his subjects is not only the Jesuiticall tenet but their very words and syllables and as they are alledged here very false for the greatest part of this confession conteyneth not matters of faith but of government discipline and ceremonies besides this confession was first injoyned by Our Royall Father and his Councell before it was approved by the Church how then Our Royall father if hee were now living should receive the meaning of it from the Church after hee had subscribed it and commaunded his houshould to doe so or we should now receive the meaning of it from the generall Assembly after it was subscribed by Our commaundement wee cannot apprehend * Nay the first should be preferred for if our Commissioner and Councell had explained it contrarie to Our meaning Our declaration comming after should be preferred to their misinterpretation Answer to the first reason * The last part of the first reason is quite omitted though in it lyeth the principall explicatiō of this first reason * How many of them have determined so they know that they are not cōparable in number to those who have determined the contrarie * Most false Answer to the second reason * Because in the XXI Article cited the word Ceremonie is used therefore they would inferre that this reason supposeth Episcopall government to be but a ceremonie But weakly for the reason consisteth in the word policie which they take no notice of and Episcopall government being a part of Ecclesiasticall policie they hold the one alterable as all they doe who adhere to that XXI article must needs hold the other so too nor can it be inferred from any thing in this reason that Episcopall government is mainteyned by it to be alterable but that they themselves and that XXI article doe hold it to be so * The Assembly desired it but did ever Our Royall Father doe so Answer to the third reason * We defie any man living to produce from any Jesuit or the greatest patron of equivocation yet ever heard of such a wicked position as this that the swearer is neither bound to the meaning of the exacter of the oath nor to his own meaning who takes the oath but to the realitie of the thing sworne as it shall be afterward explicated by the competent Judge For then no man can tell what he sweareth when he sweareth if the declaration of the competent Judge shall come after it were to be wished that he who set downe this proposition had set his hand to it that the world might take notice of him for an ignorant foole and an arrand knave In the meane time till Iohnston finde out another he must be taken for the man because his hand is at this foolish Pamphlet Answer to the fourth reason * This is directly contrary to the words of their owne protestation against Our Proclamation dated the ninth of September see their ninth Reason in that Protestation against the subscription to our Covenant and you shall finde it flatly contradictory to this which they affirme now * They doe not meddle with the Church of England but yet in all their Writings declare that the government of the Church of England is against the Word of God and the paterne shewed in the Mount and that their new fancied government conteined in their imaginarie books of discipline is onely according unto it Answer to the fifth reason * But it is most notorious that at those Parliaments which were holden when the confession of faith was first sworne unto Bishops had voyces and were present and so then Episcopall government could not be abjured for proofe whereof We refer the reader to the Parliament Roll inserted at the end of this answer * Let any kingdome which is acquainted with Parliaments consisting of a Monarche and his three estates digest this proposition and then the Parliament can be no more the highest Court of the Kingdome * A most false position As if the convocation in England or the generall Assembly in Scotland had power to reconcile the two kingdomes to the Church of Rome to reduce Poperie into them and to restore to the Church all the Abbey lands notwithstanding many Acts of Parliaments in both kingdomes to the contrary Conclusion Anent acts of Parliament * For the cavils here made against the Acts of Parliament cited in the explanation they will be sufficiently confuted if the reader will take the paines to reade the acts for then he shall easily discover that these exceptions are not only weak but none at all Answer to the acts 1567. Anent the sixth act 1567 Anent the Kings oath Anent the acts 1572. 1573. Anent the acts 1578. 1579 Anent the act 1581. Anent the act 1584. and the third Estate of Parliament Anent the act 1587. Anent the act 1592. Anent the acts 1597. Anent the act 1606. Anent the act 1609. Anent the act 1617. Conclusion * False for there was not after Our Commissioners leaving of the Assemblie any one Commissioner from any Universitie of that Kingdome which did not desert it * False * More false then the other if it were possible * False and sufficiently before disproved * It is a wonder that men can be found who dare averre such an untruth when the Proclamation at Glasgow is subscribed by the hands of our Councellours let the Reader turne back to it and be judge Anent our Protestation Anent our watching the Castle of Edinburgh * They confesse it within eight lines after this * True but We and Our Councell and Our Judges and the rest of Our loyall subjects are the publike mutiners and rebels are but a private and schismaticall part though never so many * But not without or against the Kings command his Generall much lesse any Lievtenant of his cannot do that * All this which followeth concerning the guarding of Our Castles and Forts and keeping Us out of them containeth no lesse then treason and is not to be answered with a pen. * Which the Covenanters are not * Whether should the King or his subjects keep the keyes of his owne Kingdome * But the Covenanters are the worst part * Wee do not take them to be such fooles as to expect thanks from Us for their proceedings if they do they are like enough to go without them * The worst and most disloyall part of all Our subjects * In what historie be these words is it not Regi as well as conventui ordinum or can there bee a convention of the three Estates called without the King or his Authoritie Anent our meeting and alledged Councell Tables * Many letters have been sent down from Commissioners of Shires then resident at Edinburgh to them living in the Countrie requiring them to doe such things as they would answer the contrary to the Table †But was ever that previous meeting or contention of the Estates without the calling and authoritie of the King * Most false Anent some
consciences will not suffer us to imbrace and practise this urged Service VVe have this long time past winked at some former alterations being put in hope that no further novations should follow But now we being oppressed with our just feares to see our selves deprived of that libertie in serving God which ever hath beene approved by Church and Kingdome In place whereof we are now like to be constrained to imbrace another which hath neither been agitated nor received either by generall Assemblie or Parliament In such extremitie we are most humbly to supplicate your Lordship to consider our present estate and that this businesse is a matter of so great weight and consequence as should not appeare to bee a needlesse noyse of simple women but it is the absolute desire of all our hearts for preservation of true Religion amongst us which is dearer to us then either estate or life And therefore we do humbly crave that as the rest of the Kingdome so we may have a time to advise and that your Lordship may find out some way whereby wee may be delivered from the feare of this and all other innovations of this kinde and have the happinesse to injoy the true Religion as it hath beene by the great mercie of God reformed in this land and authorised by his Majestie who may long and prosperously Reigne over us And your Lordships answer Their Petition to the Councell followes My Lords of Secret Councell UNto your Lordships humbly shews VVe Noblemen Barons Ministers Burgesses and Commons That whereas we were in humble and quiet manner attending a gracious answer of our former supplications against the Service Book imposed upon us and readie to shew the great inconveniences which upon the introduction thereof must ensue we are without any knowne desert farre by our expectation surprised and charged by publike Proclamation to depart out of the town within twentie foure houres thereafter under paine of Rebellion by which peremptorie and unusuall charge our feares of a more severe and strict course of proceeding are augmented and course of our supplication interrupted wherefore we are constrained out of the deep griefe of our hearts humbly to remonstrate that whereas the Arch-bishops and Bishops of this Realme being intrusted by his Majestie with the government of the affaires of the Church of Scotland have drawne up and set forth and caused to be drawne up and set forth and injoyned upon the subjects two Books In the one whereof called the Book of Common prayer not onely are sowne the seeds of divers Superstitions Idolatrie and false doctrine contrarie to the true Religion established within this Realme by divers Acts of Parliament But also the Service Booke of England is abused especially in the matter of Communion by additions subtractions interchanging of words and sentences falsifying of titles and misplacing of Collects to the disadvantage of Reformation as the Romish Masse is in the more substantiall points made up therein as we offer to instruct in time and place convenient quite contrarie unto and for reversing the gracious intention of the blessed Reformers of Religion in England In the other book called Canons and Constitutions for the government of the Church of Scotland they have ordained That whosoever shall affirme that the forme of worship inserted in the Booke of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments whereof heretofore and now we most justly complaine doth containe any thing repugnant to the Scriptures or are corrupt superstitious or unlawfull in the service and worship of God shall be excommunicated and not be restored but by the Bishop of the place or Archbishop of the Province after his repentance and publicke revocation of this his wicked errour Besides one hundred Canons moe many of them tending to the reviving and fostering of abolished superstitions and errours and to the overthrow of our Church Discipline established by Acts of Parliament opening a doore for what further invention of Religion they please to make and stopping the way which Law before did allow unto us for suppressing of errour and superstition And ordaining That where in any of the Canons there is no penalty expresly set down the punishment shall be arbitrary as the Bishop shall think fittest All which Canons were never seen nor allowed in any Generall Assembly but are imposed contrary to order of law appointed in this Realm for establishing Constitutions Ecclesiasticall unto which two books the foresaid Prelates have under trust procured his Majesties Royall hand and Letters Patents for pressing the same upon his loyall subjects and are the Contrivers and Devisers of the same as doth clearly appear by the Frontispice of the Book of Common Prayer and have begun to urge the acceptance of the same not onely by injunctions given in Provinciall Assemblies but also by open Proclamation and charge of Horning whereby we are driven in such straites as we must either by Processe of Excommunication and Horning suffer the ruine of our estates and fortunes or else by breach of our Covenant with God and forsaking the way of true Religion fall under the wrath of God which unto us is more grievous then death VVherefore we being perswaded that these their proceedings are contrary to our gracious Soveraign hispious intention who out of his zeale and Princely care of the preservation of true Religion established in this his ancient Kingdome hath ratified the same in his Highnesse Parliament 1633 And so his Majestie to be highly wronged by the said Prelates who have so farre abused their credit with so good a King as thus to insnare his subjects rend our Church undermine Religion in Doctrine Sacraments and Discipline move discontent between the King and his subjects and discord between subject and subject contrary to severall Acts of Parliament VVe out of bound duty to God our King and native Countrey complain of the foresaid Prelates humbly craving that this matter may be put to tryall and these our parties taken order with according to the lawes of the Realm And that they be not suffered to sit any more as Judges untill the cause be tryed and decided according to Justice And if this shall seeme to bee to you a matter of higher importance then you will condescend unto before his Majesty bee acquainted therewith Then wee humbly supplicate that this our grievance and complaint may be fully represented to his Majestie That from the influence of his Gracious Soveraigntie and Justice these wrongs may bee redressed and wee have the happinesse to injoy the Religion as it hath beene reformed in this Land IN this Petition it is worthy the observing that they complaine of the mangling of the English Service Booke and of the abuses offered unto it and the wronging of the intentions of the blessed Reformers of Religion here in this Kingdome whereas in their Sermons and ordinarie discourse they doe usually inveigh against the Service Booke here for being stuffed with Superstition and Poperie and that the first Reformers
full assurance of their loyaltie and fidelitie towards Us of which We have alwaies by unanswerable demonstrations been fully perswaded as also upbraid the disloyaltie of many of Our subjects of that Our native Kingdome amongst whom they are loath to trust Us without offering their persons to be Our guard But these two things We doe desire all Our good subjects of that Kingdome firmly to beleeve First We are confident that We shall not much stand in need of English troupes to chastise the Heads of this late Rebellion as being fully perswaded that Our loyall subjects who have all this while adhered unto Us and Our mis-led subjects who upon this Our Declaration wil adhere unto Us but above all the justice of the cause of God and of Us his Anointed shall be strength enough to bring those principall Rebells to undergoe the tryall of Our Lawes Next Wee desire all Our good subjects there to beleeve that We are so farre from intending any invasion of that Our native Kingdome as that according to Our dutie and oath taken at Our Coronation We shall by the grace of God alwaies be ready with Our whole power estate and expense of Our bloud if the case shall so require to defend that Our Kingdome and subjects thereof against all invasions whatsoever For We doe at this time onely intend to reduce the principall Heads of these tumults to the obedience of Us and Our Lawes and in case of their Rebellious obstinacie to bring them to those deserved punishments which in such cases the Lawes of that Our Kingdome have provided nor can this either bee called or accounted an invasion more then the Judges sentencing malefactours to punishment can bee called an invasion of them The second mis-information whereby We find the Heads of this Rebellion goe about to keep Our people from returning to Our obedience is this They make them beleeve that since they have not accepted of Our gracious offers made in Our Declaration at Edinburgh the 22. of September last and made good by Our Commissioner in Our name at the Assembly in Glasgow that now We will certainly performe none of them But these wicked mis-reporters speake both according to their owne deserts as knowing that their rebellious misdemeanours have indeed deserved no such favour at Our hands and likewise according to their owne desires as fearing that if We should make them good then Our people might and must receive satisfaction thereby but they doe not speake according to Our Royall intentions which are to assure Our subjects that as We have before expressed in Our Preface their faults and disloyall courses shall not make Us goe backe from any thing which We have promised in either of those two Our gracious Declarations made at Edinburgh and Glasgow but that We will performe them all for the securing of all Our good subjects from any further feares of these pretended innovations The third mis-information whereby the Heads of this Rebellion goe about to continue Our people in disobedience to Us is this They would make them beleeve that if they shall now yeeld We doe intend to make that Our native Kingdome a Province and to dispoile them of all their lawes and liberties and to give them new lawes as if they were a conquered Kingdome A most divellish and false suggestion for We professe We never harboured any such thought in Our Royall breast but doe intend by the grace of God to continue that Our native Kingdome in the government of Our lawes and confirme unto them all their liberties and when it shall please God to translate Us to leave the same in charge to Our Successour These foule but false aspersions being thus wiped off We are now desirous to remove their grand and maine calumnie whereby they doe at once endeavour both to disparage Our just and to justifie their owne most unjust proceedings They give out that We have no quarrell against them but Religion and when they are asked in what points of Religion We will not yeeld to them they doe not name any one of which they have complained in their Petitions and which in them they called innovations in Religion for they know that in Our gracious Declarations We have given full satisfaction concerning them but they instance in other two particulars First Our not admitting the introducing of lay-Elders into their Presbyteries and that in equall number with the Ministers and that these lay-Elders shall have voices and alwaies the casting voice in the election of the Ministers Commissioners from the Presbyteries to the generall Assembly The second That We will not give way to the abolishing of Episcopall government For the former We professe that We cannot give way to it it being a course unheard of not onely in that Church of Scotland but in any Church in any age for how can We yeeld that Noblemen Gentlemen Commoners shall be made Ecclesiasticall persons which must needs bring in a confusion of these two Ecclesiasticall and secular persons which have alwaies been distinguished Next how can We betray the Ministers of that Kingdome unto perpetuall slaverie for if Episcopall government should bee gone which they intend and the Ministers in their Presbyteries shall be over-swayed by the voices of the lay-Elders what face of Ecclesiasticall government can remaine when it shall be quite pulled out of the hands of Ecclesiasticall persons And therefore We cannot chuse but account it a great ingratitude in those Ministers who oppose Us for whose maintenance as We first stood against the laitie so We are now resolved to stand against them for their libertie For the second which is the abolishing of Episcopall government We professe We cannot yeeld unto it though it were not warranted by Apostolicall institution at the first and since by the perpetuall practice of the Church of Christ in all ages and places as We hold it is warranted by both First because it is established in that Kingdome and hath ever been by Acts of Parliament and is so now and hath been for many yeeres by Acts of the generall Assembly Next because of the course which they have taken to abolish it to wit by an Assembly holding that an Assembly may abolish Acts of Parliament a proposition which must not bee endured in any Monarchie for then the Convocation in England or generall Assembly in Scotland might introduce in either of these Kingdomes Poperie and the Popes authoritie if they had a mind to doe so notwithstanding the Acts of Parliament in both Kingdomes which have ejected them and which Acts of Parliament were posteriour to the Acts of these Ecclesiasticall Assemblies and were confirmations of what was passed before in them Thirdly We cannot destroy Episcopall government without destroying one of the three Estates of Parliament which Wee will not doe but these men in an Ecclesiasticall Assembly without Our consent or consent of Parliament have gone about to destroy the first of the three Estates of Parliament But say that
and Colledges in a point of conscience should weigh downe the groundlesse opinions of their Tables consisting of Noblemen Gentlemen Ministers and Tradesmen But leaving the many unanswerable reasons which may be brought against this their Covenant Wee shall desire the Reader to observe three things which appeared at the verie first comming out of it First how in it they swelled farre above all that ever was complained of either in their tumults or petitions In their tumults they complained onely of the Service Booke in their petition exhibited to Our Councell and sent up to Us they complained of the Service Booke and Booke of Canons more of their grievances then Wee knew not Now in this their Covenant besides these two they complaine of and doe abjure as they make their adherents beleeve the five Articles of Pearth which were established by Acts first of the generall Assembly and then of Parliament Then they complaine of the high Commission which ever since the yeare 1609. hath beene quietly established and in practise amongst them Then they complaine of Prelats sitting in civill Judicatories a thing which Wee cannot chuse but wonder at not only in regard of Our Selfe whom by this meanes they would robbe of the benefit of the abilities of any of Our subjects in Our counsels and affaires of State as if holy Orders did superinduce a dissabilitie for civill Wisedome and Prudence but especially in regard of themselves because by this strange conceit they contradict more then they are aware of their owne false and prodigious opinions for what incongruitie can they finde in it for a Bishop to sit at Our Councell Table where many causes are heard in which Religion is concerned or in Our Session where many Church-men have trialls for their maintenance when they themselves hold it not onely convenient but necessarie and that even jure divino that Noblemen Gentlemen Merchants Taylors Sadlers Shoomakers and others of most mechanicall Trades shall sit and give sentence in Parochiall Sessions and in Presbyteries in Causes Ecclesiasticall and those of the highest nature even the last and supremest censures of the Church Excommunication and depriving of Ministers nay that they shall give sentence in the generall Assembly a Judicatorie which now they hold to be above Our Session Councell or Parliament for they maintaine that the Acts of that Assembly may in many cases disannull and derogate from the Acts of the other three where they doe assume to themselves to determine all questions de Fide Cultu Disciplina of Faith Worship or Discipline and in which of late they did assume to themselves power to determine and according to their weake and poore power did determine controversies concerning Predestination universall Grace irresistibilitie of Grace concurrence of Free-will with Grace totall or finall falling from Grace and other such like intricate points as some men would be loath to live so long untill they could make them understand them Secondly Wee desire the Reader to observe with what affections this their Covenant was received abroad both by Protestants and Papists at the very first publishing of it By Papists it was received with infinite joy as hoping that now the time was come in which both Wee and Our Successors might be brought to abhorre and detest that Religion whose professed Zelots had beene the authours of such an unsufferable Covenant which could not consist with Monarchie which appeared to Us most evidently by the advertisements which then were sent up to Us from some of Our Councell of that Kingdome that the sudden and frequent arrivall of Priests and Jesuites from Doway and other Seminaries beyond the Seas was so great in hope of their welcome to Us because of this seditious Covenant that unlesse some speedie order were taken for their present discouragement and sending backe the evill might quickly passe remedie which moved Us notwithstanding these present broiles to take present order for such proceedings against them as they were forced to retire With Protestants abroad it was received with most offensive scandall and infinite griefe which appeared unto Us by advertisements from some of Our publique Ministers abroad who certified Us that both the Ministers and others of their Consistorie at Charenton and of other Reformed Churches in France as also the Professors Ministers and Consistorie of Geneva and of other neighbouring Reformed Churches in those parts were so scandalized with this prodigious Covenant as that they were afraid of nothing more then this that it would bring an indeleble scandall upon the Reformed Churches and alienate the mindes of all the Princes of Christendome from ever entertaining a good thought of their Religion Of what condition then and fearfull consequence that Covenant is which bringeth griefe and offence to Our friends joy and triumph to Our enemies is evident to all eyes that are opened Thirdly We desire the Reader to consider with what furie and madnesse this Covenant after it was conceived was obtruded to all sorts of people with what threatnings with what beating tearing of the clothes drawing of the bloud and exposing to thousands of injuries and reproaches at Edinburgh Saint Andrews Glascow Lanarick and many places more of those Ministers who out of religious conscience towards God and loyall carriage towards Us did either disswade their Parishioners from entring into it or could not by their intreaties or threatnings be perswaded to enter into it themselves No doubt it cannot be a Covenant approved by God the first bitter and accursed fruits whereof were the many drops of bloud drawne from many of Gods Ministers which now no doubt doe call for Gods vengeance upon the whole land Now the fire of this seditious Covenant flaming thoroughout all the corners of the Kingdome and that to such an unexpected height and violence as it was past both the skill and power of Our Councell to quench it Our Councell resolved to send up unto Us Sir John Hammilton Our Justice Clerke one of Our Privie Councell and one of the Lords of Our Session that he might fully acquaint Us with the passages of this Rebellion and the consequences of it After Our hearing of him many times and many consultations had with such of Our Councell of Scotland as were then here present and such of Our Councell here in England as We thought fit to communicate this businesse unto We resolved to send unto that Our Kingdome the Marquesse of Hamiltoun with the full power of an High Commissioner as in other cases Our Royall Father and We had many times done in important businesse concerning that Kingdome and in the meane time we dispatched home the said Sir John Hamilton to give notice thereof both that they might carrie themselves quietly untill Our Commissioner his comming from whom they were to expect Our pleasure with all favour which might consist with Royall authoritie as also that they might before Our Commissioners going from hence have time to make Us fully acquainted with the uttermost of their grievances
that so accordingly Our Commissioner might receive Instructions from Us for giving unto them all just satisfaction And so We having here taken into Our serious consideration all their Petitions which We might have justly rejected because of the insolencie of their demeanour and their tumultuous way of presenting them to Our Councell yet resolved to take the mildest course We could for calming of these commotions and therefore We settled upon a way usually practised by Our Royall Father in that Kingdome since his comming to the Crowne of England viz. to establish an High Commissioner with full power and authoritie to conclude and determine all such things as should be found for the good quietnesse and peace of that Kingdome with as full and ample power as other Commissioners had exercised in any time of Our Royall Father and especially at Parliaments And considering that none in the consultations which We held for this businesse had ever shewed himselfe more forward and inclinable to advices and counsels of peace nor a more zealous Patriot towards his native countrey then Our right trustie and well-beloved Cousin and Councellour of both Kingdomes James Marquesse of Hamiltoun c. Gentleman of Our Bedchamber and Master of Our Horse We made choice of him for Our High Commissioner to that purpose being perswaded both of his loyaltie and fidelitie towards Us as also of the great acceptation of his person with Our subjects there in regard of his birth and place but especially of his singular care of and love to his countrey which they themselves did know he had so piously and affectionately expressed in all his consultations and counsels here with Us Him therefore We dispatched from hence with full Instructions according to which he was to receive his Commission under Our great Seale of that Kingdome at his comming thither which he received and presented to the Lords of Our Councell frequently assembled at Dalkeith the sixt of June following the true tenour of which Commission here followeth CAROLUS Dei gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fideique Defensor Omnibus probis hominibus suis ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint Salutem Sciatis nos considerantes magnos in hoc regno nostro Scotiae non ita pridem exortos tumultus ad quos quidem componendos multiplices regiae nostrae voluntatis declarationes promulgavimus quae tamen minorem spe nostrâ effectum hactenus sortitae sunt Et nunc statuentes ex pio erga dictum antiquum regnum nostrum affectum ut omnia gratiosè stabiliantur instaurentur quod per absentiam nostram non aliâ ratione commodius effici potest quà m fideli aliquo Delegato constituto cui potestatem credere possumus tumultus ejusmodi consopiendi aliaque officia praestandi quae in bonum commodum dicti antiqui regni nostri eidem Delegato nostro imperare nobis videbitur Cumque satis compertum habeamus obsequium diligentiam fidem praedilecti nostri consanguinei consiliarii Jacobi Marchionis Hamiltonii Comitis Arraniae Cantabrigiae Domini Aven Innerdail c. eundemque ad imperata nostra exequenda sufficientèr instructum esse Idcircò fecisse constituisse tenoreque praesentium facere constituere praefatum praedilectum nostrum consanguineum consiliarium Jacobum Marchionem de Hamiltoun c. nostrum Commissionarium ad effectum subscriptum Cum potestate dicto Jacobo Marchioni de Hamiltoun c. dictum regnum nostrum adeundi ibidemque praefatos tumultus in dicto regno componendi aliaque officia à nobis eidem committenda in dicti regni nostri bonum commodum ibi praestandi Eoque Concilium nostrum quibus locis temporibus ei visum fuerit convocandi ac rationem ordinem in praemissis exequendis servandum declarandi praescribendi Et quaecunque alia ad commissionis hujus capita pro commissa ipsi fide exequenda eandemque ad absolutum finem perducendam prosequendam conferre possunt tam in Concilio quà m extra Concilium nostro nomine efficiendi praestandi Idque similiter adeò liberè acsi Nos in sacrosancta nostra persona ibidem adessemus Et hac praesenti nostrâ commissione durante nostro beneplacito duratura ac semper donec eadem per nos expressè inhibeatur In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus magnum sigillum nostrum apponi praecepimus Apud castrum nostrum de VVindsore vigesimo die mensis Maii anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo trigesimo octavo Et anno regni nostri decimo quarto Per signaturam manu S. D. N. Regis suprascriptam On which day the whole body of Our Councell with all respectfull and dutifull expressions of joy and thankfulnesse of Our fatherly care of that Our Kingdome in these difficult times acknowledged and received Our said Commission and Commissioner And Our said Cousen and Councellor the Lord Marquesse of Hamiltoun did with all submissive reverence then and there accept the said Commission promising the uttermost of his endevours for settling the peace of that Kingdome so farre as might consist with Our royall Crowne and Dignity and the Lawes and Liberties of that Our ancient and native Kingdome as by the Act of Councell dated at Dalkeith the sixt of June 1638. doth more fully appeare After which acceptation of our Commission the said Lord Marquesse had by Our Councell and all others whensoever he went abroad all respects honour and reverence due to Our Commissioner performed unto him Our Chancellor carrying Our great Seale before him and some other Noblemen of great place and qualitie carrying Our High Commission before him likewise We having now taken this course which We conceived most agreeable both to the customes of that Kingdom and most acceptable to them in regard of the choyce of Our Commissioner had then assured hopes that the dangerous distractions of that Kingdome might be happily composed But these hopes were quickly blasted for no sooner had the heads of the Covenant notice of these peaceable courses intended by Us but they flew out even before our Commissioners arriving there into farre greater violence then heretofore increased the frequent meetings of their Tables subdivided them into severall Committees increased their provision of Armes made their Pulpits ring with most seditious Sermons putting the people in feare that now there was more danger to be expected from the Lord Marquesse his comming home and all peaceable treaties then ever and at their Tables concluded upon a paper consisting of ten Propositions or Articles which they caused immediately before our Commissioners arrivall with wonderfull expedition to bee dispersed throughout all the Shires of that Kingdome which ten Articles according to the true copie We have caused to be here inserted FIrst for observing union it is thought fit that no answer be made to any of the Statesmen or others having Commission from the King concerning the publike businesse but with common consent and advice
doe discharge and inhibit all and whatsoever pretended commissioners and other members of the said pretended assembly of all further meeting and conveening treating and concluding any thing belonging to the said assembly under the pain of treason declaring all and whatsoever that they shall happen to doe in any pretended meeting thereafter to be null of no strength force nor effect with all that may follow thereupon Prohibiting and discharging all our lieges to give obedience thereto and declaring them and every one of them free and exempt from the same and of all hazzard that may ensue for not obeying thereof And for this effect we command and charge all the foresaids pretended commissioners and other members of the said assembly to depart forth of this city of Glasgow within the space of xxiiii houres after the publication hereof and to repair home to their own houses or that they goe about their own private affaires in a quiet manner With speciall provision alwayes that the foresaid declaration given in under our Commissioners hand with all therein contained shall notwithstanding hereof stand full firm and sure to all our good subjects in all time coming for the full assurance to them of the true religion And our will is and we command and charge that incontinent these our letters seen ye passe and make publication hereof by open proclamation at the market crosse of Glasgow and other places needfull wherethrough none pretend ignorance of the same Given under our signet at Glasgow the 29. of November and of our reign the fourteenth year 1638. Sic Subscribitur HAMILTOUN Traquaire Roxburgh Murray Linlithgow Perth Kingorne Tullibardin Hadingtoun Galloway Annandaill Lauderdaill Kinnoull Dumfreis Southesk Belheaven Angus Dalyell J. Hay W. Elphinstoun Ja. Carmichael J. Hamiltoun THis Proclamation being very solemnly made with sound of Trumpets and by Harolds with coats of Our arms on their backs at the market Crosse of Glascow was received with a Protestation read in the same place by Iohnston the then Clerk of the Assembly assisted by the Lord Areskyn and divers others young Noblemen and Gentlemen The paper which Iohnston read was not as it seemeth that very Protestation which they printed for he read something out of a paper to that purpose and offered it by the name of a Protestation to him who read Our Proclamation which paper the Clarke of our Councell offering to receive Iohnston refused to deliver it saying He must stay untill it were written By which it is evident that they who at Glascow protested against Our Proclamation did protest and desired their Protestation to be received before it was penned as it is now printed and before they could so much as send to them in whose name it was made to know whether they would adhere to it or not But a Protestation against it they have since printed which here now we doe subjoyne that the reader may see how groundlesse and unwarrantable it is The Protestation of the generall Assembly of the Church of SCOTLAND c. Made in the high Kirk and at the Market Crosse of Glasgow Novemb. 28. and 29. An. 1638. WEE Commissioners from Presbyteries Burghes and Vniversities now conveened in a full and free Assembly of the Church of Scotland indicted by his Majestie and gathered together in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ the only Head and Monarch of his own Church And we Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Ministers Burgesses and Commons Subscribers of the Confession of Faith Make it knowne that where We His Majesties loyall Subjects of all degrees considering and taking to heart the many and great innovations and corruptions lately by the Prelates and their adherents intruded into the doctrine worship and discipline of this Church which had been before in great purity to our unspeakable comfort established amongst us were moved to present many earnest desires and humble supplications to his sacred Majestie for granting a free generall Assemblie as the only legall and ready meane to try these innovations to purge out the corruptions and settle the order of the church for the good of Religion the honour of the King and the comfort and peace of the Kirk and Kingdome It pleased his gracious Majestie out of his Royall bountie to direct unto this Kingdome the Noble and Potent Lord James Marques of Hammiltoun with Commission to hear and redresse the just grievances of the good Subjects who by many petitions and frequent conferences being fully informed of the absolute necessity of a free generall Assemblie as the only Iudicatorie which had power to remedie those evils was pleased to undergoe the paines of a voyage to England for presenting the pittifull condition of our Church to to his sacred Majestie And the said Commissioner his Grace returned againe in August last with power to indict an Assemblie but with the condition of such prelimitations as did both destroy the freedome of an Assembly and could no wayes cure the present diseases of this Church which was made so clearly apparent to his Grace that for satisfying the reasonable desire of the Subjects groaning under the wearinesse and prejudices of longsome attendance He was againe pleased to undertake another journey to His Majestie and promised to indeavour to obtain a free Generall Assemblie without any prelimitation either of the constitution and members or matters to be treated or manner and order of proceeding so that if any question should arise concerning these particulars the same should be cognosced judged and determined by the Assembly as the onely Iudge competent And accordingly by warrant from our Sacred Soveraigne returned to this Kingdome and in September last caused indict a free Generall Assemblie to be holden at Glasgow the 21. of November instant to the unspeakable ioy of all good Subiects and Christian hearts who thereby did expect the perfect satisfaction of their long expectations and the finall remedie of their pressing grievances But these hopes were soone blasted for albeit the Assemblie did meet and begin at the appointed day and hath hitherto continued still assisted with His Graces personall presence yet His Grace hath never allowed any freedome to the Assemblie competent to it by the Word of God acts and practice of this Church and his Majesties Indiction but hath laboured to restraine the same by protesting against all the acts made therein and against the constitution thereof by such members as by all law reason and custome of this Church were ever admitted in our free Assemblies and by denying his approbation to the things proponed and concluded though most cleare customable and uncontraverted And now since his Grace after the presenting and reading of his owne commission from our sacred Soveraigne and after his seeing all our commissions from Presbyteries and Burghes produced and examined and the Assembly constitute of all the members by unanimous consent doth now to our greater griefe without any just cause or occasion offered by us unexpectedly depart and discharge any further meeting or proceeding in
meaning but the renovation of the old oath which can admit no new destructive sense but must be sworn conforme to the genuine originall first meaning 2. That oath was justly refused by us upon that ground of discrepance amongst many others and such like was not received by the Councell till they declared their meaning by act simul semel with their subscription 3. We doe not meddle with the Kirks of England or Ireland but recommends to them the paterne shown in the Mount all our arguments and proceedings being for the Kirk of Scotland where from the time of her more pure reformation then of her sister Kirks Episcopacie hath ever been abolished till the latter times of corruption So that though his Majestie hath hitherto maintained Episcopacie in Scotland because his Majestie wanted the meanes to be informed of the acts of this Kirk yet we know that God hath so richly replenished his Royall breast with such justice and pietie that when his Majestie shall receive perfect information wee are confident that He will never desire any change or alteration in our ancient Kirk government and discipline Especially now when his Majesty hath caused the maintainance thereof to be religiously sworn The fift and last reason is that we can never make it appeare that Episcopall government at the first time of administering the oath was abolished the very words of that confession of Faith immediatly after the beginning of it being these Received beleeved and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland the Kings Majestie and three Estates of this Realme as Gods eternall truth and onely ground of our salvation Whereupon is inferred that Bishops Abbots and Pryors made up at that time a third Estate of this Realme which gave approbation to the confession of Faith and therefore this third Estate did not abjure Episcopacie And albeit it had bin abolished by acts of Assembly yet it was not so by act of Parliament but in force by many of them standing unrepealed which are annexed to the reasons Which being the acts of a Monarch his three Estates are never repealable by any Ecclesiasticall nationall Synod For answer hereunto 1. It doth appeare and is manifest by the Registers and acts of Assembly that before the subscription of the Confession at the time thereof and thereafter That Abbots Priors and Bishops were so clearly evidently and expresly condemned in this Kirk That the best wits of this age opposers of Episcopacy cannot yet require one sillable to be added for farther assurance and the most able maintainers thereof could not pick any quarrell to the clearnesse of the expression 2. The clause citted in the reason is onely anent the doctrine and not anent the discipline which thereafter is determined and the Hierarchie detested And the Discipline of the Kirk sworn unto 3. Albeit that clause were of discipline yet it maketh nothing for Bishops except by inference that they are comprehended under the name of the third estate which cannot be so understood for collections by way of inference or ex consequenti cannot be adduced against the expresse acts of the time wherein the makers signifie their minds in clear termes apertissime dicendo leaveth no place to presume the contrare especially in this kingdome where these expressions of stylus curiae are carefully observed without change which may be seen in the same case by many Parliaments where it is not our that no Prelate was present or allowed and yet the acts proporting to be made by his Majestie and three Estates are interpreted by the quoter as made by the Prelats with others 4. Episcopacie was abolished not only by acts of Assembly but there is no standing laws for Episcopall government but some against the same as shall be evident in the answer made to the acts of Parliament subjoyned hereto but if there be any Acts of Parliament standing for Episcopacie the Kings Majestie his Commissioner the Councell the Collective-body of the Kingdome hath actually renunced the same by returning to the doctrine and discipline 1580. whereunto Episcopacie is contrare which God-willing may also be inacted at the next Parliament proclaimed to be holden by his Majestie in May 5. The acts of the Assembly and the book of Policie in the 1. and 10. chapter putteth clear merches betwixt civill and Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction making every one independent in matters properly belonging to their owne judicatorie and every one subject to the other in matters properly belonging to that other So that as the Assembly cannot make civill laws nor repeal them nor imped the Parliament from making or repealing civill laws no more can the Parliament make Ecclesiasticall laws originally nor repeal or hinder the lawfull Assemblies to repeal the same For albeit acts of the Assembly are and may be ratified in Parliament that is only that the civill sanction may concur with the Ecclesiasticall constitution But will not stop the Assembly to recall their owne act which being adnulled by them the civill ratification and sanction fals ex consequenti For to maintain that the Kirk may not repeal her own acts ratified once in Parliament is so derogatorie to Christs prerogative and ordinance to the liberty of the Kirk and freedome of the Assembly to the nature end and reason of all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as we have more largely cleared in the Protestation 22 September last that we beleeve few or none will be of that opinion All these Five objections and many more was agitate and discussed in the Assembly before the act anent Episcopacie was made And seeing the generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland indicted by his Majestie now holden at Glasgow which is the only Judge competent and fit interpreter to remove and explaine all doubts arising upon the confession of Faith hath after long religious and mature declaration exponed the same and clearly found that Episcopall government in this Kirk amongst other corruptions is abjured by the confession of Faith as the same was profest within this Kingdome hath discharged all subscription to the Covenant subscribed and interpreted by his Majesties Commissioner hath commanded the Covenant subscribed in Februare with the application to be now subscribed according to her present determination therefore wee trust that the knowledge hereof will be a sufficient warning to all good Christians and Patriots that they subscribe not the one and that they subscribe the other according to the genuine and true meaning thereof declared by the Kirk allennerly and of no contrary incompatible sense as they would eshew the crime and danger of a contradictory oath and we would most humbly and earnestly beg of his Sacred Majestie from the bottome of our hearts that his Majestie would be graciously pleased to command that the same may be so subscribed conforme to the declared explanation of the Kirk which would prove the greatest happinesse and joy that ever befell these
sundrie Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Magistrates and all other Our lieges who shall happen to bee present and heare any Ministers either in publike or private conferences and speeches or in their Sermons to approve and allow the said unlawfull Assemblie raile and utter any speeches against Our Royall commandments or proceedings of Us or Our Councell for punishing or suppressing such enormities that they make relation and report thereof to Our Councell and furnish probation to the effect the same may bee accordingly punished as they will answer to Us thereupon Certifying them who shall heare and conceale the said speeches that they shall bee esteemed as allowers of the same and shall accordingly bee taken order with and punished therefore without favour And to this effect We likewise straightly charge and command all Judges whatsoever within this Realme Clerks and Writers not to grant or passe any Bill summons or letters or any other execution whatsoever upon any Act or Deed proceeding from the said pretended Assemblie and all keepers of the signet from signetting thereof and that under all highest paines And because Wee gave order and warrant to Our Commissioner to make open declaration not onely of Our sense but even of the true meaning of the Confession of Faith in Anno 1580. by which it may clearely appeare that as Wee never intended thereby to exclude Episcopacie so by no right construction can it bee otherwayes interpreted as is more nor evident by the reasons contained in the said Declaration and many more which for brevitie the thing in it selfe being so cleare are omitted Herefore Wee do not onely prohibit and discharge all Our subjects from subscribing any band or giving any writ subscription or oath to or upon any Act or Deed that proceeds from the foresaid pretended Assemblie but also do require them not to subscribe nor sweare the said Confession in no other sense then that which is contained in the said Declaration and manifestly emitted by Our Commissioner under all highest paines And that none of Our good subjects who in their duty and bound obedience to Us shall refuse to acknowledge the said pretended Assemblie or any of the pretended Acts constitutions warrants or directions proceeding therefrom may have just ground of feare of danger or harme by doing thereof Wee do by these promise and upon the word of a King oblige Our selves by all the Royall authoritie and power wherewith God hath endowed Us to protect and defend them and everie one of them in their persons fortunes and goods against all and whatsoever person or persons who shall dare or presume to call in question trouble or any wayes molest them or any of them therefore And Our will is and Wee charge you straitly and command that incontinent these Our Letters seene you passe and make publication hereof by open Proclamation at the market crosse of Edinburgh and other places needfull wherethrough none pretend ignorance of the same Given from Our Court at Whitehall the eighth day of December and of Our Reigne the fourteenth yeere 1638. Per Regem THis Our Proclamation published onely to make Our people acquainted with Our gracious proceedings at Glasgow which by the malice of their Leaders had either beene concealed from them or misreported to them was received as all Our former gracious proffers with a verie undutifull windie and blustering Protestation so full of words but withall so void of truth and sense as We were once resolved not to have inserted it here neither indeed is it necessarie it should for it is stuffed with the idle and superfluous repetitions of those things which are contained in their former Protestations especially their last Protestation made at Glasgow with which indeed it is for the most part the same verbatim Yet because We know that if it should be left out they would not stick to assure their followers that it was omitted because of the unanswerable pregnancie of the reasons contained in it here you shall have it but without any answer to it as to their former Protestations hath beene given there being verie little in it which is new and so not answered before or what is in it new being either verie false or verie impertinent both which falsities and impertinencies shall onely bee observed on the margent being assured that the Reader will easily finde that there is nothing in it worthie of any larger answer The Protestation of the generall Assemblie of the Kirke of Scotland made at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh the 18. of December 1638. WE Commissioners from Presbyteries Burghes and Universities now conveened and yet sitting in a full and free Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland indicted by his Majestie and gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the onely Head and Monarch of his owne Kirk And We Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Ministers Burgesses and Commons Subscribers of the Confession of Faith make it knowne that where We his Majesties loyall subjects of all degrees considering and taking to heart the many and great innovations and corruptions lately by the Prelats and their adherents introduced into the doctrine worship and discipline of this Kirk which had been before in great purity to our unspeakable comfort established among us were moved to present many earnest desires and humble supplications to his sacred Majestie for granting a free generall Assemblie as the only legall and readie mean to try these innovations to purge out the corruptions and settle the disorder of the Kirk for the good of Religion the honour of the King and the comfort and peace of the Kirk and Kingdome it pleased his gracious Majestie out of his Royall bountie to direct unto this Kingdome the Noble and Potent Lord James Marquesse of Hamiltoun with Commission to heare and redresse the just grievances of the good subjects who by many Petitions and frequent conferences being fully informed of the absolute necessitie of a free generall Assemblie as the onely judicatorie which had power to remedy those evils was pleased to undergo the paines of a voyage to England for presenting the pitifull condition of our Kirk to his sacred Maiestie And the said Commissioner his Grace returned againe in August last with power to indict an Assemblie but with the condition of such prelimitations as did both destroy the freedome of an Assemblie and could no wayes cure the present diseases of this Kirk Which was made so clearely apparant to his Grace that for satisfying the reasonable desires of the subjects groaning under the wearinesse and prejudices of longsome attendance he was againe pleased to undertake another journey to His Majestie and promised to endeavour to obtaine a free generall Assemblie without any prelimitation either of the constitution and members or matters to bee treated or manner and order of proceeding so that if any question should arise concerning these particulars whereof the power of ruling Elders as a part of the constitution and the examination of Episcopacie as a present
servants to rescue him who got the Bishop almost breathlesse into his lodging The same morning the Service Book was read in the next Church to Saint Gyles Church not without noise and tumult yet the furie was not so great as in the other Church In the Gray Friers Church the Elect Bishop of Argyle being Colleague to Master Ramsey who refused to read it begun to read the Book but he was so cursed and exclaimed against and threatned to be pulled downe that after the reading of the Confession and Absolution he was forced to give over In the Colledge Church Rollock one of the Preachers there who the Sunday before at the intimation of the reading of it had so much commended the Book and had undertaken this day to read it though hee had the Book ready to be carried to the Church with him yet very wisely resolved to halt a little untill he might know how it was entertained at Saint Gyles Church that so his conscience might comply with the carriage of the multitude whose rudenesse being reported to him he notwithstanding his commendations of the Book and his faithfull promise to read it thought it the safer course to leave himselfe to the censure of all men for his levitie and breach of promise then offend the multitude whose favour is the onely aire in which he taketh delight to breath and live And thus that morning passed Betweene the two Sermons such of Our Councell as were in the Towne assembled at the Lord Chancellour his lodging where the Lord Provost and Bailiffs of Edinburgh being called undertooke to doe their uttermost endevours for the quiet and peaceable reading of the Service Booke in the afternoon which accordingly they did and so the Service Booke in Saint Gyles and some other Churches that afternoone was read without any such tumult or insurrection as it encountred with in the morning yet the furious multitude who stayed in the streets and little regarded the service of God in the Churches intermitted nothing of their madnesse For the Lord Privie Seale Earle of Roxborough returning home to his lodging and having with him in his Coach the Bishop of Edinburgh was neare suffering the death of the first Martyr St. Stephen his Coach and Coachman for having the Bishop in it being so pelted with stones and hooted at with execrations and pressed upon by the eager and mad multitude that if the Lord Privie Seale his Footmen had not with their swords kept them off they in the Coach had been brought in danger of their lives having after long and continuall bickerings much adoe to recover their lodgings And now We desire all men to consider what blessing and successe from heaven may be expected upon this grand and important reformation of Religion as they call it the begetter and beginner whereof was the horrible profanation of the Lords owne day and that in the Lords owne Houses and Temples and all this attended with the contempt and treading under foot the sacred Authoritie and Lawes of Us the Lords Anointed as also with the violation of the persons of the Lords Priests and Prophets his Bishops and Ministers and all these practised by a base multitude disavowed and disclaimed at that time by all Magistrates and persons put in authoritie and all others of any ranke or qualitie who branded that multitude with the names of the scum and froth of the people and offered themselves to the uttermost of their diligence and assistance for the finding of them out and bringing them to highest and condigne punishment as shall presently appeare by the demeanour of the Magistrates when they were called before Our Councell for that purpose For the next day being the 24. of July 1637. Our Councell assembled and sent forth a Proclamation in detestation of the uproare and tumult the day before and discharged all concourses of people and tumultuous meetings in Edinburgh under paine of death at which time the Magistrates of Edinburgh being then present at Our Councell Table professed their utter abhorring and detesting of the last tumult and apprehended some suspected to be most forward in it and thereupon were commanded and ordered by an Act of Our Councell of the 26. of July to assemble the Councell of the Citie the next morning by eight of the clocke and then and there to resolve what course they thought fittest to be held for the finding out of the movers of and chiefe actors in the late seditious uproare and immediately after to report their diligence and resolutions herein Which report they accordingly made to Our Councell not onely with a detestation of that tumult and promises of their best diligence for finding out the authors and abettors of it but also with large proffers of their best assistance for the quiet and peaceable establishing and reading of the Service Booke in all their Churches But the Ministers of that Citie being loath to undertake the reading of it without some securitie given for the safetie of their persons the Lords of Our Councell by their Act of the 28. of July 1637. ordered the Provost Bailiffes and Councell of Edinburgh to advise amongst themselves concerning some obligatorie Act to be made by them for a reall performance of what they had undertaken and should further undertake for the peaceable exercise of the Service Book which they accorded unto and promised that since the former Readers in their severall Churches had refused to read the Booke if in the meane time the Ministers themselves would read it they would take order for their safetie and when new Readers should be provided they would take order both for their securitie and settled maintenance and allowance In pursuance whereof an obligatorie Act was drawne up by Our Advocate and read before Our Councell to the Magistrates of Edinburgh the sixt of August 1637. to which they humbly consented and on the tenth of the same moneth the said Act of indemnitie being exhibited before Our Councell was allowed by them and accordingly passed and entred in Our Councell booke as an Act of Councell And so now this late tumult in all appearance being settled and not onely fathered upon the scumme and dregges of the people but cryed downe by all men either of place or qualitie and by none more then by the Magistrates and Ministers of Edinburgh Our Councell not fearing any new outrage proceeded to these two things First to the exemplarie punishing of such of the heads of the late tumult as they should discover And next to the settling of the practice of the Service Booke and appointing a new day for renewing the exercise of it to which the Bishops Magistrates and Ministers of Edinburgh agreed And this their forwardnesse the Magistrates of that Citie were not onely contented to expresse before Our Councell both by their verball promises and protestations as also their obligatorie Act remaining upon record and registred in Our bookes of Councell but likewise by two particular Letters sent by them
into England unto the Lord Archbishop of Canterburie in which they desired him to recommend unto Us their care of and fidelitie to Our service and to undertake for them to Us their zeale and forwardnesse for settling the peaceable practice of the Service Booke Which Letters We here have caused to be inserted that the Reader may see what names of simplicitie and ignorance they bestow upon that multitude which made the first opposition and withall take notice of the names of the Magistrates subscribers to these Letters for some of them which hardly could be expected from reasonable men will be found to be very forward if not leaders in the next succeeding sedition and so of the rest which have followed since The Letters be these Most Reverend Father in God and our verie good Lord WEe regrait from our hearts that tumult which did fall out in our Churches that day of the inbringing of the Service Booke wherein now these of his Majesties Councell who have laboured the tryall thereof will give testimonie of our innocencie Since that time and the rising of his Majesties Councell in this feriall time we have daily concurred with our Ordinarie and our Ministerie for settling of that Service Booke as the right Honourable the Earle of Traquair Lord Treasurer with the Bishops of Galloway and Dunbleane will beare witnesse who have spared neyther paines nor attendance to bring that purpose to a good conclusion And although the povertie of this Citie be great being almost exhausted with publicke and common workes yet we have not beene lacking to offer good meanes above our power to such as should undertake that service and in all things wherein we have beene required we have ever beene ready really to approve our selves obedient and loyall subjects to his Majestie in all his Royall commandements which we have vowed ever to second to our lives end And we being infinitely obliged to your Graces favours we now presumed by these lines to give your Grace that assurance of obedience upon our part in this purpose and in all other purposes wherein we may contribute to the advancement of his Majesties service or can be expected of good subjects VVhereof if his Majestie by your Grace shall be pleased to rest assured whatsoever any other shall suggest we will accept it from you as a great accumulation of favour for all which your Grace shall ever finde us most thankfull Remembrancers and most ready really to expresse our thankfulnesse whenever we shall be made so happy as that your Grace shall have occasion to use our service Thus from our hearts wishing you all happinesse we kisse your Graces hands Edinburgh this 19. of August 1637. Your Graces most affectionate and humble servants the Bailliffes of Edinburgh J. Cochrane Bailly An. Ainslie Bailly J. Smith Bailly C. Hammilton Bailly THE SECOND LETTER Most Reverend Father in God and our very good Lord WEe did receive your Graces kind letter and from our hearts we do render your Grace most hearty thanks and as wee have hitherto found your speciall favour in this matter concerning the laitly imprinted Service Booke whereanent we did write to your Grace formerly shewing our dutifull and obedient resolution not onely in our selves but in the greatest and best part of our Inhabitants of whom from time to time we had most confident assurance so now we must againe become new suiters at your Graces hands to receive from us a true information of the difference of the present time and of that when we did presume to write the occasions thereof which is that since our last there hath beene such an innumerable confluence of people from all the corners of this kingdome both of Clergie and Laitie and of all degrees by occasion of two Councell dayes and such things suggested to our poore ignorant people that they have razed what we by great and continuall pains had imprinted in their minds and have diverted them altogether from their former resolutions so that now when we were urged by our selfes alone we could not adventure but were forced to supplicate the Lords of Councell to continue us in the state they had done the rest of the kingdome having hitherto forborne either to combine with them or to countenance them in their supplications yet we will not forbeare to doe our Masters service to our power but shall studie to imprint in their minds what hath beene taken away in the interim we will humbly beg your Graces favour and intercession with his Majestie that we may be keeped still in his favour which we doe esteeme our greatest earthly felicitie and that what course shall be taken with the rest of this kingdome in that matter who have presented many supplications and with whom we have in no wayes combined that the same and no other may be taken with us wherein we are confident to prevaile as much as any other within the kingdome and in all things shall endevour nothing more then that we may approve our selves most dutifull and obedient subjects Thus relying upon your Graces favour as our most assured refuge we kisse your Graces hands and rests Edinburgh this 26. of September 1637. Your Graces most affectionate and humble servants the Bailliffes of Edinburgh J. Cochrane Bailly J. Smith Bailly C. Hammilton Bailly James Rucheid WEe confesse that these large undertakings of the Magistrates moved Us to remit much of Our intended rigor against the offenders in the first uproare hoping that their acknowledgment of Our clemencie would have produced effects quite contrarie to those which We have found And now We shall desire the Reader to observe that this first tumult was owned by none condemned and cryed down by all the authors of it and actors in it called by all sorts by no better names then Rogues and the base Multitude What will you then think if that within verie few daies you shall see the verie same liberall bestowers of these names entring upon the same Stage repeating and acting over againe the parts of that madd Multitude Onely the Stage you shall see a little better hanged and the Scenes better set out and the Play having a more specious name of Pietie and Religion For soon after these base and unruly people who were so much out in their first act of Rebellion as Actors at the first are not commonly perfect were in the Pulpits even for that their first and foule act so much of late hissed at and decryed afterwards magnified for the most heroicall Sparkes that ever God inspired and raised up in this last age of the world and though they were but Asses yet they were cryed up for having their mouthes opened immediately by God as the mouth of Balaams Asse was to the upbraiding of all the rest of the Land who held their peace when they should have cryed and brayed as they did Their happy mouthes and hands which God was pleased to honour that day with the beginning of their new blessed Reformation and