The love and faithfulnes of the Scottish nation the excellency of the covenant, the vnion between England and Scotland, cleared, by collections, from the [brace] declarations of Parliament, and, speeches of severall Independent brethren. By Theophilos.

THe Lords and Commons in Parliament, have with approbation and thanks, received from the Com∣missioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, a clear ma∣nifestation, of the respect, which the Lords of His Majesties secret Counsell for that Realm do bear to the welfare and peace of this Kingdom, In the expression of their affections, wherein they were pleased to se∣cond the desires of the Generall Assembly of that Church for Ʋ∣nity in Religion, and Ʋniformity in Church-Government, in His Majesties three Kingdoms:—wherein as we have satisfied our own reason, so we hope we shall satisfie the loving and Christian de∣fires of our Brethren of Scotland;—And as we resolve, according to the Nationall Covenant betwixt the two Kingdoms, to be care∣full of the peace of Scotland as of our own, so we doubt not but their Lordships and the Nation of Scotland will be carefull to ex∣presse their brotherly kindnesse to us.—We acknowledge it an Act of love to us, and of wisdom for the good of both Churches— that our Brethren of Scotland have bestowed their serious thoughts, and earnest desires for unity of Religion; that in all His Majesties Dominions there might be one Confession of Faith, one Directory of worship, one publick Catechisme, and one form of Church-Government. And although it will hardly be obtained punctually and exactly,—yet both intending the same end, proceeding by the same rule of Gods Word, and guided by the same Spirit, we hope by Gods assistance to be so directed, that we may cast out whatsoever is offensive to God, or justly displeasing to any neigh∣bour Church, and so far agree with our Brethren of Scotland, and other reformed Churches, in all substantiall parts of Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, that both we and they may injoy those advantages and conveniences which are mentioned by them, in this their Answer, in the more strict Ʋnion of both Kingdoms, more safe, easie, and comfortable Government of His Majestie, &c.— The main cause which hitherto hath deprived us of these and other great advantages, which we might have by a more close Ʋnion with the Church of Scotland,—is the Government by Bi∣shops,

—(which) makes us desperate of that most beneficiall and de∣sirable Conjunction, with them, untill this great impediment be removed, &c.—Upon which we do declare,—that this Government— is evil, and justly offensive.—And according to our former Decla∣ration of the 7th of February our purpose is to consult with godly and Learned Divines, that we may not onely remove this, but settle such a Government, as may be most agreeable to Gods holy Word, most apt to procure and conserve the peace of the Church at home, and happy union with the Church of Scotland, &c.—This being the Resolution of both Houses of Parliament, we do desire our Brethren of Scotland to concur with us in petitioning His Ma∣jesty, that his Royall Authority may be applied to the conserva∣tion of a firm unity between the two Kingdoms, and that they likewise will think good, to send to the same Assembly (of Divines which were to meet the fifth of Novemb.) some godly and learned Divines of that Church, whereby an Ʋniformity in form of Church Government may be obtained, and thereby a more easie passage made to the setling of one confession of faith, one Liturgie —of the publick worship, and one Catechisme in all three Kingdoms. A De∣claration and Resolution of Parliament, Sept. 23. 1642.

Notes

• Declar. & Resol. of Parl.
• Note.
• Note.
• Note.