TO
THE
KINGS
MOST
EXCELLENT
MAJESTIE
.
The
humble
Petition
of
the
Commissioners
of
the
generall
Assembly
of
the
Kirk
of
SCOTLAND
,
met
at
Edenborough
,
Ian.
4.
1643.
OVr
silence
and
ceasing
to
present
before
your
Majesty
our
humble
thoughts
and
desires
at
this
time
of
common
danger
to
Religion
,
to
your
Maiesties
sacred
person
,
your
Crowne
and
Posterity
,
and
to
all
your
Majesties
Dominions
,
were
impiety
against
God
,
unthankefulnesse
and
disloyalty
against
your
Majesty
,
and
indirect
approbation
and
hardning
of
the
Adversaries
of
tru●h
and
peace
in
their
wicked
wayes
,
and
cruelty
against
our
brethren
,
lying
in
such
depths
of
affliction
and
anguish
of
spirit
.
Any
one
of
which
crimes
were
in
us
,
above
all
others
,
unexcusable
,
and
would
prove
us
most
unworthy
of
the
trust
committed
unto
us
.
The
flame
of
this
common
combustion
hath
almost
devoured
Ireland
,
is
now
wasting
the
Kingdom
of
England
,
and
we
cannot
tell
how
soone
it
shall
enter
upon
our selves
&
set
this
your
Majesties
most
ancient
&
native
Kingdom
on
fire
:
If
in
this
wofull
case
&
lamentable
condition
of
your
Majesties
Dominions
al
others
should
be
silent
,
it
behoveth
us
to
speake
;
and
if
our
Tongues
and
Penns
should
cease
,
our
Consciences
within
us
would
cry
out
,
and
the
stones
in
the
streets
would
answer
us
.
Our
great
griefe
and
apprehension
of
danger
is
not
a
little
increased
,
partly
by
the
insolency
and
presumption
of
Papists
and
others
disaffected
to
the
Reformation
of
Religion
;
who
although
for
their
number
and
power
they
be
not
considerable
amongst
us
,
yet
through
the
successe
of
the
Popish
party
in
Ireland
,
and
the
hopes
they
conceive
of
the
prevailing
power
of
Popish
Armies
,
and
the
Prelaticall
Faction
in
England
,
they
have
of
late
taken
spirit
,
and
begun
to
speak
big
words
against
the
Reformation
of
Religion
,
and
the
work
of
God
in
this
Land
;
and
partly
,
and
more
principally
,
that
a
chiefe
praise
of
the
Prot●…ant
Religion
(
and
thereby
our
not
vaine
,
but
just
gloriation
)
is
by
the
publique
Declaration
of
the
Earle
of
Newcastle
,
Generall
of
Your
Majesties
Forces
for
the
Northerne
parts
,
and
nearest
unto
us
,
transferred
unto
Papists
.
Who
although
they
be
sworn
Enemies
unto
Kings
,
and
be
as
infamous
for
their
treasons
and
Conspiracies
against
Princes
and
Rulers
,
as
for
their
knowne
Idolatry
and
spirituall
Tyranny
;
yet
are
they
openly
declared
to
be
not
onely
good
Subjects
,
or
better
Subjects
,
but
farre
better
Subjects
then
Protestants
,
which
is
a
new
and
foule
disparagement
of
the
reformed
Religion
,
a
notable
injury
to
your
Majesty
in
your
honor
,
a
sensible
reflection
upon
the
whole
body
of
this
Kingdome
,
which
is
impatient
that
any
subjects
should
be
more
loyal
then
they
;
but
abhorreth
&
extreamly
disdaineth
that
Papists
who
refuse
to
take
the
Oath
of
Allegiance
,
should
be
compared
with
them
in
allegiance
&
fidelity
,
&
(
which
being
a
strange
Doctrine
from
the
mouth
or
pen
of
professed
Protestants
)
wil
suffer
a
hard
construction
from
al
thereformed
Kirks
.
Wee
therefore
Your
Majesties
most
humble
and
loving
Subjects
,
upon
these
and
the
like
considerations
,
doe
humbly
intreat
,
that
Your
Majesty
may
be
pleased
in
Your
Princely
wisedome
,
First
to
consider
,
that
the
intentions
of
Papists
directed
by
the
principles
of
their
Profession
are
no
other
then
they
have
beene
from
the
beginning
,
even
to
build
their
Babell
,
and
to
set
up
their
execrable
Idolatry
and
Antichristian
Tyranny
in
all
Your
Majesties
Dominions
,
to
change
the
face
of
your
two
Kingdoms
of
Scotland
and
England
into
the
similitude
of
miserable
Ireland
:
which
is
more
bitter
to
the
People
of
God
,
your
Majesties
good
Subjects
to
thinke
upon
,
then
death
:
and
whatsoever
their
present
pretences
be
for
the
desence
of
Your
Majesties
Person
,
and
Authority
;
yet
in
the
end
by
their
Armes
and
Power
,
with
a
displayed
Banner
,
to
bring
that
to
passe
against
Your
Royall
Person
and
Posterity
,
which
the
fifth
of
November
(
never
to
be
forgotten
)
was
not
able
by
their
subtill
and
undermining
treason
to
produce
;
or
which
will
be
their
greatest
mercy
,
to
reduce
Your
Majesty
and
Your
Kingdomes
to
the
base
and
unnaturall
slavery
of
their
Monarch
the
Pope
.
And
next
,
that
Your
Majesty
upon
this
undeniable
evidence
,
may
timously
,
and
speedily
apply
your
Royall
Authority
for
disbanding
their
Forces
,
suppressing
their
power
,
and
disappointing
their
bloody
and
mercilesse
projects
.
And
for
this
end
we
are
with
greater
earnestnesse
then
before
constrained
,
to
fall
downe
againe
before
your
Majesty
,
and
in
all
humility
to
renew
the
supplication
of
the
late
generall
Assembly
,
and
our
owne
former
Petition
in
their
name
,
for
unity
of
Religion
,
and
for
uniformity
of
Church
government
,
in
all
your
Majesties
Kingdomes
,
&
to
this
effect
for
a
meeting
of
some
Divines
to
be
holden
in
England
;
unto
which
according
to
the
desire
of
your
Majesties
Parliament
some
Commissioners
may
be
sent
from
this
Kirke
,
that
in
all
points
to
be
proponed
and
debated
,
there
may
be
the
greater
consent
and
harmony
.
Wee
take
the
boldnesse
to
be
the
more
instant
in
this
our
humble
desire
,
because
it
concerneth
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
so
much
in
his
glory
,
your
Majestie
in
your
Honour
,
the
Kirke
of
England
(
which
wee
ought
to
tender
as
our
owne
bowells
,
and
whose
reformation
is
more
deare
unto
us
,
then
our
lives
)
in
her
happinesse
,
and
the
Kirke
of
Scotland
in
her
purity
and
peace
;
former
experience
,
and
daily
sense
teaching
us
,
that
without
the
reformation
of
the
Kirk
of
England
,
there
is
no
hope
or
possibility
of
the
continuance
of
reformation
here
.
The
Lord
of
Heaven
and
Earth
,
whose
Vice-gerent
Your
Majesty
is
,
calleth
for
this
great
worke
of
Reformation
at
Your
hands
,
and
the
present
commotions
and
troubles
of
your
Majesties
Dominions
,
are
either
preparation
in
the
mercy
of
God
for
this
blessed
reformation
and
Unity
of
Religion
(
which
is
the
desire
,
prayer
,
and
expectation
of
all
Your
Majesties
good
Subjects
in
this
Kingdom
)
or
which
they
tremble
to
think
upon
,
and
earnestly
deprecate
,
are
in
the
Justice
of
God
for
the
abuse
of
the
Gospell
,
the
tolerating
of
Idolatry
,
and
superstition
against
so
cleare
a
light
,
and
not
acknowledging
the
day
of
visitation
,
the
beginning
of
such
a
dolefull
desolation
,
as
no
policy
or
power
of
man
shall
be
able
to
prevent
,
and
as
shall
make
Your
Majesties
Kingdomes
within
a
short
time
as
miserable
,
as
they
may
be
happy
by
a
reformation
of
Religion
.
God
forbid
,
that
whilst
the
Houses
of
Parliament
doe
professe
their
desire
of
the
reformation
of
religion
,
in
a
peaceable
and
Parliamentary
way
,
and
passe
their
Bills
for
that
end
in
the
particulars
,
that
Your
Majesty
,
the
Nurse-Father
of
the
Kirk
of
Christ
,
to
whose
care
the
custody
and
vindication
of
religion
doth
principally
belong
,
shall
,
to
the
provoking
of
the
anger
of
God
,
the
stopping
of
the
influence
of
so
many
blessings
from
Heaven
,
and
the
grieving
of
the
hearts
of
all
the
godly
,
frustrate
our
expectation
,
make
our
hopes
ashamed
,
and
hazard
the
losse
of
the
hearts
of
all
Your
good
Subjects
,
which
next
unto
the
truth
and
unity
of
religion
,
and
the
safety
of
Your
Kingdomes
,
are
willing
to
hazzard
their
lives
,
and
spend
their
bloud
for
Your
Majesties
Honour
,
and
Happinesse
.
We
are
not
ignorant
that
the
worke
is
great
,
the
difficulties
and
impediments
many
,
and
that
there
be
both
Mountaines
and
Lions
in
the
way
:
the
strongest
le●
,
till
it
be
taken
out
of
the
way
,
is
the
Mountaine
of
Prelacy
,
and
no
wonder
if
Your
Majesty
consider
how
many
Papists
,
and
Popishly
affected
,
have
for
a
long
time
found
Peace
and
ease
under
the
shadow
thereof
,
how
many
of
the
Prelaticall
Faction
have
thereby
their
life
and
being
;
how
many
prophane
and
wordly
men
doe
feare
the
yoake
of
Christ
?
and
are
unwilling
to
submit
themselves
to
the
obedience
of
the
Gospell
?
and
how
many
there
be
whose
eyes
are
dazled
with
the
externall
pompe
and
glory
of
the
Kirke
,
whose
mindes
are
miscarried
with
a
conceipt
of
the
governing
of
the
Kirke
by
the
rules
of
humane
policy
,
and
whose
hearts
are
affrighted
with
the
apprehensions
of
the
dangerous
consequences
which
may
ensue
upon
alterations
.
But
when
Your
Majesty
in
Your
Princely
and
Religious
Wisedome
,
shall
remember
from
the
Records
of
former
times
,
how
against
the
gates
of
Hell
,
the
force
and
fraude
of
worldly
and
wicked
men
,
and
all
Panicke
feares
of
danger
,
the
Christian
Religion
was
first
planted
,
and
the
Christian
Kirke
thereafter
reformed
;
and
from
the
condition
of
the
present
times
,
how
many
from
the
experience
of
the
tyranny
of
Prelates
are
afraid
to
discover
themselves
,
lest
they
be
revenged
upon
them
hereafter
?
whereas
Prelacy
being
removed
they
would
openly
professe
what
they
are
,
and
joyne
with
others
in
the
way
of
Reformation
.
All
obstacles
and
difficulties
shall
be
but
matter
of
the
manifestation
of
the
power
of
God
,
the
principall
worker
;
and
the
meanes
of
the
greater
glory
to
Your
Majesty
the
prime
instrument
.
The
intermixture
of
the
Government
of
Prelates
,
with
the
civill
state
,
mentioned
in
Your
Majesties
Answer
to
our
former
Petition
,
being
taken
away
,
and
the
right
government
by
Assemblies
,
which
is
to
bee
seene
in
all
the
reformed
Kirkes
,
and
wherein
the
agreement
will
be
easie
,
being
settled
;
the
Kirke
and
Religion
will
be
more
pure
and
free
of
mixture
,
and
the
civil
Government
more
sound
and
firme
;
that
government
of
the
kirk
must
suit
best
with
the
civill
state
,
and
be
most
usefull
for
Kings
and
Kingdoms
,
which
is
best
warranted
by
God
,
by
whom
Kings
doe
raigne
,
and
Kindomes
are
established
:
Nor
can
a
reformation
be
expected
in
the
common
and
ordinary
way
,
expessed
also
in
Your
Majesties
Answer
;
the
wisest
and
most
religious
Princes
have
found
it
impossible
,
and
implying
a
repugnancy
,
since
the
Persons
to
be
reformed
,
and
the
reformers
must
be
divers
,
and
the
way
of
reformation
must
be
different
from
the
corrupt
way
,
by
which
defection
of
workemen
,
and
corruption
in
Doctrine
,
worship
,
and
government
,
have
entred
into
the
Kirke
.
Suffer
us
therefore
,
dread
Soveraigne
,
to
renew
our
Petitions
for
this
unity
of
religion
,
and
uniformity
of
Kirke
government
,
and
for
a
meeting
of
some
Divines
of
both
Kingdomes
who
may
prepare
matters
for
Your
Majesties
view
,
and
for
the
examination
and
approbation
of
more
full
assemblies
;
The
Nationall
assembly
of
this
Kirke
,
from
which
we
have
our
Commission
,
did
promise
in
their
thnkesgiving
,
for
the
many
favours
expressed
in
Your
Majesties
Letter
,
their
best
endeavour
to
keepe
the
people
under
their
charge
in
unity
and
peace
,
and
in
Loyalty
and
obedience
to
Your
Majesty
and
Your
Lawes
,
which
we
confesse
is
a
duty
well
beseeming
the
Preachers
of
the
Gospell
.
But
we
cannot
conceale
how
much
both
Pastors
and
People
are
grieved
and
disquieted
,
with
the
late
reports
of
the
successe
,
boldnesse
and
strength
of
Popish
forces
in
Ireland
and
England
,
and
how
much
danger
from
the
power
of
so
malicious
and
bloudy
Enemies
is
apprehended
,
to
the
Religion
and
Peace
of
this
Kirke
and
Kingdome
,
conceived
by
them
to
be
the
spring
whence
have
issued
all
their
calamities
and
miseries
:
Which
we
humbly
remonstrate
to
Your
Majesty
as
a
necessity
requiring
a
generall
Assembly
,
and
do
earnestly
supplicate
for
the
presence
and
assistance
of
Your
Majesties
Commissioner
at
the
day
to
be
appointed
,
that
by
universall
consent
of
the
whole
Kirke
,
the
best
course
may
be
taken
for
the
preservation
of
Religion
,
and
for
the
averting
of
the
great
wrath
which
they
conceive
to
be
imminent
to
this
Kingdom
.
If
it
shall
please
the
Lord
,
in
whose
hand
is
the
heart
of
the
King
,
as
the
rivers
of
waters
,
to
turne
it
whither
soever
he
will
,
to
incline
Your
Majesties
heart
to
this
through
reformation
,
no
more
to
tolerate
the
Masse
,
or
any
part
of
romish
superstition
,
or
tyranny
and
to
command
that
all
good
meanes
be
used
for
the
conversion
of
Your
Princely
Consort
the
Queenes
Majesty
(
which
is
also
the
humble
desire
of
this
whole
Kirke
and
Kingdom
)
Your
Joynt
comforts
shall
be
mult●plyed
,
above
the
dayes
of
Your
affliction
,
to
Your
incredible
joy
,
Your
glory
shall
shine
in
brightnesse
,
above
all
Your
royall
Progenitors
to
the
admiration
of
the
world
and
the
terror
of
Your
Enemies
,
and
Your
Kingdomes
so
farre
abound
in
righteousnesse
,
Peace
and
Prosperity
,
above
all
that
hath
beene
in
former
Generations
,
that
they
shall
say
,
it
is
good
for
us
that
wee
have
beene
afflicted
.
His
Majesties
Answer
to
a
late
Petition
presented
unto
Him
by
the
hands
of
Alexander
Henderson
,
from
the
Commissioners
of
the
generall
Assembly
of
the
Church
of
Scotland
.
WEE
received
lately
a
Petition
from
you
,
by
the
hands
of
Mr.
Alexander
Henderson
,
To
the
which
We
intended
to
have
given
an
answer
,
as
soone
as
Wee
had
transacted
the
businesse
with
the
other
Commissioners
addressed
to
us
from
the
Conservators
of
the
Treaty
of
that
our
Kingdom
.
But
finding
the
same
to
be
published
in
Print
,
and
to
be
dispersed
throughout
Our
Kingdom
,
to
the
great
danger
of
Scandalling
of
Our
well-affected
Subjects
,
who
may
interpret
the
bitternesse
and
sharpenesse
of
some
Expressions
not
to
be
so
agreeable
to
that
regard
and
Reverence
which
is
due
to
our
Person
,
and
the
matter
it selfe
to
be
reproachfull
to
the
honour
and
constitution
of
this
Kingdom
,
We
have
beene
compelled
the
more
strictly
to
examine
as
well
the
Authority
of
the
Petitioners
,
as
the
matter
of
the
Petition
it selfe
,
and
to
publish
Our
opinion
of
both
,
that
Our
Subjects
of
both
Kingdomes
may
see
how
equally
,
just
,
and
sensible
We
are
of
the
Lawes
and
Honour
of
both
Our
Kingdomes
.
And
first
,
upon
perusall
of
the
Petition
,
We
required
to
see
the
Commission
by
which
the
messenger
who
brought
this
Petition
,
or
the
persons
who
sent
him
,
are
qualified
to
intermedle
in
Affaires
so
forraigne
to
their
Jurisdiction
,
and
of
so
great
concernment
to
this
Our
Kingdom
of
England
.
Vpon
Examination
whereof
,
and
in
defence
of
the
Lawes
and
Government
of
this
Our
Kiingdom
,
which
We
are
trusted
and
sworn
to
defend
,
We
must
professe
that
the
Petitioners
,
or
the
generall
Assembly
of
Our
Church
of
Scotland
have
not
the
least
Authority
or
Power
to
intermeddle
or
interpose
in
the
Affaires
of
this
Kingdome
or
Church
,
which
are
setled
and
established
by
the
proper
Lawes
of
this
Land
,
and
till
they
be
altered
by
the
same
competent
power
,
cannot
be
enveighed
against
without
a
due
sence
of
Vs
and
this
Nation
,
much
lesse
can
they
present
any
advice
or
Declaration
to
Our
Houses
of
Parliament
against
the
same
,
or
to
that
purpose
to
send
any
letters
,
as
they
have
now
done
,
to
any
Ministers
of
Our
Church
here
,
who
by
the
Lawes
of
this
Land
cannot
correspond
against
the
same
.
Therefore
We
doe
believe
that
the
Petitioners
,
when
they
shall
consider
how
unwarranted
it
is
by
the
Lawes
of
that
Kingdom
,
and
how
contrary
it
is
to
the
Lawes
of
this
,
to
the
professions
they
have
made
to
each
other
,
and
how
becomming
in
it selfe
for
them
to
require
the
ancient
,
happy
and
established
government
of
the
Church
of
England
to
be
altered
,
and
conformed
to
the
Laws
and
constitutions
of
another
Church
will
find
themselves
misled
by
the
information
of
some
factious
persons
here
,
who
would
willingly
ingage
the
Petitioners
to
foment
a
difference
and
division
betweene
the
two
Kingdomes
,
which
We
have
with
so
much
care
and
industry
endeavoured
to
prevent
,
not
having
labour'd
more
to
quench
the
combustion
in
this
Kingdom
,
then
We
have
to
hinder
the
like
from
either
devouring
Ireland
,
or
entring
into
Scotland
,
which
if
all
others
will
equally
labour
,
will
undoubtedly
be
avoyded
.
But
We
cannot
so
easily
passe
over
the
mention
of
Ireland
,
being
mov'd
to
it
by
scandalous
Aspersions
,
that
have
bin
often
cast
upon
Vs
upon
that
Subject
,
and
the
use
that
hath
bin
made
of
the
woefull
distractions
of
that
Kingdom
,
as
of
a
Seminary
of
feares
and
jealousies
to
beget
the
like
distraction
in
this
,
and
(
which
least
they
may
have
farther
influence
)
Wee
are
the
more
willing
to
make
Our
Innocence
appeare
in
that
particular
.
When
first
that
horrid
Rebellion
began
,
Wee
were
in
Our
Kingdome
of
Scotland
,
and
the
sense
We
had
then
of
it
,
the
expressions
We
made
concerning
it
,
the
Commissions
(
together
with
some
other
Assistance
)
We
sent
immediatly
into
that
kingdome
,
and
the
instant
Recommendation
We
made
of
it
to
both
Our
Houses
of
Parliament
in
England
,
are
known
to
all
persons
of
quality
there
and
then
about
Us.
After
Our
return
into
England
,
Our
ready
concurring
to
all
the
desires
of
both
Houses
that
might
most
speedily
represse
that
Rebellion
,
by
passing
the
Bill
of
pressing
,
and
in
it
a
clause
which
quitted
a
Right
challenged
by
all
,
and
enjoyed
by
many
of
Our
Predecessors
,
by
parting
with
Our
Rights
in
the
Lands
escheated
to
Us
by
that
Rebellion
,
for
the
encouragement
of
Adventurers
,
by
emptying
of
Our
Magazines
of
Armes
and
Ammunition
for
that
service
(
which
We
have
since
needed
for
Our
necessary
defence
and
preservation
)
by
consenting
to
all
Bills
for
the
raysing
of
mony
for
the
same
,
though
containing
unusuall
Clauses
,
which
trusted
both
Houses
without
Vs
with
the
matter
of
disposing
it
,
Our
often
pressing
both
Houses
,
not
to
neglect
that
Kingdom
,
by
being
diverted
by
Considerations
and
Disputes
lesse
concerning
both
Kingdomes
,
Our
offer
of
raising
10000.
Voluntiers
to
bee
sent
thither
,
and
our
severall
Offers
to
engage
Our
own
Royall
Person
in
the
suppression
of
that
horrid
rebellion
,
are
no
lesse
known
to
all
this
Nation
,
then
Our
perpetuall
earnestnesse
by
our
Forraign
Ministers
to
keep
all
manner
of
supplies
from
being
transported
for
the
reliefe
of
the
Rebells
,
is
known
to
severall
neibouring
Princes
.
Which
if
all
Our
Subjects
will
consider
,
and
withall
how
many
of
the
men
,
and
how
much
of
the
money
raised
for
that
end
,
and
how
much
Time
,
Care
and
Industry
have
been
diverted
from
that
employment
,
and
imployed
in
this
unnaturall
War
against
Vs
,
(
the
true
cause
of
the
present
misery
and
want
which
Our
Brittish
Armies
there
doe
now
endure
)
they
will
soon
free
Vs
from
al
those
Imputations
so
scandalously
and
groundlesly
laid
upon
us
,
and
impute
the
continuance
of
the
Combustion
of
that
miserable
Kingdom
,
the
danger
it
may
bring
upon
our
Kingdoms
of
England
and
Scotland
,
and
the
beginning
of
this
dolefull
desolation
,
to
those
who
are
truly
guilty
of
it
.
For
unity
in
Religion
:
which
is
desired
,
We
cannot
but
answer
,
That
We
much
apprehend
least
the
Papist
may
make
some
advantage
of
that
expression
,
by
continuing
that
scandall
with
more
Authority
,
which
they
have
ever
heretofore
used
to
cast
upon
the
Reformation
,
by
interpreting
all
the
differences
in
Ceremony
,
Government
,
or
indifferent
opinions
between
severall
Protestant
Churches
,
to
be
differences
in
Religion
;
And
least
our
good
Subjects
of
England
,
who
have
ever
esteemed
themselves
of
the
same
Religion
with
you
,
should
suspect
themselves
to
be
esteemed
by
you
to
bee
of
a
contrary
.
And
that
the
Religion
which
they
and
their
Ancestors
have
held
ever
since
the
blessed
Reformation
,
and
in
and
for
which
they
are
resolved
to
dye
,
is
taxed
and
branded
of
Falsehood
or
Insufficiency
,
by
such
a
desire
.
For
uniformity
in
Church
Government
,
We
conceiv'd
the
Answer
formerly
given
by
Vs
to
the
former
Petition
in
this
argument
,
would
have
s●tisfied
the
Petitioners
,
and
is
so
full
,
that
We
can
adde
little
to
it
.
viz.
That
the
Government
here
established
by
the
lawes
,
hath
so
neer
a
relation
and
intermixture
with
the
Civill
State
(
which
may
be
unknown
to
the
Petitioners
)
that
till
a
composed
disgested
forme
be
presented
to
us
,
upon
a
free
debate
of
both
Houses
in
a
Parliamentary
way
,
whereby
the
consent
and
approbation
of
this
whole
Kingdome
may
be
had
,
and
Wee
,
and
all
Our
Subjects
may
discerne
,
what
is
to
be
left
in
,
or
brought
in
,
as
well
as
what
is
to
be
taken
away
,
We
know
not
how
to
consent
to
any
alteration
,
otherwise
then
to
such
an
Act
for
the
case
of
tender
Consciences
in
the
matter
of
Ceremonies
,
as
We
have
often
offered
;
and
that
this
,
and
any
thing
else
that
may
concerne
the
Peace
of
the
Church
,
and
the
Advancement
of
Gods
true
Religion
may
be
soberly
discussed
,
and
happily
effected
;
We
have
formerly
offered
,
and
are
still
willing
that
debates
of
that
nature
may
be
enterd
into
by
a
Synod
of
Godly
and
Learned
Divines
to
be
regularly
chosen
according
to
the
Laws
and
Customes
of
this
Kingdom
.
To
which
We
shall
be
willing
that
some
learned
Divines
of
our
Church
of
Scotland
bee
likewise
sent
,
to
be
present
,
and
offer
and
debate
their
Reasons
.
With
this
Answer
the
Petitioners
had
great
reason
to
acquisce
,
without
enlarging
the
matter
of
their
former
Petition
onely
with
bitter
expressions
against
the
Established
Governement
and
Laws
of
their
neighbour
Nation
,
(
as
if
it
were
contrary
to
the
word
of
God
)
with
whom
they
have
so
lately
entred
into
a
strict
Amity
and
Friendship
.
But
We
cannot
enough
wonder
,
that
the
Petitioners
should
interpose
themselves
,
not
only
as
fit
Directors
and
Judges
between
Us
and
Our
two
Houses
of
Parliament
,
in
Businesse
so
wholly
concerning
the
Peace
and
Governement
of
this
Our
Kingdome
,
and
in
a
matter
so
absolutely
entrusted
to
Us
,
as
what
new
Laws
to
consent
or
not
to
consent
to
;
But
should
assume
and
publish
,
That
the
desire
of
Reformation
in
this
Kingdome
is
in
a
peaceable
and
Parliamentary
way
,
When
all
the
World
may
know
,
That
the
proceedings
here
,
have
beene
and
are
not
only
contrary
to
all
the
rules
and
precedents
of
former
Parliaments
,
but
destructive
to
the
Freedome
,
Priviledge
,
and
Dignity
of
Parliaments
themselues
;
That
We
were
first
driven
by
tumults
,
for
the
safety
of
Our
life
,
from
Our
Cities
of
London
and
Westminster
,
and
have
been
since
pursued
,
fought
withall
,
and
are
now
kept
from
thence
by
an
Army
raysed
,
as
is
pretended
,
by
the
two
Houses
,
which
consist
not
of
the
fourth
part
of
the
number
they
ought
to
doe
,
the
rest
being
either
driven
from
thence
by
the
same
violence
,
or
expelld
or
imprisoned
〈◊〉
not
consenting
to
the
Treasons
and
unheard
of
Insolencies
practised
against
Us
;
And
if
the
Petitioners
could
believe
these
proceedings
to
be
in
a
peaceable
Parliamentary
way
,
they
were
very
unacquainted
with
the
Order
and
constitution
of
this
Kingdome
,
and
not
so
fit
instruments
to
promote
that
Reformation
and
Peace
they
seeme
to
desire
.
We
cannot
beleeve
the
Intermixture
of
the
present
Ecclesiasticall
Government
with
the
Civill
State
to
be
other
then
a
very
good
reason
,
and
that
the
government
of
the
Church
should
be
by
the
rules
of
humane
policy
,
to
be
other
then
a
very
good
rule
,
unlesse
some
other
government
were
as
well
proved
as
pretended
to
be
better
warranted
by
God
.
Of
any
Bills
offerd
Us
for
Reformation
,
Wee
shall
not
not
now
speake
,
they
being
a
part
of
those
Articles
upon
which
We
have
offered
and
expect
to
Treat
;
But
cannot
but
wonder
by
what
authority
you
prejudg
Our
Judgment
herein
,
by
denouncing
Gods
anger
upon
Us
,
and
Our
hazard
of
the
losse
of
the
hearts
of
all
Our
good
Subjects
,
if
We
consent
not
unto
them
.
The
influence
of
so
many
blessings
from
heaven
upon
the
regns
of
Queen
Elizabath
,
and
Our
father
of
blessed
memory
,
and
the
acknowledgment
of
them
by
all
Protestant
Churches
to
have
been
carefull
Nurses
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
and
to
have
excellently
discharged
their
duties
in
the
custody
and
vindication
of
Religion
,
and
the
affection
of
their
Subjects
to
them
,
doe
sufficiently
assure
Vs
,
that
We
should
neither
stop
the
influence
of
such
Blessings
,
nor
grieve
the
hearts
of
all
the
godly
,
nor
hazard
the
losse
of
the
hearts
of
Our
good
Subjects
,
although
Wee
still
maintain
in
this
Kingdom
the
same
establisht
Ecclesiasticall
government
,
which
flourisht
in
their
times
,
and
under
their
speciall
Protection
.
Wee
doubt
not
but
Our
Subjects
of
Scotland
will
rest
aboundantly
satisfied
with
such
alterations
in
their
owne
Church
as
We
have
assented
unto
,
and
not
be
perswaded
by
a
meer
Assertion
,
that
there
is
no
hope
of
the
continuance
of
what
is
there
setled
by
Law
,
unlesse
that
be
likewise
altered
which
is
setled
here
;
And
Our
Subjects
of
England
will
never
depart
from
their
dutifull
affection
to
U●
,
for
not
consenting
to
new
Laws
,
which
by
the
law
of
the
Land
,
they
know
,
We
may
as
justy
reject
if
We
approve
not
of
them
,
as
either
House
hath
power
to
prepare
for
,
or
both
to
propound
to
Vs.
Nor
are
you
a
little
mistaken
if
either
you
believe
the
generality
of
this
Nation
to
desire
a
change
of
Church-government
,
or
that
most
of
those
who
desire
it
,
desire
by
it
to
introduce
that
which
you
onely
esteeme
a
Reformation
,
but
are
as
unwilling
to
what
you
call
the
yoke
of
Christ
and
obedience
to
the
Gospell
,
as
those
whom
you
cal
prophane
and
worldly
men
,
and
so
equally
averse
both
to
Episcopacy
and
Presbytery
,
that
if
they
should
prevaile
in
this
particular
,
the
abolition
of
the
one
would
be
no
let
to
the
other
,
nor
would
your
hearts
be
lesse
grieved
,
your
expectations
lesse
frustrated
,
your
hopes
lesse
ashamed
,
or
your
Reformation
more
secured
.
And
the
Petitioners
,
upon
due
consideration
,
will
not
find
themselves
lesse
mistaken
in
the
government
of
all
the
Reformed
Churches
,
which
they
say
is
by
Assemblies
,
then
they
are
in
the
best
way
of
a
Reformation
,
which
sure
is
best
to
be
in
a
common
and
ordinary
way
,
where
the
passion
or
interest
of
particular
men
may
not
impose
upon
the
publique
,
but
alteration
be
then
only
made
,
when
,
upon
calme
Debates
,
and
evident
and
cleare
Reason
and
convenience
,
the
same
shall
be
generally
consented
to
for
the
peace
and
security
of
the
people
,
and
those
who
are
trusted
by
the
Law
with
such
debates
,
are
not
divested
of
that
trust
upon
a
generall
charge
of
corruptions
pretended
to
have
entred
by
that
way
,
and
of
being
the
persons
to
be
reformed
,
and
so
unfit
to
be
Reformers
.
And
certainly
the
like
Logicke
with
the
like
charges
and
pretences
might
be
us'd
to
make
the
parliament
it selfe
ano
incapable
Iudge
of
any
Reformation
either
in
Church
or
State
.
For
the
generall
Expressions
in
the
Petition
against
Papists
,
in
which
the
Petitioners
may
be
understood
to
charge
Vs
with
complyance
and
favour
even
to
their
opinions
,
We
have
taken
all
occasion
to
publish
to
the
world
Our
practice
and
Resolution
in
the
true
Protestant
Reformed
Religion
,
and
we
are
verily
perswaded
there
is
no
one
Subject
in
either
of
Our
Dominions
,
who
at
all
knowes
Vs
,
and
hath
observed
Our
Life
,
but
is
in
his
Soule
satisfied
of
Our
Zeale
and
unremoveable
Affection
to
that
Religion
,
and
of
Our
true
dislike
of
and
hearty
oposition
to
popery
,
And
as
we
willingly
c●nsented
,
at
our
being
in
Scotland
,
to
all
Acts
proposed
to
Vs
,
for
the
discountenancing
and
Reforming
the
Papists
in
that
our
Kingdome
,
so
by
Our
Proclamations
for
the
putting
of
all
Lawes
severally
in
execution
against
Recusants
,
and
by
not
refusing
any
one
Bill
presented
to
Vs
to
that
purpose
in
this
Kingdome
,
and
by
Our
perpetuall
and
publique
professions
of
Readinesse
with
the
Advice
of
Our
two
Houses
of
Parliament
prepared
for
Vs
in
a
deliberate
and
orderly
way
,
to
find
some
expedition
to
perfect
so
good
a
work
,
Or
conceiv'd
we
had
not
left
it
possible
for
any
man
to
believe
Vs
guilty
of
tolerating
any
part
of
the
Romish
Tyranny
or
Supe●stition
,
or
to
suspect
that
the
Conversion
of
Our
dearest
Consort
,
was
not
so
much
Our
desire
,
that
the
Accession
of
as
many
Crownes
,
as
God
hath
already
bestowed
upon
us
,
would
be
more
welcome
to
us
then
that
day
:
A
Blessing
which
it
is
Our
daily
prayer
to
the
Almighty
to
bestow
upon
Vs.
But
We
might
well
have
expected
from
the
Petitioners
,
who
have
in
their
solemne
Nationall
Covenant
literally
sworne
so
much
Care
of
the
safety
of
Our
Person
,
and
cannot
but
know
in
how
much
danger
that
hath
bin
and
still
is
by
the
power
and
threats
of
Rebellious
Armes
,
that
they
would
as
well
have
remembred
the
23.
of
October
,
as
the
5.
of
November
,
and
as
well
have
taken
notice
of
the
Army
raised
and
led
against
Vs
by
the
Earle
of
Essex
,
which
hath
actually
assaulted
and
endeavoured
to
murther
Vs
,
which
Wee
know
to
abound
in
Brownists
,
Anabaptists
,
and
other
Sectaries
,
and
in
which
Wee
have
reason
(
by
the
prisoners
We
have
taken
,
and
the
Evidence
they
have
given
)
to
believe
there
are
many
more
Papists
(
and
many
of
those
forraigners
)
then
in
all
Our
Army
,
as
have
advised
Vs
to
disband
out
of
the
Army
of
the
Earle
of
New-castle
,
which
is
raised
for
Our
defence
,
the
papists
in
that
Army
,
who
are
known
to
be
no
such
number
as
to
endanger
their
obtaining
any
power
of
building
their
Babell
,
and
setting
up
their
Idolatry
,
and
whose
Loyalty
he
hath
reason
to
commend
)
though
hee
was
never
suspected
for
favouring
their
Religion
)
not
before
that
of
Protestants
,
but
of
such
as
rebell
under
that
Title
;
And
whose
assistance
is
as
due
to
us
by
the
Law
of
God
,
and
Man
,
to
rescue
Vs
from
domestique
Rebellion
,
as
to
defend
Vs
from
forraigne
invasion
,
which
We
thinke
no
man
denies
to
be
lawfull
for
them
to
doe
,
But
We
doe
solemnly
declare
and
protest
,
That
God
shall
no
sooner
free
Vs
from
the
desperate
and
rebellious
Armes
taken
up
against
Vs
,
but
We
shall
endeavour
to
free
Our selves
and
Kingdome
from
any
feare
of
danger
from
the
other
,
by
disarming
them
according
to
the
Lawes
of
this
Land
,
as
We
shall
not
faile
to
send
Our
Commissioner
to
the
Assembly
at
the
time
appointed
for
it
by
the
Lawes
of
Scotland
:
To
conclude
,
We
desire
and
require
the
Petitioners
(
as
becomes
good
and
pious
Preachers
of
the
Gospell
)
to
use
their
utmost
endeavours
to
compose
any
distraction
in
opinions
,
or
misunderstandings
,
which
may
by
the
Faction
of
some
turbulent
persons
,
be
raised
in
the
mindes
of
Our
good
Subjects
of
that
Our
Kingdom
,
and
to
infuse
into
them
a
true
sence
of
Charity
,
Obedience
and
Humility
,
the
great
principles
of
Christian
Religion
;
That
they
may
not
suffer
themselves
to
bee
transported
with
things
they
doe
not
understand
,
or
think
themselves
concerned
in
the
Governmenn
of
another
Kingdom
,
because
it
is
not
according
to
the
customes
of
that
in
which
they
live
;
But
that
they
dispose
themselves
with
modesty
and
devotion
to
the
service
of
Almighty
God
,
with
duty
and
affection
to
the
obedience
of
Vs
and
Our
Lawes
(
remembring
the
singular
Grace
,
Favour
and
Benignity
We
have
alwaies
expressed
to
that
Our
Native
Kingdom
)
and
with
Brotherly
and
Christian
Charity
one
towards
another
;
And
We
doubt
not
but
God
in
his
mercy
to
Vs
and
them
will
make
Vs
Instruments
of
his
Blessings
upon
each
other
,
and
both
of
Us
a
great
measure
of
Happinesse
and
Prosperity
to
the
whole
Nation
.
FINIS
.