cost me the sitting up some part of the night to read it. His Letter,
beside that Discourse, contains but two things, The necessity of a
present shew of Force against the rising of the Assembly, before men be
urged to new Confederacies, and Subscriptions to all things determined
in this Assembly; The other, that some care may be had for the poor
Ministers, who will be put to the greatest sufferings, and all for God
and the King. And to these two I have said as much as I can, and shall
daily labour with the King to doe all that may be done for them. I pray
God bless your Lordship, but I am infinitely sorry so much Grace and
Goodness of the Kings should be no better received. To Gods blessed
Protection I leave you, and all your Endeavours, and shall ever shew my
self
Your Graces most faithful Friend,
and humble Servant,
W. CANT.
Whitehall, Decemb. 7. 1638.
* * * * *
1638.—December 8.
106. _Proclamation by the King._[134]
CHARLES, By the grace of GOD, King of SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, FRANCE,
and IRELAND, Defender of the FAYTH, To Our Lovits, _______________
Herauldes, Pursevantes: Our Shyreffs in that part, conjunctlie,
and severallie, speciallie constitute, Greeting. WHERE-AS, for the
removing of the Disorders, which haue happened of late within this
Kingdome; And, for settling of a perfect Peace in the Church, and
Common-wealth there-of, WEE were pleased, to call and indict A FREE
GENERALL ASSEMBLIE to bee holden at GLASGOW, the xxj day of November
last; And for Our Subjects their better content and assurance, that
they should bee freed of such thinges as by their Petitions and
Supplications given in to the Lordes of Our Privie Councell, they
seemed to be grieved at, WEE, in some sort, prevented the Assemblie,
by discharging, by Our Proclamation, the Service-Booke, Booke of
Canons, and High Commission, freed and liberate all Our Subjectes,
from practising of the fiue Articles, exeemed all Ministers at their
entrie, from giving anie other Oath, than that which is contayned in
the Act of Parliament; Made all persons, both Ecclesiasticall and
Civill, lyable to the Censure of Parliament, Generall Assemblie, or
anie other Iudicatorie competent, according to the nature of their
Offence; Had declared all by-gone Disorders absolutelie forgotten,
and forgiven: And last; For securing to all Posteritie, the Trueth,
and Libertie of RELIGION, did command the Confession of Fayth, and
Band for mayntenance thereof, and of Authoritie in defence of the
same, subscrybed by Our deare Father, and his Householde, in ANNO
1580, to bee renewed, and subscrybed agayne by Our Subjectes heere.
And, albeit that this Our Gracious and Pious Commaund, instead of
Obedience and Submission, rancountred open and publicke Opposition and
Protestation agaynst the same; And that they continued their daylie
and hourlie guarding and watching our Castle of Edinburgh, suffering
nothing to bee imported there-in, but at their discretion: stopping
and impeding anie importation of Ammunition, or other Necessaries
what-so-ever, to anie of Our Houses within this Kingdome: Denying
to Us their Soveraygne Lord, that Libertie and Freedome, which the
meanest of them assumed to themselues, (an Act without precedent or
example in the Christian World:) Lyke as they spared not, boldlie
and openlie to continue their Conventions, and Councell-Tables, of
Nobilitie, Gentrie, Ministers, and Burgesses, within the Citie of
Edinburgh: Where, not regarding the Lawes of the Kingdome, without
warrand of Authoritie, they conveaned, assembled, and treated vpon
Matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill, Sent their Injunctions and
Directions throughout the Countrey, to their subordinate Tables, and
other vnder Ministers appoynted by them for that effect: And, vnder
colour and pretext of Religion, exercising an vnwarranded Libertie,
requyred obedience to their vnlawfull and illegall Directions, to the
seene prejudice of Authoritie, and lawfull Monarchicall Governament.
And not-with-standing it was evidentlie manifest, by the illegall
and vnformall Course taken in the Election of the Commissioners for
the Assemblie; whereof some of them were vnder the Censure of this
Church, some vnder the Censure of the Church of Ireland, some long
since banished, for avowed teaching agaynst Monarchie: others of them
suspended, and some admitted to the Ministerie, contrarie to the forme
prescrybed by the Lawes of this Kingdome: others of them Rebells,
and at the Horne: some of them confined, and all of them by Oath and
Subscription, bound to the overthrowe of Episcopall Government. And by
this, and others their Under-hand-working, and private Informations,
and perswasions, had given just ground of Suspicion of their
Partialitie; and so made themselues vnfit Iudges of what concerneth
Episcopacie. And als, albeit it was sufficientlie cleared, by the
peremptorie and illegall Procedures of the Presbyteries, who at their
owne hand, and by order of Lawe, and without due forme of Processe,
thrust out Moderators lawfullie established, and placed others, whome
they found moste inclynable to their turbulent Humoures, associate
to themselues, for choosing of the Commissioners to the Assemblie, a
Laicke Elder out of each Parioch; who beeing in moste places equall,
if not moe in number than the Ministerie, made choyse both of the
Ministers who should bee Commissioners, from the Presbyteries, as
also of a Laicke Elder, (which in tyme will proue to bee a dangerous
Consequence, and import an heavie Burden to the Libertie of the
Church, and Church-men) beeing more directed therein, by the Warandes
of the foresayde pretended Tables, than by their owne judgementes; as
appeared by the severall Instructions sent from them, (farre contrarie
to the Lawes of this Countrey, and lowable custome of this Church)
some whereof were produced, and exhibit by Our Commissioner, and
publicklie read: One whereof directed to the Noble-men and Barons of
each Presbyterie, doeth amongst manie other odde passages, require
Diligence; lest (say they) by our owne Sillinesse and Treacherie,
wee lose so fayre an occasion of our Libertie, both Christian and
Civill. A strange phrase, to proceede from duetifull or loyall-hearted
Subjectes! The other, to the Moderators of severall Presbyteries,
vnder the Title of Private Instructions, August 27, contayning, first,
That these Private Instructions shall bee discovered to none, but to
Brethren well-affected to the Cause. 2. Order must be taken, that none
be chosen Ruling-Elders, but Covenanters, and these well-affected to
the Businesse. 3. That where the Minister is not well-affected, the
Ruling Elder bee chosen by the Commissioners of the Shyre, and spoken
vnto particularlie for that effect. 4. That they bee carefull, that no
Chappell-men, Chapter-men, or a Minister Iustice of Peace bee chosen,
although Covenanters, except they haue publicklie renounced or declared
the vnlawfullnesse of their Places. 5. That the Ruling Elders, come
from everie Church, in equall number with the Ministers. And if the
Minister oppose, to put themselues in possession, notwithstanding
of anie opposition. 6. That the Commissioner of the Shyre, cause
conveane before him the Ruling Elder of everie Church, chosen before
the day of the Election, and injoyne them, vpon their Oath, That
they giue voyce to none, but to those who are named alreadie at the
Meeting of Edinburgh. 7. That where there is a Noble-man in the
boundes of the Presbyterie, hee bee chosen: and where there is none,
there bee chosen a Baron, or one of the best Qualitie; and he only a
Covenanter. 8. That the ablest man in everie Presbyterie bee provided
to dispute, _De potestate supremi Magistratus in Ecclesiasticis
præsertim inconvocandis Conciliis_, &c. Whereby it is moste evident,
what Prelimitations, and indirect and partiall Courses, and dangerous
Propositions, haue bene vsed in the Preparations and Elections to
this pretended Assemblie. By which vnlawfull doinges, altho Wee had
sufficient reason, to haue discharged the Meeting of the Assemblie,
yet We pleased patientlie to attende the same: Still hoping, that
when they were met together, by the presence of Our Commissioner, and
assistance of some well-affected Subjectes, who were to bee there,
and by their owne seeing the reall performance of what was promised
by Our Proclamation, they should haue beene moved to returne to the
due obedience of Subjects. But when Wee perceaved, that ther turbulent
Dispositions did increase, as was manifest by their repairing to the
sayde pretended Assemblie, with great Troups and Bands of Men, all
boden in feare of Warre, with Gunnes and Pistolls, contrarie to the
Laws of this Kingdome, and in high contempt of Our Proclamation at
Edinburgh, the xvj of November last. As also by their peremptorie
refusing to the Assessoures authorized by US, (altho fewer in number
than our dearest Father was in vse to haue) the power of Voting in this
Assemblie, as formerlie they had done in all others: openlie averring,
That Wee nor Our Commissioner had no farther power there, than the
meanest Commissioner of their number: and by their partiall and vnjust
refusing, and not suffering to bee read, the Reasons and Argumentes
given in by the Bishops, and their Adherentes, to Our Commissioner,
why they ought not to proceede to the Election of a Moderator, neyther
yet to the trying and admitting of the Commissioners, before they
were heard, tho in Our Name they were earnestly requested therevnto
by Our Commissioner. And not-with-standing that Our Commissioner, by
Warrand from Us, gaue in vnder his hand, a sufficient Declaration of
all that was contayned in Our late Proclamation: Bearing lykewyse Our
Pleasure, of the Registration of the same in the Bookes of Assemblie,
for full assurance of the Trueth and Libertie of Religion, to all
Our good Subjectes; as doeth clearlie appeare by the Declaration it
selfe, where-of the Tenour followeth: THE KING’S MAIESTIE beeing
informed, That manie of his good Subjectes haue apprehended, that
by the introducing of the Service-Booke, and Booke of Canons, the
inbringing of Superstition hath beene intended, hath beene graciouslie
pleased to discharge; Lyke as by These hee doeth discharge the
Service Booke, and Booke of Canons, and the practise of them, and
eyther of them; and annulleth and rescindeth all Actes of Councell,
Proclamations, and other Actes and Deedes whatsoever that haue beene
made, or published, for establishing of them, or eyther of them; and
declareth the same to bee null, and to haue no force, nor effect,
in tyme comming. THE KING’S MAIESTIE, as hee conceaved for the ease
and benefite of the Subjects, established the High Commission, that
thereby Iustice might bee administrate, and the faultes and erroures
of such persons as are made lyable therevnto, taken order with, and
punished, with the more conveniencie, and lesse trouble to the people:
But finding his gracious intention therein to bee mistaken, hath beene
pleased to discharge, Lyke as by These hee doeth discharge the same,
and all Actes and Deedes whatsoever made for establishing thereof.
AND, The King’s Majestie beeing informed, That the vrging of the fiue
Articles of Pearth Assemblie, hath bred Distraction in the CHURCH
and ESTATE, hath beene graciouslie pleased, to take the same to his
Royall Consideration; and, for the Quyet and Peace of his Countrey,
hath not onlie dispensed with the practise of the saydes Articles; But
also discharged all and whatsoever persons, from vrging the practise
thereof, vpon eyther Laicke or Ecclesiaticall person whatsoever; And
hath fred all his Subjectes, from all Censures and Paynes, whether
Ecclesiasticall or Secular, for not vrging, practising, or obeying
them, or anie of them, notwithstanding of aniething contayned in the
Actes of Parliament, or Generall Assemblie, to the contrarie. AND,
His Majestie is farther contented, That the Assemblie take the same
so farre to their Consideration, as to represent it vnto the next
Parliament; there to bee ratified, as the Estates shall bee found
fitting. AND, Because it hath beene pretended, That Oathes haue beene
administrated different from that which is set downe in the Actes of
Parliament, his Majesty is pleased to declare by mee, That no other
Oath shall be required of anie Minister at his Entrie, than that which
is set downe in the Act of Parliament. AND, That it may appeare howe
carefull his Majestie is, that no Corruption, or Innovation, shall
creepe into this Church, nether yet anie Scandall, Vyce, or Fault, of
anie person whatsoever, censurable or punishable by the Assemblie, goe
long vnpunished. HIS MAIESTIE is content to declare by mee; and assure
all his good People, That Generall Assemblies shall bee kept so oft,
and alse oft, as the Effayres of this Church shall requyre. AND, That
none of his good Subjectes may haue cause of Grievances agaynst the
Proceedinges of the Prelates, HIS MAIESTIE is contented, That all and
everie one of the present Bishops, and their Successoures, shall bee
aunawerable, and accordinglie from tyme to tyme, censurable, according
to their merites, by the Generall Assemblie. AND, To giue all his
Majestie’s good People full assurance, that hee never intended to admit
anie Alteration, or Change, in the True Religion, professed within this
Kingdome; AND, That they may bee truelie and fullie satisfied, of the
Realitie of His Intentions, and integritie of the same, His Majestie
hath beene pleased, to requyre and commaund all his good Subjectes, to
subscrybe the Confession of Fayth, and Band for mayntenance there-of,
and Of His Majestie’s Person, and Authoritie, formerlie signed by his
deare Father, in Anno 1580; And nowe also requyreth all these of this
present Assemblie, to subscrybe the same. AND, It is His Majesties
will, That this bee insert and registrat in the Books of Assemblie,
as a Testimoniall to Posteritie, not onelie of the sinceritie of his
Intentions to the sayd True Religion, but also of His Resolution, to
mayntayne and defend the same, and His Subjectes, in the Profession
there-of. Which Declaration was by Our speciall Commaund and Direction
given in, and subscrybed by Our Commissioner, vpon Protestation made
by him, That his assenting to the registrating heere-of, should bee
no Approbation of the lawfulnesse of this Assemblie, nor of anie of
the Actes or Deedes done or to bee done therein. And finding them in
lyke sort, nowayes to be satisfied therewith, and that nothing else
was able to giue them content, except at their owne pleasure they were
permitted to overthrowe all Episcopall Government in the Church, and
thereby to abrogate Our publicke Lawes standing in vigour, by the space
of manie yeares by-gone, and to alter the fundamentall Governament of
this Kingdome, in taking away one of three Estates, contrarie expresse
Actes of Parliament. And lest the continuance of their meetings,
might haue produced other the lyke dangerous Actes so derogatorie to
Royall Authoritie; Wee were forced for preveaning thereof, and for the
causes and reasons aboue mentioned, and dyverse others importing true
Monarchicall Governament, to dissolue and breake vp the sayde pretended
Assemblie, and to discharge them of all farther meeting, treating, or
concluding of anie thing therein: And yet in that calme and peaceable
way, as our Commissioner before his removing desired their pretended
Moderator for that tyme, to haue sayde Prayer, and so concluded that
dayes Session; that so they might haue had tyme to thinke vpon the
just reasons of his refusing, to assist or bee anie longer present
at the sayde pretended Assemblie; and of the causes moving Us to the
dissolving thereof. And notwithstanding his earnest vrging the same,
and being willing to returne the next Morne to heare their Answere,
in place of all other satisfaction to his so reasonable and moderate
desires, was refused, and met with a Protestation, of an high and
extraordinarie strayne: Thereby presuming to sute and call our Counsell
in question, for their duetifull assistance, and obedience vnto Us, and
Our Commissioner. And finding their disobedience thus to increasse, Wee
were constrayed to discharge them anewe agayne the next day thereafter,
by publicke Proclamation, vnder the Payne of Treason. And albeit that
their continuance is such, as hath not beene heard in former tymes
yet they shall never moue Us, to alter the least poynt or Article of
what Wee haue alredie declared by Proclamation, or Declaration vnder
Our Commissioner’s hand: All which was publicklie read, and by our
Commissioner requyred to bee insert and registrated in the Bookes
of Assemblie, therein to remayne as a Testimonie to Posteritie; not
onlie of the sinceritie of Our Intentions to the true Religion; but
also of Our Resolution, to mayntayne and defende the same, and Our
Subjectes, in the Profession thereof. AND perceaving lykewyse, That
in contempt of OUR PROCLAMATION at GLASGOW, the xxix of November last,
they goe still on, to conveane, meete, and to make illegall and
vnwarrandable Actes, WEE haue conceaved it fitting, to forewarne all
Our good Subjectes, of the Daunger that they may incurre, by beeing
insnared by these their vnlawfull Procedures: And, to this purpose,
doe not onelie liberate and free them, from all obedience to anie
of the pretended Actes made, or to bee made, at the sayde pretended
Assemblie, or Committees direct therefrae: but also doe free them
from all Payne and Censure which the sayde pretended Assemblie shall
inflict vpon them, or anie of them: AND, THEREFORE, Doe discharge, and
prohibite, all Our Subjectes, That they, nor none of them, acknowledge,
or gieue obedience, to anie pretended Actes, or Constitutions, made,
or to bee made, at the sayd pretended Meetinges, vnder all highest
Paynes. AND, WEE commaund, charge, and inhibite, all Presbyteries,
Sessions of Churches, and Ministers, within this Realme, That none of
them presume, nor take vpon hand, privatelie, nor publicklie, in their
Sessions and Meetings, nor in their Conferences, Sermones, nor none
other manner of waye, to authorize, approue, justifie, or allowe, the
sayde vnlawfull Meeting, or Assemblie, at GLASGOW, nor yet to make
anie Act thereupon, nor to doe any other thing, private, or publicke,
which may seeme to countenance the sayde vnlawfull Assemblie, vnder the
Payne, to bee holden, reputed, and esteemed, and persued, as guiltie
of that vnlawfull Meeting, and to bee punished for the same, with all
Rigour. AND SUCH-LYKE, WEE commaund all and sundrie Noble-men, Barrons,
Gentle-men, and Magistrates, and all others, Our Liedges, who shall
happen to bee present, and heare anie Ministers, eyther in publicke or
private Conferences and Speeches, or in their Sermones, to approue, and
allowe, the sayde vnlawfull Assemblie, to rayle, or vtter anie speaches
agaynst Our Royall Commandementes, or Proceedinges of Us, or our
Counsell, for punishing or suppressing such enormities; That they make
relation, and report thereof, vnto Our Counsell, and furnish probation;
to the effect the same may bee accordinglie punished; as they will
aunswere to US thereupon: Certifying them, who shall heare, and
conceale the sayde speaches, that they shall bee esteemed as Allowers
of the same, and shall accordinglie bee taken order with, and punished
therefore, without favour. AND, To this effect, WEE lykewyse straytlie
charge, and commaund, all Iudges whatsoever within this Realme,
Clerks, and Wryters, not to graunt or passe anie Bill, Summonds, or
Letters, or anie other Execution whatsoever, vpon anie Act or Deed
proceeding from the sayde pretended Assemblie; AND all Keepers of the
SIGNET, from signetting thereof, & that vnder all highest Paynes. AND,
Because Wee gaue Order and Commaund, to Our Commissioner, to make open
Proclamation, not onlie of Our Sense, but even of the true meaning of
the Confession of Fayth in Anno 1580; by which it may clearlie appeare,
That as Wee never intended thereby to exclude EPISCOPACIE; So by no
right construction can it bee other wayes interpreted; as is more
than evident by the Reasons contayned in the sayde Declaration, and
manie moe, which for brevitie (the thing in it selfe beeing so cleare)
are omitted. HEREFORE, WEE doe not onelie prohibite, and discharge,
all Our Subjectes, from subscrybing anie band, or giving anie Writ,
Subscription, or Oath, to or vpon anie Act or Deed, that proceedeth
from the sayde pretended Assemblie: but also doe requyre them, Not
to subscrybe nor sweare the sayd Confession, in no other sense, than
which is contayned in the sayd Declaration, manifested and emitted
by Our Commissioner, vnder all highest Paynes. AND, That none of Our
good Subjectes, who in their duetie and bound obedience to US, shall
refuse to acknowledge the sayd pretended Assemblie, or anie of the
pretended Actes, Constitutions, Warrandes, or Directions, proceeding
therefrae, may haue just ground of feare of danger or harme by doing
hereof, WEE doe by These promise, AND, UPON THE WORD OF A KING,
Obliedge Our Selues, By all the Roall Authoritie and Power wherewith
GOD hath endewed US, To protect and defend them, and everie one of
them, in their Persons, Fortunes, and Goods, agaynst all and whatsoever
person or persons, who shall dare or presume, to call in question,
trouble, or anie wayes molest them, or anie of them, therefore. AND,
OUR WILL IS, And WEE commaund, and charge, That incontinent, these
Our Letters seene, yee passe, and make publication heereof, by open
Proclamation, at the Mercat Crosse of EDINBVRGH, and others places
needfull; Where-through none pretend ignorance of the same. Given from
Our Court at WHYTE-HALL, the viij day of December, and of Our Reygne
the fourteenth yeare, 1638.
* * * * *
1638.—December 20.
107. _A Letter from the Generall Assembly at Glasgow to the Marques of
Hamilton._[135]
MOST NOBLE LORD,