June_28_1638_Proclamation

Charles, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. To our Lovits

Heralds

Messengers, Our Sherifs in that part, conjunctly and severally expecially constitute greetings. Forsameikle as We are not ignorant of the great disorders, which have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdom of Scoland, occasioned as is pretended, upon the introduction of the Service-Book, Book of Canons, and High Commission, thereby fearing innovation of Religion and Laws. For satisfaction of which fears, We well hoped that the two Proclamations of the eleventh of December, and nineteenth of February, had been abundantly sufficient: Nevertheless, finding that disorders have daily so encreased, that a powerful rather than pursuasive way, might have been justly expected from us: Yet We out of Our innative indulgence to Our People, grieving to see them run themselves so headlong into ruin, are graciously pleased to try, if by a fair way We can reclaim them from their faults, rather than to let them perish in the same. And therefore once for all We have thought fit to declare, and hereby to assure Our good people, that We neither were, are, nor by the Grace of God ever shall be stained with Popish Superstition: But by the contrary, are resolved to maintain the true Protestant Christian Religion already profest within this Our ancient Kingdom. And for farther clearing of scruples, We do hereby assure all men, that We will neither now nor hereafter press the practice of the foresaid Canons and Service-Book, nor any thing of that nature, but in such a fair and legal way, as shall satisfie all Our loving Subjects, that We neither intend innovation in Religion or Laws. And to this effect have given order to discharge all Acts of Council made thereanent. And for the High Commission, We shall so rectifie it with the help of Advice of Our Privy Council, that it shall never impugne the Laws, nor be a just grievance to Our Loyal Subjects. And what is farder fitting to be agitate in general Assemblies and Parliament, for the good and peace of the Kirk, and peacable government of the same, in establishing of the Religion presently profest, shall likewise be taken into Our Royal consideration, in a free Assembly and Parliament, which shall be indicted and called with Our best conveniency. And We hereby take God to witness, that Our true meaning and intention is, not to admit of any innovations either in Religion or Laws, but carefully to maintain the Purity of Religion already profest and established, and no ways to suffer Our Laws to be infringed. And although We cannot be ignorant, that there may be some disaffected persons who will strive to possess the hearts of Our good Subjects, that this our gracious Declaration is not to be regarded; Yet We do expect that the behaviour of all Our good and Loyal Subjects will be such, as may give testimony of their obedience, and how sensible they are of Our Grace and Favour, that thus passeth over their misdemenours, and by their future carriage make appear,

that it was only fear of innovation, that hath caused the disorders which have happened of late within this Our ancient Kingdom. And are confident, that they will not suffer themselves to be seduced and misled, to misconstrue Us or Our Actions, but rest heartily satisfied with Our pious and real intentions, for maintenance of the true Religion and Laws of this Kingdom. Wherefore We require and heartily wish of Our good People carefully to advert to these dangerous suggestions, and not to permit themselves blindly under pretext of Religion, to be led in disobedience, and draw on infinitely, to Our grief, their own ruin, which We have, and still shall strive to save them from, so long as We see not Royal Authority shaken off. And most unwillingly shall make use of that power which God hath endued Us with, for reclaiming of disobedient people.

OUR Will is herefore, and We charge you straightly and command, that incontinent these Our Letters seen, you pass to the Market Cross of our Burgh of Edenburgh, and all other places needful, and there by open Proclamation make publication hereof to all and sundry Our good Subjects, where through none pretend ignornance of the same. The which to do, We commit to you conjunctly and severally Our full power, by these Our Letters, delivering the same by you duly execute and endorsed again to the Bearer.

Given at Our Court of Greenwich the twenty eighth day of June, and of Our Reign the thirteenth year. 1638.

Per Regem.

Upon the sound of the Trumpets a vast conflux of People ran together, a Scaffold was presently erected for the Covenanters, and so soon as the Proclamation was ended, the ensuing Protestation against it was begun and publickly read. The Tenure according to their Printed Copy was thus.