A SHORT DECLARATION To the whole KIRK AND KINGDOM, CONCERNING, Present DANGERS and DUTIES.  
EDINBURGH, Printed by Evan tiler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty. 1648.   

A short DECLARATION to the whole Kirk and Kingdom, concerning present Dangers and Duties.  
Edinb. 9. September 1648. Antemeridiem.  
ALbeit the sad and dangerous condition wherein this Kirk and Kingdom is now cast, by the public Resolutions and practices of these who have engaged in War against the Kingdom of England, do proclaim unto all the lovers of Religion and the country, what is needful to be done in this day of distress: Yet for the better information of the Lords people, we conceive it necessary, shortly for the present to declare what we hold incumbent in duty to all these who would not betray the cause of God, and render themselves slaves to the tyranny and lust of ungodly and Malignant men, hoping in a short time to make known our thoughts of these particulars more fully.  
When the dis-affected and prevailing party in the Parliament of this Kingdom did manifest head-strong resolutions to make War upon England, under a pretext of suppressing Sectaries, But in effect, to dissolve the union betwixt the Kingdoms, and to restore the King to the exercise of his Arbitrary Government, and make way for promoving of the designs of the Malignant party in both Nations: just and necessary desires relating unto the grounds of an engagement, and unto the securing of Religion, were presented unto their Lordships by the Commission of the former general Assembly; But these desires were altogether slighted, and an engagement resolved upon such grounds as are contrary to the Word of God, and do infer the breach of all the Articles of the Solemn League and Covenant, as is clearly holden forth in the Declaration of the last general Assembly; wherein also may be seen the great encroachments that are made upon the Liberties of the Kirk: Neither was there any regard had unto the dissent and Protestation of a considerable number of Members of Parliament, who had been most active and streight in the Cause from the beginning; nor unto the Petitions and Supplications of many Synods and Presbyteries, and of the well-affected people of the Land, who were seeking satisfaction to their consciences: But instead of a satisfactory answer, the engagement whilk was wickedly resolved, was violently carried on by most strange plundering and cruel oppression, especially of these who did declare it upon no other ground then out of fear to sin against God: And as though it had been too little to force obedience unto their unlawful Resolutions and Acts, the Committee of Estates have urged and pressed the subscribing of a Band and Declaration of Parliament, wherein men are obliged to aclowledge the justice & equity of all the Acts, Conclusions & Resolutions thereof, or if they refuse, are to be esteemed enemies to Religion & their Country; And after that the Comittes of Estates had sent such an Army unto England, as by the borders thereof, was professed to be so considerable, as was sufficient to prosecute their resolutions in that kingdom, without any further supply of forces from this, yet they have resolved upon, and prosecuted a new levy, with no less violence, then the former that they may wreith the yoke of their oppression upon the necks of the Lords people, and bring the whole kingdom in slavery and bondage. And though the Lord hath declared his wrath from heaven against these their resolutions and proceedings, by bringing their Army to so sudden and shameful an overthrow; Yet do they still adhere unto, and pursue the same designs, and have not onely brought within the bowels of this kingdom, the remnant of that godless and profane Army, but have given commission also to classed incendiaries and Rebels who served under the conduct of James Grahame to raise forces, and by the whole tenor of their carriage, do make it appear to all who have eyes to see: that they do intend the rather to involve the kingdom in blood, then to be restrained in the pursuit of their former wicked resolutions.  
Therefore albeit the thoughts of peace be precious unto us, and that we wish and exhort every one to follow Peace with all men, as much as is possible; Yet looking upon the eminent dangers that threaten Religion, the grievous oppressions that lies upon the Lords people in their consciences, persons, and estates, and the many fearful evils, that threatens both Kirk and kingdom, if the remnant of these mens wrath be not restrained; We conceive that all the people of God are obliged and engaged by Covenant, with their lives and estates, to endeavour and pursue these following ends, and to oppose all the enemies and adversaries thereof; 1. Because Religion is of all things the most excellent & precious, the securing thereof is to be most in our thoughts, and in the endeavours of all men, that it may be preserved unto us, & transmitted unto our posterity, in purity. Secondly, All are bound to defend and maintain the liberties of the Kirk, which is the house of God, and the ground and pillar of truth. Thirdly, all are bound to vindicate the liberties of the subjects, in all these things which concern their consciences, persons, and estates. Fourthly, there is no less obligation, carefully to maintain the union betwixt the kingdoms, and to avoid every thing that may weaken the same, or involve us in any measure of accession unto the guilt of these who have invaded the kingdom of England. Fifthly, all are to endeavour the Kings Majesties restitution to the exercise of his royal power, as soon as he shall give security for Religion, in the manner expressed in the desires of the late commission of the Kirk, and shall give satisfaction in such other things as are necessary for the peace and safety of the Kingdom. Sixthly, all are to take a more effectual course then heretofore for punishing and suppressing of all Malignancy, injustice, iniquity, profaneness and impiety, and to endeavour, that the best and fittest remedie's be applied for taking away the causes of these evils, and advancing Religion and righteousness in the Land, and that those men who have been formerly instrumental in our present miseries and calamities be not again admitted unto any such trust or power as may enable them to involve the Land in the same or the like evils.  
These things are of such importance and consequence as that we know not what can be expected without them but a continuance and increase of our present miseries and calamities; And therefore seeing the Lord hath now put into the hands of his people such an opportunity, and made many willing in this day of his power. We do exhort and beseech all men throughout the land by the mercies of God who hath not given us over unto death, but left us a naill in his holy place, that they would seriously mind, and to the utmost of their power prefer these ends against all lets and impediments whatsoever, and oppose all these who stand for the engagement. In the beginning of this work the Lord stirred up the spirits of his people to join together and defend themselves against tyranny and oppression in these things which concerned their consciences and liberties; and albeit their power was but small, and the strength of adversaries great, yet because they did their duty in the simplicity of their hearts, and trusted in the name of the Lord, he was pleased to make the enemies melt as wax before the fire, and to vanish as smoke before the wind: And if after so many rich experiences of his assistance and rare testimonies of his loving kindness, and great deliverances out of trubles and solemn engagements by vows and Covenants, we should sit still, or comply with those who have carried on the engagement in a time that threatens so much danger unto Religion, and so imminent ruins to our liberties, persons, and estates, we could not but be exceedingly guilty before the Lord, and deserve to be plagued as betrayers of the cause of God, and of the safety both of Kirk and State: Let us therefore arise, and do our duty, and the Lord of hosts who hath already broken the power, and 〈◇〉 of our adversaries, shall be with us.  
A. Ker.  
FINIS