consisting of an House of Lords and of an House of Commons there, and in those things that concern Religion to prefer the counsels of the Ministers of the Gospel to all other Counsels whatsoever; And that al the world may see how much he tenders the safety of his people, and how precious their blood is in his sight, and how desirous he is to recover his Crown and Government in England by peaceable means, as he doth esteem the service of those who first engaged in the Covenant, and have since that time faithfully followed the ends thereof, to be duty to God, and Loyalty to him; So is he willing in regard of others who have been involved in these late commotions in England against Religion and Government, to pass an Act of Oblivion, Excepting only some few in that Nation who have bin chief obstructers of the work of Reformation, and chief Authours of the change of the Government and of the murther of his Royall Father; Provided that these who are to have the benefit of this Act lay down Arms and return to the obedience of their lawfull Soveraign. The Committee of Estates of the Kingdom and General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, having declared so fully in what concerns the Sectaries and the present designs, resolutions, and actings of their army against the Kingdom of Scotland, and the same Committee and Assembly having sufficiently layd open publick dangers and duties both upon the right hand and upon the left, It is not needful for his Majesty to adde anything thereunto, except that in those things he doth Commend and Approve them, and that he resolves to live and die with them and his loyal subjects, in prosecution of the ends of the Covenant.

And whereas that prevailing party in England, after all their strange usurpations and insolent actings in that land, do not only keep his Maiesty from the government of that Kingdom by force of Arms, but also have now invaded the Kingdom of Scotland, who have deserved better things at their hands, and against whom they have no just quarrel, His Majestie doth therefore desire and expect that all his good subiects in England, who are and resolve to be faithfull to God and to their King, according to the Covenant, will lay hold upon such an opportunity, and use their utmost endeavours to promove the Covenant and all the ends thereof, and to recover and reestablish the ancient government of the Kingdom of England (under which for many generations it did flourish in peace and plenty at home, and in reputation abroad), and priviledges of the Parliament and native and just liberty of the people. His Majestie desires to assure himself that there doth remain in these so much confidence of their duty to Religion, their King, and country, and so many sparkles of the ancient English valour, which shined so eminently in their noble ancestors, as will put them on to bestir themselves for breaking the yoke of those men's oppressions from off their necks. Shall men of conscience and honor set religion, liberties, and government at so low a rate as not rather to undergo any hazard before they be thus deprived of them? Wil not all generous men count any death more tolerable than to live in servitude all their dayes? And wil not posterity blame those who dare attempt nothing for themselves, and for their children, in so good a

cause, in such an exigent? Whereas if they gather themselves, and take courage, putting on a resolution answerable to so noble and just an enterprise, they shall honour God, and gain themselves the reputation of pious men, worthy patriots, and loyall subjects, and be called the repairers of the breach, by the present and succeeding generations; and they may certainly promise to themselves a blessing from God upon so just and honourable undertaking for the Lord and for His cause, for their own liberties, their native King and country, and the unvaluable good and happines of the posterity. Whatever hath formerly bin his Majesties guiltines before God, and the bad successe that these have had who owned his affairs whilst he stood in opposition to the work of God, yet the state of the question being now altered, and his Majesty having obtained mercy to be on God's side, and to prefer God's interest before his own, he hopes that the Lord wil be gracious and countenance His own cause in the hands of weak and sinfull instruments against all enemies whatsoever. This is all that can be said by his Majestie at present to these in England and Ireland at such a distance; And as they shal acquit themselves at this time in the active discharge of their necessary duties, so shal they be accepted before God, endeared to his Majesty, and their names had in ramembrance throughout the world. Given at our Court at Dumfermline the 16 day of August 1650, and in the second year of our Reign.

2 G

VOL. II.

INDEX