ing your owne practise and the
worship of God in your Royall Family, to that Gospell simplicity and
purity which is holden forth from the word of God, in the Directory of
worship, and not only to grant your Royall approbation to the Covenant of
these three Kingdomes (without which, your people can never have from you
sufficient security, either for Religion, or their just liberties) but
also your selfe to joyne with your people therein as the greatest security
under Heaven for your person and just greatness, and to cause all of them
stand to it by your Royall Command, according to the practise of that
gracious King _Josiah_, to whom, wee wish your Majestie in these your
younger yeares, and this beginning of your raigne, to look as to an
ensample and Kingly portract approven of God. These things if your
Majestie do; As wee are well assured, that the hearts of all your good
Subjects in these Kingdomes will be enlarged with all cheerfulnesse to
imbrace your person, and submit unto your Royall Government, so wee darre
promise in the Name of our Lord, that you shall finde favour with God,
peace and joy unspeakable and full of glory to your Soule, and deliverance
out of your sad afflictions and deep distresses in due time: But if your
Majestie shall go on in refusing to hearken to wholesome Councels; We must
for the discharge of our Conscience tell your Majestie in the humility and
griefe of our hearts, that the Lords anger is not turned away, but his
hand stretched out still against you and your Family. But we hope and
shall with all earnestnesse and constancy pray for better things from, and
to your Majestie: And whatsoever misconstruction (by the malice of those
that desire not a right understanding and cordiall conjunction between
your Majestie and this Kirk and Kingdome) may be put upon our declaration;
Yet wee have the Lord to be our witnesse, that our purpose and intention
therein is no other, but to warne and keepe the people of God committed to
our care, that they runne not to any course which would bring upon
themselves the guilt of highest perjury and breach of Covenant with God,
and could not but prove most dangerous to your Majestie and your
Government, and involve you in shedding the blood of those who are most
desirous to preserve your Majesties Person, and just right in all your
dominions. And now wee doe with all earnestnes beseech your Majestie, that
you will follow the courses of truth and peace; And that when