HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENSE  
Dieu ET MON DROIT   royal blazon or coat of arms A Letter sent from the PARLIAMENT of SCOTLAND to the several PRESBYTERIES within the kingdom.  
Right Reverend,  
THe many scandals that are thrown on our Actions by the favourers of Sectaries, and haters of the Person of our KING and monarchical Government, invite Us to this extraordinary address to you; Conjuring you, as you will answer to the great GOD whose Servants you are, not to suffer yourselves to be possessed with unjust and undeserved prejudices against Us and Our proceedings, who have since our late meeting in Parliament preferred no earthly thing to our Duties to Religion, and the promoting of all the ends of our Covenant, and have constantly used all real endeavours to have carried on those Duties to the satisfaction of the most tender consciences; and especially by Our great compliances with the many desires from the Commissioners of the general Assembly: We have proceeded to greater discoveries of Our Resolutions, in the ways and means of managing this present Service then possible in prudence We ought to have done, having so near and active Enemies to oppose Us: Neither can it be with any Truth or Justice in any sort alleged, that We have in the least measure wronged, or violated the true privileges and Liberties of the Church, or any ways taken upon Us the determination or decision of any matters of Faith or Church Discipline, though We be unjustly charged with taking an Antecedent judgement in matters of Religion; under pretence whereof great encroachments are made on our unquestioned Rights. For what can be more civil then to determine what civil Duties We ought to pay to our King, or what civil Power he ought to be possessed of? And if we meet with obstructions and opposition in carrying on those Duties, are not We the only Judges thereunto? Is there any other Authority in this kingdom, but that of King and Parliament, and what flows from them that can pretend any authoritative power in the choice of the Instruments and Managers of Our public Resolutions. It is a subject for the dispute of Church Judicatories, whether his Majesty hath a negative voice in Parliament or not? These certainly cannot be pretended to by any Kirk-man, without a great usurpation over the civil Magistrate, whereof We are confident the Church of Scotland, nor any Judicatory thereof will never be guilty, nor fall into the episcopal disease of meddling with civil affairs: And if any have already in these particulars exceeded their bounds, We expect the ensuing general Assembly will censure it accordingly, and prevent the vilifying and contemning the Authority of Parliament by any of the ministry, either in, or out of their Pulpits, or who shall offer to stir up the Subjects of this kingdom to disobey, or deny to give civil obedience to their laws; it being expressly prohibited by the 2. and 5. Acts of Ja. 6. his 8. Parliament, in Anno 1584. That none of his majesty's Subjects, under pain of Treason, impugn the authority of Parliament. And therefore seeing the cause is the same for which this Kingdom hath done and suffered so much, and that We are resolved to proceed for the preservation and defence of Religion, before all other worldly interests whatsoever; and to carry on sincerely, really, and constantly the Covenant, and all the ends of it, as you will find by our Declaration herewith sent to you: We do confidently expect, that as the Ministers of this kingdom have hitherto been most active and exemplary in furthering the former Expeditions, so now you will continue in the same zeal, to stir up the people by your Preaching and Prayers, and all other ways in your calling, to a cheerful obedience to Our Orders, and engaging in this business; and that you will not give so great advantage to the Enemies of presbyterial Government, and bring so great a scandal on this Church, as to oppose the Authority of Parliament, or obstruct their proceedings in their necessary Duties for the good of Religion, the Honour and happiness of the King and his royal Posterity, and the true peace of his Dominions.  
Signed by Order of Parliament. Alex. Gibson, Cler. Regist. Edinburgh, 11 May 1648.