o make their peace with God, And
we heartily wish that their Lordships subsequent proceedings may be reall
testimonies, that their calling for Scripture proofs was from a reall
desire to be informed and edified.

As to their Lordships other desire of our demonstrating from the Word of
God, that the Kirk hath interest in the undertakings and Engagements in
War, and what that interest is, We had thought this point to be without
controversie in this Kingdom, not onely in respect of Kirk and State,
their joyning and co-operating (each in their proper sphere,) in the
former Expeditions of this Kingdom into _England_, but also because the
very Conferences which have been between Committees of Kirk and State
concerning this undertaking and Engagement, doth plainly suppose an
interest of the Kirk in such affairs.

If their Lordships mean any politick interest in such undertakings, we
claim no such thing, if the meaning be of a Spirituall interest and so far
as concerneth the point of Conscience, there can be no doubt thereof made
by such as do with _David_ make the testimonies of the Lord their
Counsellers, _Psalm_ 119. 24. And consult with God as he used to do in
undertaking War: It is also to be remembred that _Joshua_ and all the
Congregation of _Israel_ were commanded to go out and in at the word of
_Eliazer_ the priest, who was to aske councell of the Lord for them,
_Numb._ 27. 28. Hath not the Word of God prescribed to the Christian
Magistrate the Rules of a Lawfull War, And doth it not belong, to
particular Ministers, much more to the Assemblies of the Kirk, to declare
the minde of God from Scripture, for all sorts of duties, and against all
sorts of sins. And if the present War be a case of conscience, and
alledged to be the most fit and necessary means for preservation of
Religion, who seeth not that the Kirk hath an undoubted interest in
resolving and determining such a case of Conscience from the word of God.
This we shall onely adde, that whereas in the Parliaments Letter to the
Presbyteries there instances were adduced by way of reflection upon the
proceedings of the late Commission, as medling with Civill matters in
which they had no Interest, The Commission did in their Printed
Vindication so clear from Scripturall grounds their Interest in such
things as their Lordships might have been easily satisfied in that point.
We shall here onely mention one passage containing a good and safe rule
for such Cases, The Dut