The declaration of the Commission of the General Assembly, to this whole Kirk and kingdom of Scotland of the fifth of May

Edinb. 27. March, 1648.

Answers of Parliament to the Desires of the Commissioners of the General Assem∣bly represented by them to the Parliament.

THe Estates of Parliament now conveened in this first Session of the second Trienniall Parliament, having considered the desires of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, represented to them. They after full debate and consideration concerning the same for answer to the first desire.

1. Declares that the grounds and causes of undertaking of war, shall be cleared to be so just, as that all who are well affected may be satisfied in the lawfulnesse and necessity of the engagement. And declares that they will be very carefull, that nothing be acted in reference to a warre during the conference, and untill the same be reported to the Parliament.

2. Item, For answer to the second desire. The Estates of Parlia∣ment thinks fit, that the breaches of the Covenant and Treaties be represented. And the seeking of Reparation, and the best time and manner thereof considered, and appoints the Committee of twenty foure, or such of their number as they shall appoint to do the same.

3. Item, For answer to the third desire. The said Estates of Parlia∣ment

declares, that this Kingdome will be so farre from making warre against the Kingdome of England, That any engagement they shall enter into, shall be for strengthening the union betwixt the Kingdomes, And for encouraging the Presbyterians and well-affected in England.

4. Item, For answer to the fourth desire, The Estates of Parliament agrees to the substance and matter of this fourth desire. And re∣mits to these who are to be upon the conference for stating the question, to explaine the same.

5. Item, To the fist desire. The Estates of Parliament for answer to this desire, declares, That upon the agreement on the haill matter and state of the question, they will declare his Majesties con∣cessions, concerning Religion not to be satisfactory.

6. Item, to the sixt desire. The Estates of Parliament for answer to this, declares. That since Religion hath been, and they trust e∣ver shall be the principall end of all the undertakings of this King∣dome. So they will be carefull that the present question to be sta∣ted, shall containe security and assurance to be had from his Maje∣sty, be his solemne oath under his hand and seale. That he shall for himselfe and his Successors, give his Royall consent to passe acts of Parliament, enjoyning the League and Covenant, establishing Pres∣byterian Government, the Directory of worship, and Confession of Faith in all his Majesties Dominions, and that his Majestie shall ne∣ver make any opposition to any of these, nor indeavour any change thereof. And as to that clause, viz. That this security be had from his Majestie before his restiution to the exercise of his Royall pow∣er. The Estates of Parliament remits this to these on the confe∣rence, And who shall be appointed for drawing up the state of the question, To find out some more smooth expression in place there∣of, with the like security to Religion.

7. Item, to the seventh desire. The said Estates of Parliament declares that they will be carefull that none shall be employed in the command of their Armies, nor in their Committees, But such as are of known integrity and affection to the cause, and against whom there is no just case of exception.

Item, To the eighth Article or Desire, The Estates of Parliament declares, That to the grounds of their engagement and undertak∣ing an Oath shall be subjoyned wherein both in the framing of it and otherwayes the Church shall have their due interest, And the

Estates of Parliament desires the Commission of the Church, To appoint some of their number to meet with such of that Committee of Parliament of 24. As shall be appointed by the same Committee for the conference and stating of the question, for agreeing upon the grounds of an engagement, and drawing up such a state of a question as may unite this Nation in an unanimous undertaking of such duties as are requisite for the Reformation and defence of Re∣ligion, the safety, honour and happinesse of the King and his poste∣rity and the good of this Kingdome. Extract forth out of the Books of Parliament, By me Sir Alexander Gibson of Durie Knight, Clerk of his Majesties Registers Councel and Rolls under my signe and sub∣scription Manuel.

Alex. Gibson, Cler, Regist.