THE HUMBLE REMONSTRANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF The GENERAL ASSEMBLY, To the Honourable and high Court of Parliament now assembled: TOGETHER WITH The ANSWER of the ESTATES of PARLIAMENT To the said REMONSTRANCE.  
EDINBURGH: Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1647.   

Edinburgh 12 February. 1647.  
THe Commissioners of the General Assembly Ordains the Remonstrance presented to the Honourable Estates of Parliament, Together with the Parliaments Answer thereunto, To be forthwith Printed.  
A. Ker.   

The humble Remonstrance of the Commission of the General Assembly; Unto the Honourable and high Court of Parliament.  
Right Honourable,  
IT is unto us the servants of Jesus Christ, and your servants for his sake, no small consolation; That whilst this Land lies afflicted, and almost fainting under a burden of many evils, you are assembled for her help; Promising unto ourselves, that as in your own hearts ye do bewail its misery before God, So you will gladly entertain the representation thereof from all its lovers; and from the sense of your interest and trust, with spirits as large as your places, endeavour to repair our ruins and build up our breaches; Therefore, as many Synods and Presbyteries do now make their humble address unto your Lordships, in their several supplications, concerning the interests of Religion and of the Kingdom, So are we bold to pour forth our presons thoughts and desires into your bosom, hoping that as they flow from no other fountain th●… the discharge of our consciences and a purpose not do good, So your Lordships will allow them that acceptation that beseems the justice and wisdom of so High and Honourable a Court, and improve the same as fare as you see reason, for the honour of God, and safety both of Church and State. If we had forgotten the sad effects of the Lords former indignation, or were not sensible of the present tokens of his wrath, we were more than stupid; There was a time wherein the Lord made us flee before the Enemy, and made us drunk with the wine of astonishment, not finding either hearts to resolve or hands to execute and put in practice: Neither was the Pestilence less violent in our cities then the sword in the fields; Many thousands have fallen in our land by the arrows of the Almighty and fury of the most high, and yet his wrath is not turned away but his hand stretched out still: The flame of his indignation doth again burn hotly in some of our cities, and a considerable part of our Country groans & languishes without help, under all the cruelty of a barbarous Enemy, who makes no other use of your offer of pardon, then to despise your power, and to wax more insolent in acting of their mischievous designs, which reach not only unto our Lives and Liberties, but unto our Religion and Souls themselves; how sore is the Lord displeased when he suffers Antichrist to enter in our borders, and his emissaries to lead our brethren captive into Babylon and set up the Mass amongst them? and what can we take this for, but a sad prognostication of ensuing darkness to those who have not walked worthy of the light, and that the Lord threatens to departed from his Temple? and is it not an eminent token of his anger, that many who have made themselves drunk with the blood, and rich with the spoils of thousands of our dear Brethren, after that they were destinate unto death by yourselves, have yet escaped the hand of justice, and are restored unto their Lives and Fortunes, unto the strengthening of the Malignant party, and discouraging the hearts and weakening the hands of all the well-affected in the land? It is bitter as death to live with these that have slain the Lords people, and to hear them boast of their cruelty, and rejoice in their iniquity, every day insulting over the Cause of God, and despising and studying to tread underfoot all the lovers of the same. Neither can we look upon the insolences and oppression of many in our Armies, under which not a few in our Land groans; But as upon the rod of the Lords fury, turning the means of our health and preservation unto a cup of vinegar and gall that sets the teeth on edge: Those calamities, and whatsomever miseries besides do afflict us, can issue from no other fountain then from that deluge of profanity that hath covered the face of the Land, which accrese unto a great height of guiltiness, because we have sinned in the day of the Gospel, and despised the Oath of God, neither regarding our Covenant, nor the operation of his hands, in which he hath made himself glorious in the midst of us, in many most eminent works both of Mercy and of Justice.  
We acknowledge that the work of Reformation hath not been without plenty of most gracious and comfortable fruits in many souls throughout the Land, who are for a testimony unto the truth, and for a name of joy and praise unto the most High; Yet we cannot but bemoan the power of ungodliness that prevails and breaks forth in many gross sins, unto the violation of our Covenant, the reproach of our Cause, and the great dishonour of the holy One of Israel our Saviour, whose mercies towards us calls upon us to be holy in all manner of conversation, and to be fruitful in every good work, that we may adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord, and not make his enemies to blaspheme. Therefore knowing all other cures to be vain without the study of Reformation, We do from the unfeigned zeal of your prosperity and peace, in the bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose blood we have been redeemed, in much tender and humble affection, with tears, exhort you by all your Oaths and Obligations unto God, by all his mercies and deliverances towards you, by all your zeal of his Honour and love to Religion and Country, that you will in all your conversation, study Sobriety, Righteousness and Holiness, and so to walk in the Gospel, that it may be known that the Son of God reigns in your hearts, when you not only hold forth his virtues in yourselves, but discountenance every profane person, and cherish and embrace all those that bear the Image of God; The example of your good conversation cannot but be of great force to all the Land, and nothing will contribute more for repressing of sin or establishing of holiness, than the precedency of great ones, Ordering all things that concerns themselves and their followers and domestics according to the Covenant; as is the frame of man's spirits and tenor of their conversation in private, such is their deportment and carriage in public actions. We do well know that nothing will be so effectual for enabling your Honours in the integrity of your spirits, with much affection and love one towards another without emulation or selfseeking, faithfully and zealously to act public counsels and resolutions, then for each of you to walk with God, who is the Father of light, and the Author of every good gift and perfect donation. But it is chiefly as you are clothed with Authority and assembled in Parliament, that we do now make address unto your Honours, beseeching you by him who stands in the assembly of gods, That as your Progenitors and you have made many pious and laudable Acts for punishing of vice, and advancing of virtue, So ye will see carefully to the execution of the same; And because vice is become common and strong, that you will lay it seriously to heart, and bestir yourselves in more than an ordinary way, in thinking upon, and executing all the best expedients for stopping the sluices of iniquity and impiety, and advancing Righteousness and Religion; We know no service better beseeming your place, and more worthy of your pains, that will be more acceptable unto God, or more profitable for the Commonwealth. next unto Reformation and the Rudie of Pictie and Godliness amongst out selves, We conceive it most necessary for out good, to hold fat the Union with our Brethren of England; As the attaining and establishing of it was long studied by the lovers of Truth and Peace, as that subsidy that was like to contribute most for the lasting happiness of both Kingdoms, in regard of all their interests, So hath the dissolving of this been, and is the great design of all the Malignant wits both here and abroad; Conceiving it the surest way to raise their hopes and ruin our happiness, by dividing us asunder and dashing us one against another, which we are sure that you abhor, and will study to avoid, no less in your actions then we do in our desires: And that as hithertills; you have with much wisdom and faithfulness, carefully shunned every thing that might produce suspicions or foster Jealousies, and been deficient in nothing that might strengthen the confidence of the English Nation in the persuasion of your affection and integrity to them-wards; So you will still from the same wisdom and faithfulness, hold fast the League and Covenant betwixt the Kingdoms, as that which is most conducible for the safety and security of both; And that you will by all fair and peaceable means travel with the Parliament of England, for promoving of the work of Uuniformitie, by establishing of the government of the Kirk, and all the ordinances of the Son of God in England in their purity and integrity, that all the clouds of error which are there, may be scattered, and the beauty of the truth shine brightly in both Lands. And conceiving it to conduce much for that work, and for the accomplishing our happiness, that His Majesty should join therein, Therefore as we pour forth our prayers unto God for him on that behalf, So we hope that your Honours will not be deficient in continuing to deal with him to subscribe the League and Covenant, that he and his Subjects being of one mind, he may be happy in his Government, and they in their obedience. And though the Peace with the Rebels in the fruits and effects thereof, hath neither answered your expectations, nor put an end to the Kingdoms miseriers, yet we shall only desire, that all such as have been involved in the Rebellion may be keeped from places of public trust, whether Civil or Military; And that you will take such course with them, in moderating their power, and regulating their carriage, as that it may be known, that you put a difference betwixt those that have served God and their Country, and those that have opposed him in the public Cause; And that your peace may be peace indeed, and not the foundation of a more lasting War: If it were not tedious, we could lay it before your Honours what a height of arrogancy, and disdain of authority both Civil and Ecclesiastic, appears in the carriage and expressions of most of these men, & that not in corners abroad, but publicly in the chief Cities of the Kingdom, and under your own eyes; And it is yet more grievous, that such should be familiarly conversed with and countenanced by these who profess themselves to be for the Lord and his Cause, which evil is so increased, that excommunicate persons themselves are not avoided.  
It wounds us deeply to behold the sufferings, and hear the cries and complaints of our Brethren in the Province of Argyle, and the places thereabouts, who have their blood shed, as water spilt upon the ground, their estates ruined, their houses burnt with fire, and the remnant that is left exposed unto the snares of Antichrist, and all the miseries of nakedness and famine: We need not put your Lordships in mind what hath been their carriage & constancy in the public Work, nor what is your obligation unto them by virtue of your Covenant, Nor how dangerous the seating of such an Enemy there may be, both unto our Religion and our Country, But we beseech you by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye will apply yourselves seriously, and bestir yourselves diligently for the help and relief of that poor people, whose conditions pleads for it at your hands, both as an Act of Justice and an Act of Mercy. We do also lay before you the eminent dangers, and low condition of our Brethren in Ireland, who are near to be swallowed up of their adversaries: Persuading ourselves, that you will extend your utmost endeavours with the Parliament of England, for their tymous assistance and relief. And although we do acknowledge, not only the courage, but also the moderation and piety of many worthies in our Armies, who not only walk as good Soldiers, but as Soldiers of Jesus Christ, unto their own commendation and our heart's joy, whose deservings we make no question will be both valued and rewarded by you according to their worth; yet we cannot but regrate, that many in our Armies walk loosely and disorderly, riotously spending what they violently spoil, and making the lives of the Commons bitter unto them by their insolences and oppressions, which are carried with so high an hand, that without the interposition of your authority, help cannot be found: And therefore we are confident that your care shall reach unto this also, that the poor be no more oppressed, nor the Gospel, and our profession reproached by the debordings of such: And we also trust that your Lordships will so dispose of common burdens, that friends have no cause to complain of unequal measure amongst themselves, much less that Enemies are in a better condition than they, and that they are overcharged when the other not only retain their spoils but live in superfluities. And because the preservation of the Judicatories of the Kirk in their integrity and strength is of a great consequence, unto the suppressing of iniquity and ungodliness, and advancing righteousness and piety, We desire that your Lordships will carefully see unto the keeping of their authority inviolable, against all the insolences of unreasonable men: Our Religion and Liberty are blessings of excellent & incomparable worth, in establishing of which unto us, the Lord hath marched in as glorious and stately way of providence over all the mountains of opposition, as any eye hath seen for many hundred of years past: And it does not escape your knowledge what hath been the designs and endeavours of adversaries from the beginning against the same; And though many of them be cut short of their power, that they can no more openly oppose, yet have they not desisted from their policy secretly to undermine; And there is no less danger in the mysteries of iniquity than acts of hostility. When we consider how many of those who were once open Enemies are brought unto our bosom as seeming friends, we cannot but profess our fears, and as the watchman of the house of Israel forewarn you of the same; Earnestly beseeching you, that you will mind the same thing, and as one man from the unfeigned zeal of the honour of God, and with much love and affection one towards another, study the preservation of those precious blessings, That not only this, but the succeeding generations may be happy in the enjoying of the same.  
A. Ker.   

The Parliaments Answer.  
Edinburgh, 11 February. 1647.  
THe Estates of Parliament now convened in this sixth Session of the first triennall Parliament, Having seriously considered the Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the General Assembly presented to them; Do with all thankful acknowledgement receive the pious and seasonable admonitions and exhortations therein contained, and return to their particular desires this following answer.  
1. That they do hereby Ordain all Acts already passed for punishing of vice and advancing of virtue, to stand in force, and be put to due execution, Recommending the same to all the Ministers of justice whom it concerns. And that they are yet ready to enact any further new Laws and Ordinances necessary for that purpose, having appointed a Committee for Acts and Overtures to meet with M. James Robertoun the Justice Depute at all convenient occasions, for receiving and considering the desires and Overtures of the said Commissioners, and to prepare a report of their opinions therein to the Parliament with all diligence.  
2. That they have been ever careful to preserve that Band of Union between the Kingdoms, and to prosecute the work of Uniformity according to the Covenant, still resolving zealously to study the same. That they have yet again made their humble addresses to His Majesty for signing the Covenant, and satisfying the desires of his Parliaments of both Kingdoms; All which their instructions to their Commissioners at London and Newcastle, and their Letters to the Parliament of England do sufficiently express: And what further is to be done in relation to these particulars, shall be communicate to the Commission from time to time, that they may jointly concur according to their place and vocation for prosecuting thereof.  
3. Touching the particulars concerning these persons brought off the rebellion, by the General Major thereunto warranted; That the public faith so given unto them is not to be violated: But for the better securing the peace & quiet of the Kingdoms, These Persons brought off the rebellion are hereby appointed to give such further assurance of their good and regular behaviour in time coming, and for keeping the Peace as is conform to the former Laws and Practices; And in the mean time, that such of themand others accessary to the rebellion, and under censure of Church and State, whom the Committee thereunto appointed shall think fit, be commanded off Town, And that an Act & Proclamation be drawn by that Committee, and speedily expedited and prepared for the Parliament to that effect: Ordaining further, that the said's Persons brought off the rebellion, and any others guilty of the crimes mentioned in the first Class of the Act at S. Andrews, shall not be admitted to sit in any public judicatories, nor enjoy and exerce any offices or places of trust Civil or Military, during the time of these troubles, and longer during the pleasure of the Parliament without prejudice to persons who have heritable offices, to nominate and appoint, by the advice of Parliament, Committee of Estates, or Secret Counsel, fit persons, against whom there is no just exception, to be their Deputes in these offices. And it is also hereby declared, that these Persons brought off the rebellion, are not to be in a better condition than other Subjects, But that they are and shall be liable and subject in payment of all Loans, Taxes, Monthly Maintenance, and of their proportions for Levies of Foot and Horse, at the rate and prices set down by Acts of Parliament, or Committee of Estates, or Committees of War in Shires where they have interest respectiuè; And of all other public burdens, impositions, and duties whatsomever, for all years bygone and in time coming, as fully and in the same manner as any other person is or hath been subject thereunto.  
4. That all the former Laws and Ordinances against excommunicate Persons, are hereby appointed to stand in full force and vigour, Recommending to every one whom it concerns, to put the same to due execution: And what shall be found further necessary from the Parliament, to make that dreadful ordinance of God, sensible to such obstinate offenders, And to have due regard and reverence from all, is to be considered by the said Committee, to whom the Overtures of the Commission to that purpose are referred, and after return of their report, The Parliament will take the same to special consideration.  
5. That they are very sensible of the distresses of the province of Argyle, and have already provided some means for their present subsistence and relief, Resolving still to take further course for their help and succour, and to prosecute the War against the Rebels, not only there, but in all the parts of the Kingdom.  
6. That the business of Ireland, is carefully recommended to the grand Committee; wherein, after the result of their consultations shall be returned, they are to take some speedy and effectual course accordingly.  
7. That they judge it most just and reasonable, that the Judicatories of the Kirk be preserved in their integrity and authority, That insolences against them be exemplarly punished, And that particular ordinances be drawn for that purpose, which is hereby recommended to the said Committee of Overtures.  
8. That they have recommended to the General Officers, to punish the insolences and disorders of Soldiers committed before this time; And for preventing the like hereafter, They are to consider the report of the great Committee, and to take course how the Officers that are to have command, may give assurance for restraining and redressing such insolences and disorders for time to come.  
And the Estates of Parliament hereby Statute and Ordain, That the party that Ordinances, Declarations and Answers above-expressed, shall have the strength and authority of Acts, Declarations; Answers, and Ordinances of Parliament conform to the ●…ors and 〈…〉 of respective.  
Alex. Gibsone Cler. Regist.  
FINIS.