THe Lords and others of the Commit­tee of Estates of Scotland, according to the great trust reposed in them, whereof they are to make account to God and His Majestie, the next in­suing Parliament, taking into their deepest and most serious considera­tion the best wayes of preserving the peace of this Kingdome, that all His Majesties good and dutifull Subjects may enjoy their Religion, Liberties and Lawes, which God in a singular and wonderfull pro­vidence hath vouchsafed them, and of the peace be­twixt the two Kingdomes so unanimously and happi­ly established in the late Treaty of Peace, and in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms, have faithfully (by all good means) indeavoured to settle His Majesties Kingdomes, which through the unnaturall cruelty of many dis-affected and revolted persons, were from a peaceable condition turned into a Stage-of unexam­pled [Page 2] and unexpressable miseries to be looked upon as an horrid and dangerous example by this Kingdome; and by their earnest supplications to His Majestie, and their Declarations to the Parliament of England, but especially by their earnest desires for establishing u­nity of Religion, and uniformity of Kirk-Govern­ment, and by the humble offer of their mediation to remove the unhappie differences, and quench the fire of a wasting warre begun betwixt His Majestie and his people, wherein His Majesties Person was exposed to so great danger, and so many thousands of his Sub­jects have already perished: But finding to their great griefe the successe no way answerable to their endea­vours and expectations, and the trouble of the neigh­bour Kingdomes, and the dangers of this Kingdome daily rising to a greater height then they by their care, counsell, and diligence, were able to remead or obirate, they resolve for this and other causes which exercise and heavily presse the Kingdome at this time, to call a Convention of Estates, as the onely meanes which might by common Counsell, consent, and resoluti­on take the best course for representing yet more sen­sibly these manifold evills and dangers, and for over-coming by greater wisdome the difficulties which were above their power.

And for acquitting themselves in their trust, and for the safety of the Kingdomes, they doe make the same publikely knowne to all His Majesties good Subjects, that being fore-warned of their danger, they may be upon their guards, and prepared against Forraign invasion, and Intestine plots and insurrecti­ons, and especially that the Noblemen, Commissio­ners [Page 3] of Shires and Burroughs, perceiving greater and more apparent necessity of the Convention then they could have wished or expected, meet in such celerity, and with such publike affection and disposition of heart, as the present condition of affaires doth require and call for at their hands, and as beseemeth the Lo­vers of their Religion, King and Countrey, which are in so great danger, from Papists, Atheists, and o­ther degenerated Countrey-men, who are no lesse in­raged against this Kingdome even since the late Re­formation of this Kirk, then were their Predecessors at the first Reformation of Religion, when their nego­tating was so restlesse, and their attempts so many and malicious against the worke of God in this Land; nor is it without observation, that while His Majestie and the Parliament of England were about a Treaty, they conspire, plot, and practise against the Religi­on, Rights, and Liberties established, and a­gainst the lives of His Majesties good Subjects, whereby they doe really manifest to the world what the Kings Majestie against his Declarations, and his Subjects against their confidence grounded thereupon, may look for from their malice and power, if they shall prevaile in the end.

Therefore as we cannot but acknowledge the unspeakable goodnesse of God for our present deliverance, so shall we not be want­ing to make mention of the due honour and worth of those Worthies, that were the in­struments thereof, and give unto us their bro­therly [Page 4] assistance at this time, when many of this Kingdome out of feare to preserve them­selves, their wives and children from destru­ction of the sword and fire, were fled, the E­nemy roaring and tryumphing, possessing themselves of the houses, Lands and Estates of many Noblemen, Gentlemen and others of the best affected in both Kingdomes, to whom nothing was left but families without maintenance, honour without meanes, to support it, and were under all the grievances of warr.

Neither can any man of conscience or ho­nesty, but remember the Treaty and Decla­rations of both Kingdomes, which are the strongest bonds between man and man, and Nation and Nation, before the world: no man hath true zeale to Religion that will shrink for such adversity and opposition as hath been ordinary in the like work, and hath been obvious unto us since our first un­dertaking; but hath been alwaies over-come by the assistance of God: how great was the advantage the common Enemy thought they had attained, when they followed the [Page 5] old maxime, DIVIDE & IMPERA; and thereby concluded, that the greatest favour either Nation could expect, was to be the last that should be devoured.

As for His Majesty, we earnestly intreat the Lord, that he may be furnished with wis­dome and councell from above, that he be not involved in new snares, to the indange­ring of himselfe and these Kingdomes; but that his heart may incline to such resolutions as will contribute for setling of Religion and Righteousnesse: And we hope that the Par­liament of England, the Assembly of Divines and all such in that Land as unfeignedly fear God, will not be discouraged nor swerve in the day of temptation, but that all of them in their stations, and according to their severall places and callings, may be furnished with light and strength for doing of their duty with faithfullnesse and zeal.

And it is the firm resolution of our selves, and the rest of the Godly party in this King­dome, (by Gods grace) never to forsake their Brethren of England; but against all opposition with courage and constancy, to [Page 6] live and die with them; and as long as there is one drop in our veines, we resolve never to relinquish this work, but to put our confi­dence in the justnesse of the cause, and in the invincible Power of God, trusting he will deliver us and all his people.