Forsomuch as it hath pleased his Majestie, out of his pious and religious disposition to the true Religion, and out of his fatherly care for removing of all feares, doubts, and scruples which may arise in the mindes of his subjects, for preservation of the puritie thereof, and upon divers other great and weighty causes, importing the glory of God, the peace of the Kirke and Common-weale of this Kingdome, to appoint and give order, that the Soveraigne and High Court of Parliament shall be holden at the Citie of Edinburgh upon the 15. day of May next to come, with continuation of dayes: Therefore the Lords of secret Councell ordain letters to be direct to Maissars and officers of Arms, charging them to passe to the market Crosse of Edinburgh, and other places needfull, and there by open Proclamation to make publication of the holding of the said Parliament, and to warne all and sundry Noblemen, Prelates, and Commissioners for the Barons and Burrowes, and all others having voice and place in the said Parliament, that they and every one of them, in their most decent and comely manner, make their addresse to the said Parliament, attend and await thereat during the time thereof, and to discharge that duty which is incumbent to them, and each one of them, as they will answer on the contrary at their perill.
1638.—September 22.
69. Letter from the King to the Privy Council.[93]
Apud Holy-rood-house Septemb. 22. 1638.
The which day James Marquesse of Hamiltoun His Majesties Commissioner, produced and exhibited before the Lords of Privie Councell, the two Missive underwritten, signed by the Kings Maiestie, and directed to the said Lords, which being read, heard and considered by the said Lords, They have ordained, and ordaines the name to be inserted and registred in the books of secret Councell, therein to remaine ad futuram rei memoriam, whereof the tenour followeth.
Charles R.
Right trusty, &c. being certainly informed that the distractions which have happened of late, (both in Church and Commonwealth) in this Our ancient Kingdome of Scotland, have much troubled the minds of many of Our good and loyall subiects; and that these distractions have beene occasioned upon jealousies and feares of innovation of Religion and Lawes, as tending to the introduction of Poperie, and not without some suspition as if Wee Our selfe were inclined that way; Upon occasion whereof, many of Our subjects have of late subscribed a band or Covenant for preserving the true Religion and Lawes already established, and for defending the Kings person, and each others, in defence thereof: But the same not being warranted by Royall authority (as that which was in Our deare Fathers time) must needs of it selfe be ineffectuall, and much prejudiciall to the ancient Forme and Custome of government kept within that Our Kingdome of Scotland: Wherefore Wee, out of Our inborne love to Our said native Countrie, and for obviating these conceived feares, and satisfying of you and all Our loving people, have thought good to ordaine the Confession of Faith, and band subjoyned thereto, of the date at Edinburgh, Januarie 28. 1580. and signed by Our Royall Father to bee renewed: And to that effect have given Order to Our Commissioner, with advice of Our Councell, to set downe and settle some solid course, whereby the same may be subscribed by Our Councell, Judges, Magistrates of Burroughes, and all other Our people of that Kingdome. And for further clearing of Our selfe, Wee declare, That as We are and ever have beene satisfied in Our judgment and conscience for the reformed Religion now established, and against the Roman: so Wee purpose, by Gods grace, both to live and die in the practice thereof, and to preserve and maintaine the same in full strength and integritie, according to the Lawes of that Our ancient Kingdome. What We have thought further fitting to be done at this time, concerning the particulars contayned in Our subjects petitions; you shall receive Our full pleasure therein from Our Commissioner. And that this Our Declaration concerning Our selfe, and Our pious intention, for settling the Reformed Religion within that Our Kingdome may appeare to posteritie. Our pleasure is, that these presents be registred in the Books of Councell.
Oatlands, Septem. 9. 1638.
1638.—September 22.
70. Act of Council.[94]
The Lords of secret Councell having read and maturely considered his Majesties letters, and particular declaration of his pleasure anent the annulling of the Service Book, book of canons, and high Commission, discharging the pressing of the practice of the five Articles, making all persons Ecclesiastick and Civill, of what title or degree soever, lyable to the triall and censure of Parliament, general Assembly, & other judicatories competent, anent the not administrating to ministers at their entry any other oath than that which is contained in the act of Parliament anent the subscribing and renewing the confession of faith, subscribed by his Majesties Father of blessed memory, and his houshold, in Anno 1580. and band following thereupon, anent the indiction of a generall Assembly, to be holden at Glasgow the 21. day of November 1638, and Parliament at Edinburgh the 15 of May, 1639. and anent his gracious goodnesse in forgetting and forgiving all by-gones, and indiction of a fast for craving of God’s blessing to this Assembly; finde themselves so fully satisfied therewith, and the same to be so satisfactorie for removing all the fears of the subjects anent innovation of religion or laws, that we hold our selves bound in dutie, not only to acquiesse therewith, as the best mean to secure both religion and laws, but also to use our best endeavours, that all his Majesties good subjects may likewise rest satisfied therewith. And that they with us, and we with them, may testifie our thankfulnesse for so great a grace and goodnesse with all the hearty expressions of dutifulnesse and loyalty, and that our true sense hereof may the more clearly appear to our Sacred Soveraigne; We do by these humbly and heartily make offer of our lives and fortunes in the defending and assisting of his Majesties sacred person and authority; in the maintenance of the foresaid religion and confession, and repressing of all such as shall hereafter presse to disturbe the peace of this Kirk and Kingdome.