A DECLARATION OF THE ARMY OF ENGLAND, Upon their March into SCOTLAND.  
AS ALSO, A Letter of his EXCELLENCY the Lord General CROMWELL, To the General Assembly of the Kirk of SCOTLAND.  
Together with a Vindication of the aforesaid Declaration, from the uncharitable Constructions, odious Imputations, and scandalous Aspersions of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, in their Reply thereto.  
And an Answer of the Under-officers and Soldiers of the Army, to a Paper directed to them from the people of SCOTLAND.  
Printed at London, and reprinted at Edinburgh by Evan Tyler, 1650.   


A DECLARATION of the ARMY of England, upon their march into Scotland.  
To all that are Saints, and Partakers of the Faith of GOD'S Elect in Scotland.  
WE the Army of England, do from the bottom of our Heart's wish l ke Mercy and Truth, Light and Liberty with ourselves, from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Although we have no cause to doubt, but that the Declaration of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, bearing date the 26. of June, 1650. and published, to manifest to the World the Justice and Necessity of sending their Army into Scotland, may satisfy all impartial and uninterested men in all the Nations round about us (the matters of Fact therein contained being true, and the Conclusions made from thence, and the Resolutions thereupon taken, agreeable to the Principles of Religion, Nature and Nations) and therefore it may seem to some, if not improper, yet superfluous, for us their Army to say any more: Yet however, out of our tenderness towards you, whom we look upon as our Brethren, and our desire to make a distinction and separation of you from the rest, as who through the cunning practices of some wicked and designing men, biased by particular Interests, or for want of a true and right Information, and Representation of the great and wonderful Transactions wrought amongst us, and brought to pass by the mere finger of our GOD, may possibly be scandalised at some late actions in England, and thereby be involved in that common Cause, so much from Heaven declared against, by blasting all persons and parties that at any time, in the least, under what pretence or disguise soever engaged therein, and so with them to become partakers of their Miseries.  
We have therefore thought fit to speak to some particulars, and that as in the presence of the Lord, (to whose Grace, and in the dread of whose Name we do most humbly Appeal, and who (should we come to a day of Engagement) will be a sore witness against us, if we utter these things in hypocrisy, and not out of bowels of love, to persuade the Hearts and Consciences of those that are godly in Scotland) that so they may be withdrawn from partaking in the sin and punishment of evil doers: or that, at least, we might exonerate ourselves before God and Man, do Remonstrate as followeth:  
And for as much as we believe many godly people in Scotland are not satisfied with the proceed of this Nation concerning the death of the late King, the rejection of his Issue, the change of the Government, and several actions conversant thereabout. Although it cannot be supposed that we shall in this Paper meet with all Objections that may be made, (these very particulars alone requiring more lines than we intent in the whole) Yet we briefly say, That we were engaged in a War with the said King, for the Defence of our Religion and Liberties; and how many times Propositions for a safe and well grounded Peace were offered to him, and how often he refused to consent thereto, you well know, which according to humane account he might have closed with, had not the righteous God, who knoweth the deceitful heart of man, and is the Preserver of Mankind, (especially of his people) in his secret judgement, denied him a heart to assent thereto. By which Refusals he made it appear, That nothing less would satisfy, then to have it in his own power to destroy Religion and Liberties, the subversion whereof he had so often attempted: That He was a man guilty of more Innocent Blood in England, Ireland and Scotland, even of those he ought to have preserved, as a Father his Children, than any of his Predecessors, or (we think) then any History mentioneth, the guilt whereof he brought upon his Family by solemn Appeals to God: That the Son did tread in the Father's steps, and pursue his Designs, destructive to Religion and Liberty: That a party in Parliament, false to God and to their trust, were willing, and did endeavour to betray the Cause into the late King's hands: That a remaining number in Parliament, desiring to be true to God, and to the People that intru●●ed them, (out of Integrity of Heart, and fearing that the high Displeasure of God would fall upon them if they had not done it▪) did bring to Justice and cause to be executed, the said King; did reject the Person now with you, did lay aside the House of Lord, (an Estate not representing the People, nor trusted with their Liberties, yet at that time very forward to give up the People's Rights, and obstruct what might save them, and always apt enough to join with Kingly Interest against the People's Liberties, whereof we wish you have not the like sad experience) and did, for the good of the People, resolve the Government into a Commonwealth. And having done all this, that they are not accountable to any other Nation, ●s sufficient to say to you, except it be to exci●e you to rejoice in this wonderful work of God, and to be thankful to him for so much Deliverance as you have thereby, and leave the rest to the State of England, to whom it doth only and properly belong, who have manifested their regular proceed therein, according to the true and equitable ●ntent of the constitution of England, and the Representors of the People in Parliament, in their several and respective Declarations, if they be looked into, to which we refer you. Besides, it is worthy consideration, with how many Providences this Series of Action hath been blessed, which would require a Volumn to recount.  
If Treaties be urged against us, It is easy to say by whom they were broken, and how eminently, even by the then full authority of the Parliament of Scotland, and the Invasion by Duke Hamilton, and yet that not the first breach neither. And if it be sa●d, That hath been procested against, and revoked since; We ask, Doth that make up the breach, so as to challenge England still upon Agreements and Articles; you know, as to Right it doth not, except you suppose that England made their bargain so, That Scotland might break, and England remain bound; whereas it is a known Law of Nations, That in the breach of the League by the one party, the other is no longer obliged.  
If the Covenant be alleged against us, this may be said by us with honesty and clearness, Religion having therein the first place, civil Liberties the next, the King's Interest and constitution of Parliament the last, and these with subordination one to another: The Covenant tied us to preserve Religion and Liberty, as the ends of it, even when these were inconsistent with the preservation of the King's Interest, and the frame of Parliament; because when the means and the end cannot both be enjoyed together, the end is to be preferred before the means. Now that there was a real inconsistency between the end and the means, and that the le●●er did fight against the greater, is your own judgement who a Book of yours, called, A necessary and seasonable Testimony against Toleration, say thus of the two Houses, pag. 12. And doubtless, the Lord is highly displeased with their Proceed in the Treaty at Newport, in reference to Religion and Covenant: concerning which, they accepeed of such Concessions from His Majesty, as being acquiesced in, were dangerous and destructive to both. Had we not then appeared against these Concessions, and likewise against those of both Houses who acquiesced in them, had not Religion and Liberty both been destroyed? which now by the blessing of God are preserved. And if that action concerning the Parliament deserve a Charge, yet lest of all from yourselves, who when you saw the Parliament which sent Duke Hamilton with an Army into England, proceed in ways destructive to Religion and Liberty, you countenanced and acted with those that risen up for public Safety, though contrary to Acts of Parliament, and called a new one, excluding whom you thought fit: all which was done by virtue and autho●itie f●om the Committee of Estates then sitting at Edinburgh, which indeed was no Committee (if you respect formalities) (the breach whereof you so often charge upon us) being constituted of such persons, as by Act of the fore going Parliament, had not legal right to fit or act therein; they not having taken the Oath (for faithful discharge of the Trust reposed in them, in reference to the late Engagement against England, enjoined by that Parliament to be taken by every Member of the Committee at his first sitting, or else to have no place or vote therein, as is fully set down in the Commission for the constituting of that Committee of Estates. We could more particularly set forth how the Committee of Estates there sitting, according to the literal sense of the afore mentioned Commission, was broken and driven away, by that force raised and acted by you as aforesaid: but we spare, not seeking to justify our actions by yours, but to show, that you have done the same things for preservation of Religion and Liberty, which you so highly charge as evil upon us. And therefore, we further desire you seriously to consider, That the inconsistency of our Religion and Liberties, with the King's Interest and former constitution of Parliament, did not arise from our jealousies or pretences, but from the hardness of the King's heart, and the backsliding of the greater part of those that were entrusted in the Parliament, by their acquiescing in those Concessions, and endeavouring immediately to bring in the King upon them. We therefore reckon it no breach, but a Religious keeping of the Covenant according to the equity thereof; when our Parliament for Religion and Liberty's sake, and the Interest of the People, did remove the King and Kingship: As also we assert ourselves Keepers of the Covenant, when the competition hath been between the form and substance, if we have altered some forms of the Government in part, for the substance sake.  
As for the Presbyterial, or any other form of Church Government, they are not by the Covenant to be imposed by force; yet we do, a d are ready to embrace so much as doth or shall be made appear to us to be according to the Word of God. Are we to be dealt withal as Enemies, because we come not to your way? Is all Religion wrapped up in that, or any one Form? Doth that name, or things, g●ve the difference between those that are the Members of Christ, and those that are not? We think ●ot so. We say, Faith working by love, is the true Character of a Christian; and, God as our witness, in whomsoever we see any thing of Christ to be, there we reckon our duty to love, waiting for a more plentiful effusion of the Spirit of God to make all those Christians, who by the malice of the World are diversified, and by their own carnal mindedness do diversify themselves by several Names of Reproach, to be of one heart and one mind worshipping God with one consent. We are desirous, That those who are for the Presbyterial Government, should have all freedom to enjoy it; and are persuaded, That if it be so much of God, as some affirm, if God be trusted with his own means, which is his word powerfully and effectually preached, without a too busy meddling with, or engaging the Author ties of the World, it is able to accomplish his good pleasure upon the minds of men, to produce and establish his purposes in the World, concerning the Government of his Church. And as for the Blasphemies and Heresies wherewith some Stat●sts amongst you have laboured to brand us, We ca● say, That we do own those sound Grounds and Principles of the Christian Religion, preached and held by the generality of godly Ministers and Christians of these later times; alhorring from our hearts, and being ready to bear our witness against any detestable Blasphemies and Herenes la●●ly broken out amongst us; we have already punished some amongst us for Blasphemy, and are further ready to do it; but how uningenuously we have been dealt with by some amongst you, and of our own Countrymen●, in heaping Calumnies upon our heads, ●o render us vile ●nd odious to our Bre hrens, yea and the whole world, we leave ●o God to judge, who will, we trust, in due ●ime make these things manifest. But were Presbytery thus to be contested for, and that in upholding it, all religion did, and would flourish; yet, how improbabl● it is, That the course taken by those in Author ty with you, will produce the things you desire (to say no more) let your own experiences a little mind you.  
What pretenders were some Lords and other persons in the North of Ireland, whilst they mingled the Presbyterian w●th the Kingly Interest; and the Ministers by their preaching, seduced the people from their Obedience to England, under the same pretence; But no sooner had those persons got the power into their own hands, but they shook off the Ministers, by threaten, causing some of them to quite the country, and in general, discouraging the exercise of the Government there, declaring plainly by their actions, that it was but a device to draw on the Royal Interest; and those very persons that did get power into their hands under those pretences, immediately joined with Owen Roe O Neal, and those bloody Irish Rebels upon the Kingly Interest. It will not be unfit to mind you also, how the Nobility and some of the Ministers of Scotland, Preaching, and crying up a War against England, under pretence of the Covevant, did thereby lay the foundation to Duke hamilton's getting the command of that Army, who over-numbring them in Parliament, power and friends, and by the advantage of Malignants, thrust all that you could call the good party, out of Power and Authority, himself getting the command of that Army into England, and leaving his brother and other Kindred in power in Scotland: Thus upon the same ground and pretence, to carry on the Kingly Interest, have you been twice deceived; and now he is brought in among you, who hath turned every stone, and tried all Friends and Allies in Foreign parts, endeavoured commotions at home by his wicked and Malignant Instruments, commissioned Rupert, the French, and all that pyratical Generation, who do spoil, take, plunder and destroy our Ships and Trade at Sea, and all to the end he might destroy the people of God, and the peace of the Three Nations: And now being by his Mother, and the Popish Interests abroad counselled thereto, hath made a compliance with you, as his last refuge, who, even whilst he was treating with you, had his heart set upon Montrosse and his Accomplices (writing Letters, and sending particular Orders to him) and upon his Popish Army in Ireland, to whom he had given Commissions, and whom he still owned as his faithful Subjects, notwithstanding all the Innocent Blood by them shed; and would never be induced to comply, or close with the Covenant and Presbytery, till utterly disappointed of all those his Malignant and Popish hopes and confidences.  
Is there not now just cause for all good men, with you, to fear, that one so bred, so engaged and interested, and merely in such a way coming in to you, doth but warch his opportunity (to speak nothing of the weight of th● Blood of Saints under the Altar, erying still for Vengeance upon him and that Family) till by his influence upon your Army (which you know how composed) he may gain his ends upon you; and how likewise the generality of the people of Scotland are affected, is, not unworthy of your most serious consideration, nor of a friendly intimation from us.  
But that which most awakens us, is, That notwithstanding all this, and all the wrongs done to England from Scotland, they refuse to do us right; so that what wrongs soever we have, or shall sustain, must be without remedy, and we also without security for the future; as is sufficiently expostulated in the Parliament of England's Declaration aforementioned, and the seeds laid of a perpetual War, by taking our grand Enemy into your Bosoms, and your engagement to Him, in the late Treaty with Him, to restore Him to the possession of England and Ireland; and therefore we call Heaven and Earth to witness, Whether or no, we have not cause to defend ourselves by hindering the present power of Scotland, from taking their time and advantage to impose thus upon us: And whether they have now any just reason to wonder at the approach of an Army to their borders, and the taking some of their Ships by ours; yea, whether our coming into Scotland with an Army, upon so clear a ground, be any other, than a just and necessary defence of ourselves, for preservation of those rights and Liberties, which divine Providence hath throu●h the expense of so much blood and treasure given us, and those amongst you have engaged, they will if they can wrest from us, unless it must be taken for granted, That the Parliament of England ought to sit still and be silent, whilst their ruin is contrived, their Friends and Brethren destroyed by Sea and Land, whom in Conscience and Duty, both before God and Man, they ought to preserve.  
And now we come to speak to all those who are within the compass of the Title of this Declaration that we undertake this business in the fear of God, with bowels full love, yea, full of pity to the Inhabitants of the Country; and if it shall please God to make Scotland sensible of the wrongs done to us, and to give to the Commonwealth of England a satisfying security against future injuries, we shall rejoice. But if that may not be obtained, we shall desire such as fear God, not to join or have to do with those who are the Authors and Actors of so much evil and mischief against their Neighbours. And we dare say, to the praise of God, That that which moves us to this great undertaking, is not any reliance upon the arm of flesh, or being lifted up with the remembrance of former successes, or the desire of accomplishing any designs of our own that we have forelaid, but the full assurance we have that our cause is just and righteous in the sight of God, looking at all precedent changes, and the successes that have produced them, not as the work of the policy or strength of man, but as the eminent actings of the Providence and Power of God, to bring forth his good will and pleasure, concerning the things which he hath determined in the world. And we are confident, that as he hath hitherto gloriously appeared, so he will still, bearing witness to the righteousness of this Cause, in great mercy and pity of the infirmities and failings of us his poor Creatures. And we do most humbly implore his divine Majesty to give a merciful testimony, whether the actings of divers men amongst you have not proceeded from worldly interests, together with the rancour and bitterness of their sp●rits, who we fear through envy at Instruments, have refused to acknowledge his hand and goodness in the accomplishment of these great changes; and whether ours have not come from the simplicity of our and other his poor servants hearts, who we trust, have desired (though in the midst of manifold weaknesses) to follow him in integrity, through difficult paths, having nothing but danger and ruin appearing to the flesh, and little to encourage us, saving those signal manifestations of his presence in those high acts of his Providence, and the fear of his Name, lest he going before, we should not follow.  
And this we can further add, That nothing is so predominant within us (next to our duty to God, nor to betray a cause, to which he so much witnessed) as the love we have towards those that fear God there, who may possibly suffer through their own mistakes, or our disability to distinguish in a common calamity, of which Christian love, we hope we gave some proof and testimony, when we were last in Scotland with this Army; and were by God made instrumental, to break the power of those that then oppressed the Godly party there, and were then ready at their desire to do every thing on their behalf, which might put them into the seat of Authority and Power, whose consciences knows this is true, and for which, this late Act of Engagement to their new King against England, is no good requital, nor their heaping upon us the reproach of a Sectarian Army, a Christian dealing; all which we do with comfort commend to God, and can notwithstanding all this, say, By the Grace of God, we can forgive and forget those things, and can, and do desire of God, that the precious in Scotland, may be separated from the vile, which is the end of this our Paper. And to the truth of this, let the God of Heaven in his great mercy, pardoning our weaknesses, judge of us when we come to meet our Enemies in the field; if through the perverseness of any in Authority with you, God shall please to order the decision of this Controversy by the Sword, which we from our hearts, beseech the Lord to avert, and to give you the like Christian and Brotherly affection towards us, which we by God's grace bear towards you.  
Signed in the name, and by the appointment of his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell, and his Council of Officers. JOH. RUSHWORTH, Secretary.   

To the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland: Or, in case of their not Sitting, To the Commissioners of the Kirk of Scotland.  
SIRS,  
YOur Answer to the Declaration of the Army we have seen: Some godly Ministers with us, did compose a R●ply, which I thought fit to fend you. That you or we, in these great transactions, answer the will and mind of GOD: it is only from his grace and mercy to us; and therefore having said (as in our Papers) we commit the issue thereof to him who disposeth all things; assuring you that we have light and comfort increasing upon us day by day and are persuaded before it be long, the Lord will manifest his good pleasure, so that all shall see him, and his people shall say, This is the Lords work, and it is marvellous in our eyes: This is the day that the Lord hath made we will be glad and rejoice therein.  
Only give me leave to say in a word, you take upon you to judge us in the things of our God, though you know us not; though in the things we have said unto you (in that which is entitled the Army's Declaration) we have spoken our hearts, as in the sight of the Lord who hath tried us: and by your hard and subtle words you have begotten prejudice in those who do too much (in matters of conscience, wherein every soul is to answer for itself to God) depend upon you, so that some have already followed you to the breathing out of their souls, others continue still in the way wherein they are led by you (we fear) to their own ruin: & no marvel, if you deal thus with us, when indeed you can find in your hearts to conceal the Papers we have sent you, from your own people, who might see and understand the bowels of our affections to them, especially such among them as fear the Lord. Send as many of your Papers as you please amongst ours, they have free passage, I fear them not; what is of God ●n them, would it might be embraced and received.  
One of them lately sent, directed to the under-Officers and Soldiers in the English Army, hath begotten from them an answer, which they desired me to send you, not a crafty politic one, but a plain simple spiritual one, such as it is God knoweth, and God also will in due time make manifest, and do we multiply these things as men? or do we them for the Lord Christ and his people's sakes?  
Indeed we are not, through the grace of God, afraid of your numbers, nor confident in ourselves. We could (I pray God you do not think we boast) meet your Army, or what you have to bring against us. We have given (humbly we speak it before our God, in whom all our hope is) some proof, that thoughts of that kind prevail not upon us. The Lord hath not hid his face from us since our approach so near unto you, your own guilt is too much for you to bear, bring not upon yourselves the blood of Innocent men, deceived with pretences of King and Covenant, from whose eyes you hid a better knowledge: I am persuaded that divers of you, who lead the People, have laboured to build yourselves in these things, wherein you have censured others, and established yourselves upon the Word of God. Is it therefore infallibly agreeable to the Word of God all that you say?  
I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken: Precept may be upon Precept, Line may be upon Line, and yet the Word of the Lord may be to some a word of Judgement, that they may fall backward and be broken, and be snared, and be taken: There may be a spiritual fullness, which the world may call drunkenness, as in the second of the Acts: there may be as well a carnal confidence, upon misunderstood, & misapplyed Precepts, which may be called Spiritual Drunkenness, there may be a Covenant made with Death and Hell, (I will not say yours was so) but judge if such things have a politic aim, to avoid the overflowing scourge, or to accomplish worldly interests: and if therein we have confederated with wicked and carnal men, and have respect, or otherwise drawn in to associate with us, whether this be a Covenant of God & spiritual bethink yourselves, we hope we do. I pray you read the 28. of Esaiah, from the 5. to the 15. & do not scorn to know, that it is the Spirit that quickens & giveth life, & the Lord give you and us understanding to do that which i● wel-pleasing in his sight, committing you to the Grace of God, I rest, Your humble Servant  
Muscleborough 3. Aug. 1650. O. CROMWELL.   

A Vindication of the Declaration of the Army of ENGLAND, upon their March into SCOTLAND, from the uncharitable Constructions, odious Imputations, and scandalous Aspersions of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, in their Reply thereunto.  
THe Declaration of the Army, concerning their Expedition into Scotland, having received an Answer from the General Assembly of the Kirk of that Nation, suitable to that spirit, which of late hath wrought effectually in those Assemblies, for the prosecution of an Interest by them espoused, evidently destructive to the power and purity of the Gospel, Liberty, and Safety of both Nations, being filled with calumnious Reproaches and Insinuations, false and mistaken Narrations, suited to a subtle carrying on of a corrupt and desperate Design, without manifestation of any great respect had unto truth, sincerity and simplicity of Spirit, (although not without many fears of ineffectualness, as to the change of their minds from their mistakes and confidences) yet we could not but judge it a duty, to remark the strange workings of fleshly Wisdom, which it is filled with from one end to another; committing the issue to the searcher of hearts, who judgeth righteously.  
In the entrance of their Reply, having prefaced it with a supposed Duty (as such things as this, will easily appear to be to persons so engaged) they reflect upon the title of the Declaration, which they undertake to oppose, and thence deduce a twofold Inference; First, That the Army looks upon themselves as Saints: Secondly, That they suppose the number of Saints in Scotland not to be very great. Doubtless it argues an assured confidence, (and that perhaps upon former experiences) that their Dictates shall be received with an implicit consent, by those whom they labour to deceive; when in the very entrance, they hold out such groundless Deductions, as both these must needs appear to be, to all that shall but only view the Inscription of that Declaration. When men are bound to believe the General Assembly before their own eyes and sense, such Imposit●ons may pass; and we know not in what state (as to this) things are for the present in Scotland: For our part, as we see neither of them i● the direction mentioned, so we are not without good assurance of the first, as to that part of the Army w●th whom they have to do in this Reply; and for the latter, hearty pray, if it be so indeed, That in God's due time it may be otherwise. And as we are no way moved with that breathing of the Spirit, which acts in the Assembly, charging the ways of the Army, as the issues of delusion, or rashness, and scandalous to the Gospel (such terms being always in readiness for the use of all sorts of Assemblies) so we suppose, That the testimony of the numerousness of the Saints amongst them, might have been spared, until the practice of the power of godliness had laid a conviction upon their Neighbours, to have gone before them therein.  
The sense of the Saints that are there, concerning the proceed of the Army, we have indeed reason to suppose to be harsh, and unanswerable to men of that heavenly call; and that because they have too much captivated themselves to receive in upon trust, such injurious and false Representations, as in these Papers are made of them and their ways, without inquiry into the reality of things: For deliverance from which bondage of spirit, we desire seriously to commend them to the goodness of God, and that in the use of Ordinances, and Government of Jesus Christ, which we pray, That the General Assembly may neither slight nor despise.  
Their Christian desire of Mercy, Truth and Light, to all the Saints of Scotland, is in the next place retorted, with a charge of Error, Darkness, and Looseness, upon them that hold it out. To assume the title of Orthodoxy and soundness of opinion to men's selves; and upon that account, to charge others with Errors and Darkness, hath been found in all ages, so great an advantage to any party whatsoever, that hath assumed it, that it were strange if the General Assembly should not use the same weapon to smite those withal, whom they seek to render odious, and destroy. But to flourish it perpetually upon all occasions, without giving any one instance of any one Error maintained by them whom they so charge, or holding out no other rule to judge darkness and error by, but their own Dictates and Determinations, is a course not a little savouring of that wisdom which is not from above.  
The reference unto the Declaration of the Parliament, which nextly, they reply unto, is passed over with a Magisteriall charge of the matter of that Declaration, to be false in fact, unjust in Law, with sundry other such expressions, as is evident they want not at any time, when Truth and Reason may not be at hand.  
But is it false in fact, that the Nation of Scotland, breaking all Treaties, Covenants and Contracts between themselves and England, invaded us with a powerful Army, to the hazard of our Lives, Liberties and Religion? Is it false in fact, that the Commissioners of Scotland to●k upon them, to protest against the proceed of the supreme Power of he Nation of England, and laboured to withdraw the people from their obedience? Is it false in fact, that the Parliament of Scotland have taken home into their bosom, him, who is the engaged enemy of this Nation, and in present actual hostility against it? Is it false in fact, that they have promised to use their endeavours to restore him, to that which they call his Right in England, which cannot be effected without the ruin of the Commonwealth? Are these and the like falsities in fact? Or are not those men infatuated with a strange confidence of the stupidity of the residue of men, that they dare so affirm?  
Is it unjust in Law, that damage being done by any, reparation and satisfaction should be required of them? Is it unjust in Law, for supreme Magistrates to demand that by force and war, which is denied by Treaties in Peace? Is it against the Law of Nature and Nations, that Treaties and Compacts being voluntarily entered into by several parties; the Essentials of such Treaties and Contracts being infringed and violated by the one party, that the other thereby should be set at liberty, and be free? Is it against the Law of Nature and Nations, that the supreme Power of the Nation, though changed into the hands of others, should be responsible for the miscarriages and damages done by the former persons enjoying that same Authority? Is it contrary to the Law of Nature and Nations, for a people to seek their own preservation, by preventing others from taking their advantages and opportunities, who, they are fully assured, do seek and aim at their ruin?  
Truly we cannot but wonder, that men professing themselves Representators of so eminent a Church, should be so carried away with the love of corrupt and carnal Interest, as to assert with confidence such notorious and palpable falsities. The Lord, we hope, will teach them more the fear of his great and dreadful Name, whereof they often solemnly make mention in this their Paper, before such things as these have wrought their ruin.  
In the third Page, they put it out of all question, That the late King was obstinate in an evil way, and that he was guilty of more innocent blood in England, Ireland and Scotland, than any of his Predecessors, And could this Land be expiated from blood, without revenging it upon the guilty Author of its shedding? Have not the Scots more than once, for less crimes, taken off their Kings? etc. The Lord lay it seriously to their hearts, whether they do well to cry Murder, Murder, and stir up all to revenge the death of him, whom themselves acknowledge guilty of shedding the blood of so many Thousand Innocents'. And for the noncompliance of that Nation with the King in any of his undertake, the invasion in Forty Eight, with sundry actings of the Commissioners and Assemblies for divers years, will not allow us to give credit unto.  
In the next place, they say, They will not question what the Parliament of both Kingdoms, in a case of insuperable necessity, might have done for the people's safety (as to the taking off the King) nor the righteous jndgement of God, in executing wrath upon him; so evidently granting, that indeed they might have done it. The truth is, the Parliament of England never needed; never owned the Authoritat ve concurrence of the Parliament of Scotland, for the disposal of those things which concern the People's safety: And therefore this is to be put out of question, as to that Parliament alone: The encroaching of the Scottish Nation for an influence of Authority upon the Government of England, being by them justly abhorred. Let now the Assembly view their own Concessions, The King was guilty of more blood in England, Scotland, and Ireland, than any of his Predecessors: he was obstinate in an evil way: in case of insuperable necessity, for the people's safety, the Parliament might take him away: the judgement of God in executing wrath upon him, was righteous: there was a party in Parliamont false to God and their trust, who did endeavour to betray the Cause into the late King's hand, Page the 5. (Notwithstanding his obstinacy in blood-guiltiness, and ways of destruction to the Nation) who alone were restrained from sitting in the House: And we know not any thing, if they have not justified the whole proceed of the Parliament and Army in reference to the late King.  
That there was another way for the restraining of him, so to obtain the people's safety: as we found it otherwise by our experience under the Scottish Invasion, and our own intestine insurrections during his restraint: so are not the Assembly of the Kirk, either competent or entrusted Juges of what may consist with the safety of the people of England, nor is it any inducement to us to give up ourselves to their determination for the future, by finding them perverted by their interest to this strange assertion: That a man guilty of a world of innocent blood, obstinate in his way, and that way inconsistent with the people's safety, obnoxious for blood, to the righteous judgement and wrath of God, aught to be preserved through disadvantages, even to the people's ruin.  
What security was given to Scotland, for the safety of the King's Person by the Parliament of England, which they mention at present, we know not, but are assured, that to preserve himself against their invasions, and the insurrections by them st●rred up and fomented, they were driven to the jeopard of the well-being of the whole Nation; and (had not God marvellously appeared for them) had perished therew thal: But he who gave them deliverance from their ruin, so deeply contrived and desperately endeavoured, did thereby also free them from any obligation unto them, who had so designed, & almost effectually procured that their ruin and destruction. And that no concernment of the Kingdom of Scotland, in the Person of the King would have any influence into the Parliaments disposal of the affairs of England for the safety of the people thereof, hath been Remonstrated by that Parliament though never answered by Scotland. Let the Assembly also consider, what Treaties and Advisoes they have had with England about the instating of their new King; and they cannot but suppose, that the principle of all their actings in reference to us, will be evident to all, (to wit) That by Treaties and Covenants they may do what they please: we must, what they will enjoin us.  
That which follows, is an Apology for their new King, with such a Confession in his behalf, of his ill beginning to pursue destructive Designs, as we fear they have scarce obtained from himself, since his coming amongst them: neither do their expressions of wishing he may be humbled, and not being without hope that he may endeavour firmly to promove the ends of the Covenant, hold out any great confidence in the Assembly of any such towardliness as yet discovered in him, as should make them engage into such expressions, as might be retorted on them, in case of proceeding upon insuperable necessity: But that we may not think they have no Arguments to press his reception upon this Nation, besides his own great engagement into evil, and their small hopes of his being better, they add sundry Reasons, why it was not well done to reject him, and change the Government.  
Amongst these, the Right of his Inheritance hath the first place, which we affirm, not only to be none originally without the consent of the Nation, but also to be justly forfeited by his own and Father's destructive engagements against the Commonwealth. And therefore we know not of any duty we own unto him (which they secondly name) more than to any other engaged enemy of the Land: Nor must the compassion of his breeding, being for a great part of his days in the blood and spoil of our dearest Relations, outweigh the safety of the people, and the interest of the Saints of God, altogether inconsistent with his Rule and Government amongst us. That we might have had the like Success with Scotland upon the like Application to him, perhaps we do not doubt; but yet unless we can be persuaded, that there is a desirableness in giving up all that is dear to us, to the enraged cruelty of an enemy, we cannot suffer this to stand as a Motive to his Reception: And if Scotland find not the truth of this they may thank some others besides themselves. In the mean time, none truly are so fit to Prognosticate of Calamities to ensue upon our change of Government, as they who resolve and intent to be the Authors of those Calamities.  
That any honest Members of Parliament, who did ever truly mind Religion and Liberty are now sufferers in England, we do not know; but that not any suffereth for his trust to Religion & Liberty, we are fully assured: The great suffering of Restraint which some, formerly Members, do now undergo, being only on those whom in the following words you grant to have endeavoured the betraying of the Cause into the hand of the late King: The effecting whereof, though too many of the State of Scotland did also what in them lay pursue, yet we cannot but rejoice that through the good providence of God, the Net is broken, and we a●e escaped.  
That sl●ight touch, which in the following ●ords they give of the Reasons of the proceeding of Parliament and Army in the change of Government, yields not an advantage seriously to remark any thing of concernment thereabouts: Give the Assembly leave to call the Parliament of England Usurpers, in their own Nation, to judge of their call to any acting, to determine of the equity and reality of the Constitution of the Government of England, to falsify notoriously in matter of Fact and R●ght, affirming that the Army by violence did kit the King, that the first motion in the House to the change of Government, was from their violence; that the Parliament, if destitute of some of their Members, doth not Represent the whole People; and to intermix all these Censures and Falsities, with reviling and reproaching eloquence, and no doubt they will carry the Cause in hand.  
For the equal Representative, which they affirm never durst be ventured upon to this day: If we should suspend our thoughts concerning it, until the Kingdom of Scotland do give us an example thereof: in all probability it might be more Remote from accomplishment, than we hope it is, or desire it should be.  
Besides, these things relate not much unto the present difference and state of Affairs: the sole cause of their wrath and Indignation at present against us, being only this, That after they have endeavoured our destruction, by an Hostile Invasion, refused to Treat about satisfaction (pretending they ●re not the persons that did it, when it was done by the Parliament of Scotland, which the present Powers are, and no other appears to have it demanded from) stirred up by all mea●s possible the people of England to Sed●tions and Insurrections, laid foundations of another Invasion (undeniably manifested by their Principles, Practices and Engagements, not directly denied by themselves in any of these Papers) that we would seek by the goodness of God to prevent them from destroying us, and the Interest of the Lord Christ in our Nation, by not waiting until their own preparations at home, their King's endeavours abroad, and the zeal of their Boatfeau's and Bellows of Sedition amongst ourselves, should all be ripened to an unresistible L●undation of War and Misery upon us: hinc illae Lachrymae: hence is the Assemblies sorrow and trouble, that the Lord should put it into ou● hearts to Ward ou● selves through his Providence and Protection, from the snare and eull their Kirk and State have contrived for us: And hence it is, that the Declaration of the Army, written as in the presence of God, drawn out from sincerity and compassion, consented unto, and attended with ma●y Prayers and Tears, hath received such a Return of Calumnious Reproaches, false Accusations, evil Surmising, un-Christian Censuring, as if the Assembly were all sat down in the seat of the Scornful.  
We confess series of Providences whereby God hath blessed our Affairs, is often in our mouths, and we trust far oftener in our hearts: And certainly, we could not but judge ourselves far worse (if it be possible) then the Assembly strive to represent us, should we not continually own those most signal Providence of our gracious God, whereby he hath owned and been present with us, in all our straits and undertake; and we are fully assured, That he knows how to vindicate his Name and Glory, when the works that he hath wrought are not considered, and men will not see when his hand is lifted up.  
If when we have waited on the Lord, sought his presence and direction with all our hearts, rolling ourselves upon his Arm, he hath appeared for us, with us, delivered us out of snares, led us in paths we had not known, in Peace and Safety; destroying our enemies with his own right hand, giving us eyes to see, and hearts to acknowledge all this: if then we may not rejoice in the operation of his hands, commit our way to him, embrace his love, and quiet our spirits in his Wisdom and Goodness: we would desire the Assembly of the Ki●k, from the Word of Truth, and the practice of the Saints of God that were before us, to convince us of our Error and Mistake: otherwise it is not their most unchristian comparing of the Providence of God towards Turk and Pope, with his special respect to them that wait for him, and know his Name, leaning upon him as a Father in Jesus Christ; nor yet a bare false affirmation, That we rest upon Providences, because destitute of other Rules that shall take us off from speaking well of the Name of our God, and rejoicing in those things and ways wherein he hath been our Guide and Deliverer.  
There are indeed many secret and hidden causes, that prevail with the Sons of men, to slight the Appearing of God in his Providence: and we cannot but fear, That on● main and chief one of them (to wit) The carrying on of Affairs by corrupt and carnal Policies, in the pursuit of Selfish Interests, doth possess much the minds of the Ruling party now in Scotland: for this we need no other demonstration, than the late Transactions in reference to the bringing in of their King; wherein the Shift, Juggle, empty Pretences, ambiguous Expressions and Engagements, that have carried it to the ●ssue where it now is (they supposing they have their King, and ●heir King supposing he hath them) cannot easily be paralleled: For the main of it, we know what their Endeavours were, to carry it on as a work of Darkness; yet so many particulars have broken forth into light, as will one day be a testimony of deep Hypocrisy and selfishness in those, whose profession required the contrary: All which delusory Pretences, violent Actings of a prevailing Faction, Hypocritical colours, to inveigle the hearts of a party in England, will in due time be manifested by undeniable Instances.  
When men are carried on in such crooked paths as these, their Spirits cannot but be prejudiced against single eyeing of providential Dispensations: Though we no way question, but that if the Lord in his Infinite Wisdom and Sovereignty, should think meet to cast in any Success upon the undertake of the Scottish Nation, the General Assembly of the Kirk would be as ready as formerly they have been, to bless themselves in their ways from thence, and assume that liberty which they deny to others; unless perhaps their Deliverance should come by such a hand, as that which they had from the Hamiltonian party; which, though it be the bottom of their present Power and Rule, yet could not obtain a Day of Acknowledgement unto the Lord, until wrapped up in a Bundle with a small Success against a Tumult raised by Middleton, that the Instruments of their Deliverance might not receive the least mention from them before the Lord.  
There are two or three other things that deserve to be Noted by themselves, being mentioned or hinted in sundry places in these Declarations; as, First, the Oppression of sundry persons, for their Consciences, and in their Estates, in England: And is it for the General Assembly of Scotland to lay this charge against us? Doth any Nation under Heaven bind and oppress the Consciences of men beyond ●hem? Or is there the least Truth in this charge? Have not the persons intimated the utmost extent of Liberty, for the exercise of the whole Compass of Religion? And if any are thought to be oppressed, by being restrained from venting Sedition and Rehell●on, we shall not desire that Addition to their sufferings, wh●ch we are fully assured would be laid upon any persons that should be engaged in the like practices in Scotland.  
Another thing is, their general waving of the charge of an intended Invasion upon England, whereof in sum they affirm, That notwithstanding their Engagement made to their King, of endeavouring his Restauration there, they never once intended it, unless it was determined lawful by the Parliament and General Asslmbly. And was there ever such a ridiculous Evasion invented by men professing honesty? Are they charged to intent a new War upon us, against the judgement of the Kirk and State? And do not the principles they own & act by, in reference to us, declare evidently what their judgements are? They have engaged to their King, to use all lawful means to restore him; they deny a Treaty to be such a means, boasting to their King, That they have refused it; they profess the Parliament of the Common-weaalth to be Usurpers, deny all their Authority: And yet these men intent not an I vasion? Did they think to compass the whole Design by Insurrections amongst ourselves, making way to their ends by the blood of others; Or have they dispensed with themselves to say what they please, so t may be for the advantage of the Kirk and State of Scotland?  
The business of Religion shall be spoken unto in its proper place, only in general we cannot but observe, That the near approaches which are made in Scotland to Spiritual Tyranny and outward Violence, to the utter ruin of the most Conscientious Dissenters in the least, with slavish ignorance in the people, which for the present yield them outward Peace and Conformity, not unlike that under the Inquisition, are undesireable patterns for our imitation, nor certainly are comprised within the verge of the Covenant.  
It is of all things most strange to us, That they and their Statesmen should devise a Covenant to secure Religion and Liberty, and now are acting as fast as they can to hazard Religion and Liberty, to secure that Covenant: We mean that part of it which concerns the King and frame of Parliament. This is a strange abuse of the glorious Name of God, under colour of Religion, to prize a Covenant in the Letter of it, so as thereby to destroy the ends for which it was made; as if their Resolution were rather to lose Religion and Liberty, than not to have a King both of England and Scotland, to hold up that carnal Interest which is their greatest darling: Which King, though he be but a Ward to the Committee of Estates in Scotland, yet must needs be allowed a Negative voice in the Legislative p●wer in England, and so much Arbitrary power besides, as may at all times greaten the power and riches of the Scottish Lords. Is it not most strange, that the Covenant ●hould be so much in their mouths and pens, and so little in their actions? who while they did but the other day declaim so much against Ma ignancy, as a great and dangerous sin, have now pulled in the head of Malignants, as appears by his Commissions given to Papists, and such as never came so much as formally under their Covenant: And who is so Malignant still, that they dare not trust him, farther than some Lords his Keepers will suffer him to go: Was not Duke hamilton's taking of the Covenant enough with them, to invest him with power to destroy the Covenant? And can the Vizard of their Kings taking the Covenant, persuade any man of common understanding, that he will either support their Ki●k or Covenant longer, then t●ll they have by one means or other (if not prevented by us) furnished him with a Covenanting Army of his own Principles? and than they will find they will be twice catched in a N●t of their own making, which they laid for others. Are not his present Darling-companions which he brought from beyond Seas, Prince Rupert, Ormond, and his Fathers and Mothers' Confederates in England, still the only men, that if he were foot-loose he would embrace? If they will needs blind their eyes, and hearden their hearts, we bless our heavenly Father, that he hath opened our eyes, to see things that do belong unto our peace, according to the di●ection of his holy Word.  
But now to their Charge upon the Army, as to the Covenant, they say, It did not appear that Religion and Civil Liberty was inconsistent with the frame of Parliament, and th●t their words in their own Book did prove no more; but, That the than actings and the frame of Parliament were inconsistent. Be it so: This is sufficient to justify our proceed; if all their Liberties in Scotland had but one Neck and their Headsman stood ready, after Sentence given up●n them, to ●ut it off, woul● not they then immediately either hold his hands, 〈◊〉 give all for gone?  
Whereas they say, Was there no other way to help the irregularity of these proceed? If they had known any, it had been as easy to have named it, as to have asked the question: But for ou● parts, we knew no other way. Had not the Army appeared in that nick of time, against the consenters to the Propositions at Newport, Religion and Liberty had been irrecoverably lost, as far as we can understand: Our consciences bear us witness, we did with exactness keep the Covenant, in excluding those we did.  
They say further, The Army took away altogether the lawful Power: we cannot believe them till they prove it, there being now and always a lawful Power in the Commons of England sitting in Parliament. And as for those that acquiesced in destructive Propositions, were they any more a lawful Power, than Duke Hamiltons' Faction in their Parliament? or if they will have the excluded Members lawful Powers, what did we more than they, that put ●he opposite party out of power, so soon as they could by our Assistance?  
That which they say concerning the Army's Proposals, That they were destructive, and yet they would not have thought it a fit Remedy for any to have destroyed them? We reply First, they were but Proposals for Consideration, not determinations, as those Votes upon the Propositions were, and so there was no need of any Remedy against them, but Advice. Secondly, if the Lord had so far left them, as to have made any conc●usions with the King upon those Proposals, our judgement is (as their Repentance hath already witnessed) they would have accounted it a great Mercy, by any Power to have been restrained.  
They further demand, If Liberty be preserved, how comes it then to pass, that so many groan under the yoke of their Oppressions? Hath there been at any time a greater thraldom in England, then that every man must be bound to swear an Oath, & c? To this we say, We know of no such Oath that is to be Sworn, the Engagement being a bare Promise, and no more; a●d here we are sure their charge is false in fact: A●d how this Engagement is a yoke of Oppression, we see not, when it is only a Promise's; To be faithful to the Commonwealth, and the Preservers of our Liberties and Lives, which those that are excluded would have destroyed: Nor can we understand how this is a maintaining of unlawful Usurpations, when two of the three  Powers did oppose, and at length exclude the King, who was the third Estate, for Maladministration: You had your hand in the work, to assist the two Houses so to do; and when one of the three Estates excluded too (viz.) the King and Lords, for their conjunction in the destructive Propositions at Newport, what Usurpation was this in one of the three Estates, more than was formerly in the other two?  
As for the Burdens you speak of, as an Impeachment of civil Liberties, It is the great grief of the Parliament, that they are necessitated to lay any Burdens: Yet we may desire you to remember, They lay those Burdens in an equal proportion, upon their own, as well as other men's Estates; and we cannot but wonder, that they should be challenged by you for this, the little finger of your Lords upon your people, and which we with much bitterness call to mind, upon ours also, having been heavier than the Loins of our Parliament.  
Religion, you say, is trodden under foot, lies in the dust, is despised, as of no value. How unbrotherly, unchristian and false a charge this is, the Acts of Parliament lat●ly made against Adultery, Incest, against Swearing and Blasphemy, and the Acts for the strict keeping of the Sabbath, & for the better propagation of the Gospel in several parts of our Nation, will be a sufficient evidence; We take Religion to be a worshipping of God according to his Word, walking in our conversations according to the Gospel, attending upon the publique Ordinances of the Word preached, public and private Prayer and Sacraments, when administered according to the Gospel: In which, to be conversant with Humility: Faith and Reverence, ●s the practice of the Army.  
That Religion is trodden under foot, and despised of many, as we acknowledge it, so we desire to make it the matter of continual mourning: And we think we may without presumption speak it to the glory of the free and rich Grace of God in Jesus Christ, That as much of the Spirit of Christ, and the power of Godliness is given out in England, as in any Nation of the world we know of.  
And give us leave to ask you of Scotland, who alone would seem to be true Reformers, whether we have any such National sins as the compulsive joining together of the precious with the vile, in the Administration of the Seals of the Covenant of Grace; or the corrupt and forcible Constitution of the matter of your Churches, making them up of people grossly ignorant, and very scandalous in their Lives and Conversations, and in many places having Elders little better qualified.  
Page 9 they say, though they endeavour to justify their actings against the Army & Parliament of England, by the proceed of this Kingdom, yet there is a large difference in many particulars. There is such an agreement in those particulars they rehearse, as makes these proceed justifiable upon their grounds.  

1. There was a considerable part of the lawful: Authority of England acted in these Proceed: was not a House of Commons a considerable part.  
2. Many of the best affected, and most godly People in the Land consented thereunto: and when the two Housoes acted without the King, there was but a Party of the People did consent.  
3. A considerable number of Orthodox and Godly Ministers went along in those Resolutions, and you know, the plurality of the Ministers never went along with the two Houses in their opposition to the King: And if it be true that they say, that their whole Kirk consented to your ways, how came it to pass so many Ministers were excluded from their places for accession to Duke Hamiltons' Engagement?  
4. This was no protecting or promoting any Design against Religion or Government, but the carrying on of Reformation of Religion and Government, according to the Word of God.  
5. We know of no new power set up, but the continuance of the old, they having only excluded such as were false to their trust, as you excluded Duke Hamiltons' Faction.   
Page 10. As for what concerns the Presbyterial Government, whether it be to be imposed, or left free according to the Covenant: they decline that Debate, or rather defer it, till they are in better condition to prosecute such an Argument, and then there is no doubt, but their Principles and Professions will lead them thereunto: Having declared the principal end of their assistant Forces formerly sent to England, to be Reformation in Religion, which in a Scotish Construction must needs be Presbyterial Government; but because they insist not upon it, we shall also leave it, and joynwith them in that undeniable position, That by Covenant we are obliged to a Government according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches; but we cannot hold pace with them, when they say, That by a Synod of Divines sitting in England, it hath been made appear, that the Presbyterial Government in the Scotish Latitude, and only it, hath its foundation upon the Word of God: That Synod, though they have gone far enough, yet are not so through paced in that business, but cautelously express themselves in many parts of the Presbyterial Government, by saying, Things may be done according to the Rule; which either signifies nothing, or else this; that sometimes they may not.  
They further say, That Preaching the Word of God, is not the only means appointed by him to accomplish his pleasure upon the minds of men, to produce and establish his purposes in the world concerning Church-Government. Certainly in the best estate of the Church, which we conceive to be the times of the Apostles, it was the only and sufficient means; but yet we deny not but the Magistrate owes a duty to the Church and Ordinances of God, which is to preserve the Liberty and outward Peace of them, which the present Government of England, notwithstanding all Oblatrations, ceases not to do.  
Whereas the Army is charged with dealing with the Scots as Enemies, and invading them because they came not to their way; doubtless, the Army moves not upon that Principle, but this rather, That they will not suffer England to hold on in their own way of a Commonwealth, but have entertained a pretender to the Government of this Nation, after all his own and Father's forfeitures, and that upon condition of using all means which they shall judge lawful for the restoring him to the Possession thereof; which when they shall accomplish, we shall have little reason to expect, but that Religion and Liberty so much contested for, will be made a Sacrifice to Royal Malignancy: As for the terms of Usurpation, and insolency, we shall only say this, They are so much in the thoughts and actions of them that writ them, that it's no wonder that their pen misses them not.  
And whereas the Army is charged as Enemies to Uniformity, notwithstanding the professed desires of Unity amongst Christians, and that their way and practices have brought forth this unparallelled diversity of Opinions: who knows not but that it hath been very usual in all times of Reformation●, especially when the Reformation is carried on by War, for Truth and Error, Liberty & Licentiousness, to creep in at the same door? and if the Army have too much indulged those differences, what hinders but that they may now see (and we, by some late proceed amongst them, know they do see) the evil of it, and are real in their desires after a Spiritual Unity, though not altogether a Scottish Uniformity. ●he Army declares likewise, that all who are for a Presbyterial Government, may have freedom to enjoy it, only not wi●h a Scottish Formality, which is an absolute Independency on the Civil Power; which how it consists with that in the precedent page, where the Magistrate is required to lay out his Power for purging and settling of Ordinances, as well as preserving of them, let wise men judge; as for their keeping Courts & Jurisdictions (though they be not very Canonical Expressions, yet) no doubt, but that they may do that also over such as give up themselves that way; but if nothing will serve them, but to be universal Bishops, and challenge a general Supremacy over all the Churches of Christ, from giving our consents to any such Usurpations, we desire to be excused. As for the displacing of any Presbyterially affected, from Offices of Trust in England: It ●s denied that upon the Account of Presbytery any are displaced, though it may be, some have been upon the ground of Faction and Disturbance, which cleaves too close to many of that Profession.  
The twelfth Page, is a bitter Pill wrapped up in a little Sugar, and its best to swallow it at once; They profess to take no delight to charge any with Blasphemies and Heresies, who are not guilty of them: What men do ordinar lie and upon sleight occasions, they may be supposed to delight in; but what more usual then for all the Scottish Papers, to Brand the whole Army with the Name of Sectaries, and maintainers of all Heresies? whereas Charity and Justice must needs make some distinction, and though they disclaim all uningenuous dealing in their charges of the Army, yet what can be imagined further from Ingenuity; then to put evil Constructions upon good Actions, as they do, in saying that the exemplary punishments they exercise upon a few, are rather for stopping of mouths, than out of zeal to God.  
The thirteenth speaks of a sedulous endeavour in the Army's Declaration, to raise jealousies betwixt a good People & their King, and those who exercise his Authority: This is too poor a Design for men of Noble and Courageous Spirits, who scorn such a practice, any further than it may really tend to the disintangling of honest and well-minded men, from those plausible and politic snares, which great men use to lay for their Inferiors, thereby to serve their ends upon them: but it's believed, much more pains of that kind will not be taken: Si populus vult decipi decipiatur: Towards the end of the same Page, there is a denial of the Ministers of Scotland, laying the Foundation of the Hamiltonian Invasion, but doubtless they had a strong Influence into it, daily exasperating the People against the Authority in England, and the Army that supported it, whereby the People were easily induced to believe, it was good service to destroy them. And the Kirk●t self (notwithstanding all its pretended Innocency) did both principle and p ovoke him to a War, and did withdraw from that War upon those terms, only that their advice would not be taken in stating the case, and bounding the Admission of men to Employment, which the Civil Power thought to be their proper work.  
The fourteenth hath a matter of Astonishment: and what is the matter? First, That the Army should profess love, and yet make War; Is it not as possible to have peace in the heart, and War in the hand, as to have War in Intention, and Peace in Expression, which is too usual? Scotland hath some Testimony of their Love and Bowels in (48) and is it so great a wonder they should continue until (50?) And there is no such contradiction as is supposed, betwixt their Compassion & this Invasion (as you call it, but they Prevention) when the end of it is the preservation of the Liberty of the people of God (so much endangered by the present practices of Scotland) and the carrying of it on is intended to be with all possible distinction of, and favour to those that are godly and faithful among them.  
As for their carriage to England, by which they aggravate this unkindness; we well remember it, but spare to speak of it, unless it be lawful to compare it to that of the Poet: Mulier formosa superne, turpiter atrum desinit in piscem. For to let pass what formerly hath passed, it is to be believed, that if they proceed in this present Design of bringing in their King upon us, they will blot out not only their own former Merit, but undo the noble Achievements of all English Patriots and Parliaments, in this and former Generations; we know how easy it is to raise a Monarchical Spirit, but how hard to keep it within the Circle?  
They likewise wonder at the Assertion of the Justice of the Cause, and the Appeals upon it, which is no more (at most) than that Confidence admires confidence.  
And now having (as they think) sufficiently baited the first Declaration, they will not suffer a little harmless Paper, sent in by the Army to undeceive the people (who were possessed, that not Men, but Monsters were coming in among them, from whom nothing was to be expected, but utter desolation) to go unpunished; and truly, they do chastise it with Scorpions: And when they can find little or nothing to say against the Matter, they fall violently upon the persons.  
The first and hottest charge is, Covenant-breaking: To that we may say, That some supposed Breaches will be found a real keeping of it, as to the ends of it (viz.) Religion and Liberty; and for the Union betwixt the N●tions, which themselves have broken, we offered to have it redintegrated by Treaty, which the Scots refused: And to deny conjunction with them under their King, is no more breach of Union, than their refusal to join with England in the way of a Commonwealth: We have not found Kings such good Instruments of Union as is pretended.  
The next charge is, Their refusing to walk by the Word of God, and being led by pretended Lights and P●ovidences. This they disclaim, and acknowledge the Word to be their counsellor: Though they cannot so slightly look upon the Providences of God as the Scots do, seeing the Works of God have a language as well as his Word, which the Israelites are blamed for not understanding Psal. 106.  
The third goes deep, even to the heart, and charges them, That their Purposes and Intentions are not for the Honour of God, and the Kingdom of Christ, but for some concernments of their own: and a goodly Argument is there added to prove it, because they pretend Liberty and common Safety. This is so impertinent and injurious, that to slight it is the best Answer, unless we should thus retort it, The purpose of the Scots is not for public Liberty and common Safety, but something that concerns themselves; and therefore the great wheel of their Design, is, A Pretence of Religion and Reformation.  
The next is like unto it, charging them with A seeming holiness, and a real treading under foot the Truth and Ordinances of God; giving us full assurance, That Conscience, and a Christian spirit, were very little consulted withal in this Reply, in comparison of that cursed Maxim, C●lumniare fortiter aliquid adhaerebit; which seems to be the sole Rule walked by, by them: All the particulars of this parting charge being the issues of Envy, Uncharitableness and Evil speaking.  
Neither is the fifth of any better temper than those before, about their conjunction with all sorts of persons, for the pursuit of common Safety and Liberty; and therefore, bearing with different Judgements and Opinions in the things of God, which being charged on them, by those who have actually closed with him, and admitted him to the Exercise of Regal Power, amongst them, by whom are employed all sorts of profligate wretches, blood-guilty Rebels, Popish Idolators, with whom the Assembly of the Kirk is now in actual conjunction for the pursuit of one Design, is not of any great weight unto us; and as we could easily discharge them of this Imputation, so far as to take off all just offence, yet we cannot but declare, That we think it much better to exercise-mutuall forbearance in some lesser Differences, whilst the foundation is held and kept entire, then to have amongst us an outward Uniformity, as the issue of an Ecclesiastical Tyranny, which we wish the Assembly to free their Kirk and Nation in.  
Further, The Army hath neither usurped on, or trodden under foot the Ancient Government of England, which in the sixth place is charged on them, but in their places have assisted to remove all Usurpations upon the Liberty of the People of England, restoring it into the hands of the People's trusties, to whom of Right it doth belong, actually leaving it instated in the hands of that Parliament, wherein it was at the beginning of these troubles  
And as to the moulding of Scotland to the same frame, mentioned in the last place; the truth is, That saving the earnest desire of our Souls, that all who belong to Christ ●n that Nation, may enjoy the Liberties and Privileges purchased for them by Christ, with our own Security from designed Evils, We should be very indifferent, into what mould or fashion that Nation be framed.  
Thus having laid open the manifold Mistakes, Falsities, unjust Charges, politic Insinuations, unchristian Censuring, and the like, not only Ungospel-like carriages, but also uncivil Rail of this Paper of the General Assembly, We shall close with our hearty Supplications, That the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would in his due time cast down all the earthly combinations of all sorts of men, that set up themselves and their own corrupted Interest, in the room of that Sceptre of Righteousness, which he hath given into the hands of his Son.  
With this foregoing, we have also seen an Answer of the General Assembly, to the Declaration of the Parliament of England, which also in due time, the Lord assisting, shall receive a full Reply.  
That an Ecclesiastical Assembly, convened for the Reiglement of the House of God, should account it their duty, as such, to put forth Manifesto's, and make replies to States and Armies, in things of Civil Concernment, relating to the public Affairs of Nations, would seem strange unto us, were we not in some measure acquainted with the Constitution, actings, and assumed Power of the Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, which make them justly to be reckoned to have a place among the Powers of this world, and therefore called to this Employment.  
But that such a Frame and Structure of Ecclesiastical Authority, as is at present in Scotland erected, such Administrations of Censures, with corporal Penalties, and an absolute subserviency of the Secular Power of their Nation, for their pursuit and setting on, that such a worldly Jurisdiction over the men of the world, as is there exercised amongst them, is the genuine issue of Reformation, according to the Word of God, we are not as yet able to apprehend; rather it seems to savour of the old Babylonish Leaven, which in due time the Lord will remove: And we profess sincerely, That although our hearts have been often pained within us, for the many Errors and Misperswasions about the things of God, with Blasphemies and Reproaches of his Name, that have broken forth amongst us (which we hope, through his goodness, are already in a great measure abated) yet we cannot apprehend any such danger from them to the true Interest of the Lord Christ and the Gospel, as from such Political Combinations, to persecute and destroy all breaking forth of Light & Truth that suit not their present apprehension. Is it not from the misguiding of such an Interest, that their Kings taking the Covenant, is cried up as such an acceptable Service and Worship of God, when their own hearts know full well, That he submitted unto it, as a hard Imposition in a Civil Treaty, for the change of his condition from Banishment unto a Crown; which, whither it may be looked on as the performance of a Duty in a Gospel-way, We doubt not but the Assembly will one day be able to d●scern.   

To the People of SCOTLAND, (Especially to those amongst them that know and fear the Lord) from whom yesterday we received a Paper, Entitled, From the People of Scotland, To the under-Officers and Soldiers of the English Army, We the under-Officers and Soldiers of the English Army, do send greeting.  
AT the beginning of the late great and wonderful workings of God in these two Nations of England and Scotland, we the under-Officers and Soldiers of the English Army now in Scotland, were most of us (if not all) men of private Callings, and not at all interested in matters of Public and State affairs; but yet very many of us in whom the Lord had begun to reveal himself in the face of Jesus Christ, were sensible of the Antichristian Tyranny that was exercised by the late King, and his Prelates, over the Consciences, Bodies, & Estates of the true spiritual Church of Jesus Christ, namely those that were born again, and united to him by his Spirit, who were then by that Antichristian Crew, termed Puritans, Sectaries, Schismatics, etc. and for not conforming to all the Canons & Ordinances of their National Church, were frequently imprisoned, banished, & otherwise grievously molested at the pleasure of those that then ruled amongst us. Under these sad sufferings of the People of God, our souls mourned, and understanding by the manifold gracious promises in the Word of God, that a time of Deliverance was to be expected to the Church of Christ, & Destruction and ruin to Babylon, our hearts, together with all the truly godly in England, were exceedingly stirred up to pray to the Lord even day and night, that he would arise to destroy Antichrist, & save his People: Whilst this spirit of prayer was poured forth upon God's People in England, Attempts were made upon Scotland, to bring them to a conformity in Religious worship, by endeavouring to impose upon them a Popish Service-Book, which was through the great goodness of God by his People in Scotland rejected, which made the wrath of the late King, and his Prelates, wax so hot against them, that Scotland 〈…〉 ●erve itself, but by coming into England 〈…〉 the godly in England did not then count an Invasion to destroy E●gland (no more than they do this our present march for the ruin of Scotland) but rejoiced to see some appearing against that Antichristian power that had persecuted the Saints, and were assured that the Lord was come forth to answer the many prayers and tears that were then poured fort● fo● that purpose. And therefore, so far as we had a●y opportunity, furthered the designs of that Army, some of us hazarding ou lives by spreading their Book, entitled, The Scots Intentions and pleading for the lawfulness of their proceed. Let us remember how the Lord was pleased graciously to answer the prayers of his P●op●● at that time in their deliverance from the Army aised by the 〈◊〉 King & his Prelates, for the destruction of all the People of G d in England and Scotland, in so much that soon after, Scotland sits in peace, enjoying their former Liberties, without being imposed upon by the Antichristian Prelacy in England & England obtains a Parliament, to whom they have opportunity to complain of their grievances; and, through the great goodness of God, so constituted, that grievances are heard, and Overtures made by them to the late King for their redress, which was so irksome to his oppressing, tyrannical and bloody spirit, that he again betakes himself to overthrow the Pa liament by force: and to that end entertains the Officers of the Army that had gone forth against our Brethren of Scotland, and withdrawing himself from his Parliament, an appearance of a Civil War gins, which being made known to us, the Inferior Officers and Soldiers of this Army (than in our private callings) we found our hearts extraordinarily stirred up by the Lord, to assist the Parliament against the King, being abundantly satisfied in our Judgements and consciences, that we were called forth by the Lord to be instrumental to bring about that which was our continual prayer to God (viz.) the destruction of Antichrist, and the deliverance of his Church and People. And upon this simple account, we engaged, not knowing the deep Policies of worldly Statesmen, and have ever since hazarded our lives in the high places of the field, (where we have seen the wonders of the Lord) against all the opposers of this Work of of Jesus Christ, whom we have all along seen going with us, and making our way plain before us. And having these things singly ●n our eye, namely the destruction of Antichrist, the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the deliverance and 〈…〉 Church in the establishment of his Ordinances amongst the●, in purity, according to his Word, & the just Civil Liberties of English men, We did many of us rejoice at the Covenant, because we found in it a strain to these ends. Although some being more enlightened, did apprehend it to be so mixed with worldly interest, that they justly feared that the interest of Jesus Christ would be only pretended to, and the interest of this World, yea of Antichrist himself, carried on under a vizard, as we have since had abundant experience of, which hath made us, we confess, not to Idolise the Covenant (as we fear too many do) though we trust it will appear before God, Angels and Men, that we shall ever pursue its true and lawful ends, according to the plain and candid meaning thereof, though we do not upon every occasion urge the Covenant (as we see every party, though as far different as Light and Darkness, is apt to do) the Lord having by his Word and by his Spirit convinced us of our duty therein, though there had been no such Covenant at all entered into.  
But when we saw that under the pretence of the Covenant, A Corrupt party in Parliament, by their worldly policy, after the War was ended in England, and the late King's Party subdued, with the loss of thousands of the lives of Saints (whose death is precious in the sight of the Lord) did endeavour to set up the King upon his own terms, and with him to establish a National Church-Government, not in all things agreeabl● to the word of God, but destructive to the just Liberties of the true spiritual Church of Christ, which he hath by his own most precious Blood purchased for them, and is now come forth to bestow upon them, which did sufficiently demonstrate itself by the de ling of the then Master-builders, with the Churches of Jesu● Chris● in and about London, that were then threatened to be dissolv●d, and Laws making for preventing the Communion of Saints with one another, except only in that one public Form then about to be established, to the great astonishment of many of us, that had lifted up o●t hands to God, and sworn to endeavour a Reformation according to the Word of God; and therefore after much waiting upon G●d by prayer, and examining our own hearts about the ends and s● cerity thereof, we were abundantly satisfied, that it was not only lawful, but our duty to keep our Arms in our hands, till the ends  〈…〉 to that purpose the Army whereof we 〈…〉 and, did march up to London to propose to th● 〈…〉 establishment, that might be more forth carrying on of th● 〈◊〉 of Religion and Liberty, and though therein we were not at that time successful, yet most wonderfully and graciously preserved by the Lord, & extraordinarily convinced (after much seeking the face of God) that our failing was in endeavouring to set up the King, upon any terms; he being a man of so much blood, that the Lord would have no peace with him, nor any that should go about to establish him. Whereupon after his own hardened heart had hindered him from yielding to any overtures that were made to him by the Parliament, through whom all the Armies Proposals were to be tend ered, And a second War more dangerous than the former contrived by him, & his son now with you, together with those in Scotland, that hated us of the Army of England, under the name of Sectaries, being by the unspeakable goodness and mighty power of God waded through, and a second testimony given from heaven to justify the proceed of his poor servants against that bloody Antichristian brood, though with the loss of many precious Saints, we were then powerfully convinced, that the Lords purpose was to deal with the late King as a man of blood, and being persuaded in our Consciences, that he and his Monarchy was one of the ten horns of of the beast spoken off, Revel. 17.12, 13, 14, 15. and being witnesses to so much of the innocent blood of the Saints that he had shed in supporting the beast, and considering the loud cries of the souls of the Saints under the Altar, we were extraordinarily carried forth to desire Justice upon the King that man of blood; and to that purpose petitioned our superior Officers and the Parliament to bring him to justice, which accordingly, by a high hand of providence, was brought to pass, which Act we are confident the Lord will own in preserving the Commonwealth of England, against all Kingdoms & Nations, that shall adventure to meddle with them upon that account. When God executes his judgements upon malefactors, let none go about to resist when he brings forth those his enemies, that will not suffer Jesus Christ to be King in the midst of his Saints, and breaks them in pieces like a Potter's vessel. Let not Scotland, nor any other Nation say, what dost thou. We fear they have been too busy already; the Lord that sees the secrets of all hearts knows the compliance of Scotland with the late King's issue now with you, was in order to disturb the Peace of England, for being Gods 〈…〉 bloody Tyrant, and a supporter of the throne of the 〈◊〉▪ but blessed be the Lord, the crafty are taken, in their own snare, England sits in peace, whilst Scotland receives into their chief City their new King, at the very hour wherein an Army that had marched three hundred miles, is facing them at the very gates; we wish our Brethren of Scotland (especially those that truly fear the Lord) would consider these things, and not slight the providences of God so much as they do; when Scotland chose new gods, and would have a King out of a Family that God hath rejected, then was War in the gates: and though we do not think providences alone a sufficient rule for God's people to walk by, yet we do know that the Lord speaks to his people by his providences, as well as by his word; and he is angry with his people that does not take notice thereof, and promiseth blessing to those that do, Psal. 107. and the latter end.  
And here give us leave (not in a boasting spirit, but with meekness and fear) to tell you that we are persuaded we are poor unworthy Instruments in God's hand to break his enemies, and preserve his people. You have acknowledged us in your own Papers, to be a rod of Iron to dash in pieces the Malignants, but withal, say, we must now be broken in pieces because we now set ourselves against the lot of God's Inheritance. Let us here speak for ourselves, yea the Lord speak for us, who knows our hearts and all our ways, we value the Churches of Jesus Christ, who are the lot of God's Inheritance, ten thousand times above our own lives. Yea we do bless the Lord, we are not only a rod of Iron to dash the common enemies in pieces, but also a hedge (though unworthy) about Christ's Vineyard; and if we know our own hearts, where ever the lot of God's Inheritance shall appear to be found in Scotland, we shall think it our duty to the utmost hazard of our lives to preserve the same. But if there be any that have taken counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed whom the Lord hath decreed to set upon his holy hill of Zion, we are persuaded the Lord hath brought us hither as Instruments through which he will speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. We desire it may be known to you our Brethren of Scotland, that we are not soldiers of fortune, we are not merely the servants of men, we have not only proclaimed Jesus Christ the King of Saints, to be our King by profession, but desire to submit to him upon his own terms, & to admit him to the exercise 〈…〉 in our hearts, & to follow him wheresoever he 〈…〉 of his own good will entered into a Covenant of Grace 〈…〉 of Saints, and be assured it is he tha● leadeth us into Scotland, as he hath done in England and Ireland, and therefore we do in the spirit of brotherly love, and of the fear of the Lord, beseech you to look about you, for our Lord Jesus is coming amongst you as a refiners fire, a●d as Fuller's soap, and blessed are those in whom the least dram of sincerity shall be found.  
We have seen a Paper directed to us from the people of Scotland, which hath been publicly made known to us, wherein we are first desired to consider the lawfulness of our marching into Scotland; We blessed God we did that before we came here, and are abundantly satisfied, that we are brought hither by the Lord; Nay many of us lying under temptations of flesh and blood, and going about to frame excuses to take us from this march, found that to have stayed behind had been to have deprived ourselves of much sweet communion with God, that now through his goodness we do enjoy.  
We have also considered the arguments by which you go about to weaken the grounds of the Parliaments, and our superior Officers leading us into Scotland, and must needs give you this return, that we are st●ll abundantly established in this belief, that what the Parliament of England hath done in sending us into Scotland, hath been of absolute necessity to preserve themselves from being destroyed in their Religion and Liberties, which they have been at so much cost both of blood and treasure to purchase and preserve. And therefore by the way must needs tell you that we can not endure to hear them called a pretended Parliament, which we desire you to take notice of, that if you writ to us again you would speak more reverently of the authority of our Nation, or else we shall easily think you will upon every occasion be r ady to invade England, that you may set up an authority which you may call lawful.  
And let us as in the presence of the Lord, further assure you that we have already examined our own consciences as before the Lord, and have a clear assurance in our hearts that he will countenance us in this action, and that we do not break any Covenant which we have sworn before God, Angels, and men, but could be contented (●hould we not thereby Idolise the Covenant) to march to any Engagement with you, if call d thereunto by the Lord, with the Covenant on the tops of our Pikes, and let the Lord judge who hath observed the ends of the Covenant best, you or we, we do acknowledge we have not been the exact performers, yet not the wilful breakers thereof: Our consciences also bear us record, we do above any thing in the world desire the Union of the two Nations, and it is our prayer daily that those that fear the Lord in England and Scotland, may become one in the hand of the Lord, and join together in the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and throwing down and trampling upon the seat of the Beast, why should not Scotland as well as England rejoice to see the horns of the Beast cut off, that we may join together to hate the whore, and to burn her flesh with fire  
The Lord is our witness (whom we fear) we come not to oppress you, or shed your blood, we have cried to the Lord again and again to prevent it, we have sent our Declarations of love to the people of God in Scotland, which some amongst you, though they pretend to answer, do most injuriously and unchristianly keep from their sight, nay most falsely misreprese●ting us as a people comewith intentions to destroy the poor Inhabitants, and that we are l●ft of our God to be destroyed, but we have made our prayer to the Lord, and made known before him their say, who have told the people of Scotland, that God hath forsaken us, and therefore bid them persecute and take us; saying now the Sectari s days are come, etc. But the Lord is still with us, he is our refuge & present help in trouble ready to be found; we do believe the cry of the oppressed in Scotland will be heard; and woe be to those that are the cause thereof. Our quarrel is still against Malignants, the Root whereof is now, through the evil policy of some Statesmen, become the head of Scotland. We do not quarrel● with those whose hearts are upright with Jesus Christ, and faithf●ll and loving to England, but with those who are most treacherous and f●lse to both: And therefore we dare not any of us (though tempted thereto by your Papers) be so carnally wise, as to desert the cause and work of Jesus Christ, in which we have hitherto been so long & so miraculously carried on; do you think, we a e men so weakly principled as to be persuaded without the least strength of Arguments to desert the interest of our own Nation, and expose thousands of the precious Saints of Jesus Christ to be trampled upon as the dirt of the greets, when the Lord is about to put on their beautiful garments, and to ma●e them a praise in the earth? ●r can we (th● ke you) betray our superior officers in whom we see so much of the sweet spirit 〈…〉 mouths are ope●●● w●●e 〈…〉 for such a thing: ●he ●ord 〈…〉 upon him we shall with 〈…〉. Which we humbly 〈…〉 of any more blood, 〈…〉 ●nd comfortable to you 〈…〉 with ioy●●● ●●●land, and ●eave Scotland 〈…〉 English Army ha●● 〈◊〉 ●mongst them. Which 〈◊〉 might be ●ooner effected, were you ●●●ve suffered to confer and 〈…〉 hearts one to an other: we do believe much of the bit●●● 〈…〉 would be allayed in our brethren of Scotland, did 〈…〉 exceedingly we are slandered by the pens & tongues 〈…〉 ●en concerning our Religion and faith towards God 〈…〉 we may not vainly boast of, 〈◊〉 according to the 〈…〉, we are ready to give an answer to the meanest 〈…〉 Scotland, that shall ask a reason of the faith and 〈…〉 with meekness and fear, & indeed we account our best way of contending with 〈…〉 is to pray the Lord to 〈…〉 sound in his 〈…〉. That so we 〈…〉 the ●ord 〈…〉 ●●●science, they that ●●eak evil of u● 〈◊〉 of evil doers 〈◊〉 ashamed, whilst they ●a●●y accuse our good conversation in Chr●●●.  
And thus we have in the naked plainness of our sou●s opened our hearts unto you our dear brethren that fear the Lord in Scotland, where ever you be 〈…〉 ●ighest Counsels, or the poorest cottages 〈…〉 Lord will in his due time 〈…〉 ●●●ells, and make you one with those that fear the Lord amongst us; which the God of and Father of 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus Christ, and in him our ●●d and our Father ●●so bring 〈…〉 in his due time, and in the m●an time make both 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 ●●derstand the things th●t concern the exalt●●● 〈…〉, that in all our undertake we may be subservi●●● 〈◊〉 the affairs 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ▪ And above all things take heed ho●● 〈◊〉 stir up any of the powers or strength of this world 〈…〉 ●ne an other. The grace of ou● Lord Jesus Christ the Prince 〈…〉 ●e with you. Amen.  
From the Be●g●●r at Musel●●●●gh, August, 1. 1650.   

The ●●ply of the General Asse●●●● o● the Kirk of Scotland to the Declaration of the Army to which the foregoing Vindication refers. As also the Paper of the people of Scotland, to the Under-Officers and Soldiers of the English 〈◊〉 ●ad been ●er●to annexed, but that we understand they were both Prin●●● 〈…〉 in this City before our entrance thereinto.   
FINIS.