Miscellaneous Historical Documents. RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND, 1633-1638. (continued 2)
Reading edition
7o. The least can be sought for the present concerning ministers wotters in parliament, is, that they be limitted by the particular caueatts aggreid one in the assemblie, 1600, at Montrose, and by aney other cautions to be made, as the assembley shall thinke meitt and necessarey, (from oure 37 zeires experience of the fruittes and consequences thereof,) as it was appointed at that tyme; for so longe as they wotte in parliament, absolutly without the limitation of ther cautions, they can neuer be thought to wotte in name of the kirke.
8o. Ther can be no houpe of continuance of religione in the kirke, (altho wee are deliuered from all other eiuells) except some better coursse be takin for the free entrey of ministers, without wnlawfull othes, and with the consent of the presbeteries and of the people; for this end it wold be remembred, that it was declared, acte 114, parl. 1592, that God had giuen to the spirituall office bearirs of the kirke, colatione and depriuatione of ministers, and therfor the commission granted to bischopes, in Aᵒ 1584, to receaue the presentatione to benifices, wes declared to be null in all tyme coming; and it was ordained, that all presentations to benefices be directed to particular presbeteries in all tyme coming, with full pouer to giue colatione therwpone, they being the lawfull office bearirs of the kirke, to quhom God hath giuen that right, wich therfor nather was nor can be takin from them absolutly, nor giuen to bischopes exclusiue.
1638.—March 27. 32. Letter by the Covenanters to each of the Lords of Privy Councel.56
May it please your Lordship,
Wee the Ministers of the Gospel, conveened at this so necessarie a time, doe finde our selves bound to represent, as unto all, so in speciall unto your Lordship, what comfortable experience we have of the wonderfull favour of God, upon the renewing of the Confession of faith and Covenant, what peace and comfort hath filled the hearts of all Gods people, what resolutions and beginnings of reformation of manners are sensibly perceived in all parts of the kingdome, above any measure that ever we did finde or could have expected, how great glorie the Lord hath received thereby, and what confidence we have (if this sunshine be not eclipsed by some sinfull division or defection) that God shall make this a blessed kingdome, to the contentment of the Kings Majestie, and joy of all his good subjects, according as God hath promised in his good Word, and performed to his people in former times; And therefore we are forced from our hearts both to wish and entreat your Lordship to be partaker and promover of this joy and happinesse by your subscription, when your Lordship shall thinke it convenient: And in the meane while, that your Lordship would not be sparing to give a free testimonie to the truth, as a timely and necessarie expressione of your tender affection to the cause of Christ now calling for helpe at your hands: your Lordships profession of the true Religion as it was reformed in this land, the nationall oath of this kingdome sundry times sworne and subscribed, ablishing us who live at this time, the dutie of a good Patriot, the office and trust of a Privie Councellour, the present employment to have place amongst those that are first acquainted with his Majesties pleasure, the consideration that there is the time of tryall of your Lordships affection to Religion, the respect which your Lordship hath unto your fame both now and hereafter, when things shall be recorded to posteritie, and the remembrance, that not onely the eyes of men and Angels are upon your Lordships carriage, but also that the Lord Jesus is a secret witnesse now to observe, and shall be an open Judge hereafter to reward and confesse everie man before his Father, that confesseth him before men: All of these and each of them, besides your Lordships personall and particular obligations to God, doe call for no lesse at your Lordships hands, in the cause of so great and singular necessitie; and we also doe expect so much at this time, according as your Lordship at the houre of death would be free of the terrour of God, and be refreshed with the comfortable remembrance of a word spoken in season for Christ Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
1638.—April 28. 33. Articles for the present Peace of the Kirk and Kingdom of Scotland, signed by Rothes, Cassils, and Montrose.57
If the Question were about such matters as did come within the compass of our own power, we would be ashamed to be importunate, and should be very easily satisfied without the smallest trouble to any; but considering that they are the matters of Gods honour, of the Kingdom of Christ, and the peace of our Souls, against the Mystery of Iniquity, which we clearly perceive to have been uncessantly working in this Land since the Reformation, to the ruine of true Religion in the end; it cannot stand with our duty to God, to our King, to our Selves and Posterity, to crave or be content with less, than that which the word of God, and our Confession of Faith doth allow, and which may against our Fears establish Religion afterwards.
I. The discharging of the Service-Book, the Book of Canons, and of the late High Commission, may be a part of the satisfaction of our humble Supplications, and just Complaints, which therefore we still humbly desire; but that can neither be a perfect Cure of our present Evils, nor can it be a preservative in time to come.
II. When it is considered what have been the Troubles and Fears of his Majesties most loyall Subjects from the High Commission, what is the nature and constitution of that Judicatory, how prejudicial it proves to the lawful Judicatories of the Kirk and Kingdom, how far it endangers the Consciences, Liberties, Estates and Persons of all the Lieges, and how easily, and far more contentedly all the Subjects may be keeped in order, and obedience to His Majesties just Laws, without any terrour of that kind; we look that his Majesties Subjects, who have been used to obey according to the Laws, shall be altogether delivered from the High Commission, as from a yoke and burden, which they feel and fear to be more heavy than they shall be ever able to bear.
III. Remembring by what wayes the Articles of Perth were introduced, how strangely and with what opposition they were carried in the Assembly, upon what Narrative they were concluded, how the Ratification in Parliament was not desired by the Kirk, but earnestly supplicated and protested against, how they have been introductory of the Service-Book, whereof now they are become Members, and in their nature make way for Popery, (whatsoever hath been the intentions of the Urgers;) and withall, what Troubles and Divisions they have caused these twenty years in this Kirk and Kingdom, and what Jealousies between the Kings Majesty and His Subjects, without any Spiritual profit or edification at all; as we can see no reason why they should be urged by Authority, so can we not find, but we shall be more unable to digest them than in the beginning, when we had not as yet tasted, and known how bitter and unwholsome they were.
IV. The Judgements of the best Divines of the Reformed Kirks, and of the most Pious and Learned of this Kirk since the Reformation, concerning the Civil Places and Offices of Kirkmen, and concerning the Vote of Ministers in Parliament, have been made known in divers generall Assemblies; which moved the Assemblies of this Kirk, when they could not by their modest opposition prevail to limit the Ministers that were to Vote in Parliament, by any particular Cautions agreed upon at first, and ordained to be inserted in the Act of Parliament, and by other Cautions to be made afterward, as the Assembly should find meet and necessary; and, therefore, if we will declare our minds, after lamentable experiences of the Evils which were then foreseen, feared, and foretold, we cannot see how Ministers voting in Parliament, absolutely without the limitation of these Cautions, can be thought fit to Vote in the name of the Kirk.
V. We have no Grievance more universal, more ordinary, and more pressing, than that worthy men, who have Testimonies of their Learning from Universities, and are tried by the Presbyteries to be qualified for the Work of the Ministery, and for their Life and Gifts earnestly desired by the whole People, are notwithstanding rejected because they cannot be persuaded to Subscribe and Swear such unlawful Articles and Oaths, as have neither warrant of the Acts of the Kirk, nor Laws of the Kingdom, and others of less worth, and ready to swear for base respects, unworthy to be mentioned, are obtruded upon the People, and admitted to the most eminent Places of the Kirk, and Schools of Divinity, which causes continual Complaints, makes the People run from their own Kirks, refuse to receive the Sacrament at the hands of the Ministers set over them against their hearts, or to render them that Honour which is due from the People to their Pastors, and is a mighty hindrance to the Gospel, to the Souls of the People, and to the Peace of the whole Kirk and Kingdom; all which might be easily helped, by giving place to the 114 Act of Parliament, 1592, declaring, That God hath given to the Spiritual Office-bearers of the Kirk Collation and Deprivation of Ministers, and ordaining that all Presentations to Benefices be directed to particular Presbyteries in all time coming, with full power to give Collation thereupon, they being the lawful Office-bearers of the Kirk, to whom God hath given that right; which therefore, never was nor can be taken from them, and so conferred upon others, at that they shall be quite secluded therefrom.
VI. The lawful and free National Assemblies of this Kirk, warranted by Divine Authority, ratified by Acts of Parliament, keeped in other Reformed Kirks, and in this Kirk since the Reformation, and acknowledged by King James to be the most necessary means for preservation of Piety and Union, and for extermination of Heresie and Schism, (who willed, therefore, that the Act of Parliament for convening the General Assemblies once in the year should stand in force;) if they were revived, and by His Majesties Authority appointed to be keeped at the ordinary times, and if one at His Majesties first opportunity, and so soon as may be conveniently, should be indicted, Kirkmen might be tried in their Life, Office, or Benefice, and keeped in order without trouble to His Majesty, and without offence to the People, the present Evils might be speedily helped, to His Majesties great honour and content, and to the preservation of the Peace of the Kirk, and these courses might be stopped afterwards: and on the contrary, while Kirkmen escape their due Censure, and matters of the Worship of God are imposed without the consent of the free Assemblies of the Kirk, they will ever be suspected to be unsound and corrupt, as shunning to be tried by the Light, to the continual entertaining of heart-burnings amongst the People, and to the hindrance of that cheerfulness of obedience which is due, and from our Hearts we wish may be rendred to the Kings Majesty.
VII. If according to the Law of Nature and Nations, to the Custom of all other Kingdoms, and the laudable example of His Majesties worthy Progenitors, in the like cases of National Grievances, or of Commotions and Fears of a whole body of a Kingdom, his Majesty should be graciously pleased to call a Parliament, for the timeous hearing and redressing of the just Grievances of the Subjects, for removing of their common Fears, and for renewing and establishing such Laws, as in time coming may prevent the one and the other, and may serve to the good of the Kirk and the Kingdom, that the Peace of both might be firmly settled, and mens minds now so awakened might be easily pacified; and all our Tongues and Pens are not able to represent, what would be the joyful Acclamations and hearty Wishes of so loyal and loving a People, for His Majesties Happiness, and how heartily bent all sorts would be found to bestow their Fortunes and Lives in His Majesties Service.
VIII. The more particular Notes of all things expedient for the well of the Kirk and Kingdom, for His Majesties honour and satisfaction, and for extinguishing of the present Combustion, may be given in to be considered in the Assembly and Parliament.
1638.—April 28. 34. Articles of Information to Mr Andrew Learmonth, for my Lord Archbishop of Saint Andrews, the Bishop of Ross, &c. and in their absence, for my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace.58
I. You shall show their Lordships, How they have changed the Moderator of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and are going on in changing all the Moderators in the Kingdom.
II. How they have abused Doctor Ogstone the ninth of May in Edinburgh, Mr George Hannay at Torphichen the sixth of May, Doctor Lamond at Markinch the ninth of May, Mr Robert Edward at Kirkmichael, whom Kilkerrin is forced to entertain at his own House.
III. That the Presbytery of Haddingtown have given Imposition of Hands to Mr John Ker’s Son, to be his Collegue, without the knowledge of the Bishop; and likewise the Presbytery of Kircaldy to Mr John Gillespy’s Son, to the Church of the Weemes; and the Presbytery of Dumfrice, to one Mr John Wier, to the Church of Morton within two miles of Drumlanerick; and that they of Dumfermline have admitted Mr Samuel Row (a Minister banished from Ireland) to be helper to Mr Henry Mackgill; and they of Air Mr Robert Blair, to be helper to Mr William Annand; and that the Town of Dumfrice have made choice of Mr James Hamilton to be their Minister; and the Town of Kirkudbright one Mr John Macklennan, all of them banished from Ireland; and Mr Samuel Rutherford is returned and settled in his Place; and they intend to depose Mr John Trotter, Minister of Dirleuton; and how they intended to use the Regents.
IV. That the Council of Edinburgh have made choice of Mr Alexander Henderson to be helper to Mr Andrew Ramsay, and intend to admit him without advice or consent of the Bishop.
V. That the Ministers of Edinburgh, who have not subscribed the Covenant, are daily reviled and cursed to their Faces, and their Stipends are withheld and not payed; and that all Ministers who have not subscribed are in the same case and condition with them.
VI. That they hound out rascally Commons on men who have not subscribed the Covenant, as Mr Samuel Cockburn did one John Shaw at Leith.
VII. That His Majesty would be pleased by his Letters, to discharge the Bishop of Edinburgh to pay any Prebend-fee, to those who have subscribed the Covenant; as also by His Royal Letters to discharge the Lords of Session, to grant any Process against the Bishop for their Fees.
VIII. That His Majesty would be pleased in the Articles of Agreement with the Nobility, to see honest men, who shall happen in this tumultuous time to be deposed from their Places, restored and settled in them, and others that are violently thrust in, removed; and that the wrongs done to them be repaired.
IX. That if it shall happen his Majesty to take any violent course for repressing these Tumults and Disorders, (which God forbid) that in that case their Lordships would be pleased to supplicate His Majesty, that some speedy course may be taken for securing of the persons of these honest men, who stand for God and His Majesty. Signed, Da. Edin. Ja. Hannay. Ja. Dumblanen. Da. Michell. Ja. Lismoren. Da. Fletcher.
1638.—May 16. 35. Proclamation by the King.59
Charles R.
Charles by the Grace of God King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, to our Lovits, our Sheriffs in that part, conjunctly and severally, specially constitute, Greeting.
Forsamiekle as We are not ignorant of the great Disorders which have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdom of Scotland, occasioned (as is pretended) upon the introduction of the Service-book, Book of Canons, and High Commission, thereby fearing Innovations of Religion and Laws; for satisfaction of which Fears We well hoped, that the two Proclamations of the eleventh of December, and nineteenth of February, had been abundantly sufficient: nevertheless finding, that Disorders have daily so increased, that a powerful rather than a persuasive way might have been justly expected from Us; yet We, out of Our innate Indulgence to Our People, grieving to see them run themselves so headlong into Ruine, are graciously pleased to try if by a fair way We can reclaim them from their faults, rather than let them perish in the same. And therefore once for all, We have thought fit to declare, and hereby to assure all Our good People, that We neither are, were, nor (by the Grace of God) ever shall be stained with Popish Superstition, but by the contrary are resolved to maintain the true Protestant Christian Religion, already professed within this Our ancient Kingdom. And for further clearing of Scruples, We do hereby assure all men that We will neither now nor hereafter press the practice of the aforesaid Canons and Service-book, or any thing of that nature, but in such a fair and legal way as shall satisfie all Our loving Subjects, that we neither intend Innovation in Religion or Laws; and for the High Commission, We shall so rectifie it, with the help of advice of Our Privy Council that it shall never impugn the Laws, nor be a just Grievance to Our Loyal Subjects. And as hereby it may appear how careful We are to satisfie the foresaid Fears (how needless soever) of our good Subjects[*]. So We do hold Our Selves obliged both in Conscience and Honour, to hinder the course of that which may prejudge that Royal Authority, which God has endued Us with; wherefore, understanding that many of our Subjects have run themselves into seditious and undutiful courses, and willing to reduce them rather by a benign, than forcible mean (because We hope that most of them are drawn thereto, blindly out of fear of Innovations) are content hereby to declare, and promise upon the Word of a King to pardon what is past, and not to take notice of the by-gone faults, no not so much as of those factious and seditious Bonds, upon condition that they seek to Our Mercy by disclaiming the same, and in testification of the true sense of their Misdemeanours, that they deliver up, or continue with their best endeavours to procure the delivering up, of the said Bonds into the hands of Our Council, or such as Our Council shall appoint: Declaring always, likeas We by these presents do declare, all these to be esteemed and reputed as Traitors in all time coming, that shall not renounce and disclaim the said Bond or Bonds, within _____________ after the publication hereof; that is to say, Whosoever will from henceforth be thought a good Subject, and capable of Our Mercy, must either deliver up the same, in case he have it, or concur with his best endeavours to the delivering up thereof, or at least must come to some of Our Privy Council, or chief Officers in Burgh or Land, and testifie to him, that he renounces and disclaims the said Bonds. Our Will is therefore, and We charge you straitly and command, that incontinent this Our Letter seen, &c.
C. R.
The other Proclamation penned by the Marquis agrees with the former, to the place that is marked [*]; after which it follows thus.
So We expect that their behaviour will be such, as may give testimony of their Obedience, and how sensible they are of Our Grace and Favour, that thus pass over their Misdemeanours, and by their future carriage make appear, it was onely the fear of Innovations that caused those Disorders that have happened of late in this Our Kingdom, which now cannot but by this Our Declaration be removed from the hearts of Our loving Subjects: but on the contrary, if we find not this performed with that chearfulness and alacrity that becomes good and obedient Subjects, We declare and hold Our Self obliged in Honour and Conscience, to make use of those forcible means which God hath armed Royal Authority with, for the curbing of disobedient and stubborn People. Our Will therefore is, and we charge you, &c.
C. R.
1638.—May 16. 36. Declaration approved of by the King.60
Whereas we were in hope by Our late Proclamations to have given satisfaction to Our People, and to have removed their Mistakings of the Book of Common-prayer, which We caused to be published, having thereby declared, that it never entered into Our thoughts to make any Innovation in Religion and Form of Gods Worship, nay, not to press the said Books upon any of Our Subjects, till by a fair way they were induced to approve the same; yet having understood, that to the contrary (by what means We know not) occasions have been taken to confirm them in their former Mistakings, and to bind them by Oaths and Subscriptions against the Laws established by Our dear Father of blessed memory, and ratified by Our Selves since Our coming to the Crown: howsoever there is in that more than just cause offered to take punishment of such an open Contempt and Rebellion, yet considering that this is not the fault of the simple sort and multitude of People, who have been seduced through specious pretexts, as if nothing were contained in the said Bond or Covenant, as they call it, but the promoting of Gods Glory, the maintaining of Our Honour, and Liberty of the Country, with the preserving of Unity among themselves, We no way willing to use Our people with rigour, or to enquire severely into their errors of that kind, have thought meet to renew Our former Declaration, by assuring them, and every one of them, that Our constant Resolution is, and hath been, to maintain the true Religion professed and established by the Laws of that Our Kingdom, without any Change or Innovation, at the hazard of Our Life and Crown, and that We will not force on Our Subjects either the said Book of Common-prayer, or Book of Canons, till the same be duly examined, and they in their Judgments, satisfied with the legality thereof; nor will We permit the exercise of any Commission upon them, for whatsoever cause, which may give unto them any just cause of Grief and Complaint. Willing therefore and requiring all Our People and Subjects to acquiesce to this Our Declaration, and not suffer themselves to be misled by the private or publick Informations of turbulent spirits, as if We did intend any thing contrary to this Our Profession, having always esteemed it a special point of Royal Dignity, to profess what We intend to doe, and to perform what We do promise; certifying all Our good Subjects, who shall hereupon rest quiet in obedience of God and Us, that We will faithfully perform whatsoever We have declared, whether in this or in Our former Proclamations made to that purpose, and be unto them a good and merciful King: as on the other side, if any shall hereafter make business, and disturb the Peace of that Church and Kingdom, by following their private Covenants, and refusing to be ruled by the Laws established, that We will use the Force and Power, which God hath put into Our hands, for compescing and subduing such mutinous and disobedient Rebels. Given at Our Palace of
1638.—May 16. 37. Queries by Hamilton, and Answers by the King.61
Queries whereunto Your Majesties Direction and Resolution is humbly prayed, that accordingly I may govern my self, and be warranted for my Proceedings.
1. If, before the publishing of the Declaration some of the chiefest of the Petitioners may not be prepared, and laboured to conceive aright of the same, and in general acquainted with Your Majesties gracious Intentions?
They may.
2. Where the first meeting of the Council shall be?
Where you shall find most convenient, the City of Edinburgh only excepted.
3. If your Majesty will not permit the Council to sit, where, and in such places as is conceived may tend most for the advancement of your Service?
Yes.
4. If the Declaration shall not be read to the Council, and they required to sign the same?
By all means.
5. If we shall not all swear to give our best assistance for the putting the same in due execution?
Yes.
6. If any Councellour refuse to doe it, what course shall be taken with him?
Dismiss him the Council.
7. If Acts of Council are not to be made, finding that this Declaration ought to free us of the fears of Innovations either of Religion or Laws?
8. If all Councellours are not to be warned to give their attendance till the business be settled?
Yes.
9. If upon the publication of this Declaration there be Protestations made, what course shall be taken?
The Protesters must be proclaimed Rebels.
10. If no Protestations but Petitions of new be presented, either demanding further satisfaction, or adhering to their former, what Answer shall be made, or what course taken?
Ut supra.
11. If they remain still in a Body at Edinburgh or elsewhere, after the Declaration, what course shall be taken?
You must raise what Force you may to treat them as Rebels.
12. If they should petition against the High Commission itself, as not to be introduced without an Act of Parliament, what Answer shall be given?
That they must be content with My Declaration in that point.
13. If against the matter contained therein, it is then desired that those particulars may be expressed that will not be yielded to?
The settling thereof according to My Declaration will answer this.
14. If it be pressed that what is now concluded, concerning the High Commission be ratified in the next Parliament, what Answer shall be given?
If I may be sure that a Parliament will doe it, I shall be content.
15. If they Petition for a Convention, what Answer shall be given?
No Petition must be admitted till the Bond62 be broken; if after, you may grant it, leaving the time to Me.
16. If they petition for a General Assembly, that it may be once in the year, what Answer shall be given?
I will not be tied, but as I shall find cause.
17. If they petition that the Ministers Oath may be no other than that which the Act of Parliament doth order them to take, what Answer shall be given?
I and the Bishops will consider of it.
18. If they petition that the five Articles of Perth may be held as indifferent, what Answer shall be given?
I will hear of no Petition against an Act of Parliament.
19. If the Town of Edinburgh may not be dealt with apart to petition for Your Majesties Favour, and if they desire that the Council, Exchequer, and Session may be returned them, what Answer shall be given?
Upon their full submission, and renouncing of the Bond, they may have their desires.
20. If the like course may not be taken with some other principal Burghs?
As before.
21. If to gain some leading men from the Party, marks of Your Majesties Favour may not be hoped for?
To some, I; to some, No.
22. If particular men desire either Acts of Council, or Pardons under the Great Seal, what shall be done?
Grant their desires.
23. What Service shall be used in the Chappel Royal?
The English.
24. If the Lords of Council and Session, shall at that time be pressed to receive Kneeling?
This is no time for a Communion, but when there is they must kneel.
25. If thought fit, what shall be done to them that refuse?
Advise of it.
26. If all Acts of Council, that have injoyned the use of the Service-Book, Book of Canons, are not to be suspended, and declared of no force in time coming?
Yes.
27. How far Your Majesty will warrant me to declare Your Pleasure to the Lords of the Clergy, concerning their living within their Diocesses?
I shall do it My Self, but you may tell any of it.
28. How far I may declare Your willingness to give ear to and receive the private Complaints of Your Subjects in general, and in particular against any of the Bishops?
Refuse none.
29. If those Ministers (who have been by the Multitude displaced) are not again to be established?
They must.
30. If in the Abbey-Church the use of the Organs shall be presently enjoyned?
Yes.
31. If those Ministers formerly silenced may not for a time be connived at, and permitted to preach?
If they preach not Sedition.
32. If your Majesty aim at more for the present, than establishing the Peace of the Country?
No more for the present.
33. If more, it is humbly desired, Your Majesty may be pleased to express it?
When time shall be fit.
In execution of all which, or what else Your Majesty shall think fit to command, it is most humbly desired, that I may be so warranted, that the labouring to put them in execution may not turn to my Ruine, nor hazard the losing of Your Majesties Favour, dearer to me than life?
You shall.
1638.—May 16. 38. Instructions by the King to Hamilton.63
Charles R.
I. Before you publish the Declaration which We have signed, you shall require all the Council to sign it, and if you find that it may conduce to Our Service, you shall make all the Council swear to give their best assistance in the execution of the same: but this of putting them to their Oaths, We leave to your discretion, to doe as you shall find occasion; but if you shall find it fit to put them to their Oaths, those that refuse must be dismissed the Council till Our further Pleasure be known.
II. We give you Power to cause the Council to sir in whatsoever place you shall find most convenient for Our Service, Edinburgh onely excepted, and to change the Meeting thereof as often as occasion shall require.
III. You may labour to prepare any of the refractory persons to conceive aright of Our Declaration before it be published, so that it be privately and underhand.
IV. You are to get an Act of Council to pass, to declare, that this Declaration of Ours ought to free all honest Subjects from the fears of Innovations of Religion or Laws: but this you are not to propose publickly except you be sure to carry it.
V. If any Protestation be made against Our Declaration, the Protesters must be reputed Rebels, and you are to labour to apprehend the chiefest of them.
VI. If Petitions be presented to demand further satisfaction than that We have already given by Our Declaration, you are to receive them, and to give them a bold Negative, both in respect of the Matter and the Form, as being presented from a Body which you are no ways to acknowledge.
VII. If it should be objected against the High Commission, that it ought not to be introduced but by Act of Parliament: your Answer must be, that We found it left Vs by Our Father, and therefore We meane to continue it, having first regulated it in such a way that it shall be no just Grievance to Our Subjects, or against Our Laws: and when there is a Parliament, We shall be content that it be ratified as We shall now rectifie it.
VIII. If after the limited time in Our Declaration a Body remain at Edinburgh, or elsewhere, you must raise what Force you can to dissipate, and bring them under Our Obedience.
IX. As soon as the Peace of the Country will permit, you are to call a General Assembly for settling of a constant and decent way for Gods Worship; We having resolved to call them, or to permit them to be as often as occasion shall require; We likewise intending to have a Parliament, to ratifie what shall be condescended on at the Assembly.
X. You may say, the Bishops shall impose no other Oath upon Ministers at their Admission, but what is warranted by Act of Parliament.
XI. You are to give direction that the same Service be used in Our Chapel Royal, that was before the enjoyning of the Service-book.
XII. You must admit of no Petition against the 5 Articles of Perth, but for the present you are not to press the exact execution of them.
XIII. Whenever the Town of Edinburgh shall depart from the Covenant, and petition for Our Favour, We will that you bring back the Council and Session to it.
XIV. You shall deny no Pardons nor Acts of Council to any particular persons that shall desire the same for their security.
XV. Some marks of Favour We may be moved to give to particular persons that may deserve the same.
XVI. All Acts of Council that enjoyn the use of the new Service-book are to be suspended, and to be of no force hereafter.
XVII. You shall declare Our pleasure to Our two Archbishops, (as soon as the Country is anyway settled) that it is Our Pleasure, that every Bishop shall live within his own Diocess, except upon his own urgent occasions, or that he be commanded from Us, or the Council, to attend there for Our Service, which I intend as seldom as may be.
XVIII. You shall refuse Complaints against no man in particular, whether Officers of State, Councellours, or Bishops, so that it be against their Persons and not their Places.
XIX. All those Ministers who have been displaced by the seditious multitude, are to be (so soon as conveniently may be) repossessed again as they were.
XX. As for silenced Ministers, you may connive at their Preaching, if you find it may tend to the quieting of the Country.
XXI. For the Organs in the Abby-Church, We leave them to your discretion when to be used, and to advertise Me of your opinion.
XXII. You are to cause insert 6 weeks in Our Declaration for the delivery up of the Covenant, and if you find cause, less.
XXIII. You shall declare, that if there be not sufficient Strength within the Kingdom to force the refractory to Obedience, Power shall come from England, and that My Self will come in Person with them, being resolved to hazard My Life rather than to suffer Authority to be contemned.
XXIV. If you shall find cause, you are to raise a Guard of 200 or more, to attend Our Council.
XXV. You may treat with the Earl of Marr for the keeping of our Castles of Edinburgh and Sterlin, and for the present he must be charged with their safe Custody.
XXVI. You shall take seriously into consideration the Copper-coyn, and declare Our willingness to remedy the Evils that have risen thereby; or what else the Subjects may justly complain of.
XXVII. You may declare, that as We never intended to assume the Nominating the Provost of Our Town of Edinburgh, so We mean not by Our too frequent Letters to hinder the free Election of their own Officers.
XXVIII. You may likewise declare, (if you find cause) that as We never did, so by Gods Grace We never will stop the course of Justice by any private directions of Ours; but will leave Our Lords of Session, and other Judges, to administer Justice, as they will be answerable to God and Us.
If you cannot by the means prescribed by Us bring back the refractory and seditious to due Obedience, We do not onely give you Authority, but command all hostile Acts whatsoever to be used against them, they having deserved to be used no other way by Us, but as a Rebellious People; for the doing whereof We will not onely save you harmless, but account it as acceptable Service done Us.
Such of these Instructions, as you shall find cause, We give you leave to divulge and make use of as you find Our Service shall require.
C. R.
At Whitehall the 16th May, 1638.
1638.—May 20. 39. Commission to Hamilton as Commissioner to Scotland.64
Carolus Dei gratiâ Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Rex, fideique Defensor: Omnibus probis hominibus suis ad quos præsentes literæ pervenerint, Salutem. Sciatis nos considerantes magnos in hoc regno nostro Scotiæ non ita pridem exortos tumultus, ad quos quidem componendos, multiplices regiæ nostræ voluntatis declarationes promulgavimus, quæ tamen minorem spe nostrâ effectum hactenus sortitæ 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, quâm fideli aliquo Delegato constituto, cui potestatem credere possumus tumultus ejusmodi consopiendi, aliaque officia præstandi, quæ in bonum & commodum dicti antiqui regni nostri eidem Delegato nostro imperare nobis videbitur: Cumque satis compertum habeamus obsequium, diligentiam, & fidem prædilecti nostri consanguinei & consiliarii Jacobi Marchionis Hamiltonii, Comitis Arraniæ & Cantabrigiæ, Domini Aven & Innerdail, &c. eundemque ad imperata nostra exequenda sufficientèr instructum esse: Ideircò fecisse & constituisse, tenoreque præsentium facere & constituere præfatum prædilectum 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 præfatos tumultus in dicto regno componendi, aliaque officia à nobis eidem committenda in dicti regni nostri bonum & commodum ibi præstandi: Eoque Concilium nostrum quibus locis & temporibus ei visum fuerit convocandi, ac rationem & ordinem in præmissis exequendis servandum declarandi & præscribendi: Et quæcunque alia ad commissionis hujus capita pro commissa ipsi fide exequenda, eandemque ad absolutum finem perducendam & prosequendam conferre possunt tam in Concilio quâm extra Concilium nostro nomine efficiendi & præstandi; Idque similiter & adeò liberè acsi Nos in sacrosancta nostra persona ibidem adessemus. Et hac præsenti nostrâ commissione durante nostro beneplacito duratura ac semper & donec eadem per nos expressè inhibeatur. In cujus rei testimonium præsentibus magnum sigillum nostrum apponi præcepimus. Apud castrum nostrum de Windsore vigesimo die mensis Maii anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo trigesimo octavo, Et anno regni nostri decimo quarto. Per signaturam manu S. D. N. Regis suprascriptam.
1638.—June 11. 40. Letter from the King to Hamilton.65
Hamilton,
Though I answered not yours of the fourth, yet I assure you that I have not been idle, so that I hope by the next week I shall send you some good assurance of the advancing of our Preparations. This say not to make you precipitate any thing, (for I like of all you have hitherto done, and even of that which I find you mind to doe;) but to shew you that I mean to stick to my Grounds, and that I expect not any thing can reduce that People to their Obedience, but onely force. I thank you for the clearness of your Advertisements, of all which none troubles me so much, as (that in a manner) they have possessed themselves of the Castle of Edinburgh; and likewise I hold Sterlin as good as lost. As for the dividing of my Declaration, I find it most fit (in that way you have resolved it;) to which I shall adde, that I am content to forbear the latter part thereof, until you hear my fleet hath set sail for Scotland. In the mean time your care must be how to dissolve the Multitude, and (if it be possible) to possess your self of my Castles of Edinburgh and Sterlin, (which I do not expect.) And to this end I give you leave to flatter them with what hopes you please, so you engage not me against my Grounds, (and in particular that you consent neither to the calling of Parliament nor General Assembly, untill the Covenant be disavowed and given up;) your chief end being now to win time, that they may not commit publick Follies untill I be ready to suppress them: and since it is (as you well observe) my own People, which by this means will be for a time ruined, so that the loss must be inevitably mine; and this if I could eschew, (were it not with a greater) were well. But when I consider, that not onely now my Crown, but my Reputation for ever, lies at stake, I must rather suffer the first, that Time will help, than this last, which is irreparable. This I have written to no other end, than to shew you I will rather die than yield to those impertinent and damnable Demands, (as you rightly call them;) for it is all one as to yield to be no King in a very short time. So wishing you better success than I can expect, I rest
Your assured constant Friend, Charles R.
Greenwich, 11 June, 1638.
Postscript.—As the Affairs are now, I do not expect that you should declare the Adherers to the Covenant Traitors, until (as I have already said) you have heard from me that my Fleet hath set sail for Scotland, though your six weeks should be elapsed. In a word, gain time by all the honest means you can, without forsaking your Grounds.
1638.—June 13. 41. Letter by the King to Hamilton.66
Hamilton,
The dealing with Multitudes makes diversity of Advertisement no way strange, and certainly the alteration from worse to less ill cannot be displeasing; wherefore you may be confident, I cannot but approve your Proceedings hitherto, for certainly you have gained a very considerable point, in making the heady Multitude begin to disperse, without having engaged me in any unfitting thing. I shall take your advice in staying the publick Preparations for Force; but in a silent way (by your leave) I will not leave to prepare, that I may be ready upon the least advertisement. Now I hope there may be a possibility of securing my Castles, but I confess it must be done closely and cunningly. One of the chief things you are to labour now, is to get a considerable number of Sessioners and Advocates, to give their opinion that the Covenant is at least against Law, if not treasonable. Thus you have my Approbation in several shapes, therefore you need not doubt but that I am
Your assured constant Friend, Charles R.
Theobalds, 13 Jun. 1638.
1638.—June 13. 42. Draft of Explanations of Covenant proposed by Spottiswood.67
We the Noblemen, Barons, Burgesses, Ministers, and others, that have joyned in a late Bond or Covenant for the maintaining of true Religion and purity of Gods Worship in this Kingdom, having understood that Our Sovereign Lord the Kings Majesty is with this our doing highly offended, as if we thereby had usurped his Majesties Authority, and shaken off all Obedience to His Majesty and to His Laws; for clearing ourselves of that imputation do hereby declare, and in the presence of God Almighty solemnly protest, that it did never so much as enter into our thoughts, to derogate any thing from his Majesties Power and Authority Royal, or to disobey and rebell against His Majesties Laws, and that all our proceedings hitherto by Petitioning, Protesting, Covenanting, and whatsoever other way, was and is onely for the maintaining of true Religion by us professed, and with express reservation of our Obedience to His most Sacred Majesty; most humbly beseeching His Majesty so to esteem and accept of us, that he will be graciously pleased to call a National Assembly and Parliament, for removing the Fears we have not without cause (as we think) conceived of introducing in this Church another form of Worship than what we have been accustomed with, as likewise for satisfying our just Grievances, and the settling of a constant and solid Order to be kept in all time coming, as well in the Civil and Ecclesiastical Government; which if we shall by the intercession of Your Grace obtain, we faithfully promise, (according to our bounden duties) to continue in His Majesties Obedience, and at our utmost powers to procure the same during our Lives, and for the same to rest and remain
Your Graces obliged Servants, &c.
1638.—June 20. 43. Letter by the King to Hamilton.68
Hamilton,
I do not wonder, though I am very sorry for your last Dispatch, to which I shall answer nothing concerning what you have done, or mean to doe, because I have approved all, and still desire you to believe I do so, untill I shall contradict it with my own Hand. What now I write is, first to shew you in what Estate I am, and then to have your Advice in some things. My Train of Artillery consisting of 40 Peece of Ordnance (with the appurtenances) all Drakes, (half and more of which are to be drawn with one or two Horses apiece) is in good forwardness, and I hope will be ready within six weeks; for I am sure there wants neither Money, nor Materials to doe it with. I have taken as good order as I can for the present, for securing of Carlisle and Berwick; but of this you shall have more certainty by my next. I have sent for Arms to Holland, for 14000 Foot and 2000 Horse: for my Ships they are ready, and I have given Order to send three for the Coast of Ireland immediately, under pretence to defend our Fishermen. Last of all, which is indeed most of all, I have consulted with the Treasurer and Chancellour of the Exchequer, for Money for this years Expedition, which I estimate at two hundred thousand pounds Sterlin, which they doubt not but to furnish me; more I have done, but these are the chief heads. Now for your Advice, I desire to know whether you think it fit that I should send six thousand Land-men with the Fleet that goes to the Frith, or not; for since you cannot secure me my Castle of Edinburgh, it is a question whether you can secure the landing of those men, and if with them you can make your self Master of Leith, to fortifie and keep it: of this I desire you to send me your Resolution with all speed. I leave it to your consideration, whether you will not think it fit to see if you can make all the Guns of the Castle of Edinburgh unserviceable for any body, since they cannot be useful for me. Thus you may see, that I intend not to yield to the Demands of those Traitors the Covenanters, who I think will declare themselves so by their Actions, before I shall doe it by my Proclamation; which I shall not be sorry for, so that it be without the personal hurt of you, or any other of my honest Servants, or the taking of any English place. This is to shew you, that I care not for their affronting or disobeying my Declaration, so that it go not to open mischief, and that I may have some time to end my Preparations. So I rest
Your assured constant Friend, Charles R.
Greenwich, 20 June, 1638.
1638.—June 23.69 44. To his Maiesties Commissioner, the supplicatione of the noblemen, barrons, burgesse, ministers and comons, heir attending his Maiesties gratious anssuer to our former petitions, complaintes and desyres, humblie shewing,
That quheras wee, expecting from your Grace, as his Maiesties Commissioner, ane gratious anssuer to our former suplications, complaintes and just desyres, haue presentit to your Grace ane petitione, humblie crauing a free generall assembley and parliament, as the ordinar remedy of our griuances, the onlie meine to put this kirke and kingdome to quyetnesse.
It pleased your Grace to show that his Maiestie, from his princely caire of this kirke and kingdome, walde be most willing to indicte a free generall assembley, and call ane parliament for thesse good endes; bot that your Grace, as his Maiesties, hath conceaued the Confession of Faith and couenant, laitly renewed by ws his Maiesties subiects, to be ane vnlawfull combination aganist athority, therby to cast off our deutifull obedience, and not ane couenant for manteining of the trew religion, of his Maiesties persone and authority, and of the lawes and liberties of the kingdome; and wee being most willing to remoue that impediment, as the maine hinderance for obteining our desyres, therfor, and for cleiring of our loyaltie and windicating ourselues from so grate ane imputatione, wee doe now, in all humility, remonstrat to your Grace, as his Maiesties commissioner, and declairs before God and men, that wee ar heartily griued and sorey, that aney good man, bot most of all that our dreid souerainge should so conceaue of our doing, and that wee wer and still are so far from aney thought of withdrawing ourselues from our deutifull subiection and obedience to his Maiesties gouerniment, wich by the discent, and wnder the rainge of 107 kinges, is most cheirfully acknouledged by ws and our prædicessors. That wee neuer had nor haue aney intentione ore desyre to attempte aney thing wich may turne to the dishonor of God, ore to the diminutione of the Kinges gratnes and authority; bot one the contrarey wee acknouledge our quietnesse, stability and happines, to depend wpone the saftie of the Kinges Maiestie, as vpone Gods vicegerent sett ouer ws for mantinence of religion and administratione of justice, haue solemlie suorne, not only our mutuall concurrence and assistance for the causse of religion, bot also to the wttermost of our power, with our means and our liues, stand to the defence of our dread souerainge, the Kinges Maiesty, his persone and authority, in the preseruatione and defence of the trew religion, lawes and liberties of the kingdome: and therfor wee, his Maiesties loyall subiects, free from that and all other imputations of that kynd, most humblie beseiches your Grace to esteime our Confessione of Faith and couenant, to haue beine intendit, and to be the largest testimoney of our fidelity to God, and loyaltie to our Kinge; and that hinderance being remoued, most still supplicat your Grace wald be pleased to indicte a free generall assembley and parliament, quhilk will vndoubtedly redresse all our eiuells, sothe the peace of this kirke and kingdome, and procure that cheerfulnesse of obedience, quhilk is dew to be randred to his Maiestie, carrinng with it the offer of our fortuns and best indeuors for his Maᵗⁱᵉˢ honor and happines, as ane reall testimoney of our thankefullnes, praying God that his Maiesty may long and happily raing ouer ws.
1638.—June 25. 45. Letter from the King to Hamilton.70
Hamilton,
I must needs thank you that you stand so close and constantly to my Grounds, and you deserve the more since your fellow-Counsellours do rather dishearten than help you in this business, for which I swear I pity you much. There be two things in your Letter that require Answer, to wit, the Answer to their Petition, and concerning the Explanation of their damnable Covenant; for the first, the telling you that I have not changed my mind in this particular, is Answer sufficient, since it was both foreseen by me, and fully debated betwixt us two before your down-going; and for the other, I will onely say, that so long as this Covenant is in force, (whether it be with or without Explanation) I have no more Power in Scotland than as a Duke of Venice; which I will rather die than suffer: yet I commend the giving ear to the Explanation, or any thing else to win Time, which now I see is one of your chiefest cares, wherefore I need not recommend it to you. Another I know is, to shew the World clearly, that my taking of Arms is to suppress Rebellion, and not to impose Novelties, but that they are the seekers of them; wherefore if upon the publishing of my Declaration a Protestation should follow, I should think it would rather doe right than wrong to my Cause; and for their calling a Parliament or Assembly without me, I should not much be sorry, for it would the more loudly declare them Traitors, and the more justifie my Actions; therefore in my mind my Declaration would not be long delayed: but this is a bare Opinion and no Command. Lastly, my resolution is to come my self in person, accompanied like myself, Sea-forces nor Ireland shall not be forgotten; the particulars of which I leave to the Comptrollers relation, as I do two particulars to the Archbishop of Canterbury, which you forgot to mention in my Letter: and so I rest
Your assured constant Friend, Charles R.
Greenwich, 25 June, 1638.
1638.—June 28. 46. Proclamation.71
Charles by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. To our Lovits ________________________ Heraulds _____________________________ Messengers, our Sheriffes in that part, conjunctly and severally specially constitute greeting. Forsameikle as we are not ignorant of the great disorders, which have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdome of Scotland, occasioned, as is pretended, upon the introduction of the Service Book, Book of Canons, and High Commission, thereby fearing innovation of Religion and Laws. For satisfaction of which fears, We well hoped, that the two Proclamations of the eleventh of December, and nineteenth of February, had been abundantly sufficient: Neverthelesse, finding that disorders have daily so increased, that a powerfull rather then perswasive way, might have been justly expected from Us: Yet We out of Our innative indulgence to Our people, grieving to see them run themselves so headlong into ruine, are graciously pleased to try, if by a faire way We can reclaime them from their faults, rather than to let them perish in the same. And therefore once for all We have thought fit to declare, and hereby to assure all Our good people, that We neither were, are, nor by the Grace of God ever shall bee stained with Popish superstition: But by the contrary, are resolved to maintain the true Protestant Christian Religion already profest within this Our ancient Kingdome. And for farther clearing of scruples, We do hereby assure all men, that We will neither now nor hereafter presse the practice of the foresaid Canons and Service Book, nor any thing of that nature, but in such a faire and legall way, as shall satisfie all Our loving subjects, that We neither intend innovation in Religion or Lawes. And to this effect have given order to discharge all Acts of Councel made thereanent. And for the high Commission, We shall so rectifie it with the help of advice of Our privie Councel, that it shall never impugne the Lawes, nor bee a just grievance to Our loyall subjects. And what is farder fitting to be agitate in generall Assemblies and Parliament, for the good and peace of the Kirk, and peaceable government of the same, in establishing of the Religion presently profest, shall likewise be taken into Our Royall consideration, in a free Assembly and Parliament, which shall be indicted and called with Our best conveniencie. And We hereby take God to witnesse, that our true meaning and intention is, not to admit of any innovations either in Religion or Laws, but carefully to maintain the purity of Religion already profest and established, and no wayes to suffer Our Lawes to be infringed. And although We cannot be ignorant, that there may be some dis-affected persons who will strive to possesse the hearts of Our good subjects, that this Our gracious declaration is not to be regarded; Yet We do expect that the behaviour of all Our good and loyall subjects will be such, as may give testimonie of their obedience, and how sensible they are of our grace and favour, that thus passeth over their misdemeanours, and by their future carriage make appeare, that it was only feare of innovation, that hath caused the disorders which have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdome. And are confident, that they will not suffer themselves to be seduced and mis-led, to misconstrue Us or Our actions, but rest heartily satisfied with Our pious and real intentions, for maintenance of the true Religion and Lawes of this Kingdome. Wherefore We require and heartily wish all Our good people carefully to advert to these dangerous suggestions, and not to permit themselves, blindely under pretext of Religion, to be led in disobedience, and draw on infinitely, to Our grief, their own ruine, which We have, and still shall strive to save them from, so long as We see not royall Authoritie shaken off. And most unwillingly shall make use of that power which God hath endued Us with, for reclaiming of disobedient people.
Our will is herefore, and Wee charge you straightly and command, that incontinent these Our Letters seene, you passe to the market crosse of Our Burgh of Edinburgh, and all other places needfull, and there by open Proclamation make publication hereof to all and sundry Our good subjects, where through none pretend ignorance of the same. The which to do, We commit to you conjunctly and severally Our full power, by these Our Letters, delivering the same by you duely execute and indorsed againe to the Bearer. Given at Our Court of Greenwich the twenty eight day of June, and of Our Reigne the thirteenth yeer. 1638.
Per Regem.
1638.—June 28. 47. The Protestation of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burrows, Ministers and Commons, &c.72
Wee Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Minnisters, and Commons, That whereas wee the Kings Majesties true and loyall Subjects, who have ever esteemed it our greatest happinesse to live under a religious and righteous King, and our greatest glory to testifie our best affections to our gracious Soveraign, have beene in His Majesties absence from this His native Kingdome heavily pressed for a long time past, And especially of late, with diverse innovations, which both in themselves, and in the way wherein they have beene urged, doe manifestly tend to the prejudice of the Kings honour, and of our Religion, Laws and Liberties, And by which we were brought to such extremitie, that there was no way left betwixt the rock of excommunication, and the high paine of rebellion on the one part, and the desperate danger of forsaking the way of true Religion and the breach of our Covenant with God on the other, but to represent our cause, and present our supplications to the Lords of secret Councell, that being equally pondered by them, they might either be answered by themselves, or by their recommendation might ascend to his Majesties owne consideration: And therefore in all humble manner we did to this effect supplicate their Lordsh: we were most willing (for the modest following of our supplications) to obey their direction in chusing Commissioners, for the great number of supplicants, who flocked together from all quarters of the Kingdome; were carefull to order our selves in all Christian and quiet carriage, and, against the tediousnesse of many and long delaies, did wait for a long time with very great patience, till at last they were pleased to receive our supplications, complaints, and bills: And conceiving them to containe weightier matters then could by themselves bee determined, they did promise and undertake to represent and recommend the same, according to their more then ordinary importance, unto his Majesties Royall consideration, and to report his Majesties answer.
While his Majesties good Subjects of all ranks, throughout the whole Kingdome, had their minds wakened, and their hearts filled with the expectation of a gracious and satisfactorie answer, worthy of his Majesties pious and equitable disposition, in the month of February last incontinent a rumour flyeth through the Countrie, and filleth all eares, That the Lords of his Majesties secret Councell were commanded to make such a Proclamation concerning the Service Booke, Booke of Canons, and the peaceable meetings of his Majesties good Subjects in time comming, as we were perswaded to have beene procured by the secret working, and malignant mis-information of our adversaries, seeking for their owne private ends, without respect to his Majesties honour, and welfare of this Kirk and Kingdome, to stop the course of our legall proceedings, and to escape their owne due censure: And therefore intending to make knowne to the Lords of secret Councell what was noised concerning the Proclamation: how far the whole Kingdome had been by some sinistrous mis-information frustrate of their hopes, and their constant desire to have some course taken by their Lordsh: advice; how his Majestie being further informed, might deliver his good subjects from so great grievances and feares, and establish a sure peace in this Countrie for time to come; we found our selves tyed by order of Law to decline those against whom we had made our complaint, unlesse we would admit our parties to be our Judges: And in case our Declinator should not be accepted, we behoved to protest, that we might have immediate recourse to the King himselfe, &c.
Thereafter in the Moneth of March, finding that by the foresaid Proclamation the innovations supplicated against were approven, our lawfull proceedings condemned, our most necessary meetings prohibited, there being no other way left unto us, wee were necessitate to renew the nationall Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome, thereby to reconcile us to God, provoked to wrath against us, by the breach of his Covenant within this Land, to cleare our Soveraigns mind from all jealousies and suspicions, arising from our adversaries mis-information of our intentions and carriage; and so to make way for his acceptance of our humble supplications, and grant of their lawfull remedies, to guard this Land in defence of Religion, Authority and liberty against inward divisions, and externall violences. And that our actions might be answerable to our holy profession, we afterward drew up an humble supplication, containing our grievances, and desires of the ordinary remedies thereof, to have beene delivered to the King himselfe: In the meane time we were directed by those who were intrusted by his Majesty, to attend his Declaration here in Scotland, which would free us of all feares of innovations of Religion, and prove satisfactorie: And lest for want of true information of our just grievances and desires it should fall out otherwise, wee expressed to them, with the greatest modestie we could, our desires in some few Articles, and with great patience have attended his Majesties pleasure thereanent: And all this moneth by-gone being frequently conveened to heare the same delivered by his Majesties Commissioner, the right Noble and potent Lord James Marquesse of Hamiltoun, &c. we presented a new petition to his Grace as his Majesties Commissioner, craving most humbly the indiction of a free Assembly and Parliament, as the onely remedies thereof: Likeas finding a mis-information or mistake of our Covenant with God, as if it had beene an unlawfull combination to bee the maine hinderance of obtaining our desires, in a new supplication; wee have fully removed that impediment, renewed our desires of those supreme judicatories, to bee indicted with diligence, for settling of the Kirk and Kingdome: But being answered only with delayes after these nine Moneths attendance, and with this Proclamation that conteined his Majesties gracious declaration of his pious intentions, not to admit of any innovations in Religion or Law, nor any staine of Popish superstition, But on the contrary to be resolved to maintaine the true Christian Religion professed in this Kingdome; which we were, ever so far from calling in question, as in our supplications, complaints and bills, we used the same as one cause of our desires, one ground of our confidence of a gracious answer, and argument of our adversaries malignant mis-information of so religious a King: And now most humbly (with bended knees and bowed hearts) thanke our gracious Soveraigne for the same, Wishing and praying the Lord of heaven truly and fully to informe his Majestie how far these bookes, judicatories, and all our other evils and grievances are full of idolatrous superstitions, and Popish errours, How destructive of the reformation of Religion in this Land, and of the Lawes and Liberties of this Church and Kingdome, and so directly contrary to this his Majesties pious intention and declaration.
Yet seeing that no Proclamation could sufficiently remove the present evils, nor settle our feares, nor secure us from the re-entrie of any evil or Innovation, which it seemed to discharge, or prevent the like in time comming, nor satisfie our humble supplications, craving the present indiction of a free Assembly and Parliament, as the onely remedies of our evils, and meanes to prevent the like: And seeing this Proclamation doth not so much as make mention, or acknowledge any of our supplications, complaints and grievances, or any just cause thereof, except under the name of great increase of disorders, faults, and mis-demeanours, but only our feares of some future Innovation of Religion or Lawes, occasioned onely (as is pretended) by the introduction of the Service Booke, Booke of Canons, and High Commission; which feares his Majestie hoped to have beene abundantly and sufficiently satisfied by his two former proclamations of the ninth of December, and nineteenth of February. And by this his present Declaration, except his subjects bee blindely (under pretext of Religion) led unto disobedience, Doth mis-ken, passe over, and so in effect denie all our supplications, bills, articles, and desires, especially our complaints against the Prelates our parties. And, that once for all, in a faire and perswasive way, even after the resaite of our last supplication, clearing us from the calumnie of unlawfull combination; Doth not disallow nor discharge any of the innovations and evils complained upon, but onely assureth that his Majestie will not presse their practice, but in such a faire and legall way as shall satisfie his subjects of his intention; which (joyned with the other clause, allowing and confirming the Proclamation the nineteenth of February) evidenceth the liberty left to any Prelate or persons to practice the same, and by all other faire waies to perswade others thereunto; and his Majesties resolution to presse their practice in a faire and legall way: And also confirmeth the former Declaration, That the Service Booke is a ready meane to maintaine the true Religion already professed, and to beat out all Superstition, and no waies to be contrary to the Lawes of this Kingdome, but to be compiled and approved for the universall use and edification of all his Majesties subjects; Doth not abolish, but promiseth to rectifie the High Commission, with advice of his Privie Councell, implying the Kings power, with consent of the Councell, to establish this or any judicatory within this Kingdome, without consent of the three Estates conveened in Parliament, contrary to the fundamentall and expresse Lawes thereof; and by consequent with the like reason, to establish Lawes and Service Bookes, without consent of the Assembly and Parliament; Which is contrary to the maine ground of all our supplications, against the manner of their introduction; Doth only promise to take into his consideration in an Assembly and Parliament, which shall bee called at his best convenience, while as the evident and urgent necessity for settling the combustions threatening the totall dissolution and desolation of this Church and State, excuseth our uncessant and importune calling for these present remedies; Doth insinuate the continuance and execution of any pretended lawes for these innovations of worship, and corruptions of Church governmen, and civill places of Church-men, which by our Covenant wee have obliged our selves to forbeare; and the re-establishment of these evils in an Assembly and Parliament, which he will call in his best convenience, to wit, for that and this other end of satisfying his subjects judgements anent the Service Booke and Booke of Canons; Doth condemne all our former proceedings, even our supplicating, complaining, protesting, subscribing of our Covenant together, and our continuall meetings, as great disorders, increase of disorders, deserving justly a powerfull rather then a perswasive way, a running headlong into ruine, a perishing in our faults, a blind disobedience under pretext of Religion, and doth threaten & denounce, Now once for all, If we be not heartily satisfied, and give testimony of our obedience after this Declaration, but continue, as by our former proceedings, to draw on our owne ruine, that, albeit unwillingly, he must make use of that power which God hath indued him with, for reclaiming of so disobedient people.
Therefore we, in our own name, and in name of all who will adhere to the Confession of Faith, and reformation of Religion within this Land, are forced and compelled, out of our bound duty to God, our King, native Country, our selves and our posterity, (lest our silence should be prejudiciall to so important a cause, as concernes Gods glory and worship, our Religion and salvation, the Lawes and Liberties of this Church and Kingdome, or derogatory to our former supplications, complaints, protestations, Articles and proceedings, or unanswerable to the solemne oath of our nation covenant with God) To declare before God and man, and to protest, Primo, That we doe, and will constantly adhere, according to our vocation and power, to the said Reformation, in doctrine, use of Sacraments, and discipline; And that notwithstanding of any innovations introduced therein, either of old or of late. Secundo, we protest, That we adhere to the grievances, supplications, and protestations given in at Assemblies and Parliaments, and to our late supplications, complaints, protestations, and other lawfull proceedings against the same, and particularly against the Service book, and booke of Canons, as maine innovations of Religion and Lawes, and full of Popish superstition, and so directly contrary to the Kings Declaration, And against the High Commission, as a judicatory established contrary to the Lawes and Liberties of this Church and Kingdome, and destructive of other lawfull judicatories, which both in respect of the nature of it, manner of introduction, without consent of the three Estates of Parliament, cannot be any wayes rectified, but absolutely discharged: Tertio, we protest, That we adhere with our hearts to our Oath and subscription of the Confession of Faith, the solemne Covenant betweene God, this Church and Kingdome, and the clauses particularly therein expressed and generally contained, and to our last Articles for the peace of this Kirke and Kingdome, drawne out of it, and to all the matters therein contained, and manner of remedy therein desired. Quarto, We protest, that this Proclamation, or act of Councell, or any other act, or Proclamation, or Declaration, or ratification thereof, By subscription, or act, or letter, or any other manner of way whatsoever, or any precondemnation of our cause or carriage, before the same be lawfully heard and tryed in the supreme judicatories of this Kirk and Kingdome, the onely proper judges to nationall causes and proceedings, or any certification or threatning therein denounced, shall no waies be prejudiciall to the Confession of Faith, lawes, and liberties of this Kingdome, nor to our supplications, complaints, protestations, articles, lawfull meetings, proceedings, pursuits, mutual defences, nor to our persons and Estates, and shall no wayes be disgracefull either in reality or opinion, at home or abroad, to us or any of us: But on the contrary, that any act, or letter, or subscription of the Councell, carrying the approbation of the declaration, and condemnation of our proceedings, indicta causa, is and ought to be repute & esteemed unjust, illegall & null, as here before God and man we offer to clear, & to verifie both the justice of our cause and carriage, and the injustice of such acts against us, in the face of the first generall Assembly of the Church & Parliament of the Estates, unto whom with all solemnities requisite, we do publikly appeal. Quinto, We protest, that seeing our former supplications, last Articles, & our last desire and petition to his Majesties Commissioner, which petitioned for the present indiction of a free general Assembly & Parliament, according to the law and custome of all nations, & of this nation in the like case, to hear the desires, ease the grievances, & settle the fears of the body of the Church & Kingdome, are thus delayed, & in effect refused, to wit, Once for all, till his Majesties conveniency for the end contained in this Proclamation, that We continue by thir presents to supplicate his Majesty again and again, for the granting of the same: And whatsoever trouble or inconvenience fall out in this land in the mean time, for want of these ordinary remedies, and by the practice of any of these innovations & evils, contrary to our supplications, articles, & confession, it be not imputed unto us, who most humbly beg these lawfull remedies, but also that it is, & shall be lawfull unto us, to defend and maintain the Religion, lawes and liberties of this Kingdome, the Kings Authority in defence thereof, & every one of us one another in that cause, of maintaining the Religion, and the Kings foresaid Authority, according to our power, vocation and Covenant, with our best counsel, bodies, lives, means, & whole strength, against all persons whatsoever, and against all externall or internall invasions menaced in this proclamation. Like as that in the great exigencie of the Church, necessitating the use of this ordinary and lawfull remedies for settling the commotions thereof, it is and shall be leasome unto us to appoint, hold and use the ordinary means, our lawfull meetings and Assemblies of the Church agreeable to the law of God, and practice of the primitive Church, the Acts of the generall Assemblies, and Parliaments, and the example of our Worthy Reformers in the like case. Sexto, We protest, that our former Supplications, Complaints, Protestations, Confessions, meetings, proceedings and mutual defences of every one another in this cause, as they are, and were in themselves most necessary, and orderly meanes agreeable to the lawes & practice of this Church and Kingdome, to be commended as reall duties of faithfull Christians, loyall Subjects, and sensible members of the body of the Church and Kingdome, and no wise to be stiled nor accounted great disorders, misdemeanours, blind disobedience under pretext of Religion, and running headlong into ruine, &c. So they proceeded only from conscience of our duty to God, Our King, native countrey, and our posterity, and doth tend to no other end, but to the preservation of the true reformed Religion, the confession of Faith, Lawes, and Liberties of this His Majesties most ancient Kingdome, and of His Majesties authority in defence thereof, and satisfaction of our humble desires, contained in our supplications, complaints and articles, unto the which we adhere againe and again, as we would eschew the curse of the Almighty God, following the breach of his Covenant: And yet we doe certainly expect, according to the Kings Majesty his accustomed goodnesse and justice, that his sacred Majestie after a true information of the justice of our cause and carriage, will presently indict these ordinary remedies of a free Assembly and Parliament, to our just supplications, complaints, and articles, which may be expected, and useth to be granted from so just and gracious a King, towards most loyall and dutifull subjects, calling for redresse of so pressing grievances, and praying heartily that His Majestie may long and prosperously reigne over us.
Whereupon a noble Earle John Earle of Cassles, &c. in name of the Noblemen, M. Alexander Gibson younger of Dury in name of the Barons, James Fletcher Provost of Dundy in name of the Burrowes, M. John Ker Minister at Salt-prestoun in name of the Ministers, and Master Archibald Johnston Reader hereof, in name of all who adheres to the Confession of Faith and Covenant lately renewed within this Kingdome, tooke Instruments in the hands of three Notars present, at the said mercat Crosse of Edinburgh, being invironed with great numbers of the foresaid Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Borrows, Ministers and Commons, before many hundred witnesses, and craved the extract thereof: And in token of their dutifull respect to his Majesty, confidence of the equity of their cause, and innocency of their carriage, and hope of his Majesties gracious acceptance, they offered in all humility, with submisse reverence, a copie thereof to the Herauld.
1638.—June 29. 48. Letter from the King to Hamilton.73
Hamilton,
Yours of the 24th (though it be long) requires but a short Answer, it being onely to have leave to come up, which is grounded upon so good reason, that I cannot but grant it. Some Considerations in the mean time I think fit to put to you; first, to take heed how you engage your self in the way of Mediation to me; for though I would not have you refuse to bring up to me any Demand of theirs to gain time, yet I would not have you promise to mediate for any thing that is against my Grounds; for if you do, I must either prejudice my self in the granting, or you in denying: then, I would have you take care, that no more Subscriptions be urged upon any, especially of Council or Session: lastly, that you leave such encouragement to these few, that have not yet forsaken my Cause, that they may be assured (as well as I) that your up-coming is neither to desert them nor it. And thus certainly if (as you write) you get the mutinous Multitude once dispersed, you will have done me very good Service; for I am confident that my Declaration published before your coming away, (according to the Alterations that I have given you leave to make) will give some stop to their Madnesses: however your endeavours have been such, that you shall be welcom to
Your assured constant Friend, Charles R.
Greenwich, 29 June, 1638.
1638.—June 29. 49. Letter from the Bishop of Ross to Hamilton.74
My Lord, may it please your Grace,
We are exceeding sorry to hear that the success of your Lordships Travels in this difficult Business, is otherwayes than good Christians and Subjects do wish, and heartily pray for; but on the other part, are glad to hear from our Friends there, that, whereof we were ever confident, that nothing is omitted by your Lordship to effectuate what is necessary for His Majesties Honour, and expedient for the good and quiet of that poor distracted and distempered Kingdom. For my own part give me leave, without either flattery or presumption, to say ingenuously, that the Course your Lordship keeps, seemeth to be such as all good and wise men must approve your Lordships wisdom and Loyalty. Infallibly the fruit will be, besides the Warrant your Lordship hath in your own Conscience by this Noble and Wise carriage, your Lordship must be more (if any accrewment can be to former Deserts) beloved of your Master: it will indear your Lordship more to all good, wise, and well-affected Patriots, and oblige all, especially honest Church-men, to be your Servants. It cannot seem strange to any wise heart, who looks on the Distemper of that Kingdom, wherein is the concourse of so many different and divers Distempers, where so many of all sorts of different Judgements, and no less variety of Affections, are so strongly engaged, and where many have their own private ends; that the best, wisest, and most powerful Agents, are not able on a sudden to rectifie their Judgements, cure their Affections, and by disappointing the private intentions of some to reduce all to Order, Peace, and Quiet. In any great Work of this strain, we must all rely somewhat more on the wise and gracious Providence of God, than in any other ordinary accidents: He is able to work good out of ill, light out of darkness, and order out of confusion, which I pray God heartily, we may see to His Glory, the Kings Honour, and Peace of the Church and State, without any other effect upon any author or abettor of these Disorders, but of Gods Mercy, and His Majesties Royal Clemency. In this I fear I have exceeded more, possibly, than becomes me with your Grace; but as I humbly beg pardon, so I trust your Lordships Goodness will easily pardon the expressions of a poor Heart surcharged with grief, not so much flowing from, or following the fear of any Personal or Private evil can befall it, as fearing the danger the Publick is in, because of our Sins, which are calling for Vengeance. God of his Mercy give us Repentance, and be merciful to that Church and State.
We can return nothing for your Lordships care and kindness to us but humble and hearty thanks, and earnestly pray God Almighty for all Honour, Wealth, and Happiness to your Lordship here and hence.
As your Lordship hath commanded us we shall go from hence, and where we pitch our abode, with the first opportunity shall acquaint your Lordship. We were advised by our best friends to doe so, before we received your Lordships; but that Obedience we owe, and promised to His Majesty and your Lordship, made us that we would not stir for any Advertisement or Advice, how necessary or affectionate soever, till we had your Lordships Warrant.
All that kind respect which is above our desert and condition, and tender care your Lordship hath expressed to us, for our safety, and that which your Lordship hath superadded out of your noble Bounty, desiring us to be so bold as to shew your Lordship what Money, or any thing else necessary we stand in need of, that your Lordship may supply our necessity in this, hath so perplexed us for a time, that we knew not what to choose; on the one part being ashamed to doe it, both because it seemeth impertinent, and incongruous to trouble one of your Lordships Honour, Place, and Imployment, with matters of this kind, and especially so unreasonably at such a time, when your Lordship is at such charge for the honour of His Majesties Service; as also that we are unprofitable, and cannot be useful to your Lordship in any kind, and so how should we to other troubles we make your Lordship, adde this to be chargeable: yet your Lordships noble and generous offer, and the necessity we are cast into at this present, that what is our own or due to us we cannot command, and know as little who will do us the favour at this time to trust us, hath made us (seeing Obedience is better than Sacrifice) to cast our selves upon your Lordships Bounty and Favour; fearing on the one part your Lordship may be offended if we doe it not, and on the other, that otherwise we cannot be provided: Therefore I humbly intreat your Lordship, to let me have with the Bearer a hundred and fifty Pieces, payable at Whitsunday next with the Interest, or Martinmas, as your Lordship pleases; for which your Lordship shall receive from the Bearer my own personal Bond. Here and at this time I cannot give better Security, but by Gods Grace your Lordship shall be in no danger, come the world as it will.
I have more than need to beg humble pardon for my unmannerly and impertinent importunities, in troubling your Lordship at this time, taken up with weighty Affairs, if it were but to read this long Paper; and that I offend no more in this kind, I shut up all with my hearty Prayers to God Almighty for all Honour and Happiness to your Lordship, and an effectual blessing upon your Travels. So wisheth he who shall be, whilest he lives,
Your Graces most humble and bounden Servant, Jo. Rossen.
Berwick, 29 June, 1638.
1638.—July 2. 50. Letter from the Privy Council to the King.75
Most Sacred Soveraigne,
The Marquesse of Hamiltoun, your Majesties Commissioner, having imparted unto us your Majesties gracious pleasure and allowance that the Judicatories of the Councell, of Session, and others, should be returned to the Citie of Edinburgh; Thereupon, the Lord Commissioner being present, order was given for publication at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh with all solemnities requisite; and that the like publication should be made throughout the whole Kingdome at all publike places: This hath given so great contentment to all your Majesties subjects, that we cannot expresse with what dutifull respect and heartie prayers for your Majestie they have embraced this great and undeserved favour: In consideration whereof wee conceive our selves bound in dutie to acquaint your Majestie herewith; and withall to render to your Majestie most humble and heartie thanks for this so great grace and goodnesse, which wee hope shall contribute to the good of your Majesties service, and to establishing the peace of the Countrie, for the which we all your Majesties good subjects shall ever bee most thankfull, and all in dutie bound to pray for your Majesties long and happy Reigne.
Holy-rood-house July 2. 1638.
Subscribitur
Traquaire Lauderdaile
Roxbrugh Kinoul
Mar Southesk
Morton Lorne
Winton Naper
Lithgow Dalyell
Wigtonne Ihay
Kingorne Ja: Carmithaell
Hadinton Thomas Hop
John Hammilton
1638.—July 3. 51. Speech by Commissioner to Court of Session.76
My Lordes,
I was varranted from his Maiestie to recall the Session againe to Edinbrughe; the cheiffe thing that moued him therto, was the sense of the maney incommodities wich his subiects in generall, and the Iudges in particular, did susteine by the remoueing of it; that his sacred Maiestie and Master had requyred him to desyre and command the Iudges to grant all reasonable dispatche to Maiesties subiects in the administratione of iustice, that so sometyme wich was lost, might be regained. Lykwayes, my Lordes, I must requyre you to be werey cairfull and circumspecte, that in thesse troubelsome tymes, no order nor decree may passe from you, wich may be præiudiciall to his Maiesties croune or seruice.
1638.—July 5. 52. Act anent the High Commission.77 At Halyrood-house, 5 July 1638.
The Lord Commissioner and Lords of Secret Councell having upon the 4 July instant, published his Majesties Declaration anent the seruice Book, Book of Canons, and High Commission: and being informed that His Majestes Declaration is not so clearly understood as is necessary for removing all scrouples which may arise to any of his Majestyes good subjects anent his Majesties declaration foresaid, declares that it is his Majesties gracious pleasure, likeas his Maᵗⁱᵉˢ Commissioner foresaid, and Lords of Secret Councel, abrogat and dischargis the said Service Book and Book of Canons, and inhibits all use and practice thereof, by whatsoever person or persons, of whatsoever quality, ecclesiastical or civil, within this Kingdom, anent the act of Councel made in the month of __________ 1636, and another made in the month __________ 1637, with the warrants whereupon the same proceeds, and proclamations following thereupon, anent the premises, or any part thereof, with all other warrants and proclamations made thereanent; and declares the same to be now and, in all time coming, null. And as far the High Commission, the Lord Commissioner and Lords of Secret Councel finds themselues warranted to discharge; likeas, by these presents, they do discharge all the practice and exercise whatsomever of the high commission past heretofore: and declares all his Majestie’s Lieges of whatsomever quality, free of all compearance before the Judges of the said high commission, and discharges the saids Judges of all proceeding agᵗ His Maᵗⁱᵉˢ subjects, by virtue thereof in time coming, till his Majesty so rectify the same as nothing therein shall impugn the Laws of this Kingdom, nor be a just grievance to his Majesty’s good subjects; and ordains proclamation to be made hereof at the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, and other places needful, wherethro’ none pretend ignorance of the same.
1638.—July 13. 53. Letter from Lord Rothes to Patrick Leslie, Aberdeen.78
Loving Cousin,
Because your town of Aberdeen is now the only Burgh in Scotland that hath not subscribed the Confession of Faith [Covenant,] and all the good they can obtain thereby is, that if we sail fairly, as there are very good conditions offered, they shall be under perpetual ignominy, and the Doctors that are unsound, punished by the Assembly; and if things go to extremity, because they refuse, and, in hopes of the Marquis Huntly’s help, the King will, perhaps, send in some ship or ships, and men there, as a sure place, and if that be good for the country, judge ye of it. It is but a fighting against the high God to resist this cause, and it is so far advanced already, that, on my honour, we could obtain with consent, 1. Bishops limited by all the strait caveats. 2. To be yearly censurable by Assemblies. 3. Articles of Perth discharged. 4. Entry of Ministers free. 5. Bishops and Doctors censured for bygone usurpation, either in teaching false doctrine, or oppressing their brethren. But God hath a great work to do here, as will be shortly seen, and men be judged by what is past. Do ye all the good ye can in that town, and in the country about—ye will not repent it—and attend my Lord Montrose, who is a noble and true-hearted cavalier. I remit to my brother, Arthur, to tell you how reasonable the Marquis Huntly was, being here away: he was but slighted by the Commissioner, and not of his privy Council. No further. I am your friend and cousin,
Rothes.
1638.—July 27. 54. Additional Instructions by the King to Hamilton.79
Charles R.
You shall try by all means to see if the Council will sign the Confession of Faith, established by Act of Parliament, with the new Bond joined thereto; but you are not publickly to put it to Voting, except you be sure to carry it, and thereafter that probably they will stand to it.
If the Council do sign it, though the Covenanters refuse, you shall proceed to the indicting of a free General Assembly; and though you cannot procure the Council to sign it, yet you are to proceed to the indicting thereof, if you find that no other Course can quiet business at this time.
You shall labour by all fair means that the sitting of the Assembly be not before the first of November, or longer if you can obtain it; for the place, We are pleased to leave it to your election; for the manner of indicting, you must be as cautious as you can, and strive to draw it as near as may be to the former Assemblies in my Fathers time.
You must labour that Bishops may have Votes in Assemblies, which if you cannot obtain, then you are to protest in their Favours in the most formal manner you can think of.
As for the Moderator in the Assembly, you are to labour that he may be a Bishop, which though you cannot obtain, yet you must give way to their Election.
You are to labour, that the Five Articles of Perth be held as indifferent; strive that the admissions of Ministers may continue as they are; you may condescend, that the Oaths of their Admission be no other than is warranted by Act of Parliament.
You are, if you find that it may in any wise conduce to Our Service, to enact and publish the Order made at Holyroodhouse by Our Council the fifth of July last, for discharging the use of the Service-Book, Book of Canons, and the practice of the High Commission.
You are to protest against the abolishing of Bishops, and to give way to as few restrictions of their power as you can; as for the Bishops not being capable of Civil Places, you must labour what you can to keep them free.
You may give way that they shall be accountable to the General Assembly, which you shall indict at the rising of this against that time twelve month.
As for the Bishops Precedence, you are not to admit them of the Assembly to meddle therewith, it being no point of religion, and totally in the Crown.
If the Bishop of St Andrews, or any other, be accused of any crime, you are to give way to it, so they may have a free Trial; and likewise the same of whatsoever person or Officer of State.
It is left to your discretion what course Bishops shall take, that are for the present out of the Country.
You are to advise the Bishops to forbear sitting at the Council, till better and more favourable times for them.
Notwithstanding all these Instructions above-mentioned, or any other accident that may happen (still labouring to keep up Our Honour so far as possibly you can) you are by no means to permit a present Rupture to happen, but to yield anything though unreasonable, rather than now to break.
C. R.
London the 27ᵗʰ July, 1638.
1638.—July 28. 55. His Majesties Ten Demands.80
1. That all Ministers deposed or suspended by the Presbyteries since the first of February last, without warrant of the Ordinarie, shall be restored to their owne places, till such time as they shall be legally convicted.
2. That all Moderators of Presbyteries, deposed since the foresaid day by the Presbyteries, without warrant of the Ordinarie, be restored, and all Moderatours, appointed by the said Presbyteries without warrant foresaid, to desist from executing the office of Moderator.
3. That all Ministers admitted by the Presbyteries since the foresaid day, without warrant from the Ordinarie, shall desist from exercising the function of their ministerie in that place to which they have beene so presented and admitted.
4. That all Parishioners shall frequent their owne Churches, and heare their owne Minister, and that the Elders assist the Minister in the Session, and other exercises of the discipline of the Church, as formerly they were used to do.
5. That all Bishops and Ministers, have their rents and stipends duly and thankfully paid them.
6. That all Ministers bee appointed presently to repaire to their own Churches, that none of them come to the Assemblie, or to the place where the same shall bee held, but such as shall bee chosen Commissioners from the Presbyteries.
7. That according to the Act of Assemblie 1606, Moderators of Presbyteries being found necessarie members of the Assemblie, every one of the said Moderators be appointed to bee Commisioner from that Presbyterie where he is Moderator.
8. That Bishops and other Ministers who shall attend the Assemblie, may be secured in their persons from all trouble and molestation.
9. That the Commissioners from Presbyteries, be chosen by the Ministers of that Presbyterie onely: And that no lay-person whatsoever, meddle in the choice, nor no Minister without his owne Presbyterie.
10. That all Convocations and meetings bee dissolved, and that everie man repaire to his owne house, and that the Countrey not onely be made peaceable, but also that all such Acts be forborne, as may make it appeare to be otherwayes.
And since his Majestie is still displeased with the Covenant, wisdome and our dutifull obedience to our Soveraigne require, that some such course should be taken, whereby his Majestie may receive satisfaction therein; and in the meane time, that there be no pressing, threatning, or perswading of men to subscribe the Covenant, nor no mention be made thereof any more in Pulpits.