Sess. I. August 2, 1643.
The King’s Letter to the Generall Assembly, presented by His Majesties Commissioner, Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall, Knight, His Majesties Advocate.
Charles R.
TRUSTIE and wel-beloved, We greet you well. The time now approaching for the holding of the General Assembly of Our Kirk of Scotland, and We having appointed Sir Thomas Hope, Our Advocate, to be our Commissioner there, We thought good to present him there with these Our Letters, and to take this occasion to minde you of the duty which you owe to Us your Soveraigne, and to the peace of that Our Native Kingdome. How far We have lately extended Our grace and favour towards satisfaction of your humble desires, there is not any amongst you but may well remember: And therefore in this conjuncture of Our affairs, it is but reasonable that We expect from you such moderation in the dutifull proceedings of this Assembly, as may concurre with Our Princely inclinations and desires, to preserve that Kirk and that our Kingdom in peace; having wel observed that alterations in points of Religion, are often the inlets to civill dissentions, and the hazard, if not overthrow of both Kirk and Kingdomes. Therefore of Our great affection and speciall tendernesse to your peace (who, of all Our Dominions, are yet happie therein to the envy of others) We conjure and require you in the fear of God, and obedience of Us his Vicegerent, that your endeavours and consultations tend onely to preserve peace and quietnesse among you. And so We bid you farewell. Given at our Court at Oxford, the 22 day of July, 1643.
To our right trusty and welbeloved Counsellour, Sir Thomas Hope, Knight, Our Advocate Generall, and Our Commissioner at the Generall Assembly of the Kirk in Our Kingdome of Scotland, and to the rest of the said Assembly now conveened.
Sess. II. August 3, 1643.
Overtures anent Bills, References, and Appeales.
I.
THAT all Bills whatsoever of particular concernment, whereunto all parties having interest are not cited, should be rejected.
II. That all Bills be first presented to the inferiour Judicatories of the Kirk, who may competently consider of them, and from them be orderly and gradatim brought to the Assembly, according to the order prescribed for Appellations in the Assembly of Edinburgh, 1639, in the 24 Sess. August 30.