THE Estates of Parliament , finding by the Petitions presented to them by severall Synods and Presbyteries , That their present proceedings for the good of Religion , His Majesties rescue and safety , and the true Peace of these Kingdomes , is much misconstrued and misunderstood ; They have thought fit to Declare for the satisfaction of all such as are satisfyable , That in their undertakings at this time , they shall preferre no earthly consideration to their duties for preserving Religion in Scotland , in Doctrine , Worship , Discipline and Government , as it is already established ; And for endeavouring to settle it in England and Ireland according to the Covenant : And as we cannot , with safety to our Consciences and Honour live , and suffer our King to continue in his base Imprisonment , so our undertakings for him shall be subordinate to Religion , and to our duties to God : And in pursuance of these ends , as we shall imploy none in our Army but such as have signed the Solemn League and Covenant , and such against whom there is no just cause of exception ; So we shall associate with none , but such as willingage themselves to be faithfull to the ends of the Covenant ; And our undertaking shall not be any ways against the Kingdom of England , or to break the Union between the two Nations , but only for Reformation and defence of Religion , the Honour and Happinesse of the King , and of his Royall Posterity , and the Peace and safety of these Kingdoms , against such who have destroyed Religion , Imprisoned our King ; And certainly when they have brought their intended confusion in England to pass both in Church and State , we cannot hope for safety here , whatsoever their professions may now be ; Therefore we are resolved to proceed in this Levy in a vigorous doing of our Duties : And we do expect from you , and all his Majesties good Subjects , a ready obedience to the Commands of the Parliament and Committee of Estates in pursuance thereof : And the Estates of Parliament remits to the Committee of Estates to give forth ane more full Declaration of the great endeavours the Parliament hes used , and still resolves shall be used to satisfie the desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly , and to Answer their Papers given in this day to the Parliament . And Ordains this Act to be Printed and published , and sent by the Committee of Estates to the several Presbyteries .