s our own, both Kingdomes being united as
one entire Body in one Covenant, for pursuing the common cause and ends
therein expressed: Yea, common reason and experience it self teaching us
that we have no cause to conceive our Religion, the liberties of this
Church, or our selves to be in a condition of safety, when ever the
enemies of our Religion and Liberties are growing to a prevalency in the
Neighbour Kingdom. Any one of these considerations, much more all of them
together, cry aloud upon us to break our silence in this present Juncture
of Affaires; yet we hope to expresse our selves both concerning the
present Dangers and present Duties, as in a conscionable and Brotherly
freedome, so in, a fair and in offensive way; for we have no pleasure nor
purpose to provoke any Person or Party whatsoever, not to encrease, but to
endeavour the allaying and composing of the present unhappy differences.
If any shall offend at our discharging our conscience & doing our duty,
yet we shall rather chose to take our hazard of that, then of displeasing
God by neglect of duty. But we hope better things, then to be
mis-understood, or mis-interpreted by such as desire a candide
interpretation of their own actions or expressions.

First of all, whatsoever the present discouragements, difficulties or
dangers are, or whatsoever for the future they may be, we cannot but
commemorate to the glory of God, and we doubt not it shall be remembred to
his glory in the Church throughout all ages, How great a salvation his
Mighty Hand and Outstretched Arme hath wrought for these three Kingdomes;
How he stirred up the Spirits of his People in this Kingdome ten yeares
agoe, to begin to shake off the Yoke of Prelatical tyrannie, and of Popish
Ceremonies obtruded upon us, contrary to the Lawes of God and Men; How he
led us on from so small beginnings, & from one degree to another, till we
were United in a National Covenant; How he gave us a Banner to be
displayed for the Truth, and so blessed us in the prosecution of that
Covenant, that the Kings Majesty was graciously pleased upon the humble
Petitions of his Loyal Subjects in this Nation, to indict a General
Assembly and Parliament for healing the grievances of Church and State
respectively, As likewise to grant his Royal consent for Confirming and
Ratifying by Acts of Parliament our National Covenant, & the Government
and Liberties of this Church. After which the new Troubles raised against
us by the mali