THE ANSWER OF THE CONVENTION OF THE ESTATES, To the Remonstrance and Desires of the Commissioners of the general Assembly, Concerning the dangers of Religion: WITH A second Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the general Assembly, To the Honourable Convention of Estates, Concerning the Remedies of the Dangers of Religion.  
July 6. 1643.  


At Edinburgh the 13. of july, 1643.  
IT is this day thought fit and ordained by the Convention of Est●tes, that their Answer to the Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the Assembly: Together with this second Remonstrance given in to them by the saids Commissioners concerning the Remedies of the present dangers of Religion, be forthwith printed, And that their presents be warrant for the effect.  
Arch. primrose clear. Conven.    
Entred into the Register book at Stationers Hall according to order,  
Aug: 16 edinburgh, Printed by Evan tiler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and Reprinted at London for Tho: Vnderhill. 1643.   

The Answer of the Convention of the Estates, to the Remonstrance and Desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly. 4. july 1643.  
THe Convention of the Estates of the Kingdom having more particularly perused the Remonstrance, and Desires of the Commissioners of the general Assembly, do aclowledge, and with great care and solicitude of heart, resent the dangers of the Reformed Religion: partly, from the rebellious attempts of Papists in Ireland: partly, from their power in England where they are so long in arms: and partly, from their hopes in this Kingdom where they have their plots and correspondence amongst themselves, and with their confederates abroad: And all these the greater and the more to be taken to heart at this time, that they have the pretence of the Kings Service and Authority, the confidence of the Queens zeal to their profession, and her power to promote their designs, and the assistance of the prelatical party, and of Malignants, and many others, whom upon natural and worldly respects they have drawn against the oath of their Covenant into their secret, and have united into their Combination.  
These and the like dangers expressed more fully in the Remonstrance, may be more then sufficient to awake and stir up this Kirk and Kingdom, to provide for the preservation of Religion, the safety of the King, and security of the Kingdom, which at this time in reality can no more be separated and divorced then in former times, when it was professed both by King and people, that the dangers of on● were the dangers of all, that they had the same common friends and enemies, and did stand & fall together. But while the Estates are thinking upon that which is remonstrated unto them, many other dangers and distresses, which more directly and immediately threaten and press this country and Kingdom, offer themselves to be considered, and are necessary to be universally known, that all men, even such as all this time have never taken Religion to Heart, may be made sensible of the present danger of their native country, wherein the private danger of every mans life, liberty, estate, and means is included.  
The Lords of privy C●unsell, and the Commissioners for conserving the peace, have already declared, That a treacherous and damnable plot of the Irish, English, and Scottish Papists was begun to be discovered by letters found with the earl of Antrim, and by the deposition of one of his servants at his death: Now the deposition of the earl himself and of another of his servants, both upon their oaths, have been red in face of the convention, confirming what was written before of sending Ammunition to the North, and levying of forces in this kingdom, and bearing that the earl had instructions for making peace betwixt the English and Irish in Ireland: Like as divers letters are sent hither concerning a Cessation of arms in Ireland, and the joining of the English and Irish forces upon oath, to go for England to assist the King, as is pretended, but indeed to strengthen and aid the Popish and prelatical party.  
Our Merchants and mariners are not onely stopped and discouraged in their trade by Ships, frigates and Fly-botes of Dunkirk, and of Ireland, having Irish Commanders and Souldiers, but their Ships either taken or burnt; they spoyled of their goods and moneys, and their persons tortured, kept Captives, or sent away naked: Whereby his Majesties Subjects have suffered more by Sea upon the sudden, and in a very short time, then they did suffer all the time of our late troubles; And no other cause of all this violence and cruelty pretended, but a Commission and Warrant from Authority.  
The earl of Newcastles Forces, Horse and Foot, in great numbers lying at the Borders, and ready when they shall be commanded to make incursion upon the South parts of the Kingdom, as many ill-affected are no less willing to make trouble in the North.  
If the unhappy differences between his Majesty and his Parliament, shall not be determined in a parliamentary way, but by the Sword; Not onely shall the Army in Ireland be in danger to be lost, but the whole kingdom will be involved in the common Calamity.  
Nor is it wisdom, against the continual rumours and threatenings of foreign invasion, to be so negligent and secure, as if there were no appearance or possibility of danger from without; experience hath proved the contrary in former times. And although there were no other ground, Reason doth teach that Princes and States use to observe the opportunities of divisions and breaches amongst their neighbours.  
Although the causes of calling a Convention at this time were urgent enough, yet the providence of God watching ov●r this Kirk and Kingdom for good, hath discovered divers of the dangers of Religion and of the Kingdom, and brought them to light in this opportunity, while the Convention of Estates are sitting, as if they had been called together to be inf●rm●d of them, and to provide remedies against them. And therefore as the Conven●ion is resolved to take this matter, which is of so public●e and deep concernment, into their serious consideration; so do they desire and require that the Commissioners of the assembly( who according to their duty, and the laudable example of the Assemblies of this Kirk in former times have represented the dangers of Religion) will also with diligence think upon the best and most powerful remedies, and remonstrate them to the Convention, that by the blessing of God upon their j●ynt endeavours, so many approaching and imminent miseries may be turned away: And the Religion and Peace, which God Almighty of his singular mercy hath granted to this Kirk and Kingdom, may be preserved and transmitted unto the after Generations. Which shall be honour to God, safety to the King and his posterity, and happiness to his people.  
Arch. primrose clear. Conven.   

To the Honourable Convention of Estates, The humble Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the general Assembly, Concerning the Remedies of the present Dangers of Religion, July 6. 1643.  
ALthough it be more easy, especially in a time of many corruptions and great difficulties, to complain of diseases and dangers, then to find out the right cure and remedies: Yet from our conscience of duty in the charge committed unto us at this time, from our confidence in God, whose providence hath discovered the dangers, and will in his own time provide sufficient remedies, by the example of the general Assemblies of this Kirk, and in obedience to your Lordships commands, we find a necessity laid upon us, and are most willing, according to our knowledge, to show what we conceive to be the best remedies, leaving the further consideration of them to your Lordships wisdom.  
politic and worldly men are indifferently disposed towards every Religion, and do conceive that the knowledge of a few principles, joined with the profession of Religion, is sufficient for Salvation, without descending into particular Differences and Controversies: But this cannot be a remedy, for we know that Heresies and Sects have been of old, and must still be, that these who are approved may be made known. Reconcilers, who under the specious pretext of Pacification betwixt Protestants and Papists, intend no other thing, but in a subtle and crafty way to reduce the Protestant Kirks into Antichristian servitude, and in the golden cup of the whore of Babel, to propine again unto us all their abominations and filthiness. These are also to be rejected and abhorred, as presenting us with deadly poison in stead of remedies.  
A third there is, but an insufficient remedy; Wee do with all thankfulness and reverence, as becometh good Subjects receive the Kings Majesties Declaration of His Intentions, for maintaining our Religion, and esteem it no small happiness to live under a Prince orthodox in the faith, and a Nurse-father of the Kirk: But His Majesties Disposition to Religion, can neither oblige His royal successors, as the frequent change of Religion in England, and other kingdoms, with the change of their Princes, hath taught us; Nor can it preserve us from the plots and power of Papists, as we have even now learned from the conspiracy of the Irish, English, and Scottish papists: If they have been devising mischief against us in the very time of His Majesties Declaration, what may be in all reason expected afterward from the immortal hatred, and unc●ssant working? And what may we look for presently, if w●ile they are now in arms, their fury shall have success, and they suffered to prevail? We pray, God save the King: but we may say, Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel.  
The first true remedy, which Christian Piety and Prudence minister unto us, is, to receive the Love of the Truth, and to labour for the Power of godliness. It is never enough observed, That Papistry, arminianism, and diversity of sects, are the just judgement of God upon many in the Reformed Kirks for their formality in Religion: Without this one remedy, all other remedies will want the blessing of God, and prove unprofitable.  
A second remedy is to abhor and detest popery, not upon conceit or common opinion, but from the particular and distinct knowledge of the gross heresies in doctrine, manifold idolatry in worship, and cruel tyranny in government, which it teacheth, defendeth, and practiseth; from which the Lord in a wonderful mercy hath delivered us; against which so many thousands of the holy and faithful Martyrs of Christ, have born record of the word of God, and testimony of Jesus Christ, and washen their robes in the blood of the lamb; And by which the Lord suffereth us and other Reformed Kirks this day to be threatened again, because we have been unthankful for our deliverance, not knowing the greatness of the ill from which we have been delivered, nor considering the heaviness of that Antichristian yoke, if it shall be again wreathed upon our necks: Which would to God all Kings, Princes, republics & people would take to heart.  
The third is, that all true Patriots and professors of the reformed Religion, may learn to discern and know the enemies of the Kirk; which will be found not to be Papists onely, but Malignants also; who under colour of the same profession with us, oppose themselves to the preservation of Religion here, unto the reformation of Religion in England, no less then Papists; who make bands contrary or prejudicial unto our national Covenant; who frame and present Petitions, crossing the Petitions of the Commissioners of the general Assembly; give information to the Kings Majesty contrary to the informations of the Kirk and kingdom; do oppose the publishing of the necessary Declarations of the Kirk; read papers in the Assemblies of Gods people without warrant from the Kirk; and offer to Presbyteries in all the quarters of the kingdom, papers contrary to the Declarations of the Commissioners of the Assembly; do hold their meetings against the Convention of Estates; and if they could find Ministers to join with them, would keep ecclesiastical Assemblies against the Assemblies of the Kirk: Which is the most factious, the most scandalous, and the most dangerous way of division and separation that hath been heard of in any Kirk or Kingdom: And therefore by ecclesiastic censures and civil punishments, to be speedily and powerfully suppressed as a most pernicious practise, tending to the destruction both of Religion and Peace of this kingdom, and directly opposite to the propagation of the gospel, and reformation of other Kirks, which God by his providence is bringing to pass, and is ardently desired, and constantly hoped for by all the godly.  
The fourth is, If after all good means are used to reduce the enemies of Religion, whether Papists or Malignants, to repentance and obedience, the Kirk be constrained by their obstinacy to proceed to the sentence of Excommunication; Some solid course may be taken, that the civil punishment, which is according to Law, may be really and timously inflicted, that neither the Law be eluded, nor any delinquent for his greatness, or any other respect, be exempted or spared.  
The fifth is, Because through want o● sure and timous intelligence, a great part of the people are either left to uncertain rumours, or slighted by the negligence of common bearers, or abus d with malignant informations, that they neither know their own danger, nor the danger of Religion and country; A solid order would be set down whereby intelligence may go forth from Edinburgh to every Shire, and so to every Presbytery and particular Pastor, that the people may be informed both of their danger and duty; and an account taken of the faithfulness of men, to whom matters of so necessary and public concernment shall be committed, and of particular Ministers how they acquit themselves in matters of so great trust.  
The sixth is, That for the more special applying of some Clauses of our national Covenant against the present evil, certain Articles may be framed to be subscribed and consented unto by all the well affencted; that we may be more strongly united amongst ourselves in the cause of God; and that all Malignants and secret enemies, who hid themselves under their subscription of the Covenant, may be discerned and discovered.  
The seventh is, That a Remonstrance be sent to the Kings Majesty from the Honourable Convention of Estates, expressing the present dangers of the Kirk and kingdom, with a renewed supplication for unity in Religion, and uniformity of Kirk government, for disbanding of all Popish forces, and for using of means for the queens conversion.  
The eighth is, Although we be very well assured of the wisdom and good Affection of this Honourable Convention, for which as a mean of great happiness to this Kirk and kingdom at this time, we hearty bless the Lord: Yet from the necessity of our duty, which enforceth us to exhort civill powers to all vigilancy and faithfulness, and according to the laudable example of the general Assemblies of this Kirk in former times of public danger, We must crave leave to entreat and excite your Lordships speedily to thinks and resolve upon the best ways, for the safety and security of the kingdom against insurrection of Papists and Malignants from within, and invasion from without; which may also be a mean to try and discover the minds of the disaffected; and to commit so great trust to none, but to such as are known to be zealous of the safety of Religion, of the Kings honour, and peace of the kingdom.  
The ninth is, Because the hearts of peopl are secure and slow in apprehending danger, and the enemies suggest that there is not any great cause of fear; whensoever any letters of negotiation and traffic betwixt Papists and Malignants here, and in other places, are intercepted, or any plots or conspiraci●s discovered, the same without respect to any persons whatsoever, may be published in print, and sent through the kingdom, that all may be warned of the danger, and be in readiness to use the best means for their safety, and that such wicked instruments may be censured and punished.  
The tenth is, That for the credit of the Gospel, for keeping the public Faith of the kingdom, and for promoting the desired and intended Unity in Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government, all the Articles of the Treaty of Peace betwixt the two kingdoms, be inviolably observed, and justice done without partiality upon the controveeners. And forasmuch as at the time of Reformation, and in our late Declarations and Remonstrances, in the time of our troubles and since, the expressions of our desires of unity, and amity with the kingdom of England, have been many and large: and we have many times from our feeling and fears, made open profession, that the not reforming, or the endangering of Religion there, hath an influence upon our Religion, and the mutual Peace of the kingdoms: We do humbly entreat, according to the example of the general Assemblies of this Kirk, that this honourable Convention may be pleased to take into their gravest consideration, the renewing of the League and Association with England, for defence of Religion against the common Enemy, and how far the same may be extended against prelacy and Popish Ceremonies, for uniformity in external worship and Kirk-government.  
Thus have we pointed at the principal remedies, which we humbly present to be more particularly resolved upon by this honourable Convention as a matter worthy of the gravest deliberation, and the greatest care and diligence: wherein, as we shall be required, we shall most willingly according to our place and calling, contribute our counsels and endeavours, beseeching God, who never forsaketh his people, when trouble draws near, first to direct, and next to fulfil all your counsels to his own glory, and the public good.  
A. Ker clear. come. Gen. Ass.   
FINIS.