and to diminish the Kings
greatnesse and authoritie, and being most willing and desirous to remove
this and all such impediments which may hinder and impede so full and
perfect an Union, and for clearing of our loyaltie, WEE in our own names,
and in name of all the rest of the Subjects and Congregations whom we
represent, do now in all humility represent to your Grace, His Majesties
Commissioner, and the Lords of His Majesties most honourable privie
Councel, and declares before God and the World, that we never had nor have
any thought of with-drawing our selves from that humble and dutiful
obedience to His Majestie, and to his Government, which by the descent &
under the reign of 107 Kings is most chearfully acknowledged by us and our
predecessors: And that we never had, nor have any intention nor desire to
attempt any thing that may tend to dishonour of God, or the diminution of
the Kings greatnesse and authoritie: But on the contrary, acknowledging
our quietnesse, stabilitie and happinesse to depend upon the safety of the
Kings Maj. Person, & maintenance of His greatnesse and Royal authority who
is Gods Vice-gerent set over us, for the maintenance of Religion and
ministration of Justice, We have solemnly sworn and do sweare, not only
our mutual concurrence and assistance for the cause of Religion, and to
the uttermost of our power, with our means and lives, to stand to the
defence of our dread Soveraigne, his Person and authority, in preservation
and defence of the true Religion, Liberties and Lawes of this Kirk and
Kingdome, but also in every cause which may concerne His Majesties honour,
shall according to the Lawes of this Kingdome, and the duties of good
Subjects concurre with our friends and followers in quiet manner, or in
armes, as we shall be required of His Majestie, His Councel, or any having
his Authority. And therefore being most desirous to cleare our selves of
all imputation of this kinde, and following the laudable example of our
predecessors, 1589. do most humble supplicate your Grace, His Majesties
Commissioner, and the Lords of His Majesties most honourable privie
Councell, to enjoyn by Act of a Councel, that this Confession and
Covenant, which, as a testimony of our fidelity to God, and loyaltie to
our King, we have subscribed, be subscribed by all His Majesties Subjects,
of what rank and quality soever.

_The Act of the Lords of Councel at_ Edinburgh, August 30. 1639.
_containing the_ Answer _o