King Charles June 28 01

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 con-
stitute 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 Proclama-
tions of the eleventh of December, and nineteenth of February, had been
abundantly sufficient: Nevertheless, finding that disorders have daily so en-
creased, that a powerful rather than pursuasive way, might have been justly
expected from us: Yet We out of Our innative indulgence to Our People, griev-
ing 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 consi-
deration, 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,