The great care We have of the honour and safety of that Our ancient Kingdom , moved Vs some moneths ago to give Order for the raising of such Forces , both Horse and Foot , as We conceived necessary to prevent a sudden Invasion ; And seing that just and necessary War in which We are engaged doth still continue , We do think it necessary to keep up these Forces , for the defence of that Our Kingdom , as long as the present danger from Foreign Enemies remains . Therefore , to the end , the easiest and most regular way of their maintenance may be agreed upon , We have thought fit to call a Convention of the Estates of that Our ancient Kingdom , to meet at Edinburgh upon the ninth day of January next to come ; And do hereby require and command all Archbishops , Dukes , Marquesses , Earls , Viscounts , Bishops , Lords and Officers of State of that Our Kingdom , to be present and attend that Dyet ; And also We do require all Our Sheriffs in the several Shires and their Deputies , that if there be any new Elections made for this year of Commissioners to Parliaments or Conventions , they make timous intimation to those Commissioners to keep this Meeting : but if there be no Elections already made , that then they forthwith call and conveen all the Free-holders in the respective Shires , that according to the Laws and Acts of Parliament , Elections may be made of fit persons to be Commissioners for this Convention , and that Our Royal Burroughs make choice of Commissioners accordingly , and that they , and all other persons having interest , attend this Convention of Our Estates , under the pains contained in Our Laws made thereanent . And that all Our good Subjects may have notice of this Our Royal Will and Pleasure , We do hereby command Our Lyon King at Armes , and his Brethren Heraulds , Macers , Pursevants and Messengers at Armes , to make timous Proclamation hereof at the Mercat-cross of Edinburgh , and at the Mercat-crosses of the head Burroughs in the several Shires of that Our Kingdom .