Several letters from the Parliament and General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, to the Houses of Parliament of England, the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and Common Councel of the city of London, and the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. Published by authority.

Right Honorable,

AS the Parliament of this Kingdom doth acknow∣ledge the zeal and endeavors of the Honorable Houses of Parliament, for the good progresse already made towards Reformation of Religion and Uniformi∣ty

of Church-Government; So is it expected, that when they shal seriously consider the Brotherly affection and great sufferings of this Kingdom, who from a peace∣able condition, which we formerly enjoyed, did engage our selves in a dangerous & bloody war with England a∣gainst their Enemies, when their Affairs were in the hard∣est and lowest condition, upon a mutual League and Covenant, to setle Religion and Church-Government, according to the Word of God, the practice of the best Reformed Churches, and ••s might draw the neerest Uni∣formity betwixt the two Kingdoms, which was ac∣knowledged to be the chief ground of craving Ayd a••d Assistance from this Kingdom (the Honorable Hou∣ses will now (after so mature deliberation) adde their Au∣thority & Civil Sanction) without further delay, to what the pious and learned Assembly of Divines, upon ma∣ture and accurate Debates, have advised to be most a∣greeable to the Word of God, and perfect what re∣mains to be done in the Work, according to the Cove∣nant; which I am commanded by the Parliament of this Kingdom to demand, and do accordingly in their Names demand of the Honorable Houses of Parlia∣ment of England: The performance whereof will be most acceptable to this Kirk and Kingdom, as a special Recompence of the Labors, and blood which hath been shed in assisting you to promote the Cause of God, and will be a mean to procure Gods blessing upon the proceedings and undertakings of both Kingdoms: And the Parliament of this Kingdom is perswaded, That the Piety and Wisdom of the Honorable Houses, will never admit Toleration of any Sects or Schisms, contrary to our Solemn and Sacred Covenant.

The next desire of the Parliament of this Kingdom (and which of all things next to Truth is most desire∣able) is, That all lawful means be used for attaining a just and well-grounded Peace; for which end, I am com∣manded to desire, and do accordingly in the Name of the Parliament of this Kingdom desire, That the Proposi∣tions of Peace be dispatched to His Majesty, and may be so pursued and managed, as may best procure the set∣ling of Truth and Peace, that there may be an end of the great distractions, and unnatural War of all the three Kingdoms.

This Kingdom lyeth under the Burthen of great and vast expence, in raising and entertaining Armies, and hath with the losse of the lives of many precious men, set their own houses on fire to quench the flame of yours, and almost destroyed their own Nation to pre∣serve yours; And seeing by the seasonable assistance, af∣forded by this Kingdom to you, and by the late succes∣ses wherewith God hath blessed your Armies, you are in a great measure freed of your trouble, and are in a far better capacity to pay the Money due to our Armies in England and Ireland, then you were at any time since the beginning of these Wars, I am likewise commanded by the Parliament of this Kingdom to demand, and ac∣cordingly do in their Name demand of the Honorable Houses of Parliament, to make payment before the Third of May next, of the sums of Money duly owing by them to this Kingdom, and their Armies in England and Ireland, according to the Treaties between the two Kingdoms (the Accompt whereof will be given in by our Commissioners) hat this Kingdom may be thereby relieved of the great I ••••rthens and pressures of our debts

contracted in this Cause, and be enabled and encouraged for joynt carrying on of the War, till the Church of God be setled in Purity and Peace.

And it is further craved from the Justice of the Ho∣norable Houses of Parliament, that they will take into their serious consideration the great losses sustained by this Kingdom at Sea, through the not attendance of their Ships upon our Coasts, according to the Treaty, and make reparation thereof; and of the losses which Scotland hath sustained by the Irish Invasion, which the Kingdom of England is bound to suppresse by the large Treaty. In all which, the Desires of the Parliament of this Kingdom are no other, then that Religion and Church Government may be setled according to our Covenant, That the War may be carryed on with Brotherly and constant affection, by the joynt Counsels and Forces of both Kingdoms, That a well-grounded and durable Peace may be endeavoured betwixt the King and His Subjects, That payment be made of the sums due to this Kingdom and our Armies by Treaty; and, That (against the malice of our open Enemies, and secret Plots of such as for their own ends are labouring to sow Sedition betwixt Brethren, tyed by so many re∣lations) mutual Amity and Union between the King∣doms, may be strengthned and perpetuated to all poste∣rity. We rest

Your affectionate Friends, and humble Servants, Crawford and Lindsay, President of Parliament.

St. Andrews, 3. Feb. 164••/••.

For the Right Honorable the Lords and Commons as∣sembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster.