THE Scots Declaration, In Answer to the Declaration, sent unto them by their Commissioners now at LONDON, From the Honourable Houses OF PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND: Expressing their Care to prevent the effusion of Christian B●ood; And their Affections to Reformation both to Kirk and State.  

Ordered by the Lords and Commons, That this be forthwith printed and published,  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. Dom: Com:   
Printed, for Edw. Husbands and John francs, and are to be sold at their shops, in the middle Temple, and next door to the sign of the Kings-head in Fleetstreet, Septem. 1. 1642.   

The Scots DECLARATION.  
THe general Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland having received a Declaration sent unto them by the Commissioners of this Kingdom now at London, from the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, expressing their care to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood in that Kingdom, and their affections to Reformation both in Kirk and State: And having taken the same to such consideration, as the Importance of so weighty matters, and the high estimation they have of so wise and honourable a meeting as is the Parliament of England did require, Have, with universal Consent, resolved upon this following Answer:  

I.  
That from the recent sense of the goodness of God in their own la●e deliverance, and from their earnest desire of all happiness to our Native King, and that Kingdom, They bless the Lord for preserving them in the midst of so many unhappy Divisions and Troubles, from a bloody Intestine War, which is from God the greatest judgement; and to such a Nation, the Compend of all Calamities. They also give God thanks for their former and present Desires of Reformation, especially of Religion, which is the glory and strength of a Kingdom, and bringeth with it all temporal blessings of▪ Prosperity and Peace.   

II.  
That the hearts of all the Members of this Assembly, and of all the well-affected within this Kingdom are exceedingly grieved, and made heavy, That in so long a time, against the Professions both of King and Parliament, and contrary to the joint desires and prayers of the godly in both Kingdoms, to whom it is more dear and precious than what is dearest to them in the world, The Reformation of Religion hath moved so slowly, and suffered so great interruption. They consider, That not only Prelates, formal professors, profane and worldly men, and all that are Popishly affected, are bad Counsellors and Workers, and do abuse their power, and bend all their strength and policies against the Work of God, but the god of this world also, with principalities and Powers, the Rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, are working with all their force and fraud in the same opposition, not without hope of success; they having prevailed so far from the beginning, That in the times of the best Kings of Juda of old, and the most part of the Reformed Kirks of late, a thorough and perfect Reformation of Religion hath been a Work full of difficulties: Yet do they conceive, That as it ought first of all to be intended, so should it be above all other things, with confidence in God, who is greater than the world, and he who is in the world most seriously endeavoured. And that when the Supreme Providence giveth opportunity of the accepted time and day of Salvation, no other work can prosper in the hands of his servants, if it be not apprehended, and with all reverence and faithfulness improved. This Kirk and Nation when the Lord gave them the calling, considered not their own deadness, nor staggered at the promise through unbelief, but gave glory to God. And who knoweth (we speak it in humility and love, and from no other mind, then from a desire of the blessing of God upon our King and that Kingdom▪ but the Lord hath now some controversy with England, which will not be removed, till first, and before all, the Worship of his Name, and the Government of his House be settled according to his own will. When this desire shall come, it shall be to England, after so long deferred hopes, a Tree of Life, which shall not only yield temporal blessings unto themselves, but also shall spread the branches so far, that both this Nation, and other Reformed Kirks shall find the fruits thereof to their great satisfaction.   

III.  
The Commissioners of this Kingdom in the late Treaty of Peace, considering that Religion is not only the Mean of the Service of God, and saving of souls, but is also the Base and Foundation of Kingdoms and Estates, and the strongest Band to tie subjects to their Prince in true Loyalty, and to knit the hearts of one to another in true Unity and Love, They did, with Preface of all due Respect and Reverence, far from Arrogance or Presumption, represent, in name of this Kingdom, their serious Thoughts, and earnest Desires for Unity of Religion; That in all His majesty's Dominions there might be one confession of Faith, one Directory of Worship, one public Catechism, and one Form of Kirk-Government: This they conceived to be acceptable to God Almighty, who delighteth to see his people walking in Truth and Unity; To be a special Means for conserving of Peace betwixr the Kingdoms, of easing the King's Majesty and the public Government of much trouble which ariseth from differences of Religion, very grievous to Kings and Estates; of great content to the King Himself, to His Nobles, His Court, and all His People, when— occasioned to be abroad, without scruple to themselves, or scandal to others, all may resort to the same public Worship, as they were at their own dwellings: Of suppressing the names of Heresies and Sects, Puritans, Conformists, Separatists, Anabaptists, &c. which do rent asunder the bowels both of Kirk and Kingdom; Of despair of success to Papists and Recusants to have their Profession, which is inconsistent with the true Protestant Religion, and Authority of Princes, set up again, and of drawing the hearts and hands of Ministers from unpleasant and unprofitable Controversies, to the pressing of Mortification, and to Treatises of true Piety, and practical Divinity. The Assembly doth now enter upon the labour of the Commissioners, unto which they are encouraged, not only by their faithfulness in the late Treaty, but also by the Zeal and Example of the general Assemblies of this Kirk in former times, as may appear by the Assembly at Edinburgh, Decemb. 25. in the year 1566. which ordained a Letter to be sent to England against the Surplice, Tippet, Cornercoap, & such other Ceremonies as then troubled that Kirk, that they might be removed. By the Assembly at Edinburgh, April 24. 1583. humbly desiring the King's majesty to command His ambassador then going to England to deal with the Queen, That there might be an union and band betwixt them and other Christian Princes and Realms professing the true Religion, for defence and protection of the Word of God, and professors thereof, against the persecution of Papists and confederates, joined and knit together by the bloody league of Trent: As also, That Her Majesty would disburden their Brethren of England, of the yoke of Ceremonies imposed upon them against the liberty of the Word. And by the Assembly at Edinburgh, March 3. 1589. ordaining the presbytery of Edinburgh to use all good and possible means for the relief and comfort of the Kirk of England, then heavily troubled for maintaining the true Discipline and Government of the Kirk; And that the Brethren in their private and public Prayers recommend the estate of the afflicted Kirk of England to God. While now by the mercy of God, The conjunction of the two Kingdoms is many ways increased, The zeal of the general Assembly towards their happiness ought to be no less. But besides these, the Assembly is much encouraged unto this duty, both from the King's majesty and His Parliament jointly, in their Answer to the Proposition made by the late Commissioners of the Treaty, in these words, To their desire concerning Unity of Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government, as a special means for conserving of peace betwixt the two Kingdoms, upon the grounds and reasons contained in the paper of the 10 of March; and given in to the Treaty and Parliament of England. It is answered upon the 15 of June, That His majesty, with advice of both Houses of Parliament, doth approve of the affection of His Subjects of Scotland, in their desire of having Conformity of Kirk-government between the two Nations; And as the Parliament hath already taken into consideration the Reformation of Kirk-government, so they will proceed therein in due time, as shall best conduce to the glory of God, the peace of the Kirk, and of both Kingdoms. And also severally; for His Majesty knoweth that the custody and Vindication, the conservation and purgation of Religion, are a great part of the duty of Civil authority and power. His majesty's late practice, while He was here in person, in resorting frequently to the exercises of public Worship, His royal actions in establishing the Worship and Government of this Kirk in Parliament. And in giving order for a competent maintenance to the ministry and Seminaries of the Kirk; And His majesty's gracious Letter to the Assembly (seconded by the Speech of His majesty's Commissioner) which containeth this Religious expression, Where any thing is amiss, We will endeavour in a fair and orderly way a Reformation, and where Reformation is settled, We resolve with that authority wherewith God hath vested us, To maintain▪ and defend it in peace and liberty, against all trouble that can come from without, and against all heresies, sects, and schisms which may arise from within. All these do make us hopeful that His majesty will not oppose, but advance the work of Reformation. In like manner the Honourable Houses of Parliament, as They have many times before witnessed their zeal, So now also in their Declaration sent to the assembly, which not only showeth the constancy of their zeal, but their great grief that the work hath been interrupted by a Malignant party of Papists and evil-affected persons, especially of the corrupt and dissolute Clergy by the incitement and instigation of Bishops and others. Their hopes according to their earnest desire when they shall return to a peaceable and parliamentary proceeding by the blessing of God, To settle such a Reformation in the Church as shall be agreeable to God's word; And that the result shall be a most firm and stable Union between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, &c. The assembly also is not a little encouraged by a Letter sent from many Reverend Brethren of the Kirk of England, expressing their prayers and endeavours against every thing which shall be found prejudicial to the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ and the peace of their sovereign. Upon these encouragements, and having so potent a door of hope, The assembly doth confidently expect, That England will now bestir themselves in the best way for a Reformation of Religion; And do most willingly offer their prayers and uttermost endeavours for furthering so great a work, wherein Christ is so much concerned in his glory, the King in His honour, the Kirk and Kingdom of England in their happiness, and this Kirk and Kingdom in the purity and peace of the gospel.   

IV.  
That the assembly also from so many real invitations are heartened to renew the Proposition made by the aforenamed Commissioners of this Kingdom, for beginning the work of Reformation, at the uniformity of Kirk-government: For what hope can there be of unity in Religion, of one confession of Faith, one form of worship, and one catechism, till there be first one Form of ecclesiastical Government? Yea what hope can the Kingdom and Kirk of Scotland have of a firm and durable peace, till prelacy which hath been the main cause of their miseries and troubles first and last, be plucked up root and branch, as a plant which God hath not planted? and from which no better fruits can be expected, than such sour grapes, as this day set on edge the Kingdom of England.   

V.  
The prelatical Hierarchy being put out of the way, The work will be easy without forcing any conscience to settle in England the government of the reformed Kirks by Assemblies, for although the reformed Kirks do hold without doubting their Kirk Officers, and Kirk-government by Assemblies higher and lower in their strong and beautiful subordination, to be jur● divino and perpetual, yet prelacy as it differeth from the Office of a Pastor, is almost universally acknowledged by the prelates themselves and their adherents, to be but an human ordinance introduced by human reason, and settled by human Law and custom for supposed conveniency, Which therefore by human authority without wronging any man's conscience may be altered and abolished, upon so great a necessity as is a hearty conjunction with all the reform Kirks, a firm and well-grounded peace between the two Kingdoms, formerly divided in themselves and betwixt themselves by this partition wall, and a perfect union of the Kirks in the two Nations, which although by the providence of God in one Island, and under one Monarch, yet ever since the Reformation, and for the present also are at greater difference in the point of Kirk-government which in all places hath a powerful influence upon all the parts of Religion than any other reform Kirks, although in Nations at greatest distance and under divers Princes.   

VI.  
What may be required of the Kirk of Scotland for furthering the work of uniformity of Government, or for agreeing upon a common confession of Faith, catechism and directory for worship shall according to the order given by this Assembly, be most willingly performed by us, who long extremely for the day when King and Parliament shall join for bringing to pass so great, so good a work: That all Wars and commotions ceasing, all Superstitition, Idolatry, Heresies, Sects and schisms being removed; As the Lord is one, so his Name may be one amongst us, And mercy and Truth, righteousness▪ and Peace meeting together and kissing one another, may dwell in this Island.  
St. Andrews, August 3. 1642. JOHNSTON Cler. Eccl.    

At Edinburgh, the Eighteenth-day of August, 1642.  
THe Lords of secret council having read heard, and considered the Petition this day given in to them, in the name of the late general Assembly holden at Saint Andrews, by their Commissioners appointed for that effect, desiring the council to concur with them in their Remonstrance to the Parliament of England, toward the settling of unity in Religion, and uniformity in Kirk-government in His majesty's three Kingdoms. And having also heard the Petition directed from the Assembly to His majesty, with their Answer to the Parliament of England, the Scots Commissioners of the Treaty at London, and certain Ministers of England concerning this matter. And finding the reasons therein expressed to be very pregnant, and the particular desired much to conduce for the glory of God, the advancement of the true Christian Faith, His majesty's Honour, and the peace and union of His Dominions. The said Lords, out of their duty to the furtherance of so much wished and important a work, and affection to their Brethren of the Kingdom of England, Do unanimously and heartily concur with the said national Assembly, in their earnest desires to the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, to take to their serious consideration the particulars aforesaid, touching unity in Religion, and uniformity in Kirk-government in the said three Kingdoms, as a singular mean of His majesty's Honour, the good of the true Christian Faith, and happiness of His majesty's Dominions; And to give favourable hearing to such desires and overtures as shall be found most conducible for the promoting of so great and good a work.  
Extractum de libris actorum secreti Consilii S. D. N. Regis, per me Arch. primrose, Cler. S. Cons. Edin. 26. Aug. 1642.  
FINIS.