THE DESIRES OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE Kingdom of Scotland, that both Houses of Parliament may fit in Freedom, for settling of Religion, according to the Covenant, that King Charles the second, upon just satisfaction given, may be admitted to the Government of these kingdoms.  
Together with their Protestation against their proceedings to the contrary.  
LONDON, printed in the year, 1648.   

THE DESIRES OF THE COMmissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, &c.  
IN the year 1642. and afterwards in the year, 1643. When the Popish, prelatical, and Malignant party did grow prevalent in this Kingdom, the honourable Houses of Parliament did communicate several Declarations and Papers to th● Kingdom of Scotland, thereby to inform their judgements of the state of the differences here, and to gain their assistance, and invite their Forces to come into this Kingdom. In which D●clarations, and other Papers, they affirm and declare. 
Declarat. and account to all the world. August 1642.  That the Army of the Houses of Parliament was raised for maintenance of the true Religion, the Kings Person, Honour and Estate, privileges of Parliament, Rights and Liberties of Subjects; And for the prevention of the alteration of Religion. That their Enemies design was, to corrupt and alter Religion throughout the whole iceland; And that they begun with Scotland, knowing well, that the same fate attended both Kingdoms, 
English Commissioners. August, 1643.  that they have only inverted the manner of their proceeding, conceiving it an easier way to destroy them, if they may first prevail over the Parliament and Kingdom of England, that whensoever Religion is subverted or changed in the one Kingdom, it will easily be accomplished in the other, Religion being the band and foundation of the happiness of both; That what corruptions take root in England, will quickly spread their venom and infection to their neighbour Church of Scotland. They declare the true state of the quarrel to be Religion; In reformation whereof they are so forward and zealous, as there is nothing expressed in Scotlands former or latter Declarations, which they have not seriously endeavoured to effect. They earnestly entreat the general Assembly, to further and expedite the Assistance, desired by both Houses, from the Kingdom of Scotland, upon this ground and motive; That thereby they shall do great service to God, and great honour may redound to themselves in becoming the instruments of a glorious Reformation, not only throughout this island, but from thence possibly to be spread to other Churches oppr●ssed under the Antichristian bondage, and tyranny of the popish and prelatical faction. They commend the prudence and faithfulness of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 
Declar●t. Septem. 1642. in answer to the Scots Declar●t.  in propounding those things which may conduce to a more close and firm union of the two Churches and Nations of England and Scotland, in preserving and maintaining the truth and purity of the reformed Religion, not only against popery, but all Superstitious S●cts and Innovations whatsoever: And declare, that the Houses of Parliament have ever made the Reformation of Church Government and Discipline, their chiefest aim, though they have been frequen●ly interrupted, and powerfully opposed in the prosecution and accomplishment of it: And however they continue still in the storm and confl●ct, yet they take the peace, liberty, and preservation which God hath afforded Scotland, as a pledge of the like mercy intended to them in his good time, hoping that God will perfect their designs and endeavours of a full Reformation in all things pertaining to Religion. And profess their earnest desires for unity of Religion in all substantial parts of doctrine, worship, and discipline; that both Kingdoms might be more strictly united, and enjoy the advantages of his majesties more easy, safe, and comfortable Government, the people a more free communion in all holy exercises and duties of worship. And that there might be a more constant security of Religion, 
Remon●trance December, 1641.  against the bloody practices of Papists and deceitful errors of Sectaries, They Remonstrate: That it is far from their purpose or desire, to let loose the golden reins of Discipline and Government of the Church, to leave private persons, or particular Congregations, to take up what form of divine service they please, but do hold it requisite, that there should be throughout the whole Realm, a conformity to that Order which the laws inioy●s, 
day, ●642.  according to the word of God. They protest in the presence of the All-seein● Deity, that the services which they have been desirous to perform to their sovereign Lord and King, and to this Church and State, in providing for the public peace and prosperity of his majesty and all his Realms, to have been, and still to be, the only end of all their councils& Endeavours; wherein they have resolved to continue freed, and enlarged from all private aims, personal respects or passions whatsoever. They oft mention their Protestation, taken by every Member of both Houses, promising in the presence of Almighty God, to defend his majesty, and disclaim the having any purpose to offer the least violence to his person, which hath, and ever shall be dear unto them. They declare, that they expect the help and assistance of Scotland, in defence of the cause, which if the Popish party prevail, must needs either involve them in that alteration of Religion, which will be made here; or engage them in a war against this Kingdom, to defend their own Religion and Liberty. 
Declarat. and Protestation to all the world. 1642.  And then profess before the everliving God, the safety of Religion, Laws, and Liberties in this, and all other his majesties dominions, to be the chief end of all their councils and Resolutions, without any intention or desire, to hurt or injure his majesty either in his Person, or in his just power; That they rest assured both God and man will abhor and abominate that monstrous and injurious charge laid upon the Representative body of this Kingdom, 
Declarat. Novem. 1642.  of designing the ruin, not only of his majesties person, but of Monarchy itself; and appeal to all the world, whether worse words then these can be given them.  
These Declarations and solemn Engagements, were communicated to the Kingdom of Scotland, before they did join in war with the Houses of Parliament: And also both Kingdoms entred into a solemn League and Covenant, for Reformation and defence of Religion: For uniformity in one Confession of Faith, form of Church Government, Directory for worship and catechizing, for extirpation of Popery, prelacy, Superstition, heresy, schism, profannes and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of godliness: For preservation of the Rights and privileges of Parliament, and liberties of the Subject: For the honour and happiness of the King and his posterity; and the peace and safety of these Kingdoms.  
In the year 1646. After the power and strength of the enemy was broken, 
Declarat. of the House commons 17. April. 1646.  the House of Commons did upon the 17 of April publish a Declaration( which they likewise caused to be set up and afixe in every parish Church) wherein they vindicate themselves from several misconstructions, and mis-representa●ions of their proceedings: As that they should have any intentions or desire, to make use of the great success God hath given them, contrary to their former professions, or to exceed or swerve from their first aims and principles in the undertaking this war: and to recede from the solemn League and Covenant, and Treaties betwixt the Kingdoms, or to prolong these uncomfortable troubles, and bleeding distractions, in order to alter the fundamental constitution and frame of this Kingdom, and to leave all Government in the Church loose and unsettled, and themselves to exercise the same arbitrary power over the persons and Estates of the Subiects, which the present Parliament had thought fit to abolish, by taking away the Star Chamber, High Commission, and other arbitrary Courts, and the exorbitant power of the council Table. And further they declare, That their true and real intentions are, and their endeavours shall be, to settle Religion in the purity thereof according to the Covenant; and to maintain the ancient and fundamental constitution and Government of this Kingdom, by King, Lords, and Commons.  
In November 1647. when a Petition was presented to the House of Commons, stileing them the supreme Authority of the Nation, together with a printed paper annexed, entitled the Agreement of the People, for a firm and present peace, upon grounds of common right,) which agreement, as we have found upon perusal of both) is the same for substance, with the agreement lately published) the House of Commons did declare, that the matters contained in those papers, were destructive to the being of Parliament, and to the fundamental Government of the kingdom; And appoynted a letter to be written to the general, to examine the proceeding of that business in the Army, and return an account thereof to the House. And when another petition directed to the supreme Authority of England, the Commons in Parliament assembled, was presented the 23. of the same month, they voted that Peti●ion, a seditious and contemptuous, avowing, and prosecuting of the former petition and paper annexed, styled an Agreement of the people, formerly adjudged to be destructive to the being of Parliaments and fundamental government of the Kingdom, and another letter was appoynted to be sent to the general, to take notice of his proceedings in the execution of a mutinous person( who was an abetter of that agreement) at the Randisvouze near Ware, and to give him thankes for it, and desire him to prosecute the examinations of that business, to the bottom, and to bring such guilty persons as he shall think fit, to condign and exemplary punishment, all which declarations, protestations, oaths, Covenants, and solemn engagements, notwithstanding we find to our great giefe, wonder and astonishment, that contrary to the discent and protestation of the kingdom of Scotland, his majesty is removed out of this life, by a violent death; That Orders are published in print, entitled Acts of Parliament, prohibiting the proclaiming of the Prince of Wales, King of these kingdoms, that the Commons which now sit at Westminster,( after many Members of that House, have been imprisoned, secluded by force or necessitated to withdraw, because they cannot act as in a free Parliament) have voted away the Kingly office, and the House of Lords, and claim the authority of a Parliament, and under colour thereof, the Power of repealing all oaths of Allegiance or obedience whatsoever, even without exception of the Solemn leagve and Covenant, from which the conscience cannot be absolved by all the powers on earth. We see likewise strong endeavours used, and resolutions taken, to maintain a Licensious liberty, and ungodly toleration, in matters of Religion,) As appeareth by a paper lately published, commonly called an Agreement of the people against which upon the 26th of January last, wee did present a testimony, from the Commisioners of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland approved of by the States of Parliament of that kingdom. If the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, who made the Declaration and ●ngag●ment aforesaid, ha● been permi●ed to sit and act with freedom, we know there wou●d have been no such proceedings as we have already seen, nor cause to fear such dangerous evils and strange alterations as are now carried on by will and power. We may confidently say, they would have been more mindful of their many Declarations, and the Solemn Leagve and Covenant; and more ready to harken to the advice of their brethren of Scotland, and however, no regard hath been had by those who now rule, to what we have formerly said, and so we have small hopes, that any great notice shall be taken of what we shall further say; Yet in pursuance of the instructions we have receved from the Parliament of Scotland, we hold it our duty to desire, that there may be no toleration of Idolatry, Popery, Prelacy, heresy, schism or prophannes, that ther be no change of the fundamental constitution and Government of this kingdom, by King, Lords and Commons, that there may be nothing done which may wrong King Charles the Second, in his succession, as righteous heir of the crown of these kingdoms: But that by the free council of both Houses of Parliament, reformation of, and uniformity in Religion may be settled, according to the Covenant, and particularly, that presbyterial Government, the confession of Faith, D●●ectory for worship, and Catichisme, may be established, that the just Right and Tittle of King Charles the Second, to the crown of these kingdoms, may be acknowledged and upon just satisfaction given to both kingdoms, he may be received and admitted to the exercise of his Government. And if notwithstanding all our earnest desires and endeavours to the contrary, the Commons now sitting at Westminster, shall proceed otherwise in all or any of the particulars aforesaid; we do hereby in the name of the Parliament and Kingcome o● Scotland dissent from the same, and solemnly protest that they may be fr●e before God and Man of all the guiltiness, evils, confusions miseries and calamities that may follow thereupon to these distracted Kingdoms,  
24. Feb. 1648. Lothian. 

jo. chiefly.  
William Glendonyng.