The declaration of the kingdome of Scotland, concerning the present expedition into England according to the commission and order of the Convention of Estates, from their meeting at Edinburgh, August 1643. Scotland. Convention of Estates. 1643 Approx. 21 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A58617 Wing S1219 ESTC R235648 13142491 ocm 13142491 97994

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A58617) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 97994) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 751:3 or 778:6) The declaration of the kingdome of Scotland, concerning the present expedition into England according to the commission and order of the Convention of Estates, from their meeting at Edinburgh, August 1643. Scotland. Convention of Estates. [2], 12 p. Printed by Evan Tyler ..., Edinburgh : 1643. This item appears at reels 751:3 and 778:6. Reproduction of originals in Duke University Library and Huntington Library.

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eng Church of Scotland -- History -- Sources. Solemn League and Covenant (1643) Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Sources. Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1625-1649 -- Sources. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2010-03 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-03 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-04 Sampled and proofread 2010-04 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE DECLARATION OF THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND, CONCERNING The preſent Expedition into England, according to the Commiſſion and Order of the Convention of Eſtates, from their meeting at Edinburgh, Auguſt 1643.

EDINBURGH, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings moſt Excellent Majeſtie. 1643.

THe Committee of the Eſtates of the Kingdome of Scotland, Ordaines the following Declaration to be forthwith printed both in Engliſh and Latine.

Archbald Primeroſe.
royal blazon or coat of arms C R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE
The DECLARATION of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND.

IT is now, we ſuppoſe, known to the Chriſtian world, and will be known to after ages, what have been the dangers and diſtreſſes of this Kirk and Kingdome, in their Religion and Liberties; What their endeavours and wreſtlings have been for deliverance, and how mercifully and marvellouſly the good hand of God did ſettle their Religion and Peace, againſt the devices, attempts and practices of Papiſts, Prelates and Malignants: who, had they not been given up to incurable blindneſſe and hardneſſe of heart, would have ſeen and acknowledged the hand of God working againſt them, and themſelves fighting againſt God. But theſe enemies of all righteouſneſſe, full of all ſubtilty and miſchief, do not ceaſe to pervert the right wayes of the Lord. Their great project and main deſigne againſt the Reformed Religion and People of God, is not altered, but continueth one and the ſame: their furie and malice is not abated, and their plots and policies deeper, and more wicked then before; onely finding their fraud fruſtrated, and their forces beaten back upon one ſide; they have with new ſtratagems, freſh reſolutions, and greater power, aſſaulted another part of the wall, and have made the breach ſo wide and large, that they have entred, and begun to roare in the midſt of the Congregations of Gods People, and are ſetting up their Enſignes for Signes, which to the unſpeakable grief of all who are not both void of Grace, and deprived of naturall affection, is to be ſeen this day in miſerable Ireland, and diſtreſſed England; and, unleſſe it be prevented by their timeous and ſpeedy deliverance, ſhall (wee know not how ſoon) be ſeen and felt in this Kingdome; where, as the enemies did begin, ſo ſhall they end this bloudy, barbarous, and Anti-chriſtian tragedie, if the Authors be not interrupted and driven from the Stage, before they bring it to their intended concluſion and helliſh applauſe.

It is wee confeſſe, no ſmall comfort to this Kirk and Kingdome, that we have been willing and ready by all good means from the beginning, to quench this unnaturall fire; all who have had place and publick intereſt, the Lords of his Majeſties privie Councell, the Commiſsioners for conſerving the peace, and the Generall Aſſembly of this Kirk and their Commiſsioners, having with all care and faithfulneſſe applyed themſelves from time to time, to uſe all good means; ſuch as are their humble deſires, their Supplications, Declarations and Remonſtrances to his Majeſty for a bleſſed Pacification: And after all theſe had proved ineffectuall, Commiſsioners were ſent to repreſent, how much this Kirk and Kingdome from their intereſt in the preſervation of their own Religion, the ſafety of his Majeſties Perſon, and their near relation to their Brethren of England, were concerned in the unhappy differences, betwixt his Majeſtie and the houſes of Parliament, and in all humility and tenderneſſe, to make offer of their mediation and nationall interceſsion, for removing them in ſuch a way as might moſt ſerve for his Majeſties honour, and the good of his people; but after long attendance, much contrary to their deſires and hopes, and to the expectation of all his Majeſties good Subjects in both Kingdomes (ſo prevalent were the Counſels of the Popiſh Prelaticall, and malignant party, apprehending their own troubles and miſery, in the publick peace and happineſſe of the King and his People) the offer of their humble ſervice and faithfull endeavours, was utterly refuſed and rejected, upon no other reaſon, but that they had no warrant nor capacity for ſuch a mediation, although authorized by a Commiſsion from his Majeſtie and Parliament for that effect; and that the intermixture of the government of the Church of England with the civill government, was ſuch a myſterie as could not be underſtood by them; although it be true which was then often replyed, that in the eighth demand of the Treaty of Peace, the deſire of uniformity in Kirk-government was kindly entertained, and received ſuch an anſwer, as hath been ſince a door of hope to this Kirk and Kingdome of obtaining their deſires; and although the Houſes of Parliament, who are beſt acquainted with the conſtitution of that Kingdome, and whom it moſt concerned, have paſſed their Bill, for aboliſhing of Epiſcopall government, not onely as a great impediment to the perfect Reformation and growth of Religion (which in a Chriſtian Kingdome is a ſufficient ground) but alſo, as very prejudiciall to the civill State and Government.

The Commiſsioners having returned from Oxford without ſucceſſe, and the miſeries of Ireland, the troubles of England, and the dangers and preſſures of this Kingdome more and more increaſing; the Lords of his Majeſties Councell, the Commiſſioners for conſerving the Peace, and the Commiſsioners for the Common burthens, all intruſted with the publike affairs of the Kingdome reſpectively, found themſelves preſſed above their place and power, with difficulties, which required the Common Counſell, conſent and reſolution of the Eſtates of the Kingdome, and were neceſſitate according to the practice of former times (his Majeſty having denied a Parliament, being ſupplicated for that effect) to call a Convention of the Eſtates, that by their wiſedome they might conſider of the Common duty, and provide for the publick ſafety of the Kingdome, in a time of ſuch extremity. No ſooner did the Convention of Eſtates, which was met with more then ordinary frequency and alacrity, enter into publick conſultation, but the good providence of God ſtill watching over this Countrey for good, did bring to their hand, a diſcovery of divers treacherous attempts, againſt the Kirk and Kingdome; as if the Convention had been called to receive Information of the dangers, and to provide remedies, for the ſafety of the publick. Like as the dangers diſcovered unto them, were made publikely known, and with the advice of the Commiſsioners of the Generall Aſſembly, the remedies alſo were a greed upon, and publiſhed in print.

Amongſt theſe remedies a chief one was, to conſider of the renewing of a League and Aſſociation with England, for defence of Religion, and the mutuall peace of the Kingdomes againſt the common Enemy, and how farre the ſame might be extended againſt Prelacie and Popiſh Ceremonies for uniformity in Kirk-government, and the externall Worſhip of God, as is more fully expreſſed in the Remonſtrance of the remedies of the dangers of Religion. But before the Convention of Eſtates had entred upon this grave conſideration Commiſsioners came from both Houſes of the Parliament of England, warranted and authorized to propound their deſires of the ſame union and ſtrait Conjunction of the two Nations, againſt Papiſts, and Prelates, with their adherents; and to conſider with the Eſtates of this Kingdome, of ſuch Articles or Propoſitions, as might make the aſſiſtance and union betwixt the two Nations more beneficiall and effectuall for the common ſecurity of Religion and Libertie. Upon the manifeſtation of this concourſe of the ſtrong inclinations and deſires of the Eſtates of both Kingdomes, with which the Generall Aſſembly, did moſt unanimouſly and heartily joyne their deſires, counſels, and prayers, a Committee of the Convention of Eſtates, and a Committee of the Generall Aſſembly, were appointed to meet with the Comiſsioners of the Houſes of Parliament, for conſidering the beſt and readieſt wayes, by which theſe common deſires and conceptions might be ripened and brought forward toward perfection, and (if it were poſſible) to birth and action, for the comfort of both Kingdomes, in Religion and Peace. Theſe three Committees after ſome meetings for debate and deliberation, did reſolve in end, that, according to the commendable practice of the two Kingdomes in former times of diſtreſſe and danger, the example of the People of God in other Nations, in the like caſe; and the late example of the Kirk and Kingdome of Scotland, the beſt and moſt effectuall means for preſerving Religion, and both Kingdomes from utter ruine and deſtruction, and for procuring Peace, and all other bleſſings, were: That both Kingdomes enter into a ſolemne League and Covenant to be ſworne and ſubſcribed by his Majeſties Subjects of all degrees in both Kingdomes, who love the true Proteſtant, reformed Religion, His Majeſties honour and ſafety, and their own happineſſe: And therefore they did with common conſent agree upon the fiſt lineaments and principall parts of a Covenant, to be offered to the view, and to be conſidered by the wiſedome of the full Aſſembly of the Kirk, and Convention of Eſtates, which, how ſoon it was preſented unto them, and read once and again in their audience, did ſo affect their hearts, that the fire which had made them to melt in tears at the ſolemnizing of the Nationall Covenant of this Kingdome, did begin to burn again, and bring forth the ſparkles of the like affection; and withall did fill them with confidence and hope, that the Lord, inclining the hearts of the Houſes of Parliament, and of the gracious and wel-affected People of England, to joyn in this Covenant, they will thereby finde an anſwer from Heaven to all the prayers, which they have offered up with ſtrong crying and tears, a deliverance from all their ſufferings and feares, and the beginning of a new World of joy and peace, which the Lord will create for their comfort.

But we know on the other part, upon the ſwearing and ſubſcribing of this Covenant by true Chriſtians and Patriots; the oppoſite and malignant party of Papiſts, Prelates, and others the ſonnes of defection and contention their adherents, will rage & tumultuate more then ever before. And therefore, unleſſe we will either betray our Religion, Liberties, and Lawes, and all that we and ours do poſſeſſe, into their hands, and ſuffer our ſelves to be cut off and maſſacred by ſuch bloody and barbarous cruelty, as they have executed this time paſt in Ireland and England, there is a neceſſity of taking of Arms for mutuall defence, in the cauſe of Religion, of the Kings honour, of the liberty and peace of the Kingdomes, and of every one of us in our own private eſtate and condition. In this caſe it is moſt neceſſary, that every one againſt all doubting be perſwaded in his minde of the lawfulneſſe of his undertaking, and of the Cauſe maintained by him, which is no other, then the good of Religion in England, and the deliverance of our Brethren out of the depths of affliction, the preſervation of our own Religion, and of our ſelves from the extremity of miſery, and the ſafety of our Native King, and his Kingdomes from deſtruction and deſolation: Any one of which, by all Law divine and humane, is too juſt cauſe of taking of Arms, how much more when all of them are joyned in one? Whoſoever with-draweth and hideth himſelf in ſuch a debate and controverſie, let him conſider, whether he be not a hater of his Brethren, againſt Chriſtian and common charity; An hater of himſelf and his poſterity, againſt the law and light of nature; A hater of the King and his Kingdomes, againſt loyaltie and common duty; And a hater of God, againſt all Religion and Peace.

Concerning the firſt, The queſtion is not, nor need we diſpute, whether we may propagate our Religion by Arms, but whether, according to our power, we ought to aſsiſt our Brethren in England, who are calling for our help, and are ſhedding their blood in defence of that power, without which Religion can neither be defended nor reformed, nor unity of Religion with us, and other reformed Kirks, be attained, who have in the cauſe of Religion, and the like exigence, aſsiſted us and other reformed Kirks; to whom, of old and of late, we have made promiſes of the reall Declarations of all Chriſtian duty and thankfulneſſe; And who, upon our deſires and their endeavours for unity in Religion, have often warned us, that the malignant party would bend all their invention and forces to interrupt the work, and to ruine and deſtroy them in the undertaking of it, which we ſee this day come to paſſe. The queſtion is no ſooner rightly ſtated, but it is as ſoon reſolved: the Lord ſave us from the curſe of Meroz, who came not to help the Lord, to help the Lord againſt the mighty: when they look upon the Cauſe which they maintain, the prayers, tears, and blood which they have poured forth, and the inſolencies and blaſphemies of the enemies, we cannot doubt, but enlargement and deliveverance ſhall ariſe unto England; but we have reaſon to fear, if we upon ſo fair a calling, ſit ſtill and hold our peace, this Kirk and Kingdome ſhall periſh by the hand of the ſame enemy, and there ſhall be none to deliver us: And who knows, whether the Lord hath granted us mercy, furniſhed us with men of Warre, put Weapons in our hands, and called this great Councell of the Eſtates, for warrant and direction for ſuch a time as this? God forbid, and be it farre from us to ſit down at eaſe (if we may promiſe to our ſelves eaſe) on this ſide of Jordan, till our Brethren be poſſeſſed in the liberties of the Kingdome of Chriſt.

Neither concerning the ſecond, is the queſtion (as our enemies would make it) whether we ſhall enter into England, and lift Arms againſt our own King, who hath promiſed and done as much as may ſecure us in our Religion and Liberties; but whether againſt the Popiſh, Prelaticall, and Malignant party their adherents, prevailing in England and Ireland, we be not bound to provide for our own preſervation, although it had not been often told us from England, and the reformed Kirks in other places, we might of our ſelves have known from our continuall experience ever ſince the time of our firſt Reformation, eſpecially after the two Kingdomes have been united under one Head and Monarch, from the Principles of our own Declarations, in the time of our late troubles and dangers, from the vindictive diſpoſition of the enemies of this Kirk and Kingdome, which they conceive to be the fountain whence have iſſued all theſe evils, and from the grounds of common reaſon, That we cannot long like Goſhen, enjoy our light, if darkneſſe ſhall cover the face of other reformed Kirks? that Juda cannot long continue in liberty, if Iſrael be led away in captivity, and that the condition of the one Kirk and Kingdome, whether in Religion or Peace, muſt be common to both? If England ſhall ſubdùe the enemies of Religion without that aſſiſtance which they call for from us at this time, what help can we expect from them in the houre of our tentation, which we have deſerved, and the Lord may bring upon us when he will. God forbid, that we ſhould give them cauſe to laugh at our calamity, and mock when our fear cometh; and if they ſhall be given over into the hand of the Enemy (which God in his mercy avert) will not the enemy ſtrengthened with increaſe of power, be the more inſolent and unreſiſtable, and will not the power of England, turned into the hands of Malignants, turne alſo enemy againſt this Kirk and Kingdome, and upon ſuch pretences as be already invented, and yet (they will alledge) according to the late Treaty of Peace, within three moneths ſpace, denounce a Nationall Warre againſt us.

And concerning the third, the queſtion is not, whether we ſhould preſume to be Arbitrators in the matters now debated by fire and ſword; betwixt his Majeſty and the Houſes of Parliament, which may ſeeme to be forraigne and extrinſecall to this Nation, and wherein we may be conceived to have no intereſt, but whether our mediation and interceſſion being rejected by the one ſide, upon hope of victory; or ſuppoſe, by both ſides, upon confidence of their own ſtrength, and ſeverall ſucceſſes, it be not our duty, it being in our power, to ſtop or prevent the effuſion of Chriſtian bloud? Or whether we ought not to endeavour to reſcue our Native King, his Crown and Poſterity, out of the midſt of ſo many dangers, and to preſerve his People and Kingdome from ruine and deſtruction? If every private man be bound in duty to interpoſe himſelf as a reconciler and ſequeſtrator betwixt his neighbours, armed to their mutuall deſtruction? If the ſon ought to hazard his own life for the preſeration of his father & brother at variance the one againſt another? Shal a Kingdome ſit ſtill, and ſuffer their King and neighbouring Kingdome to periſh in an unnaturall warre? In the time of animoſitie and appetite of revenge, ſuch an interpoſing may be an irritation: But afterwards, when the eyes of the minde no more bloud-run with paſſion, do diſcerne things aright, it ſhall be no grief, nor offence of heart, but matter of thankſgiving to God, and to the Inſtruments which have kept from ſhedding of bloud, and from revenge.

The Covenant is now ſolemnely taken in England, and is countenanced there already from Heaven with marvellous ſucceſſe. The Propoſitions and Articles of the Treatie are with wonderfull unanimitie concluded in both Houſes of Parliament, Ceſſation of Armes is agreed upon with the Iriſh Rebels, and they, notwithſtanding all the barbarous and unparalleld crueltie exerciſed by them upon the Proteſtants and people of God in that Kingdome, honoured with the title of his Majeſties Subjects: It is therefore now high time for all true-hearted Scottiſh men, and good Patriots abroad, eſpecially ſuch as upon fair and plauſible pretences have been formerly miſtaken or ſeduced to take arms againſt this Cauſe of God and Religion, timely to remember their Nationall Covenant, and ſeriouſly to bethink themſelves of the duty, which, by ſo manifold Obligations they owe to their Religion and Native Countrey in this time of ſo great diſtreſſe and danger to both: leſt deſpiſing or neglecting this our warning and intimation, they either periſh by wilfull perſiſting in their own wayes againſt God, their Countrey, and Covenant, or come too late, and there be no place left for repentance. It is alſo moſt neceſſary for all good people of all ranks and degrees within the Kingdome, to deny themſelves and their own eaſe, or what earthly thing is deareſt unto them, to lift up their eyes and behold the Work of God unto which they are called, and with heart and hand to joyn in this ſo religious, ſo juſt, and ſo neceſſary Expedition, and which upon the truth of God, our own late, comfortable, and never to be forgotten experience, and the prayers of the people of God, we may be aſſured, will in end, againſt all difficulties and opoſition, be crowned with ſuch ſucceſſe, as may be honour to God, confuſion to his preſumptuous and incorrigible enemies, propagation to the true Religion, and comfort to all the unfeigned lovers of truth and peace, which againſt all calumnie and contradiction hath been, is, and ſhall be the ſumme of our deſires.

FINIS.