mblies Answer to the Paper sent from the Committee of Estates of
the 24. July._

The Generall Assembly having considered the Paper of the _24. July_
delivered to them from the conference, and having compared it with the
other Paper of the 17. of _July_ presented from the Honourable Committee
of Estates whereunto it relates, and with the Declaration lately emitted
by the Committee to the Parliament and Kingdom of _England_, finde that it
is supposed by their Lordships, that we may be satisfied in point of the
security of Religion according to the Covenant; notwithstanding of the
present engagement in war; The Assembly do therefore in answer to the said
Paper declare, That we see no possibility of securing Religion, as long as
this unlawfull Engagement is carried on, Religion being thereby greatly
endangered,

1. Because none of the just and necessary desires of the Commission of the
late General Assembly for securing Religion have been granted or
satisfied; More particularly it was represented to the High and Honourable
Court of Parliament, that for securing of Religion, it was necessary that
the Popish, Prelaticall and Malignant party, be declared Enemies to the
Cause upon the one hand, as well as Sectaries upon the other, and that all
Associations, either in Forces or Councels with the former as well as the
latter be avoided. That his Majesties Concessions and offers concerning
Religion, sent home from the Isle of _Wight_, be declared by the
Parliament to be unsatisfactory, That before his Majesties restitution to
the exercise of his Royall power assurance be had from his Majesty by his
solemn Oath under his hand and Seal for settling Religion according to the
Covenant, That their Lordships should keep themselves from owning any
quarrel concerning his Majesties Negative voice, That the managing of the
publike affairs, might be intrusted onely to such persons as have given
constant proof of their integrity, and against whom there is no just cause
of exception or jealousie, and that there might be no Engagement without a
solemn Oath, wherein the Kirk ought to hand the same interest they had in
the solemn League and Covenant; All which are more particularly expressed
in the Papers given in by the Commission of the late Assembly to the
Parliament; notwithstanding the Engagement hath been carried on without
satisfaction to these and the like desires, and so without giving security
in the point of Religion, but with great