A bit To stay the stomachs OF GOOD subjects.  
OR A sudden and short Vindication of the Scots Commissioners PAPERS entitled The Answer of the Commissioners of the kingdom of SCOTLAND, &c. from the Imputations laid upon them, In the Declaration of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, concerning the Papers of the Scots Commissioners, &c. Martij 13.  
By A. H. Scoto-Britan.  
Printed Anno Dom. 1647.   

HIstory informs us. That when a dumb son of Croesus' King of Lydia, saw one ready to stab his father, he conquered the natural impediments of speech, and distinctly cried out Kill not the King That which wrought this Wonder, was the power of natural affection by the operation of an extraordinary Sympathy: surely those are justly chargeable, with a more than brutish, (even insensate) want of affection, and Sympathy who will not now use, what Nature ordinarily affords unto all; (Speech,) to rescue the father of their Country the King's Majesty, from the killing wounds ready to be given unto him: This duty puts the Pen into my hands; and without the Paint of Apology, makes me (in the absence of an entrusted, and my far more able countryman) to show unto you, how dangerously the state's Empetiques practise upon the body politic of Great Britain, and make it as the (Evil one) their work to propagate the sin of their Rebellion: unto all others, especially unto my dear countrymen, and these poisonous pills, are guilded With the pretence of undeceiving the people of both kingdoms: This work begets in them, Decla. P. 6 and delivers them of, A declaration of the Lords and commons assembled in Parliament, concerning the Papers of the Scots Commissioners, entitled the Answer of the Commissioners, &c. And horrid impiety that what men themselves wilfully reject, they should envy unto others; Repentance, The Scots through misprision of zeal (as Paul did Christ) have persecuted their sovereign, but now are divinely converted, and will no longer engage with the Parliament in this sin, as they have published unto the world in their Answer, upon the New propositions of peace, and the four Bills sent unto his Majesty, full of honour, and Honesty, clear from all the cavils of these desperate contrivers, and the ripe consultations of Men, of singular judgement, and exemplary integrity: who sincerely represented the sense of their Nation; and therefore, (although they are burdened with forgetfulness of the work about which they came, P. 8 with interpositions in things concerned them not, and deviation from the trust of the kingdom of Scotland) they received as the Guerdon of true Patriots, and experienced statesmen, before their departure from this city, a public Instrument of thankful approbation, from almost all the Nobles of Scotland, for their good carriage and wise conduct of the affairs of that kingdoms here: So that wherein they quarrel the proceedings of the Commissioners they might have been pleased, P. 7 (but it made not for them to intend the kingdom of Scotland.  
That which is first noted by them to disgust the Scots, was the alteration of the Propositions sent to Newcastle from those of Oxford, P. 8 in the management of the Militia of the three kingdoms, the War, of Ireland, the education and marriage of the King's children, &c. The concluding peace or war with foreign Princes etc: P. 10 As though these were not principal interests of the kingdom of Scotland, as well as of England, and was the prosecuting these interests in the kingdom of England, the Offensive exercise of an Interest in that kingdom; It were much to be wished this distinction, had been offered, before the Scots Army left England: Surely these alterations the Post na●i tells us, leaves them worse than you found them, and takes from them their birthright of equal capacity with your sects join with you in your Rebellion at first, with much of your own, [as the devil unto our Saviour] you tendered more than was your own, and now your work is done, will you deny unto them, what is their own in a word the sense of your Resolution, never to grant them the exercise of interest in this kingdom, P. 62 is to recede from the Articles of the Treaty between both kingdoms; P. 76 to debar them of all places and Offices of trust, P. 80 and profit in this kingdom, and to reserve them for yourselves and your confiding creatures, which is a right, and interest of the kingdom of Scotland, will be further claimed, and disputed with you: Yet the waving these interests for the time, by the Scots, could not but be acknowledged to proceed from transparent inclinations unto peace; but now, because by the progress of your unlimited usurpations upon his majesty's royal Rights, (in which the Interests of the Scots are especially included) being better informed, they differ in judgement from your Propositions; P. 22 This causes your wonder.  
Are further results of Judgement, upon further and more clear Information no ways to be permitted? This were to obstruct all passages, unto humare certainty of knowledge, which is perfected by experience, (the Child of time:)  
But these men (because they will complete their sins with Obstinacy) will admit of no variation from their first principles (to unthrone the King!) and now much wonder that the Scots will not arrive with them at that point of Impiety: Because the Scots cannot grant that his Majesty▪ & royal succession, should be devested of the power of the Militia, P. 11 and conferring Titles of Honour, (the essential rights of Regality) for which they liberally afford them solid Reasons; the Parliament retrieve nothing to procure further satisfaction; but blow them of with, P. 12 that they are the transcript of the King's Arguments about hull: which amounts unto this; That what comes from the King (how consistent soever with Reason,) cannot be of force, or worthy the Answering: It is no marvel the King's reasons are no higher rated by them, when that the word of God, can have but that Authority, and Acceptation with them, it hath with the devil; but wherein they can force it unto a specious (though false) Consistency, with their own ends, and Interests: And it cannot certainly, without astonishment, and Horror, P. 24 P. 38 he observed, with what slighting, and indignation they mention his sacred Majesty throughout the whole Series of their Declaration, as though they were resolved to lay him altogether aside, as some monstrous or accursed thing: How do they abhor from a personal Treaty, so often pressed by the Commissioners, as the only expedient of a safe, and well grounded Peace between his Majesty, and his people; In order whereunto when the disbanding of the Army was propounded by them, how they discover a Tyranny awed with continual fear, and only supported by the power of an Army: Had Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army been disbanded, than indeed (say they) they might have brought the King to London, P. 13 whether the Parliament would or no, and have brought the Parliament unto a personal Treaty with him, and therein unto what terms, he and they pleased: This is the greatest crime they charge the Scots Commissioners, with: A personal Treaty at London is first in their thoughts, and discourse: P. 18 19 The most secret, and grievous sin doth not more abominate light, and manifestation, than Treason the sight of regal Majesty abused by it; The presence of the King at London might give him opportunity (say they) to caiole the Citizens; i. e. to cozen and cheat them as themselves have done:) Their diligence employs itself, (with Achan) to hide the golden wedge, and goodly things they espied in this City, to convey it into their own stuff, and makes the riches thereof serve unto their own ends, with which, It can no ways stand, to admit King Charles unto Loudon: No the undeceived Citisens, would have too many representations, in his majesty's presence, of their sufferings, occasioned by his absence. A Treaty there, say they (and contrary unto their custom most truly,) would treat us out of what we have fought for, (i. e. the sovereign Dominion,) draw the whole guilt of this effusion of blood, P 20 upon ourselves, and tend unto the Apparent destruction of the Persons, (i. e. themselves) that have engaged: This Proposition of the Scots Commissioners, is too much for the Advantage of his Majesty, and indeed too honest for this packed party, the present party-coloured Parliament, to yield unto: And therefore, whilst he is at this distance of affection with them, (they say not of Judgement,) for what good man can close with them? P. 22 His local absence is Necessary: But nothing more startles this crew, then that the Scots, should now vary from that, wherein they formerly concurred with them: Or what Reasons they have thought on since, which they judge more effectual than those, (formerly.) I will assign them some few, of many; natural affection and Loyalty, quickened by the word of God and conscience informed; honour, their own Interest, and the perfidy and Irreligion of this present Parliament,  
All which, by a joint and respective Influence upon them, now, powerfully dispose them unto their duty of Subjection, and Christian Obedience, wherein they are obliged unto their Dread sovereign.  
They were formerly decoyed into this kingdom, under those winning pretences, of Reformation of Religion corrupted, and the preservation of the just liberties of the subject encroached upon, and fearing the Inconveniences which flow from these, might reach unto themselves, they willingly engaged in this war: but now [contrary unto their Hope] finding the successes of their arms, to have been the fruitful parents, of infinitely more corruptions, in church and common wealth, and that the intentions of these Reformers, (what ever they pretended) never aimed at or were directed unto these good ends, but at the subversion of Monarchy, and placing a supreme power in themselves, and the driving on of particular ends and interests of their own; and an Arbitrary Government; to support which, as they tolerate all Religions, and even the most damnable Here●●es; So they do all illegal practices; and the most unwarrantable, and violent actions of those who adhere unto them.  
These things visible (unto all who have eyes) appearing unto the Scots, they do now, [not without just resentment] reflect upon themselves, and are resolved no more to partake with these men, in their sins, but to do their first works, return unto their first love, and as [the Tribe of Judah did by King David,] being bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, they will [by Gods assistance] industriously endeavour to bring their natural King unto his own house; and that with honour, safety, and freedom; maugre the opposers.  
Nor will his Majesty be ever pressed by them to take the Covenant, having so often protested his averseness thereunto, there being more reason herein [what they upraid the Commissioners with,] P. 36 to take the measure of their desires, from what may please the King; than what they (with Jeroboam) do, to establish their own throne, and new erected dominion, to set up so many Calves and idols, such multitudes of reidiculous teachers, and abominable Sects, and Heresies: For what else is it to connive at and tolerate them, yea to countenance them: yet this sect [forsooth] must be convinced by the word of God, P. 50 with gentleness, and Reason, and not beaten out of it by force: Thus must Anabaptists be dealt withal, yea pleaded for also, and supplied with a better argument than ever they could find for themselves, That It is only a difference in the circumstance of time, in the Administration of an Ordinance It is admirable that Moses could not hit upon this distinction, unto the angel who was ready to kill him for his deferring the circumcision of his son Eleazar equipollent unto baptism. Independents, also under which Notion, Antinomians, Libertines, Brownists, separatists, P. 53 Arminians, Familists, erastian's; Seekers, Shakers) all the rabble of heretics shelter themselves, must have indulgence granted unto them, yea, and the chief places, of honour, trust, and profit, in Church and common wealth, conferred upon them; [how ever we are borne in hand with the settlement of the presbyterial Government, P. 38] and yet because the commissioners would have the King complied with and the conviction of his judgement, and satisfaction, expected: This must be in them a cozenage: Nor will such as have adhered unto his Majesty in the late war, be [through the Scots procurement,] pressed unto the Covenant, which hath been truly made an hook only to draw the King's party into danger.  
A mere Cobweb to catch flies in, the weakened King's party, whilst the stronger Reptilia (bred in their own entrails) can break through it when they list: Surely an equal respect is due (nay a far greater) unto those of the King's Judgement, for the antiquity of their Reformation, and uniformity, then unto your Independents, and Sectaries, so that (what you will not extend,) P. 45 Indulgence, to tolerate unto them, the use of the Common Prayer, will be left unto his Majesty to give unto them: It being much more (in the apprehension of the Scots) tolerable, that Prelacy▪ (some excercise of which Government, they have seen in other kingdoms embracing the Reformation) should be restored, than instead thereof such thick weeds of Heresies as now daily spring up in the Church, and are ready to choke the seed of God's word▪ be permitted a full growth. And herein they say much less, than that great Patron of independency Mr. John Goodwin, the Bellweather of that Flock doth, 
Zion Coll. visited.  P. 26 who tells us, That there was more of the power, and truth of Religion in England, under the late prelatical Government, then in all the reformed Churches besides which (they say not in others) in this Church is most true: But this Parliament likes not, (as not likely to Thrive by it) uniformity in Religion, being certainly (for the greater part of them,) of kin unto that English man, our country man Barkely speaks of, who separating from his neighbour's, first placed the true Church in his own family, 
Icon Ani.  and having several sons, these afterwards being different in Judgement, there became at length, so many Churches and Religions, as there were persons in the House, from which many of the Grandees at Westminster, are probably extracted. And as unto that grand exception taken against the Commissioners, for propounding that an act of oblivion, without any caution or limitation, should be passed in both kingdoms, whereby Delinquents shall be set upon an even flower, p. 33 with those that have engaged against them in that Cause: The Scots conceive themselves obliged in the strictest points of honour, to advance what they possibly may, the good of those high Noble and loyal spirits, which no obliquity of worldly respect, no distortion of danger or weight of sufferings, hath been able to divorce from his majesty's service: And as they acknowledge it their great unhappiness, that they have not had the Honour to be sharers with them hitherto in this Glory; So now it is their ambition, to have part and fellowship with them in this most noble work, and just undertaking, of re-establishing his Sacred majesty into his unquestionable Rights; In pursuance whereof, (what the Parliament object unto the Scots Commissioners, that through all these and many former Papers they plead the Cause of the King and his party) They will hence forward, p. 34 urge that Cause with the most powerful and now only Arguments, the Parliament of England can yield unto, gnash they never so much with their teeth; Such favourites are Delinquents now grown with them, p. 35 as by their Reception at Edinburgh they may guess.  
Nor can less be expected from the Scots, as on whom the Parliament of England, hath so notoriously imposed, as to have his majesty left unto them, by them, upon such terms and assurances of high regard unto his majesty's Person and royal Rights: The contrary whereof, in every point they have unto their eternal infamy) performed; p. 41 which assurances though they evade and deny them, shall be justified unto the world, by the publication of the transactions, between the Commissioners of both Nations at Newcastle, and also by the Overtures ever sithence: His majesty's Person and royal Rights, being of equal concernment unto the Scots with the English, although the Parliament of England call these [exclusively] their own rights— for which they hold it not fit to capitulate: p. 41 And for this abuse of brotherly confidence in the Houses, the Scots doubt not, in God's mercy to bring them unto such an account, as shall leave the whole reckoning of His majesty's unparalleled sufferings upon themselves, who now seem to have no way of justification left, but by further progress in crimes: So that it is not to be marveiled at, they seem so much to undervalue His majesty's regal Power, of conferring titles of Honour, and labour to render the Scots ridiculous, for that they are so extreme thirsty, p. 75 to drink of the fountain of Honour, so they style the King, say they, because indeed the Parliament of England (as to the overruling party thereof, many being led aside by their fraud, and violence) have left off to be honest, Honour being but the proper seat, and stall of honesty: Neither can it be presumed that they desire to taste of this fountain, when they make it their work, to dam and fill it up with the rubbish of their new Government, and yet unshapen Tyranny, wholly trampling under their feet, all the Divine and Glorious prerogatives, and royal privileges of Monarchy exercised in all ages by the Kings of England and Scotland (The sun in his greatest splendour, is not more manifest than this) By their endeavour to take away His majesty's Prerogative in the settlement of Religion, His Legislative power, the Negative voice, the Militia, the disposing of Offices, conferring of Honours, the disposing of his Children, the election of his Servants, with many other rights that append unto these; In which transcendent usurpations upon their own born King, should the Scots concur, they should most justly render themselves the shame of all Nations, and the offscouring of the world: The perfidy of the leading party in the present Parliament, hath already given too great a stain unto their Honour (by their dealing with His majesty) which they will sooner wash off with prodigal streams of the dearest and best blood of Scotland, than they will suffer to remain or rest longer upon them; And whereas they lay an heavy load upon the Commissioners of unthankfulness unto their army, who showed such tender fellow-f●●ling of their sufferings and their true-heartedness towards them▪ p. 88 89 The army might well pay them with words, for thy many blows they received, and with which they discharged their scores in Scotland, and saved their heads (with the loss of many thousand of their own lives) in England; They no ways being able to have matched, much less to have Mastered His majesty's party without their conjuncture; No English man all this while losing one drop of blood for the Cause in Scotland; and as the Scots have very dearly earned their whole pay (had it been more, and more truly paid) with the vast expense of their blood, the impoverishment of their County, and a bloody engagement against their own bowels, so hath it cost them most, by incurring the foreign censure of disloyalty; Into which the hypocrisy, and Avarice of the Parliament of England principally led them, and to discharge themselves of this burden, now become intolerable, and to show unto the world, that the present practices of the Parliament of England were not the motives of their advance into the kingdom; they resolve (with God's leave) to manifest the contrary, and speedily to come nearer unto them, to debateface to face the royal Rights of His Majesty, p. 76 80 and their joint interests so eluded by them, with such demonstrations (as by God's help) will be of force manifestly to prove by their power, what by their Commissioners they have propounded in their Papers.  
Reader, take this for the first light skirmish of a reply unto the Declaration, until the main battle of more manifest Demonstrations, for the truth of what is here set forth in the behalf of the Answer of the Scots Commissioners, can be drawn up and rallied.  
FINIS.