A TRUE COPY OF THE Humble Desires OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY March 22. Presented by them to the Parliament of Scotland With their ANSWER March 27. 1648.  
Together with a humble Representation of the sense of the Commissioners of the General Assembly to the honourable Estates of Parliament upon their Lordship's Answer, March 29.  
As also the last Answer of the Assembly to the Parliaments Paper, March 31. 1648.  
London, Printed for Robert Bostock, and are to sold at his shop at the King's head in Paul's Churchyard. 1648.   

Edinb. 22ᵒ Martii 1648. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Estates of Parliament. THE HUMBLE DESIRES OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.  
WHereas we were desired to appoint a Conference with some of your Lordships which did go on towards an agreement till it was obstructed by a Vote of Parliament of the 16. of this Instant; And having already shown by your Papers of the 17. and 20. the reasons of our not proceeding in that Conference, and that the cause was not in us, We do now as the servants of Jesus Christ, for our own exoneration, for preventing of mistakes, and for a clear understanding between your Lordships and us, represent these our humble desires which we recommend to your Lordship's serious thoughts.  
First, That the grounds and causes of undertaking a War may be cleared to be so just, as that all, who are well-affected, may be satisfied in the lawfulness and necessity of the engagement, and that nothing be acted in reference to a War, before the lawfulness of the War and state of the question be agreed upon.  
2. That as the breaches of the Covenant, by the prevalent party of Sectaries in England, are evident, so we desire and hope that according to the Treaties, it may be condescended upon and declared by the Parliament, what are those breaches of Peace which they take to be a ground of War, and that reparation thereof may be sought.  
3. That there may be no such quarrel or ground of the War, as may break the Union between the Kingdoms, or may discourage or disoblige the Presbyterian party in England who continue firm in adhering to the League and Covenant.  
4. That if the Popish, Prelatical or Malignant party shall again rise in Arms, this Nation and their Armies may be so far from joining or associating with them, that on the contrary, they may oppose them and endeavour to suppress them as enemies to the Cause and Covenant on the one hand, as well as Sectaries on the other.  
5. Seeing your Lordship's undertake should be in the first place for Religion, we desire that his Majesty's late concessions and offers concerning Religion, as they have been by the Church, so may be by the Parliament declared unsatisfactory, whereby your Lordships may give further evidence of the reality of your intentions for the good and safety of Religion.  
6. That your Lordships may be pleased not to fix or settle upon any such state of a question as doth not contain security and assurance to be had from his Majesty by his solemn oath un●● his hand and seal; That he shall for himself and his successors consent and agree to Acts of Parliament enjoining the League and Covenant, and fully establishing Presbyterian Government, Directory of Worship, and Confession of Faith in all his Majesty's Dominions; And that his Majesty shall never make any opposition to any of these or endeavour any change thereof; and that this security be had from his Majesty before his restitution to the exercise of his royal power, which desire we propone for no other end, but because we cannot see how Religion, which hath been, and we trust shall be the principal end of all the undertake of this Nation, can be otherwise secured, but that without this security it shall be left in very great hazard.  
7. That for the same end of securing Religion, (which is professed to be the principal cause of engagement) and for securing all the other ends of the Covenant, such persons only may be entrusted by your Lordships to be of your Committees, or Armies, as have given constant proof of their integrity and faithfulness in this cause, and against whom there is no just cause of exception or jealousy; that so we may the more confidently encourage our flocks and Congregations to follow the cause of God in their hands, and not to doubt of the fidelity of these who shall be entrusted by your Lordships.  
8. That there be no Engagement without a solemn Oath, wherein the Kirk may have the same interest which they had in the solemn League and Covenant, the cause being the same.  
All which desires, being duly pondered by your Lordships in an equal balance, will, we trust, be found just and necessary; And we do not doubt but satisfaction from your Lordships therein may be a happy and effectual means for facilitating the state of the question, and for uniting the Nation in an unanimous undertaking of such duties as are requisite for the reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and happiness of the King, the good, peace and safety of the Kingdoms.   

Edinb. 27ᵒ March 1648. An Answer of Parliament to the desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly represented by them to the Parliament.  

I.  
THe Estates of Parliament, now convened in this first Session of the second Triennial Parliament, having considered the desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly represented to them, They, after full debate and consideration concerning the same, for Answer to the first desire, etc. Declares, That the grounds and causes of undertaking of war shall be cleared to be so just, as that all, who are well-effected, may be satisfied in the lawfulness and necessity of the Engagement: And declares, that they will be very careful, that nothing be acted in reference to a war, during the conference, and until the same be reported to the Parliament.   

II.  
Item, For Answer to the second desire; The Estates of Parliament think it fit, That the breaches of the Covenant and Treaties be represented, and the seeking of reparation, and the best time and manner thereof considered; and appoint the Committee of 24, or such of their number as they shall appoint, to do the same.   

III.  
Item, For Answer to the third desire, declares, that this Kingdom will be so far from making war against the Kingdom of England, That any engagement they shall enter into, shall be for strengthening the union between the Kingdoms, and for encouraging the Presbyterians, and well-affected in England.   

iv  
Item, To the fourth desire; The Estates of Parliament agree to the substance and matter of the fourth desire, and remit to these, who are to be upon the Conference for stating the Question, to explain the same.   

V  
Item, To the fift desire, declares, That upon the agreement on the whole matter and state of the question, they will declare his Majesty's Concessions concerning Religion not to be satisfactory.   

VI  
Item, To the sixth desire, declares, That since Religion hath been, and they trust ever shall be, the principal end of all the undertake of this Kingdom; so they will be careful, that the present Question to be stated shall contain security and assurance to be had from His Majesty, by his solemn oath under his hand and seal, that he shall for himself, and for his Successors, give his Royal Consent to pass Acts of Parliament, enjoining the League and Covenant, establishing Presbyterial Government, the Directory of Worship, and Confession of Faith in all His Majesty's Dominions; and that His Majesty shall never make opposition to any of these, nor endeavour any change thereof. And as to that Clause, viz. That this security be had from His Majesty before his Restitution to the exercise of his Royal Power: The Estates of Parliament remits this to these on the Conference, and who shall be appointed for drawing up the state of the Question, to find out some more smooth expressions in place thereof with the like security to Religion.   

VII.  
Item, To the seventh desire; That they will be careful that none shall be employed in the command of their Armies, nor in their Committees, but such as are of known integrity and affection to the cause, and against whom there is no just cause of exception.   

VIII.  
Item, To the eighth Article or desire; The Estates of Parliament declare, That to the grounds of their Engagement and undertaking, an oath shall be subjoined, wherein both in the framing of it, and other wise, the Church shall have their due interest. And the Estates of Parliament desire the Commissioners of the Church to appoint some of their number to meet with such of that Committee of Parliament of 24. as shall be appointed by the same Committee for the conference and stating of the Question, for agreeing upon the grounds of an Engagement, and drawing up such a state of a Question, as may unite this Nation in an unanimous undertaking of such duties as are requsite for the Reformation and defence of Religion; the safety, honour and happiness of the King, and his Posterity; and the good of this Kingdom. Extract. Sic Subscribitur, Alexander Gibson Cl. Reg.    

Edinb. 29 Martii, 1648. An humble Representation of the sense of the Commissioners of the General Assembly, To the honourable Estates of Parliament, upon their Lordship's Answer to the Eight Desires lately presented to their Lordships.  
HAving received yesterday the Answer of the honourable Estates of Parliament to our late Desires presented to their Lordships upon the 22 of this instant; we did immediately take to our consideration the particular Answers given thereunto. And now, without any longer delay, do humbly represent to their Honours our sense of the particulars.  
1. As to the Answer of the first Desire, we conceive that notwithstanding any thing expressed in your Lordship's Answer, there may be an acting in reference to a War, before the lawfulness of the War and the state of the Question be agreed upon; which is the very thing we did desire to be avoided.  
2. In the Answer to our second Desire, we neither find any breaches of Peace between the Kingdoms which may be a ground of War condescended upon, nor any positive resolution of the Parliament to seek reparation thereof according to the Treaties; yet both these were desired by us.  
3. In the Answer to the third Desire, in stead of that clause of the Desire, The Presbyterian party in England, who continue firm in adhering to the League and Covenant, we find this change of expression in the Answer, The Presbyterians and well-affected in England; which, as the words stand, may intimate and suppose that there are some well-affected in England which are not of the Presbyterian party, nor do adhere to the League and Covenant.  
4. Our fourth Desire, for not joining or associating with the Popish, Prelatical, or Malignant party if they shall again rise in Arms, and that it may be endeavoured to suppress them as enemies to the Cause and Covenant on the one hand, as well as Sectaries on the other, being so just in itself, so consonant to the former principles and professions of this Kirk and Kingdom since their first engagement in this Cause, and being also as clear both in the matter and expression as the Covenant, Treaties and Declarations of both Kingdoms; we cannot conceive wherein it needs explanation, or what doubt or scruple can be made concerning it as it stands, unless there be now some more favourable and friendly intentions towards the Malignant party then formerly, which we pray the Lord to avert. And although it is too manifest that some plead for Malignants, as if they were to be joined with as friends, rather than avoided as enemies to the Cause (whereof we have spoken more fully in our late Declaration) yet we trust that any such design is and shall be far from the thoughts and intentions of the honourable Court of Parliament.  
5. Touching the fifth, as your Lordship's Answer seems to suppose his Majesty's late concessions concerning Religion not to be satisfactory; so these concessions being so prejudicial to the Cause and Covenant, we wish your Lordships had been pleased to declare against them, both positively, without any condition; and presently, without any delay.  
6. In the Answer to the sixth Desire, as there is much said in the first part for security of Religion to be had from his Majesty; so that clause, viz. That this security be had from his Majesty before his restitution to the exercise of his Royal power, not being agreed to by your Lordships, but rather laid aside until some smother expressions be found out, we are left unsatisfied in that which is the main of that Desire, and cannot be assured of any security expressed in the first part of your Lordship's Answer. If your Lordships had been pleased to condescend upon another expression containing as good and as real security for Religion, we should have acquiesced therein, without sticking upon words: but there being no other expression yet condescended upon, and that clause of ours (without which the whole Desire is left uncertain) laid aside for the present, we cannot find ourselves therein satisfied as yet.  
7. The Answer to the seventh Desire concerning such as are to be trusted in Armies and Committees, doth omit some of the qualifications expressed in our Desire; viz. Such as have given constant proof of their integrity and faithfulness in this Cause, and against whom there is no just cause of jealousy; that so we may the more confidently encourage our flocks to follow the Cause of God in their hands, and not to doubt of their fidelity: which qualifications being contained in our Desires, and omitted in your Lordship's Answer, we are not without fears that this omission may be made use of by some, as if your Lordships had not meant to agree fully to that Desire, and so take occasion to deal for employing and intrusting such in the Committees and Armies as may be justly excluded by the qualifications contained in our said Desire.  
8. In the Answer to the last Desire, in stead of that clear expression used by us, namely, That the Kirk may have the same interest in any Oath for a new engagement, which they had in the Solemn League and Covenant, we find this doubtful and uncertain expression, That both in the framing of the Oath, and otherwise, the Kirk shall have their due interest. Which difference of your Lordship's expression from ours, may also be interpreted by some, as if the Kirk had assumed more interest in the League and Covenant than was due unto them.  
Upon these and the like considerations, we humbly conceive that our Desires, unto which we still adhere as just and necessary, are not satisfied by your Lordship's Answer. And without clear satisfaction in these Desires, we find it not safe to appoint a Conference for agreeing upon the state of a Question for War. Yet if your Lordships had desired or do desire further conference with some of our number for satisfaction of our  Desires, we should have yielded, and yet shall willingly yield thereunto. And as the present want of satisfaction in these Desires doth retard and hinder our proceed towards an agreement upon the state of a Question: so we are still confident that a real and clear satisfaction to the said Desires, may be a happy and effectual means for facilitating the state of the Question, and for uniting this Nation in an unanimous undertaking of such duties as are requisite for the reformation and defence of Religion, the safety, honour and happiness of the King and his Posterity, and the good, peace and safety of the Kingdoms.  
Subscr. A. Ker.   

Edinb. penult. Martii, 1648. The Answer to the Parliaments Paper.  
THe Commissioners of the Assembly having this day received a Paper from the honourable Estates of Parliament desiring a Conference upon our late Desires, and the Parliaments Answer given thereunto, and also upon the state of the Question and whole matter, Do humbly return this Answer:  
That as we have been, so we are still willing to appoint a Conference upon the Eight Desires lately presented to your Lordships, and upon the unsatisfactoriness of your Lordships Answer thereunto: and if your Lordships shall yet be pleased to give real and clear satisfaction to our said Desires, we shall immediately thereupon appoint some of our number to confer with a Committee of Parliament upon the state of the Question. This insisting upon satisfaction to our Desires, before we appoint a Conference upon the state of the Question, doth not proceed from any peremptoriness about words or things of small moment, nor from any partiality or self-interest, nor from any inclination to stretch ourselves beyond our line, nor from intention to obstruct any lawful endeavours, either for preserving Monarchical Government in the King's Majesty and his Posterity, or for opposing and suppressing of Sectaries; our record is in heaven, we abhor and detest all such ways: But our real purpose is to keep ourselves so free, that in an implicit way we consent not to, nor concur in stating of a Question of War, before we see the safety and security of Religion sufficiently provided for; being tender of the great trust committed to us, as the servants of Jesus Christ, and officers of his Kingdom, for preserving the precious jewel of Religion, which ought to be as well to your Lordships as to us, above all worldly interests.  
Subscr. A. Ker.  
FINIS.