elders, Mr. Andrew Hay of Craignethan, were met and convened in the 1660. private house of Robert Simpson in Edinburgh, to draw up an humble address near Lanark, and James Kirkco of Sundiwell, in the parish of Dunscore, in Nithsdale, ing his own ends, but so far as human weakness will permit, in the truth and sincerity of his heart, and that he is firmly resolved in the Lord's strength to adhere thereto, and to prosecute to the utmost of his power all the ends thereof in his station and calling, really, constantly, and sincerely all the days of his life. In order to which, he doth in the first place profess and declare, that he will have no enemies but the enemies of the covenant, and that he will have no friends but the friends of the covenant. And therefore, as he doth now detest and abhor all popery, superstition, and idolatry, together with prelacy, and all errors, heresy, schism, and profaneness, and resolves not to tolerate, much less allow any of these in any part of his majesty's dominions, but to oppose himself thereto, and to endeavour the extirpation thereof to the utmost of his power; so doth he, as a Christian, exhort, and, as a king, require, that all such of his subjects who have stood in opposition to the solemn league and covenant, and work of reformation, upon a pretence of kingly interest, or any other pretext whatsoever, to lay down their enmity against the cause and people of God, and to cease to prefer the interest of man to the interest of God, which hath been one of those things that hath occasioned many troubles and calamities in these kingdoms, and being insisted into will be so far from establishing of the king's throne, that it will prove an idol of jealousy to provoke unto wrath him who is King of kings and Lord of lords: the king shall always esteem them best servants, and most loyal subjects, who serve him, and seek his greatness in a right line of subordination unto God, giving unto God the things that are God's, and unto Cesar the things that are Cesar's; and resolveth not to love or countenance any who have so little conscience and piety, as to follow his interest with a prejudice to the gospel, and the kingdom of Jesus Christ, which he looks not upon as duty, but as flattery, and driving of self designs, under a pretence of maintaining royal authority and greatness. 2. His majesty being convinced in conscience of the exceeding great sinfulness and unlawfulness of that treaty and peace made with the bloody Irish rebels, who treacherously shed the blood of so many of his faithful and loyal subjects in Ireland, and of allowing unto them the liberty of the popish religion, for the which he doth from his heart desire to be deeply humbled before the Lord; and likewise considering how many breaches have been upon their part, doth declare the same to be void, and that his majesty is absolved therefrom, being truly sorry that he should have sought unto so unlawful help for restoring of him to his throne, and resolving for the time to come, rather to choose affliction than sin. 3. As his majesty did, in the late treaty with his people in this kingdom, agree to recall and annul all commissions against any of his subjects who did adhere to the covenant and monarchical government in any of his kingdoms; so doth he now declare, that by his commissionating of some persons by sea against the people of Eng land, he did not intend damage or injury to his oppressed and harmless subjects in that kingdom, who follow their trade of merchandise in their lawful callings, but only the opposing and suppressing of those who had usurped the government, and not only barred him from his just right, but also exercise an arbitrary power over his people, in those things which concern their persons, consciences, and estates; and as, since his coming into Scotland, he hath given no commissions against any of his subjects in England or Ireland, so he doth hereby assure and declare, that he will give none to their prejudice or damage; and whatever shall be the wrongs of these usurpers, that he will be so far from avenging these upon any who are free thereof, by interrupting and stopping the liberty of trade and merchandise, or otherwise, that he will seek their good, and to the utmost employ his royal power, that they may be protected and defended against the unjust violence of all men whatsoever. And albeit his majesty desireth to construct well of the intentions of those (in reference to his majesty) who have been active in counsel or arms against the covenant; yet being convinced that it doth conduce for the honour of God, the good of his cause, and his own honour and happiness, and for the peace and safety of these kingdoms, that such be not employed in places of power and trust; he doth declare that he will not employ, nor give commissions to any such, until they have not only taken or renewed the covenant, but also have given sufficient evidences of their integrity, carriage and affection to the work of reformation, and shall be declared capable of trust by the parliament of either kingdom respective. And his majesty, upon the same grounds, doth hereby recall all commissions given to any such persons, conceiving all such persons will so much tender a good understanding betwixt him and his subjects, and the settling and preserving a firm peace in these kingdoms, that they will not grudge nor repine at his majesty's resolutions and proceedings herein, much less upon discontent act any thing in a divided way, unto the raising of new troubles, especially since, upon their pious and good deportment, there is a regress left unto them in manner above expressed. And as his majesty hath given satisfaction unto the just and necessary desires of the kirk and kingdom of Scotland, so doth he hereby assure and declare, that he is no less willing and desirous to give satisfaction to the just and necessary desires of his good subjects of England and Ireland; and in token thereof, if the houses of parliament of England sitting in freedom, should think fit to present unto him the propositions of peace agreed upon by both kingdoms, he will not only accord to the same, and such alterations thereanent, as the houses of parliament, in regard of the constitution of affairs, and the good of his majesty and his kingdoms, shall judge necessary; but do what is further necessary for the prosecuting the ends of the solemn league and covenant, especially in those things which concern the reformation of the church of England, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and gov 1600. and supplication to the king, " con- tion's covenant with the Lord, and earnestly gratulating his return, expressing | praying that his reign might be like that of their entire and unfeigned loyalty, humbly David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, and Hezeputting him in mind of his own and the na- kiah." As may be seen in the paper itself.* ernment; that not only the Directory of Worship, the Confession of Faith and Catechism, but also the Propositions and Directory for Church Government, accorded upon by the synod of divines at Westminster, may be settled, and that the church of England may enjoy the full liberty and freedom of all assemblies and power of kirk censures, and of all the ordinances of Jesus Christ, according to the rule of his own word; and that whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, may be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven. And whatever heretofore hath been the suggestions of some to him, to render his majesty jealous of his parliament, and of the servants of God; yet as he hath declared that in Scotland he will hearken to their counsel, and follow their advice in those things that concern that kingdom and kirk; so doth he also declare his firm resolution to manage the government of the kingdom of England by the advice of his parliament, consisting of a house of lords, and of a house of commons there; and, in those things that concern religion, to prefer the counsels of the ministers of the gospel to all other counsels whatsoever; and that all the world may see, how much he tenders the safety of his people, and how precious their blood is in his sight, and how desirous he is to recover his crown and government in England by peaceable means, as he doth esteem the service of those who first engaged in the covenant, and have since that time faithfully followed the ends thereof, to be duty to God, and loyalty to him; so is he willing, in regard of others who have been involved in these late commotions in England against religion and government, to pass an act of oblivion, excepting only some few in that nation, who have been chief obstructors of the work of reformation, and chief authors of the change of the government, and of the murder of his royal father: provided that these who are to have the benefit of this act, lay down arms, and return unto the obedience of their lawful sovereign. The committee of estates of the kingdom, and general assembly of the kirk of Scotland, having declared so fully in what concerns the sectaries, and the present designs, resolutions, and actings of their army against the kingdom of Scotland, and the same committee and assembly having sufficiently laid open public dangers and duties, both upon the right hand and upon the left, it is not needful for his majesty to add any thing thereunto, except that in those things he doth commend and approve them, and that he resolves to live and die with them and his loyal subjects, in prosecution of the ends of the covenant. And whereas that prevailing party in England, after all their strange usurpations, and insolent actings in that land, do not only keep his majesty from the government of that kingdom by force of arms, but also have now invaded the kingdom of Scotland, who have deserved better things at their hands, and against whom they have no just quarrel; his majesty therefore doth desire and expect that all his good subjects in England, who are and resolve to be faithful to God, and to their king, according to the covenant, will lay hold upon such an opportunity and use their utmost endeavours to promove the covenant and all the ends thereof, and to recover and re-establish the ancient government of the kingdom of England (under which for many generations it did flourish in peace and plenty at home, and in reputation abroad) and privileges of the parliament, and native and just liberty of the people: his majesty desires to assure himself, that there doth remain in these so much conscience of their duty to religion, their king and country, and so many sparkles of the ancient English valour which shined so eminently in their noble ancestors, as will put them on to bestir themselves for breaking the yoke of those men's oppressions from off their necks. Shall men of conscience and honour set religion, liberties, and government at so low a rate, as not rather to undergo any hazard, before they be thus deprived of them? Will not all generous men count any death more tolerable than to live in servitude all their days? And will not posterity blame those who dare attempt nothing for themselves and for their children in so good a cause, in such an exigent? Whereas if they gather themselves and take courage, putting on a resolution answerable to so a noble and just an enterprise, they shall honour God, and gain themselves the reputation of pious men, worthy patriots, and loyal subjects, and be called the repairers of the breach, by the present and succeeding generations, and they may certainly promise to themselves a blessing from God, upon so just and honourable undertaking for the Lord and for his cause, their own liberties, their native king and country, and the unvaluable good and happiness of the posterity. Whatever hath formerly been his majesty's guiltiness before God, and the bad success that these have had who owned his affairs whilst he stood in opposition to the work of God, yet the state of the question being now altered, and his majesty having obtained mercy to be on God's side, and to prefer God's interest before his own; he hopes that the Lord will be gracious, and countenance his own cause in the hands of weak and sinful instruments, against all enemies whatsoever. This is all that can be said by his majesty at present, to these in England and Ireland, at such a distance; and as they shall acquit themselves at this time in active discharge of their necessary duties, so shall they be accepted before God, endeared to his majesty, and their names had in remembrance throughout the world. Given at our court at Dunfermline, the sixteenth day of August, 1650, and in the second year of our reign. • Ministers' [designed] supplication August 23d, 1660. Most gracious and dread sovereign, We your majesty's most humble subjects, considering the duty which, as Christians, we owe unto our Lord Jesus Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and which, as The occasion of this meeting, upon which so much followed, was this :--the brethren and ministers, who in their sentiments could not approve of the public resolutions, did very 1660. much fear and jealouse (suspect) subjects, we owe unto your majesty as our law-jection, and obedience to your majesty, that are ful and native king under him; we hold our- due from humble and loving subjects to their selves bound to tender unto your majesty this native and lawful sovereign. And we desire to our most humble address and supplication. How be persuaded, and with confidence to promise to hateful the actings of the late usurping powers, ourselves, that your majesty will accept of these in offering violence unto the parliament of Eng- our professions as proceeding from honest and land, in their unchristian and barbarous mur- loyal hearts, and allow us that protection, counder of your royal father, in their insolent chang- tenance, and encouragement, in our stations and ing of the ancient civil government of the king- callings, that may be expected from a gracious dom of England, and by armed violence unjustly king. And considering the great happiness that secluding your majesty therefrom, in their unjust ariseth both to kirk and state, and all the meminvading of the kingdom of Scotland, and bers thereof by the mutual embracements of enthralling the same in subjection to themselves, religion and righteousness, of truth and peace, and beyond all, in their impious encroachings and from the mutual good understanding betwixt upon the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the the supreme magistrate and the faithful of the liberties thereof, and in promoting and establish- land, when it pleaseth divine providence so to ing a vast toleration in things religious through- dispose, and the many calamities and miseries out these nations, unto the perverting of the that, in the holy justice and indignation of God, precious truths of the gospel, and defacing of do attend the separating or violating of these the ordinances of Jesus Christ, in opening a only sure foundations of states and kingdoms; wide door to all sorts of errors, heresies, schisms, we are bold, in the integrity of our hearts, and impiety, and profaneness; how abominable and in the zeal of the glory of God, and of the good hateful these things were unto us, the Lord, of his church, and of your majesty's honour and who searcheth the reins and trieth the hearts, happiness, and from the sense of the manifold doth know; against which we gave many public and great obligations that be upon us, before the testimonies before the world, to witness our Lord, so to do, and particularly that of the abhorrency thereof: and the same Lord know-covenant, that what lets we are not able oureth, that as we did earnestly pray for and breathe selves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal after his appearing to witness against these, so and make known, that it may be truly prevented (saving that christian pity and compassion that or removed, humbly to represent unto your we owe unto the persons of men, though our majesty the great danger that threatens religion, very enemies) we do rejoice in his putting and the work of reformation in the churches of down of them that did lift up themselves, and God in these kingdoms, from the designs and staining of the pride of their glory, and breaking endeavours of the remnant of the popish, prelatthe yoke of their power off the necks of these ical, and malignant party therein, which is kingdoms. We hold ourselves also bound thank- beginning again to lift up the head, and, not fully to acknowledge the Lord's signal preserv- only to render hateful and bear down many of ing of your majesty's person, in the midst of your majesty's good subjects, who have been manifold dangers and designs threatening the employed as instruments in that work, and same these years past, and that after a long exile have kept within the bounds of their duty in from your own house and people, he hath been promoting and pursuing the same, so far as pleased to bring you back to the same; and human infirmity would permit; but also to when the foundations of the ancient civil govern- overthrow that blessed work itself, and to ment of these kingdoms were overthrown, again re-introduce prelacy, and the ceremonies, and to make way for repairing the ruins, and build- the Service-book, and all these corruptions which ing up the breaches thereof, for establishing of were formerly cast out, as inconsistent with the same upon right and sure foundations, in that pure and spotless rule of church governyour majesty's person and family, and to do ment, and discipline, and divine worship, delivthese things when they were so little expected, ered unto us in the word of God, and as a yoke in so quiet and peaceable a way, and without the of bondage which neither we nor our fathers effusion of christian blood, and embroiling of were able to bear. Although we know that these kingdoms in the miseries and calamities of that spirit will not want specious pretences, and a new war: and as we do adore the wonderful plausible and subtile insinuations for compassing and wise hand of God, and bless his name who these ends; yet as there cannot readily be greater hath done these great things; so it is not only disservice to the church of God, and to your our practice for the present, but our sincere kingdoms, and to your majesty's honour and purpose and resolution also for the time to come, happiness, than actings of that nature, so we to pour forth the fervent desires and supplica- cannot without horror of heart, and astonishtions of our souls, unto the most High, by whom ment of spirit, think upon what dreadful guiltikings reign, for the preservation and safety of ness, kings, princes, ministers, and people shall your majesty's person, and for the multiplica- be involved into, and what fearful wrath shall tion and increase of his Spirit upon you, that attend them from the face of an angry and you may employ your power unto his praise and jealous God, if after all the light that he hath the comfort of his people, and for the establish- made to shine in these kingdoms from his blessed ing of your just power and greatness, and, in word, for discovering the error and impiety of subordination to him, to be faithful and loyal in these things, and after his hand lifted up so high tendering of all the duties of honour, and sub- for casting out of the same, and after such tions. They were apprehensive of 1660. designs hatching just now against the church, not from the public resolutioners, but Mr. Sharp, and others who struck in with them. Whereupon once and again they wrote to the ministers of Edinburgh of the other side, that they might join with them in a dutiful address to his majesty at such a solemn vows and engagements taken upon nestly to entreat that any beginnings of stumthemselves before God, angels, and men, against bling which have already been given in these them, they should again lick up the vomit things, especially in the matter of prelacy, thereof. God forbid that ever we should hear and the ceremonies, and Service-book in your or see such heart-astonishing things, which majesty's chapel and family, and in other places would turn the mirth of the Lord's people into of your dominions, may be removed and taken mourning, and their songs into most sad and away, and that there may be no further proceedbitter lamentation. Neither are we less appre-ings in these things which grieve the Spirit of hensive of the endeavours of the spirit of error, God, and give offence to your majesty's good that possesseth sectaries in these nations, which, subjects, who are engaged with you in the same as it did at first promote the practice of a vast covenant and work of reformation: and that toleration in things religious, and afterwards your majesty, for establishing the hearts, and proceeded unto the framing of the mischief strengthening the hands of these who are faithful thereof into a law; so we doubt not, but it will in the work of the Lord, and for quashing the still be active unto the promoting and procuring hopes and endeavours of adversaries, will be the same, under the specious pretence of liberty pleased to give public signification of your for tender consciences; the effects whereof have, approbation of the covenant, and of your purin a few years past, been so dreadful, that we pose to adhere unto the same, and to carry on cannot think of the continuing of it, but with the work of God in these kingdoms according much trembling and fear: therefore knowing thereto; and that your majesty's eyes may be that to kings, princes, rulers, and magistrates, upon the faithful of the land, that they inay appertains the conservation and purgation of dwell with you. We hope that your majesty religion, and that unity and peace be preserved will not take offence, if we be the Lord's rememin the church, and that the truth of God be kept brancers to you, that you were pleased, a little pure and entire, that all blasphemies and heresies before your coming into this kingdom, and be suppressed, all corruptions or abuses in dis- afterwards at the time of your coronation, to cipline and worship prevented or reformed, and assure and declare by your solemn oath, under all the ordinances of God duly settled, adminis- your hand and seal, in the presence of Almighty tered, and observed; and that nothing can more God, the searcher of hearts, your allowance and contribute unto the preserving and promoting approbation of the national covenant, and of the of religion, and of the work of reformation, than solemn league and covenant, faithfully obliging that all places of power and trust be filled with yourself to prosecute the ends thereof in your men of a blameless and christian conversation, station and calling: and that your majesty, for and of approven integrity, and known affection yourself and successors, shall consent and agree to the cause of God: we your majesty's most to all acts of parliament enjoining the national humble subjects do, with bowed knees and covenant, and the solemn league and covenant, bended affections, humbly supplicate your and fully establishing presbyterial government, majesty, that you would employ your royal the Directory of Worship, Confession of Faith, power unto the preservation of the reformed and Catechisms, in the kingdom of Scotland, as religion in the church of Scotland, in doctrine, they are approven by the general assemblies of worship, discipline, and government; and in this kirk, and parliaments of this kingdom; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of and that your majesty shall give your royal England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, assent to acts and ordinances of parliament, past discipline, and government; and unto the carry- or to be past, enjoining the same in your other ing on of the work of uniformity in religion in dominions, and that you shall observe these in the churches of God in the three kingdoms, in your own practice and family, and shall never one confession of faith, form of church govern- make opposition to any of these, or endeavour any ment, directory for worship and catechising, change thereof. And we desire to be persuaded, and to the extirpation of popery, prelacy, super- that no length of time hath made your majesty stition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatso- to forget, or weakened upon your heart, the ever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine, sense of the obligation of that great and solemn and the power of godliness: and that all places oath of God in the covenant; yea, that the of power and trust under your majesty may be afflictions wherewith God hath exercised your filled with such as have taken the covenant, and majesty these years past, and the great and are of approven integrity and known affection wonderful deliverance that of late he hath to the cause of God, if in a matter that so much granted unto you, hath fixed deeper impressions concerns the honour of God, and the good of thereof upon your spirit, and that amongst all this church, and your majesty's honour and the kings of the earth, religion and reformation happiness, we be jealous with a godly jealousy, shall have no greater friend than your majesty ; we know your majesty's wisdom and piety to yea, that as you are more excellent than the be such, as will easily pardon it. The sense of kings of the earth, in regard of purity of profesour duty to God, and to your majesty, with the sion and solemn engagements unto God, and importunity of men of a contrary mind, who long exercisedness with manifold afflictions, and seek to make your majesty and these kingdoms in the Lord's setting you over these kingdoms, transgressors, by building again the things that which were not only through grace amongst the were formerly warrantably destroyed, constrain first-fruits of the gentiles, but also, in your us to be petitioners against the same, and ear-princely station and dignity, are, amongst all crushed. 1660. juncture. We have seen the occasion of meeting, the committee of estates the coldness and delays made in this affair, were acquainted with it; and some by the ministers of Edinburgh, in the intro-persons were immediately sent, who came duction. They were excellent men, but it upon the meeting, when the scrolls and other must be owned that they trusted too much papers were before them, which are mentioned to Mr. Sharp, and by his suggestions and in the Act of Confinement, and seized all. I letters every thing of this nature was find those papers were the first draughts of letters to some brethren, desiring another meeting at Glasgow, in September, about the supplication, with instructions to some of their number, when they went west with a draught of the supplication, that it might be considered by the brethren of the synod of Glasgow, that if they found cause, they might join in it: such as came from the committee, asked for the supplication itself, which the ministers gave them a copy of, without any difficulty. manner. Two former meetings had been concerted at Edinburgh, of ministers from the different corners of the church, but the brethren had not come up to them. Matters seemed still to grow more and more threatening to the church establishinent, and no other way appeared to be left them but to act in this There were no assemblies to be expected, there was no commission, and synods were not to meet till October; therefore the above-named persons, a small part of many who were to have met, found themselves under a necessity to do somewhat in such a crisis: so they formed the foresaid supplication, which they designed to have communicate to a larger meeting before it was sent to court. The chancellor and others coming to the knowledge of this When the unfinished scrolls and the supplication were read in the committee of estates they were sent straight to court; and all who had been present at the meeting, save Craignethan, who happily escaped, were committed to close prison, in the castle of Edinburgh, by the act of this day's date,* without ever calling the minis that we know in the world, the most eminent for the purity and power of the gospel; so shall your majesty excel them in zeal for God, and for the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and that by how much your majesty is, by the constitution and hand of the Almighty, lifted up above the sphere of that of your subjects, by so much shall your motions be more vigorous and active unto the carrying about, by the influence of your royal commands and example, all the orbs of inferior powers and persons in these kingdoms, in subordination to God and your majesty, in the practice of godliness and virtue. It is the desire of our souls, that your majesty may be like unto David, a man according unto God's own heart; like unto Solomon, of an understanding heart to judge the Lord's people, and to discern betwixt good and bad; like unto Jehoshaphat, whose heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord; like unto Hezekiah, eminent for goodness and integrity; like unto Josias, who was of a tender heart, and did humble himself before God, when he heard his words against Jerusalem and Judah, and the inhabitants thereof; and not only made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant; but also caused all that were in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it, and took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God: so shall your majesty inherit the honour and blessings of these kings upon the earth, and their happiness in heaven; so shall your majesty's person be preserved, and your government established over these kingdoms; which is the unfeigned desire, and fervent supplication of Your majesty's most humble and loyal subjects. * Act for securing Mr. James Guthrie and others. At Edinburgh the 23d day of August, 1660. The committee of estates, now presently convened by his majesty's special warrant and authority, upon information given to them of a conventicle and private meeting of some remonstrator and protesting ministers and others at Edinburgh, for which they had neither warrant from the ordinary, civil, or ecclesiastic courts, and the said committee, being by his majesty's special commission and commands, intrusted and empowered with the caring, ordering, and providing for what may conduce for the peace of this his majesty's ancient kingdom, and support of his power and authority therein, finding such unlawful conventicles, upon what pretence soever, without public lawful authority, expressly derogatory to his majesty's royal prerogative, and tending to the disturbance of the present peace of his majesty's dominions; gave order and command to some of their number, to search and make trial after the occasion and reason of their meeting, who in the said inquiry, found them with petitions subscribed, and some papers and letters scrolled, to be sent for convo |