The practice of the Five Articles of Perth hath been withstood by the most considerable part of the Subjects of all qualities, both Laity and Clergy, whereby great Divisions have been in this Church, and are like to have an increase, if Your Majesty, (in Your accustomed goodness and care of this poor Kirk and Kingdom) shall not be graciously pleased to allow that the pressing of these Articles may be forborn until the same may be considered of in an Assembly and Parliament; and although we conceive Episcopacy to be a Church-Government most agreeable with Monarchy, yet the illimited power which the Lords of the Clergy of this Kingdom have of late assumed to themselves, in admitting and deposing of Ministers, and in divers others of their Acts and Proceedings, gives us just ground humbly to beg, that Your Majesty may be pleased to remit to the Consideration of the Assembly this their unwarranted Power.
The sense and apprehension of these foresaid Evils, hath stirred up the Subjects without warrant of Authority, to join in a Bond and Covenant to withstand the foresaid Innovations, and for maintainance of the true Religion, the Kings Majesties Person, and of one another in the defence thereof.
If your Majesty might be graciously pleased in supplement hereof, to allow or warrant such a Confession of Faith, with such a Covenant or Bond joyned thereto, as that signed by Your Majesties Father, and by His Command, by the Council and most part of the Kingdom, we are very confident the same would be a ready and forcible mean to quiet the present Disorders, at least to satisfie most part; and if Your Majesty shall condescend to the foresaid Propositions, we are hopeful, if not confident, it shall give so great content to so considerable a number of Your Majesties good Subjects, of all qualities, that if any shall stand out, or withstand Your Majesties Royal Pleasure, after the publication thereof, they may be overtaken by Your Majesties Power within this Kingdom, without the help or assistance of any Force elsewhere.
And because it is to be hoped, that all that hath past in this business, and all the Courses that have been taken herein by the Subjects, hath proceeded from the foresaid Fears of Innovations, and not out of any Disloyalty or dissatisfaction to Soveraignty, and that Your good People may still taste the fruits of Your Grace and Goodness, we wish Your Majesty may be graciously pleased, upon the Word of a King, to pardon what is past, and never so much as to take notice of any of the Actions or Proceedings of what person soever, who after this shall carry himself as becomes a dutiful Subject, and in testification thereof shall give his best assistance for settling the present Disorders.
And if Your Majesty may be pleased to condescend hereto, we conceive all Your Majesties Subjects, Petitioners or Covenanters, should acquiesce, and rest heartily satisfied therewith; and if any shall be so foolish or mad, as notwithstanding this Your Majesties grace and goodness, still to disturb the Peace of Your Majesties Government, we in testification of our hearty thankfulness to our Soveraign, by these, humbly and heartily make offer of our Lives and Fortunes, for assisting Your Majesty, or Your Commissioner, in suppressing all such Insolences or insolent persons.
| Signed | Hamilton. | Roxburgh. |
| Traquair. | Southesk. |
1638.—September 9.
62. New Instructions by the King to Hamilton.[87]
Charles R.
I. You shall in full and ample manner, by Proclamation or otherwise, as you shall see cause, declare, That We do absolutely revoke the Service-Book, the Book of Canons, and the High Commission.