CCCLVIII.--_To_ SEVERAL BRETHREN. _Reasons for petitioning his Majesty
after his return, and for owning such as were censured[519] while
about so necessary a duty._
[519] That is, the ministers mentioned in the note prefixed to the
preceding letter, who were arrested and imprisoned by the Committee of
Estates.
REVEREND AND DEAR BRETHREN,--It is a matter of difficulty to me to
write at this distance, not having heard your debates. It seemeth that
the Lord calleth us to give information to the King's Majesty of
affairs. The Lord's admirable providence, in bringing him to his
throne, and laying aside others who were sworn enemies to the cause
and covenant of God, so that now the Government is in a right line, is
to be adored. And I judge (without prescribing) that some should be
sent to his Majesty to congratulate that providence; and that reason
of our being so slow in rendering should be rendered.
1. We should write, not in the name of the Kirk of Scotland, but in
the name of a most considerable number of godly ministers, elders, and
professors, who both pray for the King, are obedient to his laws, and
are under the oath of God for the sworn Reformation.
2. It is better now, than after sentences and trouble, to have
recourse to him who is by place _parens patriæ_.
3. We should supplicate in all humility for protection and
countenance; far more for lawful liberty to fear the bond of the oath
of the dreadful and most high Lord; avouching to his Majesty, that the
Lord, His holy name being interposed, will own that Covenant, and
bless his Majesty with a happy and successful reign, in the owning
thereof, and kissing of the Son of God. And when the Lord shall be
pleased to grant that to us which concerneth religion, the beauty of
His house, the propagating of the Gospel, the government of the Lord's
kingdom, without Popery, Prelacy, unwritten traditions and ceremonies,
let his Majesty try our loyalty with what commands he will be pleased
to lay on us, and see if we be found rebellious.
4. We should disclaim such as have sinfully complied with the late
usurpers; produce our written testimonies against them; our not
accepting of offices and places of trust from them; our testimonies
against their usurpation, covenant-breaking, toleration of all
religions, corrupt sectarian ways, for which the Lord hath broken
them.
5. We are represented to his Majesty as such as would not consent that
the Remonstrance of the western forces[520] should be condemned by the
Commission of the General Assembly; whereas, 1. We did humbly desire
that the judicature should not condemn nor censure that Remonstrance,
till the gentlemen were heard, and their reasons discussed. 2.
Whatever demur was as to the banding or combining part of it, we were
and are obliged to believe that they had no sectarian design therein,
nor levelling intention. 3. They are gentlemen most loyal, and never
were enemies to his Majesty's royal power; but only desired that
security might be had for religion and the people of God, and persons
disaffected to religion and the sworn Covenant abandoned; otherwise
they were, and still are, willing to hazard lives and estates for the
just greatness and safety of his Majesty in the maintenance of the
true religion, Covenant, and cause of God. The only difficulty will
be, where to have fit men to send. But as it will be both sin and
shame for us to desert our undeservedly now censured brethren, so it
will be our sin and reproach sinfully to comply with such things and
courses as we testified against, and confessed to God.
[520] See notice of Colonel Gilbert Ker, p. 649.