A Brief NARRATION OF THE Carriage and Success OF THE ENGLISH AFFAIRS, in the hands of the COMMISSIONERS FOR SCOTLAND.  
SIR,  
WHereas the love and wisdom of Parliament, foresaw that the Malignant humours of this Church and Kingdom, were very unlikely if not impossible to be removed without some Northern Physic and their resolution, and necessity had wrought through those manifold difficulties and oppositions which were continually made to the calling in their assistance; You remember they appointed Commissioners, Lords, and Commons, furnished with Instructions, to the better expediting so weighty an affair, and joined two Ministers of good worth and ability to be assistant to them in any thing that might concern the Ecclesiastical part of the Negotiation; who undertook their journey from London, july 20. and lay at Gravesend to 22. From thence came to Yarmouth, where they were stopped two or three days by contrary winds, but were by God's providence released, August 1. and arrived at Leith, August 7. Where they were nobly and courteously received by the Earl of Lindsey, and Sir Archibald johnston, who conveyed them from thence to Edinburgh that night, where they received all respect due to their persons and employment; But a little time served for compliment, when a business of no less consequence quence then the preservation of Religion and liberty in three Kingdoms was to be propounded; They made therefore speedy addresses to the Assembly and convention of Estates, who respectively appointed Committees to treat with them of what they had in command from the Parliament of England; Our Commissioners according to their Instructions pressed upon them a firm Union and speedy assistance, a good lesson taught us by ill masters, the Papists and Prelates, who are incorporate to the danger of Protestant Religion and Civil Liberty: And though they omitted no time, yet when by Mr Robert Meldrum a faithful Agent, they received the sad letters from England of the surrender of Bristol, with the causes and consequents, they thought fit to add double diligence, and accordingly with more earnestness they applied themselves. The Assembly and Convention, equally sympathising that condition, though the best means for the accomplishing and expediting this union and assistance, to be a solemn mutual Covenant into which both Nations should enter; and therefore offered that one might be drawn by the mutual approbation of the English Commissioners, and the Scottish Committees, which was accordingly done August. 15. Which though at first it seemed a hard morsel, yet it pleased God to frame the spirits of them that were employed, to that Christian condescension and selfe-deniall, (which God usually makes the foundation of every great work) that those rubs were quickly removed and the form agreed on that night, which ought not to be attributed to any slightness or suddenness in a matter of so great concernment; but to their diligence and apprehension of the present necessity of the business. And let none wonder that this way of Christian Association was pitched upon, which though at the first view it speaks delay, yet it really means expedition; in that that prudent Nation hath experience, that they shall be able, upon a mutual consent thereto, to do more in a week toward the accomplishment of our desires, then in a month without it, as their experience in their late troubles made apparent; where God did miraculously bless that Nation in this way. And further, it cannot be thought unfit that so religious a work should have a religious foundation, nor unreasonable, that when the thing to be undertaken is so full of difficulty and hazard, the undertakers should be obliged in the most strict and inviolable bands, especially in this revolting and backsliding age: and our advantage, and the advantage of the Cause cannot be small, thereby considering that after this mutual obligement, we have not only an assurance of a present auxiliary, but at all times of whatsoever the power and prudence of that Nation can contribute to the maintenance of Religion and Liberty. The Covenant being upon these o● the like grounds agreed to, it was propounded to the Assembly by the Reverend Mr Alexander Henderson the Moderator, who carried the business of that day with singular discretion and affection, and after a little demur cast in by the King's Commissioner, (which gave occasion to the mention, and so to the denial, of a negative voice to his Majesty in that Assembly,) the Noblemen and Ministers were required to give their resolutions concerning it: and here I must beg excuse, neither mine nor any pen is able to reach that abundant alacrity and Christian affection wherewith their several votes were delivered for the affirmative, without any contradiction but what was mentioned. And though the thing itself, scil. the passing such a Covenant, be of moment, yet I confess the circumstances of it wrought more upon me, even those impressions which I hope were made by the same spirit that guided them; so that I should not doubt to say, the special hand of God was in the business: and unless we be wanting to ourselves, I hope we may reap in joy what they sowed in tears, and that the work of that day, though it may and must, as every great work in which God delights to be most seen, receive several checks & interruptions, will not be quashd, will reach Spain and Rome itself in due time. And as I am certainly informed, by (a person whom, for honour sake, in regard of his faithful industry in the cause of God I mention) Sir Archibald johnston, at the Convention of Estates it received the like unanimous and affectionate approbation that same might, who likewise backed it with the draught of a Proclamation to put the whole Kingdom in a posture of defence, and commanding them to provide themselves of Arms, and to be ready at the time and place appointed them. And thus this memorable 17 of August ended; on the 18. it was dispatched by a Messenger, to whom the Commissioners gave credit for England, and was brought hither, Aug. 25. and presented to the Parliament, August 26. And thus is your own business brought to your own doors, where I hope it will not long lie, though I cannot doubt but it will meet with manifold opposition in regard that the Popish and Prelatical faction, and men that are so deeply afraid of the Word of God and a Government according to it, know that though they may cheaply contemn English Votes and Vows, which they see many among us who yet challenge titles of honour, can dispense with; yet a Scottish Covenant carries strength and resolution with it, and hath already proved fatal to the Hierarchy. For my own part I will not dissemble my apprehensions in this business, and they are these, That though we are extreme unhappy, that our Nation should have so much corruption as that by its natural strength it could not work it out, and that so many among us should be so industrious in making a grave for their own Religion and Liberty, which yet may prove their own, and this their Epitaph: Hic jacent & jaceant sine spe resurgendi Libertatis, tam Christianae, quam Civilis.  
Yet we are happy that we have met with friends, who so cordially resent our dangers and miseries, and may be so fit a counterpoise to the French, Spaniards, Walloons, gebal, Ammon and Amalek, that are received amongst us, and confederate against us. Let not any man's thoughts murmur when I say Cordial resentment, I confess, and do this public penance, that I went with a prejudice, and expected the fullfilling of my apprehensions as much as my desires, but find myself happily deceived; for though They do as every wise man will, take in their own interest, and after conscience hath had its due and supreme work, make use of their best prudence for the compassing lawful ends; yet I am persuaded that God and Religion and true brotherly affection to this Nation, have the upper hand in their thoughts and undertake for this business: And God hath seemed to frame them as those fit instruments which shall begin to execute the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple. And let no man prejudice himself or them, and say, instead of helpers we shall have Masters, and they will have too strong an influence into our Religion and Liberty. When as it will be found in that offered Covenant, that they intent not the least confusion betwixt the Kingdoms and Churches, though the nearest conjunction, but to maintain the respective liberties and privileges of both Nations, and press nothing but what ourselves have propounded, The word of God as the rule of our and their reformation. And here I can not omit a passage full of meekness and wisdom that fell from a considerable man among them for piety and Learning, Let Scotland help to reform England, and England, Scotland. God hath edged the spirits of the Scottish Nation more against Popery, Prelacy and Superstition, than the English, let us help to rid you of them, and mutually receive from you that assistance which may be requisite to advancing the purity and power of godliness among us both.  
It need not be doubted but if we forsake not our own mercy God hath stretched out a hand to us to draw us out of the mire both of corruption & confusion in which we are, let every one therefore in his place study to promote this promising union, which it is hoped may in time be an example and encouragement to other Protestant Churches to join them thereto, to the enlargement and establishment of the Kingdom of Christ, and the disappointment and destruction of his and our Enemies. God hath begun by them, He is our Rock, and his way is perfect. If therefore any proposition be made to you concerning money for the levying and conducting these Forces, let us not keep it to perish with us. I believe the desire will be modest, and enforced by that necessity which we have been constrained to bring upon them by the expense they have been put to in the maintenance of the Irish Army to which we are so deeply engaged. I hope I may safely say, they seek not yours, but you and their own. Since therefore they that are reasonably well skilled in computation of our English affairs, judge it impossible, without a Miracle, to accomplish a Reformation, scarcely a preservation without out them; let us all strive with earnestness and expedition to promote this present hopeful service, lest hereafter upon the return of our calamity, which in this sea of misery that overspreads us, is like again to flow upon us, it be said of us, We had a Price in our hands. And so I beseech God who hath hitherto appeared in this business, to go on to order and expedite it to the glory of his Name, the establishment, reformation and propagation of true Religion, the preservation and improvement of liberty, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.   
FINIS.  

Printed at London for Samuel Gellibrand, at the Brazen Serpent in Paul's Churchyard, 1643.