THE marquess OF ARGYLE HIS SPEECH  
CONCERNING The King, the Covenant, and Peace or war between both kingdoms.  
ALSO, A Letter to the Parliament of England, from Mr. Martial. Some Votes past in Scotland, and the particular parties which would engage against England, and who are against it  
London, Printed by Barnard Alsop, 1648.   

THE marquess OF ARGYLES SPEECH.  
CONCERNING. The KING, the Covenant, and the present state of both kingdoms.  
My Lords and Gentlemen.  
THe work of Reformation in these kingdoms, is so great a work, as no age nor history can parallel since Christ's days, for no one Nation had ever such a Reformation set forth unto them, much less three kingdoms, so that this Generation may truly think themselves happy, if they can be instrumental in it. And as the work is very great, so it cannot be expected, but it must have great and powerful enemies; not only flesh and blood which hate to be reformed, but likewise principalities and powers, the Rulers of the darkness in this world and spiritual wickednesses in high places. As the dangers are great we must look the better to our duties, and the best way to perform these, is to keep us by the rules which are to be found in our national Covenant, principally the word of God, and in its own place, the example of the best reformed Churches; And in our way we must beware of some rocks, which are temptations both upon the right and left hand, so that we must hold the middle path. Upon the one part, we would take heed, not to settle lawlésse liberty in Religion, whereby, instead of uniformity, we should set up a thousand Heresies and schisms which is directly contrary to our Covenant. Upon the other part, we are to look that we persecute not piety & peaceable men, who cannot through scruple of Conscience, come up in all things to the common Rule; but that they may have such a forbearance as may be according to the Word of God, may consist with the covenant, and not be d●structive to the Rule itself, nor to the Peace of the Church and kingdom, wherein I will insist no further either to insist your lordship's patience or judgements, who I doubt not will be very careful to do every thing according to our covenant. As to the other point, concerning the peace and union of the Kingdoms, I know it is that which all profess they desire, I hope it is that all do aim at; sure I am, it is that which all men do study and endeavour, and I think it not amiss to remember your Lordships of some former experiences, as an argument to move us to be wise for the future.  
If the Kingdom of England in the 1640. year of God, then sitting in Parliament, had concured, as they were desired against the Kingdom of Scotland, no question we had been brought to many difficulties which blessed be God, was by the wisdom of the, Honourable House aprevedted: so likewise when this Kingdom was in difficulties, if the Kingdom of Scotland had not willingly, yea cheerfully sacrificed their peace to concur with this Kingdom, your Lordships all know what might have been the danger.  
Therefore, let us hold fast that union which is so happily established betwixt us, and let nothing make us again two, who are so many ways one, all of one Language, in one Island, all under one King, one in-Religlon, yea one in Covenant; so that in effect we differ in nothing but in the Name, as Brethren do, which I wish were also removed, that we might be altogether one, if the two Kingdoms shall think fit; for I dare say hot the greatest Kingdom on the earth can prejudice both so much, as one of them may do the other.  
I will forbear at this time to speak of the many jealousies I hear are suggested, for as I do not love them so I delight not to mention them, only one I cannot forbear to speak of, as if the Kingdom of Scotland, were too much affected with the King's interest. I will not deny but the Kingdom of Scotland, by reason of the reign of many Kings his Progenitors over them, hath a natural affection to his Majesty, whereby they wish he may be rather reformed then ruined, yet experience may tell, their personal regard to him has never made them to forget that common rule, The safety of the People is the supreme Law. So likewise their love to Monarchy makes them very desirous that it may be rather regulated then destroyed, which I hope need not to mention further to your Lordships, who I trust are of the same mind.   

A Letter from a Gentleman from Edinburgh to his friend at London.  
SIR,  
THe convention of the estates of Scotland are breaking up and the Parliament meet on Thursday next, the house is like to be full the first day, and great are the expectations of the people on all sides, and the rather because so little as yet is known concerning the business which the English Commissioners come about which is wholly referred to the Parliament, to whom their papers are directed, many bills are prepared in a readiness to be passed when the Parliament is convened, the marquess of Argyle (with whom David general De●●●●y also cideth) and a great part of the clergy and honest peaceable Presbyterians joined in a Declaration, that they disclaim to adhere to or associate themselves with Malignants and disaffected persons in making any war against England, to these there is a great party which would have had some respect to tender Consciences yet it is reported here by Malignants of which there are store that they shall have another day and that the King shall be brought again, &c. These are likewise the hopes of the Remainder of those which the Mar. of Huntly commanded formerly, by which we may perceive that for the present the division is great amongst these, so is it in their Army; some are for Episcopacy, and setting up the King in as great power as ever he had heretofore; others say, then to what purpose have we hazarded our lives, and entered into Covenant, &c.  
Thus are we as men in a maze what will become of these things; especially, seeing some of our Commissioners slighted, even by those which most favour their Cause, but the rest have now very good reception, and are well accommodated.  
Upon the large Report of the Scots Commissioners which were in England, wherein some of them wanted not words to make good their actions at London, and laying open the proceedings of the Parliament to their best advantage, the Convention of Estates voted their approbation thereof: yet when the Declaration and Papers on the other side, come to receive a debate in a full House of Parliament, where its like all things will be well pondered and laid in an equal balance, it may happily prove otherwise; at which the Hamiltonians, and all those which are now puffed up with hopes of division, would with shame hang down their heads. Mr. Martial hath sent a Letter to the Parliament of England, to desire leave to return again to London, which is all for the present from.  
Your humble servant, J. M.   

Imprimatur,  
G. Mabbot.  
FINIS.