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may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicature of both kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient. 5. And whereas the happiness of a blessed peace betwixt these kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is by the good providence of God granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and settled by both parliaments, we shall each one of us, according to our place and interest, endeavour that they may remain conjoyned in a firm peace and union to all posterity, and that justice may be done upon the wilful opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent article. 6. We shall also, according to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this LEAGUE AND COVENANT, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves, directly, or indirectly, by whatsover combination, persuasion, or terror, to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency of neutrality in this cause, which so much concerns the glory of God, the good of the kingdoms, and the honour of the King; but shall all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein, against all opposition, and promote the same according to our power, against all lets and impediments whatever; and what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed: all which we shall do as in the sight of God..

And because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against God, and his son Jesus Christ, as is too manifest by our present distresses and danger, the fruits thereof; we profess and declare before God and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and the sins of these kingdoms; especially, that we have not as we ought, valued the inestimable benefit of the gospel; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof, and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts, nor to walk worthy of him in our lives, which are the causes of other sins and transgressions, so much abounding among us; and our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and endeavour, for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in public and in private, in all duties we owe to God and Man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the example of a real reformation; that the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation,

and establish these Churches and Kingdoms in truth and peace. And this COVENANT we make in the presence of Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts, shall be disclosed; most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his holy spirit for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the yoke of Antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like association and covenant, to the glory of God, and the enlargement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace and tranquility of Christian Kingdoms and Common-wealths."

This Covenant the Scots were resolved to maintain and to that purpose they sent for General Lesly and other officers from beyond. the sea, providing themselves likewise with arms and ammunition; whilst Dr. Hamilton, who was appointed to allay these heats and distempers seemed secretly to foment them, by spending a great deal of time in declarations, proclamations, messages and letters; and afterwards makes such propositions to the confederates about calling a general assembly, as were very distasteful to the Covenanters and increased their fury: Whereupon Hamilton obtained of the King the sole and unlimited power of managing that affair, and then acquainted them with a declaration which he had procured of the King; That he did discharge the Service-Book, Book of Canons, and high Commission, and likewise did annul and rescind all acts for establishing them, and did discharge the urging the Practice of the five articles of Perth; and that all persons whomsoever shall be liable to the censure of parliament, general assembly, or any other judicatories; according to the nature of the offence; that the ancient confession of faith and band annexed, shall be subscribed and received as in King James's time; that a general assembly be holden_at Glasgow, Nov. 21. 1638, and a parliament at Edinburgh, May 15, 1639; all former offences to pe pardoned, and a general fast appointed.

This declaration being published, the Marquis and Council subscribed the Covenanter's Confession of Faith, &c. yet still some matter remained for a Protestation, which was read by one Johnson; wherein the people were exhorted to consider with whom they had to deal: and exceptions were made against Bishops, and their voting in the assembly; after this they elect commissioners for the assembly, whom they moved to cite the arch-bishops and bishops to appear there,

as guilty persons; which being refused, they themselves present a bill of complaint against them to the Presbytery at Edinburgh, who accordingly warned them to appear at the next general assembly; at their meeting the bishops sent in a protestation against their assembly, which the covenanters would not vouchsafe to read; but presumed to forbid six lords of the privy council to sit in their assembly, though nominated by the King. His Majesty having notice of their proceedings, as to the bishops, and other matters, ordered their assembly to be dissolved, which was done accordingly, Nov. 21, 1638; and the covenanters immediately according to their usual method, issued out a protestation against it, and likewise declared six former meetings (which were opposite to their ways) to be void and of none effect; and soon after they abolished episcopacy and then prepared for a war, as being sensible that the King would maintain the rights of the bishops, and would likewise strictly call them to account for their late transactions.

About this time, a letter was sent by the Scots to the King of France, to implore his assistance, signed by several of the nobility; the King of England prepares an army for Scotland, with which in the year 1639, he marcheth in person into the north; but while he stayed at York, some of the Scots nobility tampered with the English, telling them that the ruin of the Scots would enable the King to be more severe towards his English subjects; by which intelligence and correspondence it was evident that the English had no mind to fight, though their army was much stronger than the Scots; whereupon by the mediation of some persons a treaty of peace was begun, and soon finished; wherein it was agreed, that his Majesty should publish a declaration, whereby all should be confirmed which his commisioners had promised in his name, that a general assembly and a parliament be held at Edinburgh in a short time: and lastly, that upon disbanding their forces, dissolving their councils, and restoring the King to his forts and castles, &c. the King was to recal his fleet and forces, and make restitution of their goods since the breach.

The King's declaration was no sooner pubished but the convenanters set forth another protestation, for adhereing to their assembly at Glasgow, and their covenant; whereupon the King, who intended to be present at the general assembly, not finding the Scots punctual in performing articles, and perceiving they would treat of some matters distasteful to him, goes into England; after which the assembly sat at Edinburgh and abolished Episcopacy, the Liturgy,

High Commission, and Book of Canons; and then made several demands of the King of a various nature.

His Majesty understanding how things went, and that the Scots levyed taxes and prepared arms, he commanded by his Commissioner, the Earl of Traquair, that their parliament should be adjourned for some time; but the covenanters declared against this command, and sent remonstrance to the King; and afterwards Hamilton and Traquair, likewise came to London, where there were such proceedings, as did the more exasperate the jarring parties against each other.

In this year 1639, a Spanish fleet of near seventy sail, and twenty five thousand men, designed to be landed at Dunkirk for the relief of Flanders, were set upon by the Dutch in the Downs, and eleven of them taken and sent into Holland; three perished on the coast of France, one near Dover, and five were sunk in the fight. What the real intent of this fleet was is yet uncertain; for it seemed unlikely that twenty-five thousand men should be sent only for a recruit, and the Admiral refusing to shew his commission when required thereto by the King, makes it seem yet more suspicious.

The Scots commissioners having delivered their message, return home to Edinburgh, November 19, 1639, the same night a great part of the castle-wall fell down, and the anniversary of the King's birth day. Awhile after, the King sent Lord Estrich and others, to repair the walls, who were resisted by the covenanters, as not judging the Lord Estrich to be a fit governor for the castle; which office was designed him by the King. The King being hereat extremely offended, resolved, since fair means would not prevail, to force the Scots to reason; and to that end considers how to make provisions for men and money; and calling a secret cabinet council, consisting only of Arch-bishop Laud, the Earl of Strafford, and Duke Hamilton (who drove on his own particular interest) it was concluded, that for the King's supply a parliament must be called in England and another in Ireland; but because the debates of parliament would take up some time, it was resolved, that the Lords should subscribe to lend the King money. The Earl of Strafford subscribed twenty thousand pounds, the Duke of Richmond as much; but Hamilton pretended poverty, preserving his money for other uses; the rest of the lords, judges, officers, and other dependants, and many of the gentry, yea even several Popish recusants, contributed according to their ability.

The Scots on the other side foreseeing the storm, prepared for their own defence, making treaties in Denmark, Sweden, Holland

and Poland; and the Jesuits, (who are never idle,) did likewise endeavour to foment the differences; to which end, Con the Pope's Nuncio, Sir Tob. Matthews, Read and Maxwell, two Scots, endeavoured to persuade the discontented people, that the King designed to enslave them to his will and pleasure. Which practices of theirs were discovered by Andreas Habernsfield, a nobleman of Bohemia, who declared, that many of the nobility of England, and chief favorites at court, were consenting to these transactions, and particularly the Earl and Countess of Arundel, Secretary Windebank, and Endymion Porter. Con also performed the part of a fire-brand, as all his successors, the Pope's Nuncios that came after him, did likewise; and had formerly offered a Cardinal's cap to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in the Pope's name.

In the year 1640, and the sixteenth of the King, a parliament was called at Westminster, April 13, in which the Earl of Strafford was highly honoured for his good service in Ireland, in obtaining four subsidies, to maintain ten thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse. And that England might follow this example, the King tells the parliament, that if they would supply him, so as to suppress the insolencies of the Scots, he would acquit his claim to ship-money, and give satisfaction to their just demands. By which proposals the parliament were sensible of the King's necessities, and therefore required; satisfaction. 1. For clearing the property of the subject. 2. For establishing the true religion. 3. For privilege of Parlia

ment.

But whilst they were debating whether the grievances of the people or the King's supply should be first considered, and matters were in an hopeful posture, secretary Vane, either accidently or on purpose, overthrew all at once, by declaring that the King required twelve subsidies, whereas he at that time only required six, which so much enraged the house, and made things so ill that by the advice of the Juncto, the parliament was dissolved, having only sat twenty two days; however the privy council likewise advised their dissolving, being assured the heats in the house of Commons were so great, that they intended that very day to have voted against the war with Scotland; whereby the King would have been in a worse condition than before their sitting.

About the same time a convocation of bishops sat, with commission to make such canons as they judged for the peace of the Church; and amongst other things, they imposed an oath called, &c. (Et cetera) as an anti-covenant against the Scots; which because it occasioned much difference, may not be unfitly inserted.