If it be discharged, nevertheless the Assembly will be keeped by the Rebels, and the same things done in it by them, and thereafter maintained by the generality of the Kingdom: this consequently will bring alongst with it the certain loss of Civil Authority, and so necessitate the re-establishing the same by Force, or otherwise the desertion of that Kingdom.
So it is to be resolved on, whether it be fit to give way to the Madness of the People, or of new to intend a Kingly Way?
If way be given to what is mentioned, it is to be considered in that case, if the King shall be personally present or not; if not present, who shall be imployed, and how instructed?
If the Kingly Way be taken, what shall be the means to effectuate the intended end; particularly how Money may be levied for the waging of this War, and if that be feisible without a Parliament?
If a Parliament, what the Consequence may prove? So all may be summed up in this; Whether to permit the Abolishing of Episcopacy, the lessening of Kingly Power in Ecclesiastick Affairs, the Establishing Civil Authority in such manner as the Iniquity of the Times will suffer, and to expect better; and what will be the Consequence of this if way be given thereto: or to call a Parliament in England, and leave the event thereof to hazard and their discretions, and in the interim Scotland to the government of the Covenanters?
1639.—July 17.
61. Private Warrant from King Charles I. to the Marquis of Hamilton, to converse with the Covevanters.[224]
Charles R.
We do, by these presents, not only authorise, but require you to use all the means you can with such of the Covenanters as come to Berwick to learn which way they intend the estate of Bishops shall be supplied in Parliament, what our power shall be in ecclesiastical affairs, and what farther their intentions are: for which end you will be necessitated to speak that language which, if you were called to an account for by us, you might suffer for it. These are, therefore, to assure you, and, if need be, hereafter to testify to others, that whatsoever you shall say to them to discover their intentions in these particulars, you shall never be called in question for the same, nor yet it prove anyways prejudicial to you; nay, though you should be accused by any thereupon.
To our Trusty and well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor, the Marques of Hamilton.