The annals of King James and King Charles the First ... containing a faithful history and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and transactions of parliaments in England from the tenth of King James MDCXII to the eighteenth of King Charles MDCXLII : wherein several material passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known.

His Majesties Narrative of the Scotch Tumults.

THat Religion is only pretended and used by them as a cloak to palliate their intended Rebellion, is demonstrative by this, That the seeds of this Sedition were sown by the plotters of their Covenant, made under the pretence of Religion, long before any of the grievances or pretended in∣novations in Religion complained of by them, were ever heard of amongst them.

For the truth is, that some years after Our coming to the Crown, by the advice both of some of Our principal Counsellors and Officers of State there, as also by the advice of Our learnedest Ad∣vocates and Counsellors at Law, according to the example of many of Our Royal Progenitors of hap∣py memory, Kings and Queens of that Our King∣dom, We did make a legal revocation of such things as had been passed away in prejudice of the Crown, especially by some of Our late Royal Pro∣genitors in their minorities; a course warranted by the Laws and many years practice of that Our Kingdom: With this course, some of the princi∣pal Contrivers of this their present Covenant found themselves much aggrieved, and much of their Estates brought within the compass and dan∣ger of Our Laws, which made them presently be∣gin to grumble and repine, and privately, as much as they durst, and as in them lay, to work under∣hand in Our Subjects minds a distaste of Our Go∣vernment: Which We made account We had quickly rectified, by shewing to all Our Subjects in∣teressed in that Revocation, Our gracious clemen∣cy in waving all the advantages which Our Laws gave Us in many of their Estates: So that after We had made it apparent to our Subjects, how ob∣noxious many of them and their Estates were un∣to Us & Our Laws, We likewise did make as appa∣rent unto them, Our singular grace and goodness by remitting not only the rigour, but even the equity of our Laws; insomuch that none of all Our Sub∣jects could then, or can now say that they were damnified in their Persons or Estates by that Our Revocation, or any thing which ensued upon it: Yet for all this, the principal present Male-con∣tents did then begin to perswade with such as they thought they might be boldest with, a disaffecti∣on to Our Government: And not seeing how they could easily obtrude upon them, the old and u••••al pretence of discontent, viz. Religion, by a strained and far-fetched inference they did not stick to lay the envy of the procuring that harm∣less Revocation, by which no man suffered, upon the present Prelates, who in this were as innocent as the thing it self was: Only because they hoped that the very name of Church-men, or Religious persons, should in the point of Faction have that operation with their followers, which they con∣ceived the Church or Religion it self might have had, if they could have seen how to have persuaded them, that by this Revocation either of them had been endangered.

A second Symptom of their discontent appear∣ed not long after this, upon this occasion: We having daily heard the grievous complaints of many of Our Subjects of that Kingdom of all sorts, especially of the Gentry and their Farmers, who paid their Tithes to the Nobility, or such others whom they in that Kingdom call Lords of the E∣rection, or Laick Patrons, here in England we call Impropriators, how that in the leading or gather∣ing of their Tithes, these Lords and Laick Patrons did use and practise the uttermost of that severity which the Law alloweth them, how they would not gather their Tithes when the owners of the Corn desired them, but when it pleased them∣selves; by which means the owners, by the unsea∣sonableness of the weather, were many times damnified to the loss of their whole stock, or most part of it (the Law of that Kingdom being in that point so strict, as no owner may carry away his nine parts, or any part of them, until the pro∣prietary of the Tithes have set out his tenth part:) As likewise understanding at the same time▪ the deplorable estate of the Ministers of that Our Kingdom in the point of maintenance, how that they received no Tithes in their Parishes, but some poor pittance, either by way of a stipendia∣ry benevolence, or else some mean allowance from these Lords of Erections or Laick Patrons, unwor∣thy of the Ministers of the Gospel, and which ex∣posed them to all manner of contempt, and a base dependance upon their Patrons: We, at the in∣stance and humble Petition not of a few, but of the whole Clergy, and with them, of the whole pay∣ers of Tithes of that Kingdom, begun to take three things into our serious consideration.

First, The wretched estate of the Clergy for want of maintenance: Next, The hard usage and great oppression of all the Laiety that paid Tithes, from the owners of them. Thirdly, A very impor∣tant point of State, viz. That it was not fit, that such a considerable part of Our Subjects, as all the Ministers who have power over the consciences of the rest, and all the Payers of Tithes, who are the far greatest part of the Kingdom, should have their dependance upon the Nobility, or other Laick Pa∣trons, the one for their livelihood and mainte∣nance, the other not only for fear of having their Corns lost or endangered, for not carrying them in due season, which was by the Law in the power of these owners of the Tithes, which power they were sure they would exercise upon them if they should at any time displease them, or not adhere to them upon all occasions good or bad; But like∣wise because these Lords, owners of the Tithes, and also of Abbey-lands, were likewise, for the most part, Superiours to those who paid them, but were so altogether to those who held the Ab∣bey-lands of them by way of ••••ssalage, and so by their very Tenures were to perform all service and attendance to these Lords, their Superiors, when∣soever they should require it of them.

Which important considerations moved Us, by the advice of the Learnedest Lawyers there, to grant out a Commission under Our Great Seal for that Kingdom, not to a few, but to divers hun∣dreds, and those of the prime of all Estates and Degrees, (out of which number the Lords of the Erections and Laick Patrons were not omitted) for relieving, if they should see cause, both the Mi∣nisters and Owners of Corn, as also for taking in∣to their consideration the point of Superiority and dependance. These Commissioners, after their ••itting in great frequency some years, and after full hearing of all parties interessed, and mature deliberation, did set a rate of the value of the Tithes, ordered that the owners of the Grounds

should severally purchase them at so many years purchase, as was then agreed upon by all both Buyers and Sellers, taking the same course for the Rating of Superiorities in regard of the Abbey∣lands, which was likewise accorded unto by all parties; and ordered, that every Ministers means should be augmented, in such a certain proporti∣on set down and accorded unto, as the Incumbent should not be inforced any more to be a slave to his Patron.

With the conclusions and determinations of this Commission, called the Commission of Sur∣renders of Superiorities and Tithes, the owners of Lands, and the Ministers, were indeed so really sa∣tisfied, that the former with all thankfulness ac∣knowleded Us for their deliverer from an into lera∣ble bondage, under which they and their Ancestors ever since the Reformation of Religion had grie∣vously groaned; The latter with infinite expres∣sions of joy and gratitude did celebrate Us as the very Father and Founder of their several Churches: We gave Our Royal assent to all agreed upon in that Commission, being glad that Our Subjects were relieved, the maintenance of Our Clergy im∣proved, and both our Clergy and Laiety freed from a dangerous dependance upon Subjects; and for that freedom obliged to a thankful, hearty, and loyal dependance upon Us, to whom alone by all Laws of God and men it is due. The Nobility and other Lay Patrons seemed herewith likewise fully to rest satisfied; and so indeed they were in point of profit, for, according to the rates of pur∣chasing in that Our Kingdom, for their Tithes they were satisfied to the uttermost farthing: but they fre∣ted privately amongst themselves, for being rob∣bed, as they conceived, of the clientele and depen∣dance of the Clergy and Laiety, and of that Power, Command, and Superiority over them, which by that tye of Tithes they had enjoyed: Yet, not be∣ing able to make Religion it self a fair pretence for this their discontent (for who could imagine that every man his gathering of his own Tithes, or the augmentation of Ministers maintenance, could be an affronting or weakening of Religion?) they had recourse to their former fetch, and not without bewraying much heart-burning, gave it out, that this Commission (which indeed was obtained by the humble importunity both of Clergy and Laiety) was procured only by the Bishops, who meant no good to Religion; and so from an un∣necessary jealousie of their persons and power, they begun to pretend and suborn a necessary jea∣lousie of Religion it self.

A third bewraying of their sactious humour, ap∣peared clearly at Our last being in that Our King∣dom, and immediately after Our departure from thence: For some six years ago, having a great desire to visit that Our native Kingdom, and be∣ing willing to chear and comfort Our Subjects there with Our presence, and honour them with Our personal Coronation, all which they did most humbly and heartily sollicite Us for by their earn∣est and affectionate supplications; We undertook a Journey to them, and according to Our expect a∣tion were most joyfully received by them: But immediately before, and at the sitting down of Our Parliament there, We quickly found that the very same persons who since were the Contrivers of, and still continue the sticklers for their now pretended Covenant, begun to have secret Meet∣ings, and in their private Consultations did vent their dislike of Our innocent Revocation, and Our most beneficial Commission of Surrenders: But knowing that these two could gain them no party, then they begun to suggest great sears, that many and dangerous innovations of Religion were to be attempted in this Parliament: Not that they themselves thought so, but because they knew that either that, or nothing would soyl with suspicious jealousie, or interrupt and relax 'the present joy and contentment which did overflow in Our Sub∣jects hearts, and appeared in their hearty expres∣sions for Our presence amongst them.

But We readily confuted all these suspicious sur∣mises; for, except an Act which gave Us power to appoint such Vestures for Church-men which We should hold to be most decent, nothing con∣cerning Religion was either propounded or passed in that Parliament, but that which every King doth usually in that, and all other Christian Kingdoms, pass at their first Parliament, viz. An Act of Ra∣tification of all other Acts heretofore made, and then standing in force concerning the Religion presently professed and established, and concern∣ing the Church her Liberties and Priviledges: Which Act being an Act of course, though it pas∣sed by most voices, yet was it disassented from, to Our great admiration, by the voices of many of those who are now the principal pillars of their Covenant; which made all men then begin to sus∣pect, that sure there was some great distemper of heat at the heart, when it boyled so over at their lips, by their unnecessary and unprofitable denying of assent to the Laws, concerning the Religion and Church, already established; This first Act passing more for form and the honour of Religion, than for any use or necessity of it, all the former Laws still standing in force and vigour without the need of any new Ratification.

At this time many of Our Subjects of greatest Quality were suitors to Us for new Titles of Ho∣nour, Gentlemen to be Lords, Lords to be Earls: Impossible it was for Us to satisfie all suitors in that kind, without the prostitution of Honour to a just and open contempt, and therefore being put up∣on a choice and selection, We held it fitter in the point both of Honour and Justice, to pass by such as both privately in their secret Meetings, and openly in the Parliament House, had shewed their disrespects to Us and Our just proceedings, than those who had carried themselves not only loyally and dutifully, but affectionately and heartily to Us and Our service. Upon this occasion many of those who were then passed by, and are now prin∣cipal Covenanters, seeing others advanced to de∣grees of Honour above themselves, begun then presently to mutter, but not to mutiny until We were gone from thence.

But scarcely were We well returned into Eng∣land, when the discontent of these men resolved it self into a plain Sedition: For then they had the impudence to give it out, that voices were bought and packed in the late Parliament; nay, that the voices were not truly numbred, but that some Acts were past without Plurality of suf∣frages: A calumny so foul and black, as that they themselves did know it to be most false: For had there been the least suspicion of truth in it, they might have made tryal thereof, by surveying their own Papers, and the Papers of many hundreds present, who took notes of the number of voices which were given, either by assenting to, or disassenting from the several Acts read and pro∣posed; by which Papers if they had found but the weakest ground for this their strong, but false Report, We have no reason to think that either their mercy or modesty was such, that they would have forborn the calling of the

Clerk of Our Register in question for it; it be∣ing as our Chancellors Office to ask the voices, so Our Clerk of Registers Office to take them and Record them, and according to his own and his Clerks notes who assist him, to pronounce the Act passed or stopt: In which it is impossible he should deal but with sincerity, for else the Notes taken by most of the Auditors, being a present and powerful conviction of his false dealing, must presently transmit him to highest Censure and Pu∣nishment.

But knowing that in a Publick and Judicial way they must needs fail in their proof of this Calumny, they betook themselves to the secret and seditious way of Malecontents: For first they used clanculary Surmises, then they sent about from hand to hand a clandestine infamous Libel, and by it they impoysoned the hearts of many of Our good Subjects with a suspicion of obliquity in Our proceedings at the late Parliament. This infamous Libel coming to the knowledge of Our Privy Council there, first they of themselves, then after∣wards, having made Us acquainted with it, by Our commandment entred into an inquiry both of the Authors and Abetters of that Seditious Libel; Who found that the Author upon whom it was shifted and fathered, was one Hagge, then, and still Fugitive, but that the Abetters, Countenancers, and Dispersers of it were many, and some of them of greatest Quality, and now principal Covenan∣ters: We, out of Our innate and usual Clemen∣cy, were graciously pleased (that the fear and ex∣ample might reach to all, but the punishment on∣ly to one of them) to pass by many, who undoubt∣edly had been concluded and involved by Our Laws in the same Sentence, if We had proceed∣ed against them, and to single out one of that Rank, who was most obliged to Us and Our Crown, and therefore both for his Ingratitude and Crime, had no reason to expect any thing from Us but the Justice of Our Laws.

This one was the Lord Balmerino, his Father was Principal Secretary of State for that Our Kingdom, to ourFather of happy memory, to whom he was beholden both for the honour of his Baro∣ny, and for his whole Fortune and Estate which he got in his Service: But he was since Our Royal Fa∣ther his coming to the Crown of England, Ar∣raigned for, and Attainted of High Treason in Scotland, found guilty of it by his Peers, and ac∣cordingly received Sentence to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, his Blood tainted, his whole Estate forfeited to the Crown: Yet such was the gracious Clemency of Our Royal Father, that He, only for a little time, continued this condemned and for∣feited Lord in Prison, afterward confined him, but to a large Circuit, and then restored not only the Blood of himself and his Children, but also their Honour and whole Estate: Now this present Lord Balmerino, being so extraordinarily obliged to Our Royal Father and Our Crown, for the life of his Father, his own Honour and whole For∣tunes, and so being one from whom We, the Son of that Royal and Gracious Father to him and his whole Family, had no reason to expect perfidious∣ness and ingratitude, he could not have the least shew of reason to expect any favour from Us, but the favour of a fair and legal Trial, which We granted him: At that Trial and Arraignment, he was by his Peers found guilty of abetting and dispersing that infamous Libel made against Us, and accordingly was to receive Sentence of Death for it; which our Chief Justice respited only un∣til Our pleasure might be known. Then indeed they who afterwards proved the Contrivers of the late Covenant, and their Adherents, begun to complain of the hard measure which was offered to this Lord, and to lay false and wicked aspersi∣ons upon his Peers who found him guilty; but finding that all the proceedings were usual and legal, they could not but have acquit the Judge if he should have condemned him, nor could they have found the least blemish in Our Justice, if We should have given Warrant both for his Sentence and Execution, whose Life was now legally devol∣ved into Our hands; and therefore this convicted Lord betook himself only to Our Mercy, which We shewed to him in that height as We are consi∣dent it is hardly to be pattern'd by any President.

For notwithstanding the Head of this Family, which was first raised by Our Father, and then be∣ing faln, yet raised by Him again, and now re∣lapsed, was once again brought under Our Axe, as it had been before brought under the Axe of Our Royal Father: We, desirous to shew Our self the true Heir of none of Our blessed Fathers Vertues, more than of his Mercy and Clemency, were contented, upon his deep Protestations of Loyalty for the time to come, to grant him un∣der Our Great Seal for that Our Kingdom, not on∣ly a Pardon of that Crime of which he stood con∣victed, but also his full Liberty and Inlargement: Which gracious Pardon of Ours, when it was de∣livered to him by Our Council, who sent for him, being then Prisoner in the Castle of Edinburgh, he did before that Table receive on his Knees, with the highest magnifying of Our Mercy, with the humblest acknowledgments of those infinite Obli∣gations by which he and his Family stood for ever engaged in the Service of Us and Our Crown, with the deepest Protestations of all loyal, quiet, and peaceable deportment of himself ever here∣after, and of bending all his endeavours to attend upon all Our Royal courses and commandments, so that Our Council remonstrated unto Us, that We had bestowed Our Mercy and Grace upon a man, of whom there could not be the least suspi∣cion of his aversness from Our Service at any time hereafter, but of whom they might safely promise all forwardness and alacrity in all Our just courses, whensoever it should please Us to use him: And now this same pardoned Lord Balmerino, being one of the chief Contrivers, and most malicious Prosecutors of this wicked Covenant made against Us and Our Authority, how he can be able to an∣swer it to God, Us, and Our Crown, his own Conscience, or to the World, even in the point of Honour and Reputation, it must be left to the World to judge.

By this now which hath been said, We suppose it is plain that before either the Service-Book, or Book of Canons, so tragically now exclaimed a∣gainst, were thought on, the Seeds of Sedition and Discontent were sown by the Contrivers of the late Covenant, first upon the occasion of our Revocation, next upon occasion of Our Com∣mission of Surrenders, and lastly, upon the occa∣sion of Our denying Honours to some of them at Our last being in that Kingdom, which caused first their traducing of Our proceedings in our last Parliament held there, and then produced that infamous Libel.

And now by this time Sedition was grown so ripe, and ready to Seed, that it wanted nothing to thrust it out, and make it shoot forth into an o∣pen Rebellion, but some fair and specious pre∣tence: They could not yet compass the Cloak of Religion, whereby to siele the eyes, and mussle the

face of the Multitude, for by none of all the three former occasions could they so much as pretend that Religion was endangered or impeached: But so soon as they got but the least hint of any thing, which they thought might admit a mis-constru∣ction that way, they lost no time, but took Occa∣sion by the forelock, knowing that either that, or nothing would first facilitate, and then perfect their designs. Now the occasion they took of fetching Religion within the reach of their pre∣tences, was this:

Our Father of blessed memory immediately af∣ter his coming into England, comparing the de∣cency and uniformity of Gods Worship here, e∣specially in the Liturgy of the Church, with that diversitie, nay, deformity which was used in Scot∣land, where no Set or Publick Form of Prayer was used, but Preachers, or Readers, and igno∣rant Schoolmasters, prayed in the Church, some∣times so ignorantly as it was a shame to all Religi∣on to have the Majesty of God so barbarously spo∣ken unto; sometimes so seditiously, that their Prayers were plain Libels, girding at Sovereignty and Authority; or Lyes, being stuffed with all the false Reports in the Kingdom: He did imme∣diately, as became a Religious Prince, bethink himself seriously how His first Reformation in that Kingdom might begin at the Publick Worship of God, which He most truly conceived could ne∣ver be happily effected, until such time as there should be an unity and uniformity in the Publick Prayers, Liturgy, and Service of the Church, e∣stablished throughout the whole Kingdom. Con∣cerning this His Royal and Religious Design, di∣vers Consultations, for many years, were had with the Bishops and others of the Clergy of most e∣minent note in that Kingdom.

But these Deliberations (as it happeneth many times in business of so pious and ponderous im∣portance) received some opposition, and many intermissions, until the Year 1616. in a General Assembly (which is answerable to the Convocati∣on of the Clergy here in England) held at Aber∣dene in August, Our Royal Father by His Letters, and the vehement instance of His Commissioners then and there present, easily made apparent to that whole Assembly, not only the convenience, but indeed the necessity of a Publick Liturgy to be settled throughout the whole Land: Which mo∣ved that Assembly to pass an Act, whereby they authorised some of the present Bishops, and di∣vers others, to compile and frame a Publick Form of Liturgy, or Book of Common Prayer, which should first be presented to Our Royal Father, and after His approbation should be universally recei∣ved throughout the Kingdom. This Book in pursuance of that Act of Assembly, being by those who were deputed for that purpose framed, was by the Lord Archbishop of Saint Andrews that now liveth, sent up to Our Royal Father, who not only carefully and punctually perused e∣very particular passage of it himself, but had it also considerately advised with, and revised by some of that Kingdom here in England, in whose Judgment he reposedsingular trust and confidence; and after all His own and their Observations, Additions, Expunctions, Mutations, Accommo∣dations, He sent it back to those from whom He had received it, to be commended to that whole Church, being a Service-Book in substance, frame, and composure, much about one with this very Service-Book which We of late commended to them, and which undoubtedly then had been re∣ceived in that Church, if it had not pleased Al∣mighty God, that while these things were in do∣ing, and before they could receive their much wished and desired period and consummation, to the invaluable loss, as of the whole Church of God, so particularly of that Church of Scotland, to translate Our blessed Father from his Temporal Kingdoms to that which is Eternal.

We, by the Grace of God, succeeding to Our Royal Father, were desirous to make it known to the World, that We did not hold it a greater Honour to succeed Him in His Crowns, than to be His Successour in his Princely Vertues, and e∣specially in that in which He was most eminent, His singular Piety and religious care of the Pub∣lick Service of God; which finding here in this Kingdom of England, by His singular wisdom and vigilancy, settled even to the admiration, if not envy, of all other Churches, We resolved by the Grace of God to pursue that His Pious and Prince∣ly Design, for settling a Publick Liturgy in that Our Kingdom of Scotland, it having been so hap∣pily atchieved, facilitated, and almost perfected by Him: To which purpose We caused the same Service-Book, transmitted by Him to that Church, to be remitted and sent back to Us, that after Our perusal and alterations, if any should be found, either necessary, or convenient, it might likewise receive Our Royal Authority and Approbation: We having received that Book, and after many se∣rious Consultations had with divers of Our Bi∣shops and Clergy of that Kingdom then her•• pre∣sent with Us, and after Our advices by Our Let∣ters and Instructions to the rest at home, and af∣ter many humble Advertisements and Remon∣strances made from them to Us of the Reasons of some Alterations, which they did conceive would remove divers difficulties, which other∣wise they feared this Book would encounter with; We were contented that the Service-Book should come out as now it is printed, being fully liked by them, and signed with their hands, and peru∣sed, approved, and published by Our Royal Com∣mand and Authority.

In the perusal and approbation whereof, We took special care, that the small Alterations of it in which it differeth from the English Service-Book, should be such, as We had reason to think would best comply with the minds and dispositi∣ons of Our Subjects of that Kingdom: For we supposing that they might have taken some of∣fence, if We should have tendbred them the Eng∣lish Service-Book totidem verbis, and that some fa∣ctious Spirits would have endeavoured to have mis-construed it as a Badge of Dependance of that Church upon this of England, which We had put upon them to the prejudice of their Laws and Li∣berties; We held it fitter that a new Book should be composed by their own Bishops, in Substance not differing from this of England, that so the Ro∣man Party might not upbraid Us with any weigh∣ty or material differences in Our Liturgies, and yet in some few insensible Alterations differing from it, that it might truly and justly be reputed a Book of that Churches own composing, and established by Our Royal Authority, as King of Scotland. And thus conceiving We had discharged the Du∣ty of a religious King towards God, and of a gracious Prince in accommodating this Book so, that Our Subjects of that Kingdom should have no cause to have the least suspicion of any intend∣ed dependancy of that Church upon this, We sent home the Book to the Lords of Our Privy Coun∣cil: After their receipt and consideration of it, We, by their advice, and they, by Our Authori∣ty,

commanded by publick Proclamation that the said Book should be publickly read and received in all the Churches of that our Kingdom, and should begin to be practised upon Easter next, 1637.

Disobedience to this Our Proclamation We had little reason to expect, because this Service-Book was no new thing unto them: For it not differing from the English Service-Book in any material Point, and We supposing that the English Liturgy neither was nor could be displeasing to them, did likewise conceive that this Book should be as lit∣tle disliked by them: Now the reasons inducing Us to a belief of their not misliking the English Liturgy, were these.

First, Many of Our Subjects of that Kingdom of all sorts daily resorting to Our Court and the City of London, did much frequent our Chapel, many other Churches in or about the City, and many Churches, during their stay here at the se∣veral places of our Residence, and many other Churches within this Kingdom upon their way, both hither and homeward; in all which Churches they did behave themselves, during the time of Divine Service, with that reverence as others of Our Subjects of this Kingdom did, without any dislike of it, or quarrelling against it. Now these who resorted hither, being for quantity and num∣ber very considerable, and for quality (for the most part) of the very best, gave Us more than a probable assurance, that at home they would never accompt that absolutely in it self unlawful and Antichristian (as many of them have since professed,) unto which they had here of their own accord by their practice yielded obedience: For neither municipal Law, nor variation of time or place, nor any other circumstance, can allow Us to practise that which we hold in it self to be simply unlawful, Antichristian, and against the Word of God.

Secondly, In Our own Chapel at Haly-rude-house, ever since the Year of Our Lord 1617. the English Liturgy hath been read, and according to it Divine Service sung and said, as it is here said and sung in Our Chapels in England, not only without dislike, but with frequent Assemblies of Our Council, Nobility, Bishops, and other Cler∣gy of all sorts, Judges, Gentry, Burgesses, Wo∣men of all Ranks. The Bishops, or some of them, never gave Orders (which they did frequently) but they used the English Service-Book, and in some Cathedral Churches of that Kingdom, as also in the new Colledge of the University of St. Andrews, for some years of late it was publickly read without any distaste, much less disturbance; for divers years it was used in many Families, and at Our last being in that Kingdom it was read pub∣lickly in all Churches to which We resorted, in which great numbers of all sorts of People were present. All which gave us good reason to con∣ceive, that the commanding of this Book by our Authority, could not in any true sense be called or accounted an Innovation, all sorts of people, and very many of those of all Ranks, who now inveigh most bitterly against it, having been so accustomed to it, and acquainted with it, and that without any dislike of it, or complaint a∣gainst it.

Thirdly, We confess that one of the chiefest reasons moving Us to believe, That that Service-Book (being in Substance all one with this of England) could not be held by them to contain a∣ny thing tending to Idolatry, Popery, or Super∣stition (as since they have pretended) was this; We did foresee that all Objections bending that way must needs strike at the English Service-Book, as well as at that, (and indeed all of them which they have preached or published against that Book, do so;) but We did then, and do still take it ••s granted, that no man, who hath his wits about him, can charge the least suspicion of these things objected, upon the English Service-Book: For since it is well known to the whole Christian world, that the Composers and Framers of the English Service-Book, were those very famous Bishops and others, who in Queen Mary her days delivered up their living Bodies to the Fire, or e∣scaping the Fire indured Banishment, and only be∣cause they would not yield to Popery and Supersti∣tion: How these men now, whom in their own judgment theyhold to be ranked amongst the most glorious Martyrs of the Church, for resisting e∣ven to Blood, Idolatry, Popery, and Superstiti∣on, can with any conscience or honesty be charg∣ed by these men with compiling of a Book stuffed full with Idolatry, Popery, and Superstition, it requireth more than an ordinary understanding to apprehend. And besides, it will be made good, that more of the Bishops and learned Clergy of England, both for number and weight, have op∣posed Superstition and Popery, than can be found in all the Reformed Churches besides, who all of them have lived in the practice of the English Li∣turgy, and defended the same; which they would never have done if they had supposed it to contain Idolatry or Superstition.

These now were the Grounds which inclined Us to conceive that the Service-Book, authorized by Us for that Kingdom, was not like to receive any publick or considerable opposition, though We did never expect it should miss to meet with that misfortune which attendeth all other Books of this kind, and which hath waited upon the En∣glish Service-Book here, viz. to be disliked and defamed by some, whose Judgments either being weak, are not capable of satisfaction, or being distempered with the humours of singularity, are resolved never to receive, or at least never to seem to receive any satisfaction.

And yet, even those men too, especially they of the first sort, men of weaker judgment, before, and at the time of the publishing of this Book, were not cast without the compass of Our care and clemency: For We did with that Book send home certain Instructions and Directions to our Bishops of that Kingdom, signed with Our own hand, amongst which this was one: That not∣withstanding We had now established this Book by Our Authority, yet they should proceed with all moderation, and dispense with such for the practice of some things contained in the Book, as they should find either not well perswaded of them, or willing to be informed concerning them, or did hope that time and reason might gain to a better belief of them: Nay yet more, to foresee what probable opposition this Book might be like to receive, We caused Our Coun∣cil by Proclamation to publish a set day for the reading of it in all Churches, which was the Easter day following, 1637. All which time, though no symptoms of any considerable opposition did ap∣pear, yet upon good considerations, and for the further trial of mens minds, the first reading of it was delayed until the Three and twentieth of July next ensuing, to the end that the Lords of the Session, and others who had any Law-business, might see the success of it before the rising of the Session, which always endeth on the first of

August, and that so upon their return to their se∣veral Countries, they might report the receiving of this Book at Edinburgh; it being ordered, that on that Sunday the Book should be read only in the Churches of Edinburgh, and those which were next adjacent: And because it should not be read that day neither unexpectedly, warning was first printed, and then published in all these several Pulpits the Sunday immediately before, that the next Sunday the new Service-Book was to be read. After all which premonitions made only to try how the People stood affected, and no fear of tu∣mult appearing: Nay, the Service-Book, which was to be read, having been in publick Sermons commended by many Preachers, without any ap∣parent disgust of the Book, or disgrace offered to the Preachers persons: Nay, having been com∣mended in Sermons by some of their now princi∣pal Covenanting Ministers, who since have been the greatest Railers against it, by none more than one Rollock a Minister of Edinburgh, who, both in a Sermon preached by him at a Synod held at Edin∣burgh before the Bishop of that Diocese, and in his Sermon on the Sunday of intimation of the reading of the Service-Book the next Sunday, did highly magnifie the said Book: And so the ten∣dring of this Book being thus prepared and sweet∣ned with these gracious considerations of time, and expectation of the discovery of mens affecti∣ons, which, for any thing appeared to the con∣trary, were very calm and composed, who could have imagined that the first reading of it should have been attended with such a barbarous Tumult and Insurrection, as was raised in the Churches and Streets of Edinburgh the Sunday following? The true Relation of which Tumult, as it was sent up to Us, doth here follow.

On the Twenty third day of July, 1637. being Sunday, according to the publick warning given the Sunday before, the Service-Book was begun to be read in Edinburgh in St. Giles's Church, com∣monly called the Great Church; where were pre∣sent (as usually they are) many of Our Council, both the Archbishops and divers other Bishops, the Lords of the Session, the Magistrates of Edin∣burgh, and a very great Auditory of all sorts of People. Amongst this great Multitude there ap∣peared no sign of trouble: But, no sooner was the Book opened by the Dean of Edinburgh, but a number of the meaner sort, who used to keep places for the better sort, most of them Women, with clapping of their hands, cursings, and out∣cries, raised such a barbarous hubbub in that sacred place, that not any one could either hear or be heard. The Bishop of Edinburgh, who was to preach, stept into the Pulpit, which is immedi∣ately above the place where the Dean was to read, intending to appease the Tumult, by putting them in mind that the place, in which they then were, was holy ground, and by intreating them to de∣sist from that fearful and horrible prosanation of it: But he was entertained with as much irreve∣rence as the Dean, and with more violence; in so much, that if a Stool, aimed to be thrown at him, had not by the Providence of God been diverted by the han•• of one present, the life of that Reve∣rend Bishop, in that holy place, and in the Pulpit, had been indangered, if not lost. The Archbishop of St. Andrews, Lord Chancellor, and divers o∣thers offering to appease the Multitude, were en∣tertained with such bitter Curses and Imprecati∣ons, as they not being able to prevail with the People, the Provost, Bailiffs, and divers others of the Council of that City, were forced to come down from the Gallery in which they do usually sit, and with much ado, in a very great Tumult and Confusion, thrust out of the Church these di••∣orderly People, making fast the Church doors. After all which, the Dean devoutly read Service, assisted by Our Chancellors, Bishops, and many other Persons of Quality there present: Yet the out-cries, rapping at the Church doors, throwing of Stones at the Church-windows by the tumul∣tuous Multitude without, was so great as the Bailiffs of the City were once more put to forsake their places, and use their best indeavours for the appeasing the rage and fury of those who were without. Service being ended, the Bishop preach∣ed, after which the Congregation was dismissed: The Bishop of Edinburgh retiring himself to a Lodging distant not many paces from the Church, was so invironed with a multitude of the meaner sort of People, cursing and crouding him, that he was near being trode to death; and in all pro∣bability had been so, if he had not recovered the Stairs of his Lodging, which he no sooner began to go up, but he was so pulled by the sleeve of his Gown by some of that rude Rout, that he had like to have tumbled backward down the Stairs, to the indangering of his Life, yet with much a∣do getting up the Stairs he found the Door, at which he should have entred, shut against him, and so being put to a stand, he had certainly been oppressed with the press and violence of that Rabble, if the Earl of Weems from his next Lodg∣ing, seeing the Bishop's life in danger, had not sent his Servants to rescue him, who got the Bi∣shop almost breathless into his Lodging. The same Morning the Service-Book was read in the next Church to St. Giles's Church, not without noise and tumult, yet the fury was not so great as in the other Church. In the Gray Friers Church the Elect Bishop of Argyle (being Colleague to Ma∣ster Ramsey, who refused to read it) begun to read the Book, but he was so cursed and exclaim∣ed against, and threatned to be pulled down, that after the reading of the Confession and Absolu∣tion, he was forced to give over. In the Colledge Church, Rollock, one of the Preachers there, who the Sunday before, at the intimation of the read∣ing of it, had so much commended the Book, and had undertaken this day to read it, though he had the Book ready to be carried to the Church with him, yet, very wisely, resolved to halt a little, until he might know how it was entertain∣ed at St. Giles's Church, that so his Conscience might comply with the carriage of the multitude, whose rudeness being reported to him, he (not∣withstanding his commendations of the Book, and his faithful promise to read it) thought it the safer course to leave himself to the censure of all men for his levity and breach of promise, than offend the Multitude, whose favour is the only Air in which he taketh delight to breathe and live: And thus that Morning passed.

Between the two Sermons, such of Our Coun∣cil as were in the Town, assembled at the Lord Chancellour his Lodging, where the Lord Pro∣vost and Bailiffs of Edinburgh being called, under∣took to do their uttermost endeavours for the quiet and peaceable reading of the Service-Book in the Afternoon, which accordingly they did, and so the Service-Book in St. Giles's and some other Churches, that Afternoon was read, without any such Tumult or Insurrection as it encountred with in the Morning; yet the furious Multitude, who stayed in the Streets, and little regarded the Service of God in the Churches, intermitted nothing of

their madness: For the Lord Privy Seal, Earl of Roxborough, returning home to his Lodging, and having with him in his Coach the Bishop of Eden∣burgh, was near suffering the detah of the first Mar∣tyr St. Stephen, his Coach and Coach-man, for having the Bishop in it, being so pelted with stones, and hooted at with execrations, and pres∣sed upon by the eager and mad Multitude, that if the Lord Privy Seal his Foot-men had not with their Swords kept them off, they in the Coach had been brought in danger of their lives, having after long and continual bickerings much ado to recover their Lodgings.

And now We desire all men to consider what blessing and success from Heaven may be expected upon this grand and important Reformation of Re∣ligion, as they call it, the begetter and beginner whereof was the horrible profanation of the Lords own Day, and that in the Lord's own Houses and Temples, and all this attended with the contempt and treading under foot the Sacred Authority and Laws of Us the Lord's Anointed, as also with the violation of the Persons of the Lord's Priests and Prophets, his Bishops and Ministers, and all these practised by a base Multitude, disavowed and disclaimed at that time by all Magistrates and Persons put in Authority, and all others of any Rank or Quality, who branded that Multitude with the Names of the Scum and Froth of the Peo∣ple, and offered themselves, to the uttermost of their diligence & assistance, for the finding of them out, and bringing them to highest and condign Punishment, as shall presently appear by the De∣meanour of the Magistrates when they were called before our Council for that purpose.

For the next day, being the 24th of July, 1637. Our Council assembled, and sent forth a Proclama∣tion in detestation of the Uproar and Tumult the day before, and discharged all concourses of Peo∣ple and tumultuous Meetings in Edenburgh under pain of death; at which time the Magistrates of Edenburgh being then present at Our Council Ta∣ble, professed their utter abhorring and detesting of the last Tumult, and apprehended some su∣spected to be most forward in it, and thereupon were commanded and ordered by an Act of Our Council of the 26th of July, to assemble the Coun∣cil of the City next Morning by eight of the Clock, and then and there to resolve what course they thought fittest to be held for the finding out of the Movers of, and chief Actors in the late seditious Uproar, and immediately after to report their di∣ligence and resolutions herein: Which report they accordingly made to Our Council, not only with a detestation of that Tumult, and promises of their best diligence for finding out the Authors and A∣betters of it, but also with large proffers of their best Assistance for the quiet and peaceable estab∣lishing and reading of the Service-Book in all their Churches.

But the Ministers of that City being loath to undertake the reading of it, without some securi∣ty given for the safety of their Persons, the Lords of Our Council by their Act of the 28th of July, 1637. ordered the Provost, Bailiffs, and Councel of Edenburgh to advise amongst themselves con∣cerning some obligatory Act to be made by them, for a real performance of what they had underta∣ken, and should further undertake for the peacea∣ble exercise of the Service-Book, which they ac∣corded unto, and promised, that since the former Readers in their several Churches, had refused to read the Book, if in the mean time the Ministers themselves would read it, they would take order for their safety, and when new Readers should be provided, they would take order both for their se∣curity and settled Maintenance and Allowance: In pursuance whereof, an obligatory Act was drawn up by Our Advocate, and read before Our Council to the Magistrates of Edenburgh the sixth of August 1637. to which they humbly consented, and on the Tenth of the same Month, the said Act of Indemp∣nity being exhibited before Our Council, was al∣lowed by them, and accordingly passed and entred in Our Council-Book as an Act of Council. And so now this late Tumult in all appearance being settled, and not only fathered upon the Scum and Dregs of the People, but cried down by all men either of place or quality, and by none more than by the Magistrates and Ministers of Edenburgh. Our Council not fearing any new Outrage, pro∣ceeded to these two things.

First, To the exemplary punishing of such of the Heads of the late Tumult as they should disco∣ver: And next, to the settling of the practice of the Service-Book, and appointing a new day for renewing the exercise of it; to which the Bishops, Magistrates and Ministers of Edenburgh agreed: And this their forwardness the Magistrates of that City were not only contented to express before Our Council, both by their verbal Promises and Protestations, as also their obligatory Act re∣maining upon record, and registred in Our Books of Council, but likewise by two particular Letters sent by them into England unto the Lord Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, in which they desired him to recommend unto Us, their care of, and fidelity to Our Service, and to undertake for them to Us their zeal and forwardness, for settling the peace∣able practice of the Service-Book: Which Letters We here have caused to be inserted, that the Read∣er may see what names of simplicity and ignorance they bestow upon that Multitude, which made the first opposition, and withal take notice of the Names of the Magistrates subscribers to these Let∣ters; for some of them (which hardly could be expected from reasonable men) will be found to be very forward, if not Leaders in the next succeeding Sedition, and so of the rest which have followed since. The Letters are these:

Most Reverend Father in God, and our very good Lord,

WE regrait from our hearts that Tumult which did fall out in our Churches that day of the in∣bringing of the Service-Book, wherein now these of his Majesties Council, who have laboured the trial thereof, will give testimony of our Innocency: Since that time and the rising of his Majesties Council in this ferial time, we have daily concurred with our Ordinary, and our Ministery for settling of that Service-Book, as the Right Honourable the Earl of Traquair Lord Trea∣surer, with the Bishops of Galloway and Dunbleane will bear witness; who have spared neither pains nor attendance to bring that purpose to a good conclusion: And although the poverty of this City be great, being almost exhausted with publick and common Works, yet we have not been lacking to offer good means, above our Power, to such as should undertake that Service; and in all things wherein we have been required, we have ever been ready really to approve our selves obedient and loyal Subjects to his Majesty, in all his Royal Commandments, which we have vowed ever to second to our lives end. And we being infinitely obliged to your Grace's favours, we now presumed by these lines to give your Grace that assurance of obedience upon our part, in this purpose and in all other purposes wherein

we may contribute to the advancement of his Majesties Service, or can be expected of good Subjects: Where∣of if his Majesty by your Grace shall be pleased to rest as∣sured, whatsoever any other shall suggest, we will accept it from you as a great accumulation of favour; for all which your Grace shall ever find us most thankful Re∣membrancers, and most ready really to express our thank∣fulness, whenever we shall be made so happy as that your Grace shall have occasion to use our Service. Thus from our hearts wishing you all happiness, we kiss your Graces hands.

Edinburgh, August 19. 1637.

Your Graces most affectionate and humble Servants the Bailiffs of Edinburgh.

• J. Cochrane, Bailly.
• An. Ainslie, Bailly.
• J. Smith, Bailly.
• H. Hamilton, Bailly.

The Second Letter.

Most Reverend Father in God, and our very good Lord,

WE did receive your Graces kind Letter, and from our hearts we do render your Grace most hearty thanks; and as we have hitherto found your spe∣cial favour in this matter, concerning the laitly imprint∣ed Service-Book, whereanent we did write to your Grace formerly, shewing our dutiful and obedient resolution, not only in our selves, but in the greatest and best part of our Inhabitants, of whom from time to time we had most confident assurance; so now we must again become new Suiters at your Graces hands to receive from us a true information of the difference of the present time, and of that when we did presume to write the occasions thereof, which is, that since our last there hath been such an innu∣merable confluence of People from all the corners of this Kingdom, both of Clergy and Laity, and of all degrees by occasion of two Council-days, and such things sugge∣sted to our poor ignorant People, that they have razed, what we by great and continual pains had imprinted in their minds, and have diverted them altogether from their former resolutions, so that now when we were urged by our selves alone, we could not adventure, but were forced to supplicate the Lords of Council to continue us in the state they had done the rest of this Kingdom; ha∣ving hitherto forborn either to combine with them, or to countenance them in their supplications, yet we will not forbear to do our Masters service to our power, but shall study to imprint in their minds what hath been taken a∣way, in the interim, we will humbly beg your Graces fa∣vour and intercession with his Majesty, that we may be keeped still in his favour, which we do esteem our great∣est earthly felicity, and that what course shall be taken with the rest of this Kingdom in that matter, who have presented many Supplications, and with whom we have in no ways combined, that the same and no other way may be taken with us, wherein we are confident to pre∣vail as much as any other within the Kingdom, and in all things shall endeavour nothing more, than that we may approve our selves most dutiful and obedient Sub∣jects. Thus relying upon your Graces favour, as our most assured Refuge, we kiss your Grace's hands, and rests,

Edinburgh Sept. 26. 1637.

Your Graces most affectionate and humble Servants, the Bailiffs of Edinburgh.

• J. Cochrane, Bailly.
• J. Smith, Bailly.
• C. Hamilton, Bailly.
• ...James Rucheid.

These indeed were fair words, and specious promises, but nothing more; for these very men, the Subscribers of these Letters, did underhand abett the Tumults, and did afterwards (as we shall find by the sequel of this story) become prime Covenanters themselves; and his Majesties Remark hereupon is very remarkable, That this first Tumult was owned by none, condemned and cried down by all, the Authors of it, and Actors in it, called by all sorts by no better names than Rogues, and the base Multitude. What will you then think, if that within very few days you shall see the very same liberal bestow∣ers of these names entring upon the same Stage, repeating and acting over again the parts of that mad Multitude; Only the Stage you shall see a little better hanged, and the Scenes better set out, and the Play having a more specious Name of Piety and Religion? For soon after, these base and unruly People, who were so much out in their first Act of Rebellion, (as Actors at the first are not commonly perfect) were in the Pulpits, even for that their first and soul Act, so much of late hissed at and decried, afterwards magnified for the most Heroical Sparks that e∣ver God inspired and raised up in this last Age of the World; and though they were but Asses, yet they were cried up for having their mouths opened immediately by God, as the mouth of Ba∣laam's Asse was, to the upbraiding of all the rest of the Land, who held their peace when they should have cried and braied as they did: Their happy mouths and hands, which God was pleas∣ed to honour that day with the beginning of their new blessed Reformation, and occasioning their Celestial Covenant (as they called it) were so highly extolled by their Preachers, that they as∣sured their Auditors that their Memorials should be eternal, whom before they had called the Scum of the People, and the base Multitude, and that all succeeding Generations should call them blessed. These high flown speeches, and many others of the like extravagant strain, both in the Pulpits and out of them, immediately after the first Tumult, and ever since, have been be∣stowed, and that not sparingly, upon that Mul∣titude, which not long before they called base and rascal: But no wonder, for many of the better sort having succeeded that Multitude in the same madness, they must needs now give them new, high, and Heroical Titles, such as they would have given to themselves now acting their parts; for now their own Actions come next upon the Stage to be viewed and judged.

The Harvest approaching, calls the Rabble and Gentry too into the Country, and in the interval the Bailiffs of Edinburgh Petition the Council, That the Service-Book (notwithstand∣ing their former Undertakings to the Arch∣bishop of Canterbury) might not be prest upon them; but no sooner was Harvest over, but the Conflux of the disaffected were so great at E∣dinburgh, that a present Rebellion was much feared: Hereupon the Council emit three several Proclamations following.

Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.

FOrasmuch as it hath pleased the King's Majesty, upon divers good respects and considerations, to give warrant and direction to the Lords of his Majesties Privy Council, for dissolving the meeting of this Coun∣cil-day, in so far as concerneth matters of the Church: And that every one that hath come to attend this busi∣ness, repair to their own dwellings, except such persons as shall make known to the said Lords of Council just cause of stay for their particular affairs; Therefore the said Lords, according to his Majesties special warrant and direction sent unto them, have dissolved, and by the tenour hereof do dissolve the meeting of this Council∣day, in so far as concerns the business above written; And ordains a Maissar of Council to pass to the Mer∣cate Cross of Edinburgh, and to make publication hereof; And to command every one that hath come hi∣ther to attend this business, to repair home to their own dwellings within 24 hours after the publication hereof, except such persons as shall make known to the said Lords just cause of their further particular affairs in manner aforesaid, under the pain of Rebellion, and putting them off to the Horn; with certification to them, that if they fail they shall be denounced Rebels, and put to the Horn, and all their moveable Goods escheat to his Majesties use.

Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.

FOrasmuch as it hath pleased the King's Majesty up∣on divers great and good considerations known to his Majesty, to remove his Council and Session from the City of Edinburgh to the Burgh of Dundie: And whereas it is inconvenient at this time to remove it so far, his Majesty is graciously pleased that this next Ses∣sion shall be holden at the Burgh of Linlithgow, and the next after the ordinary vacants at the Burgh of Dun∣die, and there to remain during his Majesties plea∣sure: And therefore the said Lords, according to his Majesties special direction, ordains Maissars or Offi∣cers of Arms to pass and make publication hereof to all his Majesties good Subjects by open Proclamation at all places needful, whereby they can pretend no ignorance thereof, but may prepare themselves to attend at Lin∣lithgow and Dundie accordingly.

Apud Edinburgh Octob. 17. 1637.

FOrasmuch as the Kings Majesty is credibly inform∣ed, that there is a certain Book, intituled, A Di∣spute against the English Popish Ceremonies, ob∣truded upon the Kirk of Scotland, and hath been sent abroad and dispersed in this Kingdom, purposely to stir the hearts and affections of the Subjects from their due obedience and allegiance: And therefore it hath pleased his Majesty to give order and direction to his Council, that diligent inquiry and search be made for the said Book; And for this effect the said Lords ordains Let∣ters to be directed to make intimation and publication to all his Majesties Subjects, that such of them as have any of the said Books, bring in the same to the Lords of his Majesties Privy Council betwixt the date of this Procla∣mation and the day of And the said Books being brought in, that the same be publickly burnt, certifying all his Majesties Subjects, if any of these Books shall be found or known to have been with a∣ny of them after the time aforesaid, that they shall incur the like censure and punishment as the Author may be found to deserve for any thing contained in that Book.

But what effect had these Edicts? Truly no other than an open Insurrection, which happened the day after the date of the last Proclamation, which was in this manner as we see.

On the eighteenth of October 1637. the Bishop of Galloway, and Sir William Elfinston, Lord Chief Justice of that our Kingdom, being appointed by the Lords of our Council to examine Witnesses in a Cause depending before them, between Francis Stuart, Son to the late Earl of Bothwell, and divers others, the Bishop was peaceably passing along the Street towards the Council-house where the Exa∣minations were to be taken: But suddenly an in∣raged Multitude surrounded him, and followed him with fearful cursings and exclamations close to the Council-house door, where he was again in∣countred afresh with a new troop, who watched, and lay in wait for his coming thither, and whose fury exceeded words; for in all proba••ility the Bishop had been pulled in pieces by them, if by Di∣vine Providence he had not been defended by the said Francis Stuart, who with much a••o got the Bi∣shop within the doors of the Council-house, where our Lord Chief Justice stayed for him: But when he was there, that place of highest Reverence within that our Kingdom, was no Sanctuary for him; for they continued demanding his person, and threatning him with death. The report here∣of, and the danger of their Lords life, was brought by some of the Bishop's Servants presently to the Earl of Traquair, our Lord Treasurer, and the Earl of Wigton, one of the Lords of our Council, who were then at a Lodging not far from thence: They came presently with their followers to the relief of the Bishop, but very hardly, for the croud of the Mutineers, could approach the Council-house where he was; at last, when with much ado they got entrance, they found themselves in no better case than the Bishop was, for the Peoples fury meeting with no proportionable resistance, increa∣sed the more. The Lords thus beset in our Coun∣cil-house, sent privately to the Lord ••rovost, Pai∣liffs, and Council of Edinburgh, who were then as∣sembled in their own Council-house, requiring them to come to their res••ne, and to take some present order for their safety: They, by one Sir Thomas Thompson, who indeed was an Eye-witness of the truth of it, returned this answer; That they were in the same, if not a worse case them∣selves, if the Lords without did not presently pa∣cific the inraged Multitude; that the whole Streets were pestred with disorderly People; that their Council-house was beset without, and thronged within, with their own threatning Citizens, who had vowed to kill all within their House, unless they did presently subscribe to a Paper presented to them, which for fear of their lives they were forced to do: Which Paper contained these three particulars; First, That they should joyn with them in opposition to the Service-Book, and in petitioning Us for that purpose. Secondly, That by their Authority they should presently restore unto their Pulpits and Places Master Ramsey and Rollock, their two silenced Ministers. Thirdly, That they should restore unto his place one Hen∣derson a silenced Reader: No doubt three most im∣portant grounds for such a fearful Sedition. No better answer being returned, the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Wigton, with their Followers, re∣solved to go up to the Town Council-house, and to use the uttermost of their Authority, or (if that found no respect) their best perswasions for se••ling the present Sedition: When they came thither, they

found the Magistrates were much discomposed, and greatly perplexed, as much doubting whether they should ever escape from the place with their lives; yet they presently entred into Consultation with them about what was fittest to be done in such an exigent; and finding now that the publick di∣vulging of that Paper which the Magistrates and Council of the City had subscribed, and that the open Proclamation of it throughout all their tur∣bulent Troops, and at the Cross, had a little as∣swaged their furious rage, the Lords begun to ad∣vise with the Magistrates what was best to be done for the safety of the Bishop of Galloway, whom they had left besieged in the Council-house: It was thought fit by all, that the Lords should return to Our Council-house, and contain themselves there∣in, till the Magistrates might try what they could do for calming the Commotion in the Streets: But no sooner had th•• Lords presented themselves to the Streets, but they were received with such vio∣lence as they were forced to retire, until such time as two of the Bailiffs, with their Serjeants and Of∣ficers, and such others as they got to attend them, accompanying the Lords, and repeating to the Multitude what had been yielded to in the Paper exhibited to them, a little way was made at first; But presently when they entred upon the great Street, the barbarous Multitude run most inra∣gedly upon them: Their out-cries were horrible and confused, but were (as much as in such a con∣fusion could be distinguished,) God defend all those who will defend God's Cause; and God confound the Ser∣vice-Book, and all the Maintainers of it. The Lords being in present and imminent danger, assured the People that they would represent their Grievances to Us; And when they perceived that the People refused to obey any Commandment which was laid upon them in Our Name, and that they sleighted their requiring of them to retire unto their own Houses, and to behave themselves as quiet and good Subjects, under pain of Our highest displea∣sure, they were glad then to betake themselves to intreaties and plausible perswasions; but all in vain: For the People still increased their fury, and that to such a height, as that the L. Treasurer was thrown down, his Hat, Cloak, & white Staff pulled from him, so that if by the strength of some about him, he had not been presently pulled up again up∣on his feet, he had undoubtedly been trode to death, and in that posture, without Hat or Cloak, like a notorious Malefactor, was he carried by the Croud to our Council-house door, where the Bi∣shop of Galloway▪ and others of our Council were imprisoned, in great fear, and expecting the Lords return for their relief. Not long after the Provost and Bailiffs came thither to them, told them they had used their uttermost power and perswasions with the best, ablest, and of the prime esteem of all their Citizens, for the appeasing of the pre∣sent Tumult, and securing their Lordships persons, but could find no concurrence nor obedience: Whereupon the Lords resolved to send for some of the Noblemen, and Gentry, and others who were now frequently assembled for assisting the Petition against the Service-Book, to try what help they would or could contribute for quieting the inraged People, and what assistance they might ex∣pect from them in freeing them from the present danger: They, being sent for, came to the Lords and declared unto them how much they were unsa∣tisfied with the present Mutiny, offered their Per∣sons and Power for securing them from all vio∣lence; which the Lords in our Council-house ac∣cepting of, with much ado (being guarded by them whom the People would not offend) the Lord Treasurer got to our Palace at Haly-rud-house, and the Bishop of Galloway to his Lodging: But the Lord Provost was again set upon as he was entring his own House, and was so pressed upon by the Multitude, that they crouded with him into his own Yard, railing upon him, and throwing Stones at his Windows, until some of his Servants discharging a Peece which had nothing but Pow∣der in it, they retired for fear. In this Tumult none were more forward and inexorable, than two who were Bailiffs the Year before, and who had subscribed the two Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Tumult being a little appeased, the Coun∣cil met at Haly-rud-house, and command the Pro∣clamation following to be made at the Market-Cross of Edinburgh, in haec verba.

At Haly-rud-house the 18 of Oct. 1637.

FOrasmuch as a number of the Lords of his Majesties Privy Council, as likewise the Town Councel of E∣denburgh, being this day conveened in their several Judicatories for his Majesties special Affairs and Ser∣vice, they were most rudely interrupted in the course of their proceedings, by a tumultuous gathering of the pro∣miscuous and vulgar multitude, by whom his Majesties Council and Servants in an open way was shamefully en∣vironed: Which being a matter very disgraceful to his Majesties Authority and lawful Government, and which in the consequence thereof, may produce dangerous effects, if the like be not prevented in the time to come; There∣fore the Lords of secret Council, according to the duty of their place and charge incumbent unto them, Ordains a Maissar of Council to the Mercate Cross of Edinburgh, and there by open Proclamation to discharge all publick Gatherings and Convocations of his Majesties Subjects within the City of Edinburgh, and upon the Streets thereof; as likewise all private Meetings tending to fa∣ction and tumult: And in his Majesties Name and Au∣thority, to command and charge all his Majesties lieges and inhabitants within the said City, to contain them∣selves in peace and quietness; and for that effect to keep their Houses, except when their lawful business doth o∣therwise call them, Ʋnder all highest pain and charge that by rigour of Law can be inflicted upon the Contra∣veeners of the Premises in manner above expressed.

The Proclamation prevailed not at all on those of Edinburgh, yea rather, notwithstanding the In∣solencies already committed, the next Council day they had the impudence to send their Commission∣ers to the Council, requiring that their own Mini∣sters and Readers might be restored to them, and Security be given for what their Magistrates had promised them at their last Tumults, and before the pacification thereof. And from these relations it will easily appear, whether (as his late Majesty said) this their intended glorious Reformation, which, according to their religious Intentions and ardent Prayers, they say, God, even to a Miracle, hath so graciously prospered in their hands, be like to pro∣ceed from God, the first act whereof was begun in the Church, with contempt of God and prosa∣nation of the House where his Honour dwelleth, and the violation of those persons who serve at his Altar; and the second Act whereof, was presented on the Streets of the capital City of the Kingdom, with the contempt of the highest Authority under God, viz. Us and Our Laws, and offering violence to the persons of our Councel∣lors and chief Officers of State, not forbearing

the very Houses and Places where our Council for that Kingdom, and Our Magistrates of that City do usually sit, and were then sitting; which places have alwaies been accounted Sacred, and have duely challenged all respect and reverence.

So that it is observable by what degrees this Re∣bellion hath risen, as if it had been before-hand well studied and contrived, every rank entring upon the Stage in their due turns, in which they served and answered one another: The first Tu∣mult was begun by the basest sort of that City, whom the Authors of this second Insurrection did then, even for that first Tumult, condemn by the name of Rascals and Scum of the People. The second Uproar, far more Seditious and dangerous than the former, was made by the best sort of Ci∣tizens, excepting only the Magistrates, and some few others, yet disavowed and disliked (at least in shew) by the Nobility, Gentry, and the Ma∣gistrates of the City; but these last Mutiners were not so cried down by them as the former, nor did they put such vile names of Rebels and Rascals upon them, nor did they shew any signification of their desire to have them questioned or punished for that Tumult, because now the quality of these last Mutiners persons gave some good countenance to the designs which they themselves had in hand: For these Noble-men, Gentry, and Magistrates being themselves to perform the third Act of that Tragedy, at the first whereof they had hissed, and seemed to dislike the second, held it not fit to be too severe in condemning of that which it seems they meant shortly after to act themselves, and in a more dangerous way: For first, their Protesta∣tion against Our Proclamation, and then their Covenant against Us and Our Authority, were next to come upon the Stage; which though they were of the same Plot and piece with the two other former Insurrections; yet because they were to be better acted, and the Actors, men of grea∣ter eminency, they hoped their parts should not find such foul names as the former had found: As if the things being the same, the names of Prote∣station or Covenant could alter the nature of In∣surrection and Rebellion; like those of that Bloody League in France, who hoped that the ve∣ry name of the HOLY LEAGUE would cause in the World a mistake of their meaning, and palliate their most wicked and unnatural Treasons, for rooting out their lawful Soveraign and true Religion. And now this highest and worst part cometh next to be related.

Presently after these Tumults, they present to the Chancellor two Petitions; the first against the Service-Book, in the name of all the Men, Wo∣men, and Children, and Servants of the City of Edenburgh; the other was from the Nobility, Gentry, Ministers, and Burgesses against both the Service-Book and Canons. The Tenor of the First was as followeth:

My Lord Chancellour,

UNto your Lordship humbly shews, we Men, Wo∣men, and Children, and Servants, In-dwellers within the Burgh of Edenburgh: That whereas we being urged with this Book of Service, and having † 2.1 considered the same, We find many things therein so far different from the form of God's Publick Worship Ʋniversally received and professed within this King∣dom. And we Burgesses, being at our entry and ad∣mission deeply sworn for the maintenance thereof, that now makes our Hearts to tremble, and our weak Con∣sciences will not suffer us to imbrace and practise this urged Service. We have this long time past, winked at some former alterations, being put in hope that no further Novations should follow. But now we being oppressed, with our just fears to see our selves deprived of that liberty in serving God which ever hath been ap∣proved by Church and Kingdom: In place whereof we are now like to be constrained to imbrace another, which hath neither been agitated nor received either by general Assembly or Parliament: In such extremity we are most humbly to supplicate your Lordship to consider our present estate, and that this business is a m••tter of so great weight and consequence, as should not appear to be a needless noise of simple Women, but it is the abso∣lute desire of all our Hearts for preservation of true Religion amongst us, which is dearer to us than either Estate or Life: And therefore we do humbly crave, that as the rest of the Kingdom, so we may have a time to advise, and that your Lordship may find out some way whereby we may be delivered from the fear of this and all other Innovations of this kind, and have the hap∣piness to enjoy the true Religion, as it hath been by the great mercy of God reformed in this Land, and au∣thorised by his Majesty, who may lo••g and prosperously Reign over us: And your Lordships a••swer.

The Tenour of the Second was as follow∣eth:

My Lords of Secret Councel,

UNto your Lordships humbly shews; We Noble men, Barons, Ministers, Burgesses, and Com∣mons; That whereas we were in humble and quiet man∣ner attending a gracious answer of our former supplica∣tions against the Service-Book imposed upon us, and ready to shew the great inconveni••nces which upon the Introduction thereof must ens••e, we ••re, without any known desert, far by our expectation, surprized and charged by publick Proclamation to depart out of the Town within twenty four hours thereafter, under pain of Rebellion; by which peremptory and unusual charge, our fears of a more severe and strict course of proceed∣ing are augmented, and course of our supplication in∣terrupted: wherefore we are constrained, out of the deep grief of our hearts, humbly to remonstrate, that whereas the Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm, being intrusted by his Majesty with the Government of the Affairs of the Church of Scotland, have drawn up and set forth, and caused to be drawn up and set forth, and injoyned upon the Subjects two Books; In the one whereof, called the Book of Common-Prayer, not only a••e sown the seeds of divers Superstitions, Idolatry, and false Doctrine, contrary to the true Religion establish∣ed within this Realm, by divers Acts of Parliament; But also the Service-Book of England is abused, espe∣cially in the matter of Communion, by additions, sub∣tractions, interchanging of words and sentences, fal∣sifying of Titles, and misplacing of Collects, to the disadvantage of Reformation, as the Romish Mass is, in the more substantial points, made up therein, as we offer to instruct in time and place con∣venient, quite contrary unto and for reversing the gracious intention of the † 2.2 blessed Reformers of Religion in England. In the other Book called Canons and Constitutions for the go∣vernment of the Church of Scotland, they have ordained, That whosoever shall affirm that the form of Worship inse••ed in the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacranents, where∣of heretofore and now we most justly complain, doth

contain any thing repugnant to the Scriptures, or are corrupt, superstitious, or unlawful in the Service and Worship of God, shall be Excommunicated, and not be restored but by the Bishop of the place, or Archbishop of the Province, after his repentance and publick re∣vocation of this his wicked errour, and to the over∣throw of our Church Discipline established by Acts of Parliament, opening a door for what further inventi∣on of Religion they please to make, and stopping the way which Law before did allow unto us for suppressing of errour and superstition; And ordaining, That where in any of the Canons there is no Penalty expresly set down, the punishment shall be Arbitrary as the Bi∣shop shall think fittest: All which Canons were never seen nor allowed in any General Assembly, but are im∣posed contrary to order of Law, appointed in this Realm for establishing Constitutions Ecclesiastical; unto which two Books, the foresaid Prelates have under trust pro∣cured his Majesties Royal hand and Letters Patents, for pressing the same upon his Loyal Subjects, and are the Contrivers and Devisers of the same, as doth clear∣ly appear by the Frontispiece of the Book of Common-Prayer, and have begun to urge the acceptance of the same, not only by injunctions given in Provincial As∣semblies, but also by open Proclamation and charge of Horning, whereby we are driven in such straits as we must either by Process of Excommunication and Horn∣ing suffer the ruin of our Estates and Fortunes, or else by breach of our Covenant with God, and forsaking the way of true Religion, fall under the wrath of God, which unto us is more grievous than death. Where∣fore we being perswaded that these their proceedings are contrary to our gracious Sovereign his pious inten∣tion, who out of his zeal and Princely care of the pre∣servation of true Religion established in this his ancient Kingdom, hath ratified the same in his Highness Par∣liament, 1633. And so his Majesty to be highly wronged by the said Prelates, who have so far abused their credit with so good a King, as thus to insnare his Subjects, rend our Church, undermine Religion in Do∣ctrine, Sacraments, and Discipline, move discontent between the King and his Subjects, and discord between Subject and Subject, contrary to several Acts of Par∣liament: We out of bound duty to God, our King and native Country, complain of the foresaid Prelates, hum∣bly craving, that this matter may be put to trial, and th••se our parties taken order with according to the Laws of the Realm; And that they be not suffered to sit any more as Judges, until the cause be tried and de∣cided according to Justice. And if this shall seem to be to you a matter of higher importance than you will condescend unto, before his Majesty be acquainted therewith, Then we humbly supplicate, that this our grievance and complaint may be fully represented to his Majesty, That from the influence of his Gracious So∣veraignty and Justice these wrongs may be redressed, and we have the happiness to enjoy the Religion, as it hath been reformed in this Land.

A more exa••t account of these Petitions, and of the Exorbitancy of the Scots in this their Re∣bellion, we cannot better give you, than from his Majesties larger Declaration, where they are in their proper and fit colours shewn to the World. The King's words are these:

IN this Petition, saith his Majesty, it may be worthy the observing, That they complain of the mangling of the English Service-Book, and of t••e abuses offered unto it, and the wronging of the in••ntions of the blessed Reformers of Religi∣on here in this Kingdom, whereas in their Ser∣mons and ••rdinary discourse, they do usually in∣veigh against the Service-Book here, for being stuffed with Superstition and Popery, and that the first Reformers of this Church never departed fully from Rome: And in this last Petition they begin to make their Grievances swell, adding their dislike of the Book of Canons to their former dis∣taste of the Service-Book; the occasion of Our Authorizing of which Book of Canons, was this.

As We were desirous to settle one uniform Form of Publick Prayer and Divine Service throughout that Our Kingdom, and for that pur∣pose authorized the Service-Book, so We con∣ceived that it was not only expedient, but neces∣sary that there should be one uniform Form of Church Government throughout the same▪ and because there was no Book extant containing any Rules of such Government, so that neither the Clergy nor Laiety had any certain rule either of the ones power, or of the others practice and obedience, and considering that the Acts of their general Assemblies were but written, and not Printed, and so large and voluminous, as it is im∣possible that so many Copies of them should be transcribed, as that they may come to the use and knowledge of many, and so Apocryphal, as that few or none of themselves can tell which of them are authentical, and so unsafely and uncertainly kept, that they do not know whether to address themselves for finding of them; We could not imagine but that it should have been acknow∣ledged, and received with all thankfulness, that We had reduced their numerous Acts, and those not known to them, to such a paucity of Canons, and those published, that none could be insnared through ignorance, nor complain that they were over-charged with the multiplicity of them: For it may be averred with unquestionable certainty, that not one in that Our Kingdom did either live under the obedience of the Acts of the general Assemblies, or did know what they were, or where certainly to have them: And yet these men have interpreted Our furthering their know∣ledge and facilitating and conveniencing their obedience for one of the most grievous burthens was ever laid upon them: But no wonder it is, if, when mens minds are once out of taste with Go∣vernment, nothing tending to order relisheth well with them.

Their Petition was sent up to Us by Our Coun∣cil: But We seeing no sign of Repentance for, or disavowing of their late Tumults, until some order might be taken for the finding out and punishment of the Authors of them, resolved to delay the answering of their Petition, but in the mean time commanded Our Council to signifie to all our good Subjects Our averseness from Po∣pery, and detestation of Superstition, the contra∣ry suggestions whereof We found the Heads of this Rebellion had used for abusing of Our loyal Subjects, and so accordingly Our Council caused a Proclamation to be made at Lithgow, which was this:

Apud Linlithgow septimo Decemb. 1637.

FOr as much as the King's Majesty, having seen the Petition presented to the Lords of his Maje∣sties Privy Council, and by them sent up to his Maje∣sty concerning the Service-Book, determined to have taken the same into his Royal consideration, and to have given his Gracious Answer thereanent with all con∣veniency: Like as his Majesty by his Letters to his Council of the date of the Ninth of October last, did signifie his gracious resolution to the effect aforesaid.

But since that time, his Majesty finding (far contrary to his expectation) that such disorderly, tu∣multuous and barbarous insolences have been committed within the City of Edenburgh upon the eighteenth of October last, to the great contempt of his Majesties Royal Authority, by abusing his Majesties Councellors and Officers of State, with others bearing charge and authority under his Majesty within the said City: His Majesty in a just resentment of that foul indignity, (wherein his Majesties Honour did so much suffer) hath been moved to delay the signification of his Maje∣sties gracious intention, in giving to his Subjects such satisfactory answers to their Petitions as in equity might have been expected from so just and religious a Prince; But yet his Majesty being unwilling that his Loyal and faithful Subjects should be possessed with groundless and unnecessary doubts and fears, His Ma∣jesty is pleased out of his goodness to declare, like as by these presents he declareth, That as he abhorreth all Superstition of Popery, so he will be most careful that nothing be allowed within his Majesties Dominions, but that which shall tend to the advancement of the true Religion, as it is presently professed within his most an∣cient Kingdom of Scotland: And that nothing is or was intended to be done therein against the laudable Laws of this his Majesties native Kingdom. And ordaineth publication to be made hereof in form as aforesaid.

AT this time We sent into Scotland the Earl of Roxburgh Lord Privy Seal, with certain in∣structions to Our Council for ordering these dis∣ordered affairs; according to which they ap∣pointed the Council to sit at Dalkeith, being not above four miles from Edenburgh, that so they might the more easily know what passed in that place, now become the seat of the Rebellion; and they removed the Session or Term from Lith∣gow to Sterlin, a place of twenty four miles di∣stance from Edenburgh, that so the huge disorderly Multitudes there assembled, might be dispersed, by the necessity of the attendance of such as had any Law-business: At the same time the Earl of Traquair, Lord Treasurer of that Kingdom, whom We had sent for hither, was returned back with directions from Us: He, with Our Lord Privy Seal, and other principal Counsellours, re∣paired to Sterlin, where by Our Commandment they caused a Proclamation to be made for the dispersing of the huge and dangerous Multitudes there assembled, and the assuring of Our Subjects of Our sincerity towards the Religion established in that our Kingdom. And there, first, the No∣bility, Gentry, Ministers, and Burgesses did the same thing which they themselves called the Up∣roar of Rascals at the first reading of the Service-Book in the Churches of Edenburgh, and which they condemned, but in milder terms, by the name of an unjustifiable act, in that great Sedition at Edenburgh on the eighteenth of October, 1637. For by them, first at Sterlin, then at Lithgow, and last at Edenburgh, was made the first avowed affront to Us, our Authority and Laws: For at Sterlin, our Proclamation being made, the Earl of Hume, and the Lord Lindsey, assisted with ma∣ny others of all ranks, made a Protestation against the same; which Protestation was afterward re∣peated at Lithgow, and last at Edenburgh, where, when upon the Cross, our Proclamation was made by our Officers with sound of Trumpets, and as∣sisted with our Heralds, with our Coats of Arms upon their backs, it was received, while it was in reading, with jeering and laughing, and after it was ended with a Protestation against it, made by many Earls Lords, Ministers, and Burgesses, and the conflux of all other sorts of people, who were all of them so malapert as not to suffer our He∣ralds and Officers to come off the Cross, but forced them to stay and hear their Protestation against our Proclamation, as if both had been made by the same Authority. And if this now were not a higher act of Rebellion than either the first Tumult raised in the Churches, against which they so much declaimed; or the second In∣surrection at Edenburgh, which they so much dis∣claimed, we leave it to the World to judge. The Copies both of our Proclamation and their Protestation We have here inserted, that them∣selves, as well as others, may see that We wrong not the truth.

CHARLES by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defen∣der of the Faith, &c. To our Lovits, &c.

Our Sheriffs in that part conjunctly and severally, sp••∣cially constituted, greeting. For as much as We, out of Our Princely care of maintenance of the true Re∣ligion already professed, and for beating down of all Superstition, having ordained a Book of Common-Prayer to be compiled for the general use and edification of Our Subjects within Our ancient Kingdom of Scot∣land, the same was accordingly done. In the per∣forming whereof, We took great care and pains; So as nothing past therein but what was seen and approved by Ʋs, before the same was either divulged or Printed, assuring all our loving Subjects, that not only Our in∣tention is, but even the very Book will be a ready means to maintain the true Religion already professed, and beat out all Superstition; Of which We in Our own time do not doubt but in a fair course to satisfie Our good Subjects. But having seen and considered some Petitions and Declarations given in to Our Council against the said Book and late Canons of the Church, We find Our Royal Authority much injured thereby, both in the matter and in the carriage thereof; where∣by we conceive these of Our Nobility, Gentry, Bur∣roughs, Ministers and others, who kept and asisted these Meetings and Convocations for contriving and forming the said Petitions, or who have subscribed the same, to deserve and be liable to Our high censure, both in their persons and fortunes, as having con∣vened themselves without either Our consent or au∣thority; Yet because We believe that what they have done herein is out of a preposterous zeal, and not out of any disloyalty or disaffection to Soveraignty, We are graciously pleased in so far as concerns these Meet∣ings for consulting or subscribing of these Petitions, or presenting the same to any Judge or Judges in Our said Kingdom, to dispense therewith, and with what may be their fault or errour therein, to all such as up∣on signification or declaration of Our pleasure shall re∣tire themselves as becometh good and dutiful Subjects▪ To which purpose Our will is, and We charge you straightly, and command, that incontinent these Let∣ters seen, you pass, and in Our name and authority make intimation hereof, to all Our Lieges and Sub∣jects, by open Proclamation at all places needful, where∣through none pretend ignorance thereof; And there∣with also, That you in Our name and authority dis∣charge all such Convocations and Meeting in time coming, under the pain of Treason: And also that you command, and charge, and inhibit all Our Lieges and Subjects, that none of them presume nor take in hand to resort nor repair to Our Burgh of Sterling, nor to no other Burgh, where Our Council and Ses∣sion sits, till first they declare their cause of coming to Our Council, and procure their Warrant to that effect.

And further, that you command and charge all and sundry Provosts, Bailiffs, and Magistrates within Burgh, That they and every one of them have a spe∣cial care and regard to see this Our Royal will and plea∣sure really and dutifully obeyed in all points; And that no violation thereof be suffered within their bounds, under all highest pain, crime, and offence that they may commit against Ʋs in that behalf: As also that you command and charge all and sundry Noble-men, Barons, Ministers and Burroughs, who are not actual In-dwellers within this Our Burgh, and are not of the number of the Lords of our Privy Council and Session, and members thereof, and are already within this Our Burgh, that they, and every one of them, remove themselves, and depart and pass forth of our said Burgh, and return not again, without the Warrant aforesaid, within six hours after the pub∣lication hereof, under the said pain of Treason. And as concerning any Petitions that hereafter shall be given unto Ʋs, upon this or any other Subject, We are likewise pleased to declare, that We will not shut Our ears therefrom; so that neither the matter nor form be prejudicial to our Regal Authority. 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 again to the bearer.

Given under our Signet at Sterling the nineteenth day of February: And of our Reign the thirteenth year, 1638.

Per actum Secreti Concilii.

Here followeth their Protestation.

For God and the King.

WE Noble-men, Barons, Ministers, Burroughs, appointed to attend his Majesties Answer to our humble Petition and complaint, and to prefer new Grievances, and to do what else may lawfully conduce to our humble desires; That whereupon the 23 of Sep∣tember last, we presented a Supplication to your Lord∣ships, and another upon the 18 of October last, and also a new Bill relative to the former upon the 19 of December last, and did therein humbly remonstrate our just exceptions against the Service-Book, and Book of Canons; and also against the Archbishops and Bishops of this Kingdom, as the Contrivers, Main∣t••••ners, and urgers thereof, and against their suting as our Judges until the cause be decided; earnestly sup∣plicating withal to be freed and delivered from these and all other innovations of that kind, introduced against the landable Laws of this Kingdom; as that of the High Commission, and other evils particularly mentioned, and generally contained in our aforesaid Supplications and Complaints, and that this our party delinquent against our Religion and Laws may be taken order with, and these pressing grievances may be taken order with and redressed according to the Laws of this Kingdom, as by our said Supplications and Complaints more largely doth appear: With the which on the 19 of December last, we gave in a Declinator against the Archbishops and Bishops as our Parties, who by consequence could not be our Judges; whereupon your Lordships declared by your Act at Dalkeith the said of December, that you would present our Petiti∣ons to his Majesties Royal consideration, and that without prejudice of the Declinator given in by us the said Supplicants; whereupon we should be heard at place and time convenient. And in the mean time should receive no prejudice, as the said Act in it self beareth. And whereas we your Lordships Supplicants with a great deal of patience, and hope also, grounded on sundry promises, were expecting an answer to these our humble desires, and having learned that upon some directions of his Majesties anent our Supplications and Complaint unto your Lordships of the Secret Council, your Lordships admits to the consulting and judging anent our Supplications, and His Majesties Answer thereunto, the Archbishops and Bishops our direct Par∣ties, contrary to our Declinator first propounded at Dalkeith, and now renewed at Sterling; and † 2.3 con∣trary to your Lordships Act aforesaid at Dalkeith, and contrary to our Religion, and Laws, and humble Supplications. Therefore, lest our silence be prejudici∣al to this so important a cause, as concerns God's Glo∣ry and Worship, our Religion, Salvation, the Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom, or derogatory to the former Supplications and Complaints, or unaswer∣able to the trust of our Commission; out of our bound Duty to our God, our King and native Country, we are forced to take instruments in Notaries hands, of your Lordships refusal to admit our Declinator, or remove these our Parties, and to protest in manner following: First, That we may have our immediate recourse to our Sacred Soveraign, to present our grievances, and in a legal way to prosecute the same before the ordinary competent Judges, Civil or Ecclesiastical, without any offence offered by us, or taken by your Lordships. Se∣condly, We protest that the said Archbishops and Bi∣shops, our Parties complained upon, cannot be reputed or esteemed lawful Judges to sit in any Judicatory in this Kingdom, Civil or Ecclesiastical, upon any of the Supplicants, until after lawful trial judicially they purge themselves of such crimes as we have already laid to their charge, offering to prove the same whensoever his sacred Majesty shall please to give us audience. Thirdly, We protest that no Act nor Proclamation to follow there∣upon, past, or to be past in Council or out of Council, in presence of the Archbishops and Bishops, whom we have already declined to be our Judges, shall anywaies be prejudicial to us the Supplicants, our persons, estates, lawful meetings, proceedings, or pursuits. Fourth∣ly, We protest that neither we nor any whose heart the Lord moveth to join with us in these our Supplications, against the aforesaid Innovations, shall incur any dan∣ger in Life, Lands, or any Political or Ecclesiastical pains, for not observing such Acts, Books, Canons, Rites, Judicatories, Proclamations, introduced with∣out or against the Acts of General Assemblies, or Acts of Parliament, the Statutes of this Kingdom; But that it shall be lawful to us or them to use our selves in matters of Religion of the external Worship of God and Policy of the Church, according to the Word of God, and laudable Constitutions of this Church and Kingdom, conform to His Majesties Declaration the ninth of December last. Fifthly, seeing by the le∣gal and submiss way of our former Supplications, all who takes these Innovations to heart, have been kept calm and carried themselves in a quiet manner, in hope of redress; We protest that if any inconvenience shall happen to fall out (which we pray the Lord to prevent) upon the pressing of any of the foresaid Innovations or evils, especially or generally contained in our former Supplications and Complaints, and upon your Lord∣ships refusal to take order thereanent, the same be not imputed to us, who most humbly seeks all things to be re∣formed by an Order. Sixthly, we protest that these our requests, proceeding from Conscience and a due respect to his Majesties Honour, do tend to no other end, but to the preservation of the true reformed Religion, the Laws and Liberties of this His Majesties most an∣cient Kingdom, and satisfaction of our most humble desires contained in our Supplication and Complaint, according to his Majesties accustomed Goodness and Ju∣stice, from which we do certainly expect that His Sa∣cred Majesty will provide and grant such remedy to our

just Petitions and Complaints, as may be expected from so gracious a King toward most loyal and dutiful Subjects, calling for redress of so pressing grievances, and praying to God that his Majesty may long and pro∣sperously Reign over us.

AGainst which Protestation We shall now say nothing, because it is contained and repeat∣ed in another larger Protestation of theirs, which shall be inserted hereafter, and there it shall re∣ceive a full answer: Only We desire the Reader to observe these two things in it; First, the iniquity and injustice of their demanding some of our Bi∣shops to be removed from our Council; nay, and (which we think never was heard before) their protesting against all Acts to be done and passed in our Council at which any of them shall be pre∣sent, alledging, that this their Protestation against them, and Declinator of them, maketh them to be Parties, and so they cannot be Judges; and withal they require them first to be removed, and then promise they will make proof of such crimes against them as shall declare the justice of their re∣moval; which is all one as to intreat them first to condemn a man, and then to try him: And if a Protestation against their sitting in Council, and a Declinator of our Councils authority (neither of them admitted by our Council) shall make some Councellors to be Parties, and invalidate all Acts of Council so long as these Councellors, whom they have fancied to be Parties, sit there; how their last pretended general Assembly, against which there were so many Protestations made both by the Bishops and others, and which by all these Protesters was declined as Judge, because the members of it had all made themselves Par∣ties, can be counted a lawful general Assembly, or the members of it lawful Judges, We leave it to themselves to reconcile: And if they should say, that these Protestations and Declinators against the Assembly were repelled by the Assem∣bly, who was the sole Judge of them, let them remember, that their Protestation against the Bi∣shops, and their Declinator against our Councils authority, if they should not eject them, were both of them likewise repelled and rejected by Our Council, who was the only true Judge of them, their last pretended Assembly being no true but only a pretended Judge of the others, after the Assembly was dissolved by our Authority. And Secondly, We shall desire the Reader to ob∣serve, that their demands in this Protestation are very far short of those which are made by them in their succeeding Protestations, which swell with far more bold and insolent demands than this doth, although this be bold and insolent enough: But it is an usual course with the Heads of all Re∣bellions, to draw in that Party, by whose power they intend to make good their wicked plots, with small things at the first, concealing from them the depth of their intentions, until they have engaged them so far, as they can make them believe that there is no safety in retreating, when their crimes are past hope of Pardon.

And now after this their first Protostation; begun the most unnatural, causless, and horrible Rebel∣lion that this or perhaps any other Age in the World hath been acquainted with: For now these Protesters begin to invest themselves with the su∣preme Ensigns and Marks of Majesty and Sove∣raignty, by erecting publick Tables of advice and Council, for ordering the Affairs of the King∣dom, without our authority, and in contempt of us and our Council established by us there, and by entring into a Covenant and most wicked Band & combination against all that shall oppose them, not excepting our own Person, directly a∣gainst the Law of God, the Law of Nations, and the municipal Laws of that our Kingdom: So that after this their Protestation, they perfected that which they had before begun confusedly, and as it were in a ruder draught: For then, contrary to our express commandment and authority expressed in our last Proclamations, and repeated unto them by our Council, they did erect a great number of Tables (as they called them) in Edenburgh: Four principal, One of the Nobility, another of the Gentry, a third of the Burroughs, a fourth of Ministers; and the Gentry had many subordinate Tables, according to their several Shires: These several Tables did consult of what they thought sit to be propounded at the general Table, which consisteth of several Commissioners chosen from the other four Tables; and what they of the ge∣neral Table resolved on, was to be put in practice with a blind and Jesuitical obedience: A rare and unheard form of Government in a Kingdom whose Government ever was Monarchical, and which they themselves still say continueth to be so: Sure these Meetings by wise men have been accounted rather Stables of unruly Horses, broken loose and pulling down all they can reach, than Tables for the consultations of wise and rational men. Now the first dung which from these Stables was thrown upon the face of Authority and Government, was that lewd Covenant, and Seditious Band an∣nexed unto it, which We here subjoin, because We are confident that by the very recital and perusal of it, every religious and wise man ••m run and read that sentence of condemnation which it carrieth in its own front.

Notes

• † 2.1

  Observe that the Chil∣dren as well as the rest consi∣dered th••••.
• † 2.2

  And yet ••••ese blessed Ref••rmers of Religion in England were ••e very same men who co••••iled the ••••••∣lish Service-••o••k, which the Covenanter have Printed and Prea••••ed to ••e stuffed full of ••••olatry, S••••ersti∣tion, and Popery.
• † 2.3

  It is n•••• so; for the Council never pro∣mised that the Bi∣shops should be removed from the Table, but only tha•• they would make us acquaint∣ed with their Peti∣tion.