AN EXHORTATION TO the taking of the Solemn League and Covenant, FOR REFORMATION AND Defence of Religion, the Honour and happiness of the King, and the Peace and safety of the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. IF the power of Religion, or solid Reason, if Loyalty to the King, and piety to their Native Country, or love to themselves, and natural affection to their posterity, if the Example of men touched with a deep sense of all these, or extraordinary success from God thereupon, can awaken an embroiled bleeding remnant to embrace the sovereign, and only means of their recovery, there can be no doubt but this Solemn League and Covenant will find wheresoever it shall be tendered, a people ready to entertain it with all cheerfulness and duty. And were it not commended to the Kingdom by the concurrent encouragement of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, the Assembly of Divines, the renowned City of London, multitudes of other persons of eminent rank and quality in this Nation, and the whole Body of Scotland, who have all willingly sworn and subscribed it, with rejoicing at the Oath, so graciously seconded from Heaven already, by blasting the Counsels, and breaking the power of the Enemy more than ever; yet it goeth forth in its own strength, with such convincing evidence of equity, Truth and Righteousness, as may raise in all (not wilfully ignorant, or miserably seduced) inflamed affections to join with their Brethren in this happy Bond, for putting an end to the present miseries, and for saving both of King and Kingdom from utter ruin now so strongly and openly laboured by the Popish faction, and such as have been bewitched and besotted by that viperous and bloody generation. For what is there almost in this Covenant, which was not for substance either expressed or manifestly included in that solemn Protestation of May 5. 1641. wherein the whole Kingdom stands engaged until this day? The sinful neglect whereof, doth (as we may justly fear) open one floodgate the more to let in all these calamities upon the Kingdom, and cast upon it a necessity of renewing Covenant, and of entering into this. If it be said, the extirpation of Prelacy, to wit, the whole hierarchical Government (standing, as yet, by the known Laws of the Kingdom) is new, and unwarrantable: This will appear to all impartial understandings, (though new) to be not only warrantable, but necessary; if they consider (to omit what some say, that this Government was never formally established by any Laws of this Kingdom at all) that the very life and soul thereof is already taken from it by an Act passed this present Parliament, so as (like Jezabels' Carcase, of which no more was left but the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands) nothing of jurisdiction remains but what is precarious in them, and voluntary in those who submit unto them: that their whole Government is at best but a humane constitution, and such as is found and adjudged by both Houses of Parliament, (in which, the judgement of the whole Kingdom is involved and Declared) not only very prejudicial to the Civil State, but a great hindrance also to the perfect Reformation of Religion; Yea, who knoweth it not to be too much an enemy there unto, and destructive to the power of godliness, and pure administration of the Ordinances of Christ: which moved the well-affected, almost throughout this Kingdom, long since to Petition this Parliament (as hath been desired before, even in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and of King James) for a total abolition of the same. Nor is any man hereby bound to offer any violence to their persons, but only, in his place and calling, to endeavour their extirpation in a lawful way. And as for those Clergymen, who pretend that they (above all others) cannot Covenant to extirpate that Government, because they have (as they say) taken a solemn Oath to obey the Bishops, in licitis et honestis: they can tell, if they please, that they that have sworn obedience to the Laws of the Land, are not thereby prohibited from endeavouring by all lawful means the abolition of those Laws, when they prove inconvenient or mischievous. And if yet there should any Oath be found into which any Ministers or others have entered, not warranted by the Laws of God and the Land, in this case, they must teach themselves and others, that such Oaths call for repentance, not pertinacy in them. If it be pleaded that this Covenant crosseth the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance; there can be nothing farther from truth: for, this Covenant binds all, and more strongly engageth them to preserve and defend the King's Majesty's Person, and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms. That scruple, that this is done without the King's consent, will soon be removed, if it be remembered that the Protestation of the fifth of May before mentioned, was in the same manner voted and executed by both Houses, and after (by order of one House alone) sent abroad to all the Kingdom, his Majesty not excepting against it, or giving any stop to the taking of it, albeit he was then resident in Person at Whitehall. Erra 10. Neh. 9 Thus Ezra and Nehemiah drew all the people into a Covenant, without any special Commission stom the Persian Monarches (than their Sovereigns) so to do, albeit they were not free Subjects, but Vassals, and one of them the menial Servant of Artaxerxes, Neh. 1. then by Conquest King of Judah also. Nor hath this doctrine or practise been deemed seditious or unwarrantable by the Princes that have sat upon the English Throne, but justified and defended by Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, with the expense of much Treasure and Noble blood, in the united Provinces of the Netherlands combined not only without, but against the unjust violence of Philip of Spain; King James followed her steps, so fare as to approve their onion, and to enter into league with them as free States; which is continued by his Majesty now reigning, onto this day; who both by his expedition for relief of Roebel in France, and his strict confederacy with the Prince of Orange, and the State's General, notwithstanding all the importunity of Spain to the contrary, hath set to his Seal that all that had been done by his Royal Ancestors; in maintenance of those who had so engaged and combined themselves, was just and warrantable. And what had become of the Religion, Laws, and Liberties of our sister Nation of Scotland, had they not entered into such a solemn League and Covenant at the beginning of the late troubles there? which course, however it was at first, by the Popish and Prelatic Projectors, represented to his Majesty as an offence of the highest nature, justly deserving chastisement by the fury of a puissant Army; yet when the matter came afterwards in cool blood to be debated, first by Commissioners of both kingdoms, and then in open Parliament here, (when all those of either House, who are now engaged at Oxford, were present in Parliament, and gave their Votes, therein) it was found, adjudged and declared by the King in Parliament, that our dear Brethren of Scotland had done nothing, but what became loyal and obedient Subjects, and were thereupon by Act of Parliament publicly righted in all the Churches of this Kingdom, where they had been defamed. Therefore however some men, hoodwinked and blinded by the artifices of those Jesuitical Engineers, who have long conspired to sacrifice our Religion to the Idolatry of Rome, our Laws, Liberties and persons to arbitrary slavery, and our estates to their insatiable avarice, may possibly be deterred and amused with high threats and Declarations, flying up and down on the wings of the Royal Name and Countenance (now captivated and prostituted to serve all their lusts) to proclaim all Rebels and Traitors who take this Covenant; yet let no faithful English heart be afraid to join with our Brethren of all the three Kingdoms in this solemn League, as sometimes the men of Israel (although under another King) did with the men of Judah, 2 Chron. 30. at the invitation of Hezekiah. What though those tongues set on fire by Hell do rail and threaten? That God who was pleased to clear up the innocency of Mordecai and the Jews against all the malicious aspersions of wicked Haman to his and their Sovereign, so as all his plotting produced but this effect, Esth. 9 that when the King's commandment and decree drew near to be put in execution, and the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, it was turned to the contrary; and the Jews had rule over them that hated them, and laid hands on such as sought their hurt, so as no man could withstand them; and that same God, who but even as yesterday, vouchsafed to disperse and scatter those dark clouds & fogs which overshadowed that Loyal and Religious Kingdom of Scotland, and to make they righteousness to shine as clear as the Sun at noon day in the very eyes of their greatest enemies, will doubtlessly stand by all those who with singleness of heart, and a due sense of their own sins, and a necessity of reformation, shall now enter into an everlasting Covenant with the Lord, never to be forgotten, to put an end to all those unhappy and unnatural breaches between the King and such as are faithful in the Land; causing their righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the Nations, to the terror and confusion of those men of blood, the confederate enemies of God and the King, who have long combined, and have now raked together the dregs and scum of many Kingdoms, to bury all the glory, honour and liberty of this Nation in the eternal grave of dishonour and destruction. Die Veneris 9 Februar. 1643. AN Exhortation touching the taking of the Solemn League and Covenant, and for satisfying of such Scruples, as may arise in the taking of it, was this day read the first and second time; And by Vote upon the Question assented unto, and Ordered to be forthwith Printed. H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com. Printed at London for Ralph Smith, at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange. 1644. A SOLEMN League and Covenant, FOR Reformation, and Defence of Religion, The Honour and Happiness of the KING, And the Peace & Safety of the three Kingdoms OF England, Scotland, and Jreland. WE Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, by the Providence of God living under one King, and being of one Reformed Religion, halving before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty, and His Posterity, and the true public Liberty, Safety and Peace of the Kingdoms, wherein every ones private condition is included, and calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, Conspiracies, Attempts, and practices of the Enemies of God, against the true religion, and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the reformation of religion, and how much their rage, power and presumption, are of late, and at this time increased and exercised; whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church & Kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, are present and public Testimonies; We have now at last, (after other means of Supplication, Remonstrance, Protestations, and Sufferings) for the preservation of ourselves and our religion, from utter ruin and Destruction, according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times, and the Example of God's people in other Nations; after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of as for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most high God, do swear: I. THat we shall sincerely, really and constantly, through the Grace of God, endeavour in our several places and callings, the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, against our common Enemies, the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches; And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms, to the nearest conjunction and Uniformity in Religion, Confession of Faith, Form of Church-Government, Directory for Worship and Catechising; That we and our posterity after us may as Brethren live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us. II. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, Church-Government, by Arch-Bishops, Bishops, their Chancellors and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacon's, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hirarchy) Superstition, Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to found Doctrine, and the power of Godliness; lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues, and that the Lord may be one, and his Name one in the three Kingdoms. III. We shall with the same sincerity, reality and constancy, in our several Vocations, endeavour with our estates and lives, mutually to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliaments, and the Liberties of the Kingdoms, and to preserve and defend the King's Majesty's person and authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms, that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our Loyalty, and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish His Majesty's just power and greatness. FOUR We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been, or shall be Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, by hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his people, or one of the Kingdoms from another, or making any Faction or parties amongst the people, contrary to this League and Covenant, that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme Judicatories of both Kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient. V And whereas the happiness of a blessed Peace between these Kingdoms, denied in former times to our Progenitors, is by the good providence of God granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded, and settled by both Parliaments, we shall each one of us, according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm Peace and Union to all Posterity; And that justice may be done upon the wilful opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent Articles. VI We shall also according to our places and callings in this common cause of Religion, Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League & Covenant, in the maintaining & pursuing thereof, and shall not suffer ourselves directly or indirctly by whatsoever combination, persuasion or terror, to be divided, & withdrawn frm this blessed Union & conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of God, the good of the Kingdoms, and the honour of the King; but shall all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein, against all opposition, and promote the same according to our power, against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever; and what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed; All which we shall do as in the sight of God. And because these Kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against God, and his Son jesus Christ, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; We profess and declare before God and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these Kingdoms, especially, that we have not as m aught, valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel, that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof, and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts, nor to walk worthy of him in our lives, which are the causes of other sins and Transgressions, so much abounding amongst us; And our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in public and in private, in all duties we own to God and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the example of a real Reformation, that the Lord may turn away his wrath, and heavy indignation, and establish these Churches and Kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spirit for this end, and to bless our desires and proceed with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under, or in danger of the yoke of Antichristian Tyranny; to join in the same, or like Association and Covenant, to the glory of God, the enlargement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace and Tranquillity of Christian Kingdoms and Commonwealths. Wil: Lenthall Speaker Beuchamp St. john Gilbert Gerrard Walter earl james Cambell Tho: Cheek Robert Nicholas Benjamin Rudyard john Gurdon Robert Harley Francis Knollys Edward Master john White Anthony Stapeley Dennis Bond Laurence Whitaker Michael Noble Pere: Hoby Richard Barwis Edward Baynton William Cawley john Moyle john Pyne George Searle Henry Vane Senior Nevil Poole john Yonge Henry Herbert Thomas Sandis William jesson Philip L: Herbert Thomas Barrington Martin Lumley john Trevor Francis Godolphin Thomas Arundel Edward Stephens Gilbert Pykering john Creve Oliver Cromwell Henry Vane junior. William Cage Richard Erisey Philip L: Lisle. William Heveningham Isaac Penington Richard Cresheld Thomas Pelham Thomas Parker john Leigh john Harris Augustine Skinner john Venn William Strickland john Franklin Samuel Browne Robert Scawen Roger Hill john Button john Meyrick Ambrosse Browne Richard Wynn Edward Owner Charles Pym Charles L: Cranborne Ben. Weston Dudley North john Nut Io: Corlet Roger Burgoyne Peter Temple Benjamin Valentyne Thomas Walsingham Oliver Luke William Alenson Humphrey Salwey Richard More William Ashurst Thomas Moor Thomas Fountain William Ellys Henry Shelley Richard Shuttleworth Henry Ludlow George Gallopp Robert Wallopp Arthur Hesilrige Oliver Saint-John Thomas Grantham Francis Barneham Will: L: Fitzwilliams Edmund Dunch Henry Mildmay Hugh Rogers Thomas Hatcher John Wray Simonds D'Ewes Anthony Bedingfield John Ashe William L: Munson Martin Lister Robert Goodwin Edward Thomas Henry Lucas Miles Corbett Philip Smith Cornelius Holland William Spurstowe John Lowry Peter Wentworth Henry Cholmeley Philip Stapleton William Pierrepont Roger North Alexander Popham Thomas Hodges John Maynard Samuel vassal Anthony Irby John Clotworthy John Broxolme Richard Jervoyse John Blakiston Walter Long John roll Robert Jennor John Waddon William Masham John Lisle Edmund fowel Edward Ashe Thomas Pury Richard Whithead Richard Jenyns Humphrey Tufton Thomas Dacres Thomas earl John Downes John Goodwin Francis Drake William Waller Samuel Luke Francis Buller Richard Harman George Buller Arthur Onslowe Richard Wynwood Robert Pie Hen. L: Grey of Ruthin Richard Knightley John Pym Christopher Yeluerton Anthony nicol Peter Wroth Robert Reynolds Nathaniel Barnardiston Henry Heyman William Purefoy Valentine Walton Michael Oldesworth William Wheler Hall Ravenscroft Tho. L: Grey of Groby Thomas Middleton Edward Hungerford Christopher Wrey Richard Lee Herbert Morley Thomas Lane Robert Cecil William Bell Thomas Some Herbottle Grimstone Simon snow John Nash Herbottle Grimstone Ralph Asheton Edward Ayshcoghe John Wild John Trenchard Thomas Jervoyse Richard Brown William Playters Nathaniel Stephens Richard Rose Francis Rous Gilbert Millington Walter Young John Brown John Hippisley Edward Poole Henry Pelham William Hay John Driden Nathaniel Fyennes William Lewis Giles Grene William Lytton John Hervey Edward Dowce William Strode Edmond Prideaux Thomas Hoyle Edward Exton Francis Popham Zouch Tate John Curson Alexander Bence Squire Bence John Selden John Glynn Richard Onslow John Coke Thomas L: Wenman Bulstrode Whitelocke George Mountagu Edward Partheriche Henry Campion William Whitaker Denzell Holles Edward Wingate James Fenys. Poynings Moor Edward Bisse, Junior. William Jephson Edward Mountagu Norton Knatchboll. Thorn at Eden THE DECLARATION of the Kingdoms of ENGLAND And SCOTLAND, Joined in Arms for the Vindication and Defence of their Religion, Liberties, and Laws, against the Popish, Prelatical, and Malignant Party By the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, and the Honourable Convention of Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland, Jan. 20. 1643. IF either Christian Duty, which, by reason of the Light of the Gospel so clearly shining amongst us, might have been expected from the Professors of Religion; Or if natural Affection, which, even in the Heathen and Infidels, ignorant of Christ, hath abounded toward their Native Country; Or sincere respect to His Majesty's Honour and Happiness, could have been found in the waves or hearts of our common Enemies, the Enemies of Truth and Peace; If they had either feared God, or regarded men, or yielded to our Importunities, We had not, after so many Petitions, Declarations and Remonstrances as have filled all men's ears and hands, been put to this necessity of a new Declaration (which therefore must be more patheticke and pressing then any of the former) Nor after so many troubles and sufferings of the Kingdom of Scotland, after the desolation of the Kingdom of Ireland, and after so much blood, and so many unnatural Tragedies in the Kingdom of England, had we been redacted to this present condition, and joint posture of Arms, the Lord, whose counsels are a great depth, and who is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his Works, hath just cause of controversy against us, and this whole Island. But who would have believed, That our Religion, Liberties, and Laws, which for so long a time have endured Opposition and Assaults of foreign Power, envying our happiness, would have been opposed, oppressed, and trod under foot, by the craft and cruelty of our own Natives and Countrymen? In this our extremity, first of all we declare, That we place not our confidence in our own counsels and strength, but our confidence is in God Almighty, the Lord of Hosts, who will not leave nor forsake his people; It is his own Truth and Cause which we maintain, with all the Reformed Churches, and which hath been witnessed and sealed by the Testimony, Sufferings, and Blood of so many Confessors and Martyrs, against the Heresy, Superstition, and Tyranny of Antichrist: The glory of his own Name, The exaltation of the Kingdom of his Son, and The preservation of his Church, and of this whole Island from utter ruin and devastation, is our Aim, and the End which we have before our eyes. His Covenant have we in both Nations solemnly sworn and subscribed; which he would not have put in our hearts to do, if he had been minded to destroy us: The many Prayers and Supplications which these many years past, but especially of late have been offered up with Fasting and Humiliation, and with strong crying and tears, unto him that is able to deliver and save us, are a Seed which promise unto us a plentiful Harvest of Comfort and Happiness: and the Apostasy, Atheism, Idolatry, Blasphemies, Profaneness, Cruelty, Excess, and open Mocking of all Godliness and Honesty, have filled the cup of our adversaries to the brim, and threaten their speedy and fearful destruction, unless it be prevented by such extraordinary repentance, as seemeth not yet to have entered into their hearts. Upon these and the like Grounds and Considerations, being confident that this War wherein both Nations, now firmly united, are so deeply engaged, is of God; we resolve with courage and constancy unto the end, to do our part; and the Lord, who hath stirred up our spirits, displayed his Banner before us, and given the Alarm, do that which seemeth him good. Secondly, although every man is to hope for the principal reward of his service from God, rewards every one according to his works; yet we find ourselves bound in conscience and equity to Declare, That besides those who have the Public Faith engaged to them for their security, such as since the beginning have done valiantly, and dealt faithfully in this Cause, and such as have chosen rather to suffer the spoiling of their goods, then to assist the Enemy, or to take Arms against their Religion and Country, and shall continue constant in the same course of doing or suffering unto the end, shall be according to their Merits taken into public Notice and Consideration; their losses (so fare as may be) repaired, and themselves honoured and rewarded by such means and ways, as we trust God in his providence shall afford, and the Parliaments or Estates of the two Kingdoms respectively shall in their Wisdom, Justice, and Thankfulness, judge most convenient: so that no man who hath been eminent in action, or hath suffered any notable loss for the public, shall be neglected or slighted, but one way or other shall be thankfully remembered, to his own honour and the good of his posterity. Thirdly, although neutrality and indifferency in the time of the danger of Religion be a thing detestable to God, who willeth all Christians earnestly to contend for the Truth: and such as have been Newtralists or indifferent in the times of civil division and danger of the Commonwealth, have been in all Nations severely punished as pernicious and public enemies: Yet that the consciences of all men may be the more convinced, and all pretexts removed, We give now PUBLIC WARNING to such persons to rest no longer upon their Neutrality, or to please themselves with the naughty and slothful pretext of Indifferency, but that they address themselves speedily to take the Covenant, and join with all their power in the defence of this Cause, against the common Enemy; and by their zeal and forwardness hereafter, to make up what hath been wanting through their lukewarmness; this they will find to be their greatest wisdom and safety; Otherwise We do Declare them to be public Enemies to the Religion and Country, and that they are to be censured and punished as professed Adversaries and Malignants. Fourthly, Because a great many of the multitude of the people, upon ignorant Mistake, false Informations, and Threats, or Compulsions, against their wills and inclination, have been induced or constrained to join in Arms with the Enemies against their Religion and Native country; We do Declare that all common Soldiers, who upon the humble acknowledgement of their former errors, shall offer themselves willingly and speedily to take the Covenant, and shall join hearty and really in the defence of this Cause, as becometh good Christians and lovers of their Country, shall be freely accepted into the Covenant, and their former error passed by; otherwise let them expect the punishment of wilful Delinquents and Malignants. Fifthly, because some of the Scottish Nation, upon their own private respects, or upon specious pretences and fair persuasions, have joined themselves in Arms with the popish Prelatical, and Malignant party, against the Parliament and Kingdom of ENGLAND, and not considering the nature of the Cause in which they have been engaged, nor the deep interest of the Church and kingdom of SCOTEAND, upon which this War was to turn in the end, have been fight against their own Religion and native Kingdom: We do therefore again WARN all such, of whatsoever quality, & in whatsoever place, speedily to withdraw themselves from that Faction, to confess their mistakes, and to join in the Covenant and cause of God in both Kingdoms before the first day of March next; otherwise we Declare, in the behalf of the Kingdom of ENGLAND, that they are to expect no favour, but are to be used as desperate Malignants. And We Declare in behalf of the kingdom of SCOTLAND, if they either continue in Arms after the foresaid first day of March, or withhold their help and assistance from their Native country in the time of trouble & danger, they are to be censured & punished as public enemies to their Religion and Country, perfidious transgressors of their Nationall Covenant, and their estates disposed of for the use of the Public. Sixthly, Because there are divers Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens; and others, who by forsaking or deserting the Parliament of England, and by joining themselves to the Enemies of Religion, his Majesty's happiness and peace of the kingdoms, have made the Division greater, and the Breaches wider betwixt the King and his Parliament; and thereby contrary to the duty of their places & callings, have been the cause of the shedding of much innocent Blood, of great Losses, and of many Miseries and Dangers to the public of both Kingdoms, and of the sufferings of private men in their Estates, and Lives, and yet are not to be reckoned amongst the prime Authors of this unnatural War, nor amongst the malicious and desperate Enemies of their Religion and country: We do Declare, That all such forsaking their former Opposition, returning to their duty, & endeavouring the good of Religion and the public Peace, shall, as to their lives and liberties of their persons, be secured, and shall be received into favour: But to the end, that a just difference may be made betwixt such persons returning so late to their duty, and those that never departed from it, they must expect, that toward the payment of the public Debts, relieving the common Burdens of the Kingdoms, and repairing of particular losses: All which in a great part have been contracted and sustained by their default or procurement: Their estates in some proportion should be liable, and that as the wisdom and discretion of Parliament, or of such as shall be authorized by them, (who will be as careful to prevent their ruin as to punish their Delinquencies) shall find and judge to be necessary for that end. Wherein also, the time of their returning and offering themselves, the reality of their affections and intentions, and readiness to join in the common Cause and Covenant, will be taken into special consideration. And in case they persist in their Opposition, and shall not return before the first day of March next, they are not to expect favour, but shall be punished as public enemies to their Religion and Country. Seventhly, Because Papists and popish Recusants, according to the principles of their profession, have ever been plotting and contriving the change of Religion in this Island, and the ruin of all the Professors thereof: And after the frustration of their attempts, having waited upon such a time as this, have alienated the heart or the King's Majesty from his Protestant & loyal Subjects, taken Arms against the Parliament and Kingdom; and by all their means and power have maintained a bloody and unnatural War, presuming in the end to have their execrable Superstition and Idolatry set up in the place of the true Reformed Religion, and the King and his kingdoms to be brought under the power & tyranny of the Pope. We do hereby Declare, that all such Papists and popish Recusants, who have been, now are, or shall be actually in Arms, under the false pretence of defending the King's person and authority, are to look for no favour, but to be punished as trayrors and professed and intolerable Enemies of Religion and their Native country. The same Declaration We also make against all such Irish Rebels, whether Papists or others, who have come over from Ireland, and assisted in this war against the Parliament, and Kingdom of England. And Lastly, because there are some few wicked and devilish spirits of both Kingdoms, who have kindled and fomented the fire of Division and War betwixt the King and his Parliament, or have misgoverned his Majesty's Counsels and courses to his own dishonour, and to the destruction of his loving and dutiful subjects, or have infused malignancy in others, or have been restless and and active Instruments of the troubles and miseries of his Majesty's Dominions. We do Declare, concerning those who are or shall be found by the Supreme Judicatories of the Kingdoms respectively, or their Committees appointed for that effect, to be such, That as the conscience of their own bad deservings hath made them to despair of favour, and thereby uncessantly to work more and more mischief against their Religion and Native country, so are they to look for such execution of Justice, as is due to traitors and enemies of Religion, of the King, and his Kingdoms for Terror and example to others, in all times to come. And it is further now Declared, That the whole estates real and personal, movable & inheritance of those that shall not come in at the times before limited in the sixth Article, and of the persons before excepted from pardon, (as of Papists in Arms, Irish Rebels, and those who shall be found to come within the compass of the precedent Article) shall be forfeited and employed for paying the public debts, relieving the common burdens of the Kingdoms, and repairing of particular losses. And this Declaration we make, not from any presumption or vain-glorying in the strength of our Armies and Forces, but from the sense of that duty which is required, and expected from the high places and public relations wherein we stand, and from the assurance We have of the assistance of God, by whose providence the trust and safety of these Kingdoms is put into our hands at this time, having ofter long and grave consultation, resolved and decreed, never to lay down Arms till Truth and Peace, by the blessing of God, be settled in this Island upon a firm foundation, for the present and future Generations, which shall be esteemed of Us an abundant reward of all that We can do or suffer in rhis Cause. A DECLARATION Of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND, For Information and Satisfaction to their Brethren of England, concerning the present Expedition into ENGLAND. ALthough we have reason to believe that the bloody and barbarous attempts of the Papists and their Faction, both in England and Ireland, and the manifold oppressions and miseries endured by those that stand well affected to the Protestant Religion, and their Country's Liberty, have made way in the hearts of men for the ready entertainment of assistance from their Brethren, whose earnest desire it is, and whose utmost endeavour it shall be, to preserve and restore both unto them: Yet knowing how industrious the malice of the Devil and his instruments are, in raising Prejudices, and fomenting jealousies betwixt them whose hearts and minds ought to be one, because their happiness is the same, and particularly betwixt us and our Brethren of England, that by dividing us from each other, they might destroy us both: And that this our second Expedition into England (which we doubt not but God will bless, to the advantage of that Nation, as he did our first, to the happiness of our own) in steal of wonder and opposition, may find the cheer ul concurrence of all those who together with us desire, The Preservation and Reformation of Religion: The honour and happiness of the King; The Peace and Liberty of the Kingdoms: We thought fit to permit this short, but free and ingenuous Declaration, of our Grounds and Intentions in this our present undertaking, that so we may meet with none but such as we may either find peaceable or leave inexcusable. Whereas there o'er the greatest questions that are like to arise in this business, may be reduced to these three particulars, viz. The justness of our Cause: The lawfulness of our calling thereto: And The faithfulness of our carriages therein. We shall hereby endeavour to give satisfaction in them all, and doubt not to do it, unless there remain some whose inveterate malice hath produced in them a resolution to be unsatisfied. As for the cause and ground of this undertaking, we are not ignorant with how much earnestness the sons of slander and perdition (whose custom is to traduce those proceed which they know not how to disappoint) do endeavour to possess the hearts of our Brethren, that we are coming to fish in the troubled waters of England, to seek and take our own advantages in the midst of your necessities. But suffer not your e●res, much less your hearts, to be open to any such delusions, whereof we trust your eyes shall shortly witness the falsehood. For as here after we doubt not to appeal to our carnages and your consciences, besides your late experience of our Religious observance of our former Declarations of this kind; so in the mean time give us leave to appeal to the great searcher of hearts, who knows; That had not the love of Christ, requiring Christians to bear one another's burden; and the Law of nature challenging our utmost care and endeavour, for the prevention of our own danger and ruin, which an ordinary understanding will easily see to be wrapped up in our neighbours, And our duty, and desire of rescuing the King from the dangers wherein he is involved, by the company and pernicious Counsel of those who are enemies to Religion, his Majesty's happiness, and Peace of his Dominions, Called and compelled us to this Service, we could with far more content and satisfaction to ourselves, have enjoyed with quietness our dry morsel, then entered into your houses full of sacrifices with strife: Which yet since we are required and necessitated to, by that just Calling, hereafter to be mentioned, We profess before God and the World, that our hearts and thoughts are clean and free from any other Intentions than those expressed in our solemn League & Covenant, in which we are confederate with England, viz. The Preservation and Reformation of Religion; The Honour and Happiness of the King; and, The Peace and Liberties of the Kingdoms. All which we now apprehend to be deeply endangered, by the Counsels and Confederacies of Papists, Prelates, Malignants, and their adherents, so prevalent in England and Ireland: And we shall not otherwise desire a blessing upon our endeavours, then as they shall be directed to the conservation and establishment thereof. And because it is not sufficient to be engaged in a good Cause, unless by a good calling, we do hereby further declare, That though the inseparable interests of both Nations in their Religion and Liberties, which having the same common Enemies, must look to stand and fall together, might have given us sufficient warrant to have endeavoured the prevention of our own ruin, by preserving our Friends and Brethren from destruction: yet that we might be the more fully and formally obliged to this Christian duty and service, and so the mouth of slander and malice be stopped, God hath so ordered things in his wise and just providence, that the Parliament, of England, who (beside, their interest in the Preservation and Reformation of Religion, and the defence of the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, to which our help is requited) have a particular obligation upon this Nation (As we have formerly declared our Intentions published before our last Expedition) for refusing to countenance or maintain a War against us, in the year 1640. have thought fit by their Commissioners enabled to that effect, to desire a firm Union with us; and this just and necessary assistance from us. And whereas it is too obvious an Objection, That the King's command or consent being no ingredient, our Calling is thereby rendered deficient: We answer, That though, through the injury of mischievous Counsels, both his Person and personal Commands are withheld from us: Yet his Honour, his Happiness, his Posterity, his great Council, and the welfare of his Kingdoms, call importunately to us for this timely interposing. So that unless we can (which God forbidden) blot out of our thoughts the sense of Piety and Religion toward God, of Honour and duty toward our Sovereign, and of Gratitude toward the Parliament and Kingdom of England, we can in no wise resist our present Call to this undertaking. And lastly, for what concerns the manner of the pursuance of this just Cause and lawful Calling: Although the many frustrate Petitions and Remonstrances from both Kingdoms presented to his Majesty, have left us only this way, which yet is not intended against his Majesty's Person, not any of his good Subjects, but those Enemies of the King and Kingdoms, and whom no other means can prevailed Yet we shall diligently endeavour so to order the Affairs of our Army, that all Insolences, Rapines, Plunderings, and those other calamities that usually attend upon War, may be prevented. And herein as with no small content to ourselves, so with no less satisfaction to you, are we able to refer you to the experience of out former Expedition (when our own necessity drove us into England; as now yours do call us) to consider how little damage was occasioned by out means, how little disorder was committed by us in any place where we came: And we hereby promise the like care and diligence shall be renewed, and if possible doubled to that effect. And that we may not be looked with the prejudice of Strangers, which we hope the firm Union of this mutual Covenant will wear out, There is a Committee of your own Nation, the most of which are Parliament men, such to whom you have committed the trust and care of your Religion, Laws and Liberties, joined with us, without whose concurrence nothing that concerns you is to be transacted. And to free you of all unjust suspicion, which if your minds are not ready to conceive, yet the malicious mouths of our Adversaries and yours are ready to suggest, That notwithstanding this Declaration, we have some sinister and secret ends which may prove prejudicial to your Rights and happiness: Be it hereby made known unto you, that we have freely engaged ourselves, by an Article of the late Treaty betwixt the Nations, to give the public Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland unto the Kingdom of England, that neither our entrance into, not continuance in that Kingdom, shall be made use of to any other ends then expressed in the Covenant, and that Treaty subscribed to us by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms, which we are resolved, to the honour of God and of this Nation, to keep inviolate. And as our Friends and Brethren may look for actions conform to the expressions of this Declaration, so must the Malignants and implacable orposers of the ends declared in our Covenant, expect nothing but an impartial and vigorous prosecution of the same: In which, if any evil befall them, we are confident that the judgement of wise and indifferent men will reduce it to themselves, as the wilful Authors thereof. And finally we declare against all false and artificial relations) that we are so fare from desiring harm or loss to any of our Brethren of England, that our sincere and real intentions are not to add fuel, not bring oil, but water to extinguish these lamentable combustions and fires, which we have with so much duty and love laboured to quench: That our taking of Arms is not to make Wars (if we be not necessitated) but to obtain a better grounded and a more durable Peace, for enjoying of our Religion and Liberties in all the three Kingdoms: And that the wicked (who are the unworthy authors of all our troubles) being removed from our King, a right understanding may be established betwixt his Majesty and his people. And as we have solemnly sworn to protect and defend all who shall enter in, and adhere to this Covenant: So do we certainly expect, that all our Brethren in England, who are zealous for the true Protestant Religion, loyal to the King and faithful for their Country, will join and concur with us in the most noble and just ways of procuring these just desires: Which being obtained, we shall be most willing and ready to return to our native Country esteeming it our greatest happiness, that truth with Peace may be established in all His Majesty's Dominions. Arch Primrose. FINIS.