A short relation of the state of the Kirk of Scotland since the reformation of religion, to the present time for information, and advertisement to our brethren in the Kirk of England, by an hearty well-wisher to both kingdomes.
         Warriston, Archibald Johnston, Lord, 1611-1663.
      
       
         
           1638
        
      
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         A11746
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         ESTC S116925
         99852140
         99852140
         17447
         
           
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             A short relation of the state of the Kirk of Scotland since the reformation of religion, to the present time for information, and advertisement to our brethren in the Kirk of England, by an hearty well-wisher to both kingdomes.
             Warriston, Archibald Johnston, Lord, 1611-1663.
          
           [24] p.
           
             Printed [by John Wreittoun?],
             [Edinburgh] :
             in the yeare of God, 1638.
          
           
             An hearty well-wisher to both kingdomes = Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston.
             Erroneously attributed to James Melville and to John Leslie, Earl of Rothes.
             Printer's name conjectured by STC.
             Signatures: A-C⁴.
             Running title reads: A short relation of the estate of the kirk of Scotland.
             The last leaf is blank.
             Reproduction of the original in the Union Theological Seminary (New York, N.Y.). Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church of Scotland -- History, (16th century) -- Early works to 1800.
           Church of Scotland -- History, (17th century) -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SHORT
           RELATION
           Of
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Kirk
           of
           SCOTLAND
           
             since
             the
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
          
           present
           time
           for
           information
           ,
           and
           
             advertisement
             to
             our
             Brethren
             in
             the
          
           Kirk
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           By
           an
           hearty
           Well-wisher
           to
           both
           
             KINGDOMES
             .
          
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           yeare
           of
           God
           ,
           1638.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           THE
           Kirk
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           after
           the
           reformation
           of
           Religion
           did
           by
           degrees
           attaine
           to
           as
           great
           perfection
           both
           in
           doctrine
           &
           discipline
           as
           any
           other
           reformed
           kirk
           in
           
             Europe
             .
          
           The
           soundnesse
           of
           Doctrine
           appeareth
           in
           her
           severall
           Confessions
           of
           Faith
           approven
           by
           all
           the
           best
           reformed
           Kirkes
           in
           forraine
           parts
           .
           But
           because
           puritie
           of
           Religion
           cannot
           bee
           long
           preserved
           without
           that
           platforme
           of
           Government
           ,
           which
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           hath
           laid
           foorth
           unto
           us
           ,
           her
           nationall
           assemblies
           laboured
           diligently
           many
           years
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           after
           many
           conferences
           ,
           and
           publick
           reasoning
           resolved
           upon
           these
           conclusions
           ,
           which
           are
           contained
           in
           the
           booke
           of
           Policie
           ,
           or
           second
           booke
           of
           Discipline
           .
           But
           shortly
           thus
           much
           for
           the
           present
           .
        
         
           Each
           Parish
           beeing
           provided
           of
           a
           Minister
           (
           who
           underwent
           tryalls
           before
           his
           admission
           to
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           behoved
           to
           be
           qualified
           both
           for
           life
           ,
           learning
           and
           skilfull
           government
           )
           was
           ruled
           by
           him
           and
           the
           Elders
           thereof
           ,
           beeing
           the
           men
           of
           best
           life
           &
           understanding
           in
           the
           said
           Parish
           .
           Twelve
           sixteene
           or
           twentie
           of
           these
           Kirks
           were
           conjoyned
           in
           a
           Pres-byterie
           or
           classicall
           meeting
           ,
           that
           did
           meete
           weekly
           and
           exercise
           their
           gifts
           by
           course
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           power
           of
           ordinary
           jurisdiction
           ,
           ordination
           ,
           suspension
           ,
           deprivation
           ,
           excommunication
           ,
           or
           direction
           to
           the
           parish
           Minister
           to
           excommunicat
           ,
           after
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           processe
           deduced
           by
           the
           particulare
           Eldership
           ,
           collation
           of
           benefices
           ,
           visitation
           of
           kirks
           within
           their
           bounds
           .
           The
           enormitie
           of
           Ministers
           either
           in
           life
           or
           doctrine
           were
           dela●ed
           ,
           either
           by
           some
           parochinar
           ,
           or
           neighbour
           Minister
           .
           Persons
           of
           whatsoever
           qualitie
           in
           the
           Co●gregations
           who
           would
           not
           obey
           their
           owne
           Ministers
           and
           Elders
           were
           censured
           :
           If
           verie
           great
           difficulties
           come
           before
           them
           ,
           or
           if
           the
           Pres-byterie
           had
           adoe
           with
           great
           parties
           ,
           
           who
           did
           withdraw
           any
           of
           their
           number
           ,
           in
           these
           &
           the
           like
           cases
           there
           was
           recourse
           had
           to
           the
           provincial
           Synods
           .
        
         
           The
           whole
           Pres-byterie
           of
           a
           shire
           or
           two
           mett
           twise
           a-yeare
           in
           their
           Synod
           ,
           tryed
           presbyteries
           ,
           and
           ordered
           what
           was
           disficle
           for
           the
           presbyteries
           ,
           or
           might
           concerne
           them
           al
           in
           common
           .
           If
           any
           difficultie
           come
           before
           them
           ,
           for
           which
           there
           was
           no
           kirk
           constitution
           ,
           they
           referred
           the
           same
           to
           the
           nationall
           Assembly
           ,
           which
           conveened
           once
           a
           yeere
           ,
           or
           oftner
           
             pro
             re
             nata
             .
          
           Where
           they
           gave
           their
           judgment
           in
           the
           case
           preponed
           ,
           and
           made
           some
           act
           &
           constitution
           for
           the
           like
           cases
           in
           time
           comming
           ,
           and
           other
           acts
           and
           constitutions
           needfull
           ,
           received
           appellations
           ,
           petititions
           ,
           grievances
           ,
           and
           appointed
           some
           to
           propone
           their
           owne
           grievances
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           King
           ,
           Counsellor
           Convention
           .
           This
           was
           the
           supreme
           and
           highest
           Kirk
           judicatorie
           ,
           to
           which
           was
           made
           the
           last
           appeale
           ,
           &
           which
           was
           composed
           of
           these
           members
           ,
           his
           Majesties
           self
           or
           a
           Commissionar
           representing
           him
           ,
           two
           or
           ,
           three
           Ministers
           chosen
           by
           each
           Presbitery
           ,
           one
           Gentleman
           an
           Elder
           within
           the
           bounds
           of
           a
           presbyterie
           ,
           A
           commissioner
           for
           each
           regall
           burgh
           ,
           and
           two
           for
           
             Edinburgh
             :
          
           some
           one
           of
           these
           Ministers
           was
           chosen
           to
           moderat
           ,
           or
           preside
           by
           the
           voices
           of
           the
           whole
           assembly
           .
           This
           supreme
           judicatorie
           so
           censured
           the
           omissions
           of
           the
           subordinat
           ,
           that
           no
           vice
           of
           any
           person
           whtasoever
           escaped
           censure
           ,
           no
           error
           could
           sooner
           set
           out
           its
           head
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           presently
           crushed
           by
           one
           of
           these
           ,
           as
           King
           
             IAMES
          
           confessed
           in
           diverse
           discourses
           ,
           and
           gave
           that
           reason
           why
           so
           few
           errours
           had
           appeared
           in
           the
           kirk
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           because
           they
           could
           not
           escape
           the
           censure
           of
           one
           of
           these
           Ecclesiasticall
           judicatories
           .
        
         
           This
           forme
           of
           government
           so
           comfortable
           to
           the
           religious
           ,
           and
           profitable
           to
           the
           kirke
           was
           insufferable
           to
           many
           of
           higher
           rank
           ,
           who
           did
           not
           think
           this
           yoke
           of
           Christ
           so
           easy
           as
           to
           enjoy
           their
           wished
           libertie
           without
           controulment
           ,
           which
           made
           a
           number
           of
           these
           ,
           with
           Courtiers
           ,
           and
           some
           
           of
           the
           Ministers
           who
           were
           more
           loose
           &
           worldly
           minded
           suggest
           unto
           King
           
             Iames
          
           of
           ever
           blessed
           memorie
           ,
           that
           He
           had
           not
           so
           much
           power
           in
           the
           kirk
           as
           in
           the
           commonwelth
           .
           because
           ,
           when
           any
           of
           these
           libertines
           committed
           any
           offence
           ,
           he
           could
           not
           save
           them
           from
           kirk
           censure
           ,
           although
           his
           Majestie
           had
           alwayes
           power
           to
           remit
           the
           civill
           censure
           &
           punishment
           .
           His
           Majestie
           beeing
           then
           hopefull
           of
           the
           kingdom
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           they
           added
           that
           reason
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           obtained
           the
           Kirke
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           to
           be
           governed
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           
             England
          
           was
           ,
           he
           would
           thereby
           endeare
           to
           himself
           the
           kirk
           men
           there
           ,
           who
           might
           otherwise
           suspect
           his
           affectiō
           to
           their
           state
           ,
           being
           acquainted
           with
           another
           forme
           of
           kirk
           government
           ,
           if
           he
           should
           not
           evidence
           it
           ,
           by
           labouring
           that
           change
           .
           And
           if
           he
           shuld
           eshablish
           the
           government
           of
           Bishops
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           he
           might
           bee
           as
           absolute
           in
           the
           kirk
           as
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
        
         
           Thus
           they
           kindled
           in
           his
           Majesties
           heart
           the
           des●e
           of
           an
           absolute
           power
           over
           the
           kirk
           ,
           beeing
           specially
           moved
           by
           their
           owne
           particular
           ends
           .
           Great
           men
           for
           obtaining
           erection
           of
           kirklands
           ,
           which
           then
           appertained
           to
           the
           Crowne
           ,
           in
           recompense
           from
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           for
           assisting
           the
           erection
           of
           Bishops
           in
           the
           kirk
           of
           
             Scotland
             .
          
           His
           Majestie
           being
           assured
           of
           the
           Bishops
           consent
           ,
           &
           of
           inferiour
           kirkmen
           ,
           in
           hope
           of
           suceeeding
           to
           the
           said
           Bishopricks
           ,
           and
           of
           both
           for
           vindicating
           themselves
           into
           a
           licentious
           liberty
           from
           under
           the
           awfull
           censure
           of
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           was
           so
           earnest
           on
           that
           designe
           ,
           that
           hee
           made
           it
           his
           most
           speciall
           indevour
           ,
           but
           suppressing
           ,
           the
           same
           withall
           ,
           that
           hee
           might
           obtine
           it
           the
           more
           easily
           .
        
         
           Where-unto
           hee
           attained
           by
           degrees
           ,
           which
           are
           heere
           set
           down
           shortly
           in
           some
           generall
           heads
           Wee
           refer
           the
           par●iculars
           to
           a
           more
           large
           information
           ,
           which
           shall
           contain
           the
           degrees
           ,
           course
           of
           defection
           ,
           &
           advancement
           of
           Hierar
           by
           in
           our
           kirk
           .
           First
           ,
           his
           Majestie
           Propounded
           the
           necesatie
           to
           have
           Ministers
           voters
           in
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
           kirk
           ,
           who
           sitting
           in
           Parliament
           might
           bee
           carefull
           ,
           that
           nothing
           were
           done
           in
           prejudice
           of
           the
           kirk
           ,
           and
           might
           carrie
           the
           desires
           of
           the
           whole
           Kirke
           to
           the
           Parliament
           for
           such
           things
           as
           were
           convenient
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           medling
           of
           Ministers
           in
           these
           civill
           imployments
           was
           extremely
           disliked
           ,
           &
           opposed
           by
           the
           most
           judicious
           in
           this
           Kirk
           .
           To
           make
           the
           Ministers
           voting
           in
           Parliament
           the
           more
           plausible
           ,
           and
           to
           move
           the
           more
           easie
           condiscendence
           therto
           ,
           they
           were
           tyed
           to
           such
           caveats
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           they
           should
           propone
           nothing
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           Convention
           or
           Counsell
           ,
           without
           expresse
           warrant
           from
           the
           kirk
           ,
           nor
           keep
           silence
           when
           any
           thing
           is
           proponed
           there
           to
           the
           prejudice
           of
           the
           Kirke
           :
           That
           they
           should
           give
           an
           account
           of
           their
           Commission
           after
           each
           Parliament
           to
           the
           next
           nationall
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           be
           subject
           either
           to
           their
           censure
           of
           deposition
           ,
           incase
           they
           did
           transgresse
           :
           To
           attend
           faithfully
           their
           particular
           flocks
           as
           Ministers
           ,
           in
           the
           administration
           of
           discipline
           ,
           collation
           of
           benefices
           ,
           or
           other
           points
           of
           ecclesiasticall
           government
           ,
           to
           usurpe
           or
           acclaime
           no
           jurisdiction
           over
           their
           brethren
           .
           A
           number
           of
           such
           caveats
           beeing
           agried
           upon
           in
           the
           assembly
           should
           have
           beene
           ratified
           in
           the
           next
           parliament
           .
           But
           these
           beeing
           suppressed
           ,
           there
           was
           insert
           in
           place
           there
           of
           a
           number
           of
           articles
           in
           favours
           of
           Bishops
           never
           mentioned
           nor
           agried
           upon
           in
           Assembly
           .
           These
           Ministers
           who
           would
           have
           entred
           the
           Parliament-house
           to
           discover
           that
           falshood
           ,
           and
           protest
           against
           it
           ,
           were
           holden
           out
           from
           protesting
           publickly
           ,
           but
           they
           delivered
           their
           protestati
           win
           write
           to
           the
           Estates
           severally
           .
        
         
           All
           this
           time
           these
           pretended
           prelats
           laboured
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           no
           generall
           Assembly
           at
           all
           to
           censure
           them
           for
           transgressing
           their
           cautions
           that
           they
           might
           the
           more
           boldly
           contraveene
           .
           And
           whereas
           in
           these
           generall
           assemblies
           before
           their
           dissolving
           the
           kings
           Majestie
           or
           his
           Commissioner
           beeing
           present
           did
           appoint
           the
           time
           and
           place
           of
           the
           
           next
           assemblie
           .
           His
           Majestiie
           beeing
           moved
           by
           these
           Kirkmen
           ,
           who
           could
           not
           endure
           the
           censure
           of
           generall
           Assemblyes
           ,
           by
           his
           owne
           warrant
           first
           shifted
           the
           time
           solemnely
           appointed
           by
           the
           last
           assembly
           to
           another
           time
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           no
           certaine
           time
           :
           which
           made
           some
           of
           the
           speciall
           and
           ablest
           Ministers
           to
           keepe
           the
           time
           last
           prescribed
           for
           preserving
           the
           Kirks
           right
           .
           These
           were
           conveened
           before
           the
           civill
           Iudge
           by
           commandement
           ,
           and
           sentenced
           with
           baniment
           although
           only
           the
           Assembly
           shuld
           have
           judged
           ,
           whether
           their
           meeting
           had
           beene
           a
           lawfull
           assembly
           or
           not
           :
           some
           others
           of
           these
           were
           for
           that
           same
           cause
           imprisoned
           .
           The
           Kirkmen
           presented
           to
           Bishoprickes
           were
           restored
           to
           their
           civill
           estate
           and
           dignitie
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           voyces
           beeing
           obtained
           by
           consenting
           to
           erections
           of
           sundry
           Abbacies
           ,
           and
           other
           corrupt
           meanes
           in
           the
           year
           .
           1606.
           
           Thereafter
           they
           began
           to
           encroach
           upon
           the
           kirk
           government
           .
           First
           they
           affected
           to
           be
           constant
           moderators
           ;
           &
           to
           the
           end
           they
           might
           effectuat
           this
           point
           the
           more
           easily
           ,
           they
           procured
           a
           meetting
           of
           Ministers
           at
           
             Linlithgow
          
           not
           long
           after
           ,
           while
           as
           their
           chiefest
           opposites
           in
           the
           Ministerie
           were
           either
           banished
           ,
           imprisoned
           ,
           confyned
           or
           drawne
           up
           to
           Court
           ,
           being
           sent
           for
           by
           his
           Majestie
           to
           give
           their
           advice
           or
           best
           overtures
           for
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Kirk
           as
           was
           pretended
           .
           That
           meetting
           consisted
           of
           such
           as
           were
           sent
           for
           by
           his
           Majesties
           missives
           without
           mention
           of
           any
           generall
           assemblies
           .
           At
           this
           meeting
           these
           who
           were
           styled
           Bishops
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           benefice
           were
           made
           constant
           Moderators
           of
           the
           Presbyteries
           ,
           where
           they
           were
           resident
           ,
           but
           were
           unwillingly
           admitted
           by
           the
           presbyteries
           .
           Yet
           this
           did
           not
           content
           them
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           accepted
           the
           power
           of
           the
           high
           Commission
           ,
           allowed
           them
           onely
           by
           his
           Majesties
           command
           ,
           and
           Lords
           of
           Counsell
           ,
           against
           the
           act
           of
           Parliament
           inhibiting
           any
           judicatories
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           should
           bee
           established
           by
           parliament
           .
        
         
         
           Thereafter
           they
           procured
           an
           Assembly
           to
           be
           holden
           at
           
             Glasgow
             ,
          
           consisting
           of
           such
           as
           were
           given
           in
           note
           to
           the
           presbiteries
           ,
           and
           corrupted
           by
           sowmes
           of
           money
           ,
           or
           hopes
           of
           preferment
           ,
           or
           awed
           with
           the
           terrour
           of
           the
           high
           Commission
           .
           At
           this
           pretended
           assembly
           some
           power
           in
           Presbyteries
           ,
           and
           moderation
           in
           provinciall
           Synods
           upon
           an
           assurance
           by
           word
           ,
           and
           an
           implicite
           condition
           in
           the
           Act
           it self
           for
           set
           or
           yeerely
           assemblyes
           ,
           was
           graunted
           to
           those
           who
           were
           styled
           vulgarlie
           Bishops
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           benefice
           .
           But
           the
           office
           of
           a
           Bishop
           was
           not
           re-established
           ,
           which
           before
           had
           beene
           damned
           by
           former
           Assemblies
           .
           Yet
           went
           some
           of
           them
           to
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           received
           consecration
           to
           the
           office
           of
           a
           Diocesian
           Bishop
           ,
           returned
           and
           consecrat
           their
           Fellowes
           deserted
           their
           flocks
           ,
           and
           governed
           as
           diocesian
           Bishops
           without
           respect
           to
           the
           limitations
           of
           the
           act
           of
           the
           pretended
           assembly
           .
           And
           this
           their
           usurpation
           they
           maintaine
           by
           the
           power
           and
           authoritie
           of
           the
           high
           Commission
           .
        
         
           Finding
           that
           yet
           they
           wanted
           meanes
           to
           make
           the
           people
           stumble
           ,
           &
           so
           to
           be
           brought
           under
           their
           censure
           ,
           a
           nationall
           assembly
           was
           called
           1618.
           
           Whereunto
           his
           Majesty
           invited
           by
           his
           letters
           above
           thirtie
           Noblemen
           &
           Gentlemen
           wanting
           Commissions
           ,
           who
           voted
           to
           the
           conclusions
           of
           that
           pretended
           assembly
           .
           Ministers
           were
           brought
           in
           from
           the
           streets
           ,
           and
           some
           were
           written
           for
           to
           assist
           (
           though
           never
           chosen
           for
           Commissioners
           )
           .
           These
           who
           had
           Commissions
           were
           neither
           suffered
           to
           reason
           ,
           nor
           vote
           freely
           .
           (
           There
           they
           concluded
           the
           five
           articles
           ,
           which
           had
           beene
           formerly
           condemned
           by
           our
           Kirk
           as
           superstitious
           )
           promising
           then
           to
           leave
           the
           practise
           of
           them
           arbitrarie
           .
           These
           they
           procured
           by
           the
           like
           indirect
           meanes
           to
           bee
           ratified
           in
           Parliament
           Anno
           1621.
           
           Against
           the
           which
           articles
           and
           ratification
           thereof
           in
           Parliament
           (
           without
           the
           desire
           and
           consent
           of
           the
           assemblyes
           had
           thereunto
           )
           the
           most
           religious
           and
           judicious
           
           of
           the
           Ministerie
           did
           solemnely
           protest
           in
           name
           of
           the
           reformed
           Kirk
           of
           
             SCOTLAND
             ,
          
           whereunto
           the
           most
           part
           of
           the
           particular
           Congregations
           have
           adhered
           ,
           and
           never
           practised
           these
           Articles
           .
           Notwithstanding
           heereof
           ,
           the
           Bishops
           did
           presse
           them
           violently
           ,
           and
           when
           any
           refused
           practise
           ,
           there
           was
           matter
           for
           their
           high
           Commission
           to
           worke
           on
           .
           This
           their
           usurpation
           even
           without
           any
           pretended
           warrant
           of
           corrupt
           assemblyes
           ;
           and
           their
           crueltie
           encreased
           .
           For
           they
           usurpe
           the
           moderation
           of
           general
           Assemblyes
           which
           are
           holden
           only
           at
           their
           pleasure
           ,
           at
           diocesian
           Synods
           they
           sit
           as
           Iudges
           rather
           than
           simple
           moderators
           .
           They
           ordaine
           Ministers
           not
           in
           the
           presence
           ,
           or
           with
           consent
           of
           the
           Congregation
           ,
           but
           in
           some
           remote
           place
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           without
           the
           presence
           of
           any
           Minister
           of
           the
           Presbyterie
           ,
           or
           bounds
           where
           the
           Minister
           is
           to
           serve
           .
           They
           give
           orders
           to
           sundrie
           without
           the
           charge
           of
           any
           flock
           ,
           they
           suspend
           and
           deprive
           Ministers
           usually
           for
           none
           conformitie
           ,
           not
           in
           Pres-byteries
           and
           in
           Synods
           ,
           where-unto
           they
           are
           tyed
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Court
           of
           high
           Commission
           ,
           wherein
           they
           fyne
           ,
           confyne
           ,
           or
           imprison
           Preachers
           or
           professors
           at
           their
           pleasure
           .
           They
           stay
           pres-byteries
           from
           proceeding
           to
           the
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           .
           They
           exact
           subscripiton
           from
           intrants
           to
           the
           Ministerie
           unto
           articles
           framed
           by
           themselves
           alanerly
           ,
           and
           debarre
           the
           best
           qualified
           for
           refusing
           to
           subscribe
           .
           It
           doth
           not
           content
           them
           to
           admit
           according
           to
           the
           oath
           contained
           in
           the
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           .
           They
           convocate
           Ministers
           to
           promiscuous
           meetinges
           ,
           and
           direct
           their
           mandates
           from
           these
           ,
           as
           from
           the
           representative
           Kirk
           of
           
             Scotland
             .
          
           They
           consecrate
           Bishops
           and
           ordaine
           Ministers
           according
           to
           a
           forme
           not
           allowed
           by
           this
           Kirk
           .
           They
           debarre
           persons
           presented
           by
           lawfull
           Patrons
           ,
           because
           they
           refuse
           to
           enter
           by
           the
           degree
           of
           a
           baptizing
           Deacon
           .
           They
           sit
           in
           Counsell
           ,
           Session
           ,
           and
           Exchequer
           ,
           contrare
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God
           
           and
           acts
           of
           the
           Kirk
           .
           They
           staye
           processe
           against
           
             Papists
             .
          
           They
           teach
           Popish
           and
           Arminian
           pointes
           of
           doctrine
           ,
           or
           preferre
           such
           as
           teach
           the
           like
           .
           They
           bring
           in
           practise
           of
           novations
           in
           the
           royall
           chappell
           ,
           not
           warranted
           so
           much
           as
           by
           any
           pretended
           acts
           of
           corrupt
           Assemblies
           .
           But
           to
           relate
           their
           particular
           insolencies
           and
           usurpations
           were
           fitter
           for
           a
           Volume
           than
           for
           this
           short
           information
           .
        
         
           And
           although
           at
           Conventions
           and
           Parliaments
           their
           oppressions
           were
           complained
           upon
           ,
           yet
           neither
           parliament
           ,
           Convention
           or
           Counsell
           ,
           would
           heare
           any
           plaint
           against
           them
           .
           By
           direction
           of
           his
           Majesties
           private
           letters
           the
           Counsell
           all
           wayes
           interposed
           their
           authoritie
           to
           all
           their
           sentences
           in
           the
           high
           Commission
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           craved
           ,
           and
           assisted
           them
           so
           far
           as
           lay
           in
           them
           ,
           which
           did
           increase
           their
           pride
           ,
           and
           encourage
           their
           undertaking
           all
           novelties
           ,
           which
           seemed
           good
           in
           their
           owne
           eyes
           .
           Thus
           thinking
           themselves
           by
           thirtie
           one
           yeares
           experience
           sufficiently
           persuaded
           of
           the
           passive
           disposition
           of
           the
           people
           to
           underly
           what
           they
           would
           impose
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           secret
           Counsells
           assistance
           ,
           they
           obtained
           his
           Majesties
           letters
           patents
           for
           an
           high
           Commission
           consisting
           of
           above
           an
           hundreth
           persons
           civill
           and
           ecclesiasticall
           promiscuously
           ,
           whereof
           the
           Bishop
           of
           any
           Diocie
           ,
           might
           assume
           any
           six
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           there
           judge
           any
           person
           of
           whatso-ever
           qualitie
           within
           ,
           or
           without
           his
           diocie
           ,
           whereas
           only
           before
           Arch-bishops
           might
           held
           Courtes
           of
           high
           Commission
           .
           Some
           of
           the
           Bishops
           began
           to
           put
           this
           new
           Commission
           in
           practise
           ,
           and
           and
           give
           it
           life
           and
           execution
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           yeare
           1636
           the
           Bishops
           framed
           a
           booke
           of
           Canons
           and
           constitutions
           for
           governing
           the
           kirke
           of
           Scotland
           .
           Which
           did
           quite
           subvert
           the
           order
           and
           forme
           of
           discipline
           established
           ,
           contained
           many
           errours
           ,
           and
           opened
           a
           doore
           for
           many
           moe
           both
           in
           doctrinall
           and
           disciplinarie
           points
           of
           Religion
           ,
           whensoever
           the
           Kings
           Majestie
           upon
           the
           Bishops
           
           recommendation
           would
           ordaine
           the
           same
           .
           In
           this
           booke
           it
           was
           ordained
           that
           there
           should
           bee
           no
           obloquie
           against
           these
           Canons
           ,
           or
           booke
           of
           Common
           prayer
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           bee
           set
           foorth
           ,
           notwithstanding
           such
           proceedings
           were
           illegall
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           yeare
           in
           Iunij
           1637
           the
           said
           Bishops
           caused
           print
           the
           booke
           of
           Common
           prayer
           ,
           compiled
           by
           them
           for
           the
           use
           of
           this
           Kirk
           ,
           which
           was
           appointed
           by
           his
           Majesties
           letter
           to
           bee
           received
           ,
           as
           the
           onlie
           forme
           of
           Gods
           publick
           worship
           ,
           where-unto
           all
           Subjects
           either
           civill
           or
           ecclesiasticall
           behoved
           to
           conforme
           themselves
           ,
           and
           the
           contraveeners
           to
           be
           condignly
           punished
           .
           By
           proclamation
           each
           Minister
           was
           enjoyned
           ,
           and
           some
           charged
           with
           letters
           of
           horning
           to
           buy
           two
           of
           them
           for
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Parish
           .
           Approbation
           from
           the
           Lords
           of
           Counsell
           was
           given
           to
           it
           ,
           when
           few
           but
           Bishops
           were
           present
           at
           Counsell
           .
        
         
           The
           Bishop
           of
           
             Edinburgh
          
           accompanied
           with
           two
           Arch
           bishops
           ,
           and
           sundrie
           other
           Bishops
           (
           notwithstanding
           the
           mislik
           Ministers
           and
           Professours
           had
           for
           the
           manner
           of
           introduction
           &
           corruptions
           of
           the
           same
           )
           began
           the
           use
           of
           it
           in
           the
           cheife
           Kirk
           of
           
             Edinburgh
             ,
          
           upon
           the
           23
           Iulij
           .
           1637.
           
           The
           people
           much
           discontented
           with
           the
           former
           novations
           ,
           could
           not
           endure
           so
           great
           and
           sudden
           alteration
           ,
           as
           imported
           a
           change
           both
           of
           the
           externall
           forme
           ,
           and
           nature
           of
           the
           former
           publick
           worship
           ,
           did
           the
           most
           part
           of
           them
           all
           at
           one
           instant
           rise
           &
           hinder
           the
           new
           service
           ,
           calling
           it
           superstitious
           or
           idolatrous
           .
           The
           same
           was
           also
           stopped
           in
           another
           Kirk
           of
           
             Edinburgh
             ,
          
           where
           it
           was
           to
           bee
           read
           by
           the
           Bishop
           of
           
             Argyle
             .
          
           Notwithstanding
           heereof
           they
           procured
           by
           act
           of
           Counsell
           ,
           the
           paine
           of
           death
           without
           all
           favour
           and
           mercie
           to
           bee
           denounced
           against
           all
           those
           who
           should
           any
           wayes
           raile
           or
           speake
           against
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           the
           inferiour
           cleargie
           ,
           or
           against
           the
           Service
           booke
           .
           They
           discharged
           the
           Ministers
           and
           Readers
           in
           
             Edinburgh
             ,
          
           (
           who
           
           refused
           the
           Booke
           ,
           )
           there
           wonted
           service
           ,
           and
           interdited
           the
           publicke
           Evening
           and
           Morning
           prayer
           ,
           reding
           of
           Scriptures
           ,
           singing
           of
           Psalmes
           ,
           for
           a
           long
           time
           ,
           and
           still
           pressing
           the
           buying
           and
           practising
           of
           the
           said
           Booke
           by
           all
           Ministers
           .
           Which
           moved
           the
           Ministers
           first
           to
           petition
           ,
           and
           next
           manie
           of
           the
           Nobilitie
           ,
           Gentrie
           ,
           Burgesses
           ,
           and
           Ministers
           to
           meete
           ,
           and
           to
           supplicate
           the
           Lordes
           of
           privie
           Counsell
           against
           the
           saids
           books
           of
           Canons
           and
           Common
           prayers
           against
           the
           illegall
           and
           unorderlie
           waye
           of
           introducing
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           The
           generall
           Supplication
           sent
           to
           His
           Majestie
           by
           the
           Duke
           of
           
             Lennox
             ,
          
           (
           who
           was
           then
           returning
           to
           
             England
          
           from
           the
           buriall
           of
           his
           Mother
           in
           September
           ,
           1937.
           )
           was
           answered
           in
           October
           only
           by
           a
           Proclamation
           ,
           discharging
           the
           Counsell
           to
           meddle
           in
           Kirk
           matters
           ,
           and
           charging
           all
           the
           Supplicants
           to
           depart
           out
           of
           the
           Town
           within
           twentie
           foure
           houres
           ,
           under
           the
           paine
           of
           rebellion
           ,
           as
           also
           the
           Iudicatories
           of
           Counsell
           ,
           and
           Session
           to
           remove
           ,
           but
           no
           wayes
           answering
           the
           petitions
           ,
           which
           the
           Supplicants
           did
           patiently
           expect
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           matter
           concerned
           the
           service
           of
           God.
           The
           Supplicants
           gave
           in
           then
           a
           Complaint
           against
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           offering
           to
           prove
           these
           bookes
           contained
           the
           seedes
           of
           Superstition
           and
           Idolatrie
           &c.
           and
           craved
           justice
           upon
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           as
           authors
           thereof
           ,
           and
           guiltie
           of
           lies
           ,
           betwixt
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           crimes
           censurable
           by
           Law.
           
        
         
           The
           affection
           of
           people
           drawing
           so
           many
           together
           to
           waite
           for
           the
           answere
           to
           their
           Supplications
           gave
           offence
           to
           the
           Lords
           of
           Counsell
           ,
           whereupon
           the
           Supplicants
           for
           giving
           them
           satisfaction
           ,
           did
           with
           their
           consent
           choose
           but
           a
           few
           of
           their
           number
           to
           attend
           the
           same
           ,
           who
           after
           long
           expectation
           ,
           were
           answered
           only
           by
           a
           Proclamation
           upon
           the
           seventh
           of
           December
           ,
           declaring
           his
           Majestie
           not
           to
           be
           inclined
           to
           Popery
           ,
           which
           the
           Supplicants
           did
           not
           alledge
           .
           
           They
           beeing
           then
           earnestly
           required
           ,
           by
           such
           as
           had
           power
           from
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           to
           divide
           the
           supplications
           severally
           by
           shires
           ,
           to
           restraine
           them
           only
           to
           the
           bookes
           of
           Canons
           and
           Common
           prayer
           ,
           and
           to
           passe
           from
           the
           high
           Commission
           and
           the
           pursuite
           of
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           the
           supplicants
           gave
           sundrie
           reasons
           ,
           why
           they
           could
           not
           doe
           so
           ,
           shewing
           also
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Bishops
           keeped
           their
           boundlesse
           usurped
           power
           ,
           they
           could
           soone
           frame
           and
           bring
           in
           the
           like
           bookes
           within
           a
           short
           space
           ,
           and
           offered
           to
           prove
           they
           had
           all
           deserved
           exemplare
           punishment
           by
           their
           usurpation
           against
           Law
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           heavie
           tyranny
           unlawfully
           exerced
           on
           the
           Subjects
           for
           many
           yeares
           .
        
         
           All
           this
           time
           the
           Supplicants
           could
           obtaine
           no
           answere
           to
           the
           supplications
           sent
           to
           His
           Majestie
           ,
           nor
           move
           the
           Counsell
           to
           receive
           them
           ,
           and
           recommend
           them
           to
           His
           Majestie
           not
           for
           the
           space
           of
           a
           whole
           Moneth
           ,
           although
           they
           continually
           attended
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           ready
           to
           make
           protestation
           against
           the
           Counsell
           for
           not
           hearing
           them
           in
           so
           important
           a
           businesse
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           the
           twentie
           one
           daye
           of
           December
           ,
           1637.
           the
           Counsell
           '
           received
           the
           generall
           Supplication
           ,
           and
           sent
           it
           to
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           at
           which
           time
           the
           Supplicants
           declined
           the
           Bishops
           from
           being
           their
           Iudges
           ,
           as
           beeing
           now
           their
           parties
           .
           The
           answere
           to
           the
           particulare
           and
           generall
           Supplications
           was
           returned
           by
           a
           Proclamation
           made
           in
           Februarie
           ,
           1638.
           
           Whereby
           his
           Majestie
           had
           declared
           hee
           had
           ordained
           the
           booke
           of
           Common
           prayer
           to
           bee
           compyled
           ,
           that
           hee
           had
           approved
           the
           same
           as
           a
           ready
           meane
           to
           maintaine
           the
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           beate
           out
           all
           Superstition
           and
           Idolatrie
           ,
           and
           doubted
           not
           to
           satisfie
           the
           minds
           of
           all
           the
           Subjects
           .
           Heere-with
           charged
           them
           all
           to
           depart
           from
           these
           Townes
           where
           the
           Counsell
           or
           Session
           should
           sit
           ,
           and
           to
           abstaine
           from
           all
           meetings
           any
           where
           under
           the
           paine
           of
           Treason
           .
           A
           verie
           great
           number
           of
           the
           Nobilitie
           and
           Gentrie
           ,
           
           made
           a
           proestation
           on
           the
           mercat
           Crosse
           of
           
             Edinburgh
          
           immediatly
           after
           the
           Proclamation
           was
           red
           ,
           against
           the
           bookes
           of
           Canons
           ,
           and
           Common
           prayer
           ,
           high
           Commission
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Novations
           introduced
           in
           the
           Kirke
           against
           or
           without
           the
           Word
           of
           GOD
           and
           lawes
           of
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           Bishops
           as
           their
           parties
           ,
           &
           that
           in
           no
           judicatorie
           they
           should
           sit
           as
           their
           Iudges
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           tryed
           by
           Law.
           That
           their
           whole
           meetings
           were
           lawfull
           &
           necessare
           ,
           &
           that
           they
           might
           have
           their
           recourse
           to
           his
           Majestie
           .
           The
           Supplicants
           were
           then
           forced
           to
           forbeare
           any
           futher
           dealing
           with
           the
           Counsell
           ,
           because
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           and
           Nations
           they
           would
           not
           admit
           their
           declinatour
           against
           the
           Bishops
           their
           parties
           from
           sitting
           as
           their
           Iudges
           ,
           whereas
           they
           offered
           under
           the
           paine
           of
           their
           lives
           ,
           to
           prove
           many
           haynous
           crymes
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           were
           palpable
           to
           the
           World.
           as
           their
           introduction
           of
           Poperie
           ,
           and
           Arminianisme
           ,
           &
           their
           many
           publick
           transgressions
           against
           Law.
           
        
         
           The
           whole
           Nobilitie
           ,
           Gentrie
           ,
           Burrowes
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           Commons
           ,
           who
           had
           now
           so
           often
           supplicat
           ,
           and
           so
           long
           attended
           ,
           were
           cast
           into
           great
           difficulties
           considering
           their
           Religion
           so
           well
           warranted
           by
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           and
           established
           by
           the
           lawes
           of
           the
           Kirke
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           was
           now
           begunne
           to
           bee
           changed
           ,
           both
           in
           doctrine
           and
           discipline
           ,
           at
           the
           pleasure
           of
           the
           fourteene
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           the
           liberties
           of
           the
           Countrie
           like
           to
           bee
           infringed
           by
           their
           usurpation
           ,
           and
           that
           having
           complained
           often
           upon
           them
           to
           his
           Majestie
           by
           his
           Counsell
           ,
           were
           answered
           by
           the
           former
           declaration
           approving
           these
           Popish
           bookes
           ,
           their
           wicked
           &
           unlawfull
           proceedings
           ,
           and
           condemning
           the
           Supplicants
           lawfull
           and
           peaceable
           meetings
           ,
           and
           humble
           waye
           of
           supplicating
           ,
           as
           prejudiciall
           to
           regall
           authoritie
           ,
           prohibiting
           also
           their
           necessar
           meetings
           in
           time
           comming
           ,
           All
           these
           did
           move
           the
           Supplicants
           ,
           to
           bethinke
           the
           renewing
           
           of
           the
           nationall
           Covenant
           of
           this
           Kirke
           &
           Kingdom
           ,
           (
           the
           breach
           whereof
           hath
           beene
           a
           speciall
           cause
           to
           bring
           these
           evills
           upon
           them
           )
           to
           bee
           a
           good
           meane
           for
           obtaining
           the
           Lords
           wonted
           favour
           ,
           having
           many
           examples
           in
           holy
           Scripture
           that
           the
           people
           of
           GOD
           have
           happily
           renewed
           their
           Covenant
           with
           GOD.
           
        
         
           This
           their
           Covenant
           containeth
           nothing
           in
           substance
           but
           that
           which
           is
           contained
           in
           the
           Confession
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           generall
           band
           formerly
           made
           for
           maintenance
           of
           Religion
           ,
           &
           acts
           of
           Parliament
           made
           at
           sundie
           times
           .
           The
           Confession
           of
           Faith
           was
           approved
           by
           diverse
           Acts
           of
           secreet
           Counsell
           ,
           and
           generall
           Assemblbes
           .
           It
           was
           first
           subscribed
           by
           King
           IAMES
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           whole
           House-hold
           ,
           after
           by
           all
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           commanded
           by
           publick
           Proclamation
           to
           subscribe
           .
           Subscription
           to
           this
           Confession
           hath
           beene
           in
           continuall
           practise
           ,
           when
           any
           persons
           suspect
           of
           Papistrie
           were
           to
           be
           tryed
           ,
           &
           likewise
           masters
           of
           Schooles
           &
           Colledges
           were
           ordained
           by
           act
           of
           Assemblye
           to
           cause
           their
           Schollers
           subscribe
           when
           they
           were
           to
           passe
           their
           degrees
           ,
           which
           hath
           beene
           observed
           to
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           The
           practise
           of
           subscribing
           beeing
           in
           continuall
           use
           to
           this
           time
           was
           a
           sufficient
           warrant
           for
           the
           Supplicants
           to
           subscribe
           the
           same
           for
           manifesting
           their
           affection
           to
           GODS
           trueth
           ,
           and
           holding
           out
           all
           Popish
           superstition
           .
           To
           the
           said
           Confession
           are
           subjoyned
           such
           acts
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           ratified
           the
           heads
           thereof
           ,
           and
           were
           made
           in
           favours
           of
           Religion
           professed
           in
           the
           same
           ,
           Together
           with
           a
           part
           of
           the
           generall
           band
           formerly
           made
           and
           subscribed
           by
           authoritie
           of
           King
           
             Iames
             ,
          
           and
           his
           Counsell
           ,
           binding
           all
           the
           Subjects
           to
           the
           defence
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           his
           Majesties
           person
           ,
           and
           each
           to
           other
           in
           these
           two
           causes
           .
           The
           Supplicants
           bind
           themselves
           to
           forbeare
           all
           approbation
           or
           practise
           of
           corruptions
           and
           innovations
           brought
           in
           this
           Kirk
           ,
           till
           the
           forme
           of
           their
           entry
           their
           lawfulnes
           ,
           or
           expediencie
           be
           tryed
           in
           a
           free
           
           generall
           Assemblye
           ,
           and
           to
           labour
           by
           all
           meanes
           lawfull
           to
           recover
           the
           puritie
           and
           libertie
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           professed
           and
           established
           before
           the
           entrie
           of
           the
           said
           Novations
           .
           But
           withall
           they
           declare
           that
           the
           novations
           and
           evills
           contained
           in
           their
           Supplications
           ,
           complaints
           &
           protestations
           ,
           have
           no
           warrant
           in
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           contrare
           to
           the
           articles
           of
           the
           forsaid
           confession
           ,
           &
           acts
           of
           Parliament
           .
           They
           promise
           to
           forbeare
           the
           practise
           and
           approbation
           of
           novations
           already
           entred
           ,
           till
           a
           free
           assembly
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           never
           condiscended
           upon
           ,
           but
           in
           pretended
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           upon
           conditions
           which
           have
           not
           beene
           observed
           ,
           besides
           that
           protestations
           have
           beene
           made
           contrare
           to
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           This
           Covenant
           was
           subscribed
           by
           many
           thousands
           in
           Februarie
           last
           ,
           yea
           ,
           in
           a
           very
           short
           time
           ,
           by
           almost
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           .
           It
           was
           publickly
           read
           and
           sworne
           in
           most
           Kirks
           with
           great
           motion
           ,
           prayers
           ,
           and
           teares
           ,
           all
           professing
           repentance
           for
           their
           sinnes
           ,
           specially
           for
           their
           breach
           of
           Covenant
           to
           God
           in
           suffering
           the
           puritie
           of
           his
           worship
           to
           bee
           thus
           tainted
           .
           The
           desire
           of
           true
           knowledge
           wrought
           by
           it
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           people
           may
           approve
           it
           to
           bee
           a
           speciall
           meane
           appointed
           by
           God
           for
           reclaiming
           this
           Nation
           to
           himself
           .
        
         
           The
           supplicants
           having
           now
           both
           by
           oath
           &
           subscription
           manifested
           their
           desires
           to
           be
           religious
           ,
           &
           their
           hearts
           loyall
           and
           faithfull
           to
           their
           Prince
           ,
           beeing
           now
           barred
           from
           dealing
           with
           the
           privy
           Counsell
           ,
           who
           admitted
           the
           Bishops
           to
           sit
           as
           Iudges
           in
           the
           cause
           ,
           after
           the
           Supplicants
           had
           declined
           them
           as
           parties
           ,
           and
           beeing
           desirous
           his
           Majestie
           should
           bee
           rightly
           informed
           ,
           that
           hee
           might
           give
           a
           gratious
           answer
           ,
           they
           thought
           it
           expedient
           to
           write
           to
           the
           Duke
           of
           
             Lennox
             ,
          
           Marquesse
           of
           
             Hamiltoun
             ,
          
           Earle
           of
           
             Mortoun
             ,
          
           as
           speciall
           members
           of
           this
           state
           ,
           because
           they
           had
           neere
           accesse
           to
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           not
           doubting
           that
           they
           could
           not
           but
           
           bee
           very
           sensible
           of
           these
           evills
           complained
           upon
           ,
           desired
           them
           to
           learne
           from
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           if
           hee
           would
           bee
           pleased
           to
           receive
           a
           new
           petition
           from
           the
           Supplicants
           immediatly
           or
           if
           they
           should
           make
           their
           desires
           knowne
           to
           his
           Majesty
           by
           their
           Lordships
           .
           This
           supplication
           was
           sent
           to
           have
           been
           delivered
           if
           his
           Majestie
           would
           have
           received
           it
           ,
           and
           also
           some
           articles
           containing
           their
           just
           desires
           for
           their
           Lordships
           information
           .
           His
           Majestie
           was
           not
           willing
           to
           receive
           the
           supplication
           ,
           but
           perusing
           the
           articles
           did
           remit
           his
           gratious
           answere
           to
           bee
           delivered
           by
           the
           Marquesse
           of
           
             Hamiltoun
             ,
          
           who
           was
           to
           bee
           sent
           as
           his
           Majesties
           Commissioner
           ,
           with
           instructions
           and
           power
           for
           settling
           the
           peace
           of
           this
           kingdome
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           the
           thirtie
           day
           of
           May
           a
           ship
           arrived
           at
           the
           road
           of
           
             Leith
             ,
          
           carrying
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           munition
           ,
           as
           Cannon
           ,
           powder
           ,
           with
           Cannon
           ball
           ,
           musquets
           ,
           Pikes
           ,
           and
           match
           for
           the
           Castle
           of
           
             Edinburgh
             ,
          
           foretold
           &
           threatned
           by
           the
           Bishop
           of
           S.
           
             Andrewes
             ,
          
           and
           his
           followers
           ,
           who
           affirmed
           the
           providing
           that
           Castle
           ,
           and
           fortifieng
           the
           towne
           of
           
             Leith
             ,
          
           to
           bee
           the
           onely
           meane
           to
           beate
           down
           
             Edinburgh
             ,
          
           and
           force
           them
           to
           undergoe
           any
           thing
           should
           bee
           injoyned
           ,
           as
           also
           to
           hold
           the
           supplicants
           out
           of
           it
           &c.
           
           Upon
           suspition
           that
           the
           putting
           of
           this
           munition
           in
           the
           Castle
           would
           be
           stayed
           ,
           the
           Lord
           Thesaurer
           did
           convey
           it
           quyetly
           to
           
             Mussilburgh
          
           harberie
           and
           from
           thence
           to
           
             Dalkeith
             .
          
           The
           people
           remembering
           the
           threatnings
           preceeding
           ,
           and
           considering
           that
           such
           provision
           had
           not
           beene
           made
           for
           these
           places
           these
           thirtie
           yeares
           by
           past
           ,
           began
           to
           suspect
           danger
           The
           Supplicants
           suspecting
           that
           the
           same
           would
           bee
           imployed
           against
           the
           bodie
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           who
           were
           ayming
           at
           no
           thing
           but
           the
           preservation
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Subjects
           libertie
           ,
           resolved
           without
           giving
           offence
           ,
           to
           keepe
           a
           watch
           lest
           any
           of
           that
           provision
           should
           bee
           conveyed
           into
           these
           places
           against
           the
           wonted
           custome
           :
           For
           these
           are
           the
           greatest
           
           forts
           in
           the
           Countrie
           appointed
           for
           her
           sastetie
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           her
           hurt
           .
        
         
           The
           Marquesse
           of
           
             Hamilton
          
           being
           appointed
           his
           Majesties
           Commissioner
           did
           send
           a
           number
           of
           missives
           to
           his
           friends
           ,
           followers
           &
           acquaintance
           in
           
             Scotland
          
           from
           Court
           ,
           to
           meet
           him
           at
           
             Haddingtoun
             ,
          
           and
           
             Dalkeith
             ,
          
           the
           fifth
           day
           of
           Iunij
           .
           Where-upon
           the
           Papists
           applauding
           to
           the
           Service
           booke
           ,
           bragged
           that
           they
           with
           some
           neutralls
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           were
           indifferent
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           would
           assist
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           &
           used
           all
           their
           meanes
           to
           conveene
           the
           greatest
           numbers
           they
           could
           .
        
         
           The
           Supplicants
           moved
           with
           the
           provision
           intended
           for
           the
           Castle
           ,
           and
           these
           frequent
           meetings
           of
           Papists
           &
           neutrals
           ,
           resolved
           not
           to
           joyne
           with
           them
           at
           their
           meeting
           with
           the
           Commissioner
           ,
           because
           they
           would
           impudently
           ascribe
           the
           most
           part
           of
           these
           whom
           hee
           had
           required
           ,
           to
           themselves
           and
           these
           neutralls
           ,
           for
           these
           and
           some
           other
           important
           reasons
           ,
           the
           Supplicants
           resolved
           to
           send
           out
           some
           few
           of
           their
           number
           to
           make
           their
           excuse
           to
           my
           Lord
           Commissioner
           .
           The
           Supplicants
           together
           &
           the
           Towne
           of
           
             Edinburgh
          
           apart
           by
           their
           request
           procured
           his
           comming
           to
           
             Haly-rood-house
          
           as
           the
           most
           convenient
           place
           for
           their
           attendance
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           the
           seventh
           of
           Iunij
           at
           his
           entrie
           hee
           was
           attended
           by
           a
           great
           number
           of
           the
           Supplicants
           on
           horse
           ,
           meeting
           him
           three
           myles
           from
           
             Haly-rood-house
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           way
           betwixt
           by
           many
           thousands
           on
           foot
           ,
           amongst
           the
           which
           were
           six
           or
           seven
           hundreth
           of
           the
           Ministerie
           .
           In
           hope
           that
           the
           Commissioner
           would
           not
           offer
           to
           furnish
           the
           Castle
           with
           munition
           during
           the
           treatie
           ,
           the
           numbers
           appointed
           for
           watching
           were
           diminished
           even
           before
           his
           entrie
           .
        
         
           The
           Supplicants
           renewed
           their
           former
           desires
           of
           a
           generall
           Assembly
           and
           Parliament
           to
           the
           Commissioner
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           meane
           to
           redresse
           the
           evills
           complained
           upon
           .
           He
           acknowledged
           himselfe
           unable
           to
           grant
           either
           ,
           till
           first
           the
           
           Countrie
           were
           in
           a
           peaceable
           condition
           ,
           &
           till
           they
           should
           first
           rescind
           and
           render
           their
           subscribed
           Covenants
           to
           his
           Majestie
           .
           To
           the
           first
           it
           was
           answered
           ,
           the
           Cuntrie
           was
           not
           unpeaceable
           ,
           there
           was
           many
           humble
           supplications
           desiring
           remedie
           of
           these
           pressing
           grievances
           ,
           the
           Supplicants
           could
           not
           be
           moved
           to
           stay
           from
           meeting
           ,
           and
           supplicating
           till
           they
           should
           receive
           a
           gratious
           answere
           ,
           and
           the
           onely
           meane
           to
           content
           them
           was
           the
           granting
           of
           a
           free
           generall
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           for
           the
           second
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           draw
           on
           themselves
           the
           guilt
           of
           perjurie
           before
           God
           ,
           &
           gave
           the
           Commissioner
           sufficient
           reasons
           of
           their
           refusall
           ,
           which
           are
           extant
           in
           print
           .
        
         
           The
           Commissioner
           excepted
           against
           that
           clause
           in
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           bearing
           mutuall
           defence
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Supplicants
           had
           combyned
           themselves
           to
           maintaine
           each
           other
           in
           their
           owne
           private
           quarrells
           ,
           howbeeit
           the
           clause
           bee
           cleare
           eneugh
           of
           itself
           ,
           yet
           for
           his
           Majesties
           satisfaction
           they
           gave
           in
           a
           Supplication
           to
           the
           Commissioner
           ,
           wherein
           they
           declared
           their
           mutuall
           defence
           of
           each
           other
           ,
           was
           only
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           of
           the
           lawes
           and
           liberties
           of
           this
           Kirk
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Majesties
           person
           ,
           and
           autoritie
           in
           preservation
           thereof
           ,
           where-with
           his
           Grace
           acquiesed
           .
        
         
           The
           Commissioner
           professing
           ,
           that
           all
           his
           instructions
           did
           runne
           on
           the
           hope
           of
           having
           the
           Covenant
           surrendred
           ,
           and
           this
           failing
           ,
           hee
           could
           doe
           no
           more
           but
           returne
           ,
           and
           deale
           with
           his
           Majesty
           for
           obtaining
           a
           free
           generall
           Assembly
           and
           Parliament
           .
           Withall
           did
           shew
           that
           before
           his
           parting
           hee
           behoved
           to
           publish
           his
           Majesties
           gratious
           declaration
           ,
           and
           so
           first
           made
           that
           proclamation
           of
           returning
           the
           Counsell
           ,
           and
           Session
           to
           
             Edinburgh
          
           to
           make
           a
           faire
           way
           for
           the
           other
           ,
           professing
           also
           ,
           that
           the
           other
           should
           bee
           full
           of
           goodnesse
           ,
           promising
           only
           a
           generall
           Assembly
           and
           parliament
           ,
           and
           discharging
           all
           novations
           introduced
           .
           Where
           
           upon
           a
           protestation
           was
           provided
           only
           to
           give
           thanks
           to
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           and
           to
           protest
           that
           some
           short
           and
           convenient
           time
           might
           bee
           appointed
           for
           holding
           the
           Assemblye
           and
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Supplicants
           attending
           the
           publishing
           of
           this
           faire
           and
           smooth
           declaration
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           proclaimed
           upon
           the
           fourth
           of
           Iulij
           they
           found
           it
           so
           grievous
           ,
           as
           it
           necessitat
           the
           Supplicants
           to
           make
           that
           protestation
           ,
           which
           is
           extant
           in
           print
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           Supplicants
           were
           grieved
           at
           the
           Proclamation
           ,
           so
           their
           griefe
           was
           augmented
           when
           they
           heard
           that
           the
           Lordes
           of
           Counsell
           had
           approved
           the
           Proclamation
           by
           a
           particular
           Act.
           For
           the
           Counsell
           had
           approved
           that
           proclamation
           as
           satisfactorie
           ,
           and
           so
           full
           of
           grace
           and
           goodnesse
           ,
           so
           that
           it
           might
           satisfie
           all
           men
           .
           Whereas
           it
           gave
           saisfaction
           to
           none
           of
           the
           Supplicants
           desires
           ,
           and
           did
           condemne
           their
           lawfull
           meetings
           .
           Therefore
           they
           prepared
           a
           supplication
           for
           the
           Commissioner
           ,
           which
           did
           bear
           their
           just
           exceptions
           at
           the
           Proclamation
           ,
           and
           farre
           more
           against
           the
           Counsells
           act
           of
           approbation
           .
           But
           the
           Counsell
           considering
           better
           of
           their
           Act
           ,
           did
           teare
           it
           after
           it
           was
           subscribed
           ,
           and
           before
           it
           was
           put
           upon
           record
           .
           The
           next
           day
           the
           Commissioner
           was
           supplicated
           and
           earnestly
           desired
           to
           make
           some
           act
           to
           cleare
           ,
           that
           the
           Counsells
           subscribing
           of
           the
           Kings
           Majesties
           declaration
           was
           no
           approbation
           thereof
           from
           them
           ,
           but
           only
           a
           warrant
           for
           the
           Clerke
           to
           cause
           proclaime
           it
           .
           The
           Commissioner
           and
           most
           of
           the
           Counsellers
           declared
           the
           same
           solemnely
           by
           their
           oaths
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Supplicants
           acquiesced
           .
           My
           Lord
           Commissioner
           promised
           to
           recomend
           their
           desires
           earnestly
           to
           his
           Majestie
           ,
           and
           returne
           at
           the
           fifth
           of
           August
           next
           ,
           or
           before
           the
           twelft
           at
           the
           furthest
           .
        
         
           The
           Commissioner
           reported
           that
           it
           was
           written
           from
           
             England
             ,
          
           that
           these
           of
           this
           Nation
           were
           comming
           with
           
           armes
           towards
           them
           .
           The
           Supplicants
           protested
           bef●re
           God
           ,
           it
           never
           entred
           in
           their
           mindes
           to
           doe
           them
           the
           least
           harme
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           carried
           toward
           them
           all
           due
           respect
           of
           Brethren
           ,
           if
           they
           should
           not
           bee
           first
           invaded
           by
           them
           ,
           which
           was
           as
           farre
           from
           their
           expectation
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           without
           their
           deservings
           .
        
         
           But
           on
           the
           contrare
           ,
           whereas
           such
           of
           the
           Bishops
           as
           were
           chiefe
           authors
           of
           these
           evills
           ,
           apprehending
           danger
           from
           the
           Panick
           terrours
           of
           their
           guiltie
           consciences
           ,
           &
           not
           from
           any
           just
           occasion
           offered
           by
           the
           Supplicants
           ,
           when
           they
           and
           their
           adherents
           ,
           had
           acted
           the
           part
           of
           Incendiaries
           at
           the
           Court
           of
           
             England
          
           betwixt
           the
           Kings
           Majestie
           and
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           did
           thereafter
           retire
           themselves
           out
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           as
           hopelesse
           to
           find
           a
           partie
           for
           them
           there
           ,
           these
           who
           have
           not
           subscribed
           the
           Confession
           ,
           excepting
           Counsellers
           ,
           not
           beeing
           a
           considerable
           part
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           part
           of
           them
           no
           favourers
           of
           Bishops
           .
           And
           they
           bragged
           that
           his
           Majestie
           will
           make
           the
           people
           of
           
             England
          
           come
           in
           armes
           against
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           which
           is
           neither
           to
           bee
           expected
           from
           so
           just
           a
           King
           against
           his
           own
           native
           subjects
           only
           supplicating
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           liberties
           of
           the
           Countrie
           established
           by
           lawes
           ,
           nor
           from
           so
           good
           and
           wise
           a
           people
           with
           whom
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           is
           not
           more
           neerely
           conjoyned
           by
           marches
           ,
           than
           all
           true
           Scotish
           hearts
           have
           beene
           these
           many
           yeares
           past
           .
           It
           should
           be
           an
           high
           and
           fearefull
           dissimulation
           ,
           if
           any
           such
           spytefull
           intention
           were
           keeped
           up
           against
           brethren
           ,
           whose
           naturall
           freedome
           and
           ingenuitie
           cannot
           admit
           the
           least
           suspition
           of
           any
           such
           thoughts
           :
           seing
           they
           live
           in
           one
           Iie
           ,
           under
           one
           King
           &
           have
           intertained
           commerce
           with
           as
           litle
           contoversie
           ,
           or
           debate
           ,
           &
           with
           as
           much
           affection
           and
           peace
           ,
           as
           ever
           was
           betwixt
           two
           Nations
           ,
           yea
           ,
           they
           are
           so
           far
           from
           intention
           to
           offer
           wrong
           to
           the
           English
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           resolved
           never
           to
           suffer
           
             England
          
           to
           be
           wronged
           by
           any
           other
           Nation
           ,
           so
           long
           
           as
           their
           lives
           and
           meanes
           shall
           laste
           ,
           and
           doe
           expect
           the
           like
           br●therly
           duetie
           from
           them
           ,
           least
           they
           bee
           found
           even
           to
           f●ght
           against
           God
           himself
           .
           How
           can
           they
           have
           any
           purpose
           to
           wrong
           that
           Countrie
           ,
           wherein
           so
           many
           worthie
           Preachers
           and
           professours
           have
           given
           both
           by
           writing
           and
           suffering
           abundant
           testimonie
           to
           the
           cause
           they
           plead
           for
           in
           all
           the
           particulars
           thereof
           ,
           which
           now
           they
           maintaine
           .
           My
           Lordes
           of
           the
           Clergie
           in
           
             Scotland
          
           as
           they
           have
           borrowed
           somethings
           from
           
             England
             ,
          
           to
           wit
           ,
           high
           Commission
           ,
           Canons
           ,
           and
           such
           other
           stuffe
           not
           warranted
           by
           law
           ,
           as
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           thought
           to
           have
           repared
           that
           loane
           by
           establishing
           the
           new
           Service
           booke
           first
           heere
           ,
           that
           thereafter
           their
           confederats
           might
           thrust
           out
           that
           service
           so
           long
           continued
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           for
           if
           it
           had
           not
           been
           for
           that
           end
           ,
           it
           shuld
           not
           have
           goten
           so
           much
           help
           and
           approbation
           from
           thence
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           from
           
             Rome
             .
          
           But
           that
           current
           is
           stopped
           heere
           ,
           praised
           be
           God
           ,
           and
           we
           wish
           it
           might
           be
           also
           there
           ,
           If
           some
           English
           Bishops
           ,
           seeming
           to
           compassionate
           their
           Brethren
           heere
           ,
           have
           a
           desire
           to
           further
           the
           plot
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           upon
           Nationall
           Perills
           ,
           &
           so
           may
           move
           the
           English
           Catholicks
           ,
           as
           persons
           furthest
           disappointed
           ,
           to
           undertake
           the
           recoverie
           of
           their
           cause
           ,
           by
           giving
           their
           whole
           assistance
           against
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           which
           beeing
           once
           suppressed
           ,
           all
           may
           bee
           setled
           there
           ,
           and
           then
           undoubtedly
           in
           
             England
             :
          
           The
           kingdom
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           (
           with
           reservation
           of
           all
           due
           respect
           to
           the
           true
           English
           )
           craveth
           they
           maye
           not
           onely
           have
           help
           from
           good
           Christians
           there
           ,
           in
           case
           of
           such
           invasion
           :
           but
           also
           leave
           to
           root
           out
           these
           
             Cananits
             ,
          
           who
           are
           pricks
           in
           their
           sides
           .
           And
           this
           much
           shortly
           ,
           to
           give
           satis-faction
           to
           the
           better
           sort
           ,
           that
           there
           bee
           no
           mistaking
           amongst
           brethren
           .
           Cursed
           bee
           these
           that
           doe
           not
           wish
           and
           pray
           for
           peace
           ,
           if
           it
           can
           bee
           had
           without
           that
           great
           losse
           of
           the
           Gospell
           of
           peace
           ,
           in
           the
           purity
           and
           power
           thereof
           according
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .