A DECLARATION OF THE PARLIAMENT OF SCOTLAND, To all his Majesty's good Subjects of this KINGDOM.  
Concerning their Resolutions for RELIGION, KING and KINGDOMS, In pursuance of the Ends of the COVENANT.  
CR  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT  royal English blazon or coat of arms 
Imprinted at Edinburgh by Evan Tyler, and reprinted at London for J. Huntscot 1648.   

A DECLARATION OF THE Parliament of SCOTLAND, To all his Majesty's good Subjects of this Kingdom, concerning their resolutions for Religion, King, and Kingdoms, in pursuance of the ends of the COVENANT.  
WE the Estates of Parliament now convened, in the first Session of this-second Triennial Parliament, finding the strong endeavours and attempts of disaffected persons and Enemies of Truth, to blast and obstruct our Labours in the performance of our duties, in order to all our Relations, by traducing and calumniating our proceed; Are therefore obliged to undeceive the abused People, to vindicate ourselves from all unjust Aspersions, and to clear and evidence to this Kingdom our constancy and firmness to the Cause of God, which we find now in as great (if not greater) Danger than it ever was in since the beginning of all their late Troubles.  
Upon the growing divisions and debates betwixt his Majesty and his Two Houses of the Parliament of England, This Kingdom did for the space of near two years, by reiterated Petitions and Messages offer their Services and endeavours, for composing and removing these Dissensions and Differences. But their desires therein, through the Counsels and Practices of their common Enemies were still made ineffectual and disappointed, until at length many thousands of either side were fallen by the fury and rage of a cruel and unnatural Sword, and the Flourishing Kingdom of England turned into a field of blood. And while they were thus with their own hands, tearing out their own Bowels, and massacring themselves, The Houses of Parliament then in a very low Condition invited this Kingdom to their Assistance, who finding their Petitions and addresses to his Majesty, for a more Natural and amicable decision of differences, then by the Sword, rejected; and justly apprehending to have the dregs of that bitter Cup, which overflowed in England pour out upon their own heads, if those Counsels and advices, which gave first Life and motion to these Dissensions, should still be prevalent; Did engage in a Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion, the Honour and Happinesss of the King, and peace and safety of the three Kingdoms; In pursuance thereof, this Kingdom joined in Arms with their Brethren in England, and for divers years through many hazards and wants, did prosecute these ends, until by the Blessing of God upon their joint endeavours, their common Enemies were subdued, and most of them brought to such condign punishment as the respective Parliaments thought fit. Thereafter, our Army returned home upon assurance from the two Houses, that the Treaties and Covenant should be inviolably kept. But by the contrary, We find that there is not any Article of the Solemn League and Covenant, which has not been Sinfully and Dangerously violated before God, Angels and Men, by the prevalent party of Sectaries, and their adherents; Nay, the Covenant itself like to be destroyed, or at least forgot and laid aside. For where we expected that according to the first Article of the Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms, in Anno, 1643. It should have been ta'en by both Kingdoms, and that the not Takers thereof are by the joint Declaration of both declared public Enemies to Religion and Country, and are to be punished as professed Adversaries and Malignants. We now find by the prevalent Party of Sectaries and their adherents; It is not only laid aside in the new Propositions lately sent to his Majesty to the I'll of Wight, and no execution of public Orders for taking it through the Country, but also many persons of eminent & public Trusts in the Army and elsewhere, have never taken it, neither are urged thereunto. Instead of Reformation & defence of Religion, That Reformation which by the Covenant ought to be endeavoured, is resisted and hindered, Heresy and Schism Tolerated, under which most horrid Blasphemies are sheltered and protected, if not openly professed and allowed. In stead of maintaining the Rights and Privileges of Parliament, the Houses have been highly disobeyed, and threatened; Those who by the Covenant ought to be brought to condign trial and punishment for hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his People, or any of the Kingdoms from another, or making any Faction or Party amongst the people, contrary to the League and Covenant, have been protected and assisted, and those persecuted who by the Covenant ought to be defended. In stead of a firm union and peace betwixt the Kingdoms, a breach hath been endeavoured. And whereas both Kingdoms by the Solemn League and Covenant are obliged to preserve his Majesty's Person and Authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms, that the world may bear witness with our Consciences of our Loyalty, and that we have no thoughts nor intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatness. And the Kingdom of Scotland, having also upon his Majesty's going from Newcastle, declared against all injury, harm, prejudice, or violence to be done to his Royal Person: Yet by a sudden surprisal his Majesty was violently seized on, and carried from his house at Holdenby against his own will, and the declared Resolution of both Kingdoms by a party of the Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and by that Army thereafter carried about from place to place at their pleasure, kept and environed with strong guards within their Quarters until he was forced for safety of his life to fly from Hampton Court, as he himself declared in his Message from thence: And by the power and prevalency of that Army and their adherents he is kept a close Prisoner in the Isle of Wight, and Votes past, declaring it high Treason to make any further applications to him, or to receive any Messages or Letters from him; Yea, even to that extremity are they already gone against him, that it is declared they will repose no further trust in him. Like as not only such as had Warrants for access to him, from the Parliament of this Kingdom are debarred thereof, notwithstanding of the engagement of the Houses 27 January, 1647. to the contrary, but the Earl of Landerdale a public Minister of this Kingdom, contrary to the Law of Nations, was violently removed from Woburn, where his Majesty then was, and not suffered to have access to him; and though reparation therein was desired by the Committee of Estates, yet none was given: And when the said Commissioners desired to know whether the Votes against all Applications to the King did extend to His Majesty's Subjects of Scotland, to debar such as are Warranted by the Parliament of this Kingdom, or their Committees from free access to, or intercourse with His Majesty; or that he should be hindered from, and so made uncapable of any Act of Government in relation to the affairs of Scotland, no Answer at all was returned thereto, until the Commissioners from both Houses now residing here, did in March last give to us a large Declaration from them, acclaiming the sole power of the disposing of the Person of the King in England. We do not conceive it fit at this time to insist upon any violation made of the large Treaty concerning the remainder of the money due upon the brotherly assistance, nor of the Treaty for the Army in Ireland, whose service there was due in Anno 1643. by a subscrivit Account 312000. l. sterling (though we can never part from the interest of that Army till they be justly satisfied for their long and faithful services) For as money neither was the cause nor motive to any of our undertake nor resolutions, whatever hath been falsely suggested by our Enemies, so we shall not value it to much as now to mention it amongst the causes and grounds of our proceed at this time.  
By the large Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, it is provided, That if any Armies be levied in any of the Kingdoms, and the neighbour Kingdom thereby harmed or wronged, that then the Estates, of the Country by which it is done shall be obliged to pursue, take, and punish the offenders with all rigour. The Kingdom of Scotland hath divers times desired the performance of this Article, and in particular the Parliament of Scotland upon the 16. of january 1647. To which the Houses in their Letter of the 27. of january engaged themselves to the Parliament of Scotland, That the English Garrisons being delivered up, and the Scottish Army marched out of England, They should take that desire into speedy consideration. Upon the 16. of july, 1647. the Scottish Commissioners desired performance hereof. But through the prevalency and power of the Sectaries, no reparation, satisfaction nor answer was given.  
And although by the eighth Article of the Treaty, 1643. It is agreed that no Cessations, Pacifications, nor agreement for peace whatsoever shall be made by either Kingdom, or the Armies of either Kingdom without mutual advice and consent of both Kingdoms, which engagement the Houses of Parliament also repeated in their Letter of the 17, of January 1648. to observe that Article after the removal of our Army out of England; yet contrary thereunto the Army of Sectaries and their adherents framed Proposals destructive to the Ends of the Covenant, which were presented to his Majesty without the advice or consent of the Kingdom of Scotland: And thereafter, by their power and prevalency, the Houses of Parliament have laid aside the Propositions agreed on by both Kingdoms, & have contrary to the Treaty, presented Propositions and Bills to his Majesty; against which the Commissioners of this Kingdom by order, and according to their instructions, did protest, as being destructive to Religion, the Crown and union of the Kingdoms.  
These dangers so eminently threatening Religion, and Government call upon us, as Christians, as Subjects, as Scotchmen, to a duty to God, our King and Country, and to our oppressed and heavily afflicted Brethren in England who are faithful and constant to the cause of God. We have therefore resolved in the first place to endeavour & assay all brotherly and amiable means of repairing and making up such differences or breaches, as may otherwise necessitat this Kingdom to engage in a War: And therefore, we do intent to send to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, These following necessary, and just desires for Religion, His Majesty, and good and peace of these Kingdoms.  
1 That an effectual course be ta'en 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 conform to the Declaration of both Kingdoms in anno 1643. By which all who would not take the Covenant were 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 that Reformation of, and Uniformity in Religion be settled according to the Covenant. That as the Houses of Parliament have agreed to the Directory of Worship, so they would take a real course for the practising thereof by all the subjects in England and Ireland, that the confession of Faith transmitted from the Assembly of Divines at Westminster to the Houses be approven; & that Presbyterial government with the subordination of the lower Assemblies to the higher be settled and fully established in England and Ireland, and that any effectual course be taken for suppressing and exterpating all Heresies & Schisms, particularly Socinianism, Arminianism, Arrianism, Anabaptism, Antinomionism, Erastianism, Familism, Brownism and Independency; and for perfecting what is yet further to be done for extirpating Popery & Prelacy, and suppressing the practice of the Service Book, commonly called the Book of English Common Prayer.  
2 That conform to the former desires of this Kingdom, the King's Majesty may come with honour, freedom and safety to seem of His houses in or near London, that the Parliaments of both Kingdoms may make their applicacations to Him for obtaining His Royal assent to such desires as shall be by them presented to Him, for establishing Religion, as is above expressed and settling a well grounded peace.  
3 And to the end, that all Members of both Houses who have been faithful to this Cause, may freely and safely return and attend their charges, the City of London may enjoy its liberty and privileges which it had before the late encroachment of the Army, the Parliament may sit and voice with freedom and safety, both Kingdoms without interruption or disturbance may make their applications to His Majesty, and the settling of Religion and Peace may be no longer hind red and obstructed, that the present Army of Sectaries under the Command of Thomas Lord Eairfax of Cameron, be disbanded, and none employed but such as have or shall take the Covenant, & are well affected to Religion & Government, excepting from the said disbanding the garrisons necessary to be kept up by the Parliament of England, for the safety of that Kingdom, which are desired to be commanded by such as have or shall take the Covenant, and are well affected to Religion and Government as aforesaid.  
We will not doubt, but the Honourable Houses will seriously weigh and consider how necessary and just these our demands are, to which we will expect a satisfactory answer; But if through the influence and power of the Army of Sectaries that now environs them, these our desires be slighted and rejected; Yet, we resolve by God's assistance in all our proceed never to break on our part the union betwixt the kingdoms, nor to encroach upon the national rights of the subjects of England, or entrench upon their just liberties, much less is it our intention at all to make any National engagement against the Parliament and Kingdom of England. But for them whose freedom Privileges and happiness shall be ever as Dear to Us as our own. And if we shall be necessitate to any undertake in War. We do resolve that as the engagements of this Kingdom have been constantly hitherto, for settling Truth and Peace under his Majesty's Government, So they shall still be for the obtaining the same ends. And we will be careful that in the managing & carrying on of so pious & dutiful a work. That we shall not enter into Association and Conjunction of Force with those, who shall refuse to swear and subscribe the Solemn League and Covenant, nor use such means or instruments as may discourage or disoblige the Presbyterians in England, who continue firm to the Solemn League and Covenant: And that we will be so fare from Joining or Associating ourselves with the Popish, Prelatical or Malignant party, if they shall again rise in Arms; either to oppose or obstruct all or any of the ends of the Covenant; That on the contrary we will oppose and endeavour to suppress them, as Enemies to the Cause and Covenant on the one hand, as well as Sectaries on the other. And we further declare, That we will give trust in our Armies, and Committees to none but such as are of known Integrity, Abilities and Faithfulness to this Cause and Covenant, and against whom there is no just cause of Exception. And as we shall endeavour the Rescuing of his Majesty from those who violently carried him away from Holdenby, and by whose power he is still detained close prisoner; That he may come with Honour, Freedom and Safety to some or his Houses, in or near to London, where both Kingdoms may make their applications to him, for settling Religion, & a well grounded Peace: So we resolve not to put in his Majesty's Hands or any others whatsoever, any such power, whereby the foresaid ends of the Covenant, or any one of them may be obstructed or opposed, Religion or Presbyterian Government endangered. But on the contrary, before any agreement or condition to be made with his Majesty, having found his late Concessions and Offers concerning Religion not satisfactory. That he give assurance by his Solemn Oath under His hand and Seal. That he shall for Himself, and his Successors give His Royal assent, and Agree to such Act or Acts of Parliament, and Bills as shall be presented to Him by His Parliaments of both or either Kingdom's respectiué, for enjoying the League and Covenant, and fully establishing Presbyterial 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 those, nor endeavour any change thereof. And further to show and evidence the candour and reality of our intentions, we are willing to subjoin to the grounds of our undertake and Oath, whereof both in the framing thereof, and otherways we are willing the Church shall have their due interest as formally in the like cases.  
And albeit we are resolved not to engage in any War before the necessity and lawfulness thereof be cleared: so as all who are well affected may be satisfied therewith. And that reparation to such breaches an injuries as are or shall be condescended to shall be demanded in such a just and fit way as shall be found most lawful and expedient. Yet we cannot be answerable to the great trust laid upon us, if seeing so imminent and great Dangers to all that is dearest to us; We did not make use of our Authority and Power for the common safety of this Kingdom; And therefore we have resolved to put this Kingdom presently into a posture of Defence, as it was An. 1643  
And now as many of the dangers, with the grounds and resolutions in pursuance of our duties, are hereby made known to this Kingdom; so we are assured, that all, and every one, who have any zeal to Religion, love to Monarchical Government, sense of the sufferings and imprisonment of their King, affection to their oppressed Brethren in England, or desire to preserve the Privileges of Parliament, and liberty of the Subject will cheerfully in such an exigent (while the eyes of all Christendom are on us) rouse up themselves and contribute their best endeavours, as they shall be required by us, in pursuance of all the ends of the Covenant, aswell for Religion as for his Majesty's Person, and Government, and Privileges of Parliament; in doing whereof we shall witness to the world, that we have not swerved from these our first principles contained in our Nationall Covenant, and in our Solemn League and Covenant, whereby we did solemnly swear and promise before God and his Angels, To endeavour in our several places and callings, the Reformation of, and Uniformity in Religion and Church-Government in all his Majesty's Dominions, according to the Word of God, and example of the best Reformed Churches; and not only to the utmost of our Power, with our means and lives to stand to the defence of our dread Sovereign, his Person and Authority, in the Preservation of the true Religion, and liberties of the Kingdoms: But also in every cause which may concern his Majesty's honour to concur according to the Laws of this Kingdom, and duty of good Subjects: And also hereby give a singular proof of the good intentions of all that maintain Presbyterial Government, that they are not enemies to Monarchy as they are falsely by their enemies branded. And in particular this Kingdom of Scotland will now make it evident as they often declared, that their quietness, stability, and happiness doth depend upon the safety of the King's Majesty's person, and maintenance of his greatness and Royal Authority, who is God's Vice gerent set over us for maintenance of Religion, and ministration of Justice: Having so many bands and ties of Duty and subjection to his Majesty, and his Government, who is our Native King from a longer Series and descent of his Royal Progenitors than can be paralleled in Europe. That we resolve closely, and constantly to adhere thereunto, as also to all the Ends of the Covenant.  
Alex. Gibson, Cler. Regist.  
FINIS.