n, the not applying their Doctrine against the
corruptions of the time, which was renewed in our late Assembly at
_Glasgow_ 1638. What hath been done since that Assembly is in recent
memory; and the Papers to that purpose have been published in Print, and
are in the hands of all, Therefore being warranted by the Word of God, and
encouraged by the forementioned examples, as after exact examination, we
have approven the proceedings of the Commissioners of the last Generall
Assembly, and specially their Declarations, Desires, Representatations,
Remonstrances, Supplications, Vindication and other Papers relating to the
present engagment in War, wherein they have given good proof of their
fidelity, wisdom and zeal in the cause of God, So we finde our selves
necessitate to make known unto all the People of God in this Nation our
sense concerning the dangers and duties or this present time.

The cry of the insolencies of this present Army from almost all the parts
of this Kingdom, hath been so great that it hath gone up to heaven, and if
we should be silent, we could not be reputed faithfull in the performance
of our duty. We do acknowledge that it is incident unto all Armies to be
subject unto some disorders, and the Ministers of the Kingdom have not
been deficient in former times to represent the same as they come unto
their knowledge, calling for the redresse of them at their hands who had
power: But the Commissioners of this present Assembly from the severall
Provinces have exhibited great variety or abominable scandals and heinous
impieties and insolencies committed by persons imployed in this service,
whereof we think fitting here to give you a touch.

As if liberty had been proclaimed to the lusts of lewd men, These that
have been imployed in very many places of Land have used horrible
extortion of Moneys at their pleasure, and beside the taking of victuals
as they would for their own use, they have in severall places wilfully
destroyed the same, and have plundred many houses, taking all away they
could and destroying what they could not carry away; in this great
oppression & spoil of goods as the sufferers were many so choise hath been
made of those who Petitioned the High and Honourable Court of Parliament
for satisfaction to their Consciences before the Engagement, or who were
known to make conscience of the worship of God in their families, on whom
they might exercise their raging wrath and unsatiable convetousnesse;