Good Counsel come from Scotland: OR, A Solemn and Seasonable WARNING To all Estates and Degrees of Persons throughout the Land: For holding fast the League & Covenant with England, and avoiding every thing that may prove a snare and tentation to the breach thereof:  
By the COMMISSIONERS of the General Assembly.  

Edinb. 19 Decemb. 1646.  
THe Commission of the General Assembly Ordains this Warning to be forthwith printed and that thereafter it be sent to Presbyteries; Requiring them, immediately after the receipt thereof, to cause every Minister of their number read the sarne distinctly and explain is to their people upon a Sabbath day in their several Kirks, and that they report account of their diligence with the first conveniency: Appointing in the mean time, that to morrow the same be read in all the Kirks of this City.  
A. Ker.   
EDINBURGH, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1646.   

To the READER.  
REader, Thou hast here presented unto thy view a Warning-piece full of Reason, Honesty, and Piety; not at all savouring or smelling, as if composed, or backed by Episcopal Common-Prayer-book men, or such who peep up for the Covenant, and yet both Anti-Parliament, and Covenant. But in a simplicity of Soul, driving on the same Interest and design first propounded, and yet necessary judiciously to be prosecuted. And though Streams may corrupt through the several Earth's they pass; Honour, or the hopes of it, may catch one, profit another; and the Reins let lose, make the more courser extravagant: Yet see how clear the Fountains are! Here's not, one for this, another for that, a third for neither, but all for one and the main. The Great man's smiles, designs, with hope of reward, hath not warped these Worthies, much less made one run into the extreme of Whimsies on one hand, nor into a way of Bitterness and Gall on the other: but Zeal is mixed with Love, and desire of Union, not urging Uniformity: For increase of which Union shall ever be the Prayer of  
Thine, and the most unworthy of ENGLAND's Servants.   

A Solemn & Seasonable WARNING To all estates and degrees of Persons throughout the Land:  
By the Commissioners of the General Assembly.  
Edinburgh, 17. December. 1646.  
THe conscience of our duty, and of the great trust reposed in us, suffereth us not to be silent▪ nor to connive at the present Dangers which may justly be apprehended and expected from the enemies of this Cause & Covenant; who although they cannot in this conjuncture of time appear in the same manner as formerly they have done, yet having retained the same principles (while they seem to lay aside their former practices) do in a more covert and dangerous way still drive at their own ends: And as Satan is neither sleeping nor idle, though he appear not always as a roaring Lion: so these who are inspired and acted by him, have their wheels still moving, though sometimes they make no great noise. Wherefore, that we may truly and faithfully contribute what is incumbent to us, for preventing or removing any occasions of new troubles or differences between the King and his People, in both or either of those united Kingdoms, or between the Kingdoms themselves: And lest the Church of Christ, and the true Reformed Religion be again tossed with another, and perhaps a greater tempest in the depth, after we seemed to be near the harbour: We have found it, not only competent to our place and calling, but necessary for us (according to former laudable precedents both old and late) to emit this New seasonable Warning to the People of God in this Land, and to all estates and degrees of men therein: Whom we exhort, That first, and above all things, They apply their thoughts to make peace with God, To take notice of the remaining and renewed tokens of divine displeasure against the Land, To tremble at the remembrance of former, and appearances of future judgements, To lament after the Lord, To lie low before the Throne of Grace, To cry mightily to heaven for dispelling that cloud of sin which separateth between our God and us, and for turning away that cloud of wrath which hangeth over our heads. There is cause to be humbled and to repent, as for all our iniquities, So for the too little assistance which hath been given to such as have born the heaviest burden, and suffered most in this Cause; And for the too much compliance with & indulgence to many who have been active in the late execrable Rebellion. We know that none can reach the perfection of their duty, neither will the Lord reckon with his People according to his Justice, but spare them who walk in the integrity of their Spirits, as a man spareth his own son, So that they may rejoice in his mercy, not withstanding of their short. come, wherein they do not allow themselves; But wilful neglects are just grounds of a great controversy on the Lord's part, and of deep humiliation on ours: And we conceive that the sailings of many are such because the Word of the Lord is a burden unto them; And though they walk in the ways of their own heart, yet they say they shall have Peace. We would have none that are thus guilty, to account light of it, and say, Is it not a little one? Every duty whereto we are obliged in the Covenant, is of great consequence, and breaches even in smaller things prove inlets unto more grievous revoltings.  
When we consider how many who were once open opposers, or secret underminers, being received to the Covenant, yet remains disaffected to the ends of the same: We cannot but think that we walk in the midst of shares, & that mysteries of iniquity work amomgst us, which may produce most sad and lamentable effects, unto the prejudice of our Religion and Liberties. Therefore, Because God hath no greater quarrel against a Nation then that of a broken Covenant; Let all who fear an oath, remember the vows of God which are upon them, Watch and Pray, and take good heed that they be not cheated nor charmed into a violation of all, or any of the Articles of that sacred and Solemn League and Covenant: And let these especially be observed and avoided, who do, or shall endeavour a division and breach between the Kingdoms, or the making of any factions or parties contrary to the Covenant, under pretence of preserving the King and his Authority, whilst they do not constantly and sincerely prosecute and press our frequent desires of His subscribing the League & Covenant, & giving satisfaction in all things to the just desires of both Kingdoms; Which underhand dealing can prove nothing else, but an abusing of His Majesty for men's own designs: We wish that none suffer themselves to be deceived by any false glosses of the Covenant, under which some may possibly urge the keeping of it, so as to draw us into a certain breach thereof, and press the defence of the King's Authority and of Religion, to engage us in those ways that would tend to the ruin of both: We are not now to press the want of full satisfaction in the much desired work of Uniformity, as the ground of a breach between the Nations; Though we still conceive, this Nation will never be wanting to prosecute that work to the untermost of their power in all lawful ways, according to the League and Covenant  
These Kingdoms after many fervent Supplications & faithful endeavours of all the Lovers of Truth & Peace, have been happily united into a League and Covenant, which to this day hath been kept inviolably notwithstanding of all the opposition of open Enemies, and plotting of secret underminers; And we are confident, that none but such as have hearts full of Atheism and Treathery, will attempt the violation thereof, in whole, or in part; And that if any shall do the same, They shall expose themselves to the Curse of Almighty God, who will be avenged upon all that Swear falsely by his Name. We know that men of perverse minds, wanting the fear of God, and measuring all things by their own ends, may conceive of it as alterable, or at least that all the Clauses or Heads thereof are not so to be stuck upon, but that some one or more may be dispensed with upon civil advantages: But we have not so learned Christ or his Word; Both Nations have Covenanted with God, and each of them with another, in things most lawful and necessary for the preservation and good of both, without any limitation of time: And therefore we and our posterity are obliged before God unto the observation thereof, as long as the Sun and Moon shall endure. The sense of these things ought to be so deeply engraven upon the hearts of all that are in trust, That as they should from their souls abhor every thought of a breach with England; So should they carefully and wisely study to avoid every thing that may prove a snare & tentation unto the same. Amongst other things, If His shall have thoughts of coming to this Kingdom at this time, he not having as yet subscribed the League and Covenant, nor satisfied the lawful desires of his loyal Subjects in both Nations, We have just cause to fear that the consequences of it may be very dangerous, both to his Majesty and these Kingdoms; Which therefore we desire may be timely prevented.  
For so long as his Majesty doth not approve in his heart, and seal with his hand the League and Covenant, we cannot but apprehend, that according to his former Principles, he will walk in opposition to the same, and study to draw us unto the violation thereof, and the dissolution of the union so happily begun between us and our Brethren, To weaken the Confidence and trust, and to entertain Jealousies, and make divisions amongst ourselves; Neither is it possible, But that our receiving Him in this present posture of affairs, will confirm the suspicions of the English Nation, of our underhand dealing with him before his coming to our Army; And make them, not without cause, to think, That We purpose to dispose of him without their consent, and to their prejudice, Which is contrary to the Profession of these that were in trust at His Majesty's first coming to the Scots Quarters, and overthroweth all the Arguments that have been used by the Commissioners of our Parliament in their Papers concerning The disposing of His Majesty's Person by the joint advice and common consent of both Kingdoms given in to both Houses of Parliament in England; Nor do we see how we can vindicate such a practice from a direct breach of our engagements to them by Covenant and Treaty, Which where not only to expose us into the hazard of a Bloody War, but to involve us in the guilt of Perjury. And what greater disservice could be done to His Majesty and his Posterity, then to give way to a course that might prove prejudicial to their interest in the Crown and Kingdom of England.  
Our carriage now for many years past, in the midst of many tentations, hath put us beyond all suspicion in the point of our Loyalty, nor have we the least thoughts of deserting the King's Majesty in a just and good cause; Being bound by our Covenant in our several vocations to endeavour with our estates and Lives, to preserve and defend His Person and Authority, in the defence and preservation of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms; And so fare as His Majesty shall be for these, We really are, and we trust the rest of his Kingdom will be for him: Yet we cannot deny, but openly avouch it, That if His Majesty (which the Lord forbidden) shall not satisfy the just desires of His People, Both Nations stands mutually obliged by that inviolable Covenant to pursue the ends therein expressed (which cannot be divided) against all lets and impediments whatsoever. It is therefore our most earnest and longing desire, That as these who are in trust with the public affairs of this Kingdom have heretofore with all earnestness & care in all their addresses dealt with His Majesty, with much strength of reason and vehemency of affection, so they would still deal with him, to grant his Royal consent to the desires of both Kingdoms, for settling Religion according to the Covenant, and for securing a perfect and durable Peace (which we look upon as the only hopeful means of preserving himself, His Crown and Posterity) That His Majesty may return to His Houses of Parliament in England as a reconciled Prince, to satisfied Subjects; And that acclamations of joy may be heard in all His Majesty's Dominions, and no sound of War heard therein any more, except against the bloody Irish Rebels, under whose barbarous and cruel persecution, our distressed Brethren, both in this Kingdom and in Ireland, are still groaning and crying out to us and to our Brethren in England, Be at peace among yourselves, and come to help us.  
A. Ker.   

Some Queries propounded by the Parliament of Scotland, to the Ministers that are Commissioners from the General Assembly.  
If the King shall come into this Kingdom, and that the Kingdom of England shall exclude him from the Government there, for his leaving them without granting the Propositions; Whether or not is will be lawful to this Kingdom to assist him for the recovery of the Government, he not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant, and not giving a satisfactory Answer in the remnant Propositions?  

The Ministers answer.  
The Quarie presupposeth the King's coming into this Kingdom, which case (for the Reasons expressed in our late Warning) we humbly conceive should not be put in the Question, and therefore desires your Lordships to go about all means for the present prevention of it, as a matter of most dangerous consequence to Religion, the Kirk and Kingdom, and to the King himself and his Posterity:  
But if the question be stated simply, without supposing such a Case. in these terms, If the King be excluded from Government in England, for not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant, and for not giving satisfactory answer to the remnant Propositions: whether in that case it be Lawful to this Kingdom to assist him for the recovery of the Government, or if it be not lawful? (being put to it) We cannot but answer, in regard of the engagements of this Kingdom by Covenant and Treaty, Negative.  
If there be any other Votes said to come from Scotland, the Reader may choose to believe them.  
FINIS.