portrait of Charles I 
CHARLES BY THE GRACE OF GOD King of England, Scotland France and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc:    

HIS MAJESTY'S Declaration, CONCERNING His Proceed with His Subjects of SCOTLAND, Since the Pacification in the Camp near Berwick.  
LONDON, Printed by R. Young, His Majesty's Printer for Scotland, and R. Badger, Printer to the Prince His Highness. M.DC.XL.   

 royal blazon or coat of arms 
C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   

By the King.  
WE did make account that the Pacification which We were pleased to condescend unto, the last year in the Camp near Berwick, and to grant to Our Subjects of Scotland, even then when they were in the height of their rebellion, and in the field in Arms against Us, had given such demonstration to the world of Our inclination to peace, and desire to spare the blood of Our people, and to win them to the obedience which they own unto Us, as that all misunderstandings had been utterly taken away (as they were on Our part) and that such conditions as were then agreed upon, should have been really performed by them, according to those bonds of Allegiance, duty, and promise in which they stand obliged to Us. But We have since found, to our unexpressible grief, that Our Princely goodness and mildness in passing by that offence, hath produced nothing but extreme ingratitude, and insufferable insolences against Our Government: And farther, by sundry libellous Pamphlets, and most false and seditious discourses sent from Scotland, and dispersed purposely in this Our Kingdom of England, especially in our City of London, that the cause of these disorders is sought to be shifted off from the Rebels in Scotland, and most unjustly cast upon Us. Wherefore We hold Ourself bound in that duty which we own to God and love to truth, not to suffer Our honour to be thus betrayed and vilified by faction and rebellion, but to vindicate it from all calumny and clamour, by giving hereby a clear and just account to all the world of Our proceeding with Our Subjects of that Our Kingdom, and of the most material and remarkable occurrents since that Pacification, that so all those that are not partial, or will not wilfully shut their eyes against the truth, may judge, who they are that have been the disturbers, and infractors of the peace, and that under the mask and visor of Religion, seek to undermine and subvert all Monarchical and civil Government. Which account follows thus.  
After We had been some time in the Camp near Berwicke, and that Our Subjects of Scotland had encamped with their Army in view of Ours, upon an overture from them, We were contented to condescend to the receiving of a Petition, in which it is expressed, that, they, falling down at Our feet, did most humbly supplicate Us to appoint some of this Our Kingdom of England to hear, by some of them, their humble desires. Which We having granted, and several meetings by those of both Kingdoms having been held, at all which Ourselves, (to show Our hearty and earnest desire to meet Our subjects in a peaceable way) were contented to be present, (much beyond their own expectation, as they have since acknowledged, and We are sure exceedingly beyond their merit) at the last those of Scotland were commanded to make their demands in writing, in which after they had presented their desires, (of which one was, That the acts of the late assembly at Glasgow holden by Our Indiction, might be ratified in the ensuing Parliament,) they profess, It is their grief that We should have been provoked to wrath against them Our most humble and loving Subjects, and that it shall be their delight upon Our gracious assurance of the preservation of their Religion and Laws, to give example to others of all civil and temporal obedience which can be required or expected of loyal subjects. Whereupon We letting them know, that for the better clearing of particulars, We expected from them the grounds & reasons of their desires, but that We would not surprise them, and therefore gave them time to come prepared with their grounds in writing, The Lord Lowdon said, Their desires were only to enjoy their Religion and Liberties, according to the Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws of the Kingdom; and in clearing particulars, they would not insist upon any that were not such. This We willed him to set down in writing under his hand, which he did in these words.  
Memorandum, that our desires are only the enjoying of our Religion and Liberties according to the Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws of His Majesty's Kingdom; To clear by sufficient Grounds, that the particulars which we humbly crave, are such, and shall not insist to crave any point which is not so warranted; And that we humbly offer all civil and temporal obedience to Your Majesty, which can be required or expected of loyal subjects.  
Signed, Lowdon.  
To which We answered, That if their desires were only the enjoying of their Religion and Liberties according to the Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws of Our Kingdom of Scotland, We do not only agree to the same, but shall always protect them to the uttermost of Our power. And if they shall not insist upon any thing but that which is so warranted, We will most willingly and readily condescend unto it, so that in the mean time they pay unto Us that civil and temporal obedience which can be justly required and expected of loyal subjects.  
This being the ground of the agreement on both sides, We were pleased to proceed to a final determination of this business, which was brought to a conclusion upon the 17. of June, 1639: And Our Declaration of that date conformable to these grounds was thereupon made, which was not only accepted by those that came in the name of all those of the Covenant, but most humble thanks were given to Us by them for Our gracious answer vouchsafed to their Petition in the said Declaration; which was fully agreed upon, together with sundry Articles, by all parties.  
The Pacification thus concluded, the Articles on both sides were to be performed accordingly: Those on Our part were in the Declaration following.  
We having considered the papers and humble petitions presented to Us by those of Our subjects of Scotland who were admitted to attend Our pleasure in the Camp, and after a full bearing by Ourself of all that they could say or allege thereupon, having communicated the same to Our Council of both Kingdoms there present, upon mature deliberation, with their unanimous advice We have thought fit to give this just and gracious answer; That though We cannot condescend to ratify and approve the acts of the pretended General Assembly at Glasgow, for many grave and weighty considerations which have happened both before and since, much importing the Honour and Security of that true Monarchical Government lineally descended upon Us from so many of Our Ancestors; yet such is Our gracious pleasure, that notwithstanding the many disorders committed of late, We are pleased not only to confirm and make good whatsoever our Commissioner hath granted and promised in Our Name; but also We are farther graciously pleased to declare and assure, that according to the Petitioners humble desires, all matters Ecclesiastical shall be determined by the Assemblies of the Kirke, and matters Civil by the Parliament, and other inferior judicatories established by Law, which Assembly accordingly shallbe kept once a year, or as shallbe agreed upon at the General Assembly.  
And for settling the general distractions of that Our ancient Kingdom, Our will and pleasure is, that a free general Assembly be kept at Edinburgh, the sixth day of August next ensuing, where We intent (God willing) to be personally present; and for the Legal Indiction whereof, We have given order and command to Our Counsel, and thereafter a Parliament to be holden at Edinburgh the twentieth day of August next ensuing, for ratifying of what shallbe concluded in the said Assembly, and settling such other things as may conduce to the peace and good of Our Native Kingdom, and therein an Act of oblivion to be passed.  
And whereas We are farther desired, that Our Ships and Forces by land be recalled, and all persons goods, and ships restored, and they made safe from invasion, We are graciously pleased to declare, That upon their disarming, and disbanding of their forces, dissolving and discharging all their pretended Tables and Conventicles, and restoring unto us all our Castles, Forts, and Ammunition of all sorts, as likewise Our Royal Honours, and to every one of Our good subjects their liberties, lands, houses, goods, and means whatsoever taken and detained from them since the late pretended General Assembly, We will presently thereafter recall Our Fleet, and retire Our land Forces, and cause restitution to be made to all persons of their ships and goods detained and arrested since the aforesaid time; whereby it may appear, that Our intention of taking up of arms, was no way for invading of Our Native Kingdom, or to innovate the Religion and Laws, but merely for the maintaining and vindicating of Our Royal Authority.  
And since that hereby it doth clearly appear, that We neither have, nor do intent any alteration in Religion or Laws, but that both shallbe maintained by Us in their full Integrity, We expect the performance of that humble and dutiful obedience, which becometh loyal and dutiful subjects, and as in their several Petitions they have often professed. And as We have just reason to believe that to our peaceable and well-affected subjects this will be satisfactory, so We take God and the world to witness, that whatsoever calamities shall ensue by Our necessitated suppressing of the Insolences of such as shall continue in their disobedient courses, is not occasioned by Us, but by their own procurement.  
These Conditions in this Declaration that refer to the time past, have been the most part of them already punctually complied with by Us, that clause excepted in which We express, We intended to have been at the General Assembly at Edinburgh; which yet being but an Intention, We had assuredly performed, but that We were diverted by the disorders committed by Our tumultuary Subjects in Edinburgh, upon the persons of Our High Treasurer, the Earl of Kinnoull Our Justice General, Sir james Hamilton, Counsellors of that Our Kingdom, and divers others Our good Subjects there; which gave Us just cause to suspect, that there could be no safety for Our Person, among people enraged so immediately after Our clemency showed to them in the Pacification.  
But one of the greatest discouragements We had from going thither, was the refusing of such Lords and others of that Nation whom We sent for, to come to Us to Berwick; by which disobedience they manifestly discovered their distrust of Us: and it cannot be thought reasonable, that We should trust Our Person with those that disinherited Us, after so many arguments and assurances of Our goodness towards them.  
The Articles of Pacification agreed upon were these.  
The Forces of Scotland to be disbanded and dissolved within forty eight hours, after the Publication of Our Declaration being agreed upon.  
Our Castles, Forts, Amunitions of all sorts, and Royal Honours, to be delivered after the said Publication, so soon as We should send to receive them.  
Our Ships to departed presently after the delivery of the Castles, with the first fair wind, and in the mean time no interruption of Trade or Fishing.  
We were graciously pleased to cause to be restored all persons goods and ships, detained and arrested since the first of November then last passed.  
No Meetings, Treating, Consultations or Convocations of any Our Liege's, but such as are warranted by Act of Parliament.  
All Fortifications to desist, and no farther working therein, and they to be remitted to Our Pleasure.  
To restore to every one of Our good Subjects their liberties, lands, houses, goods, and means whatsoever, taken or detained from them by whatsoever means since the aforesaid time.  
On Tuesday the 18. of June, those of Scotland came to Our Pavilion, and there We signed the aforesaid Declaration, and the Articles were signed by them, who also signed another paper of submission to Us, as followeth.  
In the Camp, 18. June, 1639.  
In obedience to His Majesty's Royal commands, we shall upon Thursday next, the 20. of this june, dismiss our Forces, and immediately thereafter deliver His Majesty's Castles, etc. and shall ever in all things carry ourselves like humble, loyal, and obedient subjects.  
Signed, 

Rothes.  
Dumfermlin.  
Lowdon.  
Dowglas.  
Alex. Henderson.  
A. johnstoun.    
Those of Scotland did likewise further promise and undertake, that Our foresaid Declaration should be read and published in their Army; which was accordingly done by Lion King of Arms of Scotland, on Thursday the 20. in the presence of the Earl of Morton, Sir Edmund Verney, and Sir john Borough, Our Commissioners sent thither to see the same performed.  
How these Articles have been performed, on their part, comes now to be considered, and will appear by that which follows.  
First, whereas We, by the publication of the Articles of Pacification, expected that due respect and acknowledgement of Our authority, which might have witnessed their Loyalty, and sense of their thankfulness for so great and royal favour, We found on the contrary, that at the very publishing of it in their Camp, the same was met with a Protestation, so scandalous and dishonourable to Our Government, as Our Subjects were thereby rather encouraged in their former mutinous ways, than reduced to that obedience which they promised.  
Secondly, they delivered into the hands of some of Our English Nobility, and spread, among others, a scandalous Paper, entitled, Some Conditions of His Majesty's Treaty with His Subjects of Scotland before the English Nobility, are set down here for remembrance. Wherein are contained such untruths and seditious positions, and so contrary to that which was concluded in the Articles of Pacification, as thereby it did plainly appear, that however they pretended a desire of peace, yet they intended nothing less. This false and seditious paper coming to Our knowledge, was after, by the Advice, and upon the humble Petition of Our Privy Council here in England, and particularly, by such Noblemen as were pretended by them to be witnesses to the same, ordered to be damned by Proclamation, and publicly burnt by the hand of the Hangman: which was done accordingly.  
Thirdly, whereas it was promised, that the Forces of that Our Kingdom of Scotland, raised without Our warrant, and against Ourself, should be disbanded and dissolved within 48. hours after publication of Our said Declaration in their Camp; they did nevertheless for some time, keep in body divers Forces, and have ever since held in pay almost all their Officers, in manifest breach of those Articles, contempt of Our Royal Authority, contrary to the Laws of that Our Kingdom, and to the great danger of all Our Subjects, who did give obedience to Our Commandments there, which clearly shown their intention of putting themselves again in arms against Us.  
Fourthly, Whereas it was promised, that Our Forts, Castles, and Amunitions, should be restored, so soon as We should send to receive them, yet full restitution was not made accordingly; And for the Fortification at Lieth, which was with the rest remitted to Our pleasure, it stands entirely as it did, though We often commanded the demolishing thereof.  
Fifthly, It was promised there should be no Meetings, Treating, Tables, Consultations, Convocations, or Conventicles, but such as are warranted by act of Parliament, (and yet We were pleased to give them warrant to meet for the space of one month, to consult, advise, and resolve, upon such affairs and business as concerned the relief of their mutual burdens only:) Nevertheless after that time expired, which was on the twentieth day of July 1639. they did, and do still continue their unlawful meetings and consultations upon matters of State both Ecclesiastical and Civil, contrary to the Laws and Acts of Parliament of that Our Kingdom, and Our express warrant; In which Conventicles they daily vex and trouble such of Our Subjects as do not adhere to their rebellious Covenant, and pretended assembly at Glasgow, and the acts of the same.  
Sixthly, Whereas all Fortifications were to be remitted to Our pleasure to be demolished or continued, and We having given commandment for the demolishing of them all raised and built without Our warrant; no obedience is given to the same, but they are still continued, to the fostering of sedition among Our Subjects, and the disturbance of the peace of that Our Kingdom.  
Seventhly, Whereas all Our good Subjects should have their liberties and goods restored to them, yet such is the violence and fury of the people, animated thereunto by the said Protestation, scandalous papers spread, and seditious Sermons preached, as many of Our said Subjects are deterred from going to their own dwelling and places of abode, and threatened with the loss of their lives, in case they shall repair to their own houses.  
Eightly, Whereas in Our Declaration before mentioned, We did make known that We could not approve the late pretended general Assembly at Glasgow, for the reasons contained in Our former Proclamations, yet contrary to that Our pleasure, they daily press Our Subjects to subscribe the approbation of the said pretended assembly and acts thereof, and to swear the same; so that whereas We did expect to have found our Subjects settled in peace and quietness against Our repair to Edinburgh, We heard of nothing but new disorders, meetings and molestations of Our Subjects well affected to Our service; which as it doth evidently appear by the insupportable insolences committed as aforesaid, upon the persons of Our High Treasurer the Earl of Kinnoul, Our Justice General Sir james Hamilton, and others Our Counselors and good Subjects, so doth it clearly evince, that nothing was less intended than obedience to Our authority, or performance of what was promised, or is due to Us in right of Our Crown, and by the laws of that Our Kingdom.  
Ninthly, Whereas We were pleased to grant a free General Assembly, for settling and composing the divisions cunningly raised and fomented in the Church of that Our Kingdom, expecting a fair choice of the Commissioners, and such as might stand with the respect due to Our authority, they did labour to pervert Our Subjects by anticipating their voices, in making them swear to, and subscribe the acts of the pretended Assembly at Glasgow, and making choice of such Commissioners (and no others) as adhered thereunto, and by Oath were bound to maintain the same, and further, deterred others, whom We by Our Warrant did lawfully call to the next Assembly, from repairing thereunto, threatening them with the loss of their lives, and what worse may be committed against their persons, in manifest contempt of Our authority, and derogation from the freedom of the said assembly.  
Tenthly, To divert all Our good Subjects from their due obedience to Us, and to debauch them to their factious mutinies and disorders, they brand all such as adhere to Us, and have attended Our person, with the vile aspersion of Traitors to God and their Country, threatening to proceed against them with censures accordingly, as though the due respect given by them to Us, and their adhering to Us, and their assisting Us in their persons, were Treason: whereas by right of that Our Crown, and the Acts of Parliament of that Our Kingdom, all Our Subjects are to rise with Us, and to assist Us with their bodies and goods, and whosoever refuses, or rises in Arms or rebellion against Us, or commits any act of Hostility against Our Sacred Person, are declared Traitors, and are to incur the pain of High Treason.  
Lastly, Their disobedience appears in that unparallelled contempt of Our Royal authority, and shaking off all respect due to Sacred Majesty, by their protesting that all members of the College of Justice, and all Our Liege's were not to attend the Session, and that all Acts, Decrees, and Sentences therein past against any of them, shall be nul, void and ineffectual, contrary to Our express warrant for the downesitting thereof, and to the heavy damage of Our good Subjects, who were thereby frustrated of Justice, taking by this means Our Royal Power out of Our hand, which alone belongeth to Us, none but Ourself being to command Our Subjects to attend the Session, or to discharge their attendance, as We in Our Princely wisdom and justice shall think fit.  
Having laid these insolent and seditious foundations for a Parliament, it could not in reason be expected but the structure to be raised thereupon must be full of disorder and confusion, and indeed it proved all of a piece, for in all the progress of the Parliament their actions and demands were full of undutifulness and disloyalty, denying to Us the most essential, and inherent prerogatives of Our Crown, and striving by all means to change and alter the Constitutions of the Parliament, and frame of Government, as appears by their first Act, at and after the choosing of the Lords of the Articles, where, in a most insolent and peremptory way, they protested, that nothing done, or to be done in Parliament should be valid, except the form of electing the Articles heretofore observed were altered, every Estate allowed to choose their own Articles, contrary to the form kept in former Parliaments for many years, as will clearly be evinced by the Records, and will be made appear by persons of all qualities yet living, who assisted at the Parliaments, and were members of the same, in the Year 1612. and 1609. and contrary to the provisions and conditions mentioned in the Act, 1587.  
By their Act likewise concerning the defining of the power of the said Articles, they press totally to subvert the frame and power thereof. The Articles have been, as is acknowledged by themselves, ever since K. David Bruce his time, which is about 300. years; and by the Lords of the Articles all businesses are prepared, and from them brought to the Parliament, as appears by divers Acts of Parliament, and particularly by the fourth Parliament of K. james 6. Cap. 218. in which for eschewing of confusion and impertinent motions, all Propositions to be made in Parliament are to be delivered to the Clerk Register, and by him presented to the Lords of the Articles, that all frivolous and improper motions may be rejected; which ancient Constitutions they would subvert by the aforesaid Act.  
So by the Act concerning the Constitution of the Parliament in time to come, they urge, and thereby strive totally to alter the frame of the Parliament, and to confound and take away the third Estate, wherein the Civil power of Kings is so much concerned, as Our Father, and all His Predecessors in former Parliaments, both in time of Popery, and since the reformation of Religion, have been most careful to preserve and maintain the Dignity, Honour, and Privileges of the third Estate, as appears in Anno 1560. when all Church-Jurisdiction in the persons of Bishops, is alleged to be abolished: and in Anno 1587. when all the Temporalties of Benefices were annexed to the Crown, the Clergy retained still their Vote in Parliament, and represented the third Estate, and the Civil power and privileges of the Church were still preserved, and again ratified, as appears by the first Parliament of K. JAMES 6. Cap. 24. and by divers Acts of Parliament, Anno 1587. 1597. & 1609. By all which, and divers other Acts of Parliament, it does clearly appear, how much the Kings Our Predecessors have conceived their Civil Power, and the Honour of their Crown to be concerned in the maintaining and upholding of the Honour, Dignity and Privileges of the three Estates. Nay, by a special Act made in the time of K. JAMES 6. Parliament 8. Cap. 130. it is declared Treason, to impugn the authority of the Parliament, and three Estates, or to procure the innovation of the power and authority of the same three Estates, or any of them: and We would willingly know, how they, or any of them, can deny, but that they have sought the breach of this Act, and so are guilty of Treason, and liable to the punishment thereof.  
Concerning the Act which they call Rescissory, they do not only thereby seek to take away the third Estate, which is Treason, as aforesaid, but to annul many other Acts, formerly made in favour of the Crown; and farther, to bar Us, in a manner totally, from Assembly, or Assembly business, and cut Us off from all those powers in Civil affairs, which in the Court of that Kingdom, are in consequence hereupon; by which it is evident, how fare they would trench upon Regal power, and how different it is from their promise, which was, to desire nothing that is not warranted by Law.  
For the Act of Oblivion, in the narrative and whole strain of it, as it is form, and desired by them to be passed in Parliament, they seek to justify themselves in all their proceed, and instead of an Act of Oblivion, for which they petitioned Us at the Camp, they urge an Act which amounts to a Justification to be recorded in the Books of Parliament, altogether contrary to the nature of an Act of Oblivion, and to that which ever heretofore hath been desired in like case, as appears by the Act of Oblivion in Anno 1563.  
And whereas by the Act of Pacification, restitution is ordained to be made to every one of Our good Subjects of their liberties, lands, goods and means whatsoever, taken and detained from them by any means, since the aforesaid time, this is not only not yet performed, but as appears by the binding part of this Act, it is never intended.  
And as by the abovesaid act of Oblivion, so by their Act of Relief, they depart from that which was condescended to at the Camp; for whereas upon their humble desire We were graciously pleased by a Commission dated at Berwick 2. of July 1639. to allow them the liberty of convening and meeting until a certain day, for distributing of their pretended charges, amongst such as should willingly condescend thereunto, they have not only without Our warrant kept their Conventicles, and Tables, since the expiring of the aforesaid Commission, contrary to the positive laws of the Kingdom, and the Act of Pacification, and their own acknowledgement in petitioning for the aforesaid Commission, but by their said Act of relief they do most impudently urge upon Us, that by an Act of Our Royal Power, all Our good Subjects who in the late troubles and Commotions did adhere to Us, and show themselves ready to defend Our Royal Authority, should be made equally, if not more liable to the defraying of their pretended charges. So by the Act itself. We are pressed to justify and authorize all their Rebellions and Treasons, and to constrain the innocent and those that have suffered most for being faithful and loyal to Us, to contribute to those Rebellions and Treasons; than which there can be nothing more Tyrannical, nor contrary to Justice and Our Honour.  
Concerning their demands, although in all their Petitions, Declarations and Remonstrances, they profess, that they will never encroach upon Sovereignty, nor diminish Our Royal Authority, yet notwithstanding by their demands made in Parliament, and the reasons of them given to Ourself, they strike at the very root of Our Regal power. For they desire,  
First, that the Coin be not meddled with but by advice of Parliament.  
That no stranger be entrusted with keeping of Our Castles, nor other person put in them, but by advice of the Estates.  
That no Patent of Honour be granted to any stranger, but such as have a competency of land-rent in Scotland.  
That no Commission of Justiciary or lieutenancy may be granted but for a limited time.  
They protest likewise against the Precedency of Our Lord Treasurer, and Lord Privy Seal, because as they allege the same is not warranted by a positive Law.  
All which, though they are so essentially belonging to Us as their King, that for the most part they answer themselves; yet We have thought it not unfit to give the world this satisfaction concerning them.  
And first for the Coin, It is a prerogative most peculiar to the Crown, and none can meddle with it but by Our consent, without incurring the punishment of High Treason, as it is in all Kingdoms.  
In the second and third there lurketh a great deal of Malignity and Poison, and they are intended merely against the English, whom they would account strangers, as appears by the exception lately taken by those of Edinburgh to those English sent by Us to the Castles of Edinburgh and Downebarton. This is a most dangerous and seditious practice, to raise again the partition wall between the two Nations, and to divide them, thereby to awaken those ancient Nationall animosities, which have been most happily laid asleep by the blessed union of the two Crowns; And besides, the great dishonour to the English, that they should not be held worthy to enjoy any dignities or privileges in Scotland, as well as the Scots do in England: It is an injury to themselves, For it is most just, that by the same rule the Postnati of Scotland (who are now admitted here to all Dignities, Privileges and Offices, and do enjoy them as freely as any English whatsoever) should be likewise excluded from them, for which most of their Countrymen here would give them little thanks. But what Religion there can be in showing themselves such Incendiaries, We leave it to the world to judge.  
To the fourth: Some of themselves have obtained from Us the heritable Rights of Justiciary, over a considerable part of that Our Kingdom, and why Our power should be more limited to others then to them We understand not.  
To the fifth: No man that is not a Traitor can deny that the source and fountain of all honour is in Us, and that it is a prime branch of Our Crown to distribute honours, Dignities, and precedeneys to whom We please, and besides, the Chancellor of that Our Kingdom, holds his place and precedency without any warrant or positive law, but merely from Our immediate and inherent power; and therefore why not Our Treasurer and Privy Seal, as well as He?  
They further boldly demand the rescinding the Acts of Parliament concerning the Civil government, namely, the Act concerning the judicatory of the Exchequer, the Act concerning Proxies, the Act concerning confirmation of Ward-lands, by which they would overthrow both Our Government and Revenue.  
When We found them thus pertinaciously resolved to persist in these their insolent and unsufferable demands, contrary to all Religion and Laws, though they so much pretend them both, We signified Our pleasure to Our Commissioner the Earl of Traquair to this purpose, That whereas it did evidently appear unto Us, that the aim of divers of Our Subjects was not now for Religion, as they have always pretended (for it was manifest by the proceeding of Our said Commissioner, how willing We had been to give satisfaction both in Assembly and Parliament, touching all such things as were promised by Us, or sued for by them under that name of Religion) And that We did perceive by many new strange Propositions, that nothing would give them content but the alteration of the whole frame of the Government of that Kingdom, and withal, the total overthrow of Royal Authority, We held it must now be Our care and endeavour to prevent that which did so nearly concern Us in safety and Honour, and if thereupon we should immediately command the dissolving of the Parliament, it were no more than justly might be expected from Us. Nevertheless, such was still Our tenderness of their preservation, and of the establishment of a perfect peace in that Our native Kingdom, as We were pleased rather to prorogate the same, and to hear such reasons as they could give for their demands. Wherefore We commanded Our said Commissioner to prorogate the Parliament until the 2. of June next ensuing, and that (since they had disputed it) by Our authority only; We holding it no way fitting, that any assent of theirs but obedience should be had to that act, which doth so properly belong to Us as their King, and if they should presume to protest, sit still, and disobey this our Royal command, Our further will and pleasure was, that Our said Commissioner should discharge their so doing under pain of Treason. But in case of their obedience and dissolving according to Our command, than We did require Our said Commissioner to declare unto them, that We would not only admit to Our presence such as they should send unto Us to represent their desires, and the reasons of them, but would likewise, as We were always ready to do, punctually perform whatsoever. We did promise. In the interim We commanded himself with all convenient speed to repair hither, and to bring with him all that had passed, or had been demanded, both in Assembly and Parliament, that so we might not only be more perfectly informed of all proceed, but likewise consult with him and those of our Council, what course would be best for the preservation of Our honour, and the happy accommodation of this business.  
This Our command being signified to the Parliament by Our Commissioner, was not assented unto without a Protestation, which they call a Declaration of the Parliament to this purpose. That  
Whereas John Earl of Traquair His Majesty's Commissioner, honoured with a most ample Commission, according to His Majesty's Royal word having closed the Assembly, and sitting in Parliament with them a very long time for debating and preparing such Articles as were to be represented in face of Parliament, did now take upon him, and that without the consent of the Estates and without any offence on their part, who have endeavoured in all their proceed to witness their loyalty to the King, and duty to His Grace, as representing His Majesty's sacred person to prorogate the Parliament upon a private warrant procured by sinister information against His Majesty's public Patent under the Great Seal, etc. whereby he heavily offends all His Majesty's good Subjects, and endeangers the peace of the whole kingdom, for which he must be liable to His Majesty's animadversion, and to the censure of the Parliament, this being a new and unusual way, without precedent in this Kingdom, contrary to His Majesty's honour so fare engaged for present ratifying the Acts of the Kirke, contrary to the laws, liberties, and perpetual practice of the Kingdom, by which all continuations of Parliament once called, convened, and begun to sit, have ever been made with express consent of the Estates, as may be seen in the Reigns of sundry Princes, etc. 
Jac. 6. Qu. Marry. Jac. 5. Jac. 4. Jac. 3. Jac. 2. & Jac. 1.  Therefore we the Estates of Parliament, etc. are constrained in this extremity to manifest and declare, etc. that as we have not given the least cause or smallest occasion of this unexpected, or unexemplified Prorogation; so we judge and know the same to be contrary to the constitution and practices of all preceding Parliaments, contrary to the liberties of this free and ancient Kingdom, and very repugnant to His Majesty's Royal intentions, promise, and gracious expressions in the Articles of the late Pacificàtion, etc. And we do further declare, that any Prorogation made by the Commissioners Grace alone, without consent of the Parliament, by himself or any Commissioner in his name, under the Quarter Seal, or by the Lords of the Council, who have no power at all in matters of the Parliament during the sitting thereof, shall be ineffectual and of no force at all to hinder the lawful proceed of the Subjects, and the doers thereof to be censurable in Parliament. And further we declare, that the Commissioner his nomination of the Articles by himself, his calling together those Articles, and commanding them to sit continually and proceed, notwithstanding their daily Protestations to the contrary; his keeping frequent sessions of Council, and determining causes in Council during the time of session in Parliament; his calling down and calling up of money during the session of Parliament, without consent of the Estates of Parliament, notwithstanding the Parliament had taken the money to their consideration, and had purposed to have given their advice for a determination thereanent; his frequent prorogating of the riding of the Parliament, without consent of the Estates, or mentioning in the Acts of Prorogation, the consent of the Articles, although it were done by their advice, are contrary to the liberties of the Kingdom, freedom and custom of Parliament; and that they be no preparatives, practics, nor prejudices in time coming against us, or our successors. But because we know that the eyes of the world are upon us, that Declarations have been made and published against us, etc. that our proceed may be made odious to such as know not the way how these commandments are procured from His Majesty, nor how they are made known nor intimate to us, and do as little consider that we are not private Subjects, but a sitting Parliament; or what national prejudices we have sustained in time passed by misinformation, and what is the present case of the Kingdom; We therefore declare, that whatsoever by the example of our predecessors in like cases of necessity, by His Majesty's Indiction, and by the Articles of Pacification we might do lawfully in sitting still, and which in this extreme necessity were justifiable not only before so just a King, but to the faces of our Adversaries; yet out of our most reverend regard, and humble desire, to render not only all real demonstrations of civil obedience, but to put fare from us all show or appearance of what may give His Majesty the least discontent, we have resolved for the present only to make remonstrance to His Majesty of the reason of our propositions and proceed in this Parliament, etc. and in expectation of His Majesty's gracious answer to these our humble Remonstrances, some of each Estate having power from the whole body of the Parliament, remain still here at Edinburgh, to attend the return of His Majesty's gracious answer to our humble and just demands: and further to remonstrate our humble desires to His Majesty upon all occasions, that hereby it may be made most manifest against all contradiction, that it was never our intention to deny His Majesty any part of that civil and temporal obedience which is due to all Kings from their Subjects, and from us to our dread Sovereign after a more especial manner, but merely to preserve our Religion and Liberties of the Kingdom, without which Religion cannot continue long in safety: And if it shall happen (which God forbidden) that after we have made our Remonstrances, and to the uttermost of our power and duty used all lawful means for His Majesty's Information, that our malicious enemies, who are not considerable, shall by their suggestions and lies prevail against Informations, and general Declarations of a whole Kingdom, we take God and men to witness, that we are free of the outrages and insolences that may be committed in the mean time, and that it shall be to us no imputation, that we are constrained to take such course as may best secure the Kirke and Kingdom from the extremity of confusion and misery: Which Declaration above written, we the Estates of Parliament required the Clerk to insert in the records thereof, and grant extracts thereof under his hand and subscription.  
This Declaration was produced and read in the outer house of Parliament, upon Decemb. 18. 1639. according whereunto the Nobility nominated and appointed the Earls of Lothian, and Dalhouse, the Lords Yester, Balmerino, Cranston, and Naper: The Barons nominated the Commissioners of the three, Lothians, Fife, and Tweddell: The Burrougheses nominated the Commissioners of Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Sterline, Hadington, Dunbarre, to attend at Edinburgh the return of His Majesty's gracious answer to their humble Remonstrances.  
In this Protestation or Declaration, though there be a specious show, and sundry professions of obedience to Us, yet it is evident they have wounded Our Authority in the person of the Earl of Traquair Our Commissioner, who did nothing in that Prorogation but by Our special commandment; and therefore for that they cannot censure Him, without reflection upon Us; And besides, it is positively affirmed, that any Prorogation made by the Commissioner alone, without consent of the Parliament, shall be ineffectual, and of no force, which necessarily implies, that We have no power to prorogue, whereas the contrary is most manifest truth. And though upon Our command there was a show of Prorogation, yet they continued part of their Body at Edinburgh, upon pretence of receiving Our answer to their Remonstrance; which, if it shall not be to their liking, they conclude with a menacing Protestation, that It shall be no imputation to them if they be constrained to take such course as may best secure the Kirke and Kingdom from the extremity of confusion and misery, having first taken God and Men to witness, that they will be free of all outrages and insolences that may be committed in the mean time, than which nothing can be more boldly and insolently spoken.  
After this, these divided members of that distracted Parliamentary Body remaining thus at Edinburgh, did send the Earl of Dumfermlin, and the Lord Lowdon, as their Deputies, to make their Remonstrance to Us; but because We understood, that they came without warrant or licence from Our Commissioner, and had not acquainted Him with what they were to propound unto Us, We held this like the rest, a great and insufferable disobedience, and would not admit them to Our presence coming in this manner; and so commanded them to return without hearing them.  
Then Our Commissioner came hither, and made a report to Us of the state of Our affairs there, with which We thought fit to acquaint the Lords of Our Council of England, as also with this carriage of the Parliament in Scotland, and to advise with them what was to be done for redress of these disorders. Whereupon We commanded Our said Commissioner the Earl of Traquair, to make relation to the Board of all their exorbitant demands, of which some account had been formerly given them by the Lord marquis Hamiltoun. Upon this Our command the Earl of Traquair made a large and exact representation to the Board of the most considerable matters proposed and agitated in Parliament, and of the insolency of their demands, and the Petitioners themselves sent from Scotland, have since their coming to Us insisted upon all and every particular of Our said Commissioners relation, and in a most bold way offered to justify them all, by which they have more than justified the report of the said Earl of Traquair: Whereupon We were further pleased to acquaint the Lords, that they had lately sent Us a Petition, which carried some show of submission and humility, but was indeed nothing less, wherein they desired, that some might be allowed to come from them to Us, to represent their affairs; which to make Our Subjects of Scotland the more inexcusable, We todl the Lords We had granted, though We had little cause to hope for any good from those that had so much forgotten their duty and allegiance to Us.  
When the Lords had heard the relation of Our Commissioner, We thought fit upon the whole matter to put this question to them, Whether considering the insolency and height of these demands, even concerning civil obedience, it were not fit to reduce them to their duty by force, rather than to give way to these demands, so prejudicial to Us in honour and safety. To this We commanded every one of Our Council to give his answer, and to declare his opinion by vote; which was accordingly done, and they unanimously voted in the affirmative: whereupon soon after We resolved to call a Parliament.  
After this, Our Subjects in Scotland, according to the answer We gave them upon their Petition, having sent up hither four Deputies, viz. the Earl of Dumfermlin, the Lord Lowdon, Sir William Douglas, and Master Berkeley, We were pleased to admit them to Our presence, and to receive Petitions from them, which were after by Our direction subscribed by them; in one of which, they, in the name of the Assembly convened at Edinburgh, gave Us thanks for that We had made known to them, that all matters Ecclesiastical should be determined in free national Assemblies, and matters Civil in Parliaments; and desired Our ratification of the Constitutions of the Assembly, in Parliament: And in the other they desired to be heard before Us, and some of Our Council of both Kingdoms; and that the report made by the Earl of Traquair to Our Council here in England, might be delivered them in writing under his hand; which was a most insolent demand.  
Immediately after this, We thought fit to appoint a special Committee of some of Our Council to hear them, and accordingly gave order to the Earl of Traquair to assign them a day to come to that Committee. They refused to come, alleging that they had order and instructions to treat with none but Ourself: Whereupon We appointed them to attend Us at the Committee, though it were the day of Our appointed remove to Hampton Court, at which time they did attend Us accordingly.  
There the Lord Lowdon made a long speech, the effect whereof was, a Protestation of the independency of the Parliament of Scotland, and that it is subject to no other Judicatory, a profession of their loyalty and affection to Us, and a justification of their proceed in the Assembly and Parliament, as agreeable to the Articles of Pacification, and to the Laws and Practices of that Kingdom; and thereupon a desire that We would ratify and confirm those their proceed, and to that purpose command that the Parliament might proceed freely for the determining of all the Articles delivered in to them, and the establishing of Religion and Peace in the Kingdom, undertaking that whatsoever objections or informations should be made against their proceed in Parliament, if they might receive them in writing, they would make answer to them.  
This discourse ended, We demanded what power and commission they had to give Us satisfaction, and to oblige those from whom they came, seeing if they had none, We should hear them upon great disadvantage, they expecting satisfaction from Us, who have power to give it, but they none to render the like to Us. They answered, that which they should propose, being agreeable to Law, they were confident would give Us satisfaction. We asked who should be Judge of that; They answered the Laws would be so clear, that there should be no need of a Judge; and though We insisted much hereupon, they would give Us no other satisfaction; they avowing they had powers, and would bring them to Us: they were ordered to do so at the next meeting, and so for that time were dismissed.  
After Our return from Hampton Court, they attended Us at the Committee again, where they produced Instructions, signed by some Scottish Lords, and others, persons of no great eminency; which Instructions having been read, were judged by Us (all the Committee concurring in the same opinion) to be no commission, nor that they had any power or authority by them to give Us satisfaction, or to oblige those, from whom they said they came, to any thing that We should yield to, or desire.  
Wherefore We demanding whether they had any other powers, they said they had a paper formerly subscribed by some of the Lords in Parliament, by which the Earl of Dumfermlin and Lord Lowdon only were authorised to come and present their justification to Us, and they could for the present have no other, the Parliament now not sitting. Whereupon We advising seriously with the Committee what were best to be done in this weighty business, and considering that if they should be dismissed without further hearing, they would take occasion to clamour: Although We held Ourself bound neither in Honour nor Justice to hear them any further, they having offered no foundation for an accommodation, nor having power to do it; yet to the end that no colour of sinister construction might be left, and that We might justify Ourself to God and the World, that We have omitted nothing on Our part that might tend to peace, and to the settling of a better intelligence between Us and them, We did resolve, that We would continue to hear them, and make Our objections to such particulars as had been proposed in Parliament; and against which We had just ground of exception, that so it might appear, whether they could give Us that satisfaction which they promised and presumed.  
This We having declared to them, not one of them made show of the least sense of this Our grace and goodness so expressed to them; which the Lord marquis Hammiltoun observing, took occasion of himself to say, that though he were not of their company, yet being a Scottishman, he held himself obliged to acknowledge with all humility this Our singular and Princely favour to his Country, and besought Us to accept his most humble thanks for it. This drew them to do the like, and so they presented their humble thanks to Us on their knees.  
At the next meeting of the Committee, the said Petitioners produced the paper , subscribed by some of the Lords remaining at Edinburgh, as aforesaid, by which the Earl of Dumfermlin and Lord Lowdon only were heretofore authorised to come and present their justification to Us; which paper being read, the whole Committee agreed that the Petitioners had no power by this paper, no more then by the former, to give Us any satisfaction, or to oblige those from whom they came, but only to endeavour to justify themselves, and the former proceed of the Parliament. Of all this We were pleased to give account to Our whole Council of England, who unanimously concurred in opinion with the Committee, that the  papers gave them no power at all. Nevertheless We were contented, according to Our promise, to hear them; and We did make objections to the most exorbitant of their demands: but their answers were very impertinent, and rather justifications of them, than any way satisfactory: Which could not be otherwise, seeing those demands were for the most part so contrary to Law and Monarchical government, that they did answer themselves, as by Our answers to them, formerly set down, more particularly may appear.  
Concerning Our promise of a free Parliament, no man of ordinary sense can imagine We ever intended it should be so free, as not to be limited with their own conditions, subscribed by the Lord Lowdon, which were to enjoy their Religion and Liberties, according to the Ecclesiastical and Civil laws of that Our Kingdom; and if they pass those bounds, as it is evident they have done, We remain dis-obliged, unless they will have Us only obliged, and themselves left at all liberty to fly at Our Monarchical government, without control, to wrest the Sceptre out of Our hand, to rob Our Crown of the fairest flowers belonging to it, and to destroy Our Regal power and authority, as manifestly they have endeavoured to do by their insufferable intended Acts and Demands, contrary to all law and reason.  
If it be further objected, that they assume this liberty by Our allowing of the Covenant, and commanding Our former High Commissioner the Lord marquis of Hamiltoun, and other Our subjects, to subscribe it; the answer is very ready, That there is a great difference between the Covenant and Band subscribed by Our Commandment, and their Band; for that Covenant and Band was made by Our late Father King James of blessed memory, Anno 1580. and obligeth those that swear to it, that they should mutually assist one another, as they should be commanded by the King, or any authorised by him. But this new Band was made without Our consent, and by it they swear mutually to assist one another, not excepting the King, which is indeed a mere cunning combination against the King. Besides, when any have been required to subscribe the Covenant, as the Lord marquis Hamiltoun was, and did, and in that sense which he declared in print, the principal Heads of them did not only refuse it themselves, but dissuaded (as much as in them lay) all Our good subjects from subscribing it, though the Covenant were all one with theirs, and so acknowledged by themselves: whereby it doth evidently appear, that it was not Religion they aimed to secure (as they pretended) for then they would have acquiesced with these Our commands, but merely by adhering to their own Band, to keep Our Subjects in that condition, as they might be always tied, and conceive themselves obliged by Oath to take up Arms against Us whensoever the time should be fit for a total Rebellion; which they have never left endeavouring till they have brought to pass: so that by Our approbation of the old Covenant and Band, or by the subscription of Our Commissioner, they can have no solid foundation to justify their now proceed; and it will hardly appear that ever any Covenant was made in the Christian world (except in cases of Rebellion and Treason, as this is) where the Head was left out, or had not a negative voice.  
Neither can the Earl of Traquair Our High Commissioner his subscription or allowance of the subscribing of the Covenant, be any warrant for their rebellious courses, seeing, as appears by their own Petition to him, they declare, that, Now following the laudable example of their Predecessors, they do humbly supplicate for the same, and that they may be allowed and warranted to subscribe it: which clearly evinces, that what they did before, and of themselves, without warrant of Authority, was neither laudable nor warrantable: As also before the allowing thereof by the said Earl of Traquair, it is acknowledged (as appears by that which is prefixed to his subscription) that it is one and the same Covenant with that of 1580. which, as appears by the Reasons heretofore deduced, will no way infer any ground, or the least shadow of reason for their treasonable combinations, or taking up of Arms against Us, or Our authority, or any denial of Our negative voice.  
Now upon debate of this point at the Council Board, the Lords were of opinion, that until the Petitioners sent from the Covenanters, would acknowledge that the Supreme Magistrate must have authority to call Assemblies, and to dissolve them, and to have a negative voice in them, as is accustomed in all Supreme Powers of Christendom, they ought not to be heard.  
If they shall allege (as they did when they came to the Committee) that their Demands aforesaid were but matters in fieri, and not absolutely resolved nor concluded, it is to be answered, That the impediment was not on their part that they were not concluded: Nay, the Lord Lowdon in his first speech to Us at the Committee, did not only justify their proceed in the Assembly and Parliament, as agreeable to the Articles of Pacification, and to the Laws and practice of that Kingdom, but did desire that We would ratify and confirm those their proceed, and to that purpose command that the Parliament might proceed freely, and determine anent all those Articles delivered in to them: Howsoever, good subjects ought to be wary how they come near the suspicion of Rebellion or Treason, much more how they make Demands that carry with them more than a suspicion of rebellious and treasonable intentions, as these  most manifestly do.  
Now besides the Insolences and Acts of Rebellion and Treason , committed before and in the Assembly and Parliament, We cannot but observe and publish to the world, that their carriage hath been no less exorbitant since the Parliament, and since the coming of their Petitioners hither, then before: for without any Authority or Commission from Us, they have taken upon them to levy and raise forces in several parts of that Our Kingdom, in great numbers, which they have continually exercised and trained, and have assigned them a Rendezvous, and a day to be in a readiness to march.  
They have made provisions of great quantities of Artillery, Munition, and Arms from foreign parts, which they have ready in Magazine to make use of against Us their Sovereign.  
They have of themselves laid taxes and impositions of ten marks in every hundred upon all and every Our Subjects according to their several Revenues, to be levied upon their Estates, for the maintenance of this Rebellion; and this they have exacted with the greatest rigour & tyranny that can be imagined, howsoever they pretend the contribution to be voluntary.  
They have caused to be framed and published, as well in Manuscript as in Print, sundry false, seditious, and scandalous Papers and Pamphlets, concerning Our proceed with them; and amongst others, one entitled, An Information from the Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland to the Kingdom of England, etc. which having come to Our knowledge, We caused it to be read publicly at Our Council Table, and the Lords in detestation thereof became humble suitors to Us, that it might be suppressed by Proclamation, and burnt by the hand of the Hangman; which hath been done accordingly.  
They have refused the Lord Estrick, Governor of Our Castle at Edinburgh, timber and other materials necessary for reparation of the works lately fallen down there, notwithstanding Our express commandment by Our Letters to them upon their Allegiance to furnish him.  
They have committed sundry outrages and violences upon the persons of some of the Garrison at Edinburgh, that came out of the Castle to buy victuals.  
They have begun to raise Works and Fortifications against the said Castle, thereby to block up that Our Royal Fort, and to render it unuseful: And they have fortified sundry other places in that Our Kingdom, and particularly Inchgarrie, where they have mounted divers Pieces of Ordnance.  
They have lately imprisoned the Earl of Southeske one of Our Privy Council, and sundry others of quality, for not adhering to them, and for their fidelity to Us.  
And whereas We have upon sundry occasions signified Our pleasure to the Magistrates of Edinburgh for the performance of such things as have concerned Our service, in stead of yielding obedience, they have made answer, That they have delivered up the power of governing the Town into the hands of the Committee of the pretended Tables, by which they have not only voluntarily disabled themselves to serve Us, but have incurred the guilt of High Treason, by conferring upon any that power of Government which they derive and hold from Us alone, and cannot be resigned to any other without Our special warrant and command.  
But to fill up the measure of their Treasons, they have endeavoured to settle Intelligences in parts beyond the Seas, and practised to let in Foreign power into that Our Kingdom, as We are able to make appear under the hands of some of the chiefest of them; as if the fire, which by their own Rebellions they have already kindled within the bowels of that State, were not sufficient to consume it, unless they added fuel to it from abroad. And herein appears first their malignity to Us their natural Sovereign, in that they had rather prostitute themselves to a Foreign Government, and that such as is different in Religion, then yield conformity to Ours: And then secondly We cannot but take notice that the interests and safety of Ourself and this Our Kingdom of England, are highly concerned herein; For if a Stranger once take footing in those Northern parts, it is not hard to judge how easily he may be invited by such guides as they, and such an entrance as they will readily give him, to draw nearer to this warmer Climate of the South; and then how much the English Nation are likely to be beholding to their Scottish Neighbours for such Inmates, is left to every true English heart sadly to consider, and in time to endeavour to prevent, lest he be overtaken unawares by the mischief which threatens every one in particular, and the whole Nation in general; and yet all this with them is Religion and Laws.  
But because the World shall see that We charge them not but upon very good and sure grounds, We have thought fit to set down here their own Letter: Of which We have given Our good Brother the French King account, being confident he will not assist any Rebels against Us. The Letter follows, with this endorsement, Au Roy, which in France is always understood from those Subjects only to their natural Prince.  
SIRE,  
Vostre Majesté (estant l'asyle & sanctuaire des Princes & Estates affligéz) nous avous trovu necessaire d'envoyer ce Gentilhome le Sieur de Colvil, pour representer a V.M. la candeur & natueté tant de nos actions & procedures, que de nos intentions, lesquelles nous desirons estre gravenes & escrites à tout l'wuivers avec un ray du Soleil, aussy bien qu' a V. M. Nous vous Supplions' doncques treshumblement (Sire) de luy adjouster foy & creance, & a tout ce qu'il dira de nostre part, touchant nous & nos affairs; estans tresasseurés (Sire) d'une assistance esgale a Vostre clemence accoustumeé cydevant, & si souvent monstrée a ceste Nation, laquelle ne cedera la gloire à autre quelconque d'estre eternellement,  
Sire, de V.M. Les treshumbles & tresobeyssants & tresaffectionnés serviteurs, 

Rothes.  
Montrose.  
Leslie.  
Mar.  
Montgomery.  
Loudoun.  
Forrester.    
Englished thus:  
SIR,  
Your Majesty being the refuge and fanctuary of afflicted Princes and States, we have found it necessary to send this Gentleman M. Colvil, to represent unto Your Majesty the candour and ingenuity, as well of our actions and proceed, as of our intentions, which we desire to be engraved and written to the whole World with a beam of the Sun, as well as to Your Majesty. We therefore most humbly beseech You (Sir) to give faith and credit to him, and to all that he shall say on our part, touching us and our affairs, being most assured (Sir) of an assistance equal to Your wont clemency heretofore, and so often showed to this Nation, which will not yield the glory to any other whatsoever to be eternally,  
Sir, Your Majesty's most humble, most obedient, and most affectionate servants, 

Rothes.  
Montrose.  
Lesly.  
Mar.  
Montgomery.  
Loudoun.  
Forrester.    
Now these affronts to Our Government, & dangers to Our State, which have no relation at all to Religion & Law, but in the violation of them both, have necessitated Us to put the forces of this Our Realm in order, and Ourself into a condition to be able (by God's help) to vindicate Our safety and honour against all those, that under pretence of Religion and Law, have already risen, or shall rise up against Us, and to preserve and keep in safety Our good and loyal Subjects, and to take care that the gangrene be cut off before it spread too fare, to the endangering of this Our Kingdom of England. Nevertheless We profess before God and all the World, that We never did, nor ever will hinder them from the enjoying of their Religion and Liberties, according to the Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws of that Our Kingdom, and according to Our promise and their desires, subscribed by themselves at the Pacification; but that We will govern them as a just and religious Prince: In assurance whereof, if they will yet acknowledge their former crimes & exorbitancies, and in an humble and submissive manner, like penitent Delinquents, crave pardon for what is past, and yield obedience for the time to come, they shall still find that We will be more sensible of their Conversion, than We have been of their Rebellions; and that We rather desire their Reformation, than their Destruction. But if they persist in their Rebellious courses, and by that which they call the enjoying of their Religion and Liberties according to the Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws of that Kingdom, will understand nothing but the trampling of Our Crown and Royal Authority under their feet, and the endeavouring to subvert all Laws and Religion, as they have done hitherto by their proceed in the Assembly and Parliament, than We hold Ourselves obliged, in discharge of that duty which We we to God; & the Government which he hath entrusted to Us, to have recourse to Our coercive power, to prevent so many imminent dangers as threaten the public. This We take God to witness We are necessitated to, and shall not undertake without extreme sorrow and reluctation. Nevertheless We trust that God, whose Vicegerent We are, and by whom alone King's reign, being likewise a God of truth, and a severe punisher of all falsehood and imposture, will no longer suffer his glory to be despised and profaned in Our person, by gross Hypocrisy, under the counterfeit habit of Religion, but will arise and scatter His and Our enemies. And for this noble English Nation, whose glory it hath been to have been governed many hundreds of years under a Monarchy, We doubt not but they will, as it becomes loyal and faithful Subjects, continue their affection to Us and Monarchical government, and not suffer themselves to be debauched and betrayed into an Anarchy, by such as envy the happiness they have so long enjoyed, and the many glorious victories which they have achieved, under Kingly government, but following the example of the Lords of Our Council and of Our Servants, will cheerfully assist Us in this Our just cause, wherein Our Honour and Safety, together with theirs, are so highly concerned.  
Our subjects in Ireland, by their late Declaration in Parliament, have not only given Us a considerable supply toward Our present Preparations, to reduce Our disaffected Subjects in Scotland to their due obedience, but have humbly offered Us their persons and estates, even to the uttermost of their abilities for Our future supply, in a Parliamentary way, as Our great occasions (should that distemper continue) shall require. And this they desire may be recorded as an Ordinance of Parliament, and that it may be published in print for a testimony to all the world, and to succeeding ages, of their loyalty and affection to Us, as it well deserves. This is a singular comfort to Us in the midst of these distractions, and We have no cause to doubt but Our Subjects of England, who are nearer to the danger, will show the like tenderness of Our and their own honour and safety, which will be no less contentment to Us, and make Us, as a Father of Our people, take the same care of their preservation and prosperity, that We shall of Our own. And this We assure them in the word of a Prince We shall ever do.   
FINIS.