THe many scandals that are thrown on our Actions by the favourers of Sectaries, and haters of the Person of our KING and Monarchicall Government, invite Us to this extraordi­nary addresse to you; Conjuring you, as you will answer to the great GOD whose Ser­vants you are, not to suffer your selves to be possest with unjust and undeserved prejudi­ces against Us and Our proceedings, who have since our late meeting in Parliament pre­ferred no earthly thing to our Duties to Religion, and the promoting of all the ends of our Covenant, and have constantly used all reall endeavours to have carried on those Du­ties to the satisfaction of the most tender consciences; and especially by Our great com­pliances with the many desires from the Commissioners of the generall Assembly: We have proceeded to greater discoveries of Our Resolutions, in the wayes and meanes of ma­naging this present Service then possible in prudence We ought to have done, having so neare and active Enemies to oppose Us: Neither can it be with any Truth or Justice in any sort alleadged, that We have in the least measure wronged, or violated the true Priviledges and Liberties of the Church, or any wayes taken upon Us the determination or decision of any matters of Faith or Church Discipline, though We be unjustly charged with taking an Antecedent judgement in matters of Religion; under pretence whereof great en­croachments are made on our unquestioned Rights. For what can be more Civill then to determine what Civill Duties We ought to pay to our King, or what Civill Power he ought to be possessed of? And if we meet with obstructions and opposi­tion in carrying on those Duties, are not We the only Judges thereunto? Is there any other Authority in this Kingdome, but that of King and Parliament, and what flowes from them that can pretend any authoritative power in the choice of the Instruments and Managers of Our publick Resolutions. It is a subject for the dispute of Church Judicatories, whether his Majesty hath a negative voice in Parliament or not? These certainly cannot be pretended to by any Kirk-man, without a great usurpation over the Civill Magistrate, whereof We are confident the Church of Scotland, nor any Judicatory there­of will never be guilty, nor fall into the Episcopall disease of medling with Civill affaires: And if any have already in these particulars exceeded their bounds, We expect the ensuing generall Assembly will censure it accordingly, and prevent the vilifying and contemning the Authority of Parliament by any of the Ministery, either in, or out of their Pulpits, or who shall offer to stir up the Subjects of this Kingdome to disobey, or deny to give Civill obedience to their Lawes; it being expresly prohibited by the 2. and 5. Acts of Ja. 6. his 8. Parliament, in Anno 1584. That none of his Majesties Subjects, under paine of Treason, impugne the authority of Parliament. And therefore seeing the cause is the same for which this Kingdom hath done and suffered so much, and that We are resolved to proceed for the preservation and defence of Religion, before all other worldly interests whatsoever; and to carry on sincerely, really, and constantly the Covenant, and all the ends of it, as you will finde by our Declaration herewith sent to you: We doe confidently expect, that as the Ministers of this Kingdome have hitherto been most active and exemplary in furthering the former Expeditions, so now you will continue in the same zeale, to stir up the people by your Preaching and Prayers, and all other wayes in your calling, to a chearefull obedience to Our Orders, and engaging in this businesse; and that you will not give so great advantage to the Enemies of Presbyteriall Government, and bring so great a scandall on this Church, as to oppose the Authority of Parliament, or obstruct their proeeedings in their necessary Duties for the good of Religion, the Honour and happinesse of the King and his Royall Posterity, and the true peace of his Dominions.