TWO DECLARATIONS OF THE LORDS and COMMONS OF THE PARLIAMENT of ENGLAND: The first, to the Convention of the Estates of SCOTLAND; The second, to the Generall Assembly of the Kirke of SCOTLAND.
Together with the severall Answers of the Convention of the Estates of Scotland, and of the Generall Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland, to the Parliament of ENGLAND.
It is this day Ordered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, That the Declaration of Both Houses of Parliament, to the Convention of the Estates in Scotland, with their Answer; The Declaration of Both Houses to the Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland, with their Answer; And the Letter of the Assembly of Divines, met at Westminster, to the Generall Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland, with the Assemblies Answer, shall be forthwith Printed and published.
⟨Spet: 16.⟩ Printed at London for John Bellamie and Ralph Smith, 1643.
A DECLARATION OF THE LORDS And COMMONS OF THE PARLIAMENT of ENGLAND: To the Kingdome and Estates OF SCOTLAND.
WE the Lords and Commons in Parliament being very sensible of the miserable state and condition whereunto this Kingdome and all the other dominions belonging to this Crowne, are falne by this present Warre, which the King hath raised against the Parliament by the instigation of the Popish, Prelatical, and Malignant Partie, doe hereby Declare to our Brethren, the Estates and other Subjects of the Kingdome of Scotland, that not onely according to our resolution and promise signified in our former Declarations, Wee have nominated and appointed Jo. Earle of Rutland, [Page 2] Sir William Armine, Baronet, Sir Henry Vane junior, Knight, Thomas Hatcher, and Henry Darley, Esquires, to be Committees and Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament or any three or more of them, for setling all matters concerning debts and accounts, in which this Kingdome standeth engaged to them; But more especially to desire their present and speedy aid and assistance for security of Religion, and liberty of both Kingdomes, for restoring and preserving the peace of this Kingdome, and bringing to condigne punishment the subjects of either Kingdome, and all other, who are, and have beene the Authors, Incendiaries, or Actors in this unnaturall War, raised for the alteration of Religion, introducing of Poperie, subverting the fundamentall Government of this Land, and for the hinderance of reformation in matters of Religion, being a most effectuall meanes for preserving the peace of both Kingdomes, according to the late Act of Pacification, by which both States stand oblieged to helpe one another; whereof wee assure our selves, our Brethren will make no doubt, if they please to consider, That divers subjects of the Kingdome of Scotland, Noblemen and others, have risen in Armes, and are joyned with the Papists and Prelaticall party here, and are now in actuall war against the Parliament and Kingdome of England; which being done without consent of the Parliament of Scotland, all such persons of that Nation are become Traytors to the Realme of Scotland, by that Act of Pacification, and both Kingdomes are bound in repressing their forces by the publike faith of each Kingdome declared in that Act. And we desire our Brethen should take notice, That the said Committees or Commissioners have received [Page 3] ample Instructions concerning the proposition of the aid desired, and the satisfaction to be made for the same, with power and authority to agree therein, according to such Instructions as they have, or shall receive from both Houses of Parliament. And therefore wee desire that full credit may be given to them in that behalfe: And because our enemies have already great forces in divers parts of the Kingdome, and doe intend to draw great numbers of Rebells out of Ireland, and have solicited for other supplies from forreigne parts; we doe earnestly request our Brethren of Scotland, to hasten the aid desired, and to consider, that although in these straits and perplexities of want and danger, they shall not receive such plentifull intertainment, as might at other times be expected; yet they cannot faile of great honour and advantage by this undertaking, both in respect of the service therein done to God, whose cause it is, and the dangers and miseries which therby shall be kept from themselves; and they may rest assured that in all opportunities the two Houses of Parliament and this Nation will be ready to expresse their thankfulnesse for the helpe which they shall receive from them, and their forwardnesse and affection to the peace and prosperity of that Church and Kingdome.
- Ioh. Browne, Cler. Parl.
- H. Elsyn. Cler. P. D. Com.
THE DECLARATION Of the Convention of Estates in Scotland, To the Honorable Houses of the Parliament of England.
WEe have received from the hands of Sir William Armine Baronet, Sir Henry Vane Junior, Knight, Thomas Hatcher and Henry Darley, Esquires, Committees and Commissioners of the Honorable Houses of the Parliament of England, Their Declaration lately sent unto us, expressing the present bleeding and distressed estate of that Kingdome; and desiring a more neere and strict union between the two Nations for heir mutuall defence against the Papists, the Prelaticall faction and their adherents, together with our present aid and assistance for the reliefe of our Brethren of England; remitting all particulars concerning the same to be further communicated to us, by the abovesaid Committees and Commissioners, which particulars have accordingly beene made knowne, both to us and the generall Assembly of this Kingdome by the Commissioners of the two Houses, who have pursued the same with so great wisedome, fidelitie, [Page 5] and diligence as hath very much furthered the worke, and deserves a very large testimony on their behalfe.
Upon serious consideration hereof, We doe declare to these Honorable Houses, that this Kirke and Kingdome are deepely affected with the sense of the sad calamitous conditions of their Brethren of England: And are most ready and willing to contribute their best and utmost endeavours for the preservation of Religion, which is no other then the soule; the Protestant partie, which is the body; our owne lives, who are the members; and the honour and happinesse of the King, who is the head of these kingdomes; All these being in so extreame and imminent danger to be utterly ruined, by the power and policie of the Papists, Prelaticall faction, Malignants, and other adherents, the common enemies of both kingdomes, now raging in Armes as well in England as in Ireland.
For further confirmation hereof, we may truely say, that this our Sympathy and willingnesse to have the counsells and courses of both Kingdomes joyned together for the Common safetie of this Iland; as it hath beene often largely expressed and promised by the severall judicatories of this Kirke and Kingdome: So it will now most evidently appeare, by the results of the Committees of the Assembly and our Committees with the Commissioners of the Honorable Houses, And by the other Declarations, Letters, and Actions both of Us, and the generall Assembly concerning the nearer union between both Kirkes and Kingdomes, for the mutuall defence against Papists, Prelates, and Malignants, and the most effectuall meanes for the saving of the Religion, King, and Kingdomes from the present dangers, of all which the Commissiners of the two Houses will be the best witnesses, and the Papers themselves the clearest evidences and demonstrations. And seeing the Generall Assembly of this Kingdome doe send into England some of their number (men of approved faithfulnesse and abilities) to be Commissioners from them for contributing their best endeavours, to encourage the hearts and strengthen the hands of that Kirke and Kingdome in this cause of God against all their present difficulties and distresses, which God in his owne good time and way, will turne into a comfortable calme, and give issue with the temptation.
Wee have thought fit hereby to commend the said Commissioners, and any other whom wee shall send with them, to be received by the Parliament of England, and Assembly of Divines there, with favour and trust, and have given warant to them more largely to expresse the Christian sense and fellow-feeling of this Kirk and Kingdome with their Brethren of England, and their willingnesse and readinesse to concurre in all good and possible wayes for the common safety of the Kingdomes, and for to satisfie scruples, prevent misapprehensions, and remove difficulties that may occurre in the way of this great worke.
And that nothing might be wanting on our part for prosecuting the Common Cause, and answering the expectation and desires of our Brethren of England, both the G. Assembly and Convention of Estates, being necessitated to adjourne for the good of the businesse (the extremity of the dangers requiring speedy prevention) they have given very full and ample Commissions to the Commissioners residing at E. for to doe every thing that shall be found by common advice necessary and possible for so good ends, being so throughly sensible of the growing evills and miseries, that are ready to over-run our Sister Kirk and Kingdome of England, and through their sides to wound us; that we shall not content our selves onely to manifest our affection in Declarations, but when the opportunity serves, so far as lies in us, shall shew forth our selves in every lawfull way suteable to our owne dangers and extremities of our brethren, to whom wee are, and desire yet to be more firmly joyned in so many neere ties and relations.