THE ANSWER OF THE PARLIAMENT OF SCOTLAND TO THE Petitions presented from the SYNODS and PRESBYTERIES.  
At Edinburgh, 10. junii 1648.  
THE Estates of Parliament, finding by the Petitions presented to them by several Synods and Presbyteries, That their present proceedings for the good of Religion, His Majesties rescue and safety, and the true Peace of these kingdoms, is much misconstrued and misunderstood; They have thought fit to Declare for the satisfaction of all such as are satisfyable, That in their undertakings at this time, they shall prefer no earthly consideration to their duties for preserving Religion in Scotland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, as it is already established; And for endeavouring to settle it in England and Ireland according to the Covenant: And as we cannot, with safety to our Consciences and Honour live, and suffer our King to continue in his base Imprisonment, so our undertakings for him shall be subordinate to Religion, and to our duties to God: And in pursuance of these ends, as we shall employ none in our Army but such as have signed the Solemn League and Covenant, and such against whom there is no just cause of exception; So we shall associate with none, but such as willingage themselves to be faithful to the ends of the Covenant; And our undertaking shall not be any ways against the Kingdom of England, or to break the Union between the two Nations, but only for Reformation and defence of Religion, the Honour and happiness of the King, and of his royal Posterity, and the Peace and safety of these Kingdoms, against such who have destroyed Religion, Imprisoned our King; And certainly when they have brought their intended confusion in England to pass both in Church and State, we cannot hope for safety here, whatsoever their professions may now be; Therefore we are resolved to proceed in this Levy in a vigorous doing of our Duties: And we do expect from you, and all his Majesties good Subjects, a ready obedience to the Commands of the Parliament and Committee of Estates in pursuance thereof: And the Estates of Parliament remits to the Committee of Estates to give forth one more full Declaration of the great endeavours the Parliament hes used, and still resolves shall be used to satisfy the desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly, and to Answer their Papers given in this day to the Parliament. And Ordains this Act to be Printed and published, and sent by the Committee of Estates to the several Presbyteries.  
Alex. Gibson, clear. Regist.   

Edinburgh, Printed by Evan tiler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent majesty, 1648.