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.

The Scots false Paper which was burnt.

AS for the Preface and Conclusion of his Maje∣sties last Declaration, although it contained hard expressions of the Subjects in Scotland, yet his Majesty declared, that he had no such opinion of them, but required this Paper to stand for his credit, and for a point of honour with Forreign Nations, and required they should not stand with him for words and expressions, so be that they obtained the Mat∣ter.

Secondly, As for his calling the late Assembly, pre∣tended; seeing the Subjects of Scotland professed they would never pass from the said Assembly and Decrees thereof, his Majesty professed, as he did not acknow∣ledge that Assembly further than as it was registrate His Declaration, so would he not desire the Subjects to pass from the same.

Thirdly, Concerning the Constitution of the As∣sembly, it was shewn to his Majesty that none could be Members of the Assembly, but such as had a Commis∣sion, viz. two or three Ministers from every Presbytery, with a ruling Elder, one from each Burrough and Ʋ∣niversity, and his Majesties Commissioner. His Ma∣jesty contended that his Assessors had Vote, and upon an Expression in his Majesties Declaration, that re∣ferred to some Reasons contained in former Proclama∣tions, which were totally against the lawfulness of Ru∣ling Elders; It was desired that according to the cu∣stoms of this Kirk, all Controversies arising should be remitted to the Assembly it self. His Majesty had some Expressions craving these to be remitted to himself; but being told that it was against the Constitutions of the Kirk, to have ony other Judge but the Voicer of the Assembly, where his Majesty or his Commissioner should be present, and give the first voices. It was concluded, that the word free Assembly in his Majesties Decla∣ration, did import the freedom in judging all questi∣ons arising there, concerning Constitution, Members or Matter.

Observations. Then the King had no Negative Voice, only one Affirmative, as the meanest Ruling Elder had.

By the second Article of Pacification, all Acts were to be delivered presently to the King.

The fourth and seventh Articles of Pacification are absolute, and the King accordingly perform∣ed the fourth, but the Covenanters invented a back∣door to elude the seventh, contrary to the words of it.

Fourthly, Concerning the restitution of the Castles, as the Subjects did it freely, so did they express, that what might concern the safety of the Countrey they re∣serred to the time of the Parliament, at which time they should signifie their desires by Petition to his Ma∣jesty. As also they told, it had cost much Charges in fortifying and keeping thereof; the representation where∣of to his Majesty they referred to that time.

Fifthly, Concerning the restitution of Persons Goods and Houses required by his Majesty, it was promised, providing that the great Sums contracted to the pub∣lick were repaid in an equal way by all, which beh••∣ved to be done either by Commission from his Majesty, or by Parliament. And when it was objected, That much Goods were already spent, the King answ••r••d, That as for Goods or Ammunition that was spent, they could not be restored, but these that are extant must be rendered.

Sixthly, His Majesty not allowing of the late As∣sembly, for the Reasons contained in the several Pro∣clamations, being excepted against as a Declaration of his Majesties Judgment against Ruling Flders, which prejudged the right Constitution of a free As∣sembly, his Majesty after a full Hearing deleted that Clause.

Seventhly, That part of his Majesties Declaration which bears, that no other Oath be exacted of Jurant••s then that which is contained in the Act of Parliament; as also that Clause bearing, that the pretended Bi∣shops, &c. shall be censurable by the General Assem∣bly, being excepted against as presupposing and import∣ting the continuance of Episcopacy, which we could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 acknowledge as being incompatible with the Con••••ss•••••• of Faith, and Constitution of the Kirk. His Maje∣sty was pleased to delete both these Clauses.

Eighthly, And it being with all humility and in∣stancy pressed, Saturday, June 15. That his Majesty would satisfie that main desire of his Subjects, by ••••∣claring, that his Majesty would quit Episcopacy, did answer, That it was not sought in our Desires. And when it was replied, That our first desire to have the Acts of our General Assembly ratified, imported the same, His Majesty acknowledged it to be so, and aver∣red, That he did not refuse it, but would advi•••• ••••ll Munday the seventeenth. At which time his Maje∣sty being pressed to give some signification of quitting Episcopacy, and it being shewn to his Majesty, that if he would labour to maintain Episcopacy, it would breed a miserable Schism in this Kirk, and make such a rupture and division in this Kingdom, as would prove incurable: And if his Majesty would let the Kirk and

Country be freed of them, his Majesty would receive as bearty and dutiful obedience as ever any Prince recei∣ved of a People. His Majesty answered, That he could not prelimit and forestall his—voice, but had appointed a free Assembly which might judge of all Ec∣clesiastical Matters, the Constitutions whereof he pro∣mised to ratifie in the ensuing Parliament.

His Majesties Declaration gives us the true Ar∣ticles, and hereafter followeth.

THat though we cannot condescend to ratifie and approve the Act of the pretended General Assem∣bly at Glasgow, for many grave and weighty conside∣rations, which have happened both before and since, much importing the security and honour of that true Monarchical Government lineally descended upon us; yet we are pleased to confirm and make good whatever Our Hamilton Commissioner granted. And that all Matters Ecclesiastical shall be determined by the As∣semblies of the Kirk, and Matters Civil by the Parlia∣ment, and other inferiour Judicatories established by Law, which Assembly shall be kept once a year, or as shall be agreed upon by the General Assembly, and Our Commissioner for the time being.

That a free and General Assembly be kept at Eden∣burgh the sixth of August next, where we intend, God willing, to be personally present, and thereafter a Parliament the twentieth of August, and there an Act of Oblivion to be passed.

And that upon their disarming and disbanding of their Forces, dissolving and discharging all their pre∣tended Tables and Conventicles, and restoring to the King all his Castles, Forts, and Ammunition, as al∣so his Royal Honours, and to every one of his good Subjects their Liberties, Lands, Houses, Goods, and Means whatsoever, taken and detained since the late pretended General Assembly; the King will presently thereafter recall his Fleet, and retire his Forces, and cause restitution of their Ships and Goods since the a∣foresaid time.

And since hereby it appears, His Majesty intends not any alteration of Religion or Laws, He expects their dutiful obedience. And he takes God to witness, That whatever Calamities shall ensue, by his necessitated sup∣pressing of the Inselent Disobedience, is not occasioned by him, but by their own procurement.