scribe, or have the benefit of, no not
himself as Earle of _Traquair_. The tenor whereof follows:

Seeing this Assembly, according to the laudable form and custome
heretofore kept in the like cases, have in an humble and dutiful way,
supplicate to us His Majesties Commissioner, and the Lords of His most
honourable Privie Councel, That the Covenant, with the explanation of this
Assembly, might be subscribed: And to that effect that all the Subjects of
this Kingdome by Act of Councel be required to doe the same: And that
therein for vindicating themselves from all suspitions of disloyaltie, or
derogating from the greatnesse and authoritie of our dread Soveraigne,
have therewith added a Clause, whereby this Covenant is declared one in
substance with that which was subscribed by His Majesties Father of
blessed memory 1580, 1581, 1590. and oftner since renewed. Therefore I as
His Majesties Commissioner, for the full satisfaction of the Subjects, and
for settling a perfect Peace in Church and Kingdome, doe according to my
foresaids Declaration and Subscription, subjoyned to the Act of this
Assembly of the date the 17 this instant, allow and consent that the
Covenant be subscribed throughout all this Kingdome. In witnes whereof I
have subscribed the premisses.

_Like as his Majesties Commissioner, read and gave in the Declaration
following, of his consent to the Act of the Assembly_ 17. August, _anent
the causes of our by gone evils._

I _John_ Earle of _Traquair_, His Majesties Commissioner this present
Assembly, doe in His Majesties Name declare, that nothwithstanding of His
Majesties own inclination, and many other grave and weightie consideration
yet such is His Majesties incomparable goodnesse, that for settling the
present distractions, and giving full satisfaction to the Subject, He doth
allow, like as I His Majesties Commissioner do consent to the foresaid
Act, and have subscribed the premisses.

_Like as His Majesties Commissioner, read and gave in the Declaration
following:_

It is alwayes hereby declared by me His Majesties Commissioner, That the
practise of the premisses, prohibited within this Kirk and Kingdome,
outwith the Kingdome of _Scotland_ shall never bind nor inferre censure
against the practises outwith the Kingdome; which when the Commissioner
required to be insert in the Register of the Kirk, and the Moderator in
name of the Assembly, refused to give warrant for such practise, as not
ag