A letter from the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland residing here at London to William Lenthall Esq. Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the present proceedings in this kingdome, against religion, the King, and government : together with their declaration and protestation against the taking away His Majesties life.

A letter from the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland residing here at London to William Lenthall Esq. Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the present proceedings in this kingdome, against religion, the King, and government : together with their declaration and protestation against the taking away His Majesties life.

Table of contents

Title page

A Letter from the Commissioners of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND, &c.

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A LETTER From the Commissioners of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND Residing here at LONDON To William Lenthall Esq Speaker of the House of COMMONS

Concerning the present proceedings in this Kingdome, against Religion, the King, and Government; Together with their DECLARATION and Protestation against the taking away his Majesties Life.

London, Printed Anno Dom. 1649.

A Letter from the Commissioners of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND, &c.

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SIR,

THe Committee of Estates of the Kingdome of Scotland, understanding, that the Honourable Houses of Parliament, were proceeding in a Treaty for peace, with His Majesty; did about the beginning of the last Moneth, authorize Us to present Propositions to his Majesty, and particularly to deal with him, and the honourable houses, for establishing the Covenant and Presbyteriall Government, the Confession of faith, Directory for Worship, and Catechism: For preventing the tolleration of Idolatry, Popery; Prelacy, Superstition, Blasphemy, Haeresie, and Schisme; And for perfecting the great work of Reformation and uniformity, according to the Covenant: the substance whereof hath been formerly communicated in a letter from the Committee of Estates to both houses, and by one of our number, upon his reception ar the Committee of Derby house, by order from the houses of Parliament. But to our great greif we doe perceive; That the distractions of this kingdome are, beyond our expectation, grown exceeding high; That a force hath been placed on the passages to the houses; which during transactions of highest concernmens, hath imprisoned and secluded a great number of Members of Parliament, and given occasion to many others to withdraw, because they find they cannot Act, as in a free Parliament; that applications are made to you for proceeding against the King, to take away his life, and for changing the fundamentall Government of this kingdome; And strong endeavours are used, to overturne the whole work of Reformation, to cast off the Ministry, and introduce a toleration of all Religions and formes of Worship: and so in effect to destroy [Page] the Cause, wherein both Nations have been engaged, and frustrare all the ends of the solemne League and Covenant, which both kingdomes have sworne with uplifted hands to Almighty God sinceerly, really, and constantly to performe. The consideration of these things doth exceedingly trouble us, and fill our hearts with feares▪ that, as they are for the present matter of great provocation of the wrath of God against us, dishonourable to his Name, and a reproach to Religion; so, if persisted in: that they shall greatly weaken and divide us amongst our selves, invite forraigne Enemies against us: advance the popish interest, loose Ireland, and in the end, prove destructive to the Reformed Religion, and to the peace and happinesse of those kingdomes.

In the year 1640. when these Kingdoms were oppressed under the yoke and tyranny of the Prelats, who then were far advanced in the design, to introduce popery; the kingdom of Scotl. did joyn their Endeavours with this kingdom, to procure a free Parliament here, looking upon it, as the chief mean by the blessing of God to give a check to the designs of the Prelats, who were studying the chang of Religion: And to the interprises of evill Councellors about the King, who were endeavouring to establish an Arbitrary aud tiranicall Government, and afterward, when through the power aud prevalency of papists, prelats, & Malignants, this kingdom was distressed: The kingdom of Scotland did enter into a solemn League and Covenant, with this Nation: For reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and happinsse of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms: And particularly for bringing the Churches of God therein, to the neerest conjunction and uniformity in Religion, Confession of Faith, form of Church-government, Directory for worship, and Catechising, for extirpation of popery, prelacy, Superstition, Heresy, Schisme, profanes. And what soever shall be found contrary to found Doctrin for mutuall preservation of the rights and priviledges of Parliaments, and liberties of the kingdoms; [Page] for discovering of Incendiaries, Malignants, and evil Instruments, that hinder Reformation of Religion, divid the King from his peopl or one of the kingdoms from another, or make any faction or party among the people, contrary to the Leagu and Covenant, that they may be brought to publique triall and punishment: for preserving peace and union betwixt the kingdoms: And defending one another in this Cause; and continuing therein all the dayes of our lives, zealously and constantly, against all opposition; and for promoting the same, according to our power, against all Letts, and impediments whatsoever.

In pursuance of the solemn League and Covenant, both Houses of the Parliament have often declared, That they will Establish the Reformation of Religion, Extirpate Popery, and Prelacy: And suppresse Heresie, and Schism, and that they will maintain the fundamentall Government of this Kingdom by King, Lords, and Commons. And when the Common Enemy being subdued, the Scottish Army was to go out of this Kingdom in the beginning of the year 1647. And his Majesty by consent of both kingdoms, was to come to Holdenby: The Houses of Parliament did declare, both to the king, & to the kingdom of Scotland. That respect should be had to the safety and preservation of his Majesties person, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion, and liberties of the Kingdomes, according to the Covenant. And when the King should be at Holdenby, and the Scottish forces gone out of this Kingdome; That they would joyne with the Kingdome of Scotland, in imploying their best endeavours, to procure his Majesties assent to the Propositions agreed on by both kingdomes. And in case the King should not give his assent thereunto: that the Houses were resolved still to maintaine the happy union already settled between the two Kingdomes, according to the Covenant and Treaties. The Parliament of Scotland did at the same also, publish a Declaration of their intentions (whereof one Copy was delivered to his Majesty, and another to the Houses of [Page] Parliament) that in the interim (untill his Majesty should give satisfaction to both Kingdomes, in the Propositions of peace) there should be no harme, prejudice, injury, or violence done to his Royall person: that there should be noe change of Government, other then had been for the three years preceding: And that his posterity should be no wayes prejudiced, in their lawfell succession to the Crown and Government of these Kingdomes.

These being the engagements of both Kingdomes joyntly together, and severally one to another, for the ends aforesaid, VVe hold it our duty to endeavour, That Reformation of Religion be setled and established, as is before expressed: And especially, that the toleration of Idolatry, Popery, Blasphemy, Heresie, and Schisme, be prevented: least we partake in other mens sinnes, and thereby being in danger to receive of their plagues: That the Rights and priviledges of Parliament may be preserved: that there may be no change of the fundamentall government: And that there be no harme, injury, or violence offered to his Majesties person, the very thought whereof, the kingdome of Scotl. hath alwayes abhorred, as may appear by all their proceedings and Declarations: And the Houses of Parliament have upon severall occasions expressed, a detestation thereof in their Declarations: Wherefore, we do expect that there shall be no proceeding against his person; which cannot but continue and encrease the great distractions of these kingdomes, and involve us in many difficulties, miseries, and confusions.

But that by the free Councells of both houses of the Parliament of England, and wih the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland (which is now sitting) such course may be taken in relation to him, as may be for the good & happines of these Kingdoms; both having an unquestionable interest therein,

Your affectionat friends and Servants. Signed.

Lothian,

Io. Cheisly,

Wil. Glendoning.

Covent Garden the 6th. of Ian. 1649.

For the Honourable VVil Lenthall Esq Speaker of the house of Commons.

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SIR, We were exceedingly surprized upon Saterday in the afternoon, when we heard his Maiesty was brought before this new extraordinary Court, and that there should be such hast and precipitation, notwithstanding the resolution taken by the house upon reading of our Letter of the 6 of this instant, to take into consideration what we had therein pressed, as was signified by you to some of our Number: Wherefore we have sent you this inclosed paper, to be forthwith communicated unto them. And in pursuance of the directions which we have received from the kingdom of Scotland, we do desire, That they will take effectuall course, that we may have free access to his Maiesty this day, And afterward upon all occasions as we shall think fit, without any interuption or molestation whatsoever, And so we rest

Your affectionat freinds and Servant. Signed,

Lothian.

Io.Cheisly.

Wil. Glendoning.

Covent garden the 22 of Ian. 1649.

For the Honourable Wil. Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons.

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By our letter of the 6th of this instant, we represented unto you; What endeavours have bin used for taking away his Majestyes life; for change of the fundamentall Government of this kingdom; And introducing a sinfull and ungodly toleration, in matters of Religion; And therein we did express our sad thoughts and great fears of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon. And further: we did earnestly presse, That there might be no proceeding against his Majesties person; which would certainly continue the great distractions of these Kingdoms; and involve us into many evills, troubles, and confusions: But that, by the free Councels of both houses of the Parliament of England, and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland, such course might by taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happinesse of these kingdomes; both having an unquestionable and undenyable interest in his person as King of both: which duely considered, we had reason to hope, should have given a stop to all proceedings, against his Maiesties person▪

[Page] But we understand; that after many of the Members of the house of Commons have been imprisoned and secluded; and also without and against the consent of the house of Peers, by a single act of yours alone, power is given to certaine persons of your own Number of the Army, and others to proceed against his Maj. person▪ In order whereunto, he was brought upon Saturday last in the afternoon before this new extraordinary Court. Wherefore we do in the name of the Parliament of Scotland, for their vindication from false aspersions and calumnies declare, That though they are not satisfyed with his Majesties concessions in the late Treaty at Newport in the Isle of VVright especially in the matters of Religion; And are resolved not to crave his Majestyes restitution to his Government, before satisfaction be given by him to his kingdoms. Yet they do all unanimously, with one voice (not one Member excepted) disclaim the least knowledg of, or accession to the late proceedings of the Army here, against his Majesty; And sincerely professe, that it will be a great greife unto their hearts, and lye heavy upon their spirits, if they shall see their trusting of his Majesties person, to the honourable houses of the Parliament of England to be made use of to his ruine; So farre contrary to the declared intentions of the Kingdome of Scttland, and solemn professions of the Kingdom of England. And to the end it may be manifest to the world, how much they abhominate and detest so horrid a design against his Majesties person: We do in the name of the Parliament and Kingdom of Scotland, hereby declare, their dissent from the said procee [...]ings, and the taking away his Maiisties life; And protest; That as they are altogether free from the same; So they may be free from all the Evills miseries, confusions and calamities that may follow three upon to these distracted Kingdomes.

Signed,

LOTHIAN,

Io: CHEISLY.

WIL. GLENDONING.

22. Ianuary 1649.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

A letter from the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland residing here at London to William Lenthall Esq. Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the present proceedings in this kingdome, against religion, the King, and government : together with their declaration and protestation against the taking away His Majesties life.

Scotland. Parliament.

Edition statement

1649

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2004-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A62409

ID [STC]

Wing S987

ID [STC]

ESTC R10022

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

11906850

ID [OCLC]

ocm 11906850

ID [VID]

50724

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A62409)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 50724)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 822:22)

Source

— A letter from the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland residing here at London to William Lenthall Esq. Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the present proceedings in this kingdome, against religion, the King, and government : together with their declaration and protestation against the taking away His Majesties life., Scotland. Parliament., Lenthall, William, 1591-1662..

Extent

[2], 8 p.

[s.n.],. London :: 1649.. (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.) (Two letters dated respectively 6 and 22 January 1649.)

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