nall Covenant, which was approven by the King who lately Reigned, As
long therefore as his Majesty who now Reignes, refuses to hearken to the
just and necessary desires of State and Kirk, propounded to his Majesty
for the Security of Religion, and safety of his People, and to engage and
oblige himself, for the performance of his Duty to his People, It is
consonant to Scripture and reason and the Laws of the Kingdom, that they
should refuse to admit him to the exercise of his Government, untill he
give satisfaction in these things.

3. In the League and Covenant which hath been so solemly sworne and
renewed by this Kingdom, the Dutie of defending and preserving the Kings
Majesties Person and Authority is joyned with, and subordinat unto the
dutie of preserving and defending the true Religion and Liberties of the
Kingdoms: And therefore his Majestie standing in opposition to the just
and necessary publick desires concerning Religion and Liberties, it were a
manifest Breach of Covenant, and a preferring of the Kings interest to the
interest of _Jesus Christ_, to bring him to the exercise of his Royal
power, which he, walking in a contrary way, and being compassed about with
Malignant Counsels, cannot but employ unto the prejudice and ruin of both.

4. Was not an Arbitrary Government and unlimited power, the fountain of
most of all the Corruptions both in Kirk and State? And was it not for
restraint of this, and for their own just defence against Tyranny and
injust violence, which ordinarily is the fruit and effect of such a power,
that the Lords People did joyn in Covenant, and have been at the expense
of so much blood, pains and treasure these yeers past? And if his Majestie
should be admitted to the exercise of his Government before satisfaction
given, were it not to put in his hand that Arbitrary Power, which we have
upon just and necessary grounds been so long withstanding, and so to
abandon our former Principles, and betrary our Cause?

5. The King being averse from the Work of Reformation and the instruments
thereof, and compassed about with Malignant and disaffected men, whom he
hearkens unto as his most faithfull Counsellers, and looks upon as his
best and most Loyall Subjects, We leave it to all indifferent men to
judge, whether his Majestie, being admitted to the exercise of his Power
before satisfaction given, would not by such Counsells endeavour an
overturning of the things which GOD hath wrought amongst us, a