caire of this kirke and kingdome, walde be most willing to indicte a
free generall assembley, and call ane parliament for thesse good endes;
bot that your Grace, as his Maiesties, hath conceaued the Confession
of Faith and couenant, laitly renewed by ws his Maiesties subiects, to
be ane vnlawfull combination aganist athority, therby to cast off our
deutifull obedience, and not ane couenant for manteining of the trew
religion, of his Maiesties persone and authority, and of the lawes and
liberties of the kingdome; and wee being most willing to remoue that
impediment, as the maine hinderance for obteining our desyres, therfor,
and for cleiring of our loyaltie and windicating ourselues from so
grate ane imputatione, wee doe now, in all humility, remonstrat to
your Grace, as his Maiesties commissioner, and declairs before God and
men, that wee ar heartily griued and sorey, that aney good man, bot
most of all that our dreid souerainge should so conceaue of our doing,
and that wee wer and still are so far from aney thought of withdrawing
ourselues from our deutifull subiection and obedience to his Maiesties
gouerniment, wich by the discent, and wnder the rainge of 107 kinges,
is most cheirfully acknouledged by ws and our prædicessors. That wee
neuer had nor haue aney intentione ore desyre to attempte aney thing
wich may turne to the dishonor of God, ore to the diminutione of the
Kinges gratnes and authority; bot one the contrarey wee acknouledge our
quietnesse, stability and happines, to depend wpone the saftie of the
Kinges Maiestie, as vpone Gods vicegerent sett ouer ws for mantinence
of religion and administratione of justice, haue solemlie suorne, not
only our mutuall concurrence and assistance for the causse of religion,
bot also to the wttermost of our power, with our means and our liues,
stand to the defence of our dread souerainge, the Kinges Maiesty, his
persone and authority, in the preseruatione and defence of the trew
religion, lawes and liberties of the kingdome: and therfor wee, his
Maiesties loyall subiects, free from that and all other imputations of
that kynd, most humblie beseiches your Grace to esteime our Confessione
of Faith and couenant, to haue beine intendit, and to be the largest
testimoney of our fidelity to God, and loyaltie to our Kinge; and that
hinderance being remoued, most still supplicat your Grace wald be
pleased to indicte a free generall assembley and parliament, quhilk
will vndoubtedly redresse all our eiuells, sothe the peace of this
kirke and kingdome, and procure that cheerfulnesse of obedience, quhilk
is dew to be randred to his Maiestie, carrinng with it the offer of our
fortuns and best indeuors for his Maᵗⁱᵉˢ honor and happines, as ane
reall testimoney of our thankefullnes, praying God that his Maiesty may
long and happily raing ouer ws.
* * * * *
1638.—June 25.
45. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[70]
HAMILTON,
I must needs thank you that you stand so close and constantly to my
Grounds, and you deserve the more since your fellow-Counsellours do
rather dishearten than help you in this business, for which I swear I
pity you much. There be two things in your Letter that require Answer,
to wit, the Answer to their Petition, and concerning the Explanation
of their damnable Covenant; for the first, the telling you that I have
not changed my mind in this particular, is Answer sufficient, since
it was both foreseen by me, and fully debated betwixt us two before
your down-going; and for the other, I will onely say, that so long as
this Covenant is in force, (whether it be with or without Explanation)
I have no more Power in Scotland than as a Duke of Venice; which I
will rather die than suffer: yet I commend the giving ear to the
Explanation, or any thing else to win Time, which now I see is one of
your chiefest cares, wherefore I need not recommend it to you. Another
I know is, to shew the World clearly, that my taking of Arms is to
suppress Rebellion, and not to impose Novelties, but that they are the
seekers of them; wherefore if upon the publishing of my Declaration a
Protestation should follow, I should think it would rather doe right
than wrong to my Cause; and for their calling a Parliament or Assembly
without me, I should not much be sorry, for it would the more loudly
declare them Traitors, and the more justifie my Actions; therefore
in my mind my Declaration would not be long delayed: but this is a
bare Opinion and no Command. Lastly, my resolution is to come my self
in person, accompanied like myself, Sea-forces nor Ireland shall not
be forgotten; the particulars of which I leave to the Comptrollers
relation, as I do two particulars to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
which you forgot to mention in my Letter: and so I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Greenwich, 25 June, 1638.
* * * * *
1638.—June 28.
46. _Proclamation._[71]
CHARLES by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and
Ireland, Defender of the Faith. To our Lovits ________________________
Heraulds _____________________________ Messengers, our Sheriffes in
that part, conjunctly and severally specially constitute greeting.
Forsameikle as we are not ignorant of the great disorders, which
have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdome of Scotland,
occasioned, as is pretended, upon the introduction of the Service Book,
Book of Canons, and High Commission, thereby fearing innovation of
Religion and Laws. For satisfaction of which fears, We well hoped,
that the two Proclamations of the eleventh of December, and nineteenth
of February, had been abundantly sufficient: Neverthelesse, finding
that disorders have daily so increased, that a powerfull rather then
perswasive way, might have been justly expected from Us: Yet We out
of Our innative indulgence to Our people, grieving to see them run
themselves so headlong into ruine, are graciously pleased to try, if by
a faire way We can reclaime them from their faults, rather than to let
them perish in the same. And therefore once for all We have thought fit
to declare, and hereby to assure all Our good people, that We neither
were, are, nor by the Grace of God ever shall bee stained with Popish
superstition: But by the contrary, are resolved to maintain the true
Protestant Christian Religion already profest within this Our ancient
Kingdome. And for farther clearing of scruples, We do hereby assure
all men, that We will neither now nor hereafter presse the practice of
the foresaid Canons and Service Book, nor any thing of that nature,
but in such a faire and legall way, as shall satisfie all Our loving
subjects, that We neither intend innovation in Religion or Lawes. And
to this effect have given order to discharge all Acts of Councel made
thereanent. And for the high Commission, We shall so rectifie it with
the help of advice of Our privie Councel, that it shall never impugne
the Lawes, nor bee a just grievance to Our loyall subjects. And what is
farder fitting to be agitate in generall Assemblies and Parliament, for
the good and peace of the Kirk, and peaceable government of the same,
in establishing of the Religion presently profest, shall likewise be
taken into Our Royall consideration, in a free Assembly and Parliament,
which shall be indicted and called with Our best conveniencie. And
We hereby take God to witnesse, that our true meaning and intention
is, not to admit of any innovations either in Religion or Laws, but
carefully to maintain the purity of Religion already profest and
established, and no wayes to suffer Our Lawes to be infringed. And
although We cannot be ignorant, that there may be some dis-affected
persons who will strive to possesse the hearts of Our good subjects,
that this Our gracious declaration is not to be regarded; Yet We do
expect that the behaviour of all Our good and loyall subjects will
be such, as may give testimonie of their obedience, and how sensible
they are of our grace and favour, that thus passeth over their
misdemeanours, and by their future carriage make appeare, that it was
only feare of innovation, that hath caused the disorders which have
happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdome. And are confident,
that they will not suffer themselves to be seduced and mis-led, to
misconstrue Us or Our actions, but rest heartily satisfied with Our
pious and real intentions, for maintenance of the true Religion and
Lawes of this Kingdome. Wherefore We require and heartily wish all Our
good people carefully to advert to these dangerous suggestions, and not
to permit themselves, blindely under pretext of Religion, to be led in
disobedience, and draw on infinitely, to Our grief, their own ruine,
which We have, and still shall strive to save them from, so long as We
see not royall Authoritie shaken off. And most unwillingly shall make
use of that power which God hath endued Us with, for reclaiming of
disobedient people.
Our will is herefore, and Wee charge you straightly and command, that
incontinent these Our Letters seene, you passe to the market crosse
of Our Burgh of Edinburgh, and all other places needfull, and there
by open Proclamation make publication hereof to all and sundry Our
good subjects, where through none pretend ignorance of the same. The
which to do, We commit to you conjunctly and severally Our full power,
by these Our Letters, delivering the same by you duely execute and
indorsed againe to the Bearer. Given at Our Court of Greenwich the
twenty eight day of June, and of Our Reigne the thirteenth yeer. 1638.
Per Regem.
* * * * *
1638.—June 28.
47. _The Protestation of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burrows,
Ministers and Commons, &c._[72]
Wee Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, Minnisters, and Commons,
That whereas wee the Kings Majesties true and loyall Subjects, who have
ever esteemed it our greatest happinesse to live under a religious and
righteous King, and our greatest glory to testifie our best affections
to our gracious Soveraign, have beene in His Majesties absence from
this His native Kingdome heavily pressed for a long time past, And
especially of late, with diverse innovations, which both in themselves,
and in the way wherein they have beene urged, doe manifestly tend
to the prejudice of the Kings honour, and of our Religion, Laws and
Liberties, And by which we were brought to such extremitie, that there
was no way left betwixt the rock of excommunication, and the high paine
of rebellion on the one part, and the desperate danger of forsaking
the way of true Religion and the breach of our Covenant with God on
the other, but to represent our cause, and present our supplications
to the Lords of secret Councell, that being equally pondered by them,
they might either be answered by themselves, or by their recommendation
might ascend to his Majesties owne consideration: And therefore in
all humble manner we did to this effect supplicate their Lordsh: we
were most willing (for the modest following of our supplications) to
obey their direction in chusing Commissioners, for the great number of
supplicants, who flocked together from all quarters of the Kingdome;
were carefull to order our selves in all Christian and quiet carriage,
and, against the tediousnesse of many and long delaies, did wait for a
long time with very great patience, till at last they were pleased to
receive our supplications, complaints, and bills: And conceiving them
to containe weightier matters then could by themselves bee determined,
they did promise and undertake to represent and recommend the same,
according to their more then ordinary importance, unto his Majesties
Royall consideration, and to report his Majesties answer.
While his Majesties good Subjects of all ranks, throughout the whole
Kingdome, had their minds wakened, and their hearts filled with the
expectation of a gracious and satisfactorie answer, worthy of his
Majesties pious and equitable disposition, in the month of February
last incontinent a rumour flyeth through the Countrie, and filleth all
eares, That the Lords of his Majesties secret Councell were commanded
to make such a Proclamation concerning the Service Booke, Booke of
Canons, and the peaceable meetings of his Majesties good Subjects in
time comming, as we were perswaded to have beene procured by the secret
working, and malignant mis-information of our adversaries, seeking for
their owne private ends, without respect to his Majesties honour, and
welfare of this Kirk and Kingdome, to stop the course of our legall
proceedings, and to escape their owne due censure: And therefore
intending to make knowne to the Lords of secret Councell what was
noised concerning the Proclamation: how far the whole Kingdome had been
by some sinistrous mis-information frustrate of their hopes, and their
constant desire to have some course taken by their Lordsh: advice; how
his Majestie being further informed, might deliver his good subjects
from so great grievances and feares, and establish a sure peace in this
Countrie for time to come; we found our selves tyed by order of Law to
decline those against whom we had made our complaint, unlesse we would
admit our parties to be our Judges: And in case our Declinator should
not be accepted, we behoved to protest, that we might have immediate
recourse to the King himselfe, &c.
Thereafter in the Moneth of March, finding that by the foresaid
Proclamation the innovations supplicated against were approven, our
lawfull proceedings condemned, our most necessary meetings prohibited,
there being no other way left unto us, wee were necessitate to renew
the nationall Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome, thereby to reconcile
us to God, provoked to wrath against us, by the breach of his Covenant
within this Land, to cleare our Soveraigns mind from all jealousies
and suspicions, arising from our adversaries mis-information of our
intentions and carriage; and so to make way for his acceptance of
our humble supplications, and grant of their lawfull remedies, to
guard this Land in defence of Religion, Authority and liberty against
inward divisions, and externall violences. And that our actions might
be answerable to our holy profession, we afterward drew up an humble
supplication, containing our grievances, and desires of the ordinary
remedies thereof, to have beene delivered to the King himselfe: In the
meane time we were directed by those who were intrusted by his Majesty,
to attend his Declaration here in Scotland, which would free us of all
feares of innovations of Religion, and prove satisfactorie: And lest
for want of true information of our just grievances and desires it
should fall out otherwise, wee expressed to them, with the greatest
modestie we could, our desires in some few Articles, and with great
patience have attended his Majesties pleasure thereanent: And all this
moneth by-gone being frequently conveened to heare the same delivered
by his Majesties Commissioner, the right Noble and potent Lord James
Marquesse of Hamiltoun, &c. we presented a new petition to his Grace
as his Majesties Commissioner, craving most humbly the indiction of a
free Assembly and Parliament, as the onely remedies thereof: Likeas
finding a mis-information or mistake of our Covenant with God, as if
it had beene an unlawfull combination to bee the maine hinderance of
obtaining our desires, in a new supplication; wee have fully removed
that impediment, renewed our desires of those supreme judicatories, to
bee indicted with diligence, for settling of the Kirk and Kingdome: But
being answered only with delayes after these nine Moneths attendance,
and with this Proclamation that conteined his Majesties gracious
declaration of his pious intentions, not to admit of any innovations
in Religion or Law, nor any staine of Popish superstition, But on
the contrary to be resolved to maintaine the true Christian Religion
professed in this Kingdome; which we were, ever so far from calling
in question, as in our supplications, complaints and bills, we used
the same as one cause of our desires, one ground of our confidence
of a gracious answer, and argument of our adversaries malignant
mis-information of so religious a King: And now most humbly (with
bended knees and bowed hearts) thanke our gracious Soveraigne for the
same, Wishing and praying the Lord of heaven truly and fully to informe
his Majestie how far these bookes, judicatories, and all our other
evils and grievances are full of idolatrous superstitions, and Popish
errours, How destructive of the reformation of Religion in this Land,
and of the Lawes and Liberties of this Church and Kingdome, and so
directly contrary to this his Majesties pious intention and declaration.
Yet seeing that no Proclamation could sufficiently remove the present
evils, nor settle our feares, nor secure us from the re-entrie of
any evil or Innovation, which it seemed to discharge, or prevent
the like in time comming, nor satisfie our humble supplications,
craving the present indiction of a free Assembly and Parliament, as
the onely remedies of our evils, and meanes to prevent the like:
And seeing this Proclamation doth not so much as make mention, or
acknowledge any of our supplications, complaints and grievances, or
any just cause thereof, except under the name of great increase of
disorders, faults, and mis-demeanours, but only our feares of some
future Innovation of Religion or Lawes, occasioned onely (as is
pretended) by the introduction of the Service Booke, Booke of Canons,
and High Commission; which feares his Majestie hoped to have beene
abundantly and sufficiently satisfied by his two former proclamations
of the ninth of December, and nineteenth of February. And by this his
present Declaration, except his subjects bee blindely (under pretext
of Religion) led unto disobedience, Doth mis-ken, passe over, and so
in effect denie all our supplications, bills, articles, and desires,
especially our complaints against the Prelates our parties. And, that
once for all, in a faire and perswasive way, even after the resaite
of our last supplication, clearing us from the calumnie of unlawfull
combination; Doth not disallow nor discharge any of the innovations
and evils complained upon, but onely assureth that his Majestie will
not presse their practice, but in such a faire and legall way as shall
satisfie his subjects of his intention; which (joyned with the other
clause, allowing and confirming the Proclamation the nineteenth of
February) evidenceth the liberty left to any Prelate or persons to
practice the same, and by all other faire waies to perswade others
thereunto; and his Majesties resolution to presse their practice in
a faire and legall way: And also confirmeth the former Declaration,
That the Service Booke is a ready meane to maintaine the true Religion
already professed, and to beat out all Superstition, and no waies to be
contrary to the Lawes of this Kingdome, but to be compiled and approved
for the universall use and edification of all his Majesties subjects;
Doth not abolish, but promiseth to rectifie the High Commission, with
advice of his Privie Councell, implying the Kings power, with consent
of the Councell, to establish this or any judicatory within this
Kingdome, without consent of the three Estates conveened in Parliament,
contrary to the fundamentall and expresse Lawes thereof; and by
consequent with the like reason, to establish Lawes and Service Bookes,
without consent of the Assembly and Parliament; Which is contrary
to the maine ground of all our supplications, against the manner of
their introduction; Doth only promise to take into his consideration
in an Assembly and Parliament, which shall bee called at his best
convenience, while as the evident and urgent necessity for settling
the combustions threatening the totall dissolution and desolation of
this Church and State, excuseth our uncessant and importune calling
for these present remedies; Doth insinuate the continuance and
execution of any pretended lawes for these innovations of worship,
and corruptions of Church governmen, and civill places of Church-men,
which by our Covenant wee have obliged our selves to forbeare; and the
re-establishment of these evils in an Assembly and Parliament, which
he will call in his best convenience, to wit, for that and this other
end of satisfying his subjects judgements anent the Service Booke and
Booke of Canons; Doth condemne all our former proceedings, even our
supplicating, complaining, protesting, subscribing of our Covenant
together, and our continuall meetings, as great disorders, increase
of disorders, deserving justly a powerfull rather then a perswasive
way, a running headlong into ruine, a perishing in our faults, a blind
disobedience under pretext of Religion, and doth threaten & denounce,
NOW ONCE FOR ALL, If we be not heartily satisfied, and give testimony
of our obedience after this Declaration, but continue, as by our former
proceedings, to draw on our owne ruine, that, albeit unwillingly,
he must make use of that power which God hath indued him with, for
reclaiming of so disobedient people.