THE BEAST IS WOUNDED. OR Information from Scotland, concerning their Reformation. Wherein Is briefly declared, the true cause and ground of all the late Troubles there; and the reasons why they have rejected the Bishops, with their Courts, Canons, Ceremonies and Service-booke. Hereto Is added some fruitful observations, upon the former declaration: by Io: Bastwicks' younger Brother. JUDG. 5.31. So let thine Enemies perish, O Lord. The first part. Printed in the year that the Bishops had their downfall in SCOTLAND. TO THE READER. COurteous Reader; it is a note as the Wiseman, noteth it, of a fool, to believe every thing: I doubt not but thou hast heard much of the Troubles in Scotland; Now, that thou mayst not justify the wicked, and condemn the just, which are both abomination to the Lord. I have thought fit, for thy good, to this short relation: It came to me from such persons, as do well know the proceed of things there, from first to last; and therefore thou mayst be confident that the same is trùe. It seems by some notes which I find in the margin, that it was sent from a Scotsman, to some good friend that he had in England: and in likelihood a strict Nonconformist, who shows his good desire, that England might bè reduced unto Scotland's Reformamation, and not Stotland to England's Deformation: But not being willing to write of things whereof I have no cerraine knowledge, I will therefore be silent, and leave thee to the reading of the discourse. IT was the desire of King james (by whose instigation I know not (a) It was some Bish a thousand to one else. For what mischief is there, specially if done against the true worship of God, but these Creatures of the Earth have their hands chief in it. See Syons-plea; A Looking glass for the Prelates; the Abreviate, etc. that the Church of Scotland would admit, that such men as stood Ministers, to those Churches, which in the time of Popery were called Bishoprics, might have the Title of Lordbishops, and voices in Parliament. (b) Parliaments will do better without these men. For they well resemble, that filthy bird, which caries this motto: contactu omnia faedat To this the people consented, (c) Better they had not; for they have smarted for it ever since, as their own relation here manifesteth. As the Tronians in consenting to take the Horse into their City, had their city spoilt by it: So from the Hierarchy (as out of the Troyans' Horses belly) hath issued the cause & ground of all their late troubles. Se Pro. 29 2. and in the year 1602. it was by a Parliament confirmed; Yet so, as with certain provisoes and conditions, then and there expressed: That is, that all such as were then resident in such places; and all such as afterwards should happen to be presented to them, should by solemn Oath, and public subscription, swear and be obliged, neither to propound nor give consent to any thing propounded in Parliament, without a precedent Commission of a general assembly. Moreover, that they should not pretend any authority or jurisdiction above other Ministers, and that they should be as liable and subject as any other Ministers to the Sentence and Censure of Presbyteries, Provincial and Nationall Synods: To be short, if they transgressed either against those rules, or any other institution, which the Church tied them unto, they might be (and should be) excommunicated by the Pres-bytery and Synod, and deposed a beneficio & officio. (d) If we had such Law with us in England, & executed, we should not be troubled long with Bb nor any of that Brood downward to the Parater. For their blasphemies; treasons, murders, &c are so obvious to all men's eyes. As the severest punishments in any civil Court would be light enough to be laid upon them. See Quench-Coale; Epist. Remonst. the last Parl. Howsoever at the first thus they were sworn to do: And were admitted no otherwise, neither upon other terms, but what is before expressed: Notwithstanding they having gotten a footing, it was not long ere they broke their Oath, and attempted many unlawful actions, to the great dishonour of God's name, the scandal of the Gospel, and to the likely dissipation of the whole Church, had not the Lord prevented it, by a wonderful deliverance. (a) Such a deliverance God grant England; and when we see it, we will say; thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power, thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemies; and good cause too for this would prove to our Land a greater blessing thenwas our deliverance from the Gunpowder treason. And therefore we would nor fail to keep a day of thanksgiving in remembrance of it; as did the jews, after Hamon and his Sons were hanged. It would required a large volume, to set down all the particular evils and troubles, which those Lordly Prelates brought upon that Church; And more would have brought, had not their horns (b) By the Horns of the Beast, is meant the Antichristian power, which they exercise over their brethren; By which (as a Beast with horns, they push the godly sometime into prison, other-while to the Pillory, many times into foreign Countries; so that until these horns be cut off, there is no keeping house with them. been cut off. Among other acts of their Lordly Government, they took upon them to depose Ministers as they pleased, and when they pleased: And admitted sundry scandalous persons (c) The Prelates in Scotland never shown so much profanes this way, as ours have done; For whereas, idolaters, adulterers, liars, forcerers, whoremonngers, thiefs drunkards, & quid non, are allowed and liked off; On the contrary, they suppress all them, who will not be their Drudges, to serve them, and their great Landlord the Pope; witness Wren the Norridge Beast. See the unbish: of Timot. and Tit. (like themselves) to the Ministry, and charge of Souls; And kept back from the Ministry all honest and able men, what they could. And not contented with this, they procured from the King a warrant, under the show or pretence whereof, they silenced the most Godly, learned and faithful Ministers in the Kingdom: And also by the same authorities they brought into the Church many Popish Ceremonies, to the general grief of the godly, both there, and in many other places. And these great abuses of theirs, they borough the sooner & easier to pass, in regard there were some Courtiers and Counsellors about his Majesty, that were Popishly affected, and bore ill will to Zion: this is clear in the cause of Melvin, Forbes, Bruce, and others Worthies of that Church who were exiled (d) Doth the Church of Scotland reckon it for one of her greevances, that they have unjustly banished some of her Ministers; How then would they have taken it, had they seen them whipped in their streets: stood on Pillaries, burnd-marked 〈…〉 about the time that the Earl of Northhamton and B. Bancroft had greatest acceptation with K: james: So again when the 5. Articles were introduced by a most illegal, injurious and violent way in the Assembly at Perth, who were then present with the King, but Buckingam and B. Land, twosit instruments as could be, to bring such an evil work to pass. They having thus begun to spoil the Lords Vineyard, afterwards they caused many idle pamphlets to be published, against that good old way, of Government (a) Our Bb. have a trick which the Scot never used, that is to cast men into prison, and there deprive them of all means of writing and then ser then Parasites and Sycophants to rail against them; Now truly these are wise in their generation, or they know had their opposites the liberty that they have, they were better be hanged out of the way, then suffer the just shame which they would do, for their filthy lies & blasphentiess. of that Church; by which Government before their Lordships ruled, the corrupt Doctrines, and ill lives of Preachers were severely corrected and suppressed; But for their parts, they gave way and liberty, unto evil doers, and sought only to curb and suppress the better sort. Add hereunto their procuring from the K: a warrant for to exercise such a jurisdiction in the civil Government (b) Forgs (the Type of Bb.) are said to have 2 small threads hanging near their eyes, wherewith they make traps, & lay them in muddy places, for to devour the Fish; these tove threads signify the civil and spiritual functions of Bb. wherewith (as the Frog with her two threads) they take the godly and devour them. as is inconsistent with the Laws of that Relame, the honour of the Sovereign; & peace of that Country: Nay, not here withal are satisfied, but seek further for a Commission from King Charles, and under show or colour of which warrant (c) As the Scribes & Pharisees never left Pilate, till he had passed sentence of death against Christ: So the Prelates are earnestly importunate with the Kings of the Earth, to have Commission and warrant from them, for to crucify Christ daily in his members. they make many grievous acts of injustice, and greatly oppress many of his Majesty's loyal & good subjects. (d) If you complain of oppression, and think you have just cause for it, to wound the Beast; What may we say of our oppressions, which are more for number, more heinous for nature, longer for continuance, and more common and general. For what condition is there of men, among us, but are horribly abused by them. See the Abbreviate. These abuses are not all, for beside they have (vies & modis) used means to girt another Commission from his Majesty, whereby to cover their unlawful ways unto benefices, for themselves and their friends: and withal got a colour of an Act of Parliament, to bring the Surplus into the Church, they caused foam Popish Lords to sit upon the Articles of the Parliament An: 1633. they were also the instruments that procured an act to be contrived, being a racification of the King's prerogative and power to impose such apparel upon Churchmen in divine service, as he should think so; Yea and to bring this to pass, they moved the King to press all men, either to consent or descent to the whole Act, as it was framed, thereby cunningly to draw all the Parliament-men either to deny the K: prerogative, or else to consent to their plot for the Surplus. More than this, they persuaded his Majesty to set down with his own hand, the names of all the Noblemen that should descent from the aforesaid Act; and that they should be taken as men disrespecting his Majesty and his Service, and that he should not hear them to give any reason for their dislike of the thing: And whereas there was found afterwards with the Lord Balmerin: a certain writing containing some reasons wherefore the Noblemen could not ascent unto the said Act; And some other passages, expedient to vindicate their persons and carriages from the reproach of being dis-affectionated to his Majesty's Service, and this set down in a Potition, with an intent that it should be presented to the King, by the Noblemen, but was not. The Bishops getting a sight of this Copy, according to the rest of their doings, caused this good Nobleman for having this Perition to be condemned of Legis Majestatis; And it went near with his life. (a) Our English Preates this way are None-such; For if they perceive a man to be an enemy to their unblessed Kingdom, they will be sure to have his blood for it if they can: & this our nobility know well enough, the which makes them the unwillinger, to power out their vials upon the throne of the Beast. Their Lordship's having gone thus fare, are not afraid to publish a Book of most wicked Canons, (b) Consider O England what cause thou hast to free thyself, out of the hands of these thiefs & murderers, who have many years bound thee, (as Tyrants and Turks do Galleyslaves to their oars;) I say bound thee with their Canons, Articles, Injunctions (as so many irons & fetters) to row for them, Rome's Boat. So that Scotland bath nor the cause which thou hast, to put those Amalekites to the sword. among which, one is, that whosoever shall affirm that the Service-booke (which was not yet out but in hatching) contains any thing erroneous, shall be excommunicated, ipso facto. it was not long after this, ere they caused the said Service-booke to be published. Which hath in it, not only the Superstition and Popery contained in the English Leiturgis, but some thing more; and that they might bring the Church (nolens volens) to use this Jdol-booke, they procured a Proclamation (c) Quae: whether the Scotsmen did well, to refuse the Service-booke, being commanded by the K. to use it; & quid sequitur. to be published, wherein all his Majesties (subjects were commanded, to conform strictly thereunto, as to the only form of God's public worship for that Church. Being thus swollen (d) Nor like Ours: For their insolences are intolerable; specially that little great Laud; but this gives me hope, that their shame & fall is at hand; dross assoon as ever it hath gotten up to the top, and elevated itself above the pure mettle, is then scummed off & cast away; These like dross & scum are risen up, above their betters; therefore etc. See Psa. 119 199. with a presumptuous conceit of their power, and thinking now that neither great nor small, had either the courage or wisdom to stand in their way (e) As the Scots Bb. were deceived, so I trust will Ours be. the Bishop of Ederb: in July 1637. gives order, to the Ministers of that City, that they read the aforesaid Service-booke in their Congregatious: Which would be such a Mass in Scotland as the Pope himself. (f) Pope Pius 4 sent Vincentio Parpatia Abbot of S. Saviour's too Qu. Eliz: offering her to confirm the English Leiturgy, if she would yield to him in some other things. Cambden in An. 1560. L. Cook de jure div. Reg. Eccles. fol. 34. I am sure, would willingly authorize and allow, provided that the King would grant him such a Headship as must be granted him by such, as say their Episcopal jurisdiction is jure Divino, and derive their calling from the Pope. And because this Bishop conceived, that all other towns in the Kingdom, would follow the example of Edenb: he comes therefore himself into the Cathedral Church, of purpose to have the said book there publiekly read: but it fell not out according to his expectation: for the people not being for merly tanght, that, that way and manner of Divine Worship, which they had ever used from the reformaticn of that Church, was not fit nor lawful, neither it struct by the BB: that the English. Popish service Book (a) This all Reformed Churches tax us for; viz. that the Service-booke, is the Mass, translated into English; and the Papist hit us for it in the teeth, saying that we are beholding to them, for matins and Evening song; & this is known to our people generally, which makes their cause theworse before God; in that they offer him such a sacrifice, as their conscience tells them is an abomination. was agreat deal better: nor being used to hear mattings and evening song, and singing service: the Scotsmen I say not being used to such gear, could not digest it: For they believed (and well they might,) that there was little difference between this book worship and the Pope's mass book (b) The Scotsmen say very true, as appears by the words of K. Edward the sixth; It seems to you (saith he in his Proclamation to the Rebels of the West) that you have a new service, now indeed it is no other but the old, the selfsame words in English which are in Latin &c If therefore the service of the Church, was good in Latin, it remaineth good in English for no thing is altered but to speak with knowledge, that which was ignorantly before uttered. Act and Monum. vol. 2, pag. 1497. 1498. Edit 5. , saving that the one is in Latin the other in English. (c) c Q vaer. Whether a Papist saying the Mass in Latin, and not understanding how foolish, false, and blasphemous it is, doth not less offend, than he that speaks it in his own tongue, and so knows what hotch potch & gall mawfry it is. And howsoever the people generally, were greatly offended with the B. for this his bold attempt: yet the women (d) Let our Prelates look to it, lest when justice is not suffered to pass in an ordinary way, God raise not up other means, to execute his wrath upon them. The Duke's death may be a warning for them. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, Psa. 55, 23. Let that Bloodthirsty murderous Butcher Laud think of the place. not so well able as the men to forbear open resistance and opposition, rose up without any ceremony, and driven the B: and Deane out of the Church: (e) I glad to see them whipped out, by the K. & Parliam. se Psa. 69: 25. some what like to our Saviour's whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple. The Bishop being vexed, that he was thus women beaten, and the rest of his brethren being no less enrage thereat: what do they now? they do what they can, to set more discord between the King and his good subjects: and specially they seek to increase his wrath against the town of Eden: thinking that all other towns in the land would be afliraid, to oppose any of the innovations, which they sought to bring into that Church, if that city suffered some disgrace at his Majesty's hands. And to accomplish their wicked end this way, they procured 1: a recommendation from his Majesly unto the town-councill, to choose for a Provest or Major (he being dead that was before in place) one Hay, who had formerly served under the Townclarke aman well acquainted with all the mercenary ways, that could be used for working upon that Community, and therefore the fit man (as their Lordship's thought) to be chosen, for furthering the execution of their deepeplots and designs: being Plots and designs, so contrary to, and against their acts of Parliament, (Confession of faith, and the Public worship of God in that Church: as they durst not discover the same, to any one man, that was known to be honest or religious, or free from THAT CORRUPTION (you know what I mean) which that Hay for these many years, in the whole course of his life hath been generally noted for. Novi Simonem & Simon me: 2. They procured a commandment from his Majesty, unto the Council and Session and all civil Courts of justice, that they should departed from Eden: and sit first at Lythgou afterwards at Starling. (a) If there were nothing else to induce our King & State, to hunt those Vermins away; this were sufficient; namely, their daily attempts, to set strife between them. Oh, that his majesty did see, how ungrateful they are this way to him; As Screetch-owles, whiles they suck the Goats-milk do mar the Udder, So these never draw any benefit from Prin ces; But they willbe sure (like unthankful Owls) to abuse them for it if they can. These unreasonable men growing thus worse and worse. the better sort at length of every condition and quality in the Kingdom, began to take the matter (as high time it was) home to heart: (b) We have more cause a great deal: considering what visiose and senceable miseries the Land lies under by their means; Besides, there is now a fair apportunity, offered to his Majesty, to free his three Kingdoms at once from the hurtfulst plagues that they have. If some Kings of this Land, had secne the way so clear, and the work so easy as now it is, they would soon have taken off their corner Caps, and set a Tyburn Tipper in the place there of. and perceiving that unless there were some speedy course taken, to take these little foxes (c) Their Bb: may well be called Little Foxes, and ours the great Foxes, for in respect of villainy & mischief, to ours, theirs, are nobodies. Witness Laud, who is more Fox wise than all the Bb. in Scotland. and cast them out head and tail from the Lords Vineyard, (d) Some may think that such a work willbe difficult here with us, but I am otherwise minded. For these creatures are like nettles, which being softly handled do sting, but if they are crust, the smart not, so these are least hurtful when they are most crushed. there would certainly come (and that soon) great prejudice to their religion, to the honour of their King and to to themselves and their posterity, many ways: They here upon perceiving I say (as men do the rain in a black cloud) that senceable and visible dangers lay at their door, for prevention whereof, made choice of one or two of the gravest Ministers in every Presbytery, & one or two discreet gentlemen of every Shire, to present their complaints, remonstrances and greviances to the Council, that by their mediation and means, his Majesty might be acquanted with the same. These Commisioners upon Sept. 23 Oct. 15. and Decem. 7. & 27. gave in unto the Council, such supplications as were fit for his Majesty's information and specially, that his subjects feared (a) Our is more than a fear of innovation for we have sundry innovations established among us, and the Prelates set their jornymen on work, to defend them; as Heylen, Reed, Pocklington, and such like Trencher Mates; Besides his ungracious graceless Speech in the Star-Chamber. an innovation in religion, whereby the common wealth was likely to suffer much. (b) They set us down a good pattern to follow; That is, to write up the wicked works of the Prelates, and present them to his Majesty; and I verily think, if the King were rightly informed, what known Traitors they are, to God to him, to the Land, and true Religion, and how detestable they are in the eyes of his people, and how much it doth alienate his subjects affections from his Majesty, that such WORKERS OF iniquity are suffered. I say if Majesty were thoroughly possessed hereof, my mind gives me they should not tarry in his sight. The Bishops perceiving that their works of darkness w now coming to light &, that the Commissioners taxed them, (& that to true) for many tresonable assaults against their Religion established by law, and many years peaceable professed, and also for seeking by crafty ways to bring into the Church, the rags and dregs of the Babylonian whore: the Bb: I say perceiving this, use means that the King, would refer all to the Council, whereof themselves were a great part: and truly this was no small point of wisdom in their Lordships, for they were not so blind, but they could see well enough, that unless they themselves might be judges in their own Case, they would be judged by others to be Vnsavery salt and hence forth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot. (c) What greater dishonour can it be to our Nation, then to suffer such in high and eminent places, who in the esteem of other Nations are fit only for the dunghill. And that there ravenous wolves (d) If the Church of Scotland do so judge of them, then let them beware that they do not upon any terms admit of them again. For wolves being kept a while from their prey, do afterwards fall a devouring the more eager and greedily, so will those spiritual Wolves do, if they can get again into their places. , might escape the hands of such as were hunting after them, they procure (by whose means I know not) a Proclamation to be published in Eden: sebr: 19 1638. wherein all the aforesaid Commisioners (the hunters of the Fox) were commanded under pain of treason to leave the towns of Eden: and Starling, within six hours after the publication of the same: the words of the Proclamation are as follows. CHARLES etc. For so much as we out of our Princery care (a) If Princes will take care for Religion, they must do then what the Word of God directeth the and not what superstitious Prelates (for their case, profit, pleasure, and such worldly respects) persuade them to doc. See Psal. 119.24 Gal. 4, 18. of maintaining the true Religion all ready professed, & so beating down all superstition: Having ordained a book of common prayer to be compiled for the general and universal use & edification (b) Hoccine credibile aut memorabile. Will Satan cast out Satan: He were an unwise man, that would be persuaded, that the way to get light into his house, were by shutting his doorers & windows; They that should cast aside the true worship of Christ, and think to edify themselves better by using the superstitions service-booke would show themselves were foolish: of our subjects within our ancient Kingdom of Scotland, the same being accordingly done. In the framing whereof we took great care (c) I believe the Bb. took great care & pains to have it as full of superstition as they could, but blessed be God, their labour was as vain as their work: and I hope the great care & pains, that Laud and his Mates the jesuites now take, to bring in Popery, will prove so to, that is the contrivers either forced to fly into other Countries, or hanged up at home for their treachery and villainy. & pains, so that there is nothing passed therein but was seen and approved by us, before the same was divulgated or printed: assuring all our loving subjects that not only our intention is, but even this very book a ready means to maintain the true Religion already professed, and beat out all superstition, of which in our own time we not doubt but in a fair course to satisfy the judgements of our good subjects: But having seen and considered some petitions and declarations given into our counsel against the said Book, and late CANNONS of the book, find our regal authority much injured thereby, both in the matter and the carriage, whereby we certify these of the Nobility, Gentry, Barons Ministers and others who have kept and assisted those meetings and convocations for contriving and subscribing of the said petitions, to be liable (d) Better that men censured us for well doing, then that Christ in the last day, should pass sentence of condemnation against us, for yielding unto their unjust demands. to our censure, in their persons and fortunes, they having conveyned themselves without consent or authority: Yet because we believe that they have done herein only out of a preposterous zeal, and without disloyalty or disaffection in our Soveraingty: Our gracious pleasure (so far as concerns those metings for consulting and subscription of the said petitions or presenting of the same to any judges of this Kingdom) is to dispense therewith, and with what may be the fault or error therein, to all such as upon signfication or declaration of this our pleasure, shall retain themselves as become good and dutiful subjects. (e) As the 3 Nobles in Daniel were the King's good and dutiful subjects, albeit they bowed not before the image; So are the Nobility, Gentry & Ministers in Scotland, good & dutiful subjects, although they refuse the service-booke: Yea to say the truth they are better subjects to his Majesty, than such as conform to it here in England. To which purpose OUR WILL is henceforth, and we charge you straghtly and command, that incontinetly these our letters seen, the particulars in our name & authority proclamation thereof be made to all our liege subjects in all places needful; that so none pretend ignorance hereof, and therewithal in our name and authoroty (a) It is no new thing for Princes, by the instigation of wicked Prelates, to have their names and authority abused; I has was Consiantines' authority abused, when he authorized by the persuasion of Bb. the Arrian Heresy. So Theodesius when he established the Heresy of Entiches; So Arcedins when he banished Chrisostome. that ye discharge charge all such convocations (b) The way for his Majesty to have such convocations & meetings discharged; is to discharge the Bb. of their power and places, and in his name & authority, to call a Parliament, and willingly to suffer a legal pro ceeding against the Prelates; and in this God shall have glery, the King honour, the Land peace, and the enemies of the Lord their due desert, and until this be, neither England nor Scotland will see good days. & meetings in time to come, under the penalty of Treason, and also that ye command, charge and inhibit our lieges and subjects, that none of them on any hand presume to resort or repair to the Burrow of Starling, nor to any other Burrow, where our counsel and Session sits, till first they declare the cause of their coming to our counsel, and declare their warrant to that effect. And further that we command and charge all and Sundry Provosts, Bayleives, and Magistrates within their Burroughs that they and every one of them have a special care and regard, to see this our Royal will and pleasure readily and dutifully observed in all points, and that no violence be suffered within your bounds, under all the highest penalty, crime or offence that they may commit against us in that behalf: And also that ye command and charge all and sundry Noblemen Barons & Burgesses who are not actually indwellers within the Burrow neither are of number of the privy counsel and Session, and members thereof, and are already within this Burrow: that they and every one of them remove themselves, and departed and pass forth of the said Burrough (and not return again without the said warrant) within Six hours after the publication hereof, under the said penalty of Treason: (c) It is high time for the Nobility both in Scotland & England to look about them, considering the monstrous unparaled presumption of Bb. who are grown so impudent, as they are not afraid to persuade Kings, to proclaim all the great Peers and Princes of the Land, Traitors & Rebels, if they will not become the which used to bite people, and howsoever he was spoken often unto of it, yethee reform it not; At last the cur wounded the man himself & his Children; at this he was very angry and caused the cur to be hanged immediately. We poor men have been a long time biten by the Prelatical Dogs, and we have complained thereof to your Honours but you 〈…〉 And as concerning any petitions that shall hereafter be given to us upon this or any otner Subject: we are likewise pleased to declare that we will not shut our cares there from: So it be not prejudicial to our royal authority. Given at Starling under our Signet the 19 of Febr: 1638. Per actum Dominorum Consily. For the safety of religion, the honour of the King, and the lawful liberties and previledges of the subjects, the Nobility and Commissioners aforesaid, were forced to publish a protestation against the Proclamation: and thus they say. WE Noble men, (a) It is a thing to be wished, that our Noblemen, Barens and Ministers, would take to heart, the greevances of the time, and jointly seek by a lawful way the redress thereof. We see in Worldly matters, what one cannot do, many can; So in this case, howsoever some few single men, have not prevailed with the King, to east out the bondwoman & her children, yet if there be a general seeking by the whole Nation, there is no fear but he will give a gracious answer. Barons and Ministers appointed to attend his Majesties answer unte our humble petitions, and to present our gree vances and to do what else might lawfully conduce to our humble desires. Did upon the 13. of September last, present one supplication to your Lordships; and another upon October following: as also a new relative to the former in December after the 19 day. In all which we humbly remonstrated, our just exceptions against the Service book, & book of Cannons, Arch-Bishops and Biships of this Kingdom, as the contrivers, (b) They may well be called contrivers; for I know not, for what use they are in all the world, unless it be to contrive ways, how to suppress Christ's Kingdom, & to advance Antichrist. meanteaners & urgers thereof; & against their sitting as our Judges (c) When will thiefs, murderers, etc. be punished if none, but themselves may judge their cause. Might the Bb. be brought to an impartial trial, no doubt but they would be soon condemned, for notorious malefactors; But if their facts may not be examined any where, but where they themselves are judges, it willbe long enough before they suffer according to their merit. until the causes between them and us be decided. And withal we earnestly suplicated to beeridd and delivered from these evils, (d) If the Scotsmen have just cause,, to seek his Majesty, that they may be rid of Bb. and their Tail. What cause have we then, to seek for it, having been a thousand sold more basely abused by them, than ever they were; Truly it is to be wondered that we are still; but it may be our Nation forbears to petition his 〈…〉 in earnest & from all other innovations of that kind, introducted against the laudable laws of this Kingdom: as namely that of the High Commission and other evils particularly and generally mentioned in our lupplications & complaints: And that these our Parties, delinquent against our religion and laws might be taken order with, and these pressing greeviances be redressed, according to the Laws of this Realm, as in our supplications we have more largely expressed, the which we gave unto your Lordships upon the 19 December aforesaid, against the Arch-Bishops and Bishops our parties, who by consequence therefore neither could be, nor may be our judges. Whereupon your Lordships declared by your act given at Dealkieth the said 19 of December, that you would present our Petition to his Majesty Royal consideration, and that without any prejudice to us the said Supplicants, and moreover that we should be heard, (a) It is a crying none of this Land, that the poor man's cry is not heard; And this comes to pass, through the craft of Prelates, who seek to have their causes justified in all Courts without any trial or examination. If a Bat touch a Storks egg, it becomes (they say) addle after. I know not what the secret operation is, that Bb. have in their touch: But this I know, by their touch they make many addle eggs, or rather addle heads both in Church and Commonwealth. in time and place convenient, and in the mean time we should receive no prejudice as the said act itself testifies for us. Now whereas we your supplicants (with long patitence and hope grounded upon sundry promises) were expecting an answer unto our fore named humble desires, we understood of some direction from his Majesty, to your Lords of his highness' privy counsel, touching our complaints: and upon the same addmitted the consulting and judging (b) If the Nobility, Barons, ' Ministers, & c. had submitted their cause upon the King's Commandment to the Bb. their Church had not been so soon purged of Romish Superstition. And for our parts, unless with the Noole Scots we refuse to admit them for our judges, we shall never shake them of with their spiritual whoredoms. both, of our supplication, and the Kings answer there to, unto the Arch-Bishops and Bishops our direct parties: Contrary to our protestation given at Dealkeeths, and since renewed at Starling: and contrary to your Lordship's foresaid act (c) It much impeacheth the honour and reputation of Statesmen, to comply with Prelates; For howsoever they hold up their heads, look big upon the matter, & Bless themselves; yet, by good & bad, they are hated all the Land over, and it is a received Maxim among the people, that he cannot be honest, and be for the bishops. If a Horse chance to step in the tract of a Wolf, he is made lame by it. These Wolves have the like strange operation, for whosoever comes into their way, he halts for ever 〈…〉. made at Dealkeeths. Lest therefore our silence should be prejudicial to this so importunate a cause, as concerns God's Glory and worship, our Religion and Salvation, the laws and Liberties of this Kingdom: or derogatory to our former supplications and complaints: or in brief, not answerable to the trust of our commission: we are forced out of our bounden duty to God, our King and native Country to take instrument in the no tarries and Clerks hands (seeing your Lordships refuse to admit our Declimiter for removal of these of our parties) and to protest in manner following. 1. We protest that we may, and aught to have a immediate course to present our just greeviances to our sacred sovereigning, and in a legal way and manner to prosecute the same, before the ordinary competent judges, Civil or Ecclesiastical: without any offence either offered by us, or taken by your Lordships. 2. We protest that the Arch-Bishops and Bishops the parties whom we complain upon, cannot be reputed or esteemed lawful judges, to sit in iudicatory within this Kingdom Civil or Ecclesiastical, upon any of us the said supplicants: until they do by lawful trial judiciously purge themselves of such crimes as we have already laid to their Charge: offering ourselves to prove the same whensoever his Majesty shall be pleased to give us audience. 3. We protest that no act (a) Our Land would be happy, if it were free from the unjust acts and Censures of Orelates; For truly Israel never sighed more, under the Egyptian bondage, than the better sort, everywhere cry out & complain of their oppression and cruelty. It may be they think, that our consciences (like Sampsons' Shoulders) are strong enough to bear all the loads they lay upon us. But our State hath learned now of Scot land, how to be eased of their burden or proclamation, whether past or here after shall pass, in the counsel, and by the states of Arch-Bishops and Bishops (our parties and whom we have declined to be our judges) shall in no wise be preiudicall to us, that is, either to our persons, or lawful meetings, proceed and persuits. 4. We protest that neither ourselves, nor any others, (b) It is a sweet Harmony when men join together in good actions; Certainly were there such an accord among the Nobility, Barons, Ministers, &. her e in England. It would make these proud Nimrods' hearts to quake: For their hope of standing, is in regard of the divisions in the Nobility, Ministers, & c. but my mind gives me, God will put it into their hearts shortly, to show them a Scots trick whose hearts the Lord shall move to join with us in our supplications against the aforesaid innovations, shall incur any danger, either in life, lands, or any political or Ecclesiastical penalty: For not observing such acts, Books, Cannons, Writs, judicatories and proclamations introduced without, or against the acts of Parliament, or statutes of this Kingdom. But it shall be lawful for us and them to use ourselves in matters of Religion, (c) The Scots Nation is worthy of honour above many Nations; For that in Religion, they have not been the Servants of men, neither followed their Kings, otherwise than their Kings have followed Christ. Contrariwise it is the shame & blot of our Nation, that in matters of God's worship, we are as our Princes are, and ready to turn and change as they do, and what doth this argue, but that men serve not the Lord jesus, but their own bellies. or the external worship of God, and policy of the Church; according to the word of God, and the laudable constitutions, of this Church and Kingdom. 5. Seeing all such as have taken these innovations to heart, have by a legal & submissive way of supplications sought redress, and been calm and quiet in hope of reformation: We protest therefore that if inconvenience shall happen to fall out (which we pray God to prevent) upon the pressing of the said innovations or evils, generally and specially mentioned in our former complaints, and upon your Lordship's refusal, to take order for redress. That the same shall not be imputed unto us, who most humbly desire to have all things redressed by order. 6. We protest before God, the Heavens, and the Angles, that these our Request (proceeding from conscience, and our due rerespect to his Majesty's honour) do tend to no other end, but to the preservation of the true reformed religion, the Laws and Liberties of his Majesty's most ancient Kingdom and the satisfaction of our humble desires contained in our supplications, according to his Majesty's goodness and justice; From whom we do certainly expect, (a) What they expect, appears by their petitions and complaints; viz. the exercise of true Religion, the abolishing of all Popish superstitions, & a Parliament to arraign the Bb. upon the crime of Innovations. And I believe that these things, his Majesty will grant them. The which if he do, than I doubt not, but our Nobility, Barons, and Ministers will sue to his Majesty for the like grant, that so this way, and not in Antichrists' way, there may be a uniformity between the two Kingdoms. that his Maj. will proceed & grant remedy to our just petitions & complaints, as may be expected from so gracious a King towards his loyal and dutiful Subjects, calling for redress of so oppressing greevances, praying heartily that his Majesty may long & prosperously reign over us. AMEN THis protestation being published, the Prelates hereat were so daunted, as their courage began to fail (b) So will the hearts fail of our Bb. if the State deal roundly with them; For they may be well compared to the Crocodile, who is fierce and terrible to such as fear her, & run from her; But of no courage in standing out against strong oppostion. Or rather like the Ass, that wrapped himself in the Lion's skin, and marched a fare of, to strike terror in the hearts of the Beasts, but when the Fox drew near, he not only perceived his long ears, but likewise discovered him, & made him a jest to all the Beasts of the forest. them, & what to do, they know not; for they perceive that their Kingdom of Darkness, is now falling (c) Miso perceiving that the House wherein they are, is about to fall, do incontently leave the place; These Bb. shown the wit of a Mouse, in running away in time, and for my part I cannot blame them much for it, neither would be very sorry, if ours would do so too, considering they know that their cause is so ill, as they cannot with comfort stay, and suffer for it. and out they must. Hereupon some of them secretly fled away into England, and these poor hearts, being full of grief, used sundry episcopal means, or antidotes to expel the venomous disease, which they brought with them from Scotland; and among other chose helps (as fitting best their place and calling) two or three of them, made themselves stark drunk; and in one night, broke 12: or 14: dozen of venice glasses, in drinking healths over and over, to the confusion of their enemies. Others of them in the mean time, employed themselves in the affairs of their state, and craved his Majesty's aid and assistance, and to prevail this way, they made grievous complaints against the Scots, and persuaded the King to take up arms against them, (a) The Peast Duron perceiving herself almost taken, avoids a great deal of dung thinking by the noy somnes thereof, to hinder the hunters from following her. This filthy shift dye the Bb. use, for when they see that the State hath almost each them, they seek to eseape, by avoiding their dung; that is, secrerly reporting to the King, many lies and vile slanders against the hunters of them. for seeing fair means would not do it, fowl means might: moreover they would persuade him, that it could not stand with his honour & (b) I know not any Honour or good Service, that ever his Majesty had by them; but rather josse & prejudice; for as the ivy clasps the oak, only to suck out sap from it, for her leaves & berries; so these seek to be in Prince's favour, only thereby to raise themselves, and for nothing else. safety to suffer (c) The finer parts being severed from the grosser, there follows clearness, sweetness, pureness, etc. So when our Land is once purged from the infection of the Prelacy, both King and Subjects will do the better after. that Kingdom to be without Bb. Great joy (d) The like cause of rejoicing the Lord send to England. For I am sure they have occasioned sorrow & grief to her these many years. there was in Scotland when they heard the Bitesheepes had left them: and the saying every where was: The Lord hath done great things for us. And now they found that true in Prav. and that in the Poes'- Venit post multos unaserenae dies. And because they resolved, to keep peace (e) Our Prelates are like Nahash the Ammonite, who would not be at peace with jabesh, Gilead, unless he might trust out all their right eyes; So they cannot abide any man, neither will have accord with him, but persecute him to the death; Who will not sin against knowedge & conscience in yielding to their filthy baggage & trash. with holiness among them, they took counsel what was best to be done for the effecting hereof. If was at last by mutially consent agreed upon, to renew their ancient Covenant with God, & one with another, the which band or Covenant being composed, it was generally subscribed too, by all the better sort in the Kingdom. And as I have heard, one main reason wherefore they were so careful to take such a course as the Prelates should no more come among them, was in regard they saw such cruelty and basenese, in the English Bb. (f) Such is there baseness, that they are spoken of everywhere; and in truth, sorraigne nations do admire, that so generous a nation as the English can suffer such Dunghill Worms, to exercise the cruelty that they do over them. But I believe England will vindicate her Honour shortly this way, and like Scotland will drive away these Locusts from her Coast; And than it will truly be said of both Kingdoms, what is commonly said: Great Britain the most renown and famous I'll in the World. for said they, howsoever hitherto, Ours have not done so wickedly as they: yet who knows what they may do in time: therefore it is good to keep them out whiles they are. The Confession follows. THis Covenant being made, and order given for subscription to it throughout the Land; the Bb. hereat reged beyond measure. And like Athaliah cried out Treason Treason: (a) The Prelates are like him, who being only guilty of follome: Yet in the persuru cries out as mainly as he can, stop the thief, stop the thief, not caring who is apprehended, so himself may escape without danger: So they, howl it the Arch traitors, to God and the King, notwithstaning are so impudent, as to charge others with such crimes, as themselves only are guilty of. And because they saw it was in vain for them to use the courses which they had done before; viz. of silencing, banishing, imprisoning, fining, etc. (for no man now would be so used by them b We do much dishonour the Gospel to obey any of the Bb. Articles, Canons, Censures, etc. the same being against God's Law and Acts of Parliament. By'r rather stand fast (as the brave Scots) in our Christian Liberty, and say to those workers of iniquity, (as Christ will say one day to them) depart ye cursed of the Lord, we know you not. they be gan to make ojbections against the Covenant, as thus. (c) If the Prelates could not help themselves mere by their Pursuivants jails Pillaries, etc. then they can by disputation: as no man now loves them, so then no body woald fear them: For assoon may a man persuade ihem to hang themselves in their Courts, as to reason by the Word of God, with any godly man that comes before them. All their ability lies in this terrible argument: Take him away Jailor. 1. They produce an Act of Parliament An. 1585. which prohibited all leagues and bands made by subjects without the King's consent, under pain as being holden and punished as movers of Sedition, and such is this Covenant and subscription. to this it is answered. 1. Seeing the band and union is for the maintenance of true Religion, the King's Authority and Laws, and for the public welfaire and peace of the whole Realm, against such as seek the ruin thereof; It cannot be justly tear med such a league among subjects, as by the foresaid act is prohibited. 2. Ours is no private band of some particular persons, but a public one, of the collective body of the whole Land; Now, it may not be thought, that they who made the Act, intended to prohibit themselves from entering into Covenant with God, and for God and the King. 3. This is no band against Law, but a renewing only of a Confession of Faith, which King Iames authorized both by proclamation and his practice too. But admit there were some inform alitie in it, in regard they craved not his Majeties consent before they made the Covenant; Notwithstanding (rebus sic stantibus) considering to what extreme miseries (a) What Mariners a case either they can not crane the master's aid, or if they crave it, cannot obtain it, I say in such a case, what mariners will not endeavour, to preserve the vessel from drowning, rather than sit still, & so master & men peerish together. I leave the application to the wise reader many ways the Bb. had brought them, it was as necessary and lawful for them to do wnat they did, for the good of the Church; as was hester's approaching to King Assuerus, before he held out his golden Sceptre, made necessary and lawful by reason of the eminent danger that they were in, through Hammous suggestion to the King. Another thing objected by the Adversary is, that all such as subscribe to this Covenant, oblige themselves to practise such things, as by the act of Perth Assembly was appointed to be used. To this they answer. 1. For Perth Assembly, they say as Ambrose said of the Council he'd at Ariminum, illud ago concilium exhorreo. That Convocation was not Lawful: For the moderators and other members thereof, were not rightly chosen. Again, the carriages of all businesses went by craft and guile, (b) After such a manner are their innovations brought into the English Church that is, either by craft or violence, or both. For the Bb. know, that they are so well beloved in England, that it is not possible that any thing should be done for their meantenance, in a fair & legal way. As Wolves take the advantage of the dark night, for to kill & devour the Sheep: so these Wolves, make use of in justice & violence for to praey upon Christ poor lambs. and not legally and impartially, Besides, seeing their chief pretence for the introduction of genu-cultus then ordained, was because the memory of superstition was passed. It must follow that they who forbear the practice, have as good, or rather a better reason for it; Namely, because the practice of it will revive thememory of superstition. Lastly, it is well known, that sundry of the innovations concluded at Perth, have not been by the Prelates themselves yet practised; (c) Howsoever the Prelates do press conformity: yet it must not be thought that they do it of any conscience: but they invent certain Ceremonies, Canons, Articles, etc. Unto which they think no honest man will subscribe: & so hope, by keeping out all able & faithful men from the ministry, & giving others just occasion to leave their Churches, they hope (I say) in a little time, to bring the whole nation to be Athests and Papists, & they (omnia samilia) as birds of a feather, they will agree well enough. Now, by the same reason and ground that they omit some of those innovations, the subscribers may forbear the practice both of them and the others also; And the rather seeing most Churches (d) As the Lion (in the Greek fable) would needs have the Ass, and fox to be of his Council: because he knew they would do any thing that he should command them, so the Bb. place abroad in the parish Churches of the Land, either Knaves or Fools: for they know, that such fellows like (Foxes & Asses) will do any thing at their courmaund: I say any thing, so that it be for advantage. As that lewd fellow professeth in the poet, Dorio the Bawd: non pudet vanitatis: minime, dum ad rem: Haddit we such in the Kingdom, have not to this day acknowledged, the things there concluded, for the constitutions of a lawful assembly. It is further objected, that Perth Assembly was ratified by an Act of Parliament Ann. 1621. and therefore the Subscribers obleidge themselves to forbear to practice that which by Parliament they are commanded to practice. To answer it, 1. Parliamentary Ratifications, can no way alter Church Canons, concerning the worship of God; For it being but a Counsel, the Parliament cannot turn it into a precept; No more than it can change precepts into Counsels, For that were rather to make Laws and Canons in matters of Religion then to confirm them. 2. There are no commanding words in the ratification, which can simply bind, the greater and better sort of subjects, to a literal obedience of the Articles made in that assimbly: the reason is, because there was a supplication given to the members of that Parliament, before they sat, that they would be pleased to hear such grounds and reasons, as should be exhibited to them against the ratification of Perth Assembly. Moreover when the Supplicators were suppresd, they made their protestation in due time and place according to order of law. Besides his Majesty Commissioners in that Parliament solemnly promised, never to press (a) They have had more favour shown them, than we have had: for Ceremonic here are so urged, as that the Omission of them; is more seve rely punished, the the breach of any law of God: yea the truth is, so men we be, Ceremonioush supestitious. It is a● the religion the Bb care or and it is a● much religion as the have themselves. the execution of the act, no penalty should be exacted, and that there should not be any further of conformity to the English Ceremenies: in short the a foresaid Subscribers have protested against jurisdiction of Prelates, and inparticular against their high Commission, (b) The City of Alexandria in Egypt nourished the grea● bird this to deno● garbage & offal ●● it, and to cleanse th● streets; but he left 〈◊〉 his own fithines at beaslines mor● noisome behind him the high Commission Court is allowed under a pretence cleanse the hand the Offals of sin but the truth is, th●● it doth not: but b●●ther like that b● voids so much du●● & filthiness as 〈◊〉 the whole Kingdom is annoyed therewith our state therefore shall do well to 〈◊〉 down this house of Baal, & (as losiah did the house of the Sodomites) turn it to a la● or draught-house, and so it shall keep still its nature and kind. and all other their Courts, Canons, Articles, and proceed. no doubt but these, and other such like objections, were suggested to his Majesty, & seeing he heard not the ansers (c) Prince's should be like the sun, which casteth her shining beemes upon all a like his Majesty willbe pleased to receinenour charges & proofs against the Bb. in as f●● and favourable a way: as he doth their charges without preffe against us we doubt but to make it clear, yea and his Majesty shall conseld it, that they are neither fit Church or Common wealth. d It hath been the overthrow of main brave princes, to take things upon the 〈◊〉 of the reporter: for by this means dissensions have fallen out between them their best subjects, & here upon, treacherous men (as the Prelates are) have taken 〈◊〉 time & advantage to hurt both parnies. it is possible he might be offended with his best subjects: specially considering, that his Majesty hath things presented to him, in such shapes and lineaments as the Prelates conceive to to be most for their own ends and advantages. notwill standing such was his Maisties' wisdom and love to his ancient Subjects, as that he refused to attempt the actions which some persuaded him unto. (a) What Prelates are, the Spun of God showeth in Rev. 16.13. viz. the unclean pirits which go unto the Kings of the hearth, together them to battle against the Saints. Now, as Aliad being encouraged by his false Prephers, to go against Raniath Gilead, was undone by it: So many in mking the Bb. counsel to war against the Gespell, have been undone by the means, in their state honour, posterity. But sent the Mar: of Ham: down into Scotland, to hear what they could say for themselves: & how they could justify the band they had made and So to certify his Majesty how all things stood: And no doubt but his Majesty did this the rather as conceaving in his royal breast, that it was not possible, that so many of his best suband men of the greatest integrity and prudence, would have agreed together in an action of such a nature without Some considerable reason and cause. The Marquis being come into Eden: much speech passed between him and the commissioners for the Land: they craved the indiction of a free Aslembly and Parliament, as the only remedy of their miseries: he required a rendering up of the whole copies of the Subscribed Covenant telling them that this would be a means to remove all fears of the King's wrath against the subscribers and If they refused to do so, the King: b The same remedy we crave here in England; the which being granted, we feaoe not that but Church and Commonwealth, shall be both the better for it. What Children seeing Serpents creeping in their Fathers and Mother's bosom, will not kill them to preserve their Parents: Those Bb. as so many venomous snakes, lie in the bosom (as it were) of our Abimelech Father King and of the Church; Now, the Parliament-men as good Children will kill those Serpents, that so both Father and Mother may live and prosper. (it might by) would not grant them an affemblie or parliament, for establishing religion, and settling the Peace of Kirk and Kingdom. But they answered that thus they could not do, for if they should they should not be free of the great guiltiness of pervirie before God: (a) Note the wickedness of our Bb: it is their order to have infams in baptisine, to vow and promise by their sureties to fight againct the devil & all his works. yet afterwards, they do what they can, to make them perinted & foresworn in requiring them, to fight for the Devil & his works: that 〈◊〉 for them and the Pope. Again in this they should destroy what they had before built & confess themselves to be trespassers, before they saw it beside they should show great unthankefulnes unto God, for a work which by his good spirit they were moved to do. Moreover the demand was more than the Commissioners could do, in regard many thousands in the Land besides themselves had subscribed: To be short, they said, and that truly, if they should grant this, all the World would wonder at their inconstancy, and their enemies would mock at them, and traduce them, as perjured Covenant-breakers, and Troublers of the peace of the Kirk and Kingdom. And whereas there were many promises made of great matters that the King would do for them: if they would render up the Copies to him. Their answer was: that this was not the first time, (b) It is the property of the fox to come towards the sheep upon his belly, & to show himself a fare off, as if he meant no harm; but being gotten with in them and where he would be: then like a fox he kills & spares not so the Prelates, till they become where they desire to be, they are very friendly & full of fair promises, but having gotten what they seek for, then like soxes as they are they spoil one devour the Lords sheep. that fair promises had been made them: for not urging of of Articles already concluded, and for not trouble them with any further innovation the which being credited, did ensnare many and drew them on to do that, which otherwise they would not have done: all which promises have been broken and denied, when the per formance was craved, and why may they not expect the like in this case, especially where the thing willbe found more hard and difficult. There being much time spent, and no conclusion made of any thing, at the last there comes down a Proclamation from the King. The which was problished at the market Cross of Edinburg the 4 of July 1638. the effect whereof was this. That his Majesty was not ignorant of their great desorders (a) If there be disorders among them, the greatest ault lies on the Proclates who have been the chief Authors and causers of it. And therefore his Majesty shall do very well, to see them severely punished, who have by their attempts to bring peoperie into that Church occasioned much trouble in that Kingdom we use to blame such as set the house on sire, & not the good people which seek to quench it: so etc. here, occasioned as is pretended, upon the introduction of the Service-booke; Book of Canons, etc. thereby fearing innovation of Religion and Laws. At this his Majesty professeth, to grieve to see them run headlong into ruin. Yet out of his innative indulgence to his people, he desires to reclay me them from their faults in a fair way: Rather than let them perish in the same. And for further clearing of scruples he promiseth not hereafter to press the practice of the said Service. book & Canons, but in a fair and legal way, (b) That which is against the comaundement of God cannot lawfully be urged in any way what soever: now there is nothing more sure, then that the service book & book of can: are accursed things, and therefore ought not to be rged or received by any. He that drinks pousen out ofa golden cup, kills himself assoon as if he took it our of an Iron or Wooden Vessel: So Superstition brought into the Church in a plausible and peaceable way, is as deadly a poison unto the receivers of it, as if they were compelled and forced to take it. etc. And for the High Commission he will rectify it (c) It is as possible to wash the Blackamoor white. As by any rectifications to make the high commission a lawful court. If his Majesty, do take the advice of his Council about it, I am sure (if they be not Bb: or Athests or Papists.) they will Counsel him to pull it all down, for there is not one stone in that building which God allows. with the help and advile of the privy Counsel, etc. And for general Assemblies and Parliament it shallbe indicted and called with his conveniency. In conclusion, he requires and heartily wisheth all is good Subjects not to suffer themselves to be seduced and misled under Religion into disobedience, and draw on infinitely to his grief their own ruin. Which he hath and still shall strive to save them from so long as he sees not Royal authority shaken off. The King's Proclamation being published, the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burrowes, Ministers, and Commons made a Protestation against it to this effect: 1. That they will constantly adhere according to their vocation and power to their Reformation at first. Notwithstanding of any innovations introduced either of old or late. 2. That they will adhere to their supplications given in at Assemblies and Parliaments, against the Service-booke, Book of Cannons the High Commission, etc. 3. That they will adhere, with their hearts (a) As I rejoice to see such constancy in the Scotsmen, so it grieves me to the heart, to think what reeds shaken with the wind our people generally are. As joab after he had fought many battles bravely & stoutly; yet died himselse at last in shame & disgrace; Even so many Preachers & Professors, having a while refused conformity to the Beast, have afterwards basely yielded to the Bb. and so gone to their graves, with shame & dishonour to their Oath and subscription of the Confession of Faith. 4. That this Proclamation or Act of Council or any other Act or Proclamation, etc. shall no ways be prejudicial (b) If it be held a base thing among men not to keep a man's Word & Promise, it is much worse to break Covenant with the Lord, yet so do all those, who promise to fear God, and do his work in his own way, and yet do the commandments of the Prelates. to the Confession of Faith. Laws and Liberties of their Kingdom, nor to their supplications Lawful meetings, etc. 5. Seeing their Supplications, for Reformation, are delayed and in effect refused, whatsoever trouble or inconvenience fall out in the Land in the mean time, for want of those ordinary remedies, not to be imputed to them. In short, they protest that it shallbe Lawfulll for them, to defend and maintain that Religion, Laws, and Liberties of their Kingdom, the King's authority in defence thereof, and every one of them one another in that cause, of meantaining the Religion and the King's foresaid authority, according to their power, vocation, and Covenant, with bodies, lives, means, etc. against all persuits whatsoever, or against all external or internal invasions, menaced in this Proclamation. 6. They protest, that their former Supplications, meeting, and mutual defences, are to be commended as real duties of faithful subjects, (c) Que. Whether England hath not as much Previledge, to reject the Service-book & Canons, High Commission, and all other such like Idolatries, and to establish & maintain the true worship of God, as hath Scotland. and not to be styled great disorders, misdeamenours, blind disobedience, under pretext of Religion and running headlong into ruin, etc. In conclusion they expect that his Majesty will presently indict these ordinary remedies of a free Assembly and Parliament to their just supplications, which may be expected from so just and gracious a King. (a) When the men of Isreel were offended with their Brethren, for that they had brought the K. his Household over & jordan, judah answered; the K. is near of Kin to us. Wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? This may serve as a reason, why the Scots are first in bringing the King home from his enemies the Bb. the K. is near of kin to them. Now, for the State of England, if they have any zeal of God, and love to the King, they will further this good work of judah so happily begun for the King's safety and honour. This don john Earl of Caffles &c, in the name of the Noblemen, Master Alexander Gipson younger of Durie, in name of the Barrones, Master john Ker Minister at Salt. Prestoun, in name of the Ministers, and Master Archbald johnston, Reader hereof, in name of all who adheres to the Confession of Faith, & Covenant lately renewed within this Kingdom, took Instruments in the Hands of three Notars present, at the said mercat cross in Edinburgh; being environed with Numbers of the aforesaid Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Borrows, Ministers and Commons, Before many Hundred witnesses; & craved the extract thereof: And in token of their dutiful respect to his Majesty; confidence of the equity of their cause and innocence of their carriage, and hope of his Majesty's gracious acceptance, They offered in humility, with submise reverence, a Copy thereof to the Herald. These things being ended the marquis leaves Eden; and goes back to London, now what followed touching those afaires you shall-know in the next part Rev. 18.9. Reward her even as she rewardeth you: and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double: FINIS.