[1643/6/90]¹

Declaration: of the convention to the English parliament

Declaration of the estates to the parliament of England

We have received from the hands of Sir William Armine, baronet, Sir Harry Vane junior, knight, Thomas Hatcher and Henry Darnley, esquires, committees and commissioners of the honourable houses of the parliament of England, their declaration lately sent to us, expressing the present bleeding and distressed estate of that kingdom, and desiring a more near and strict union between the two nations for their mutual defence against the papists, the prelatical faction and their adherents, together with our present aid and assistance for the relief of our brethren of England, remitting all particulars concerning the same to be further communicated to us by their committees and commissioners above-named. Which particulars have accordingly been made known, both to us and to the general assembly of this kirk, by the commissioners of the two houses, who have pursued the same with such great wisdom, fidelity and diligence as has very much furthered the work and deserves a very large testimony on their behalf.

Upon serious considerations whereof, we do declare to these honourable houses that this kirk and kingdom are deeply affected with the sense of the sad and calamitous condition of their brethren of England and are not² ready and willing to contribute their best and utmost endeavours for the preservation of religion, which is no other than the soul, the Protestant party, which is the body, our own lives, who are the members, and the honour and happiness of the king, who is the head of these kingdoms. All these being in so extreme and imminent danger to be utterly ruined by the power and policy of the papists, prelatical faction, malignants and their adherents, the common enemies of both kingdoms now raging in arms as well in England as in Ireland.

For further confirmation hereof, we may truly say that this, our sympathy and willingness to have the counsel and courses of both kingdoms joined together for the common safety of this island, as it has been often largely expressed and promised by the several judicatories of this kirk and kingdom, so it will now most evidently appear by the results of the committees of the assembly and our committees with the commissioners of the honourable houses, and by the other declarations, letters and actions, both of us and the general assembly, concerning the closer union between both kirks and kingdoms for their mutual defence against papists, prelates and malignants and the most effectual means for the saving of the religion, king and kingdoms from the present dangers, of all which the commissioners of the two houses will be the best witnesses, and the papers themselves the clearest evidences and demonstrations. And seeing the general assembly of this kirk do send into England some of their number (men of approved faithfulness and abilities) to be commissioners from them for contributing their best endeavours to encourage the hearts and strengthen the hands of that kirk and kingdom in this cause of God against all their present difficulties and distresses which God in his own good time and way will turn into a comfortable calm, and give issue with the temptation,

We have thought fit hereby to commend the said commissioners, and any other whom we shall send with them, to be received by the parliament of England and assembly of divines there with favour and trust, and have given warrant to them more largely to express the Christian sense and fellow feeling of this kirk and kingdom with their brethren of England, and their willingness and readiness to concur in all good and possible ways for the common safety of the kingdoms, and to satisfy scruples, prevent misapprehensions and remove difficulties that may occur in the way of this great work.

And that nothing might be wanting on our part for prosecuting the common cause and answering the expedition and desires of our brethren of England, both the general assembly and convention of estates being necessitated to adjourn for the good of the business (the extremity of the dangers requiring speedy prevention), they have given very full and ample commission to their commissioners residing at Edinburgh for to do everything that shall be found by common advice necessary and possible for so good ends, being so truly aware of the growing evils and miseries that are ready to overcome our sister kirk and kingdom of England, and through their sides to wound us, that we shall not content ourselves only to manifest our affection in declarations, but when the opportunity serves (so far as lies in us) shall show forth ourselves in every lawful way aware of our own dangers and the extremities of our brethren, to whom we are and desire yet to be more firmly joined in so many near ties and declarations.