed all possible wayes of presenting it . They answered to the full all exceptions taken against the Covenant , and left nothing undone , which beseemed Christian subjects , who honour God and feare the King . Fourthly , after many petitions and long exspectation when a generall Assembly was conveened by his Majesties speciall indiction , and orderly constitute in all the members thereof , in the presence of his Majesties Commissioner ; we were forbidden to proceed and commanded to rise , without any just cause offered by us . In this extremity of the precipitating of the Kirk and kingdome in a world of confusions upon the one side , and of sitting after the interdiction , on the other part , we chosed that course which was warranted by Christ , was most agreable to his Majesties will formerly manifested , and to the publick weale , as is contained in the supplication of the generall Assembly directed to his Majestie , whereof no mention is made in the proclamation . Since that time we have been threatned with armies and hostile invasion from England , against which we have been preparing for our lawfull and necessarie defence , far from the least thought of invading or harming our neighbours . Our wayes then have been , after long silence , no other but humble supplications to GOD and the King , necessary Protestations , religious renewing of our nationall Covenant , sitting in a generall Assembly conveened by his Majesties indiction , information and preparation for necssarie defence against open hostility . The particular evidences of our traiterous intentions are expressed in the Proclamation to be : First , the multitude of infamous libels stuffed full of calumnies against the Kings authority . If any peice coming from us had been here designed , our answere might have been particulare ; And therefore in generall we are bold to affirme , that what hath passed from our hands of that kinde , as it hath been meant to cleare our intentions of disloyalty , so it carrieth nothing with it which can merite so foule an aspersion , all being done both in matter and expression with the highest respect we could conceive to his Majesties sacred person and royall authority , and with the best construction of his Majesties proceedings . Secondly , letters sent to private persons in London and sending some Covenanters to privat meetings at London to incite people against the King and to pervert them from their duty ; A traiterous intention we confesse , which will never be so happie as to harboure in a Loyall brest . And as we are assured that such missives or messengers were never sent from the Covenanters in common ; So must it be , either cunning in the Prelates , to alledge that which we cannot prove to be false , or malice to attribute that unto us , which private persons have done from their own motions without our knowledge : That in such a time there should be found libels or licentious discourses , false news running up and down , and letters carrying the names of such authores as never saw them , should seem nothing strange . And whether the search of such things with too great diligence , and the suppressing of them by too much severity , or the neglect and despysing of them by authority , be the best remedie against them , let statesmen judge . It is known when water is stopped one way it runneth asunder and breaketh out many wayes .

Thirdly , Our publick contemning of all his Majesties just commands , and our mutinous protesting against them . It is our delight to obey his Majesties just commands , and is farre from our hearts to contemne any of his Majesties commands , although unjust , or to protest mutinously against them : But to protest in a faire way , and as beseemeth duetifull subjects , is a course customeable , legall and ordinare , and in some cases so necessare for preservation of right , and preventing of evil , that at sometimes it cannot be omitted , and at no time can give just offence . Fourthly , The fourth evidence beareth three points , which require particulare answere . 1. That no Covenant or band of that nature is warrantable without civill authoritie . This exception hath been so fully answered from warrands of divine & humane authority , both ecclesiasticall & civill , from the practise of the godly of old , from the example of our Religious progenitors , from the continued subscription used in this Kirk , and from the nature of the oath it self , which is nationall , that we trust all men , who are not strangers to what we have written , are satisfied to the full , except the Prelats & their adherents , who are endlesse in their cavillations , and craftily labour to bring us back again to the beginning of the controversie , that they may ( if it were possible ) undoe what hath been done by us . 2. That we have rejected the Covenant commanded by authoritie , because commanded by authoritie . The reasons not of our rejecting , but of our modest with-holding of our subscription commanded by authoritie are at length set down in our publick and printed Protestations , September 22. and December 18. in our answer to the Declaration made by his Majesties Commissioner , and in the acts of the late Assembly , which properly owneth the publick judgement and interpretation of the confession of Faith . In all which it is found that the confession commanded by authoritie according to the meaning put upon it , is in matters of Religion , not only contrarie to our subscription in February , but also to the confession as it was meant and professed in the year 1580 , and therefore could not be subscribed by us , except we would by manifold perjurie have made our selves transgressours , and have brought upon our selves a farre greater weight of the wrath of God , then the first was , which by our subscription we laboured to avert and prevent . Thirdly , That our Covenant is a conspiracie against the King pretended to bee with God , for doing the works of the devill . This is a blasphemie , to which we are sure , neither the Kings Majestie , nor any fearing God , can be accessory , and which addeth much to our confidence , that the Lord hath ratified in heaven the curse pronounced upon the Prelates , that he will reprove the words which hee hath heard uttered by them , and that their work shall not prosper : And therefore comforting our selves in the Lord our God , who hath been pleased by so many signes and undenyable evidences , to countenance and confirme our Covenant , we bring against them no railing accusation , but say , The Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem rebuke them , and save the King . Lastly , Our hostile preparations to invade England : Against which as much hath been said and sworne by us in our late informations , as we trust hath given satisfaction to all good subjects there , although they had been so uncharitable , which we will never beleeve , as hastily to have embraced such reports . Our best actions , & which ought to give to that kingdome greatest contentment , will never by them be wrested to that sense : And although the Prelates in the mood of despaire to recover their losses , except by our ruine , traduce us to be desperate hypocrites , yet the event will bear witnesse , that we have spoken , as men fearing the great name of our God , with whom we have reneued our Covenant ; and who , when his time commeth , will be avenged , whither upon our hypocrisie , or their calumnie . Yet our enemies , seeking the way to make suspicion , where no cause is , have given out , That many , and some of the chiefest amongst us , are men of unquiet spirits , and broken fortunes , &c. But in this they have been evil advised . For suspicions among thoughts , are by wisemen compared with bates among birds , which flee not at the no one-day , but in the time of twilight . It is known by all , who are acquainted with this Countrey , that almost the whole Kingdome standeth to the defence of this cause , and that the chiefest of the Nobles , Barrons , and Burgesses , are honoured in the places where they live for Religion , wisedome , power , and wealth answerable to the condition of this Kingdome ; that the meanest of the commons who have joyned in this cause , are content of their meane estates , with the enjoying of the Gospel ; and no lesse known , that our adversaries are not for number , any considerable part of the Kingdome , and that the chiefest ( setting aside some few states-men , & such as draw their breath from court ) are known Athiests , or professed Papists , drowned in debt , denounced his Majesties Rebels , for a long time past , are under caption of their creditours , and have already in their imaginations divided amongst them the lands of the supplicants , which they hope to be possessed in , by the power of England . But we hope that by this shift they may well be worse , but they shall be no better . In the meane time against all these calumnies , the Lord from heaven hath looked upon the integritie of our hearts , and in his wisedome hath found the way to clear our innocencie . For beside our supplication to the Councel Ian. 13. for this end , and our late information to England Feb. 4. we have the publick testimonie of the councel of the Kingdome to make it known . A letter sent to England from one George Sterlin in Edinburgh , with the advise of Iohn Sterlin commissar of Wigtoun both in neer relation to the late pretended B. of Galloway , did come to our hands , bearing what the Prelates now say ; this was exhibited to the councel , Feb. 22. & 28. with our complaint , supplication , attestation of the great name of God , and our own consciences , and offer of our subscription , or any other meane of purgation to the contrare , whereupon the Lords of privie councel , sent up our supplication to the Kings Majestie , with their own , wherein they humbly supplicate , lest upon such informations , his Majestie should be more easily moved to think upon harder courses , than he had heretofore been pleased to keep with his Majesties ancient and native kingdome and subjects ; that his Majestie in his accustomed fatherly care of the good and preservation of this Kingdome , would be pleased , to resolve upon some such course , as without force of armes , or shewing of his Princely power , the estate of this kingdome may be setled , as may be seen at greater length in the letter it self . We are challenged here also as usurpers of regall power . First , because we have taken upon us to command the print , and forebidden and dismissed the printer , whom his Majestie established . This is the old complaint of the Popish Prelats against our reformers in the yeare 1559. and very untruly by their successours renewed against us : for we have neither dismissed nor forbidden the printer , who still hath his liberty , and residence in Edinburgh . Nor doth the act of the generall Assembly , which we take to be here meant , containe any thing that can be construed to be the usurpation of regall power , or the smalest diminution of the priviledges royall about printing . It only forbideth under the paine of Kirk censure to print any piece that concerneth the Kirk , without warrand of the Kirk : A power belonging to the Kirk in all kingdomes , and ordinarly used in this Kirk , not only in the times of Popery , but since the reformation , as is manifest by diverse acts of Assemblies censuring abuses of printing , appointing some treatises to be printed , and naming some to revise what was to be put to the presse . Neither must we think that the nationall Kirk is shorter in her liberties of this sort , then our Universities are , who without restraint , use their own liberty ; nor will any man think , that schollers shall have the liberty to print their propositions yearly , without controlement , and liberty shall be denied to the generall Assembly to print their acts and constitutions . Particulare professours use to publish their treatises with adjurations of printers ( because they have no further authority ) that they print them not in another edition , nor in another character : and shall not the Kirk make use of that authority which GOD hath granted her for her own peace and the good of Religion ? Secondly , because we have conveened the subjects , raised armies , blocked up and besieged his Majesties castles &c. So many of these heavy challenges as have any shew of truth , are so fully and plainly answered in our last protestation Decemb. 18. that as the Prelats needed not to make the objection , so need we to make no new answere .

In our last information intended for England , besides that the true , honest and loyall expressions of our hearts , are taken to be false , base and fawning passages : we are particularly challenged of two scandalous and most notorious untruths : First , that the armies now raised , are in the hands of Papists . So indeed were we informed , and therefore spake with this caution ( as we are informed ) and why shall not the captaines and leaders of the armie , be sutable to the prime movers , the cause , and end of the work , all which smell of Rome and of Popery ? The other untruth is , that some of power in the Kirk of England have been the cause of taking armes for invasion of this kingdome and of medling with our religion . This we offer to verifie both by write , and by the deposition of prime stats-men and Councellours , against some Kirk-men there , namely against Canterburie himself , that he did negotiate with Rome , about the frame of our service book and Canons , that with his own hand he altered , and interlyned diverse passages thereof , tending to conformity with Rome : A plot so perilous , that had not the Lord disappointed it , First , Scotland and then England by him , and such as cooperate with him , had become , in their religion , Romish . His reprinted conference with M r. Fisher , will not serve to vindicate his reputation . And therefore we earnestly intreat all in England , that affect the truth of religion , and the Kings honour , and all true Patriots that love the liberty , of the kingdome , to supplicate his Majestie for calling a Parliament there , that this mysterie of iniquity which hath been in working this time past may be discovered , and the prime agents therein , according to their demerits may be tryed and punished , and that this craft and treacherie , in joyning both kingdomes in a bloody war , that by weakning both , Rome may be built in the midst of us , and the Pope in end set over all , may be seen and disappointed , that GOD may have his own glory , the King his honour , and his subjects may be in safety , from forraine tyraine over their bodies , and soules .

Least the Prelats should passe any point true or false that may serve their turne ; This also is laide to our charge ; that the Kings lawes are in a manner oppressed by us , in so much that the judges are so awed as they dare hardly proceed according to law . The prime judges of the land remember , that by them justice hath been refused us , according to law ; not from their own disposition , but for feare to offend against missives procured against us : we must also now remember , that having of late requyred letters of horning and caption , against the excommunicate Prelats , conforme to the act of Parliament : whereof they use not to deny the common benefite to the meanest subject ; The Lords of Session resolved upon a letter to be sent to his Majestie March 2. wherein they bring his Majesties pleasure , signified by his Majesties command , and otherwise , as the only cause of refusing these letters , according to the act of Parliament , and withall joyn their most ardent desires and humble wishes for such peace and quietnesse to the kingdome , as it hath injoyed before . Which evidenceth that not only the laws , but the judges are for us , and that from conscience of their duty to GOD , the King and countrey , and not from feare and aw from us .

To make all that hath been said the more credible , it is alledged that some of us refuse both the oath of alledgeance and supremacie , and publickly mantaine that we are not oblidged to take the same , and that three Scotishmen taken in Wales , are at this day , imprisoned for denying these oathes . We can say nothing of these taken in Walles , neither there persons nor their purposes being known to us . It seemeth that the inquisition is hote there . But for our selves , although there be a difference betwixt the oath of alledgeance , and supremacie , and we cannot take the oath of supremacie as it is extended , and glossed by the flattering Prelats , yet we heartily rander that to his Majestie which is due and useth to be given by reformed and sound divines to the civill Magistrate , knowing that the Fifth command containing the duty of subjects to their Princes and rulers , is the First commandment of the second table , and that our confession of faith , acknowledgeth his Majestie to be the Lordsvice-gerant on earth : to whom the conservation and purgation of religion , doth belong .

As this is the conception which our enemies have begotten in his Majesties minde against us , so may we learne by this declaration , what his Majesties intentions are against this Kirk and kingdome , and what birth may be looked for , if divine providence by changing the heart of our King , or by some other way known to himself , make not an abortion , or chock it in time . For first , through the incurable superstition and inveterate malice of the Prelats against the reformed religion , declaration is made , that by introducing the service book , there was not the least thought of innovation of religion , but meerly to have a conformity with the worship of God which is observed in both the other kingdomes ; though evil minded men have wrested somethings in it to a sinistrous sense . Thus the service book is still no innovation of religion , but by our sinistrous sense , is made to seem so : conformitie with the worship of GOD in other kingdomes , is urged upon us , as if we were , tabularasa , and had not a forme of worship established by the acts of the Kirk and laws of the kingdome : meerly to have conformity is averred , although the manifold litures and interlynings of the service book , used in both the other kingdomes testifie the contrare , by the hands of our own Prelates and of Canterburie himself . Hence wee must pay for abusing the book , and the book it self must in the own time be received . Secondly , through the pride and greed of our Prelates , Episcopall government must be retained as it is established by acts of Parliament ; as known to the whole world to be most Christian in it self , most peaceable for the civill estate , most consonant to Monarchicall government , and without which the Parliament will not stand compleat of three estates : Although the truth is , there be no act of Assembly , nor of Parliament for that office in this kingdome , that it is known to reformed Christendome , rather to be antichristian in it self , most prejudiciall to the peace of the civill estate , and hath in all nations proven the most pernicious enemy to Monarchs , and true Monarchicall government . And that the Parliament hath been , may be , and is in the nature thereof , compleat and perfect without this excrescence . Hence Bishops we must have jure divino to serve the will of the Prince in the worship of GOD , and these as lordly as ever before . Thirdly , No Covenant must be indured to which the Kings Majestie shall not consent , and our Covenant only pretended to be with God , that we may with better countenance do the works of the devill , such as are treasons and rebellions . Hence our Covenant can be no more endured then treason and rebellion , and the Covenanters either renounce God , so solemnly attested by them , or punished as rebels and traitours . Fourthly , the question is conceived to bee no more about the service book and Episcopall government : But whether the Kings Majestie shall bee our King or not : And is determined that we have stricken at the very root of Kingly government , vilified the regall power in his Majesties person , and assumed it to our selves .

Fifthly , it is declared , that his Majestie is forced to take armes to establish and set his Kingly authority right here , to make the best of us see , that he will indure no such Covenant as we have made . Hence resolution is taken and declared , that for establishing the service book and episcopall government , for abolishing of our Covenant , and for being avenged on us , as rebels and traitours , his Majestie cometh in a hostile war , with all the power that can be raised in England , by all other meanes and by this Proclamation , which is ordained to be reade in time of divine service , in every Kirk within the kingdome , for that effect .

Our part in this case is to resolve , whither we will , with sin and shame lie under the pressing weight of so many foule aspersions , as rarely in the worst times have been laide upon Christians , receive the service book , as the only forme of divine worship , which is declared by the Assembly to be a masse of errours , superstition , idolatry and antichristian tyrannie , welcome home againe our Prelats and their abjured government , condemne our reformers and the glorious work of reformation , renounce our Covenant and be so many times perjured as we have sworne and subscribed the same , losse all our labours and paines , bestowed for so large a time in so good a cause , open with our own hands a wide doore , and by our example shew a brode way for the entring of Popery & of all changes in religion hereafter , lay a stumbling block in the Kings way to the kingdome of heaven , and hinder the Queens conversion , give offence to all the reformed Kirks who have been praying for us , harden the hearts and strengthen the hands of all the enemies of the truth at home and abroad , make our selves an odious spectacle to men and angels , forget our bygone slavery and our wishes for redemption , deny our own experience of the mercy truth and power of GOD , so many times , and so many wayes , to our unspeakable comfort , manifested this time by-past , losse the posterity and the children that shall come after us , who shall mourne in misery for our misdeeds , make the faces of so many to blush and be ashamed , because of us , leave nothing but laments to our friends and jubilees of joy to our enemies , interrupt the march of the LORD of hosts upon the earth , and wrest his dis-played banner out of his hands , pull the crown from the head of CHRIST our judge , our lawgiver and our King , grieve and resist the holy Ghost , pull down the golden-candlestick and put out the light , and bring all the plagues that are written in the book of GOD upon us , so that all nations shall say , wherefore hath the Lord done this unto this land ? What meaneth the heate of this his great anger ? Then men shall say because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord , therefore are these evils come upon them ; A word of defection could no sooner come from our mouthes but the horrour of hell should enter in our souls : Or rather on the contrary use the power which GOD hath put in our hands , not for invading England , or doing the smalest harme to any of the people of GOD who trouble not our peace ; cursed be the breasts that harbour such intentions , and the hands that execute them , but meerly for our own defence and safety against armed violence and unjust invasion . And therefore where it is demanded in the Proclamation what we will defend ; we answere ; not our disobedience but our religion , liberties and lives : And where it is asked against whom we will defend ; Least our intentions or actions should be mistaken , by such as are not acquainted with our case , or misconstrued , as contrary to the doctrine of sound divines , or to the laudable practises of Christians of old , or of late , we desire that distinction may be made , and difference put between the King resident in the Kingdome , and by opening his ears to both parties , rightly informed , and the King farre from us in another kingdome , hearing the one partie , and mis-informed by our adversaries : Between the King as King , proceeding royally according to the laws of the Kingdome against rebels , and the King as a man comming down from his throne ( at the foote where of the humble supplication of his subjects lyeth unanswered ) & marching furiously against his loyall and weal-meaning people : Between a King who is a stranger to Religion , and tyed no further , but according to his own pleasure , to the professours of Religion , living in his dominions , and our Kiug professing with us the same religion , and obliged by his Fathers deed , & his own oath , to desend us his own subjects , our lives , religion , liberties & laws : Again , difference would be put , between some private persons taking armes for resistance , & inferiour Magistrats , Iudges , Councellors , nobles , Peeres of the land , Parliament men , Barrons , Burgesses , and the whole bodie of the Kingdome ( except some few either Courteours , stats-men , Papists , or popishly affected , and their adherents ) standing to their own defence : Between subjects rising , or standing out , against law and reason that they may bee freed from the yoke of their obedience , and a people holding fast their alledgeance to their Soveraigne , and in all humilitie supplicating for Religion and justice , between a people labouring by armes to introduce novations in Religon contrarie to the laws , and a people seeking nothing so much as against all innovations , to have the same Religion ratified , which hath been professed since the reformation , and hath not only been solemnely sworn long since by the Kings Majestie , and by the whole Kingdome both of old and of late , but also commanded by the Kings Majestie to be sworn by his Counsellours , and commanded by his Councell to bee subscribed by all the people as it was professed at first : Between a people pleading for their own phantasies and foolaries , or inventions , and a people suspending their judgement and practise about things controverted , till they should be determined by a nationall Assembly , the only proper and competent judicatorie , and after determination , receiving and standing for the conclusions of the Assembly . Whither in this case , and matters so standing , wee shall stand to our own defence , we are taught by the light and law of nature , by the word of God in the old and new testament , by the Covenant betwixt the people and God , by the end for which Magistrates are ordained of God , by our standing in our order and line of subordination under God , the great Superiour , when our immediate Superiours go out of their line & order , by the testimonies of the best divines and sound politicians and Lawyers , even such as pleadmost contra Monarchomachos , by the mutuall contract betwixt the King and the people at the Coronation , by acts of Parliament , and by the example of our own predicessours .

And now for our brethren and neighbours , in England , whose eares , we suppose , have been filled with this Proclamation in their particular Kirks ; From that honour which we ow unto authoritie , as the ordinance of God , and from the naturall and loyall affection which we bear unto our King and dread Soveraigne , borne and baptized amongst us , we are unfainedly , and from our hearts grieved that first his sacred eares should be so farre possessed , and next his royall Name so farre abused by wicked men , as to receive and give way to so many absurd and incredible false calumnies against a whole Nation , his own native Countrey and Kingdome ; It is too manifest how extremly pernitious , and damnageable are calumnies , especially universall ones of this kinde , and therefore to represse them , ought not any law or ordinance be spared , that may serve to the purpose ; From that love which is due from us unto them , to whom in verie many respects , and by many strong bands naturall , civill and spirituall , we are sibber and more nearly joyned , then to any other Nation or people on earth , wee are heartily sorie that their Kirks and hearing are taken up with such discourses and would wonder at their credulitie , if they should be beleeved by them ; yet because speeches may be the seminaries of sedition , even amongst brethren , who are at greatest distance when they have once begun to divide and discord , we must intreat ( if with so wise a Nation there be any need of intreatie ) that they will not upon any declaration which they have heard , be suddenly stirred to attempts against us to our mutuall hurt , or with a golden hook to catch so small commodities , as may bee hoped for in such a warre , and by so doing , make both Nations a mocking to strangers , and this Yland which hath been blessed with so long a peace , to be a field of blood , and a prey to our common enemies , who now for many years have been looking upon us with an evil eye , and are still waiting for an evil houre : that when they hear of any of our preparations for defence , or of any of our actions which to us are so necessarie , that without them our defence is impossible , and wherein there is no wrong done , or intended against them ; they will judge charitably of us , and of our doings in such an exigent and extremity , as this is , and that they will wisely and christianly , supposing our case to be their own , make use of that common rule of equity , what soever ye would that others did to you , do ye even so to them . That hereafter , reports and declarations made against us by our enemies , be not suddenly beleeved ; since the authours , from the conscience of their own deceitfull dealing , publish them amongst the English only , who cannot controle the untruth of them , and keep them up from the knowledge of this kingdome , where they cannot abide the common light and triall , every one of the commons knowing their forgerie and falshood , And when any of them happen to come to our hands , the difficultie and danger is so great in carying our answers , and the true information , as matters now stand , unto their knowledge . And that they will at last , both poure forth their prayers to GOD and their supplications to the King in our behalf ; and if need be , use their power for our lawfull defence against merce-naries and wicked men the sons of Beliall . Are we not their own brethren , their own flesh and bone ? Are we not all under one roof , in one and the same shipe , and members of one body ? Their religious progenitours at the time of reformation vouchsafed us their help and assistance for establishing the reformed religion , neither have we so evill deserved , nor are they so far degenerated , as that we have reason to feare , that we shall be deserted by them at this time , the cause being the same , the case not much different and the persons only changed , Our salvation is common . Let us together earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints , that mercy peace , and love may be multiplied unto us .