20. the reasons of our not proceeding in that conference and that the cause was not in us We do now as the servants of Iesus Christ for our own exoneration for preventing of mistakes and for a cleare understanding between your Lordships and us represent these our humble desires which we recommend to your Lordships serious thoughts I. That the grounds and causes of undertaking a Warre may be cleared to be so just as that all who are well affected may be satisfied in the lawfulnesse and necessity of the engagement and that nothing be acted in reference to a Warre before the lawfulnesse of the Warre and state of the Question be agreed upon II. That as the breaches of the Covenant by the prevalent party of Sectaries are evident so we desire and hope that according to the Treaty it may be condiscended upon and declared by the parliment what are those breaches of Peace which they take to be a ground of War and that reparation thereof may be sought III. That there may be no such quarrel or ground of the War as may break the Union between the Kingdomes or may discourage or disoblige the Presbyterian party in England who continue firme in adhering to the League and Covenant IV. That if the Popish Prelaticall or Malignant party shall again rise in Armes this Nation and their Armies may be so farre from joyning or associating with them that one the contrary they may oppose them and endeavour to suppresse them as enimies to this Cause and Covenant on the one hand as well as Sectaries on the other V. Seeing your Lordships undertaking should be in the first place for Religion We desire that his Majesties late Concessions and offers concerning Religion as they have been by the Church so may be by the Parliament deelared unsatisfactory whereby your Lordships may give further evidence of the reality of your intentions for the good and safty of Religion VI. That your Lordships may be pleased not to fix or settle upon any such state of a Question as doth not containe security to be had from his Majestie by his solemn Oath under his hand and seal That he shall for Himselfe and his Successors consent and agree to Acts of Parliament enjoyning the League and Covenant and fully establishing Presbyterian Government Directory of Worship and Confession of Faith in all his Majesties Dominions and that his Majesty shall never make opposition to any of these or endeavour any change thereof And that this security be had from his Majesty before his Restitution to the exercise of his Royall power Which desire we propone for no other end but because we cannot see how Religion which hath been and we trust shall be the principal end of all the undertakings of this Nation can be otherwise secured but that without this security it shall be left in very great hazard VII That for the same end of securing Religion which is professed to be the principall cause of engagement and for securing all other ends of the Covenant such persons only may be intrusted by your Lordships to be of your Committees and Armies as have given constant proofe of their integrity and faithfulnesse in this Cause and against whom there is no just cause of exception or jealousie That so we may the more confidently encourage our Flocks and Congregations to follow the Cause of God in their hands and not to doubt of the fidelity of those who shall be entrusted by your Lordships VIII That there may be no engagement without a Solemn Oath wherein the Church may have the same interest which they had in the Solemne League and Covenant the Cause being the same All which desires being duely pondered by your Lordships in an equall balance will we trust be found just and necessary and do not doubt but satisfaction from your Lordships therein may be a happy and effectuall meanes for facilitating the state of the Question and for uniting this Nation in an unanimous undertaking of such duties as are requisite for the Reformation and defence of Religion the Honour and Happinesse of the King the Peace and safty of the Kingdomes A. KER Edinb 27. March 1648. Answers of Parliament to the Desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly represented by them to the Parliament THe Estates of Parliament now conveened in this first Session of the second Trienniall Parliament having considered the desires of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly represented to them They after full debate and consideration concerning the same for answer to the first desire 1. Declares that the grounds and causes of undertaking of war shall be cleared to be so just as that all who are well affected may be satisfied in the lawfulnesse and necessity of the engagement And declares that they will be very carefull that nothing be acted in reference to a warre during the conference and untill the same be reported to the Parliament 2. Item For answer to the second desire The Estates of Parliament thinks fit that the breaches of the Covenant and Treaties be represented And the seeking of Reparation and the best time and manner thereof considered and appoints the Committee of twenty foure or such of their number as they shall appoint to do the same 3. Item For answer to the third desire The said Estates of Parliament declares that this Kingdome will be so farre from making warre against the Kingdome of England That any engagement they shall enter into shall be for strengthening the union betwixt the Kingdomes And for encouraging the Presbyterians and well-affected in England 4. Item For answer to the fourth desire The Estates of Parliament agrees to the substance and matter of this fourth desire And remits to these who are to be upon the conference for stating the question to explaine the same 5. Item To the fist desire The Estates of Parliament for answer to this desire declares That upon the agreement on the haill matter and state of the question they will declare his Majesties concessions concerning Religion not to be satisfactory 6. Item to the sixt desire The Estates of Parliament for answer to this declares That since Religion hath been and they trust ever shall be the principall end of all the undertakings of this Kingdome So they will be carefull that the present question to be stated shall containe security and assurance to be had from his Majesty be his solemne oath under his hand and seale That he shall for himselfe and his Successors give his Royall consent to passe acts of Parliament enjoyning the League and Covenant establishing Presbyterian Government the Directory of worship and Confession of Faith in all his Majesties Dominions and that his Majestie shall never make any opposition to any of these nor indeavour any change thereof And as to that clause viz. That this security be had from his Majestie before his restiution to the exercise of his Royall power The Estates of Parliament remits this to these on the
conference And who shall be appointed for drawing up the state of the question To find out some more smooth expression in place thereof with the like security to Religion 7. Item to the seventh desire The said Estates of Parliament declares that they will be carefull that none shall be employed in the command of their Armies nor in their Committees But such as are of known integrity and affection to the cause and against whom there is no just case of exception Item To the eighth Article or Desire The Estates of Parliament declares That to the grounds of their engagement and undertaking an Oath shall be subjoyned wherein both in the framing of it and otherwayes the Church shall have their due interest And the Estates of Parliament desires the Commission of the Church To appoint some of their number to meet with such of that Committee of Parliament of 24. As shall be appointed by the same Committee for the conference and stating of the question for agreeing upon the grounds of an engagement and drawing up such a state of a question as may unite this Nation in an unanimous undertaking of such duties as are requisite for the Reformation and defence of Religion the safety honour and happinesse of the King and his posterity and the good of this Kingdome Extract forth out of the Books of Parliament By me Sir Alexander Gibson of Durie Knight Clerk of his Majesties Registers Councel and Rolls under my signe and subscription Manuel Alex. Gibson Cler Regist Edinburgh 29. Martii 1648. A humble Representation of the sense of the Commissioners of the General Assembly To the Honourable Estates of Parli upon their L. Answer to the eight Desires lately presented to their Lordships HAving received yesterday the Answer of the Honourable Estates of Parliament to our late Desires presented to their Lordships upon the 22. of this instant We did immediately take to our consideration the particular answers given thereunto And now without any longer delay do humbly represent to their Honours our sense of the Particulars 1. As to the Answer of the first Desire we conceive that notwithstanding any thing expressed in your Lordships Answer there may be an acting in reference to a warre before the lawfulnesse of the Warre and the state of the question be agreed upon which is the very thing we did desire to be avoided 2. In the Answer to our second Desire we neither finde any breaches of peace between the Kingdomes which may be a ground of war condescended upon nor any positive resolution of the Parliament to seek reparation thereof according to the Treaties yet both these were desired by us 3. In the answer to the third desire instead of that clause of the desire The Presbyterian party in England who continue firme in adhering to the League and Covenant we finde this change of expression in the Answers The Presbyterians and well-affected in England which as the words stand may intimate and suppose that there are some well-affected in England which are not of the Presbyterian party nor do adhere to the League and Covenant 4. Our fourth desire for not joyning or associating what the Popish Prelaticall or malignant party if they shall againe rise in Armes and that it may be endeavoured to suppresse them as enemies to the cause and Covenant on the one hand as well as Sectaries upon the other being so just in it selfe so consonant to the former principles and professions of this Kirke and Kingdome since their first engagement in this cause and being also as cleare both in the matter and expression as the Covenant Treaties and Declarations of both Kingdomes we cannot conceive wherein it needs explanation or what doubt or scruple can be made concerning it as it stands unlesse there be now some more favourable and friendly intentions towards the malignant party then formerly which wee pray the Lord to avert And although it is too manifest that some plead for Malignants as if they were to be joyned with as friends rather then avoided as enemies to the cause whereof we have spoken more fully in our late Declaration yet we trust that any such desâ—gne is and shall be far from the thoughts and intentions of the Honourable Court of Parliament 5. Touching the 5 Desire as your Lordships answers ems to supp se his Majeâ—late concessions concerning Religion not to be satisfactory so these concessions being so prejudicial to the cause Covenant We wish your Lordships had been pleased to declare against them both positively without any condition and presently without any delay 6. In the answer to the sixt desire as thereis much said in the first part for security of Religion to be had from his Majesty so that clause viz. That this security be had from his Majesty before his restitution to the exercise of his royall tower not being agreed to by your Lordships but rather laid aside untill some smoother expressions be found out We are left unsatisfied in that which is the maine of that desire and cannot be assured of any security expressed in the first part of your Lordships answer If your Lordships had been pleased to condescend upon another expression containing as good and as reall security for Religion wee should have acquiessed therein without sticking upon words but there being no other expression yet condescended upon and that clause of ours without which the whole desire is lest uncertain laid aside for the present We cannot finde our selves therein satisfied as yet 7. The answer to the seventh Desire concerning such as are to be trusted in Armies and Committees doth omit some of the qualifications expressed in our Desire viz. Such as have given constant proofe of their integrity and faithfulnesse in this cause and against whom there is no just cause of jealousie that so we may the more confidently encourage our flockes to follow the cause of God in their hands and not to doubt of their fidelity Which qualifications being contained in our Desire and omitted in your Lordships Answers We are not without feares that this omission may be made use of by some as if your Lordships had not meant to agree fully to that desire and so take occasion to deale for employing and entrusting such in the Committees and Armies as may be justly excluded by the qualifications contained in our said Desire In the answer to the last Desire in stead of that cleare expression used by us namely That the Kirke may have the same interest in any oath for a new engagement which they had in the solemne League and Covenant We finde this doubtfull and uncertaine expression The Kirke shall have their due interests Which difference of your Lordships expression from ours may also be interpreted by some as if the Kirk had assumed more interest in the League and Covenant than was due unto them Unto these and the like considerations Wee humbly conceive that our Desires unto which we still adhere as just and necessary are
humble desires whereupon the same day we were invited to a new conference with some of their Lordships which did not produce the wished effect and satisfaction which we were waiting for Upon the 28. of March we received the Parliaments answers to our eight Desires which leaving us still unsatisfied did occasion our humble Representation of March 29. whereunto we received no other answer but a desire of Parliament sent us the next day for a conference upon our said Desires and the parliaments answer thereunto and also upon the state of the Question and whole matter But as we were willing to conferre upon our 8 desires and the unsatisfactorinesse of the parliaments answers thereunto so till we should receive a cleer and reall satisfaction to these our desires we Declined a Conference upon the state of a Question for Warre for the Grounds and reasons expressed in our paper of the 30 of March and did accordingly give order to those of our number appointed to conferre But the power given to the Committee of Parliament containing nothing of further satisfaction to be give to our desires that their Conference after some time spent in debates proved no lesse ineffectuall then the former two Upon the 11 April It was Ordered by the Parliament that the demand concerning Religion thought fit by their Lordships to be sent to the Parliament of England should be communicated unto us whereunto we returned an answer by our Paper of the 13. of that moneth And that we might leave no meanes unessayed for satisfaction in those particulars wherein most part of the Provincial Synods hath joyned with us in supplications to the Parliament without which many others as well as our selves could not be satisfied in conscience to concurre in the Engagement We did by our Petition of the 18. further insist with their Lordships in all humility and earnestnesse for satisfaction to our desires and to be cleared upon the whole matter Unto all which we have received no other answers for the satisfaction of our consciences but the Paper delivered in to us from the Parliament upon the 20. of April together with their Lordships Declaration unto which we were remitted for satisfaction in most things we had desired But how great reason we have to be still unsatisfied will appeare by our Answer to their Lordships paper of the 20. of April and by our humble Representation upon the Declaration it selfe expressing more fully our sense of the whole matter and although we might have justly desired some weeks for deliberation about an Answer to so large and so premeditate a Declaration concerning things of so high a nature yet we made much haste that our Representation thereupon was fully agreed and concluded among us upon the eight day after we received the Declaration it selfe If the Honourable Estates of Parliament had been pleased to delay the sending away of their demands to England and the publishing their Declaration to this Kingdom till they had received and considered our Humble Representation thereupon We know not but it might have by the blessing of God conduced much to the preventing of great and sad inconveniences But now their Lordships Declaration being emitted as it is we have too much cause to feare that the Malignant party shall make use of it to the ensnaring of many unlesse timous warning and information be given them For our part it hath been our endeavour which we are confident is desired with us by all the well-affected both in Church and State that there may be no rupture in this Nation but a firme union and conjunction upon the first principles and grounds of engaging in this cause And as we have not been tenacious of words but of things nor of any other things but such as highly concerne the glory of God solemn Covenants and the good safety and security of Religion so we shall be blamelesse before God Angels and men of all the evils distractions and confusions which may follow upon or be occasioned by the not satisfying of so just and necessary desires And now for the result of the whole busines As we were before and still are ready to consent and agree to the engaging acting in war if we were satisfyed in our consciences concerning the grounds of undertaking and the means and ways of prosecuting the same and concerning the other particulars contained in our Papers presented to the Parliament So not being satisfyed in those and looking upon the war as it is now stated matters standing as they do and the whole complex businesse taken together We cannot but with all dutifull respect honour both to his Majesty and to the Estates of Parlia plainly dissent and differ from the same being so far from a cleer satisfaction in our consciences concerning the lawfulnesse and necessity of a War upon the grounds and in the manner expressed in the Declaration of Parliament that contrariwise we are cleerly perswaded in our consciences it is an engagement of most dangerous consequence to the true reformed Religion both in Doctrine Discipline Worship ond Government prejudiciall to the due interest and liberty of the Kirk favourable and advantagious to the Popish Prelaticall and Malignant party inconsistent with the union of the Kingdom and the satisfaction of the Presbyterian party in England and therefore contrary to the Word of God to the Solemn Covenants first Principles and publique Professions of this Kirk and Kingdom and a remedy worse then the disease and a course whereupon we cannot expect a blessing from God For which reasons expressed more fully and particularly in our Representation upon the late Declaration of Parliament we cannot in our consciences allow either Ministers in their places and callings or any others whatsoever to concurre and cooperate in the Engagement but trust that all that have in them true tendernesse of conscience and tremble at the Word of God will by his grace and assistance keep themselvs unspotted and free in this busines and will choose affliction rather then iniquity and take their hazard of suffering rather then of sin believing that the wrath of man shall turne to the praise of God and the remainder of wrath He will restrain We know there is much zeale pretended for the ends of the Covenant uniformity of Religion suppression of Sectaries and the like But the more pretence be made of Religious ends the Malignant designes varnished and painted therewith are unto God and good men so much the more hatefull Doth the same fountain send forth both sweet water and bitter Or how can true zeale against Sectaries lodge in one breast with zeal for Malignants Besides if Religion and the Glory of God be now chiefly aimed at what meaneth the refusing of that satisfaction and security which hath been desired for Religion And if there be such zeal against Sectaries in the Engagement what meant it that not long ago when the dangers of the true Reformed Religion in this Kirk from the prevalent party
received from your Lordships cannot but leave us under just feares and sad apprehensions The third part of your Lordships answer is in reference to our desire of being satisfied upon the whole matter where your Lordships againe referre us to the Declaration as containing the grounds and resolutions of the Parliament on the whole matter This wee are not able to reconcile with that passage in the Declaration where your Lordships professe That you are resolved not to ingage in any War before the necessity and lawfulnesse thereof be cleared so as all who are well affected may be satisfied therewith and that reparation to such breaches or injuries as are or shall be condescended on shall be demanded in such a just and fit way as shall be found most lawfull and expedient The one passage holdeth forth to us satisfaction on the whole matter the other holdeth us still in suspense till the necessity and lawfulnesse of the Warre be cleared and the way of demanding reparation resolved upon for that your Lordships are pleased to say in the end that it is cleare by the Declaration that there is nothing therein which doth crosse the demands concerning Religion or is inconsistent with the security thereof what reason we have to be of another judgement shall appeare to your Lordships in our paper which we are to present to your Lordships concerning the Declaration unto which we referre our selves concerning our sense of other particulars in this businesse not here expressed A. Ker The humble Representation of the Commission of the Generall Assembly To the Honourable Estates of Parliament upon their Declaration lately communicated to us Edinburgh 28. April 1648. SEing your Lordships have been pleased in your Answer to us of the twenty of this Moneth to remit us to your Declaration to the Kingdome for satisfaction to our eight desires formerly presented to your Lordships as likewise to our other desire concerning applications to be made to the King as wel as to the Parliament of England And seeing your Lordships in the same Paper answering our desire to be satisfied in the whole matter were pleased again to remit us to the Declaration as containing the grounds and resolutions of the Parliament on the whole matter We have therefore taken to our serious consideration your Lordships Declaration to look after satisfactory answers to these our desires and to be satisfied in the whole matter But in stead thereof our feares and dis-satisfactions are not a little increased by your Lordships Declaration We shall not search into some particulars in matter of fact mentioned in the narrative part neither shall we be curious after the reason why in so large a Declaration concerning publicke dangers duties and remedies There is no expression for preservation of Monarchicall Government in his Majesties Posterity as well as in his own person To the Preface we shall onely say thus much that we could have wished your Lordships had been pleased to expresse your selves more plainly who are those obstructers and traducers of your Lordships proceedings those deceivers and abusers of the people which your Lordships we suppose point at in reference to this Kingdome the Declaration being intended for the Subjects of this Kingdome whom your Lordships call the abused people If your Lordships meaning be that the People are abused by the lyes and calumnies of Malignants how comes it that so much favour and forbearance is granted to such men If any other then the Malignant party in the Kingdome be meant we should be glad they were made known In the first part of the narrative concerning the necessity occasion and consequence of the conjunction of both Kingdomes We cannot but take notice of that which your Lordships say of those common enemies by whose counsells and practises the composing of differences in the beginning was hindered and what evills this Kingdome might have expected if these counsels and advices which gave first life and motion to these dissentions should have been still prevalent We desire it may not be forgotten who were these common enemies and whose counsell it was that did prevaile about his Majesty in the beginning of these troubles and whether there ought not to be a jealous and watchfull eye over any such if even after their joyning in the Covenant they be found in a way of compliance with known Malignants and in a way of opposition to such as have been most active and zealous in the Cause from the beginning Your Lordships adde that in pursuance of the Covenant this Kingdome joyned in Armes with their Brethren of England and did prosecute these ends till their common enemies were subdued and most of them brought to such condigne punishment as the respective Parliaments thought fit We shall here passe your Lordships omitting of the Treaty between the Kingdomes which may bee thought to have had a neer and immediate influence in reference to the conjunction of these Kingdomes in Armes although the Covenant was the chiefe foundation thereof But whereas your Lordships seem to intimate that the cloud of Malignancy was then sufficiently dissipated or at least that the Covenant was sufficiently performed in bringing Delinquents to such condigne punishment as the respective parliaments thought fit We are sorry that we have cause to remember what forbearance yea favour and friendship hath been granted to many such and we are so far from thinking the danger from these former common enemies past and gone that wee still see Malignancy upon the one hand as Sectarisme upon the other springing up like roots of bitternesse to trouble yea to defile many in these Kingdomes these are the hornes which yet push Judah and Jerusalem on both sides the Lord prepare such Carpenters as may cut off both the one and the other As for the breaches of Covenant which your Lordships insist upon in the following part of your narrative we wish your Lordships to remember a passage in the Declaration of the Generall Assembly and how cautiously they speake of the breach of Covenant in England the words are these We would not be understood as if we meant either to justifie this Nation or to charge such a sin upon all in that Nation We know the Covenant hath been in divers particulars broken by many in both Kingdomes The Lord pardon it and accept a sacrifice and we do not doubt but there are many seven thousands in England who have not onely kept themselves unspotted and retained their integrity in that businesse c. That the Covenant hath been fouly and shamefull broken by as many of the prevalent party of Sectaries and their adherents as ever tooke the Covenant is clear and undeniable and by their means hath come the resisting and hindering of Reformation connivance at Heresie and Schisme and other things contrary to the Covenant But it can as little be doubted of that there are dangerous breaches of Covenant by Malignants both at home and abroad And your Lordships know true zeale against breach of Covenant
that Confession of Faith hath in it some necessary cautions provisoes and explanations which as the Generall Assembly judged necessary to be added in their Act so we do not think that part of your Lordships demand as it stands without any such caution to be safe enough which among other things shewes the danger and inconvenience of your Lordships taking resolutions in things concerning Religion without our advice and consent 5. As we desire that Reformation of and Uniformity in Religion may be endeavoured by your Lordships in all fair lawfull and brotherly wayes according to the Covenant and heartily approve any such desire as your Lordships shall send to the Parliament of England by the advice and consent of this Kirk for in joyning the Covenant and for bringing the Churches of CHRIST in the three Kingdoms to the nearest Conjunction and Uniformity in one Confession of Faith Directory of Worship and Presbyteriall Government So we would be very cautious and tender when such desires are turned into causes of War if not obtained which is the present case as we understand by your Lordships expression in the precedent Paragraph Your Lordships second demand is That the Kings Majesty may come to some of his Houses in or near London with Honour Freedome and Safety that applications may he made to him by Parliaments of both Kingdoms for attaining his Royall assent to such desires as shall be by them presented to him for establishing Religion as is above exprest and setling a well-grounded Peace This demand we conceive to be of dangerous consequence to Religion and the Covenant for the reasons and considerations following which we humbly offer to be considered by your Lordships 1. All applications and desires to his Majesty for Religion are suspended till he come with Honour Fredome and safty to some of his Houses in or neere London We know not what length of time this may draw to or how much danger there may be in the delay 2. The establishing of Religion here mentioned as that which your Lordships intend to desire of his Majestie is according to that which is above expressed where we doubt not your Lordships referre to your first demand which went before Whereas the establishing of Religion in such a manner as is there expressed we do not think safe for the reasons before given 3. We conceive that this second demand amounts to no lesse then the restitution of his Majesty to the exercise of his Royall Power before Applications made and desires presented to him much more before assurance and security had from him for the setling of Religion in the right manner and according to the Covenant For besides what we have expressed in our last Paper presented to your Lordships that this honour freedom and safety is conceived by your Lordships to be such as may enable his Majesty to effectuat his Concessions concerning Religion And what is that lesse then the exercise of his Royall power restored This we further adde that we humbly conceive his Majesties Honour may comprehend or may be made use of as comprehending not only the possession of his Revenews but also the exercise of his Royall Government Next being in freedome he may repare to any part of his Dominions in Scotland England or Ireland And lastly being restored to be in a condition of safety he may provide Forces for guarding Himselfe against all apprehended dangers for if Guards should be set about him by his Parliament it will be said to be contrary to the condition of freedome So that bring restored to some of his Houses in or near London with Honour Freedome and Safety We do not conceive what he shall want of the exercise of his Royall Power Considering withall that neither himselfe nor any others will conceive the Honour Freedome and Safety to be Kingly and such as becomes his Royall Person if he shall want the exercise of his Royall Power Yet this restitution of his Majesty to the exercise of his Royall Power before security had from him for settling Religion Your Lordships know by our eight Desires and other wayes is conceived by us to be inconsistent with the safety and security of Religion 4. If his Majesty were once come with Honour Freedom and Safety to some of his Houses in or neare London We know not what influences he may have upon the Houses of Parliament to obstruct and hinder their presenting of Bils to Him for enjoyning the Covenant abolishing Prelacy and the Booke of Common-prayer Establishing the Confession of Faith Directory of Worship and Presbyteriall Government Or what strength his Majesty so restored may again attain by the assistance of the Popish Prelaticall and Malignant party for a new and bloody Warre to the devastation of these Kingdomes and the ruine of our Religion and Liberties Which things we have the more cause to feare and apprehend his Majesty having declared and professed that he is obliged in conscience to emprove all the power which God shall put in his hands for the establishment of Episcopacy 5. To insist upon the bringing of his Majesty to some of his Houses in or neer London before satisfaction and security had from him in point of Religion and in such other things as are necessary for the safety of the Kingdoms could not as we conceive but be an exceeding great discouragement and offence to the Presbyterians in England who will conceive if such a thing be pressed upon them that the remedy propounded in your demand is worse then the disease And we have also heard that the Parl. of England when they were as free as ever they were would never agree to his Majesties comming to London with honour freedome and safety without security first had from him in such things as are necessary for Religion and the safety of the Kingdome 6. Seeing your Lordships are oblieged by the third Article of the Covenant to defend his Majesties Person and Authority in the perservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdome We conceive your Lordships should not demand from nor presse upon the Kingdome of England His Majesties restitution with Honour Freedom and Safety except with that qualification in the Covenant and with a subordination to Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdoms And how can this subordination according to the Covenant be said to be observed in your Lordsh demand as it stands for if His Majesty be brought to some of His Houses inor near London with Honour Freedome and Safety before so much as applications be made to Him for establishing Religion and Peace we then leave it to your Lordships consciences whether His Majesty shall not be restored to His Honour before Jesus Christ be restored to his Honour and set upon his Throne of Government in His Church whether His Majesty shall not be in a condition of Libertie before the Ordinances of Christ have a free course and whether His Majesties safety shall not be provided for and secured