Die Mercurii, 22 Novemb. 1643.  
It is this day Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament, That the Assembly of Divines be moved to write Letters unto some Divines or Churches of Zealand and Holland, and to the Protestant Churches in France, Switzerland, and other Reformed Churches, to inform them against the great Artifices and Disguises of his Majesty's Agents in these parts, of the true state of our affairs, and of the constant employment of Irish Popish Rebels, and other Papists to be Governors, Commanders and Soldiers, the many evidences of their intentions to introduce Popery, their endeavour to hinder the Reformation here intended, and condemning other Protestant Churches, as unsound, because not Prelatical. And that the Scots Commissioners be desired to join therein: And likewise that the Committees of the Lords and Commons, and of the Divines may advise with the Scots Commissioners in the Premises.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

Die Mercurii, 13 Martii, 1643.  
IT is this day ordered by the Commons House of Parliament, That the Letter from the Assembly of Divines to the Reformed Churches beyond Seas shall be printed in Latin and English, with the several Inscriptions to the particular several Churches, and that Mr. Selden and Mr. Rous do acquaint the Assembly with this Order.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.   

A LETTER From the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES IN ENGLAND, AND THE Commissioners of the Church of SCOTLAND, Written, and Sent by Order of the honourable House of Commons Assembled in Parliament, to the Belgic, French, Helvetian, and other Reformed CHURCHES.  
Translated into English, and now published with the several Inscriptions to those Churches. By Order of the said House.  
LONDON, Printed by Richard Cotes, for Ralph Smith, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange, 1644.   

A Letter from the Assembly of Divines in England, and the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland, to the Belgic, French, Helvetian, and other Reformed Churches.  
Right Reverend and dear beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ,  
WE the Assembly of Divines and others, called and convened by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament of England, with the Commissioners sent from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, do hearty salute you in the Lord. We doubt not but the sad reports of the miseries under which the Church and Kingdom of England do bleed, and wherewith we are all ready to be swallowed up, (the cup which the righteous Lord hath given us to drink) is long since come to your ears. And it is probable that the same instruments of Satan and Antichrist, have endeavoured by their emissaries to present us as black as may be among yourselves; who by falsehood and lies endeavour every where to put fair glosses upon their own bloody designs, and to reproach our struggle after a more thorough Reformation of Religion in the Church of England, according to the Word of God, and our just defence of our lives, liberties, and Religion, against their cruel and unjust violences. And we sometimes doubt whether we have not been wanting to our own innocency and your satisfaction, in being thus long silent, from giving you a faithful, though sorrowful, relation of the state wherein we stand. But pardon us dear Brethren, if this Cup of trembling, wherewith our spirits have been filled to amazement, and our wrestle with extreme difficulties ever since our meeting, have hindered us from that which we long since knew to be our duty. And give us leave now a little to ease our grief, by pouring our hearts into your bosoms, while we relate the desolation made by an Antichristian faction, who amongst us have still been hindering the work of Reformation, and withal introducing and cherishing of Popery; and are now arrived at that strength, and have prevailed so fare against us, that if the Lord, whose judgements are unsearchable, and whose tender mercies are innumerable, do not speedily help us, we shall even altogether be laid waste by them.  
How great a hand this treacherous and bloody generation amongst us, have long had in the miseries of other Reformed Churches, in the destruction of the Palatinate; and in the betraying and, loss of Rochel, and how, by seeming overtures of Ambassies and Treaties for their relief, they have fomented, continued, and increased their calamities; are so fully known by you all, and miserably felt by some of yourselves, that we need not speak any thing of them. And we suppose their inveterate hatred against you all, is sufficiently manifested, in that multitudes of them have refused to acknowledge any of you for Churches of Christ, because you are not Prelatical, and thereby (as they conceive) want a lawful Vocation of Ministers. Sure we are, that amongst ourselves in all these three Kingdoms, they have prevailed so fare in advancing Popery, and depressing Religion, that it would require a Volume, rather than a Letter, to relate all the particulars. Scarce one thing can be thought upon, which may be supposed to be an argument of any intent to set up Popery, and even extirpate the true Reformed Religion, but we could give you abundant instances, that they have not only attempted, but in great measure prevailed for the putting thereof in execution. All the good and just Laws of this Kingdom against Papists, (concerning their lives, liberties, and goods) suspended; Judges prohibited to proceed against condemned Priests; and even Jesuits set free: Houses of Superstition in Ireland and England set up, and not discountenanced: (beside the seldom or never questioned transportation of many young persons to Seminaries in foreign parts) Notorious Papists, contrary to known Laws, permitted to come to Court, to reside there, and enjoy the favour and preferment of it: Multitudes of them released from legal Penalties for time past, and time to come; Prosecuters of them checked and discountenanced; Agents sent from hence into Italy; Nuntios and Agents from Rome received and treated with; such as warped that way, cherished and advanced; the most zealous Ministers & Professors of Religion bitterly persecuted. And all these things so apparent, that abundance of Popishly affected Prelates and Ministers adventured in every part of the Kingdom publicly to preach and leaven their people with almost all points of Popery, (except the Supremacy) and to introduce abundance of corrupt innovations in the worship of God, compelling the people to yield conformity to them, with persecuting such as would not. Insomuch as many who looked at Religion only for outward advantage, found it best for their gain and safety to turn Papists: And many godly Ministers, who would not publish a book purposely set forth to allow such sports on the Lord's day, which the Reformed Churches think unlawful at any time; or who would not conform themselves to their other superstitions; have had their mouths stopped, and many thousands of their people with them compelled to seek for refuge amongst yourselves, or in remote parts of the world.  
Yea so fare they had advanced in their presumption, as to impose upon the whole Kingdom of Scotland a new Popish book of Service, Rites, and Ceremonies; and a book of Canons: To which when the piety and zeal of that Nation would not submit, they prevailed (alas) with his Majesty to proclaim them Rebels and Traitors, & to raise a formidable army against them; to which all the Papists, & popishly affected did professedly contribute their best assistance. And certainly had not the Lord by his blessing upon the Scotish Army, by the manifestation and acknowledgement of the wrongs done them, by the calling of this Parliament, and their godly care to clear the Innocency of their Brethren, and by the Treaty of Peace concluded betwixt the two Kingdoms, prevented it, the two Nations long since through the treachery and rage of these brutish men, had been embrewing their hands in each others blood.  
But though, through the goodness of God and his blessing upon the public Counsels and proceed of both Nations of England and Scotland, they were more closely and mutually conjoined; and the Lord had raised up such a spirit throughout this whole Kingdom to mourn after the Lord, to lament our backslidings, and to desire a perfect Reformation; and had so inclined the hearts of the Honourable Senators convened in Parliament, to repair the house of the Lord among us, that we verily hoped our winter to be past, and the time of our refreshing and healing to be come: Yet alas we find it to be clean otherwise: Our God who before was a moth and rottenness, is now turned unto a Lion to us. We know our sins have deserved all; and if we all die and perish, yet the Lord is righteous, to his hand we submit, and to him alone we desire to look for healing: Howbeit the Instruments of these new miseries are the same Antichristian faction, Who have been so fare from being discouraged, or giving over their former design by their want of success in Scotland, or in beholding the fixed resolution of the Parliament here for Reformation, that their rage and diligence therein is more increased since the beginning of the Parliament, then at any time before. And indeed have more prevailed; both by stirring up a bloody Rebellion in Ireland, wherein (as the Papists themselves boast) they have destroyed above a hundred thousand Protestants in one Province, within a few months: And in England, by alienating the heart of his Majesty from his Parliament, which had begun to call many of them to account for their former mischiefs. And (after an attempt to surprise some Members of both Houses in an hostile manner) prevailing with his Majesty to withdraw himself from the Parliament, and to raise an Army, which at first, pretended only to be made up of Protestants; but the Papists knew their intents, who both here and beyond the Seas, had frequent prayers for the good success of this great work intended in England, for the advancing of the Catholic Cause; And spared not in England to boast, that they were not to appear until many Protestants were engaged so fare, that they might not start bacl, and then they were to own it, which accordingly is come to pass. For when once many seeming Protestants were engaged upon pretence of the King's Prerogative, and Privileges of Parliament, and Protestant Religion, (which Protestant's yet for the most part were the same who before the beginning of these stirs had been by the public Judicatory of the Kingdom, impeached of Treason, Oppression, and other high crimes and misdemeanours; and others who knew themselves guilty thereof; and other corrupt parties of the Clergy and their adherents) presently the Papists (who before were spared from all plunder and violence where ever the King's Forces came, though many Protestants, who even held not for the Parliament, were rifled) were armed by Commission from the King, and promise of repayment for their arms, if they were lost; Many great Papists being put into places of Command in several parts of the Kingdom; and the body of all the Papists joining with all their might, and professing and exercising their Religion even by public Masses in divers parts of the Realm: And thus assisted with ammunition, Men, and Money, from other parts (deluded by their fair glosses and pretences) they go up and down, plunder, and murder, and spoil all such as adhere to the Parliament and cause of Religion.  
And although, when the Parliament saw that these wicked instruments prevailed with the King, to raise force to be protected from the justice of the Laws (which the Parliament went about to inflict upon them for their former Treasons and other high crimes) and to accomplish their former designs, they endeavoured to secure the Forts & Navy & provide means for the defence of themselves, and of Laws, Liberties, and Religion (all which these men endeavoured to destroy;) Yet such hath been their cunning, by false glosses to hid their own intention, and to seduce others, Or rather, such is the righteous judgement of our now angry God, for our abuse of our long peace that we have not yet been able by Supplications, Petitions, and Remonstrances, to recover his Majesty out of their hands; or to bring these men to deserved punishments; but the sword rageth almost in every corner of this woeful land.  
And, to make up our misery to the full, they have now at last prevailed with his Majesty so fare to own the bloody Rebels in Ireland, as not only to call them his Roman-Catholick Subjects now in Arms, etc. but even to grant them a Cessation for a year, (when they were brought into great extremity) and to hold what they have gotten, liberty to strengthen themselves, with Men, Money, Arms, Ammunition from any place, freedom to send or come to his Majesty; and thereby be not only enabled to destroy the remnant of the Protestants there, but to come over hither, (as many of them are already) to act the same butcheries upon us, as they have hitherto exercised upon our miserable and distressed Brethren among themselves.  
In these deplorable calamities are we involved: and in the midst of these troublesome times, have the honourable Houses of Parliament, called this Assembly, to give them our best Counsel for the Reformation of the Church, for the purging and preserving of Religion: and require us to make God's Word only our Rule, and to endeavour the nearest conformity to the best Reformed Churches, and uniformity in all the Churches of the three Kingdoms. And in this work we are now exercised, though the enemy hath stirred up the heart of our dear and dread Sovereign against us also: Yet through the good hand of God upon us, we have made some comfortable beginnings: The work is his, who commands us not to despise the day of small things.  
Thus (Reverend and Dear Brethren) we have given you the face, or rather the shadow, (for what words are able to express the face?) of our miserable condition in England: Our civil Liberties in danger to be lost, our goods spoiled, our houses plundered, our blood poured out in every corner: (things though otherwise very precious to us we omit to mention.) If our God will lay our bodies as the ground, and as the dust under their feet; the will of the Lord be done: Might our blood be a Sacrifice to ransom the rest of the Saints of Christ from antichristian fury, most gladly would we offer it upon this service. But that which breaks our hearts is, the danger we behold the Protestant Religion, and all the Reformed Churches in at this time. We know their rage is insatiable, and will not be quenched with our blood: their fury is kindled against us, not as we are sinful men, but as men engaged in the defence of the true Religion, and panting after a right Reformation: And if once the Lord deliver us as a prey into their teeth, Oh the darkness and horror, the bondage, slavery and persecution, which all who will not receive the mark of the beast, are like to be wrapped in, in these three woeful Kingdoms! And not here only, but they are like to attempt the same in all the Reformed Churches in Europe. Your own thoughts can easily suggest unto you, with what rage the beast which came out of the bottomless pit, the Woman who hath thus long drunk the blood of the Saints is filled now before her utter destruction, against that Virgin Company that follow the Lamb.  
The Church and Kingdom of Scotland, have been willing and ready by all good means to quench this unnatural fire. They have sent their humble Supplications, Remonstrances, and Declarations to his Majesty: And at last made offer of their humble Mediation, and Nationall intercession, for a Pacification. All which being refused and rejected, they have entered into a mutual League and Covenant with the Church and Kingdom of England; and have resolved to join in Arms with their Brethren for their assistance and deliverance, for the preservation of their own Religion, & of themselves from the merciless cruelty of the common enemy, and (so fare as in them lieth) for the safety of their Native King, and his Kingdoms from destruction and desolation, (as is more largely expressed in their public Declaration, and in the Solemn League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms, which will give full satisfaction to all the wise and well-affected concerning their intentions.) They have also, according to the desire of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, sent us their Commissioners hither, for uniformity of Religion in the Churches of both Kingdoms. And we (their Commissioners) do exceedingly rejoice to behold the Foundation of the House of God, not only in Doctrine, but Church-Government, laid before our eyes in a reverend Assembly of so wise, learned, and godly Divines. And find ourselves bound in all Christian duty, but especially by the late Solemn League and Covenant of both Kingdoms, wherein we are so deeply interessed and engaged, to join in representing to the Reformed Churches abroad, the true condition of affairs here, against all misinformations and mistake.  
And now (dear Brethren) in this extreme danger threatening us all, what are the things we can beg of you? But that first you would judge aright of our afflicted condition, of our innocency and integrity in this our just defence. If our Enemies every where calumniate us, that we be risen up in Rebellion against our Sovereign to deprive him of his just power and greatness, and endeavour to bring Anarchy and confusion into the Church of Christ; from these foul and false aspersions, our intentions fully and clearly set forth in our solemn League and Covenant (the copy whereof we here withal humbly present you) we doubt not will sufficiently clear us. But if these children of belial have unjustly stirred up our Sovereign against us, and by abusing his Majesty's name and Authority, are labouring to keep themselves from deserved punishment of their former crimes, which the supreme Judicatories of the Kingdom went about to inflict upon them, and to deprive us of our lives, Liberties, Privileges, and especially of our Religion; And that our defensive Arms are by us used and intended only to preserve ourselves from their unjust violence: (which hath often been the condition of many of yourselves) Let the righteous Lord judge between us and them; whom we implore to help us no further than we can plead these things in sincerity before him: And let our dear Brethren to whom these letters are addressed, acquit our Innocency in their hearts, and make their Apology for us in all their Churches.  
Secondly, that ye will sympathise with us as Brethren, who suffer in, and for the same cause, wherein yourselves have been oppressed, which will be no little refreshing to our mourning spirits, when we shall know that our God who smites us, yet inclines the hearts of his beloved Churches to look upon us with compassionate bowels, as judging us to be the servants of their own God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, and as remembering themselves to be in the body.  
Thirdly and lastly, That as all the Antichristian faction owns the cause of our Adversaries as their own, and contributes what lies in their power every way to their help, and our ruin: So that you would embrace our condition, as your own common cause, wherein if we be once swallowed up, yourselves are not like long to escape; the quarrel of the enemy being not so much against the persons of men, as against the power of Godliness, and Purity of God's word wherever it is professed. The way and manner of your owning us, we leave wholly to yourselves: Except this one particular, which we must importunately crave, even your fervent prayers both public and private. That God who heareth prayer, now he hath humbled us and broken all our Arms of Flesh (whereon alas we have been too prone to lean) would himself bring salvation to us, that the blessings of truth and peace might rest upon us, that these three Nations may be joined as one stick in the hand of the Lord, and that we ourselves, contemptible bvilders, called to repair the House of God in a troublesome time, being ashamed of our former pollutions, may see the pattern of this House, and commend such a platform to our Zorobabells, as may be most agreeing to his own sacred word, nearest conformity to the best Reformed Churches, and greatest uniformity amongst ourselves, that all mountains may become plains before them and us, that then all who now see the plummet in our hands, may also behold the Top stone set upon the head of the Lords house amongst us, and may help us with shouting to cry, Grace, Grace unto it.  
And thus much we have been willed to Inform you of, Reverend Brethren, (and by you all faithful Christians under your Charges,) by the Honourable House of Commons: In whose name and in our own we bid you hearty farewell in the Lord.  
Your most affectionately devoted Brethren in Christ, 

Commissioners of the Church of Scotland. 

Jo. Maitland,  
A. Jhonston,  
Alex. Henderson,  
Sam. Rutherfurd,  
Rob. Bailyie.  
Geo. Gillespie.    
William Twisse, Prolocutor,  
Cornel. Burges, Assessor,  
Jo. White, Assessor,  
Henry Robrough, Scribe,  
Adoniram Byfield, Scribe.     

THE Several Inscriptions to THE REFORMED CHURCHES.  
Zealand. 
TO the Reverend and Learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of the Province of Zealand, our much Honoured Brethren.  Holland. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes, and Churches of the Province of Holland, our much Honoured Brethren.  East-Holland. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of East-Holland, our much Honoured Brethren.  Gelderland. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of the Province of Gelderland, our much honoured Brethren.  Over ysel. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of the Province of Over ysel, our much honoured Brethren.  Utrecht. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of the Province of Utrecht, our much Honoured Brethren.  Frizeland. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of the Province of Frizeland, our much honoured Brethren.  Groningen. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of the Province and City of Grohingen, our much honoured Brethren.  Geneva. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Church in the City and Republic of Geneva, our much honoured Brethren.  Berne. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Churches of Berne, our much honoured Brethren.  Zurich. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Churches of Zurich, our much honoured Brethren.  Bazell. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Churches of Bazell, our much honoured Brethren.  Schafhausen. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Churches of Schafhausen, our much honoured Brethren.  Paris. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Church which is at Paris, our much honoured Brethren.  Hessen. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of Hessen, our much honoured Brethren.  Anhalt. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Classes and Churches of Anhalt, our much honoured Brethren.  Hanaw. 
To the Reverend and learned Pastors and Elders of the Churches of Hanaw, our much honoured Brethren.    
FINIS.