We see likewise strong endeavours used, and resolutions taken, to maintaine a
Licentious Libertie, and ungodly Toleration, in matters of Religion, (as appeares
by a Paper lately published, commonly called, An Agreement of the People) against
which, upon the 26 of January last, we did present a Testimonie of the Commissioners
of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, approved of by the
Estates of Parliament of that Kingdome.
If the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, who made the Declarations
and Engagements aforesaid, had beene permitted to Sit, and Act with
freedome; We know there would have beene no such proceedings as we have
alreadie seeme, nor cause to feare such dangerous evils, and strange alterations, as
are now carryed on by Will and Power; We may confidently say, they would
have beene more mindfull of their many Declarations, and the Solemne League
and Covenant, and more readie to hearken to the advice of their Brethren of
Scotland : And however no regard hath beene had by those who now Rule, to
what we have formerly said, and so we have small hopes that any great notice
shall be taken of what we shall further say; Yet in pursuance of the Instructions
we have received from the Parliament of Scotland, we hold it our dutie to desire,
That there may be no Toleration of Idolatrie ,Poperie, Prelarie, Heresie, Schisme,
or Prophanenesse; That there be no change of the Fundamentall Constitution
and Government of this Kingdome, by King, Lords, and Commons; That there
may be nothing done, which may wrong King Charles the Second, in his Succession,
as righteous Heire of the Crowne of these Kingdomes; but that by the free
Councels of both Houses of Parliament, Reformation of, and uniformitie in Religion,
may be setled according to the Covenant; and particulary, that Presbyteriall
Government, the Consession of Faith, Directorie for worship, & Catechisme,
may be established; That the just Right and Title of King Charles the Second to
the Crowne of these Kingdomes, may be acknowledged; and upon just satisfaction
given to both Kingdomes, he may be received and admitted to the exercise of
His (c) Government: And if not, notwithstanding all our earnest desires, and
endeavours to the contrary, the Commons now sitting at Westminster shall proceed
otherwise, in all, or in any of these particulars aforesaid; We doe hereby, in
the Name of the Parliament, and Kingdome of Scotland, dissent from the same;
and solemnely protest, That they may be free before God and Man, of the guiltinesse,
evills, confusions, miseries, and calamities, that may follow thereupon to
these distracted Kingdomes.
Lothian. Jo: Chiesly.
Will: Glendonning.
Feb. 24. 1648
(C) If the Parliament of Scotland, who sent in upon us the last yeares invasion,
had beene permitted by those who now Rule there, to Sit and Act with freedome, we
may confidently say, they neither could have layd more friendly and unjust Censures
on the late proceedings of the Parliament of England, nor could have sent us more
injurious and Lordly Propositions, though they had vanquished us the last yeare, then
these men, who by our friendly aid and assistance were seated where they sit; whom
it would become at length, to hearken to the advice of their Brethren of England, rather
then to take themselves alwayes for the Advisers.
The Parliament of England having spent much time in debate of the peremptorie
Papers sent from the Kingdome of Scotland, [unr]after [unr]mature deliberation thereon,