REligion being of all things the most ex­cellent, as it hath bin the principall end of all the undertaking and endevours of this Nation, so it is the maine subject of our thoughts and cares: And we trust is most in the hearts of all the faithfull Ministers and godly people throughout the land. As seve­rall of their supplications unto your Lord­ships can make evident, it was from the ten­der [Page 2]regard we had of this so pretious a Jewell, that we did emit a Declaration concerning present dangers, and duties, it was also for our respects thereunto pur­suing your Lordships inclination to an engagement, from which we neither were then, nor now are averse (being first satisfied in the grounds of undertaking, and in the way of the managing of the same, That we did afterwards propound some humble desires unto your Lordships, containing things necessary for a right un­derstanding, and securing of Religion, and preserve the union betwixt the kingdomes) But after long at­tendance, and most earnest expectation, having recei­ved no satisfaction from your Lordships, in these our desires. And perceiving that your Lordships resoluti­ons are towards an ingagement in a War, we do (from no other principle, and intention, then the love of the truth, and the discharge of the trust committed unto us, as the servants of the living God, and of his Son Je­sus Christ, who shall judge the quick and dead) entreat and obtest your Lordships, that as you doe profess that any undertakings which ye now are, or shall be neces­sitated unto, shall onely bee for setling of Religion, truth and peace, under his Majesties Government. So farre concerning our consciences, and all the faithfull Ministers and people of God, in both Kingdomes, of the integrity of your intentions, that your Lordships will be pleased to give us satisfaction in all these, or former, just, and necessary desires, and that for the same end, your Lordships will make it appeare, that you mean to be so farre from intrusting your selves in any thing that may put in his Majesties hands, such power as may not onely bring the by-gone proceed­ings of both Kingdomes in the League and Covenant [Page 3]in question, but also for the time to come, will voide all the authorities of Parliament, though they pro­ceed never so rightly, in reference to Religion and Liberties to the kingdome. And that your Lord­ships will bee pleased to make it manifest that you will be so farre from associating with, or giving trust or countenance to any within the three Kingdomes, who doe not sweare and subscribe the Solemn League and Covenant; that on the contrary, your Lordships will hold them all for profest Enemies, adversaries, and Malignants, & indevour to suppresse them if they rise in Armes, which we think we may expect with the greater reason and confidence from your Lordships, because ye have resolved to demand of the Parlia­ment of England, that an effectuall course bee taken by the Houses for injoyning the Covenant to be ta­ken by all the Subjects of the Crowne of England, conforme to the first Article of the Treaty, and the Declaration of both Kingdomes, in Anno 1643. by which all that would not take the Covenant, was de­clared to bee publique enemies to Religion and the Country, and that they are to be censured and punish­ed as professed Adversaries and Malignants. And we trust that while your Lordships desire of them the performance of duties, contained in the Treaties and Declarations: you will make it appeare that you in­tend to doe nothing contrary thereunto. The obli­gation therein being originally in regard of both, and the performance alike, both conducing for Religion and the Cause.

And we do humbly intreate that your ho­nours will be pleased to make knowne to us [Page 4]your resolutions upon the whole matter that we may see there is nothing therein that may crosse your Lordships demands concerning Religion, and be in-consistant with the se­curity thereof, and our desires for the same, And that which shall be thought fiting to be demanded of the Parliament of England, con­cerning Religion; for rendring the same the more effectuall, your Lordships will at this time solicit His Majestie for His Royall as­sent thereunto. That His Majesty and all others may know that what you intend in his behalfe is with a subordination to those ends, and so His Majesty may be pleased to remove all obstructions on His part, that hinder al the setling of Religion & his Maje­sties Government. And being desirous that all means, being first assay'd which may prevent the effusion of more Christian blood so farre as is possible. Therefore as the Messengers of peace, we do humbly supplicate that your Lordships will take such course for seeking reparation from the Parliament of England as may be most probable in reason to obtain the same in a peaceable way. And finally, [Page 5]we expect that your Lordships will doe no­thing that may strengthen the Popish Pre­laticall, or Malignant Party who are waiting for their day, or that may discourage the Presbyterian Party in England, or render your wayes suspicious to them, But your Lord­ships will imploy all the power which God hath put into your hands, for advancing his Honour, and the Kingdome of his Sonne. Many of your Lordships have been instru­ments in as glorious a work of Reformati­on, as any age hath seen, and all of you hath been witnesses thereof: And if any thing shall proceed from you for weakning or de­facing thereof, as it will be matter of high provocation against the Lord, so doubtlesse it will be trouble to your soules, in your lat­ter end, and meete you in the day of your accounts. And if your Lordships shall re­fuse to hearken to this our supplication, we call God to record, that we have exhonerated our selves as in his sight, and that wee and the Kirke of Scotland, whose trust wee dis­charge in the publique affaires thereof, are free of all the guilt that shal follow upon any [Page 6]undertakings or resolutions tending to the prejudices of Religion, the Honour and Happinesse of the King, and the Union and Peace of the Kingdomes. But wee desire to perswade our selves better things of your Lordships, and that you will give such sa­tisfaction as may incourage us to be a testi­mony to your Lordships, that your eally intend the settling of Religion and the car­rying on of all things in such a way as may contribute for the securing of the same.