The love and faithfulnes of the Scottish nation the excellency of the covenant, the vnion between England and Scotland, cleared, by collections, from the [brace] declarations of Parliament, and, speeches of severall Independent brethren. By Theophilos.

The Love and Faithfulnes of the Scottiſh Nation The Excellency of the Covenant, The Vnion between England and Scotland, cleared, by Collections, From the Declarations of Parliament, and, Speeches of ſeverall Independent Brethren. By Θεοφιλοσ.

Jerem: 34.8. The King Zedekiah made a Covenant with the people, v. 11. Repented: v. 17. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord, v. 18. I will give thoſe men that have broke my Covenant, v. 20. into the hands of their Enemies. John 15.14. Ye are my friends, if ye do what ſoever I command you. The way to keep all things in Union, is for every man to keep within his bounds; the ſwelling beyond tends to the breaking all in pieces. Mr. Bur: Irenicum p. 112. Nihil pernicioſius quam diviſio, nihil melius quam Vnio. Plato de Rep. Si pacem diligis, Belli ne feceris mentionem. Sen. de Moribus.

LONDON: Printed by F: Neile for Tho: Ʋnderhill at the Signe of the Bible in Woodſtreet. 1646.

The Preamble.

THe times we are fallen into are times of Fear, and therefore had need be times of Prayer: It is the beſt uſe a Chriſtian can make of fears to turn them into Prayers: Never more profeſſion and leſſe practiſe ſince the creation of all things: Confuſion and deſolation is at hand, yet who conſiders it? How are mens tongues and pens employed to work diviſion, not between man and man, Brother and Brother onely; but between Kingdom and Kingdom, and between ſuch Kingdoms as are obliged by the ſtrongeſt bonds, this ſtate of mortalitie is capable of: this is it that heightens our miſery, and without timely prevention will work our ruine: God will (certainly) avenge the quarrell of his Covenant. It is not many dayes ſince a Paper came abroad by a nameleſſe Author, hinting at the Brotherly Reſpects of England to Scotland, with an addition of large Encemions of this Nation for their voluntary and free aſſiſtance, in the times of their progenitors, when they were in great diſtreſſe; ſince which there are two ſeverall Pamphlets, bending their ſtrength againſt the City Remonſtrance; one of which Report ſpeaks Mr. John Goodwin the Author of, the Dialect (at leaſt) one of his Fraternity: both of them concurring to diſparage our Brethrens proceedings, and all of them triumphing at the prize of a Brotherly Confeſſion. I am ignorant of the end, and fully aſſured of the unſeaſonableneſſe and needleſneſſe of ſuch memorandums, which our Brethren ſo frequently have made mention of in their Declarations and Remonſtrances unto this Kingdom; more particularly in their Reaſons for aſſiſting England upon the requeſt of both Houſes of Parliament in the yeer 1643. Ʋnleſſe it be to endeavour a withdrawing of that Brotherly love and reſpect we owe unto them; At the beſt it reflects upon their preſent expedition into England, as if it were but a bare requitall of former kindnes, and this not fully granted; although it be acknowledged by the Honorable Houſes of Parliament, and our Independent Brethren, as a buſines of ſo great concernment, which ſhould oblige England in thankefulneſſe unto them for ever; which doth certainly evidence ſomething more to be in their undertaking in the behalf of England, then is talked of by undiſcerning Spirits, that watch for any thing that may in the leaſt manner reflect upon our Brethren (though of no concernment) to their diſhonour, which they conceiving theſe Papers do lay bold upon them as a fit opportunity to ſlander their reall and cordiall Endeavours for our peace and happineſſe; contrary to our Vow and Covenant, made with them before the Lord (Jehovah) whoſe Name is holy; which is of ſo lowe eſteeme in the words and thoughts of many, as if ſuch obligations were of ſo lowe an allay, that there were no neceſſity of keeping and obſerving them; contrary to the Declarations of Parliament, and the profeſſions of our Independant Brethren; ſome of them having been imployed as Commiſſioners to crave the aſſiſtance of our Brethren of Scotland, and to manage that weightie buſineſſe of entring into a ſolemn League with them, which will more plainly be evidenced by taking a view, of the ſever all Declarations of the Honorable Houſes of Parliament, the Letters and Speeches of our Independant Brethren; an Extract of which, followeth.

June 16. 1646.

Declar. & Reſol. of Parl. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament, have with approbation and thanks, received from the Commiſſioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, a clear manifeſtation, of the reſpect, which the Lords of His Majeſties ſecret Counſell for that Realm do bear to the welfare and peace of this Kingdom, In the expreſſion of their affections, wherein they were pleaſed to ſecond the deſires of the Generall Aſſembly of that Church for Ʋ nity in Religion, Note. and Ʋniformity in Church-Government, in His Majeſties three Kingdoms:—wherein as we have ſatisfied our own reaſon, ſo we hope we ſhall ſatisfie the loving and Chriſtian defires of our Brethren of Scotland;—And as we reſolve, according to the Nationall Covenant betwixt the two Kingdoms, to be carefull of the peace of Scotland as of our own, ſo we doubt not but their Lordſhips and the Nation of Scotland will be carefull to expreſſe their brotherly kindneſſe to us.—We acknowledge it an Act of love to us,Note. and of wiſdom for the good of both Churches— that our Brethren of Scotland have beſtowed their ſerious thoughts, and earneſt deſires for unity of Religion; that in all His Majeſties Dominions there might be one Confeſſion of Faith, one Directory of worſhip, one publick Catechiſme, and one form of Church-Government. And although it will hardly be obtained punctually and exactly,—yet both intending the ſame end, proceeding by the ſame rule of Gods Word, and guided by the ſame Spirit, we hope by Gods aſſiſtance to be ſo directed, that we may caſt out whatſoever is offenſive to God, or juſtly diſpleaſing to any neighbour Church, and ſo far agree with our Brethren of Scotland, and other reformed Churches, in all ſubſtantiall parts of Doctrine, Worſhip, and Diſcipline, that both we and they may injoy thoſe advantages and conveniences which are mentioned by them, in this their Anſwer, in the more ſtrict Ʋnion of both Kingdoms, more ſafe, eaſie, and comfortable Government of His Majeſtie, &c.— The main cauſe which hitherto hath deprived us of theſe and other great advantages, which we might have by a more cloſe Ʋnion with the Church of Scotland,—is the Government by Biſhops, —(which) makes us deſperate of that moſt beneficiall and deſirable Conjunction, with them, untill this great impediment be removed, &c.—Upon which we do declare,—that this Government— is evil, and juſtly offenſive.—And according to our former Declaration of the 7th of February our purpoſe is to conſult with godly and Learned Divines, that we may not onely remove this, but ſettle ſuch a Government, as may be moſt agreeable to Gods holy Word, moſt apt to procure and conſerve the peace of the Church at home, and happy union with the Church of Scotland, &c.—This being the Reſolution of both Houſes of Parliament, we do deſire our Brethren of Scotland to concur with us in petitioning His Majeſty, that his Royall Authority may be applied to the conſervation of a firm unity between the two Kingdoms, and that they likewiſe will think good, to ſend to the ſame Aſſembly (of Divines which were to meet the fifth of Novemb.) ſome godly and learned Divines of that Church,Note. whereby an Ʋniformity in form of Church Government may be obtained, and thereby a more eaſie paſſage made to the ſetling of one confeſſion of faith, one Liturgie —of the publick worſhip, and one Catechiſme in all three Kingdoms. A Declaration and Reſolution of Parliament, Sept. 23. 1642.

Declar. Parl. to Kingd. Scotl. We Lords and Commons, &c.— Do hereby declare to our Brethren the Eſtates and other Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland, that not onely according to our reſolution and promiſe ſignified in our former Declarations, we have nominated and appointed Jo: Earl of Rutland, &c.—To be Committees and Commiſſioners of both Houſes of Parliament—for ſetling all matters concerning Debts and Accounts, in which this Kingdom ſtands ingaged to them; but more eſpecially to deſire their preſent and ſpeedy aid and aſſiſtance for ſecurity of Religion, and Liberty of both Kingdoms,—Note. being an effectuall means for preſerving the peace of both Kingdoms according to the late Act of Pacification, by which both States ſtand obliged to help one an other;—We do earneſtly requeſt our Brethren of Scotland, to haſten the aid deſired, and to conſider, that although in theſe ſtraits and perplexities of want and danger, they ſhall not receive ſuch plentifull entertainment as might at other times be expected;Note. yet they cannot fail of great honour and advantage by this undertaking,—and they may reſt aſſured that in all opportunities the two Houſes of Parliament, and this Nation will be ready to expreſſe their thankfulneſſe, &c. A Declaration to the Kingdom and Eſtates of Scotland, Septemb. 13. 1643.

Declar. of Parl. to Aſſembly of Scotland. The Lords and Commons, &c. acknowledging with humble thankfulneſſe to God—the Chriſtian zeal and love which the Generall Aſſembly of the Churches of Scotland have manifeſted in their pious endeavours, for the preſervation of the true reformed Proteſtant Religion, from the ſubtle practices and attempts of the Popiſh and Prelaticall party, to the neceſſarie reformation of Church Diſcipline and Government of this Kingdom, and the more neer union of both Churches,Note. do earneſtly deſire that Reverend Aſſembly to take notice that the two Houſes of Parliament fully concurring with them in thoſe pious intentions; & for the better accompliſhment thereof, have called an Aſſembly of Divines, — and likewiſe nominated and appointed Jo: Earl of Rutland, &c.— Committees and Commiſſioners of both Houſes to the Kingdom and States of Scotland. Who—have received directions to reſort to the Generall Aſſembly of the Church of Scotland, and propound and conſult with them, or any Commiſſioners deputed by them, in all occaſions which may further the ſo much deſired Reformation in Eccleſiaſticall matters in this Church and Kingdom.—It is likewiſe deſired, that that Reverend Aſſembly will according to their former promiſe and Reſolution, ſend to the Aſſembly here, ſuch number of Godly and Learned Divines, as in their wiſdom they think moſt expedient for the furtherance of this work, which ſo much concerns the Honour of God, the proſperity and peace of the two Churches of England and Scotland. A Declaration, &c. to the Generall Aſſembly of the Church of Scotland. Septemb. 13. 1643.

Mr Marſhal and Mr Nyes Letter. We cannot but communicate unto you the good hand of God with us in the work—imployed in—we have had to do with the Convention of States, and Aſſembly of Divines;—the graveſt and wiſeſt that we have ſeen, and who we think are more ſenſible of our Condition then we are our ſelves.Note. The leading men both of the Convention and Aſſembly,—and the whole body of the Nation looking upon it as the cauſe of Chriſt.—We know multitudes are prejudiced againſt them, as if we might expect no help from them but for their own ends,Note. but if you dare give any credit to our faithfulneſſe, and moſt diligent inquiſition and obſervation, — let us prevail with you to beat down all ſuch unworthy thoughts and jealouſies of them, they are guided by God in this work, and we are perſwaded will bring glory to Chriſt, and requitall of all our former love to them.—Note. We ſcarce ever ſaw ſo much of Chriſt for us as this day in the Aſſemblies carrying of this buſineſſe. — Surely the arm of the Lord in this aſſiſtance extends it ſelf towards you, In the Mount the Lord will be ſeen. A letter from Mr. Marſhall and Mr. Ny appointed Aſſiſtants to the Commiſſioners of Scotland. Edinb: Aug. 18. 1643.

Mr Nye his Speech. The Goodneſſe of God procuring ſuccour and help to a ſinfull people, ought to be matter of fear and trembling, even to all that hear of it: Jer. 33.9. We are to exalt and acknowledge him this day who is fearfull in praiſes, ſwear by that Name which is holy and reverent, enter into a Covenant and League that is never to be forgotten by us, nor our poſterity.—Note. And ſuch an Oath as for matter, perſons, and other circumſtances, the like hath not been in any Age or Oath we read of in ſacred or humane ſtories, yet ſufficiently warranted in both.—Conſort and Harmony amongſt men, eſpecially amongſt Saints, is very pleaſing unto the Lord. It when but two or three agree and aſſent unto any thing on earth, it ſhall be confirmed in heaven: And for this becauſe they gather together in his Name, much more when two or three Kingdoms ſhall meet and conſent together in his Name, and for his Name, that God may be one, and his Name one amongſt them. Ʋnity amongſt his Churches and children,Note. muſt needs—be very acceptable unto him:—We invocate the Name of the great God that his vows, yea, his curſe may be upon us if we do not this; yea though we ſuffer for ſo doing,—that is,—to advance the kingdom of—Chriſt here upon earth, and make Jeruſalem once more the praiſe of the whole earth, notwithſtanding all the contradictions of men. What is this but the contents and matter of our Covenant? What do we vow?—Is it not the reformation of three Kingdoms, and a reformation univerſall doctrine, Diſcipline, Note. and worſhip in whatſoever the Word ſhall diſcover to us.—And if in the Churches of Scotland any more Light and beauty in matters of Order and Diſcipline, by which their Aſſemblies are more orderly: —we ſhall humbly bow and kiſſe their lips that can ſpeak right words unto us in this matter, and help us into the neareſt uniformity with the word and minde of Chriſt, in this great work of Reformation.—This Oath is ſuch, and in the matter and conſequence of it, of ſuch concernment, as I can truly ſay, it is worthy of us, yea of all theſe Kingdoms, yea of all the Kingdoms of the world.—And ſurely it can be no other, but the reſult and Anſwer of ſuch prayers and tears of ſuch ſincerity and ſufferings, that three Kingdoms ſhould be thus born, or rather new born in a day;Note. we are now entring upon a work of the greateſt moment, and concernment to us, and to our poſterity after us, that ever was undertaken by any of us, or any of our forefathers, before us, &c.—It is a duty of the firſt Commandment, and therefore of the higheſt and nobleſt order and rank of duties; therefore muſt come forth attended with choiceſt graces. Fear, Humility, and in the greateſt ſimplicity and plainneſſe of ſpirit in reſpect of thoſe with whom we Covenant: Note. we call God as a witneſſe betwixt us, who ſearcheth the heart, With him wiſdom and ſtrength, the deceived, and deceiver is his. Job 12.19. He hath wiſdom to diſcover, and ſtrength to puniſh, if our hearts be not upright to our Brethren in this matter.—As it is the laſt oath you are likely to take in this kinde, ſo it is our laſt refuge, tabula poſt naufragium: if this help us not, we are like to remain to our dying day an unhappy people, &c.—And as for you, Reverend Brethren, that are Miniſters of the Goſpel, there is yet an other obligation will lye upon you; let us look to our ſelves, and make proviſion to walk anſwerable to this our Covenant, Note. for the Goſpels ſake; it will reflect a great aſperſion upon the truth of the Goſpel; if we ſhould be falſe or unconſtant in any word or promiſe, though in a matter of leſſe conſequence, &c. Mr Ny Speech at the taking of the Covenant by the Parliament and Aſſembly of Divines, Septemb. 25. 1643.

Mr. Solicitor his Speech. I conceive there is no need to acquaint you with the benefits that will redound to this Kingdom, and the advantages we ſhall have by a nearer aſſociation with them, and by their coming in, to this purpoſe for our aſſiſtance.—This great Cauſe now in agitation by this means will be much ſecured; it will be aſſured to us, that the Event and the ſucceſſe of it will be made a great deal the certainer; —Thus we ſtand in caſe they are not called in, the loſſe ſo great, that is the loſſe of all, the event is ſo uncertain. Secondly, it will be for our profit, it will eaſe the warre,Note. it will make the charge, and the burthen of it to be leſſe;—without their coming, I am afraid there will not be that force on the one ſide, as to make the other ſide out of their eſtates to pay theſe debts, which their coming in, in all likelihood will make them do; which if theſe debts be paid out of their eſtates and land, I know no inconvenience will come to the Kingdom by it;—If they come not in, conſidering the ingagements on both ſides, and conſidering the parties, who we muſt compound with, I ſay, the cure is like to be very imperfect; their coming in, I hope,Note. will make it perfect.—So that if there were nothing elſe in it, but that we were like to have the better peace, and on the better terms, and what ever it be, it is likely to be kept the better, to us and our poſteritie, that were much to our advantage.—We have it from our own Committee there, and from all hands, that it is impoſſible (they ſhould undertake for our aſſiſtance) without ſome ſum of money; And if we conſider how they have been exhauſted heretofore,Note. I think we may eaſily beleeve it,—their Army that is in Ireland having been 14 months without any pay at all, they are fain to ſupply them with neceſſities, which hath been fourſcore thouſand pounds, elſe that Army muſt have ſtarved. We know they had two yeers war, we promiſed them a Brotherly aſſiſtance, and there is an Act for it, but it is known, by reaſon of the troubles we have here at home we have not payd them that; ſo that conſidering the poverty of that Kingdom, it is certain, it is not a pretence of theirs (for not coming) but it is really ſo. Mr Solicitor his Speech at Guildhall, Friday, Octob. 6. 1643.

Mr Bur: his Speech.There hath lately been the moſt bleſſed Ʋnion of two Nations, as ever was in the world,—let us now reach forth our hearts and hands unto our Brethren in Scotland, let us come up fully to this our Engagement, and rejoyce in it,Note. for certainly that Nation is a Nation that God doth love, a Nation that God doth honour, and by thoſe many expreſſions of his love, ſhewed that he doth intend to make them ſpeciall inſtruments of the great things he hath to do, in this latter age of the world; It is a Nation that is united the moſt firmly under heaven, we may truly cal it aA name that contains in it ſelf al vertues, Commended for Brotherly love. Philadelphia.—Had we had the like union amongſt us, Bright: on Revel. O what great things had we done long before this time. A Nation it is that hath engaged it ſelf to God in a higher way, in a more extraordinary way,Note. then any Nation this day upon the face of the earth hath done;—A Nation that hath reformed their lives for ſo ſmall a time, more then ever any people that we know of in the world have done;— A Nation that God hath honoured by giving as glorious ſucceſſe unto, as ever he did unto any;—And although they be of themſelves a poore people, and of little ſtrength,—yet they have kept the word of Gods patience, and God hath kept them in the houſe of temptation; God therefore is with them. (How happy ſhould we be, if we may have them in a near Ʋnion with us?) A people that have carried themſelves,Note. with as great wiſdom, and order in the moſt difficult work that ever a people did undertake, in thoſe by and intricate paths that were before untroden.Note. —Was there ever ſuch an Example ſince the world began, of a people coming out of a poorer Countrey, into a fat and rich Countrey, and having thoſe opportunities that they had to enrich themſelves, to go away ſo as they did?—A people—that began to riſe for their Liberties, when the generality of this people here, were ready baſely to bow down their backs, and put their necks under the yoke: and had it not been that they had been willing to have endured the brunt we had all been ſlaves at this day.—They now deſire 100000 l. what is this to 300000 l. in pay? to five Counties, to the plunder of a whole City? what reaſonable terms do they proffer to come among you? Do but give them 100000 l. advance, and they engage themſelves for three moneths and ten dayes, and in the Winter time to be in the Kingdom,—and willing to depart again without any more, when they have done their work. Mr Jer. Burroughs Speech in Guildhall, Friday Octob. 6. 1643.

Sir H: Vanes Speech.In obedience, to the Commands of both Houſes, we that are lately come out of Scotland, and have been eye witneſſes of the affection of that Nation to this Cauſe, and of the deep ſence they have, of the preſent ſtate of affairs, here in this Kingdom, are willing to make the ſame report,—to you of it as hath been done to the Parliament, that you may take a right meaſure of thoſe things, and not be carried away with miſ-apprehenſions, and miſ-informations from thoſe that diſaffect the Cauſe, and would willingly abuſe your thoughts, and belief herein.—For the affection of that Nation, we have had many experiences of it, and of their ready and chearfull complyance, with the deſires of this Kingdom, even when they were in their greateſt diſtreſſes and calamities: —The affairs then of this Nation were in a much lower condition then now we find them to be, yet notwithſtanding thoſe many invitations,—promiſes,—Note. and— ſecret practices among themſelves, to make them ſet looſe from the Cauſe of this Kingdom, yet ſo ſenſible were they of the danger of Religion here, of the near relation they had to their Brethren of England, —that they were ready to break through all difficulties, and to expoſe themſelves to all danger to take us by the hand, and to joyn cordially with us in the maintaining of this Cauſe.—And that they might evidence the truth of their intentions, they ſpeedily enter into COVENANT with us.) And this not onely in their own perſons, but injoyned it throughout the whole Kingdom,—(and) in ſuch a manner, as that the greateſt and powerfulleſt Enemies of it among them durſt not ſhew their heads to oppoſe it.Note. —They are as ſenſible as your ſelves of the great burthen and extremities that this Nation doth at this time groan under,—(though) their Nation hath not been without troubles,—great charges and burthens that have lain upon them, and particularly even for the advantage of this Kingdom: —(Beſides) they have made it apparent by ſeverall particulars,Note. that before this Army—will be brought to the Rendevouze upon Engliſh ground,—it will ſtand them in very neer a 100000 l. which muſt be at their own charge and expence, over and above what they deſire from us: They likewiſe have let us know, that they deſire not to preſſe us beyond our ſtrength in matter of moneys, but onely ſo much as may render the ſervice in them feaſable, which we expect from them.—Note. They are—ſo willing in themſelves to come to our aſſiſtance,—that if any thing lay in their power, either by the morgaging of their own private Eſtates, or if there were money ſufficient in Scotland, that they could render themſelves maſter of, they would be willing to contribute any thing of their own for the neceſſities of this Kingdom, ſo much they are affected with this Cauſe. Sir Henry Vanes Speech at a Common Hall, London, Octob. 27 1643.

The Kingdom of England is to pay in ready money to their Brethren of Scotland—the ſum of 100000 l. ſterling—by way of advance beforehand,Note. which is to be diſcounted back again unto the Kingdom of England by the Kingdom of Scotland upon the firſt monthly allowance which ſhall grow due to the Scottiſh Army, &c.

Article 6.

No Ceſſation, Note. nor any Pacification or agreement for Peace whatſoever ſhall be made by either Kingdom, or the Armies of either Kingdom, without the mutuall advice and conſent of both Kingdoms, or their Committees in that behalf appointed.

Article 8. Articles of the Treaty agreed upon betwixt the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of England, and the Commiſſioners of the Convention of the Eſtates of the Kingdom of Scotland, at Edin. Nov: 29. 1643.

It was far from our Intentions that the Scottiſh Army ſhould neither be provided for by us,Note. nor yet ſuffered to provide for their own ſubſiſtance, &c. The Parliaments Anſwer to the Scots Commiſſioners Papers. Printed April 14. 1646.

Deciar: of Parl.We do declare, that our true and reall Intentions are, and our endeavours ſhal be to ſettle Religion in the purity thereof, according to the Covenant:—And to keep a good underſtanding between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, according to the grounds expreſſed in the ſolemn League and Covenant, and Treaties: Which we deſire may be inviolably obſerved on both parts. A Declaration of Parliament, April 17. 1646.

If any man ſhall except againſt this my endeavour,Concluſion. I deſire him to remember, the tenour of our Covenant binds me as well as others to uſe all lawfull means, to accompliſh the end of our Covenant, and this I conceive derogates no whit from the rule; nay, it is belowe a Chriſtian not to attempt a matter of publick concernment for fear of being miſ-judged. I ſhall winde up all with thoſe two obſervable paſſages in Mr Burroughs Irenicum. One you ſhall find in p. 11. Truth is the bond, that keeps to Ʋnity, but Errour is wilde, you know not where to find it, nor your ſelves if you give way to it. The other is in pa. 276. Peace it was the chief maſter-piece of Gods work, there is more of the glory of God in this, then in all that God hath done: This is and ſhall be the object of the admiration of Angels and Saints, the matter of their praiſes to all eternity. This being ſo, how neerly doth it concern thoſe that ſhall be heirs of the ſame kingdom, partakers of the ſame glory, Saints in light, to make it their chief ſtudy to keep the Ʋnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Epheſ. 4.3 Epheſ. 4.3.

Τελος.