THE ANSWERES OF SOME BRETHREN OF THE MINISTRY. TO THE REPLIES OF THE MINISTERS and Professors of Divinity in ABERDEENE: CONCERNING THE LATE COVENANT.  2: CHRON. 15. 15. And all JUDA rejoiced at the Oath: For they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire: and He was found of them. 
Printed the year of God, 1638.   

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.  
THat you may know our Proceedings, how we are brought upon the Stage, and con●…rie to our expectation, are put in print. Coming to Abe●…dede on Friday the afternoon, we received, the Demands of our Reverend Brethren that night late: and, for the greater expedition, without delay, we returned our summary Answers on Saturday at night. On the Lord's Day following, we desired to express our-selves to the People in presence of the Ministry, but the Pulpits and Kirks were altogether refused; and therefore in the most convenient place we could have, sub dio, and at such hours as were vacant from the ordinary exercises of public Worship; we delivered our Message in the Audience of many. After our last Sermon, towards Evening, we found that our labour was not in vain in the LORD, for divers persons, of special note, both for place and wisdom, with willing heart, & great readiness of mind did publicly put their hands to the COVENANT. Having the week following seen some parts of the Country, (where besides the Presbyteries Alford and Dear, who had subscribed before, the Moderator, & divers of the Presbytery of Aberdene, the Presbytery of Turreff, after they were satisfied in some scruples, did also subscribe) we returned the next Saturday to Aberdene; where finding that some others had subscribed that week, we resolved to preach upon the morn. That night we received a Reply, unto which before our return home, we have made an Answer. All these we desire may be unpartially considered: and if it shall please the LODD, that any light shall come from our labour unto thy mind, let it be ascribed not unto us, (who neither had time nor helps for such a task) but to the brightness of the Truth, and Cause itself, and to the Father of Lights: to whom be all Glory.  
What did prodeed from our Pen in our Answ●… to the D. D. of Aberdeene, concerning the late Declaration given to his Majesty's Commissioner, did flow from minds filled with a zeal to the peace of this Kirk & Kingdom, and from our earnest desires of a perfect harmony, betwixt the King and his Subjects against all Mistake. This zeal of ours we confess made us study more, how to decline and to keep ourselves from touching such of the D. D. demands as were thorny, than how to walk safely through them. And likewise to make manifest to his Majesty's good Subjects in all places whether the D. D. demands, and our answers should happen to come. That matters inclined to pacification, and were in a fair way off settling: for which peaceable intentions we could conceive nothing to be more behooveful, than by word and write to make known to all men the foresaid declaration, which his Majesty's loyal Subjects presented to his Majesty's Commissionar, for clearing their Covenant of all unlawful Combination against Authority. And by so doing, to stop the mouths of our Adversaries, and to stay all their obloquys. In using of this mean, it was far from our thoughts to wound any man, or to write any word, which might give the smallest offence to the meanest of his Majesty's Subjects, Hoping rather that these our proceedings should have been more acceptable to Authority, more approven of the wife and men of understanding, and more agreeable unto the minds of such as are for peace; than rashly and unadvisedly to have gone on in a Dispute of State questions, which hardly at any time hath been profitable for peace, and which at this time seemed to us (to say no further) most unseasonable & impertinent. Yet knowing that it were not only base and shameful, but in our persons, and in our proceedings in this cause, a very great incongruity, and in itself sinful, to speak wickedly for GOD, and to talk deceitfully for him, for that were as one man mocketh another so to mock him. job. 13. 7. 9 and to make iniquity a mean to promove piet●…e, (a policy which we have not learned,) as if GOD could be served with our sins. We have made here a brief relation of the reasons & grounds, where-upon we have in our answers confidently affirmed, that his Majesty's Commissionar did accept, and was well pleased with the late Declaration.  
1. His G. was most earnest to have the late Covenant so solemnly sworn, and so universally subscribed to be rendered, or rescinded, and did propone plausible reasons for that effect. But this by such strong impediments as were at that time represented, and are now extant in print, being impossible to us to do, except we would sin highly against God. His G. afterward declared that the King's Majesty was most willing to indict an Assembly & call a Parliament, but that our Covenant in the clause of mutual defence, was a combination against Authority, and that we had sworn to defend one another in our own private quarrels, aswel as in the cause of Religion. This his G. desired to be removed, as a main hindrance of the obtaining of our desires, and without the removal whereof an Assembly, and Parliament could not be indicted. When this motion of a Declaration was first proponed to the several meetings the greater part was against it: because no Declaration, containing ●…ye thing contrary to the Covenant could be granted, and an explanation of the Covenant, the meaning whereof seemed to be plain enough, would no more please than the Covenant itself: but by the earnest dealing of some Noblemen of his Majesty's Counsel sent from the Commissioner, with some Commissioners sent from every meeting, It was thought meet in end, that a Supplication containing a Declaration should be form, which at last his G. did receive at the hands of the Supplicants, and upon the receiving thereof promised to deal with the King's Majesty for obtaining a free Assembly and Parliament, which he refused to undertake without this Declaration. Thus by the very nature and course of our Proceedings about this point, it is manifest that the Declaration was, at least in this far satisfactory to the Commissioner himself, that he did promise to mediate for an Assembly and Parliament, which was both the sum of our desires, and the only end of this Declaration. So that no man could in any reason think that we should have wronged him in affirming that his G. did accept, and was well pleased with that Declaration since upon the sight, receiving, and hearing thereof, he promised to do his best endeavours with his Majesty for obtaining what was petitioned by us, which before and without it, his G. had utterly refused to do.  
2. The three Noblemen of his Majesty's Counsel who were employed by his G. about this Declaration, did repair ordinarily to him for advysing what form of Declaration would best please, and give best satisfaction. And we had great reason to think that the form which pleased their Lordships should not be displeasing, or unacceptable to his G.  
3. After that divers forms of Declaration were drawn up, and none of them was found to give satisfaction: at last it was thought good, that one should be form by way of Supplication for a general Assembly and Parliament.  
And because the main hindrance of obtaining thereof, was that our Covenant was suspect to be a combination against Authority, it was found necessare that this impediment should be removed by declaring that no such thing was intended in the Covenant. This form of Supplication did first please the three Noblemen, and thereafter, divers parts and expressions of it were corrected by his G. particular direction, which are still keeped in remembrance, & in the notes of the Noblemen and others at that time employed about this work from their several meetings. This made us to think that his G. was well pleased with so much as was corrected by himself, and that his G. would have also corrected other parts & expressions thereof, if he had not been well pleased with them: and therefore made us secure that his G. would no have offended that we or any other, should have affi●… so much.  
4. We have reason to think that the first Declaration which was shown to the Petitioners by the three Noblemen sent from his G. to negotiate with them, would have given satisfaction; why then shall we not think, that the Supplication mended by his own particular direction, not in the petitory part, but in the Declaration which it contained, might in like manner satisfy.  
5. Among other parts of the Declaration which were mended by the Commissioners direction, One was in the beginning thereof, where, in place of that which was first written That the King's Majesty bade conceived the Confession of Faith and Covenant lately renewed by us his Majesty's Subjects to be an unlawful combination against Authority: His G. would have it changed thus, That his Majesty's Commissioner hath conceived the Confession of Faith, etc. We might therefore have imagined that the King's Majesty possibly would not have been pleased with our Declaration, but it could not so much as enter in our minds that his Majesty's Commissioner, who would have the words to express his own dislike, and not the Kings, should not for his own part been pleased with it, or be offended with us, for affirming so much.  
6. There was some reasoning between the three Counsellors and the Petitioners, whether the words of the Declaration should be thus conceived, amain Hindrance, or, the mains Hindrance, for which later conception the Petitioners did plead, That this which was the main hindrance being removed by their declaration, for which end they were moved to make it, there might be no more hindrances afterward, or at lest so small ones, that they might easily be put out of the way; and the truth is, that since the removal of that main hindrance, we have heard of no particular hindrance from the contents of the Covenant. This also did make us to say with the greater confidence that the Declaration did please.  
7. When the Declaration was received by his Majesty's Commissioner, was read openly, and was confirmed heartily by the oath of the petitioner. His G. declared that he verily believed that they meaned what they spoke, that he hoped what they had written should prove satisfactory to his Majesty, and that he would against the time appointed do his best endeavours with his Majesty for obtaining our desires, which could not but make us conceive that his G. was satisfied with it himself.  
8. Although all the companies of petitioners could not be present to hear with their own ears, the words that were spoken, yet all of them had so much as we have written, reported unto them, not by uncertain rumour, but by the faithfulness of their Commissioners; and upon the certainty of this report, and certain evidences of the truth, they rested satisfied, and were put in hope of a general Assembly at the Commissioner his return. Which hath made them also now in their answers to the last of the late propositions made unto them by his Majesty's Commissioner after his return, to affirm, that his G. accepted their Declaration as the most ready & powerful mean, which could come within the compass of their thoughts, for clearing them of that objected Combination, lykeas they have testified no less in their letters to others. So that if we have erred in our affirmation, we have not erred alone, but have been carried away with the common error of so many as were here convened, without exception of any one.  
9 As it is very unbeseeming our profession & calling, so was it very far from our mind & desire, in our answers to touch the honourable Lords of Counsel, or any in authority under his sacred Majesty. If the Act of approbation with the Subscriptions thereof, (the ground of the missive) was torn and rescinded and the missive itself, once thought fit to be sent, was returned and promise given, that it should not be sent, there was no less done than was assevered by us. What reason we had to affirm that this was done upon the Supplication & complaint of the liege's, may appear, if it be remembered, First, that some of the honourable Lords of ●…unsell after they were informed by the supplicants what p●…udices were done to their cause by the Act approving the Proclamation, were passionately desirous to have the Act rescinded, and did declare that they would not spare to deal with the Commissioner for that effect. 2. When it was required by the Supplicants, that another Act should be made bearing, that by their subscribing the Proclamation they had not given their Approbation to it, It was often and at large answered, that they did not by their Subscription approve the Proclamation, but only gave warrant thereby to the Clerk for registration, and to the Herald for publishing the same. And thirdly the Supplicants presented a petition containing the reasons of their desires, and could not be satisfied, except upon these reasons the Act were rescinded, and the missive stayed. This Supplication was received by the Commissioner, was openly read, and answer was given by his G. that their desire should be satisfied. All this in substance was known to many thousands before any word was seen from our pen, neither had any thing written by us come to the sight of the world, if it had not been put to the Press by the D. D.  
So much have we been constrained to say for vindicating ourselves, who esteem it to be our chiefest comfort and greatest glory, that we plead for the cause of God, and truth of Religion and desire neither in our plea nor in our preaching for the defence of the truth to allege any un●…ueth. We have written nothing before, or at this time, from an humour to contradict any man, or to wrong the meanest far less any of the honourable Lords of his Majestices' Counsel, & least of all his Majesty's high Commissioner But do confess that there was much insisting great working on both sides; & many meetings▪ before the form of Declaration could be agreed upon, and received: And we do believe also that the rescinding of the Covenant, so vehemently urged, was that which would have given him, as his Majesty's Commissioner, greatest satisfaction, Neither are we ignorant that Partly through the malignancy of Sycophants watching all opportunities to promove their own projects; Partly through the rubs and difficulties which occur in working of great matters to their wished ends; and Partly through the busy and overweening conceit of some who would seem to be somewhat that they may warm themselves at a combustion, and who are ready to raise suspicions against the wisest and best affected to Authority; much must beewritten and spoken per ragioni di stato, which otherwise would not be thought so necessary. Yet cannot we conceive but the acceptance of the Declaration of the loyalty of his Majesty's subjects set down in writ, and seconded by oath, was good service to the King, and that labouring with his Majesty to possess his royal heart with the best conceptions and constructions of the actions of his well meaning, and honest hearted Subjects, deser●…eth from them the increase of that respect, and honour which they owe to all whom God honoureth to be instruments of good and happiness to this Kirke and Kingdom, which the LORD establish under his Majesty's long and prosperous reign.   

TO THE READER.  
GOod Reader, what could not be performed by us in Printing or Answers severally after their own Replies, let it be supplied by thyself in reading. And if there be any part of our Answers which seemeth not to be relative to the Replies, let it be imputed to the D. D. whose printed Copy agrieth not with that, which in wr●…t was sent unto us under their hands, & unto which our Answers were made. Neither is it our fault that our answers have not come to light before this time, we having sent the same, without the changing of one word to be printed at Aberdene, before our coming from that part of the Country: This must be ascribed to the ordinary difficulties and hindrances, which use to oppose the Truth and a good cause in the World, and which, it is not meet now to specify.   

TO OUR REVEREND BRETHREN, The Doctors and Ministers of Aberdeene.  
THat our Answers (Reverend and beloved Brethren) have not given you full satisfaction, as it may be imputed to our weakness, in the defence of so good a Cause, so may it proceed also from your own prejudice against what could be said by us, which we have some reason to suspect for two causes, one is, that your Demands which we conceived to have been intended merely for us, and were sent unto us from you in write, were published before our coming in print, like as you have now printed and published your Replies before you had seen our Answers unto that which we received from you last in write; we having promised to the bearer, to return an Answer shortly ere we departed the Country. This may seem rather to be a seeking of victory from praejudice, than a search of verity for satisfaction.  
The other cause of our suspicion, is, that the grounds of our Answers to you, have proven satisfactory to others, who for Age, and gifts of Learning and Understanding, are prime men in this Kirk and Kingdom, and to whom modesty will not suffer you to prefer yourselves. But whether our weakness, or your prejudice be the cause, must be now judged by others, to whose view ye have brought us: Whom therefore we with you heartily desire unpartiallie to considder our first and second Answers; wishing and hoping that partiality, prejudice, and all worldly respects and fears, laid aside, the naked Truth shall be seen of all her lovers. Concerning your confidence of us, as we in love judge, that ye think not yourselves to be striving against the Truth; so may ye conceive, that we can no more be●… brought to your mind, than we can be drawn from the profession of our Religion, as it hath been reform, sworn, and confirmed by the late and preceding Covenants, and from following the example of our religious Reformers, and the many Worthies succeeding them in this Kirke, who would have been glad to have seen the days which we now do see: and for which we pray, that both ye and we may be thankful; so shall it not be imputed unto us, that we have not discerned, and used the day of the Lords visitation: so shall we all rejoice together in the Day of the LORD.  

To the first Reply.  
YOUR experience in your Disputes against the common Adversary, wherein you say ye are so frequent, hath (no doubt) taught you, how easy a matter it is to multiply Objections against the Tr●…th, and Cause of GOD: and yourselves know, that your Objection against our Calling, and the Warrant of our coming to you, was framed, and published in print, before it was propounded unto us: and ere our Answer could be had; but so soon as we did hear your Demands, we answered incontinent, in the humility and truth of our minds, that we were to obtrude nothing upon you, or your flock, by any particular Authority, Civil or Ecclesiastic, but that we did come in all meekness, to represent unto you the present case of this Kirke, and in love to entreat you, to join with us, for the peace thereof; for which we trust, without wronging any lawful Authority, we may claim the Warrant of the highest and greatest Authority, although we had not been sent from almost the whole Kirke and Kingdom, lawfully convened at this time, for preservation of Religion, and of the Liberties and Laws of this Kingdom, so sore shaken, by the usurpation of the Prelates, and their Favourers. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works, etc. sayeth the Apostle, Heb. 10. 24. And where ye object, that without your leave we preached within your Congregation; which is aggravated by you, as a heinous fault, both against Scripture, and against the Canons of ancient Counsels, which ye have laboriously quoted against us, we entreat you, to be more sparing, lest the guiltiness, if there be any, reflex upon yourselves: For your Pulpits and Kirks being denied us, (not from any injury done by us, but by your own determination, before our coming) a necessity was laid upon us, to deliver our message in such places, as your courtesy did permit; wherein no man will find, that we have failed, if he consider, first, That there is as wide difference betwixt Ecclesia turbata & pacata, the troubled and peaceable estate of a Kirke, as is betwixt Ecclesia constituenda & constituta, & many things are necessary in the one, which perhaps are not expedient in the other. Ye speak of the Constitution of the Kirk this year, as if ye had been speaking thereof many years before this time. 2. That the word of God, and the Canons of Counsels, will have Pastors so to care for their own flocks that they forbid them not, to care for the whole Kirke, especially in the time of a common Combustion. When the house is on fire every man ought to run to all rooms, where he may quench it: when a laik striketh up in a Ship, every Mariner, yea, every Passenger ought to labour to stop it. Even he who is not universal Pastor of the Kirke, is Pastor of the universal Kirk: and the Apostle hath taught us, That we are members one of another, Rom. 12. 4. As all the members of one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 1. Cor. 12. 12. That the members should have the same care one of another, verse. 25. If some members of this Kirk had not cared more kindly, in this time of common danger: than other some have done, the whole body had been ere now dangerously, if not desperately diseased. 3. That we made choice of such ho●…res, for delivering our Message, that the people might attend your ordinary times of public worship; which maketh your charge, of the people's contempt, or ours, of your Ministry, to be most unjust.  
In the second part of your Reply to our Answer to your first Demand, ye might have made choice of words witnessing more respect to the most part of the Kingdom now, and to the Kirke in former times, than of a Confederation, and Negative Confession: we know no other Confederation at this time, but this same laudable Covenant which our Progenitors, and many yet living, made with God, and amongst themselves, at the commandment of Authority, and according to the example of the people of God in former times. Neither is that short Confession merely Negative, since the beginning thereof is Affirmative, & doth virtually contain the first large Confession ratifyed in Parliament, 1567. 2. No Pastors, in our knowledge, have either been forced to flee to foreign Countries, or have been threatened with the want of their stipends, for the refusing their Subscription: but this we have heard, that some of them have of their own accord, gone to Court, for procuring of Protections against their Creditors, and against the Laws, and Duty of good Subjects, have made Lies between the King and his people. Others we know have wilfully refused, to abide with their flock: and being eranestly entreated by them, to attend their Charge, have left them, and have gone out of the Country, for no reason, but because the people had subscribed, and as ye know, that Arguments have been taken from augmentation of stipends, to hinder Subscription: so ye may know, That fear of worldy loss, rather hindereth men to subscribe, than scruple of conscience. The Prelate's flight, seemeth rather to have proceeded from inward furies of accusing consciences, or for fear of a storm, (which being procured by their own doing, may be easily prognosticated by them) than from the enforcing of Subscription of the Covenant, which in our knowledge was never required of any of the Prelates, although they be grosslie guilty of the breach of the Covenant, which they did swear, and subscribe before. 3. Your help, by your prayers, and other means, for extinguishing of the present Combustion, we still desire, but withal entreat, that you would both join with the rest of the kirks of the Kingdom, in public humiliation and fasting, which the Lord himself doth proclaim, and call for at this time; so should your prayers be the more effectual, and also ye be good instruments, according to your power, with your own people, and the country about, to join in the Covenant, so should ye find the work of Pacification the more easy. 4. The Reasons which we touched in our Answer, for proving, that ye might, without just offence to any, join with us in subscribing, are not yet answered for, first, a sound Interpretation of the Covenant, although proceeding from a private person, and altogether void of external Authority, can not make a substantial difference: and if the Interpretation be unsound, although it were confirmed with Authority, it maketh not a substantial co-incidence. 2. Why is it denied, that the former Covenant containeth Mutual defence, since all are obliedged thereby to defend Religion, according to their vocation and power, and the King's person and authority, which can not possibly be done without Mutual Defence: and since that clause of the Covenant, is so expo●…ded, and applied upon grounds of perpetual reason, in the general Band drawn up, and printed by Authority, anno 1590. 3. Ye must either prove this Covenant to be sub stantially different from the former, which is impossible, or ye must acknowledge this to have the same Authority with the former, since we are really obliedged in the former Covenant, and virtually the same warrant of King, Counsel, and Assembly, remaineth, and was never yet discharged: by virtue whereof the Covenant might have been renewed yearly by all the Subjects of the Kingdom, no less than it hath been subscribed yearly by such as pass Degries in Colleges, and such as were suspect of Papistry from time to time. 4. What was done by his Majesty's Commissionar, was not done in a corner, that it needeth to be pried into, or doubted of, and what was allowed by his grace, who had so great power from his Majesty, to declare his Majesty's will, and to receive Declarations from his Subjects, and who was in every point so zealous, and tender of his Majesty's service and honour: who are ye, that it should be disallowed by you? Ye will have the kingdom guilty of Combination against Authority, and will not have the King to be satisfied. when they have declared themselves to the contrary, & their Declaration is accepted by his Majesty's Commissionar. This manner of dealing, is more suitable to Papists, and such In●…ndiaries, than for you, who desire to prove good Patriots, in using all means of Pacification. 5. We are sorry that ye should be the first, who have accounted our Covenant to be a Confedearcie, against the Truth, since some of yourselves, and all every where have been constrained; to acknowledge, that they aim at the same end with us, to maintain the Truth. And for that which displeaseth you in our way, that we deal after such a manner with people, to come in, we answer, that we have seen in this Land, The day of the Lords power, wherein His people have most willingly offered themselves in multitudes, like the dew of the morning: that others of no small Note, have offered their Subscriptions, and have been refused, till time should try, that they join in sincerity, from love to the Cause, and not from the fear of men: and that no threatenings have been used, except of the deserved judgement of God; nor force, except the force of Reason, from the high respects which we owe to Religion, to our King, to our Native Country, to ourselves, and to the posterity: which hath been to some a greater constraint, than any external violence; and we wish, may also prevail with you.   

To the second▪  
WE perceive, that you pass in silence, that which we answered concerning the preventing of trouble, which by all appearance had been too sensible to many before this time, if the Conventions censured by you, had not been kept; we desire that ye would here declare yourselves, whether ye would have rather received the Service book Book of Canons, and other Trash of that kind, tending to the subversion of Religion, and to the prejudice of the Liberties of the Kingdom●…, than to have convened in a peaceable manner, to present Supplications to his Majesty, for averting of so great evilis. Neither do ye speak a word of the saying of K. james, which ought to be regarded; both for the witness sake, who is of so great authority, and for the testimony which containeth so great reason. For, shall not the whole body of a Kingdom stir pro aris & 〈◊〉 or shall our Religion be ruined, & our light be put out, and all men hold their peace? We told you also, that the first part of the Act of Parliament, 1585., is relative to another Act in Queen Mary's time, which specifieth, what sort of Leagues and Bands are forbiddin, and setteth us free from the breach of the Act; but ye have answered nothing to this, and still dispute from the Act of Parliament, rather than from othergrounds, better beseeming your 〈◊〉 and Ours; and in this will so precilelit adhere to the Letter of the Law, that you will have no Meetings, withhout the King's consent, even in Case of the preservation of Religion, of his Majesty's Authority, and of the Liberties of the Kingdom, which we are sure must be contrary to the reason and life of the Law, since the safety of the People is, the sovereign Law. Although it be true also that for our Covenant, we have the consent of Authority pressing upon all the Subjects in the General Band, and Confession of Faith, formerly subscribed for maintenance of the Religion, their Subscription and Oath as a note of their soundness in Religion, and of their loyalty and fidelity to the King, and his Crown, wherein juris-consults, more skilled in this kind, than we need to be, have given their Responses, & verdicts, in favour of us, and our Cause.  
2. The point touching Authority, is so full of Thorns and Rocks, useth to be so vehemently urged, to pro cure envye against the Gospel of CHRIST, and can so hardly be disputed and discussed except in a large Treatise, to the satisfaction of King's and Kingdoms; and all having interest, that for the present we only wish you to hear the testimonies of two great Divines, the one is Whitaker, in his Answer to Master Reynolds preface, pag. 6. Stirs and tumults for matters of Religion, Reynold rehearseth, that have been in Germany, France, Bohemia, as though it were sufficient for their condemnation, that they once resisted, and did not by and by admit whatsoever violence was offered either to GOD'S Truth, or to them-selves, contrary to Promise, to Oath, to public Edicts, to Law, whereby they were warranted to do as they did: more of this matter, will I not answer, being of another nature, and cleared long since from the crime of Rebellion, not only by just just defence of their doing: but also by the Pro clamations and Edicts of Princes themselves. The other is Bilson, in his Book of Christian subjection, in defence of the Protestants in other Countries, against the objection of the jesuit, pag. 332, affirming, that subjects may defend their Ancient and Christian Liberties, covenanted and agreed upon by those Princes to whom they first submitted themselves, and were ever since confirmed and allowed by the Kings that have succeeded, they may require their own right, save their own lyves, beseech, that they be not used as slaves, but like Subjects; like men, not like beasts; that they may be convented by Laws, before judges, not murdered in Corners, by Inquisitors. This is also the judgement of Rivetus, in his Commentary, PSAL. 68 Which being looked upon by you, will furnish a full answer to what ye have cited at length from his jesuita vapulans. For betwixt jesuitical treasonabe & pernicious doctrine, and practices against Princes, and Magistrates, refuted by him, and the loyal and sound doctrine of Protestants: yourselves know the difference and opposition, like as it is clear as the Sun, by that short Confession, by the Application thereof, to the times in this present Confession, by our public Protestation, and by the Declaration exhibited to his Majesty's Commissioner, that we mean not only mutual concurrence, and assistance in the cause of Religion, but also to the uttermost of our power, to defend the King's Majesty, his Person and Authority. We would be glad, that ye and others were witnesses to our private prayers, and the most secret of our thoughts. and affections concerning our loyalty to our dread Sovereign: so should ye either cease to write in this against us, or be forced to write against your own Consciences.  
5, When we justify our Conventions and Covenants, from their purposed ends, we mean not only the last and most remote ends: but the nearest and immediate, and if nothing in these can merit just censure, the Conventions and Covenants no more in that which ye call the Object, nor in their ends, can be culpable: what Aspersions have been put upon our Reformation, and Reformers, by the malice of our Adversaries, can not be unknown to you. But we wish, that your enginings and pens may be better employed, than to join with them in so bad a Cause, which we expect also from your prudence, considering the people and place where ye live.   

To the third.  
Y●…E do well and wisely, that you search not curiously into the minds of Princes, and Reasons of State: but whether all his Majesty's Subjects be satisfied with the last Proclamation, needeth no deep search. For although possibly some had been more pleased with a Proclamation, commanding the Service Book, such especially, who either will see no errors in it, or have publicly processed, that they have been groaning for it, yet the Protestation of the Supplicants against it, as it giveth most humble and hearty thanks to his gracious Majesty, for what is granted: so it restifieth upon undeniable evidences, that the Proclamation is not a satisfaction of our just desi●…es: for, first, the Proclamation supposeth the Service Book to be no Innovation of Religion. 2. That it is not contrary to Pro testant-Religion. 3. That the Proclamation giveth not or●…r for discharging all the Acts made in favours of the Service Book, especially that of the 19 of February, which giveth unto it so great Approbation, as serving for maintaining the true Religion, and to beat out all Superstition, and no ways to be contrary to the Laws of this Kingdom, but to be compiled, and approved for the universal use and edification of all his Majesty's Subjects. 4. It is so far from disallowing the said Book, that it putteth us in fear, that it shall be pressed in a fair and legal way, and therefore, notwithstanding the Proclamation, the necessity of Covenanting, which containeth nothing contrary to the Acts of Parliament, nor to the duty of good Subjects, but is the largest Testimony of our Fidelity to GOD, and loyalty to our King, (whatsoever it may seemeto you to import) doth yet continue, that his Majesty may be pleased, to grant the full satisfaction of our reasonable Petitions, and that our Religion, and Liberties, may be preserved for afterwards. Who-so-ever profess themselves to be perfectly satisfied with the Proclamation, do proclaim in the ears of all the Kingdom, that they are better pleased with the Service book and (anons, than with the Religion, as it hath been processed in this Land since the Reformation.   

To the fourth.  
WE were assured that your Demand proceeded from a Mistaking, & therefore, according to our knowledge, did ingenuously, for your satisfaction, expound unto you the mind of the Subscribers, but find now, that we have laboured in vain at your hands, from which we have received this Reply: unto which, concerning the first. Misinterpretation, we answer: 1. That although we do neither use threatenings, nor obtrude our Interpretation, upon you, as bearing any obligatory power, yet pardon us, that we match you not, and put you not in the Balance with the greatest part of the Kingdom both Ministers, and others, in whose name we recommended this Interpretation unto you, by all fair means, and force of Reason: and in so doing, we are so far from the breach of our solemn Vow, and Promise, that we esteem this to be no small proof of that godliness and righteousness, wherein we are bound by our Covenant, to walk. 2. The authoritative judgement of our Reformers and Predecessors, is evidenced not only by the Confession of Faith, ratified in Parliament, but also by the books of Discipline, Acts of general Assembllies, and their own Writs; wherein if ye will, ye may find warrant for this Interpretation: and in respect whereof, it is public, ratione medij, besides these midses of Scripture of Antiquity, and of the Consent of the reformed Kirks, which are named for midses by you.  
Concerning the 2 Missconstruction, it is no marvel that Prejudices, and preconceived opinions, poss●…ssing the mind, make men to fall upon interpretations of their own; but in the South parts of the Kingdom, where many learned and judicious men, both Pastors. & Professors were assembled at the first subscribing thereof, we remember of none that did fall into that Mistake. And the two sorts of Novations, such as are already introduced, and such as are supplicated against, are so punctually distinguished, that there is no place left to Ambiguity: but o●… the contrary, the Novations which we promise to forbear for a time only, can not be supposed in the following words, to be abjured, for ever, as Popish novations.  
2. Upon a new examination of the words, ye perceive, that the Articles of Pearth, and Episcopacy, are condemned as erroneous corruptions, because we promise, to labour, to recover the former purity & liberty of the Gospel, unto which our Answer is, that it appeareth, that you will have all the Covenanters against their intention, and whether they will or not, to disallow, and condemn the Articles of Pearth, and Episcopal Governament, lest they be tried in a general Assembly But it is known to many hundreths, that the words were purposely conceived, for satisfaction of such as were of your judgement, that we might all join in one heart, a●…d Covenant for establishi●…g Religion, and opposing errors. And for your Argume●…t, whether the Articles of Perth and Episcopacy, be against the purity and liberty of the Gospel or not, which is not determined by these words of the Covenant. But it cannot be denied, first, That if in a free Assembly, they be found to be ●…gainst the purity and liberty of the Gospel, ●…hey ought to be abolished: in the mean time, it being left free, by the words of the Covenant to all, who will, to stand to the defence of their lawfulness. Secondly, how can it be denied, that many corruptions, contrary to the purity and liberty of the Gospel, were they never so innocent in themselves, have accompanied these Novations, such as the superstitious observing of Days, ●…eriation and cessation from work, on those Days, Feasting guysing. etc. many gross abuses have entered in the Sacrament, upon kneeling before the elements, and upon the lawless usurpation of Prelates: in respect whereof, even they who allow Pearth Articles, and Episcopacy, may swear to recover the purity of the Gospel. And thirdly, who can be so great a stranger at home, as to deny, that many corruptions of Popery and Arminianism, have entered in the Kirke, and have been vented, and defended, in Schools, and pulpits: by reason whereof we are bound, every one of us, according to the measure of our light, to labour for recovery of our former Purity? And therefore, if you had cast your eyes upon the condition of this 〈◊〉 Kirk, as ye have pried narrowly, into the Expressions of the Covenant, ye might have spared both your own labour and ours, and not laboured to scar both yourselves and others, with this shadow.  
In your Argument, ad hominem, you should have considered, that whatsoever be our judgement, as we are particular persons, yet, at this time we were to be taken, as commissioners, from the whole companio of Subscribers, who, about this point, are of different judgements, and if some of your own judgement, had either come alone in our place, or had been joined in Commission with us, we had anticipate your Objection: and this ye have been forced to see: and so yourselves, in propnunding your Objection; have answered, your own Syllogism, in making us to say, that ye may swear and subscribe, seeing ye think not these things to be abjured in that Oath made Ann●… 15●…1 neither was it for you, to inquire in our private Opini●…, nor necessary for us, to make it known, but to have conceived of our minds, according to our Commission, and the will of those that sent us. Your Arguments need to be no impediments unto your swearing of the Covenant. For upon your grounds, you would not have sworn the Short Confession, any time by past: yea. ye can not swear the Confession of any Kirke: nay, not the Articles of the Cr●…d, because of the divers Interpretations of the Article of Christ's descen●… into Hell; or swearing them in Scotland and England, ye behoved to swear them in divers senses. There be some words of the Lord's prayer as, Give us this day our daily bread: and of the x Commands as the words of the 4 Command, which are diversely understood; must Christians, therefore, forbear to join in saying the Prayer, or swearing Obedience to the Commandments? Neither for this do we admit any ambiguity, or aequivocation: the words certainly have but one true sense and signification., but divers persons conceive and understand them, according to the different measures of their light. Since than your Disputation, is builded upon such a S●…pposition, it must either fall to the ground, or hardly can any Confession of Faith, or Religious Covenant be sworn. Offend not therefore if we in modesty present unto you, A Dis●… of your own dressing: we mean, the like Argument, adhominem.  
The Rites and Ceremonies which are not abjured in the negative Conf●…ssion, are not abjured in this late Covenant.  
But the Rites and Ceremonies, which were concluded in Perth Assembly, are not abjured as you say, in the negative Confession made, 158●….  
Therefore, they are not abjured in this late Covenant, as ye think.  
The first Proposition is evident, because in the late Covenant we are bound no farther, concerning the negative Confeffion, but to keep it inviolable: and therefore, what Rites are not abjured there, are not abjured here? The second Proposition cannot be denied by you; for these twenty years by gone ye have thought yourselves free of perj●…rie, notwithstanding of the Oath in 1581. & of your conforming yourselves to the ordinances of Perth. And whereas ye allege, afterwârd, as before, that our Supplications are satisfied, the contrary is known, by our public Protestution, & by our last Supplication & complaint presented to his Majesty's Còmissioner. And the urging of the Service book was a sufficient Reason, for for be arance of Perth articles, till an assembly; at which time it may be determined, whether it be expedient, that this Kirk be any more troubled with them. Neither needeth your conscience to subscribe the forbearance of these Novations, as if swearing of forbearance, were a swearing of disobedience to Authority: first, because the swearing of forboarance of a thing in your opinion, indifferent, in the case of soandall, and of sensible fear in others, of Superstition, is the swearing of Obedience to the Commandment of God. which sorbiddeth us, to destroy him, for whom Christ died, although man should command the contrary. 2. Because the articles of Perth were concluded, for satisfying, & not to press any man with the practice of them, as was openly professed unto the Opponents. before the face of the whole Assembly, and because the Act itself giveth warrant, to forbear the practice at this time, when the memory of Superstition is revived, which maketh us to think, that they who have for borne the practice of these Articles, since the superstitious Service book was complaned upon, make most truly conscience of Obedience of the Act of Perth, & Parliament, ratilying the same, and are most conform to the Confession of saith, ratifyed in Patliament, declaring that Ceremonies ought to be changed; when they rather soster Superstition, than edify the Kirke, using the same. Last of all, You say, ye can not swear Forbearance, because ye can not abstain from private Baptism, and priva●…e Communion: where we perceive, that, in your judgement, private Baptism & Communion, are not any more things indifferent but necessary, necessitate praecepti, in so far, that the not using them, is a contempt of the Means, and a tempting of God. By this your doctrine, first, The state of the Question anent Perth artieles, is quite altered: for ye, and your Associates, did ever to this time, allege the Question, to be of things indifferent: but now ye find some of them so necessary, that although the general Assembly of the Kirke, should discharge them: yet ye behoved still, for conscience of the Commandment of God to practise them. If ye have the same judgement of Kneeling before the Elements, and of festival Days, it cometh to pass amongst us, which hath been incident to the Kirke in former ages that things have been first brought in, as indifferent, their urged as necessary. If Confirmation also in your judgement, be not indifferent, but necessary, we desire to understand, with what conscience it hath been slighted, and utterly neglected by the Prelates these 20 years past? and how it is, that ye have carried so small regard to the Canon of the Kirke, and Act of Parliament, and to the benefit of young Children, as not to require, urge, and press the practice thereof, both in your own Charge & throughout the whole Kirke? This would seem to be partial dealing, to press some Ceremonies, and neglect other some; while both by the same Canon of the Kirk & Act of Parliament are appointed. 2. Ye do hereby coudemne the practice of the Kirke of Scotland; from the time of Reformation; till Perths' Assembly; and put no small guiltiness upon other reformed Kirks, who use not that at all, but rather abstain from it; as dangerous, which ye now do prof●…sse, to be so necessary, 3. We wish you wisely to consider, whence 〈◊〉 is, and what can be the true cause, that ye living in that part of the Kingdom, should be more pressed by the people, with the practice of private Baptism, and Communion, than all the Kirks in the Kingdom beside, where these 20 years past, rarely any such motion hath been made: it is not because that Popery prevaileth there, and the people have a superstitious conceit of Baptism & Communion, as absolutely necessary to Salvation; as it GOD had tied his grace to the Sacraments; and children dying without Baptism, and others without their last Vi●…ticum did perish? Thus ye minister the Sacraments in private, as necessary necessitate praecepti; and the people seem to desire, and receive them, as necessary, necessitate medij; an Evil very curable, in that City where the Assemblies of the people, for public worship are frequent, wherein the Sacraments might be ministered frequently enough, with great solemnity and edification. 4. And though we do not deny, but Baptism privately ministered, by the Minister of CHRIST, according to the institution, be true Baptism, and, that a child thus privately baptised, be not to be baptised again, (although it be true also, that private Baptism maketh way to the Error of rebaptising,) yet we hold that the necessity of the Commandment, stands only for Baptism in public, since no Precept requireth Baptism, but when the ministration thereof can be had orderly, with all the circumstances requisite; whereof this is one, That it be ministered in the presence of that visible Kirke, whereof the children are to be members: for not only the minister of Baptism, and the Parents of the children, but the Congregation also hath interest in the baptism of every member that entereth in their Communion; which therefore, aught to be a public actio●…, no less than the cutting off of a rotten member, by Excommunication, aught to be done publicly. 5. It is known that ptivat baptism hath bred, and fostered the opinion of absolute necessity of Baptism, of Baptism of women, and private persons, of Baptism by supposition, etc. and, that the ministration of the Sacraments in private places, hath been, and is, the ready way to bring people to the contempt, and neglect of the Sacraments in public, and to the profanation thereof in private. 6. When all the forms of ministration of Baptism; shall be compared, both that of the ancient Kirke, keeping Easter and Pent●…st, for the solemn times of Baptism, and the other of the Popish kirk, and other Kirks, not well purged of the dregs of Popery; ministering Baptism and Communion at all times, in private places, & before few persons; it shall be found, that no better course could be taken, than that which hath been wisely appointed and observed, in the Kirk of Scotland, since the Reformation, that the Sacraments be ministered in the ordinary meetings of GOD'S people; unto which they had regard, and not unto the places of material kirkes: which we add, lest any should think, that we entertain any superstitious conceit of places.   

To the fifth.  
TO the first Exception, we have even now answered, and need to add no farther, concerning private Baptism and Communion. 2. We looked that your argument, ad hominem, had been closed in the fourth reply & wish, what ye had to say against the Dispute of Popish English Ceremonies, or any other Treàtise: of that kind, or any of us in particular, had been kept to another time: for, would any of us, refuse to swear the short Confession, because ye ●…ave expounded some articles thereof, contrary to our mind? Our desire is, that ye keep your own meaning of the negative Confession, and we keep ours, according to our divers measures of light: and, that both sides promise forbearance, as is required in the Covenant, which may very well stand both with your meaning, and ours: of ours, there is no question: and of yours, there needeth none to be moved by you, since ye think them indifferent and therefore, in such a case, may promise, to forbear them. From this ground, and from the different use of the word Discipline, and Policy, it is easy to answer, both your Sorites and Dilemma: for the late Covenant, bindeth you to keep the forme●…, according to the common meaning of the Subscribers, and not according to your interpretation or ours, in particular: and the horues of your Dilemma, may be turned against yourselves: for we ask of you, Unto which of the members of the Distinction do you refer Episcopacy, and the Articles of Perth? if they were abjured for ever, before Perths' Assembly, how is it that ye have admitted and practised them, since that time; for this was perjury? And if they were not abjured, but by the short Confession were left indifferent, why may ye not, for any impediment ye have from that Confession, forbear now the practice of them? We looked not for velitations of this sort, which the change of Commissioners sent unto you mighthave prevented, but for some solid and grave reasons, why ye could notsubscribe the Covenant, whether presented from our hands, or the hands of others, our Learned and Reverend Brethren, of your practice and judgement, who might have been sent unto you in our place. In the mean time, because many are entangled with the word of Discipline, and Policy, we desire the Reader to remember, that sometime the word is taken for the Rule of Givernement of the Kirke, and censure of Manners, by Office-bearers appointed by Christ; and thus it was unchangeable: sometimes for the Constitution of Counsels and Acts of Parliament, about matters of Religion, and thus it is alterable or constant according to the nature of particular Objects: and thirdly, it is taken for the ordering of the circumstances, to be observed in all actions Divine, and Humane: and thus it is variable. We appeal with you, to the indifferent Reader, who is judicious, whether it be necessary for your Subscription, to know our Opinion of such Rites & Ceremonies, as are not of divine institution. We have reason, (for any thing that, ever we heard to the contrary, these 20 years passed) to eleave unto the words of the Covenant, concerning such Rites as are brought into the Kirke, without or against the word of GOD. The blessing of Marriage (now the second time instanced) we conceive neither to be circumstance, it being neither time, place, order of doing, nor any such thing, nor a Ceremony properly so called, more than the blessing of the people, commanded in the Law, & practised before the Law, or praying for a Blessing upon the Ordinance of God that it may be sanctified unto His people: we neither exalt Marriage so high, as with the Papists to think it a Sacrament; nor do we abase it so low, as to think it a paction or Contract, merely civil, it being the Covenant of God, which cannot be dissolved by consent of the parties, as other civil Contracts may be: and therefore, as we will not use it superstitiously, according to the prescript of the Service book, so will we not for the abuse of Popery, although it were a Paction merely civil, it being so important, withhold Ecclesiastic Benediction from it.   

To the sixth.  
SIlence carrieth sometimes the appearance of Consent, sometime it is from weakness; and sinee you know also, that it may at sometimes come from wisdom, and moderation; why do ye not rather keep silence yourselves, than make such an interpretation of ours? We deny not, but Divines both ancient, and modern, are against us, concerning the lawfulness of the things controverted: but we withal affirm, first, That Divines both ancient and modern, are against you also, and both may be true, for both are Propositions indefinite, in a matter contingent. 2. That almost all Divines universally are for us, and for the forbearance of things indifferent, in such a case, which is the point urged by us, and cleared before. Secondly, we deny not, but the Oath containeth many other Articles: but concerning that of the Novations already introduced, if you could have believed us, & so many thousands as have subscribed, it containeth no more, but the forbearance of them, for a time, neither can any farther be extorted from the tenor of the Covenant itself, according to your grounds. If you will interpret it according to the meaning which ye thought it had the last year, and which we urge you not to change: & to promise forbearance, can neither be contrary to that duty which yeow to your flock, nor be disobedience to Authority, but a means to edify God's people, and obedience to God.   

To the seaventh.  
FIrst, The Reason propounded in the 7. Demand, for refusing your Subscription, because ye supposed Perth Articles to have been abjured, as Popish, is answered to the full, and the impediment put out of your way. This other that ye propound concerning our conception and meaning of the short Confession, may be as easily removed, if ye will once believe; that we urge not upon you our meaning, but leave you to your own, till the matter be examined in an Assembly. 2. Ye call some of those novations, necessary: but without warrant of that Assembly, which concluded them, as indifferent, & all the rest ye will have to be laudable: thus by progress of time, things formerly indifferent, become necessary: and what was but lawful before, and had much ado to gain that reputation, is now become laudable: where ye plainly discover the cause of your unwillingness to subscribe, not so much to be the commandment of Authority, as the necessity and excellency of the things commanded. Till ye, therefore, change this opinion, ye cannot promise forbearance neither upon our dealing, nor at the commandment of Authority, although forbearance should serve for the peace of the Kirk, & Kingdom.   

To the eight.  
FIrst, We remit the Reader to our Answer, and your Reply, which, we hope, shall be fowd no Confutation. 2. We observe. That ye have not answered our argument, for our swearing the Defence of the King and his Authority, with a specification, which ye call a limitation, wherein we have followed the Confession of Faith, ratified in Parliament, the King's Confession, and Act of Parliament, upon which yeewill not do well, to fasten so foul imputations, and put so hard Constructions, as ye do upon us, for inserting in our Covenant, what they have said before us. If our specification be right, why censure you it? If it be wrong, why fasten you not your censures upon the Fountain from which it is derived? The Loyalty of our intentions to maintain the King's person, and honour, is fully expressed, that it hath given content to those who are nearest his Majesty: and we should wrong, not only them, but also the Covenant, and the Subscribers thereof, if we should make new Declarations to others of greater distance, who wrong both the King, and them-selves, in craving them.  
3. To do with a doubting Conscience, is a grievous sin but to make and multiply doubts, for hindering a good work, and to oppose against a shining Light, is no less grievous. Ye spoke before of a limitation, & now ye have added Precislie, as if the naming of our Duty, were the excluding of all other Duties. We all by our Oath of Alleadgeance, by his Majesty's Laws and by other Obligations acknowledge, that we owe many other duties to the King, which were very impertinent to express in this Covenant. 4. What kind of Conference ye mean; whether by word or writ: we know not, but while we were amongst you; ye know what notice ye were pleased to to take of us, and we have no delight, to resent it.   

To the nynth.  
FIrst, We are ashamed to draw the Rug-saw of Contention, to and fro, in a continual Reciprocation, concerning the serbearance of Pearth Articles and therefore forbearing to do so any more, we refer the Reader to our former Answers. 2. We do not affirm that the only Reason, why Kn●…eling was appointed, was because all memory of Superstition was passed. There be indeed other Reasons expressed in the Act, but such as the authors thereof may be ashamed of, as both perverting the Text. Psal. 93, as making Kneeling to be necessary, in every part of GOD's Worship, and as giving matter to many Treatise●…, proving kneeling before the Elements, to be idolatry, according to the Act, unto which we now refer you: but this we say, (which is manifest by the Act itself) that in the case of present Superstition, or fear thereof, all other Reasons had not been forcible, to enforce knee●…ing then, nor can have force to continue kneeling now, This fear hath been great, this year by past, throughout the kingdom, by reason of the many Superstitions of the Service book, which it may be ye no more acknowledge, than ye do the superstitious disposition of the people, because they are not that which they were at the time of Reformation. 3. We would hear what Malice itself can say against the words of the Protestation, That it shall be lawful uno us, to defend Religion, and the King●… A●…ritie, in defence thereof, and every one of 〈◊〉 of anot●…, 〈◊〉 that cause of maintaining Religion, and the King's foresaid Authority, and to appoint and hold Meetings to that end: like as our Proceedings have been in themselves most necessary, and orderly means, agreeable to the Laws and p●…ise of this Kirk and Kingdom, to be commended as Rea●… Duties of faithful Christians, loyal Subjects, and sensible members of the body of the Kirke and Kingdom, and tend to no other end, but to the preservation of Religion, and maintenance of the King's Authority.  
To your Interrogator (which ye seem to propone, rather to be snares to us, than for satisfaction to yourselves) we an swear once for all in general, That if this were the opportunity to that Disputation, we shall be found to deny nothing unto Authority of that which the word of GOD, the Law of Nature, and Nations, the Acts of Parliament, chief Royalists, sound Divines, and loyal Subj●…s give unto Kings and Princes, GOD'S Vi●… 〈◊〉 earth; and that not from respect to ourselves, ●…t to ●…e Ordinance of GOD, by whom King's reign●…. But seeing so oft, & so instanly, you press us in this point, yet force us mutually to propone to you such Questi●…, 〈◊〉 it may be, ye will have no great delight to answere●… We desire to understand of you, Whether ye allow, or disallow the Service book, and book of Canons? If ye disallow them as an innovation of Religion, why have ye not either joined in Supplication with the rest of the Kingdom, or made a Supplication of your own, against them, or some other way testified your dislike? Next; Whether it be pertinent for men of your Place and Quality, to move Questions of State, touching the Power of Princes, and liberties of Subjects; after his Majesty's Commissioner, & wise Statesmen have received satisfaction of the Subjects, for suppressing such motions as yours? 3. Whether do the Subscribers more tender, his Majesty's Honour, by supposing his constancy, in profession of Religion, and equitable disposition, in ministration of justice: or ye who suppose he shall fall upon his religious and loyal Subjects, with force of Arms, contrary to both? 4. Whether the joining of the whole Kingdom, in the subscription of the Covenant, or the entertaining division, by your wrytting, preaching, and threatening of your people, otherwise willing to join, be a more ready Mean to settle the present Co●…tions of the Kirke, and Kingdom?. 5. If the Prelates and their Followers labouring to introduce Popery in the Land, make a Faction by themselves, or as the Guisians in France, did abuse his Majesty's name, in execution of the bloody Decrees of Trent. (which GOD forbid) we ask, Whether in such a Case, the lawful defence of the body of the Kingdom, against such a Faction, be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the M●…rate, and a taking A●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…g? If ye ●…firme it to be is not this to take p●…t with a ●…tion; seeking their own ends, against the Commonwealth of ●…he Ki●…ke, and Kingdom, and Honour of the ●…ing? If ye say 〈◊〉, Why then find you fault with our Pr●… 〈◊〉 of defending the Religion, Liberties, and 〈◊〉 of the Kingdom, of the King's Authority, in defence th●…of, and every one of us of another, in that cause, as if it were an unlawful combination against Authority? 6. Whether do ye think Christian Magistrates to be of so absolute and undoubted power, notwithstanding of the Promise, or paction made with the Subjects at their Co●…ion, or of any law made for the establishing their Religion, & Liberties, that there is nothing left but ●…ering of Martyrd●…, in the c●…se of public 〈◊〉, of their Religion, and Liberties? If ye think, that any Defence, is lawful, why ●…isconstrue ye the Subscribers of the Covenant? If not, how can you be free of flattery, and of stirring up Princes against their loyal Subjects, for such ends as yourselves know be●…? We ●…lie believe, that ye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thanks, either of so good & just a King, or of so ●…uetiefull Subjects, for entering within these Lists. It is enough, that such Questions be agit●…ed in the Schools, and that with as great prudency, & ●…s circumspectly as may be.   

To the tenth.  
FIrst, ye take us in our 4 Rep●… to be the penners of the Covenant, and yet will rather wrest the words of it, to your own meaning, than receive the Interpretation thereof from us: for we prejudge not your liberty of conception of that short Confession; but permit it to yourselves; whatsoever may be the private meaning of some who have subscribed; yet their is nothing in the late interpretation that condemneth the Articles of Pearth, and Episcopacy, as Popish Novations. Ye may voice & reason in an Assembly as freely concerning them; and give your judgement of them, without prejudice, notwithstanding of your Oath, according to your own grounds, as you would have done at the Assembly of Perth. 2. We hope ye be not so ignorant of the estate of the Kirke, neither will we judge so uncharitably; as to think you so corrupt, that in your opinion there is no thing hath entered in the Kirke, since that time designed by you, beside Episcopacy, and Articles of Pearth, which can be thought prejudicial to the liberty, and purity of the Gospel.   

To the eleaventh.  
FIrst, ye find fault with us, that we have not upon this occasion, given you that testimony which we owe to you, of your sincerity; and professing the Truth, & therefore, to supply our defects, have taken an ample Testimony to yourselves, of pains in Disputing, in writing, and preaching against Popery, in processing of Papists, and in doing all things which can be expected from the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of frequent prayer to GOD, of humbling yourselves before Him, of your holiness of Life, and Conversation, etc. which have made us who were desirous to hear that Testimony, rather at the mouths of others, that we might be no more challenged as deficient in that kind, but give unto you your deserved praise, to inquire in matters; where upon, if we would believe the report of others, we hear, that for all your pains, Papists, and persons popishly affected, are multiplied, and Papistry increased in your town, more than, in any other town of the Kingdom, and no less under your Ministry, than any time before, since the Reformation; that there be in private houses Mosses, Crucifixes, and other monuments of Idolatry; that ye had not many convers from Popery, that Jesuits, and Priests; are countenanced there, that your People at home, and your Magistrates abroad, complain; that ye are but too sparing of your pains in preaching, and often fill your places with Novices: but this we are sparing to believe, and wish, that the not employing of your Tongues and Pens, in defence of the Service book, and Canons, which are so pestered with Popery, (if the seeds of Romish Heresy Superstition, Ido latrie, and Papal tyranny come under that censure) and your willingness to join with the Kirk and Kingdom, in Fasting an Humiliation, had been also Testimonies of your sincerity against Popery. 2. The laudable means of preaching, praying, etc. which we wish may be still in all faithfulness used by you, may very well agree with the renewing of our Covenant with God, aod both beeiug joined, have, in a short time past, produced more powerful effects, to the comfort of many thousandss, than all our prayers and preaching have done for a long time before: which testify, That as it is warranted by the Word of GOD; so the motion hath proceeded from GOD. All the Arguments and subtleties that can be devised, will never make a People, (who at this time have found GOD dwelling, and working in their hearts) to think the contrary. 3. The natural inclination of people to Popery, and the persuasion of others of their disposition, may make the people to conceive other ways of the Service book, and Canons, that ere it be long, they may be brought in, in a fair and legal way: and therefore, it is necessary, for preventing of those, and other Evils of that kind, that the Subjects join in a Covenant, both for themselves, and their Posterity.   

To the twelfth.  
FIrst, We have ever preached according to our measure, and have given example of Reverence to Authority, and the LORDS Service; but we neither acknowledge the usurped authority of Prelates, for lawful Authority, nor the Service Book, for the LORDS Service. And therefore, it was so much the more intolerable for the Prelates, without Authority from the Kirke, or Parliament, to bring in the Service book into GOD'S own House, upon the LORD'S own Day. Which maketh it nothing strange, that people zealous of the Truth, and of the Service of GOD, were stirred up to oppose: and we are very confident that those that have opposed, do bear as loyal respect to the King's Majesty, and will be as loath to provoke him to just wrath, as their Opposites are. In the mean time, why do ye not acknowledge, that the children were higher provoked to wrath, by the Prelates, whom ye account Reverend and holy Fathers? 2. As the preservation of our own private Possession, from invasion of others, belongeth to ourselves, under the King's protection; so the keeping of GOD'S House, from pollution and Superstition, belongeth to Authority, to the Community of the Faithful, and to every one in his own Place and Order. 3. We told you before, That we did no more allow Violence of that kind, nor we did allow the foul Aspersions of Rebellion, ●…eresie, Schism & Perjury, put upon the Noblemen, and remnant Covenanters. And where ye ask of us, Why these tumults are not publicly by us condemned, and rebuked? We ask again of you, why ye did not condemn and rebuke such dealing, since that it is no less Transgression, both against the sixth, and nynt Command, than the other is against the sixth? And whereas ye are now so peremptory, in drawing a Declaration from us, answerable to that which ye have given concerning the foresaid aspersions and Calumnies, we having no Commission, to declare the minds of others in this point, or to give Documents, for our own private judgement, do heartily disallow every Wrong of that kind. As for the Apology of Doctor john Forbes of Corse, seeing the Wrong hath been done not unto some few particular persons, such as ye say have been wronged by some of the people; but unto the body of the Kingdom, consisting of Noblemen, Barons, etc. who are highly offended thereby, it were in us Presumption, and without the bounds of our Calling, to take upon us, to receive any Declaration of that kind, especially wherein so many things are reprooveable; as first, That his bitter speeches were occasioned by some printed books, affirming, that Episcopacy and Perth Articles, were antichristian and abominable. Supposing it were true, did he think the Noblemen and whole Covenanters, to be the Authors of those Books? And was this dealing agreeable to that Christian meekness so much required of us before? The Writers of those printed Books, are not the first who have spoken so. For Master Knox spared not, (in a Letter of his) to call this Kneeling, A Diabolical invention. Secoudly; The swearing of forbearance of the practice of Perth articles & the confirmation of the said doctrine which we neither deny, nor affirm, to be imported in the old Covenant, but only in the interpretation thereof, we declare. That Promise is only made, to forbear for a times doth not deserve so bitter a censure, as this Apology beareth upon us. 3. If the King's Majesty, Council, or the subjects of Scotland, had asked his opinion and advice, he he might have used the greater liberty. 4. It is ill apologized, to call it an holy indignation; & worse defended; since it is such a wrath as worketh not the righteousness of GOD. 5. Whereas he desireth to be accounted in the number of these, qui proficiendo scribunt & scribendo proficium, we could wish that he had profited better by writing, than he hath done by writing his Irenicum first, & now this his Warning, after his Irenicum; for which if he make no better Apology, than confessing asperitis of words, proceeding from an holy indignation, it will come to pass of his Apology, as it fared with his Irenicum, unto which was applied fitly, what was spoken in the like case, 
Aut fabrum forceps, aut ars ignara fefellit.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voluit cudere cudit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  6. Whereas ye desire us, to do the like, if ye mean of us personally, we have declared our judgement, and shall be careful to approve ourselves to GOD, and the consciences of all men, in every such duty: and if ye mean us, and those that sent us, we shall not fail to to report unto them, what ye desire, although our Commission from you had been more acceptable, if ye had spoken more reverently of our Confession and Covenant, than ye have been pleased to do, in the words of your desire, and had put your hand unto the Covenant; which would presently have joined us in a greater Affection, and made way for union in judgement, and perfect peace, which is the desire of our Souls.   

To the thirteenth.  
Ye pretended a threefold Scandal, which should follow upon your Subscription. 1. The scandal of dissenting from other reformed Kirkes, and famous Divines. 2. The scandal of dissenting from authority. 3. The Scandal of Perjury,. We answered, That the controverted words of the Covenant being rightly conceived, & interpreted according to their true meaning, & not after the gloss which ye have put upon them, do put you out of danger of all the three Scandals, which ye seem to acknowledge of the first two, and may by the like reason acknowledge of the third, of Perjury. We dispute not of the lawfulness of the Oath given at your Admission, by what Authority it was exacted, with what conscience it was given, nor how ye can answer for the scandal risen thereupon: but conceaving it according to your own grounds, none of you will say, that ye have sworn the perpetual Approbation and Practice of those things which ye esteem to be indifferent, whatsoever bad consequent of Popery, Idolatry, Superstition, or scandal should follow thereupon: we speak here only of things Indifferent, in your own judgement; for ye have declared before. that ye think the Ministration of the Sacraments in piivate places, no more indifferent: and therefore, cannot forbear the practice of these, although your Ordinary, and other lawful Superiors, should will you to do so; wherein Pearths Assembly for which you stand, is wronged by you two ways: 1. That ye differ in judgement from them, about the indifferenc●…e of the five Articles; and next, that at the will of your Ordinary, and we know not what other lawful Superiors, ye are ready to forbear the practice of these things which the Assembly hath appointed to be observed. What Oaths you have given at your admission, we know not, because their is no ordinance made, Civil or Ecclesiastic, appointing any such oath, and because the Prelates, who arrogated that power, presented to the intrants divers models of Articles, to be subscribed, dealing with some more hardly, and with others more favourably, according to their own divers motives, and considerations.  
For some immediately after P●…rth Assembly, without any warrant from the Kirke or Parliament, were made to swear at their admission, that they should both in private and public maintain Episcopal jurisdiction, and in their private and public prayers, commend the Prelates to Gods merciful Protection; that they should subject themselves to the Orders that presently were in the Kirk, or by the consent of the said Kirke, should be lawfully established, The word lawfully; was not in the Principal first subscribed, (as we have learned) and if it had been expressed, it is all one, for the Superiors were judges to this lawfulness and unlawfulness. We will not labour to reconcile every Oath given by Ministers, at their entry with the present Covenant; but wish, and exhort rather, that they may be recalled, and repent of, as things for which they cannot answer before a general Assembly,   

To the fourteenth.  
IF the words of the Covenant be plain, concerning the mere forbearance, & speak nothing of the unlawfulness, no man's thoughts can make a change. 2. By this Reply ye wrong yourselves, in forging from the words of the Covenant, impediments, and drawing stumbling blocks in your own way to hinder your Subscription; ye wrong the subscribers, in changing the state of the question, & in making a divorce betwixt Religion and the King's Authority, which the Covenant joineth together. hand in hand: and, most of all, ye wrong the King's Majesty, in bringing him upon the Stage, before his subjects, in whose minds ye would beget, & breed susspitions, of opposing the Truth, of making innovation of Religion, & of dealing with his subjects contrary to his laws & Proclamations & cotrary to the Oath at his Coronation. We are not here seeking inscitiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or a starting hole of ignorance, or the smalllest disloyalty of affection; but would willingly decline that for the present, which neither his Majesty's wisdom, nor the prudence of Statesmen: nor the modesty of good Subjects, will allow you or us to dispute. The Crowns and Sceptres of Kings would be more tenderly tonched, than the ordinary Subjects of School Disputes. The naked naming, & bare rpoposall of certain suppositions, such (as some are made by you) cannot but reflex upon Authority, & sound harsh in the ears of all his Majesty's good Subjects who wish, he may long and prosperously reign over us. 3. His Majesty's most honourable privy Counsel, hath proven more favourable to this cause, of maintaining the reformed Religion, than many Pastors, whom by reason of their place & Calling, it beeseemed to go before others; & although according to their wont custom, they gave warrant, to make his Majesty's Proclamation, yet on good grounds remonstrated unto them by the Supplicants, they willingly refused their Approbation, thereof; hoping that his Majesty should be moved to give greater satisfaction thereafter: and this is not our saying, but a public doing, before many honourable witnesses; of which number, some were directed unto you, whose report ye have no reason to call in question. 4, It becometh us, to judge charitably of the intentions of our Superiors; but most of all, of the Intentions of our dread Sovereign. Yet if that hold good which the Supplicants have offered to prove, that the Service book, & Canons, contain a real innovation of Religion we must judge otherwise, the conditione operis, of the matters contained in the book than the intention operant is, of his Majesty's intention; although the intention of the Prelates & their associates, the Authors and Contrivers of the Books be most justly suspected by us. 5. It is no delight to us, and can be but small comfort to you, to mention the wrongs, which by you are done to us all who have joined in this Covenant, & do adhere to the Religion as it was reform in this Land; in your estimation and writings, we are rebellious perjured, heretics. schismatics, blind guides, seducers, miserable interpreters, ignorants: shall such men as these be your reverend Brethren? Is this your meekness & charity? Is this the duty ye expect from us? But setting these aside, ye have wronged us, in withholding your hand and help from so good a Cause, of purging Religion, & reforming the Kirke from so many gross Abuses, and opposing all those who have modestly laboured for Reformation Your speeches in private, in your chambers, beds of sickness, & in your missives, & in public, at tables and in Synods, which are come to our knowledge; we wish rather should be remembered, & repent of, by yourselves, than be recited by us, who desire not to work you any trouble. 6. Although there be a perpotuall harmony betwixt the Word and Works of GOD, far contrary to that which we find to be amongst the children of men; yet often it cometh to pass, that the Word and Warnings of GOD, which we hear with our ears, are not believed, till we behold with our eyes, the plain Commentaries thereof, in his Works. Many Proofs and notable Documents have been observed of the Finger of GOD, in the Work in hand, the Characters of the gaeat Works of GOD'S, more than ordinary Providence, since the beginning, are legible here. Then did the LORD bgin this work, when the Adversaries were raised to a great height, and become intolerably insolent. The beginnings were small, and in the eyes of the world contemptible; such as use to be the beginnings not of the works of men, but of the magnific Works of GOD: the power of GOD sensible in the hearts of many, & manifested by the joy; the tearesand cries of many thousands, at the solemn renewing of this Covenant, hath been a matter of admiration and amazement, never to be forgotten, to many wise and ancient Pastors and Professors, who did also find an unwonted flame, warming their own breasts; the plots and workings of the adversary, have wroug●… against their own projects, & have served ●…or our ends, m●…e than all that have been thought, or done by ourselves, that we may justly say, what they devysed, for evil, the LORD hath turned to good: many thousands convened, divers times, in one place, have been kept in such order & quietness, without the smallest trouble, in such soberness & temperance, without excess or riot, that hardly can History furnish a Parallel, & what effects there be already throughout the Land, of Piety in domestic worship, in observing the exercises of Religion. in public, of soberness in diet and appatrell, & of righteousness and concord, we trust shall be sensible by the Blessings of GOD upon us, and shall be examplary to the Posterity, These we present unto you, and unto all, as a Commentary, written by the LORD'S own hand; wishing again, that neither ye nor others, be sound fight against GOD, Who so is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. Psal 107. 43. Lord; when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see but they shall see, & he ashamed for their envy at the people. Is. 26. 11.   
Master Alexander Henderson, Minister at Leuchars. Master David Dickson, Minister at Irwin.