A PETITION Delivered to the PARLIAMENT of SCOTLAND By the Commissioners of the General Assembly of the Kirk, April 18. 1648. FOR A Right understanding between the Kingdoms, for settling Religion and peace. AND For confirming the Covenant and the Presbyterian Government. With their supplications concerning the King's Majesty. And their demands from the Parliament of ENGLAND.  
April 26. 1648  
Imprimatur  
G. M.  
LONDON, Printed (according to the Copy sent from Edinburgh) by ROBERT IBBITSON in Smithfield, 1648.   

Edinburgh, 18. April, 1648. To the Right Honourable and High Court of Parliament, The humble Petition of the Commissioners of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.  
REligion being of all things the most excellent, as it hath been the principal end of all the undertaking and endeavours of this Nation, so it is the main subject of our thoughts and cares: And we trust is most in the hearts of all the faithful Ministers and godly people throughout the land. As several of their supplications unto your Lordships can make evident, it was from the tender regard we had of this so precious a Jewel, that we did emit a Declaration concerning present dangers, and duties, it was also for our respects thereunto pursuing your Lordship's inclination to an engagement, from which we neither were then, nor now are averse (being first satisfied in the grounds of undertaking, and in the way of the managing of the same, That we did afterwards propound some humble desires unto your Lordships, containing things necessary for a right understanding, and securing of Religion, and preserve the union betwixt the kingdoms) But after long attendance, and most earnest expectation, having received no satisfaction from your Lordships, in these our desires. And perceiving that your Lordship's resolutions are towards an engagement in a War, we do (from no other principle, and intention, than the love of the truth, and the discharge of the trust committed unto us, as the servants of the living God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and dead) entreat and obtest your Lordships, that as you do profess that any undertake which ye now are, or shall be necessitated unto, shall only be for settling of Religion, truth and peace, under his Majesty's Government. So fare concerning our consciences, and all the faithful Ministers and people of God, in both Kingdoms, of the integrity of your intentions, that your Lordships will be pleased to give us satisfaction in all these, or former, just, and necessary desires, and that for the same end, your Lordships will make it appear, that you mean to be so fare from intrusting yourselves in any thing that may put in his Majesty's hands, such power as may not only bring the bygone proceed of both Kingdoms in the League and Covenant in question, but also for the time to come, will void all the authorities of Parliament, though they proceed never so rightly, in reference to Religion and Liberties to the kingdom. And that your Lordships will be pleased to make it manifest that you will be so fare from associating with, or giving trust or countenance to any within the three Kingdoms, who do not swear and subscribe the Solemn League and Covenant; that on the contrary, your Lordships will hold them all for professed Enemies, adversaries, and Malignants, & endeavour to suppress them if they rise in Arms, which we think we may expect with the greater reason and confidence from your Lordships, because ye have resolved to demand of the Parliament of England, that an effectual course be taken by the Houses for enjoining the Covenant to be taken by all the Subjects of the Crown of England, conform to the first Article of the Treaty, and the Declaration of both Kingdoms, in Anno 1643. by which all that would not take the Covenant, was declared to be public enemies to Religion and the Country, and that they are to be censured and punished as professed Adversaries and Malignants. And we trust that while your Lordship's desire of them the performance of duties, contained in the Treaties and Declarations: you will make it appear that you intent to do nothing contrary thereunto. The obligation therein being originally in regard of both, and the performance alike, both conducing for Religion and the Cause.  
And we do humbly entreat that your honours will be pleased to make known to us your resolutions upon the whole matter that we may see there is nothing therein that may cross your Lordship's demands concerning Religion, and be inconsistent with the security thereof, and our desires for the same, And that which shall be thought fitting to be demanded of the Parliament of England, concerning Religion; for rendering the same the more effectual, your Lordship's will at this time solicit His Majesty for His Royal assent thereunto. That His Majesty and all others may know that what you intent in his behalf is with a subordination to those ends, and so His Majesty may be pleased to remove all obstructions on His part, that hinder all the settling of Religion & his Majesty's Government. And being desirous that all means, being first assayed which may prevent the effusion of more Christian blood so fare as is possible. Therefore as the Messengers of peace, we do humbly supplicate that your Lordships will take such course for seeking reparation from the Parliament of England as may be most probable in reason to obtain the same in a peaceable way. And finally, we expect that your Lordships will do nothing that may strengthen the Popish Prelatical, or Malignant Party who are waiting for their day, or that may discourage the Presbyterian Party in England, or render your ways suspicious to them, But your Lordships will employ all the power which God hath put into your hands, for advancing his Honour, and the Kingdom of his Son. Many of your Lordships have been instruments in as glorious a work of Reformation, as any age hath seen, and all of you hath been witnesses thereof: And if any thing shall proceed from you for weakening or defacing thereof, as it will be matter of high provocation against the Lord, so doubtless it will be trouble to your souls, in your latter end, and meet you in the day of your accounts. And if your Lordships shall refuse to hearken to this our supplication, we call God to record, that we have exhonerated ourselves as in his sight, and that we and the Kirke of Scotland, whose trust we discharge in the public affairs thereof, are free of all the guilt that shall follow upon any undertake or resolutions tending to the prejudices of Religion, the Honour and Happiness of the King, and the Union and Peace of the Kingdoms. But we desire to persuade ourselves better things of your Lordships, and that you will give such satisfaction as may encourage us to be a testimony to your Lordships, that your eally intent the settling of Religion and the carrying on of all things in such a way as may contribute for the securing of the same.  
A: KER:  
FINIS.