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.

* 1.1 I conceive there is no need to acquaint you with the benefits that will redound to this Kingdom, and the advantages we shall have by a nearer association with them, and by their coming in, to this purpose for our assistance.—This great Cause now in agitation by this means will be much secured; it will be assured to us, that the Event and the successe of it will be made a great deal the cer∣tainer; —Thus we stand in case they are not called in, the losse so great, that is the losse of all, the event is so uncertain. Secondly,

it will be for our profit, it will ease the warre,* 1.2 it will make the charge, and the burthen of it to be lesse;—without their coming, I am afraid there will not be that force on the one side, as to make the other side out of their estates to pay these debts, which their coming in, in all likelihood will make them do; which if these debts be paid out of their estates and land, I know no incon∣venience will come to the Kingdom by it;—If they come not in, con∣sidering the ingagements on both sides, and considering the par∣ties, who we must compound with, I say, the cure is like to be very imperfect; their coming in, I hope,* 1.3 will make it perfect.—So that if there were nothing else in it, but that we were like to have the better peace, and on the better terms, and what ever it be, it is likely to be kept the better, to us and our posteritie, that were much to our advantage.—We have it from our own Committee there, and from all hands, that it is impossible (they should under∣take for our assistance) without some sum of money; And if we con∣sider how they have been exhausted heretofore,* 1.4 I think we may easily beleeve it,—their Army that is in Ireland having been 14 months without any pay at all, they are fain to supply them with necessities, which hath been fourscore thousand pounds, else that Army must have starved. We know they had two yeers war, we promised them a Brotherly assistance, and there is an Act for it, but it is known, by reason of the troubles we have here at home we have not payd them that; so that considering the poverty of that Kingdom, it is certain, it is not a pretence of theirs (for not com∣ing) but it is really so. Mr Solicitor his Speech at Guildhall, Fri∣day, Octob. 6. 1643.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr. Soli∣citor his Speech.
• * 1.2

  Note.
• * 1.3

  Note.
• * 1.4

  Note.