state of the afflicted Kirk of _England_
to God, While now by the mercy of God the conjunction of the two Kingdomes
is many wayes increased, the zeale of the Generall Assembly towards their
happinesse ought to be no lesse. But besides these, the Assembly is much
encouraged unto this duetie, both from the Kings Majesty and his
Parliament, joyntly, in their Answer to the proposition, made by the late
Commissioners of the Treaty, in these words: _To their desire concerning
unity of Religion, and uniformity of Kirk government as a speciall meanes
for conserving of peace betwixt the two Kingdomes, upon the grounds and
reasons contained in the paper of the_ 10 _of_ March, _and given in to the
treatie and Parliament of_ England: _It is answered upon the_ 15. _of_
June, _That his Majestie with advise, of both Houses of Parliament doth
approve of the affection of His Subjects of_ Scotland _in their desire of
having conformitie of Kirk government between the two Nations, and as the
Parliament hath already taken into consideration the Reformation of Kirk
government, so they will proceed therein in due time, as shall best
conduce to the glory of God, the peace of the Kirk, and of both
Kingdomes._ And also severally: for His Majestie knoweth that the custodie
and vindication, the conservation and purgation of Religion, are a great
part of the duetie of Civill authority and power. His Majesties late
practise while he was here in person, in resorting frequently to the
exercises of publike worship, His Royall actions, in establishing the
worship and government of this Kirk in Parliament, and in giving order for
a competent maintenance to the Ministery and Seminaries of the Kirk, and
His Majesties gracious Letter to the Assembly (seconded by the speech of
His Majesties Commissioner) which containes this religious expression:
_Where any thing is amisse, we will endeavour a Reformation in a fair and
orderly way, and where Reformation is settled, we resolve with that
authority wherewith God hath vested us, to maintain and defend it in peace
and liberty, against all trouble that can come from without, and against
all Heresies, Sects, and Schismes, wich may arise from within._ All these
doe make us hopeful that His Majestie will not oppose, but advance the
work of Reformation. In like manner the Honourable Houses of Parliament,
as they have many times before witnessed their zeale, so now also in their
Declaration sent to the Assembly, which not