Lieut: General Cromwel's LETTER TO The Honourable William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons, CONCERNING His last Proceed in the Kingdom of Scotland, in order to the establishment of a firm and lasting Peace between the two Nations: All the Enemy's Forces there being Disbanded.  
With another LETTER from the Lieutenant General to the Committee of Estates, Representing the great Damage the Kingdom of England hath received from that Kingdom by the late Invasion.  
And the Committee of Estates ANSWER thereunto.  
Together With A DECLARATION of their Proceed in opposition to the late unlawful Engagement against ENGLAND.  

ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That these Letters, Answer and Declaration be forthwith printed and published.  
H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the Honourable House of Commons, Octob. 19 1648.   

For the Honourable, William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons.  
SIR,  
IN my last, wherein I gave you an account of my dispatch of Col: Bright to Carlisle after the Rendition of Berwick, I acquainted you with my intentions to go to the headquarters of my Horse at the Earl of Wyntons', within six miles of Edinburgh, that from thence I might represent to the Committee of Estates, what I had further to desire in your behalf. The next day after I came thither, I received an Invitation from the Committee of Estates to come to Edinburgh, they sending to me the Lord Kircudbright and Major Gen. Holborn for that purpose, with whom I went the same day, being Wednesday 4. of this instant Octob. We fell into consideration what was fit further to insist upon, and being sensible that the late Agreement between the Committee of Estates and the Earls of Crawford, Glencarn and Lanerick, did not sufficiently answer my Instructions, which was, To disinable them from being in power to raise new Troubles to England; therefore I held it my duty, not to be satisfied only with the disbanding of them, but considering their power and Interest, I thought it necessary to demand concerning them and all their Abettors, according to the Contents of the Paper here enclosed; wherein (having received that very day your Votes for giving them further assistance) I did in the close thereof acquaint them therewith; reserving such further satisfaction to be given by the Kingdom of Scotland, as the Parliament of England should in their wisdom see cause to desire. The Committee of Estates sent the Earl of Cassils', L. Warriston, and two Gentlemen more to me, to receive what I had to offer unto them, which upon Thursday I delivered: Upon Friday I received by the said persons this enclosed Answer, which is the original itself. Having proceeded thus far as a Soldier, and I trust by the blessing of God not to your disservice; and having laid the business before you, I pray God direct you to do further as may be for his glory, the good of the Nation wherewith you are entrusted, and the comfort and encouragement of the Saints of God in both Kingdoms and all the world over. I do think the Affairs of Scotland are in a thriving posture, as to the Interest of honest men, and like to be a better Neighbour to you now, then when the great pretenders to Covenant, Religion and Treaties (I mean D Hamilton, the Earls of Lauderdale, Traquair, Carnegy, and their Confederates had the power in their hands; I dare say, that that party, with their pretences, had not only through the treachery of some in England (who have cause to blush) endangered the whole State and kingdom of England, but also brought Scotland into such a condition, as that no honest man that had the fear of God, or a Conscience of Religion, the Just ends of the Covenant and Treaties, could have a being in that kingdom: But God, who is not to be mocked or deceived, and is very jealous when his Name and Religion are made use of to carry on impious Designs, hath taken vengeance of such profanity, even to astonishment and admiration; And I wish from the bottom of my heart, it may cause all to tremble and repent (who have practised the like to the Blaspheming of his Name, and the destruction of his people) so as they may never presume to do the like again; and I think it is not unseasonable for me to take the humble boldness to say thus much at this time.  
All the Enemy's Forces in Scotland are now disbanded; the Committee of Estates have declared against all of that parties sitting in Parliament; good Elections are made in divers places, of such as dissented from, & opposed the late wicked Engagement; and they are now raising a force of about 4000 Horse and Foot, which until they can complete, they have desired me to leave them two Regiments of Horse, and two Troops of Dragoons; which accordingly I have resolved, conceiving I have warrant by your late Votes so to do, and have left Major Gen. Lambert to Command them. I have received, and so have the Officers with me, many Honours and Civilities from the Committee of Estates, the City of Edinburgh, and Ministers, with a Noble Entertainment, which we may not own as done to us, but as your Servants. I am now marching towards Carlisle; and I shall give you such further accounts of your Affairs as there shall be occasion. I am, Sir,  
Your humble Servant, O. CROMWELL. Dalhousie, 9 Octob. 1648.   

The Lieutenant General's Letter to the Committee of Estates of SCOTLAND.  
Right Honourable,  
I Shall ever be ready to bear witness of your Lordship's forwardness to do right to the Kingdom of England, in restoring the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle; and having received so good a pledge of your Resolutions to maintain Amity and a good Understanding between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, it makes me not to doubt, but that your Lordships will further grant what in Justice and Reason may be demanded: I can assure your Lordships, That the Kingdom of England did foresee that wicked Design of the Malignants in Scotland, to break all Engagements of Faith and Honesty between the Nations, and to take from the Kingdom of England the Towns of Berwick and Carlisle: And although they could have prevented the loss of those considerable Towns without breach of the Treaty, by laying Forces near unto them; yet such was the tenderness of the Parliament of England, not to give the least suspicion of a breach with the Kingdom of Scotland, that they did forbear to do any thing therein: And it is not unknown to your Lordships, when the Malignants had gotten the power of your Kingdom, how they protected and employed our English Malignants, though demanded by our Parliament, and possessed themselves of those Towns; and with what violence and unheard of Cruelties they raised an Army, and began a War, and invaded the kingdom of England, and endeavoured to the uttermost of their power, to engage both kingdoms in a perpetual Quarrel; and what blood they have spilt in our kingdom, and what great loss & prejudice was brought upon our Nation, even to the endangering the total ruin thereof: And although God did by a most mighty and strong hand, and that in a wonderful manner destroy their Designs; yet it is apparent, that the same illaffected Spirit still remains, and that there are divers persons of great quality and power, who were either the Contrivers, Actors or Abettors of the late unjust War made upon the kingdom of England, now in Scotland, who undoubtedly do watch for all advantages and opportunities to raise dissensions and divisions between the Nations: Now forasmuch as I am Commanded to prosecute the remaining part of the Army that invaded the Kingdom of England wheresoever it should go, to prevent the like miseries; and considering that divers of that Army are retired into Scotland, and that some of the heads of those Malignants were raising new Forces in Scotland to carry on the same Design, and that they will certainly be ready to do the like upon all occasions of advantage; and forasmuch as the Kingdom of England hath lately received so great damage by the failing of the Kingdom of Scotland, in not suppressing Malignants and Incendiaries as they ought to have done, and by suffering such persons to be put into places of great Trust in the Kingdom, who by their Interest in the Parliament and Countries, brought the Kingdom of Scotland so far as they could, by an unjust Engagement to invade and make War upon their Brethren of England. My Lords, I hold myself obliged, in prosecution of my Duty and Instructions, to demand, That your Lordships will give assurance in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland, that you will not admit or suffer any who have been active in, or consenting to the said Engagement against England, or have lately been in Arms at Sterling or elsewhere in the maintenance of that Engagement, to be employed in any public Place or Trust whatsoever; and this is the least Security I can demand. I have received an Order from both Houses of the Parliament of England, which I hold fit to communicate to your Lordships, whereby you will understand the readiness of the Kingdom of England to assist you who were Dissenters from the Invasion; and I doubt not but your Lordships will be as ready to give such further satisfaction, as they in their wisdoms shall find cause to desire.  
Your Lordship's most humble Servant, O. CROMWELL. Edinburgh, 5 Octob. 1648. For the Right Honourable, The Committee of Estates of Scotland.   

The Answer of the Committee of 〈…〉 General's Letter of the 5th instant.  
SIR,  
HAving considered your Letter of the fifth instant, We return this Answer, That as we did descent from, and protest against the taking of the towns of Berwick and Carlisle, and likewise against the late Engagement against England; And as we did rise in arms against the Contrivers and Abettors of that Engagement, and have been forward in using our best endeavours for restoring your Garrisons; so before the receipt of yours, We had passed some Acts upon the 22 of Sept. last, and the 4 of this Month; and had resolved to put forth a Declaration to the kingdom, which We do herewith communicate unto you; by which you will perceive, That it hath been our earnest care and real endeavours to do the same things which you demand in your Letter.  
In the large Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms in Anno 1641. We did desire, That honest men of known Integrity and Ability might be employed in the places of greatest Trust and Power within this kingdom; and sad experience hath taught us, That no bonds nor ties betwixt the kingdoms, even the strictest of Covenants or Treaties, can restrain men of corrupt minds and judgements, but that when ever they find an opportunity, they will be ready to pursue their own ends and Designs, to the hazard of the Peace, and breaking the Union between the Kingdoms.  
In the year 1643. When some Members of both Houses assembled at Oxford, had voted both Kingdoms Traitors, We did desire from the Honourable Houses, and it was granted, and mutually agreed upon in the Propositions of both kingdoms; presented to the King's Majesty at Oxford, That the Members of either House of Parliament, who had not only deserted the Parliament, but also voted both kingdoms Traitors, should be removed from. His Majesties-Counsels; and be restrained from coming within the verge of the Court; and that they should not without the Advice and Consent of both kingdoms, bear any Office, or have any employment concerning the State or Commonwealth. And we cannot deny, but your demand of Assurance from this Kingdom is reasonable, That those who have been active in, or consenting to the late unlawful Engagement against England, be not employed in any public place or trust whatsoever.  
Wherefore We do accept of this your Desire, as a real testimony of your respects to this Kingdom, and of your Intentions to preserve the Union betwixt the kingdoms. And We do hereby engage ourselves, in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland, to employ our utmost endeavours, That none who have been active in, or consenting to the said Engagement against England; or have been lately in arms at Sterling, or elsewhere, in maintenance or pursuance of that Engagement, be employed in any public place or trust whatsoever, without the Advice and consent of the Kingdom of England, That thereby they may be disabled from renewing or reinforcing their former Engagement, or infringing the Union and Peace between the Kingdoms. And as the Kingdom of England is now careful to have this Assurance from this Kingdom, so we will not doubt but the Honourable Houses of Parliament will, according to their offers of Assistance at this time, be ready to assist us upon all other occasions hereafter, to make good this our undertaking.  
And if it shall please God to bless these covenanted Kingdoms with a settled Peace, We trust, that in any agreement that shall be made with His Majesty, the Kingdom of England will be careful that this may be regarded as a necessary condition of Peace: And to the and any Peace which shall be agreed upon may be the more durable, We do also earnestly desire, That those who shall be employed in public place or trust in England, may be such as love to preserve Union and Amity betwixt the Nations.  
We do hold ourselves very much obliged to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, for their kind Offers of Assistance, expressed in their Votes of the 28 of Sept. last: And shall communicate Counsels with you concerning the same, That their affording assistance to this kingdom may be so ordered as may be most useful to us, and least prejudicial to the affairs of England; And you may rest very well assured, That we shall always be ready to give satisfaction to the Honourable Houses, in every thing which may conduce to the strengthening of the Union, and settling the Peace of these distracted Kingdoms; and to give real evidence that We are  
Edin. 6. Octo. 1648. Your affectionate Friends and Servants; Signed in Name and by Warrant of the Committee of Estates, LOUDOUN Canc'.  
For the Right Honourable, Lieut. Gen. Cromwell.   

A Declaration of the Committee of Estates, concerning their Proceed in opposition to the late unlawful Engagement against ENGLAND.  
THe manifold dangers to Religion, to the King's Majesty, to our Laws and Liberties, and to the Peace of these kingdoms, are so manifest, that they cannot be hid from any, who will not wilfully shut their eyes against a clear light: and the remedies which we have taken in this extremity, will (we doubt not) be judged by all men of common equity and understanding, to have been most necessary for preserving Religion from ruin, and ourselves from slavery and oppression: Yet, to prevent misinformation and misconstructions, we have thought fit to publish a short narration of the Causes of our late undertaking to rise in Arms, of our proceed by way of Treaty with those that joined in Arms for the late Engagement against England, and of our resolutions for settling Religion, and the Peace of this distracted kingdom, and strengthening the Union betwixt the kingdoms, which are the best foundations of Honour and Happiness to the King; whose Throne we desire may be established in Righteousness.  
When we look back upon some proceed in our neighbour Nation, though there we see that the work of Reformation hath been much obstructed, and many things have been done, of which we cannot approve, and wherewith God was highly displeased; yet we find the Fountain and Spring of all our troubles mainly to arise at home, from the craft and malice of our Natives and Countrymen. For, notwithstanding the Right Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England had offered by their Commissioners to remove all disterences which had arisen betwixt them and us, and to do  was just and Honourable for the satisfaction of this kingdom: And further, had declared their readiness to join with this kingdom in the Propositions agreed on by both kingdoms, presented to the King at Hampton-Court, for the making such further proceeding, thereupon as should be thought fit; for the speedy settlement of the Peace of both kingdoms, and preservation of the Union according to the Covenant and Treaties. And further, to give satisfaction all things which should be judged necessary for the Peace of both kingdoms, not entrenching upon the particular Interest of the Kingdom, and Privileges of the Parliament of England: yet many of this Nation having entered into a sinful Association and wicked combination, did join together in Arms under the Command of the Duke of Hamiltoun, for persuance of an unlawful Engagement, against our neighbour Nation of England, contrary to the ends of the Solemn League and Covenant, the manifold admonitions and exhortations of all the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, the Warnings and Declarations of the Commission of the General Assembly, 1647. As likewise against the unanimous proceed of the late General Assembly in this year 1648. against the Judgement and Protestations of many Members in Parliament, who have been most constant in the Cause, and to preserve the Union betwixt the Kingdoms; and generally against the minds and judgements of all the well-affected in the Kingdom: And further, brought over from Ireland some Regiments of the Scots Army to join with them in this Engagement, contrary to the Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms of the 7 of July 1642. And having joined in an unlawful Association with the Malignants of England, did employ some of them to surprise and take the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle (and yet professed openly before the World, they were ignorant who had done it) contrary to the large Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms, and the Treaty of the 29 of November, 1643. And when by miserable and cruel oppression of the people of God in this Kingdom, they had gathered together a numerous Army, they took possession of the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle, and in a hostile manner entered into our Neighbour Nation, where the Lord of Hosts poured forth his Wrath and Indignation upon them for their lies and hypocrisy, as was before threatened by many of the faithful servants of God in this Kingdom.  
While these men were invading England, the Earl of Lanerick and others engaged in the same Design, stayed at home to oppress this Kingdom; and under a pretence of raising a Guard for the Prince, did begin a new Levy of Forces, whereby they might be able to send supply to their Army in England, if need were; but principally to bear down the godly and well-affected in this Kingdom, and force upon them unlawful Bands and Oaths, which they devised to be engines and snares to compel men to make Shipwreck of their Consciences, by joining with all their wicked ways, or in case they refused to take those accursed Oaths, and subscribe their Bands, that then they might not only be uncapable of all public Trust, but be esteemed and used as Enemies to Religion, King and Kingdom; and so every way to oppress all honest men in their Persons, Estates and Consciences, as nothing was to be expected from their Government to these who desired to fear the Lord, and adhere to their first Principles, but slavery and ruin: for they having adjourned the Parliament till March 1650, had assumed to themselves an Arbitrary Power, that in the mean time they might rule at their pleasure, and make such alterations in the Kingdom as they thought fit. Upon News of the defeat of their Army, they did give out Commissions to prime Incendiaries, and encouraged such as were eminent and active in the Rebellion, under the conduct of James Graham late Earl of Montross, to rise in Arms; and sent directions to the Forces under the Command of George Monro, which had invaded England, but were not present at the Fight, and other Officers and Soldiers who escaped from it, to return to this Kingdom, that so by their conjunction with the Forces lately raised, they might have a new Army on foot to prosecute their former Design, and to tyrannize over this Kingdom, as is evident from their Letters of the 28 of August, sent to the Earl of Marshal Viscount of Dudhope, Clerk Register, and George Monro, (ten days after the Defeat of their Army in England) wherein speaking of the Engagement, they declare their resolution to recruit their Regiments, and to hazard their Lives and Fortunes, and all that was dearest unto them for carrying on against all opposition whatsoever that pious and loyal Service, and that they and many others of this kingdom did intent not to live and outlive it: By all which, and many other their like proceed expressed in the Declarations of the General Assembly, and their Commissioners, it is sufficiently evident, that Religion hath not only been endangered, but the whole work of Reformation in these kingdoms for these ten years past hath been very near to be wholly overturned, our Laws and Liberties almost destroyed, Authority weakened, the Person of the King put in hazard, and his Restitution (which they pretended) rendered more difficult, and endeavours used to break the Union and Peace betwixt the kingdoms, and to continue (so far as was in their power) a lasting War betwixt this kingdom and our neighbour Nation with whom we are joined in Covenant.  
This being the true estate of Affairs, We did find it most necessary for us to join in Arms together against these Covenant breakers, and their Adherents who had invaded England, and were disturbing the Peace of this Kingdom (and who under a specious pretence of seeking the King's Honour, Freedom and safety, were seeking their own Honour and base private ends, and have made the King's condition harder than ever it was before) this course being the only means which was left us whereby to endeavour the preservation of Religion, our native Country, and the Peace and Union betwixt the kingdoms, and our own Consciences being ready to condemn us if we should sit still and suffer Religion to be ruined, England to be further provoked (by detaining their Garrisons) and this kingdom to be enslaved and brought under the yoke of a perpetual bondage.  
When we had put ourselves in a posture for our own defence near Edinburgh, the Earl of Crawford, the Earl of Lanerick, George Monro, and other Commanders of the Forces joined with them, having Marched to Inneresk, sent unto us some Articles upon which they desired to Treat, for removing all differences betwixt us; but these Demands being very unreasonable and inconsistent with Religion, the Covenant and Treaties betwixt the kingdoms, We refused to admit them to be the subject of a Treaty; yet were content if they had any other thing to propound which might conduce to the settling of Truth and Peace according to the Covenant, to appoint some from us to Treat with the like number authorized by them, at any place equally distant from both Armies. Whereupon they professed a readiness to have all differences ended by a Treaty, that an intestine War might be prevented; but they assigned so short Diets for us to return our Answers about the necessary circumstances to be agreed on before a Treaty could begin, as the time was elapsed before we could be well convened; and then they took the advantage of marching away, whilst we continued in our Quarters in expectation of a Treaty, by which means they gained the pass at Sterling, and surprised our Forces there, killing some, and taking others Prisoners when they were in security, being advertised that there was a Treaty betwixt us; All this notwithstanding so desirous were we of the Peace of this almost ruined kingdom as passing over all the provocations given unto us, wereadily entertained all proffers to Treat, and upon the 〈◊〉 of September, Commissioners on both sides met at Woodside, together with some Ministers and Elders from the Commission of the Kirk; but after three days debate, that Treaty (during which their Army was grievously plundering the Country) produced little else but delays, they refusing to accept of any conditions without rewards for their service, Liberty to Transport the Irish Forces in a Body to Ireland, security for their Lives, Estates, Honours, Fortunes and Places, and assurance that none who had been accessary to the late Engagement should be questioned either by us, or by the kingdom of England for any thing done by them in relation thereunto, which was impossible for us to grant, without involving ourselves in the guilt of the Engagement, and giving occasion of quarrel against us to our Neighbour Nation, in whose names we could promise nothing without their advice and consent. And here we cannot but remark, that these Lords and others, who in Parliament and otherwise pretended so great a zeal for his Majesty's Honour, Freedom and Safety, yet in all their Demands to us in this Treaty, they never made the least desire of any thing for the King, but were ready to close an agreement with us when ever they could get satisfaction in what concerned their own Honour, Feedom and Interest.  
So soon as we understood that the Forces of the Parliament of England were come to the Borders, for pursuit of the common Enemy, and reducing the Garrisons of Barwick and Carlisle, We wrote a Letter from Falkirk to the Commander in Chief of these Forces, and sent two from us with Instructions to acquaint him with the estate of our Affairs, particularly our proceed in the Treaty, and to assure them that we would contribute our utmost endeavours for the restitution of the Towns of Barwick and Carlisle to the Parliament of England, to whom they do of right belong: In return whereunto we received from Lieut. General Cromwell a Letter to this purpose, That upon the defeat of the Forces of the Duke of Hamilton, they had received in command, to prosecute the Victory, until the Enemy were put out of a condition or hope of growing into a new Army, and the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle were reduced; in pursuance of which commands, they had resolved to advance into Scotland with their Army, for obtaining their Garrisons, and that the common Enemy might be the sooner brought to a submission to reasonable conditions; withal engaging themselves, that so soon as they should know from us, that the Enemy should yield to these things we had proposed to them, and the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle were delivered, they should forthwith departed out of this Kingdom: After receipt of this Letter, we sent some of our number with Power and Instructions, to do their utmost endeavour for obtaining the Towns of Berwick and Carlisle to be surrendered to him, for the use of the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, and to represent our earnest desire and firm resolution, to preserve inviolable the Union betwixt the Kingdoms, according to the Covenant and Treaties; and since they had resolved in obedience to the Commands laid upon them, to send Forces into this Kingdom for pursuing the common Enemy, therefore to desire that those which should be sent, might be such as would give no offence or scandal to the Ministry and well-affected in this Kingdom.  
Upon the 18. of Septemb. some Propositions were sent unto us from those at Sterling, to which we returned an Answer upon the 20. And after a new meeting at Kirklistoun with Commissioners from them, Articles of Agreement were drawn up and subscribed by the Commissioners on both sides, which are now published in print: In all which proceed, we have studied to set before our eyes the Honour of God, and the good of Religion, the preservation of our Laws and Liberties, and of the Union betwixt the Kingdoms. And to the end it may further appear to this kingdom and to all the World, that no sinister end or worldly design for self-interest, hath stirred us up to this course, we do declare,  
First of all, That we have both matter of deep humiliation before God, and thanksgiving to him, when we consider his gracious dispensation towards us, in preserving a remnant from following the evil courses of the time; and that he was pleased so soon after a great defection and backsliding in the Land, to put us into a condition to resist the force and fury of our Enemies, whom neither Christian duty in so clear a Sunshine of the Gospel, nor natural affection to their native Country, could restrain from horrid impieties and intolerable oppressions. And we do freely acknowledge, that it had been just with the Lord to suffer us to lie still under that yoke of bondage, which we had wreathed upon our necks with our own hands, by compliance with Malignants and Malignant courses, not trusting the Lord with his own work, and resting on his strength, but following the Rules of carnal policy, whenever we were brought into straits. It is the desire of our Souls, that for the future we may amend, and it shall be our constant study, with God's assistance, to avoid the rocks on which we were ready to split, that we may neither upon the one hand put confidence in the arm of flesh, & other worldly advantages, when things are prosperous, nor upon the other, comply with the Enemies of the cause when we are low, but in all estates and conditions to put our trust in God Almighty, the Lord of Hosts, who is only wise to give counsel.  
Secondly, That whatsoever Power God hath already, or shall hereafter put into our hands, we shall improve it for settling and propagating Religion, and promoting the work of Reformation according to the Covenant, and in particular, to have the Liberties of the Kirk ratified, which have been many ways encroached upon and violated, as is particularly instanced in the Declaration of the General Assembly.  
Thirdly, To vindicate and establish the liberty and property of the Subjects, who have been most grievously oppressed in their Consciences, Persons and Estates.  
Fourthly, That we shall endeavour the King's Majesty's Restitution to the exercise of His Royal Power, as soon as he shall give security for settling Religion in the manner expressed in the Desires of the late Commission of the Kirk, and shall give satisfaction in such other things as shall be found necessary for the Peace and Safety of the kingdoms.  
Fifthly, That the late unlawful Engagement against our Neighbour Nation of England, with whom we are joined in League and Covenant, may be disclaimed and disavowed by the Supreme Authority of this kingdom, it being most destructive to Religion, and to the Peace and Happiness of these kingdoms.  
Sixthly, To strengthen and confirm the Peace and Union between the kingdoms, which the Malignant party hath so much endeavoured to break and dissolve.  
Seventhly, That we shall endeavour to purge out of all the Judicatories in the Land, Malignancy and Profaneness, and use all other good means that Justice may be equally and impartially administered to all the Subjects in the kingdom; and that a more effectual course may be taken throughout the whole kingdom then heretofore, for punishing and suppressing all Profaneness, Malignancy and Impiety.  
Eighthly, All means having been used with great industry, to get Malignants chosen to be Commissioners to the last Parliament, & to prepossess men's minds when they came to the Parliament, from which as a Fountain have issued all our troubles and distractions. That we will faithfully endeavour to have a free Parliament, consisting of such persons as have not been accessary to, & furtherers of the late Engagem; for which end we do again hereby require, that in the election of Commissioners from burgh's and Shires to the Parliament, the rules and directions set down in our Acts of 22 Sept. last, and the 4 of this instant month of Octob. may be punctually observed throughout the kingdom.  
And we call the searcher of hearts to record, that these are our real and true intentions; and that we do not, nor shall, by the grace of God, pursue any private ends or interests of our own. And we trust, the Lord our God, who knoweth the sincerity of our resolutions, who hath also had mercy upon us, and hath begun to do so graciously for us, will assist us herein until his work shall be accomplished.  
And now last of all, since it is agreed upon in the Treaty, that all questions and differences about Religion be referred to the determination of the General Assembly or their Commissioners, and that all Civil questions and differences be referred to the determination of a Parliament, which is to sit down before the 10 of January next; We do exhort and require all and every one of the Subjects within this kingdom, to live peaceably and quietly, and to wait patiently for the determination aforesaid; but in case any shall not rest satisfied with, or shall resile from the said agreement, and shall continue, or rise in arms, or levy any Forces without warrant from the Committee of Estates as it is now constituted, consisting of persons not accessary to the late Engagement, We do declare, That they shall be esteemed enemies to Religion, the King and Kingdom, and punished as wilful disturbers of the Peace of the kingdom.  
Mr. Tho: Henderson.   
FINIS.