An Account of Scotlands Grievances

When, in the year 1660., it pleased God to restore his Ma ^tie. to these his kingdoms; with how cordial and universal a Joy this blessing was welcomed by Scotland, is almost still recent in every ones remembrance: Neither was this Joy a mere raptour of passion, or its demonstrations confined to transient expressions; if his Ma ^tie. had done all for himself and us, which God did for both, the real and solid retributions of our acknowledgement could hardly have been more large. I shall not at present descend to a full enumeration of instances, the whole tenor of the greatest part of the Acts, past in Par ^lt in the years 61. and 62., do make but one entire evidence; yet there are a few things which do well deserve a more particular observation.

As first, that upon occasion of our former troubles, and as if their cause and rise had only been from the people's mutiny, takeing advantage of the defects or neglects of the regal power, that might have prevented it; We did establish, both by Acts, oaths, and subscriptions, his Ma ^ties. prerogative, to be absolute and incontrollable, in the choice of all Officers of State, Counselors and Judges, and in and over all matters of peace, war, leagues, bonds, meetings, conventions and Parliaments, with a distinct exclusion of all exceptions. It is true, that many did even then think this a streatch beyond what the frailties of men, and casualities of human affairs, can reasonablie allow, and that it is no less wisdom, to veil the sacred heights of Sovereigntie under the shreine of an uncontroverted supposal; then to expose them, by perremptorie determinations, to the cavillings of irresistible exigencies; and therefor did prefer the moderation of our Ancestors, who notwithsstanding the frequent occurrence of many more violent provocations, yet did ever leave these points, in that fair indefinitnesse, which duty doth always construe to an universality, without interfeiring with the pretences of necessity: But heavens extraordinary favor, did at that time so second the constancy of our love to a Prince so long wished for, that our great persuasions of his singular enduements, without any regard to the peevish cautions of scrupulous prudence, were the only measures of our concessions, and therefor

2dly, our loyalty did not here subsist, but notwithstanding that the foundest policy hath always judged, the power in the Prince and purse with the people to be the justest balance of government, yet we, forgetting all preceeding distresses, to testify the abundance of our affection by the rarest indication whereof our Nation is capable, do francklie add to his Ma ^ties. revennue, above the double of what he formerly possessed; and do netly grant him, by a voluntary establishment, more, I am persuaded, then ever his benign disposition would have exacted, upon an absolute surrender: And indeed this, our liberal offer, was, at that time, so rightly esteemed the utmost of our ability, that, amongst other motives mentioned in the Act of Par ^lt. it is expresselie set down, That his Majesty had signified his resolution not to raise anymore Sess ; and yet how often, since that time, our benevolence hath by Commissioners been drawn forth, beyond our power, upon pretext of his Ma ^ties. occasions; the taxations and assessements that have been imposed on us, within these few years, do planlie witness, But

3dly, so exuberant were the propensions of our hearts toward his Ma ^tie. , that, as if all this subjection professed and liberality offered, had been far short of duty, we further, by an Act entitled, An humble tender to his sacred Ma ^tie. of the duty and loyalty of his ancient kingdom of Scotland, mancipat our very liberties and persons to his Ma ^ties. devotion and service; and do thereby in acknowledgment of our duty, make humble and hearty offer to him of 20000. footmen and 2000. horsemen, sufficiently armed, and furnished with forty days provision, to be in readiness upon his Ma ^ties. call, for the ends there mentioned: And by the same Act the Par ^lt. doth declare, that if his Ma ^tie. should have further use of their service, the kingdom would be ready; every man betwixt sixty and sixteen, to join and hazard their lives and fortunes, as they shall be called for by his Ma ^tie. , for the safety and preservation of his sacred person, authority, and government.

4thly, That there might be nothing wanting to these ample expressions of our loyalty, the Par ^lt. by another Act, in dutiful and humble recognizance of his Ma ^ties. prerogative royal, doth declare, that the ordering and disposeall of Trade with foreign nations, and the laying of restraints and impositions upon foreign imported commodities, do belong to his Ma ^tie. and his successors, as an undoubted privilege and prerogative of the Crown, and that therefor they may do therein as they shall judge fit for the good of the kingdom.

5thlie, That it might appear to the world, that we placed the security of all our interests, more in our confidence of his Ma ^ties. goodness, then upon the firmest provision of the best laws; although the Par ^lt. 1641. was held by his Ma ^ties. Father of glorious memory present in person, and many Acts were there passed and superscribed by him, for the settling of our religion, and liberties, with all the maturity of judgment, that long and well weighed experience, many and well managed treaties, and England's mediation, could furnish; Yet, because their luster seemed to be a little stained, by the ungrateful remembrance of some previous contentions, wherein it was our misfortune to have his late Ma ^tie. differing from us, we, at one blow, annul that Par ^lt. , and without other reason or distinction rescind all its proceedings.

6thly and lastly, That, for to evidence our unparalelled submission, and resignation unto his Ma ^ties . pleasure, and how that, according to the usual phrase of that time, all that was dearest to us was to him surrendered ; notwithstanding, that the Nation since its first reformation from Poprie, had almost continually opposed Prelacie, and after having ejected it, with the severest exclusions, had for many years enjoyed a Church-constitution and ministry, which at least was highly commendable, for its advanceing of true knowledge and piety, and in the worst of times did prove the surest bullworke of Monarchy: Yet, out of mere compliance with his Ma ^ties. will, our Par ^lt. doth consent and the people silentlie acquiesce, to Presbyteries unexspected overthrow, and Prelacies reestablishment; not that the ruins of what the most part did esteem to be the labor of their Fathers, and work of God, were at that time unconcernedlie regarded, or the consequences of this alteration, which have since ensued, in the least unforseen; but in a word, to a King so acceptable to us, and to whom we had already given all things, we could refuse nothing.

These and other arguments, that then occurred, of the sincerity and satisfaction of our joy, for his Ma ^ties. return, being considered, I think that passage Ps. 126., was not of old more truly said by those concerned, then we may now directly and without paraphrase transferr it to ourselves, viz That when the Lord turned again our captivity we were like them that dream then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing &c. But having said eneough of these things, by way of introduction, both for clearing of some particulars, that will hereafter fall in my way, and also for obviating any mistake, that can possibly arise, in prejudice of the country, upon the matters that have been lately agitat among us; I need not use any long deduction of the intervenient changes, to lead us unto the present posture of our affairs.

The Earl of Midleton was first honored, with his Ma ^ties. Commission, ad did therein bestirr himself very vigorouslie, but overhastning, and overpryseing his work, he soon rendered himself obnoxious; so that upon the mutual jealousies betwixt him and the Duke, then Earl, of Lauderdaill, the Earl of Midleton, in his passion mistakeing the method of billetting, for that of open voteing, and in a more justifiable presentment, then righteous judgment, causing My L ^o. Lauderdaill to be sentenced incapable of public trust; Lauderdaill getteth the advantage; and manageing it at Court, by a base insinuation of Earl Midletons generous disdain of his unworthy practices, in a short time he prevails to Midletons overthrow, and, as the course less invidious, obtains his Commission to be transferred to the Earl of Rothesse, whom he accompanies, from Court to this kingdom, for concludeing thatar P ^lt.

And in this last Session thereof it was, that the Act and humble tender above mentioned, was passed with that exorbitant clause, offering the forces therein condescended on, to be in readiness, as they shall be called for by his Ma ^tie. , to march to any part of his Dominions of Scotland, England, or Ireland, for suppressing of any foreign invasion, intestin trouble, or insurrection, or for any other service, wherein his Ma ^ties. honor, authority, or greatness may be concerned. Which, though at that time it was looked upon, by some, as superfluouslie express, and suspiciouslie distinct (a general offer, being a more aggrieable signification of duty, and a limitation to Scotland, more proper to a Parliaments prudence) Yet the style and humor of those times, did easily exempt it from particular notice: But what My L ^o. Lauderdaill, its principal contryver, did thereby intend, time, the best revealer of secret designs, hath since sufficiently discovered.

This Par ^lt. being dissolved, our new triumphant Church (a quality, which no Church on earth, did ever evenlie bear) came next upon the stage, and being fully authorised by the laws latelie made, and then also armed with their High Commission, they go on, in the years 1664. 65. and 66. with their dear and important conformity, at so Christian a rate, that I verily believe, that all men, except a few of our laborious and indefatigable ghostlie fathers, were perfectly thereby tired out: what prancks were plaid, tumults excited, and tragedies acted, in these years, by our reverend Clergy, as if aemulous of that Presbyterian zeal, which they use so hotlie to decry, needs not here be repeated: My L ^o. Lauderdaill himself, though at that time our sole Minister, was, in appearance, so overcome, and born down by them, to a desperate indifferency, that, in probability, if the Earl of Tweddell and S ^r . Robert Murray, had not come in for his admonition, and our relief, the land might have been reduced to the greatest extremities.

But they, having then the honor of his favor, and thereby, access to represent things in their true state, became the happy instruments of a very seasonable deliverance, and afterwards of a more expedient indulgence; whereby the Country was very sensibly refreshed, and a great part of its disquiets composed: And this was the condition of our affairs, when unluckilie, in the year 1669. My L ^o. Lauderdaill, falling into an itch of Grace, and thirsting for a little of that Glory, whereof he had long swayed the Power, procures a new Par ^lt. to be called, and himself thereto named Commissioner: Now, it being from the date of this Commission, that we may truly calculate the rise of most of our late mischiefs, it will not be amiss, that, in the first place, I summarylie run over the occasion, and continuing of this Par ^lt. and thereby make way to their more cohaerent representation; &, it is notoriously known, that, the pretence made for its assembling, was the notion of an Union betwixt the two Kingdoms; but the matter being of great moment, our procedure must also be very flow paced, and therefore, during all the first Session, which continued from the 19. of Oct ^r. unto the 23. of Dec ^r. , all done about it was only the Parliaments answer to his Ma ^ties. letter: But the truth is, the honor, power, and profit of the place of Kings Commissioner, being once tasted, did prove by far the more tempting; and therefore the Par ^lt. must be continued, for prosecution of the thing, in a second Session, which was accordingly held, from the 28. of July unto the 22. of Agust 1670, and therein the Commission for the treaty, is, in little more than an hour, expedited to such persons, as it should please his Ma ^tie to nominate, or rather My L ^o. Lauderdaill to suggest; But, allbeit that, within a very short space thereafter, this whole project was marred, and its design dissipated like a vapor; yet our Par ^lt. and his Graces Commission were still kept current, until that very happily the war, which he had helped to bring on, gives him a new color, for a third Session in the Year 1672. and thereby, occasion to honor us, with a third visit. At the opening of this Session, his Ma ^ties letters are read, intimating the war to be the cause of their meeting; but withal stuffed, with such hyperbolical commendations of My L ^o. Commissioners Grace, that I am charitable to think, that neither his presumption would have served him to move his Ma ^tie to such things, nor, even his modesty have consented, that the like should be said of him, if it had not been a designed gallantrie for his new amiable Duchess, who, by a novel practice, had her place prepared, and was there present: and certainly it is to the same reason, that we must ascribe his breaking up of this Session in the middle, for leading of her Grace, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 about the Country, for several weeks; the members of Par ^lt. , being left to attend their return: & so after the close of this Session, which did dure from the 12. of June unto the 19. of Septr., he goes back again to Court, without any mention of a dissolution; which nevertheless in his particular, happened well: for finding that matters in England begun to frown, and that in the summer 1673, the clouds thickened exceedinglie, even to the threatening of an inevitable eruption, at the ensuing meeting or their Par ^lt. ; If Scotland, formerly the theater of his glory, had not now presented, as a convenient retreat, he might have been in great perplexity: and therefore, for a fourth time, down he must come, only the pretence was not so obvious, yet the war not ended, and the disorders of the Fanatics, that have served many a turn, are judged sufficient matter for a letter, wherein his Ma ^tie recommending first the security of the kingdom, and next, the severe chastisement of non-conforming disorders, concludes with many good words in behalf of his Grace in the usual manner: but the 12. of No ^vr. the day of the meeting of Par ^lt. being come, after the reading of his Ma ^ties. letter, and a short speech made by the Commissioner, he is greatly surprised, to hear a discourse of grievances begun by Duke Hamiltoun, and seconded vehemently from every quarter, so that he had no way to extricate himself; but by a short adjournment: and thus, from that day to the 9 ^th . of Dec ^r , keeping only five meetings or Par ^lt. , he, on the one hand, endeavors by redressing the grievances of the Salt, Brandy and Tobacco, caballing with his few adhaerers, and insinuating with some of his opposites, to appease matters; and, on the other, he fights and wrestles, with pretences of his Ma ^ties prerogative, and abrupt adjournments, to stave off more touching complaints; until, perceiving all his ground to be lost, he is at length necessitated to deliver himself by one long adjournment for all, and to wait for a more favorable opportunity, from the issue of things then in dependence in England: but notwithstanding, that all things, both at Court, and concerning the English Par ^lt. , have succeeded to his very wish, and that in this interim, he hath omitted nothing at home or abroad, which might dispose affairs to a more propitious aspect; yet when the meeting of our Par ^lt. recurrs, on the 3 ^d . of March, he again, by his Ma ^ties. express command, chooses to adjourn it unto the 14. of Oct ^r. next, to the inexpressible surprise, and dissatisfaction of both Par ^lt. and people.

Having thus dispatched the narrative of our Par ^lt. and its Sessions; for the better understanding of the causes, that have occasioned our discontents, and increased them unto the present distemper, it may be remembered, that, after that the Earl of Midleton was laid aside, the whole management of our affairs, at Court, was devolved upon My Lo. Laud., as sole Secretary, for this kingdom, neither can it be accounted an imposing, by any knowing person, to affirm, that he did no less absolutely exercise it.

His Ma ^ties long absence from our Country, and his necessary unacquaintednesse, by reason thereof, both with persons and the condition of matters amongst us, do certainly extend, and raise this employment to the greatest and highest trust: But My Lo. Lauderdaill, according to his noble self confidence, apprehending more the control of other men's officious medlings, than the least possibility of his own mistaking, did further improve the thing, by the particular care and caution that he took, to have himself his Ma ^ties sole Informer as well as his sole Secretary ; and therefore, not only upon the pretence of his Ma ^ties prerogative, were our matters, for the most part, disposed of above, without any previous advice of his Ma ^ties Council in Scotland; but strict notice was also taken of all Scotchmen coming to Court; and to attempt an address, or access to his Ma ^tie. , otherwise then by My Lo. Lauderdaill, was, no less, than the hazard of his implacable resentment. I need not here mention his supine, or rather designed, neglect of introduceing Scotchmen to offices about Court; it is obvious to everyone, that even those vacancies, happening by the death of Scotchmen, were there, through his fault, discontinued from the nation: it was also his study and work, as he hath often publicklie boasted, to have the Court Council for Scotch business, upon pretext that it consisted of Englishmen, disused and suppressed: But as it is evident, that he did draw to himself the whole significancie of our Nation in England, meerlie for the augmenting of his own value, so it is no less clear that he ordered all things amongst us at his own pleasure. Thus, from himself alone, Privy Counselors are named, Lord's of Session and Exchecquer placed and removed, gifts and pensions granted, Armies levied, and disbanded, General Officers appointed, this Par ^lt. called, and all other matters of importance transacted, as he thought good to advise and direct: And the truth is, that for several years, the thing was quietlie comported with, forasmuch as, we did not only consider that the present state and circumstances of our government, did someway oblige us to this condition; but did also find, that so long as Chancellor Hyde did force My Lo. Lauderdaill to consult, more his prudence, then his humor, his administration, though too absolute, was yet not altogether unreasonable: But, this restraint being once removed, and his ambition left at liberty to swell with his prosperity, what strange and grievous effects it hath since produced, especially after his rising to be his Ma ^ties Commissioner, the plain history of things, without the persuasions of any other argument, will best evince; and because that the order observed, or intended in Par ^lt. , will probablie give most satisfaction, it shall also be the rule of our method.

The first, and great grievance then, mentioned in Parlt., was the monopolie of the Salt, which being by My Lo. Lauderdaill procured, to the Earl of Kincaerden his friend, by his Ma ^ties gift, allowing the praeemption of Inland and prohibition Foreign salt, was worth to the interested more then 4000 lb. st. yearlie; but not only with twice as great a diminution of his Ma ^ties. revennue, but to the general and heavy distress of the whole country; it being most certain, that the nation was thereby reduced to those straits, that in many places, the poor people were necessitated, to send several miles to the sea, for salt water, to supply their indigence; and in other places were constrained, to give 18. or 20. shillings st. for the same quantity of salt, which, before the granting of this Gift, they used to buy for 3 sh. and 6. ^d. or 4. sh.; so that in effect the clamours of the people were ready to break out into uproars and tumults. Which grievance is so much the more chargeable upon My Lo. Lauderdaill, because that when his Ma ^ties chief Officers, perceiving that the first design of this Salt-project could not take, and that the consequences of this gift would be very hurtful, did by their letter give full information to the Court of the prejudices and dangers, likely to ensue upon it, instead of prevailing, they were rather chid and menaced for being so officious.

The second grievance was, that of the Brandy-wine, which was thus occasioned; in the Par ^lt. 1663. there was an Act made, prohibiting the importation of strong waters, and so of brandy-wine; whereupon, in the year 1672., My Lo. Lauderdaill obtains for the L. Elphinston, who had married his Niece, a gift of this prohibition, and of the seizures, that should be made upon it; but the contrivance was not to render the law effectual, but indeed to circumvene it; for the Patentees advantage; who, in place of hindering the import, did give to the Merchants licenses upon composition, at the rate of 15. or 16. lb. st. per tunn, which would have amounted to at least 30,00. lb. st. yearlie; and hereby vast quanties were imported, without the payment of either Custom or Excise, and yet vented again in the Country at excessive prices.

The third grievance was a gift of 2 ½ d. per pound upon all tobacco imported; this gift was granted in the year 1673. to Sr. John Nicolson for himself and some other of My Lo. Lauderdails friends, who were his partakers, whereby they should have made a considerable benefit, but with the damage of, at least, two or three thousand pounds st. yearlie to his Ma ^ties treasury, and the great extortion of the people. These were my Lo. Lauderdails wise and faithful improvements of his Ma ^ties. prerogative in the matter of Trade, which he was so instrumental to have declared, and indeed are perversions, so palpablie gross, that comparing events with their causes, a man may find great reason to doubt whether My Lo. Lauderdaill did not intend these very abuses, as much in the framing, as in the violating of, these laws: and yet when they came to be complained of in Par ^lt. , what opposition, and indignation he shown, even to the straining of his Ma ^ties sacred authority, in its most tender and delicate part, many hundreds can testify; neither can it be alleged that the things were first moved in Par ^lt. , not for a redress from My Lo: Commissioner, but in order to A representation desired to have been made to his Ma ^tie. Because that, first they being so enormous, and yet instances only, and not the whole of our grievances, a representation to the king, was not more necessary for an adequate remedy, then for future prevention. Next, the matter of the Salt had been already fully remonstrated to his Ma ^tie by his Officers of State, and by My Lo. Laud. procurement, a sharp rebuke, instead of a gracious relief, was all the return, as I have allreadie marked. But lastly, it is most probable by all circumstances, that if it had not been from the fear, and for the diverting of this representation, My Lo. Lauderdaill, in place of hearkening to a redress, had, according to the inflexible constancy of his great soul, in the royal spirit of Pharaoh, and with the brave Politick of Rehoboams young huffes, answered these turbulent murmurers, you are idle, you are idle, your yoke is heavy, but I will add thereto.

However necessity, at this time, prevailing, these three burdens are removed, to the people's great comfort, and his Majesty's considerable advantage. But here it is that we are to remark, that the thing wherein his Grace did find himself mostly concerned, was the proposal made, as I have touched, that his Ma ^tie should be by his Parlt. immediately informed of the true state and condition of the kingdom; and indeed his Grace was thereby so hotlie allaram'd, that little more liberty of speech was allowed, or order observed; but immediately his Ma ^ties prerogative is pretended, that nothing ought to be moved in Par ^lt. except by the Lord's of the Articles, that to them complaints and overtures should be first made, and, if by their vote thrown out, they should proceed no further, and therefore, not only were all motions offered in plene Par ^lt. checked and interrupted with this common answer, to the Articles, but the Par ^lt. was certified by his Grace, that if they should all agree to have grievances otherwise treated, and considered, he would interpose and hinder it by his great negative.

Now, because, that this pretence of the privilege of the Lord's of the Articles, was justly looked upon by all considering men, as a virtual subversion of the power and liberty of Par ^lts. , alike prejudicial, both to his Ma ^tie and the kingdom, it may be observed,

First, that this meeting of the Articles, by its last establishment, consists of eight Bishops, chosen by the Lord's, eight Lord's, chosen by the Bishops, and eight Commissioners of Shires, and eight Burgesses, chosen by the eight Prelates, and eight Lord's, first elected, jointlie to which were added by the Commissioner the Officers of State.

Secondly, That in the contending for the power of this meeting, it was asserted, that not only all business must be by the Lord's of the Articles, and by them only, tabled in Parl ^t. , but that, if in the debates upon their reports any new thing should be started, the Par ^lt. ought not to take notice of it, further, then to return the whole matter to the meeting of the Articles, to be there entertained or supressed at their pleasure.

Thirdly, That it is manifest from all our Records, that the rise and constitution of this meeting, was at first by the free appointment of our Par ^lts. , who thought fit to name certain of their number, for framing such overtures as were offered for the public good, into Articles to be enacted for laws according to the ancient form; and therefore, it being at first devised by the Par ^lt. , as a simple expedient for order and dispatch, it was also, both inconstant in its being▪ and variant in its number and method, according as the Par ^lt. did see cause.

Fourthly, That as this meeting was in effect the Committee of the Par ^lt. , for preparing laws; so it is very well known, that there was another, more ancient, meeting ordained by the Par ^lt. and called, Domini ad querelas or (if you will) the Committee of Grievances, which having continued in all times, was only disused in the 2 ^d. Session of the Par ^lt. 1661., to the effect that private affairs, which in the first Session of that Par ^lt. , when our ordinary Courts were not set down, had taken too great a current that way, might, after their restitution, return more easily to their proper channels.

Fifthly, That the Act of Par ^lt. K. I. 6th appointing four of every Estate, to meet 20. days before the Par ^lt. to receive all articles and supplications, and deliver them to the Clerk of Register, to be by him presented, to the persons of the Estates, to be considered by them, to the effect, that things reasonable, may be formallie made and presented to the Lord's of the Articles, in the Par ^lt. time, & frivolous matters rejected ; Doth no ways countenance this exorbitant power of the Lord's of the Articles, it being manifest, by the order therein set down of preparing matters by a previous meeting, and their subsequent forming, and presenting, by the three Estates, to the Articles, that the Par ^lts. power of first receiving, and then committing, matters to that meeting, was not, at that time, so much as the subject of the question. But, the only thing intended, was the orderlie tableing of things in Par ^lt. as is yet further apparent, by what is there subjoined viz. that no Article or supplication wanting a special title or unsubscribed by the presenter shall be read or answered in that Convention (to wit of the four of every Estate) or the Par ^lt. following the same. Which is a provision, so cleerlie preparatory, to the meeting and work of the Lord's of the Articles, that it is indeed strange, how men could have the confidence, to obtrude this Act, even to his Ma ^tie , for proveing their pretended prerogative of the meeting of the Articles over the Parlt., which, I dare affirm, did never before this time, enter in the imagination either of King or Par ^lt. since they were known in this nation.

Sixthly, That in the Par ^lt. 1663., where My Lo. Laud, ^s. influence was very eminent and signal, there was a particular Act made, for settling the constitution and choising of Lord's of the Articles in all time thereafter whereby it is expresslie provided, that the Lord's of the Articles are to proceed, in the discharge of their trust, in preparing of Laws, Acts, and overtures, and ordering of all things remitted to them by the Par ^lt. , & in doing everything else, &c. Which words remitted to them do, in their obvious construction, and most received signification among us, very evidently suppose, and hold forth, the power, and use, of proposing to be in the body of the Par ^lt. , and that the Lord's of the Articles are to act upon their references, as their Committee.

Which arguments, being well perpended, and the unanimous suffrage of reason, law and sense, that do plainly say, that no Court can or ought to be cypherized by its own delegates, being thereto added; I think I may, without difficulty, affirm, that his Grace by attributing to the Articles this praeeminence, and superintendence over the Par ^lt. , and thereby depriving it of its just liberty, did directly impugn, and highly derogate from its authority and dignity; and so became guilty of a greater grievance, then any of those, which he labored to avoid. Its true he wanted not cogent enough motives, for what he did; he saw, in the first place, that the meeting of the Articles, (whereof he supposed, that his former care, with the obsequiousnesse of the Bishops, would gain him the plurality) was his only refuge, from the terror that he became to himself in the apprehension, that otherwise his actings might come to be truly discovered by a faithful Par ^lt. to a gracious Prince: And next, the Par ^lt. had, out of their exceeding tenderness of duty to his Ma ^tie , testified, in their preceeding sessions, so much compliance with all his humors, as well as deference to his character, that he had fully assured his ambition of their eternal submission; neither was this assurance a groundless flattery, for he knew, that he had put the matter to the proof, upon several occasions, as first, when upon a vacancy falling out in the meeting of the Articles, the Par ^lt. did allow him to supply it by his nomination. 2dly, when contrary to the received custom (& yet without contradiction) he caused exclude from being present at the meetings of the Articles, all such members, as were not thereto named, to the effect, as it is probable, that the body of the Par ^lt. , being less prepared, might the more implicitlie go along withal their conclusions▪ and 3dly. when in the 3d. session of this Par ^lt. , upon an overture made by a member, in the debate about the sumptuarie act, that the summer session might be taken away, he passionatelie blustered out, that, for that very presumption the thing • hold not be done so long as he was Commissioner, with many other foolish words to this effect: Yet in all these he was tamelie born with.

But, albeit these things may possibly excuse his being so intractable to free reasoning, with which he had been so little acquainted; yet it remains still a matter of just wonder, that, at least, the interest of his Ma ^ties authority, visibly exposed by such an intolerable stretch, did not oblige him to a better behavior, in so concerning a contest: For as much as, it is evident, that if the prudence and loyalty of the Par ^lt. had not restrained, nothing else could have retrived the prerogative, from the inconvenience of this hard dilemma, either of being subjected to a necessary regulation, or of being the occasion of a seeming breach betwixt the King and his people. But the Par ^lt. , being resolved to decline that point, with their utmost circumspection, chose rather to maintain their possession, by an uneasy exercise, then to assert their right with the smallest umbrage of offense, not doubting, but that his Ma ^tie would, in due time, determine the controversy to their satisfaction.

And therefore, leaving it, as it stands, I shall again return to my main work, and prosecute our grievances, in such order as the members of Parl ^t. found access to move them in: only, seeing that their endeavors had no better success, than to provoke his Grace to break up this fourth Session, with a two months adjournment, I shall here handle them more fully then they were there spoke to.

The fourth grievance then is, the corruption of our Mint and Coinage, whereof My L. Hatton the D. of Laud ^s. brother is General; this complaint was grounded in the universal clamour of the people; who have found, for these several years, that the intrinsic value of our silver coin is sensibly diminished, both in its weight and fineness, to the nations great damage, and dishonor; beside it doth add to the resentment, that the same L. Hatton having, some years ago, filled the Country, with a light copper coin, without observing, either the quantity, or the weight and value prescribed, was nevertheless by My L. Laud ^s. means, secured and indemnified: It is also remembered, that the better to enable him to this depravation of our silver coin, the Dutch dollars, called the leg dollars, usuallie imported by our merchants, and current amongst us at 58.d. per piece, were cried down by the D. of Laud ^s. procurement, to 56.d. for no better reason known, than that they might be brought in for bullion, to the mint-house, for his brothers benefit: But though, that all demanded in Par ^lt. about this matter was, that there might be an examination of the coin appointed, and an account given of the bullion, which hath been long neglected; yet the memorial given in for that effect, was not regarded: It is true that My L. Laud., after the Dec ^r . adjournment of the Par ^lt. , did move his Ma ^tie to write a letter, and thereupon bring the business to a trial, before the Council; but in a manner so partial, that I profess it is my admiration, how any man should have a confidence strong enough for such practices. The subject of our complaint is the stock of our current money, and all appointed by his Ma ^ties letter, is, that there should be a trial made upon the Essay box, and the pieces therein contained. I shall not say, that the oversight thereof hath been altogether in My L. Hattons own power and trust these years by past, yet so certain it is, that this box or pixis hath been of late so greatly neglected, that one of My Lo. Commissioners friends, appointed for the examen, could not forbear to say, that they were met to see whether the Officers of the Mint were as much fools as they were suspected to be knaves, but notw • h • tanding this the trial goes on, and moreover the pieces are not brough • to the essay severallie, but the whole (with what mixture of fyner pieces coined and conveyed in on purpose, to compense the baser, who can tell) is melted down together in one mass, and thereupon the essay made, and the report thereof, with some small lignots, sent up to the King; which proving (to be sure) according to the design of the contryvance, his Ma ^tie within these few days, sends down a second letter to the Council, signifying his satisfaction, and willing Hatton and the rest of the Officers to be exonerated: But when this letter is read, it is opposed that the grievance of the Mint had been tabled in Par ^lt. , where the trial should also be issued, that his Ma ^ties first letter did only order a trial to be made of the essay box, which if either falsified, or otherwise eluded, could not be a ground of release to the Mint-Officers, so long as it was manifest, that almost the whole of the current coin is defective and debased; and lastly, there was offered, a bag of money latelie received out of the mint Office, sealed with the Officers seals, which they could not but still acknowledge, and it was desired that there might be a trial made on the species therein contained. Notwithstanding all which, My L. Commissioner, and the plurality of the Council, proceed and vote an exoneration, conform to his Ma ^ties last letter. Now is not this a noble way of redressing grievances, to purge the Author, and leave the thing untouched? nay to make the greatest aggravation that can be of his failing, viz. the corrupting or frustrating of the checque, the best ground of his clearing, and all this contrary to the reclaiming evidence, of almost, as many witnesses, as there are pieces of his Ma ^ties coin minted in Scotland; it being certain that amongst hundreds that have been tried, very few have been reported to be, standard.

The fifth, is the filling of our Courts of judicatorie especially our Session (which is the supreme for administration of justice) with ignorant and insufficient men: This is a grievance so notorious that I am sorry, that it leaves me not so much as; the shadow of a complement, in forbearing to name the persons; S ^r. Andrew Ramsey, one of the four latelie brought in by My L. Laud., being questioned in Par ^lt. (as we shall hear) did voluntarily demitt in his Graces hands; and yet I am assured that I neither favor him, nor wrong the other three, when I give him the preference both as to parts and knowledge. But the evil doth not here subsist; its more afflicting progress is, that in effect My L. Lauderdails all-swaying power, his brothers headines, and other men's baseness, have introduced that partiality, both in the Session and other Courts, that, the very foundations of law and right, are like to be shaken; as was ready to have been instanced in Par ^lt. , in several late decisions, prepared for seconding the memorial given in for a trial of this matter: And this was also the cause of another overture then thought upon, and since moved to his Ma ^tie , viz. that there should be a methodical digestion of our laws, and that the rules of judgment should be rendered more fixed and certain▪ but in place of a remedy, these things were all adjourned with the Par ^lt. , & since their breaking up, new practices have been used, to make the case more desperate: For there being, in February last a sentence interlocuture pronounced by the Lord's of Session, in an action betwixt the E. of Dumfermling and L. Amond, the L. Amond, finding himself thereby grieved, thought good to protest, and appeal to the King and Par ^lt : but My L. Commissioner looking on this as a novelty (albeit it wanted not presidents, and that even his Graces Father, who was himself a Lord of the Session did more, in appealing from the Session to the King only) lays hold on the occasion, and (as its like) as well to ingratiate with the Lord's, as to reach some Lawyers who had displeased him, the Lord's are by him moved to write to the King, complaining of the thing, as contrary to several Acts of Par ^lt. , and of dangerous consequence; to which an answer is as quickly returned, signifying his Ma ^ties displeasure against it, and ordering the Lord's to inquire, by My L. Amond and his Advocates their oaths, who were its contryvers: But when the business comes to be examined, My L. Amond owns the Appeal, and adheres to it in the sense wherein his Advocates, by a resolution under their hands, had affirmed it to be justifiable, viz. that, although by Acts of Par ^lt. , there did lie no such appeall from the Lord's, as could stop their proceedings, or the execution of their sentences; yet seeing the Par ^lt. was the absolute sovereign Court of the kingdom, and hath sometimes upon complaint rescinded the Lord's their decreets, an appeal by way of protestation, to relieve the appellant of the prejudice of a constructive acquiescence, might be lawfully made from the Lord's to the King and Par ^lt. and that this they conceived themselves bound to assert, lest they should contraveen the law, that forbiddeth all men, under the pain of treason, to impugn the supreme authority of the Par ^lt. But albeit both his Ma ^ties Advocate and others of the Bench gave their opinion, that an appeal in this sense, is not against law, and none of the rest did or can assert the contrary; Yet My L. Commissioner still pousseth on, and will have My L. Amonds Advocates to depose upon oath, about its contryvance, whereupon the Advocates do, on the other hand, answer as positivlie, that the appeal being owned by My L. Amond, and offered by them to be justified, there was no more subject of inquisition; that his Ma ^ties letter did suppose the thing to be unlawful, and no man was bound, in a matter of that consequence, to give oath against himself; that, by an express law, men should not be required to give oath super inquirendis ; and lastly, that by their oath, as Advocates, they were bound not to reveal the secrets of their Clients, whereunto the oath demanded seemed to tend. And to this last point the whole body of the Advocates do Join, and declare their concurrence. But notwithstanding these answers, the Lord's, refusing to transmit the Advocates reasons, write up a second letter, acquainting the King with their denial. In which heats and disputes, unnecessarilie drawn on, by My L. Commissioners straining humors, about the authority both of King, Par ^lt. and Lord's of Session, and after a second appeal made in the same manner, the Lord's, according to their usual diet, break up until the first of June, whether to the increasing, or abating the grievance here mentioned, I leave it to others to Judge, and to time to determine.

The sixth grievance is general gifts of his Ma ^ties casualities such as the general gift of Wards and Marriages to the Earl of Kincaerden, contrary to express Acts of Par ^lt. , and to his Ma ^ties great prejudice, and the vexation or his subjects: For these casualties, being of an undetermined extent, as uncertain as the death of Vassals, and ordinarily attended with many circumstances, whereof his Ma ^ties equity and goodness can only best arbitrate; the reason both of the law, and also of his Ma ^ties. and his subjects their interest, against all such gifts, is abundantlie obvious. Neither is the aggravation, arising from the persons, the procurer, and the purchaser, less considerable; the D. of Laud, and Earl of Kincaerden are, both of them, Commissioners of his Ma ^ties Treasury, and also extraornarie Lord's of the Session, so that being doublie obliged, by these two great and honorable trusts, equally to intend his Ma ^ties advantage, and the observation or his laws, their delinquencie in this point, cannot but be accounted a high misdemeanor; which to excuse, by saying, that, notwithstanding the gift, no action hath been thereon founded, but all proceedings carried on in his Ma ^ties name, and by his Officers, after the usual form; when in the mean time, My L. Kincaerden doth treat, and compound, and takes up the profits of all sentences, what is it else save to acknowlegde a transgression of the sense, in the manifest circumvention of the words, of the law: Is is true that this gift is not the first of this nature that hath been granted: Immediatlie after his Ma ^ties return My L. Lauderdaill and others got a gift of all preceeding casualities, and the Earl of Kincaerden, had also a prior gift for three years, whereof this is only a prorogation, by virtue of all which many thousands of pounds have been very rigorouslie exacted: but seeing, there can be hardly anything more unreasonable, then to pretend a privilege in evil from men's forbearance, it is evident that these things, do only render the grievance exceedinglie more grievous.

These three last grievances, having been moved in Par ^lt. , immediately before its Dec ^r. adjournment, before I pass to other things that were not moved, I shall briefly narrate two other passages, that were thought also to influence it. The first shall be of one M ^r . Paterson Dean or Edinburgh; this man, after the first conflict in Parlt. about a representation, to be made to his Ma ^tie. , preaching before the Commissioner, was pleased to tell his auditors, that sometimes God for the sins of a people would raise up a fawning Absalom to flatter, and kiss them, and to steal away their hearts, by bemoaning their grievances, and saying that their matters were good and right, but there was no man deputed of the King to hear them, until at length a Sheba the son of Bichri, should arise to sound the trumpet of rebellion and say, We have no part in David, &c. with many moe words to this purpose; which discourse, by all its circumstances, carrying an intolerable reflection upon some members of Par ^lt. , and that so obviouslie, that notwithstanding that Mr. Paterson did swear, that he thereby intended no particular person, yet, unless they had been inspired, it was impossible not to think them designed ; there is thereupon a complaint exhibited, craving that Mr. Paterson might be called to account for such seditious speeches; This the Commissioner would at first have waved, and then, finding that it was like to be warmlie pressed, he agrees, that the examination be committed to the Lord's of the Clergy, but although a competent time was given them, and their report often demanded, yet it was still declined and delayed without any issue.

The second shall be about Sr. Andrew Ramsey, This man having been Proveist of Edinburgh under Oliver, and complied with him to the height of being Knighted, and thereafter getting himself reknighted and reentred Proveist by the E. of Midletons favor, upon his disgrace, very quickly strikes in with My L. Laud., with whom and the tradesmen of Edinburgh, he by his long-practiced arts, of flattery, and bribery, did so mightily prevail, that after having been ten years Proveist, and in that time domineered over the City, and enriched himself by their rents and moneys at his pleasure, he dreamed of nothing less, then a perpetual dictatorship : What kind deallings, during these years, were betwixt My Lo. Laud. and him is sufficientle known, the office of Proveist which never had before either fee or salarie, yet now by My L. Laud, ^s. procurement in behalf of his favourit, hath a pension of 200. lb. st. yearlie, annexed to it. 2dly. the Militia, being established, the Proveist is made Colonel, and his son Major, of Edinburgh regiment, and with a 100. lb. st. to the Major of yearlie salarie. 3dly. S ^r. Andrew having, neither for a just price, nor by the fairest means, got a title to a bare insignificant rock in the sea, called, the Bass, and to a public debt, both belonging to the L. of Wachton; My L. Lauder., to gratify Sr. Andrew, moves the King, upon the pretence of this public debt, and that the Bass was a place of strength (like to a castle in the moon) and of great importance, (the only nest of Solengeese in these parts) to buy the rock from Sr. Andrew, at the rate of 4000. lb. st., and then obtains the command and profits of it, amounting to more then a 100. lb. st. yearlie, to be bestowed upon himself. But, besides this, there was also here an open reciprocation on S ^r. Andrew's part; for it having pleased his Ma ^tie , about the same time, to perpetuate to the Town of Edinburgh a gift, which they had enjoyed for some years by temporary grants, S ^r. Andrew takes this occasion to express his gratitude to his Patron, and representing to the town, how much My L. Laud. had befriended them in that matter, he persuades them to acknowledge it, with a benevolence of 5000. lb. st. 4thly. My Lo. Laud. procures S ^r . Andrew, to be made first a privy Counselor, then a Commissioner of the Exchequer, and last of all a Lord. of the Session, although the best breeding that ever he had, for these employments, was that of his being once a merchant.

But here, ill-natured envy maliciouslie disdaining these ridiculous preferments, and taking the advantage of S ^r. Andrew's manifold maleversation, incites first the murmurings of the Citizens, and then at Michaelmess 1672, the opposition of some of their Council, against his continuance in office: Nevertheless S ^r. Andrew, albeit with extreme wrestling, gets through for that time, and to prevent the recurring of the like difficulty, thinks fit to inform My L. Laud., that some factious persons had stirred up tumults, to disturb his election, and thereupon his Ma ^ties letters are directed to the privy Council, ordering them to examine the matter, and report: When the privy Council received these letters, the most part were not a little surprised, to see a command from Court, to inquire about a tumult, alleged to have been made, in the place of their residence, whereof they had not before heard; yet in obedience, albeit there was as good as nothing found, the report was made, which all men judged would be the close of that affair: But S ^r. Andrew being resolved, notwithstanding that the body of the City was generally set against him, to carry also the next election, the better to prepare for it, obtains by My. L. Laud. a letter from the King, in Sept ^r. last to the Town-Council of Edinburgh, resuming the story of the tumult, and thereupon ordaining Mr. Roughheed their Clerk to be removed from his office, as being thereto accessory, concluding that his Ma ^tie would supersede to determine as to others, until he should be informed of their behavior in the ensuing election: I shall not mention all the little insolencies, wherewith S ^r Andrew did execute these orders against that Gentleman; the thing considerable is, that all that heard of this letter, and how that thereby, contrary to law, the right of the Clerks office, was arbitrarilie taken from him, without being heard, and the Town-Council also indirectlie overawed in the freedom of their electing, did look upon the impetrating thereof, as a most dangerous precedent, threatening every man's property and liberty, and therefore, not only was the Clerk encouraged to raise an action declaratorie of his right and for repossession, but My L. Laud. preceiving, that the general resentment was justly levelled against himself, as the principal author of this high attempt, he again by a second act, imposing no less upon his Ma ^ties goodness, then by the former he had abused his justice, moves his Ma ^tie to write a second letter, ordering M ^r Roughheed to be restored, without the least acknowledgement, to a place, from which, not 10. weeks before, he had been, by the same method, removed as a seditious incendiarie: These then and several other of S ^r Andrew's high misdemeanors, having deservedlie occasioned a complaint to be exhibited against him in Par ^lt. , the Commissioner, observing well what might be its consequence, and yet unwilling openly to undertake his defense & patrocinie, consents that the matter be referred to the Lord's of the Articles, and there again obtains that the trial of the things charged, should be remitted to the ordinary Courts: But the Par ^lt. knowing as well as his Grace that those exorbitancies, that flow from the abuse of favor, are commonly coloured with such conveyances, as plain and positive laws, (to which these Courts are tied,) do rarelie suspect and so very seldom provide against; do therefore still insist that the Lord's of the Articles would bring in their report; whereupon My Lo. Commissioner, understanding better then any man S ^r Andrew's guilt and his own accession, as a fit expedient, both to appease the people, and to decline so concerning an accusation; upon the Sabbath, wheedles Sr Andrew unto a voluntary dimission of all his places and employments, and upon the Tuesday thereafter adjourns the Par ^lt. and how he hath since endeavored to represent him, both here & at Court, as if he alone were chargeable with all his offenses is aboundantlie known.

I have been the more ample in this narration, because that, with all reverence to his Ma ^tie , (whom I know to be infinitlie removed from all communication in My Lo. Laud ^s . naughty practices) and proportions also being observed, and the parallels duelie commenced from the Year 1662., I do indeed take S ^r Andrew Ramsey with reference to My L. Laud. and the City of Edinburgh, to be a very exact model of Lauderdaill himself, in order to his Ma ^tie and all Scotland, and therefore the more ingratfull is his confidence that under such a pressing conviction, should not relieve his Ma ^tie and the Kingdom, in compleeting the similitude by a spontaneous dimission.

Having thus gone thorough these motions made in Par ^lt. about the Mint, Lord's of Session, general gifts, Dean Paterson and Sr Andrew Ramsey I now proceed to these other grievances, which, allbeit not allowed to be brought in, were notwithstanding intended by several members, and, in probability, would have been the principal points in the representation which was overtured, to be made to his Ma ^tie.

The seventh grievance then is the accumulation of eminent offices upon single persons : I shall not here reflect upon the sufficiency or insufficiency of any, I heartily wish that all men were as careful to cover, as I am willing to conceal their weakness; but the plain ground of complaint is, that My L. Laud. hath procured to himself, and the L. Hatton his brother, and to the Earls of Athol and Kincaerden, his particular friends, not only the most considerable, but also the far greater part, of the more important charges of the kingdom, to the visible weakening of the government, and to the detriment of his Ma ^ties service; thus the D. of Laud. himself, is

First, President of his Ma ^ties Council.

2dly sole Secretary.

3dly one of the Commissioners of the Treasury:

4thly Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh.

5thly Captain of the Bass.

6thly Agent at Court for the Borroughs.

7thly one of the four extraordinary Lord's of the Session: and 8thly (for who knows how long it may continue) his Ma ^ties high Commissioner and all that it imports.

The L. Hatton is 1 ^st. Treasurer depute.

2dly General of the Mint.

3dly one of the Lord's of Session.

The E. of Athole is 1 ^st. Lord privy Seal.

2dly Lord Justice General.

3dly Captain of the Kings Guard.

4thly one of the four extraordinary Lord's of the Session.

The E. of Kincaerden is one of the Commissioners of the Treasury.

2dly Vice-Admiral of Scotland.

And 3dly one of the four extraordinary Lord's of Session. Principal offices are the stays, as it were, of a State, and their distinction is, not so much determined by their objects, as by the proportionable capacities that most of them do require; beside, as in the multitude of Counselors there is safety, so in the multitude of Officers there is strength, and their right distribution, doth not more encourage virtue and reward merit, then it settles the administration of the kingdom by a just balance, and thereby becometh equally advantageous, for the people's good, and the Princes security: But humor and ambition do puff at such creeping politics. My Lo. Laud. hath also introduced the abuse of gifts of the reversions or survivances of places to children & boys, and such are the gifts to My L. Hatton and his son of the Mint-office, to S ^r. Charles Erskin and his son of the Lions Office, & several others of that nature; by which continuance of offices, that, at most, used to be conferred ad vitam, his Ma ^tie , is deprived of that excellent part of his treasure, which, with no expense, rewards virtue best, and is indeed the only fond of the most obliging gratifications.

The eighth grievance is the mal-administration and profusion of his Ma ^ties revennue: The clearing of this head, in its full extent, would require a more prolix & accurate computation, than is proper for my present work; but that I may give it its necessary evidence & also discover, more fully, the fruits & effects at My L. Laud ^s. ministry, I shall only here set down, in general, first what sums of money he and his three friends have got in donatives: and 2dly. what sums they receive yearlie by their places and pensions, as hath been made appear on several occasions by a particular condescendence. My L. Laud. then, hath got in donatives within these few years no less then 26900. lb. st. and may be reckoned to have yearlie since the year 1669. that he was appointed Commissioner, 16350. lb. st.

My L. Hatton hath got in donatives to the value of 15300. lb. st. and hath moreover yearlie 1196. lb. st., beside he hath the profits of the Mint and bullion, which last did render in Kings James his time 1000. marks Scots weekly amounting yearlie to 2500. lb. st.

The E. of Athole got latelie by fines 1500. lb. st. and possesseth yearlie 1450. lb. st.

The E. of Kincaerdens gettings by reason of the nature of his gifts and places, cannot be so easily computed, but that they must be very considerable, by his general gift of Wards and Marriages, which he hath had above these three years, may be evidently gathered, from the benefit that he hath made, by some of those particular obventions, which have been compounded for by him, at, or above, the rate of a 1000. lb. how much then may be reckoned, by all that fall over the whole Kingdom? he got also the gift of a ship wracked in Schetland. As for his yearlie incomes, beside his pension as one of the Commissioners of the Treasury, he hath also all the perquisits of the Admiralitie, and yet over and above should have had by the gift of the Salt, at least, 2000. lb. yearlie. Now whether these be not excessive largesses, to such persons, for such services, and in the more honest then opulent Kingdom of Scotland is easy to be judged: I grant I have included in the total of My L. Laud ^s . yearlie sums, the pension of 500. lb. st., which he procured, out of our Exchecquer, to his Duchess, when she was only Countess of Dysert, and not his married wife; but I suppose that their then circumstances being considered, the error will be excused, with less pain, then it would have been for me, to make the distinction. I need not here subjoin how that, beside these above-mentioned sums, almost all pensions and gifts have been bestowed, these years bypast, according to his Graces pleasure; his power in our affairs being in effect an omnipotency, this part of it is not to be doubted, only it is to be regrated, that in all these excessive givings, so little respect hath been had to those, who have merited most of his Ma ^tie , both by their actings and sufferings. But the thing, that I esteem more worthy to be noticed, is that although since his Ma ^ties restitution, his revenue in Scotland hath been much above the double of what it was before, and though his casualties have been exacted with abundance of diligence, and great and vast sums otherwise levied by fynes, taxations, and assessements, without the least burden, either of monies exported for his Ma ^ties use, or of foreign war; yet, through a strange misgovernment, hath all been wasted, and consumed, at home, without any visible improvement, for the public good, or so much as the provision of one freggat, for the defense of our coast, or convoy of our merchants, in these times of war.

The 9th. grievance and fountain of all the rest is My L. Laud ^s . excessive greatness, far above what, either the Kingdom, or himself can bear; I have already observed, how that before he was Commissioner, he had, by reason of his being our sole Secretary and Court-Minister, the absolute rule and dispose of all our concerns; an interposition ungrateful enough, to a people, so affectionatlie, dutiful to his Ma ^tie. I have also marked, with what a severe jealousy, he debarred all Scotchmen, from any access or opportunity, so much as to speak to his Ma ^tie , otherwise then he pleased; a practice no less disserviceable to his Ma ^tie , then disobliging to free fellow-subjects; I might in the 3d. place add, that, as his Ma ^ties necessary absence hath occasioned to us the unhappiness of My L. Lauds. domination, so his Graces absence also, for the most part, at Court, doth further subject us to a more base, & disingenuous dependence, upon his ceatures & favorites, nay oftentimes, even upon his servants, with whom it is well known, that men did ordinarily transact, for the obtaining and expeding of gifts and signatures, & that it was, especially by his Graces servants, that personal protections to debtors, were most abusivlie impetrat: But seeing the greatest part of what I have said, hath been, to set forth the miserable issues of Lauderdails obscuring and eclipsing grandeur, I shall in this place, only note, how by his exaltation to be his Ma ^ties Commissioner, this noxious exhalation came as it were to be consolidat into that malign meteor which hath reduced us unto the afflicted and disconsolat estate in which we do at present languish. I need not repeet, that it was for the attaining to this high, and unaccountable power, that he devised the calling of this Par ^lt. , upon the pretext of an Union, no less groundless in its project, then vain in its success; nor shall I resume, by what means, and for what empty reasons, the Par ^lt. hath hitherto been kept current: That the office of Commissioner is a thing, altogether extraordinary, & only warranted by the particular occasion, & special effect for which he is ordained, is a point so certain, that to affirm the contrary, would be no less, then a treasonable attempt, to subvert the very foundations of this free Monarchy; when in former times Commissions of this sort, were granted (which yet we do not find to have been in use until after King James his going to England) both the Commissions and the Par ^lt . used to be terminated in one session ; the first that adventured, upon the innovation of adjourning Par ^lts. for a long time and, continuing his Commission in the interval, was the E. of Midleton; and yet, notwithstanding of all the high strainings, that were then in fashion, and that the Earls work, could hardly be sooner compleeted, this same Lauderdaill did, so far resent it, as to make Midletons drawing out of his Commission (though for little more then two years) an article of his accusation. But now that My L. Laud. hath himself got into the power, he hath presumed to protract it, now more then four years and a half, with so little appearance of any necessity, that on the contrair, we plainly see, how that he hath, both hindered the Par ^lts. proceedings, and endeavored to frustrate all its late meetings: which, as it is a manifest violenting of the ancient, and natural constitution of our government; so the unnecessary continuance, and arbitrary and frequent long adjournments of this Par ^lt. ; hath contributed exceedinglie to the increase of our burdens, and distresses. But the truth is, that such hath been his deportment in this eminent trust, that it is now become his best security; and what at first his ambition did proudlie contrive, his conscience of guilt doth now oblige him, no less tenaciouslie, to maintain: so that our remedy and relief in this our desolate and abandoned condition, remains only with God, and his Ma ^tie , in the return of their favor.

From which consideration, as much as for the obviating of misinformation, it pleased the D. of Hamiltoun, and Earl of Tweddel, with some other Gentlemen, after the adjournment of the Parlt. in Dec ^r last, to go for Court, with the inexpressible good-liking of the whole Country, who from their faithful representation to his Ma ^tie , did confidently expect, an entire deliverance. But My L. Laud., that he might show himself, no less cross to, then he was averse from, such a loyal enterprise, omitts no obstruction, that he could lay in the way; and first, by a pitiful fellow in Berwick, whom he had before corrupted to spy and intercept all free correspondence, he causeth seise, detain prisoner, and search S ^r William Carnegie a member of Par ^lt. , in his passage through that Town to London. 2dly. having, by the same hand, got some packets intercepted, he very ungentilly transmitts them to Court, and without respect to the violation done to the common intercourse and good understanding of the two nations, or regard to that tenderness, which most men do retain for their Countries honor, he obtains for his Intelligencer his Ma ^ties . approbation, and a reward of 50. lb. st. out of our exchequer. 3dly. by the same means, and in the same place, he endeavors to affront D. Hamiltoun and his company, in their passage, by a suspicious questioning of their attendents, and refusing them the conveniency of a nights lodging, which, how far it was contrary to the generositie of the Governor, then absent, and the civility of the Citizens, they since fully evidenced by that noble reception, which they gave the Duke in his return. And lastly, My L. Laud. imposes so far, upon his Mati ^es good nature, as to move him to discountenance a Gentleman, sent before by D. Hammiltoun, under a groundless pretext suggested by Lauderdaill, that he had been one of Olivers Sequestrators, contrary to that prudent and benign part of the act of Indemnitie, prohibiting the remembrance of all odious names, whereof his Ma ^tie hath been always most tender.

But notwithstanding all these rubbs, and many other discouragements, D. Hammiltoun and E. Tweddell being arrived at Court, do there very freely and faithfully acquit themselves, in a full and particular account of all things, relating to his Ma ^tie or the Countries interest; I need not here stand, to give the story by retail; it is like that the impressions were various, but in a word the result was the same, with the period which we have heard, was putt to all the good votes and resolves of the English Par ^lt ; however having had the good fortune to hear accidentallie of a letter, and afterwards to see its double, which, I am crediblie informed, was delivered unto his Ma ^tie , much about the time that our Lord's were there, I have thought good, here, to set down, for public satisfaction, its just transcript. The address of the letter was, To the King, and its date and tenor as followeth.

The words of the passage, hinted at in the close of this letter, are these

But albeit, that all mareriall in this letter, was pressed by these Noblemen, and many other things represented that might have tended to the good of the Kingdom, such as a digestion of our laws and rules of judgment, formerly mentioned, a release of all arriers of Taxation and Sesse preceeding the year 1665, a discharge of the annuity of tithes, and a settling of the order of Par ^lt. according to known rules and presidents ; And lastly that nothing was omitted that might give a satisfieng evidence in every point, yet My L. Laud ^s . suggestions and influences do more prevaill, & D. Hammiltoun is dismissed with fair words: However it being promised that the Par ^lt. should sit at its day and grievances be redressed and also a period putt to My Lo. Laud ^s . Commission, My L. Hammiltoun haistens homeward, with extraordinary difficulty, in respect both of the rigor of the season and the infirmity of his health, to attend its diet on the 3d. of March, which was the very next day to that of his arriveall: But instead of a session so much expected, by the people and all the members of Par ^lt. (who had now waited about four months and were better convened then at any time before) all, do meet with the disappointiment of a blunt adjournment, unto the 14. of Oct ^r. next, and accordingly the Par ^lt. is adjourned.

After these our more formed and general grievances, I might here subjoin, some smaller notices, relateing to My L. Lauds. way and behavior, not impertinent to the things that we have allreadie heard, such as, first, his arrogant undervalue of Par ^lts. , discovered by that expression to his Ma ^tie. against the E. of Midletons services, S ^ir , if you had sent down a dog with your commission about his neck to your Scotch Par ^lt, he would have done all that E. Midleton hath done. 2dly. his insolent treating of some members, in this present Par ^lt. , as when he commanded one M ^r William Moor summarilie to prison, because, I think, he desired that after the order of the English Par ^lt. Acts might be, at least, thrice read, before they were voted, or somewhat to this purpose; and in his course style asked another, for having in his modesty said, We for I, what Sir are there any myce in your arse? 3dly. his contemptuous slighting of D. Hammiltoun, and most of the ancient nobility of greatest interest and consideration in the Kingdom, whom he did not so much as allow to be named to be of the number, of the Commissioners chosen for the Treatie of the Union betwixt the two Kingdoms. 4thly. his strange inconstancy, in his friendships acted meerlie by his humor or advantage, as witness his dealings with the Earls of Rothes, Tweddell and Argyle, S ^r Robert Murray, D. of Ormond, E. Shaftsberry and others, whom according to occasion he hath, both caressed with open flattery, and rejected with proud prejudice. 5thly. his regardless neglect of the countries interest, to gratify indigent or covetous persons of his dependence, by procuring for them gifts of the pains of penal statutes, as to Sr John Moncriefe a gift of the pains of non-conforming within the Shires of Perth and Fife. To . . . . Scot of Ardrosse and Major Borthwick, a gift upon the Maltmen and Brewers; and to the same Major Borthwick another vexatious gift, called ordinarily of peck and bole. 6thly. his profane complement to the Archbishop of S ^t Andrew's, coming one day to visit him, Come in, My Lord, sit down here at my right hand until I make all your enemies your footstool. 7thly. his dull and malicious Iestings, against his old practices, and acquaintances, as when one day at his table, he said, he could pray as well as any Nonconformist, and so begunn a long complaint to God of covenant-breaking and other sins to their derision; and when at other times he hath insulted over them in their appearances, before the Council, by a reproachful remembrance of by-past courses, so that some of them have applied to him the old remarque omnis Apostate suae sectae osor: But it is not to these only that he confines this humor, he makes it serve also in other occurrences, as when it was said about grievances, that they ought not only to be redressed, but prevented for the future, he answered with much noise, that this was like an overture of the Commission of the Kirk, &c. as if in effect his fancy were lesed with the remains of his old hypocrisy. But passing these things, that may savor of a design of personal reflection, which is truly far from me, it may be to better purpose to suspend a little the closure of this relation, in two more important remarques.

The first is, that in the first session of this Par ^lt , and for its first Act, his Ma ^ties Supremacy was enacted, whereby it is declared not only that his Ma ^tie hath the supreme authority over all persons and in all causes within this Kingdom, and that by virtue thereof, the ordering of the external government, and policy of the Church, doth properly belong to him; but that his Ma ^tie , and his Successors may settle, enact and emitt such constitutions, acts, and orders, concerning all ecclesiastical persons, meetings and Matters (a word infinitlie extensive, comprehending the all of Religion) as they in their royal wisdom shall think fit. It is true that this was unanimouslie consented to by the Par ^lt. , and it is as well known, that all that the Par ^lt. had in view, was the establishing of his Ma ^ties power and authority, for the better confirmation of a little indulgence, then latelie granted to some Non-conforming Ministers, and the more effectual checqueing of the loyal Clergies murmurings, who pretended to a Negative in these affairs. But that the D. of Laud. had quite another design, in the passing of this Act, even the raising of his own credit and consideration at Court, and the aggrandizing of himself, by an accession to that power, whereof he then had, and still hath the sway, did quickly discover it self, in its first application, directed against the Arch-Bishop of Glasgow; for My L. Laud. having conceived an irreconcilable grudge against this gentleman, mostlie, because he had on some occasions addressed himself to the King, otherwise then by him, the poor Bishop is menaced, to have articles exhibited against him, before the Privy Council, and thereupon is constrained, to dimitt; but this is not the sole Act, wherein My L. Laud. hath proposed to himself the same aim: I have already shown, how that the Act. 1663; entitled an Humble Tender, &c. and offering 22. thousand men to his Ma ^ties service, was especially of Laud ^s. framing, & it is very well known, how at Court he hath often since that time valued himself very highly, upon it: But now being Commissioner, his industrious advancement of what at first, was, only more generally agreed to, doth exhibit a more satisfying discovery, and therefore we see, with what care, in the very next Act to that of Supremacy, he goes about to settle the Militia, not as a simple Country-conceit, for the better training of men to the use of Arms; but upon the more martial basis, & for those more noble ends of the former Act, & humble tender. I will not, for all this, say, that at that time he had in prospect, the great things whereof he hath since been suspected, yet I make no doubt, but, that even then, he looked upon the Supremacy & the Militia, so settled, &, in a manner, both in his own hand, as being the Kings Commissioner, as two brave leading cards, wherewith such a Court-gamester as he, in the many chances, and changes, that do there happen, might sometime or other come to do mighty feats. I love not to heighten, let be to creat, jealousies, nor have I any faculty in the search of hidden and dark counsels; & therefore do very unwillinglie take up, or assent to, vulgar reports of My L. Laud ^s . after-engagements, in arbitrary & popish projects: Nevertheless, such indications, as run into a man's eyes, can hardly be dissembled. It may then, be remembered; that, when in the summer 1672, the Cabal at Court was in its ascendent, & Laud. got to be on the top of it, and that matters in England were come to a very manifest crisis; My L. Laud. about the same time goes for Scotland, and there procures a new Act of Militia to be made, statuting that all persons, who should be therein enrolled, should be entirelie reserved for that employment, and that both Officers, and soldiers should take the oath of Allegiance (which with us includes also the Supremacy,) and is, I suppose, a sacramentum militare without a president) and by another Act he obtains, to be imposed a twelve months assessement, to lie for a stock of money for for their provision, and that upon this express narrative viz. That as the Kingdom of Scotland will cheerfullie hazard their lives, and fortunes, in the war against the Dutch, or any other cause wherein his Ma ^ties safety, honor, or interest may be concerned: So in order thereunto, they have so settled the Militia, as the forces of the Kingdom, may be in readiness, when ever his Ma ^tie shall be pleased for these ends to make use of them. Which things in Scotland and England being laid together, & the strange twistings of the Supremacy that makes so large a surrender of matters of Religion, with these Acts of Militia & Maintenance, declaring a readiness for any expedition, &c. being well weighed; I think, it may warrantablie be affirmed, that if there was any extraordinary design at that time in agitation, My L. Laud ^s . hand, in probability, was deepest in it. Neither can the Par ^lts. concurrence, in consenting to these Acts, be pleaded for his excuse: For as much as it is certain, that their pure and single intent was, a dutiful expression of their loyalty, for which they have always judged, that no words capable of a fair signification, could ever be too significant. I need not adduce their unacquaintednesse with secret transactions for their purgation; he that can imagine, that Scotland would have consented, to that heavy assessement, out of any other motive, then their absolute & implicit affection to his Ma ^tie , let be in any thoughts of favoring Popery, is widelie mistaken, both of our riches and religion: And therefor it may well be concluded, that as the ill favored aspect, of the Act and Humble Tender &c. and Acts of Militia ensuing on it, toward England, with their ill contrived alternative, or for any other service wherein his Ma ^ties honor, authority, or greatness may be concerned, were at first the dictates of Lauderdails vanity, and have often since been the boastings of his ambition; so they do plainly enough evince, his black accession to those other mysteries, whereof he hath elsewhere been accused.

The 2d. remarque shall be, concerning My L. Laud ^s. administration in Church affairs. It is not necessary to remember how that E. Midleton in his Par ^lt. thought fit, to correct the rigor of Presbyterie, by the heights of Prelacie, & what a severe vengeance of conformity, the Bishops did thereafter execute, upon the whole Country, for their former compliance with, and retained affection to their brethren of that ministry: O when shall Princes know, wherein the true power, and peaceableness of the Gospel doth lie; & deliver themselves & their people, from the pedantrie, & hypocrisy of all Church-pretenders! However the extreme distress, whereinto these Episcopal persecutions had brought the Country, did in the year 1669 (as I have before related,) move the compassion of some more moderate persons, to obtain for it the case of that small indulgence, that was then granted, for the better establishment whereof, it was supposed (as I have said) that the supremacy was thereafter in Par ^lt. enacted. But that the Country might the better relish this favor, and know how to discern his Ma ^ties , from his Commissioners Grace, it pleased My L. Laud. that in the year 1670., conformity should be again commanded, and pressed by new Acts of Par ^lt , and those, in my opinion, of a greater severity, then the highest points in Christianity could have allowed: For by the fifth Act of that Session (as also by the 17. Act of the 3. Session) it is statuted, that no Non-conform-Minister, not licensed by the Council, or other person, not authorised by the Bishop, shall (so much as) pray to God in any meeting, except in their own houses, and to those of their own families, and such as shall be present not exceeding the number of four, and that all accessory to the contrary, shall be guilty of keeping conventicles, and punished with the pains there specified, the Article of the Apostolic Creed I beleve the communion of Saints notwithstanding. 2dly. by the same Act, it is declared, that whosoever without license or authority a foresaid, shall preach or pray at any field-meeting, or in any house, where there be more persons, then the house contains, so as some of them be without doors (who may be only two or three, and posted there by malice) or who shall convocate these meetings, shall be punished with death, and confiscation of their goods, and the Seizers of such persons, are not only indemnifed for any slaughter that shall be committed, in the apprehending, but also assured of 500. merks Scots of reward, for each person by them seised and secured ; so mortal a thing is this field-conventicling, the Messe and all its idolatry hath nothing in it so deadly. 3dly. by the 6th. Act of that Session, there are considerable pecuniall pains ordained against disorderlie baptisms, such as those are reckoned to be that are performed by outed Ministers not licensed, or by any other then the parish Minister, without his certificate, or, in case he be absent, the certificate of one of the neighbouring Ministers. 4thly. by the 7th. Act, it is appointed, that all his Ma ^ties subjects of the reformed religion (for Papists, that are without, God Judgeth) shall attend divine worship, in their own Churches, under the pecuniall pains there mentioned toties quoties &c. and in case any landed man, shall withdraw for the space of a year, notwithstanding their being therefore fully fyned, they are to be presented to his Ma ^ties Council, who are authorised to require of them a bond not to rise in arms against his Ma ^tie , or his Commissioner (as if a man could not be so far dissatisfied with a pitiful Country Curat, but he must also be suspected for disaffection to his Ma ^tie ) which if they refuse, or delay, they are to be imprisoned, or banished, and both their single and life-rent escheat doth immediately fall to his Ma ^tie. And lastly by the 2d. Act of that same Session, it is statuted and ordained that all persons, thereto called by the Council, or others having his Ma ^ties Authority, are obliged in conscience (very fair) and duty, to declare and depose upon oath, their knowledge of any crime, and particularly of any conventicles, and of the circumstances, of the persons present, and things done therein ; may not then any one be brought from the streets, and urged to become, upon oath, informer, accuser or witness upon all, that he ever saw or heard in his life, against himself, his friend, father and all men else; or if he shall be so perverselie wicked, or disloyal, as to refuse or delay, he is to be punished by fyneing, close imprisonment, or banishment by sending him to the Indies, or elsewhere at the Councils pleasure ; sure I am the Spanish Inquisition hath no broader warrant. And yet notwithstanding all these, My L. Laud: by a new act of the 3. Session of this Par ^lt ▪ procures the execution of the above-mentioned Acts against conventiclers and withdrawers from public worship to be enjoined to all Sheriffs and Magistrates, with an express provision that they should render an account yearlie of their diligence under the pain of 500. merks Scots.

But all these great efforts, of My L. Laud ^s . zeal against Fanatics, proveing by far less successful, then that little specimen of his Ma ^ties. clemency, whereunto Lauderdaill, had been by others inclined, and it having pleased his Ma ^tie. , in the year 1672. to gratify his Protestant subjects in England, with his royal goodness, he thinks meet at the same time to extend it, of new, to Scotland; and therefore gives to his Commissioner, then amongst us, all necessary instructions, for compleeting this work: But his Grace being now quite freed, from all those good influences wherewith sometime he had been acted, by a very uncourteous, & rude application, sadlie mars his Ma ^ties. kindness, and frustrats its best end; for as much, as in place of that gracious relief, which, no doubt, was intended by his Ma ^tie. , for all his non-conforming good subjectts, whether ministers, or people, he plainly turns this new Indulgence, into an universal confinement, of the whole non-conform Ministers, unto some Parishes in a corner of the Country, leaving the rest as dry or wett, as the ground, about Gideon's fleece, and that, with such a scornful inconvenience (besides some other scrupling conditions that were also imposed) that to several small parishes, having not above à thousand communicants, and 900. or a 1000. merks Scots, of stipend, he causeth to be appointed, three or four ministers, contrair to all Just proportions, and only with the ridiculous equality, of as little cure as little sallarie. Neither is he content to have thus cantonized those that were licensed, but even they that had none of his Ma ^ties. favor, must yet be made partakers of his Graces mercy, and therefore, it is further ordered, that all other non-conform ministers not licensed, should either conform, in the places of their dwelling, or else, before a certain day, repair to and reside in the Parishes whereunto ministers licensed are appointed: I shall not say, that his Grace did thus restrain and clogg this Indulgence, because that the Council, upon a letter which he had before sent them down, from his Ma ^tie. , to know if Papists might also have some tollerance, returned their advice that, they thought it neither necessary, nor expedient; but it is obvious enough, that if Papists had been made partakers of this intended favor, it must of necessity have been shaped out, and molded, by some more easy regulation. And yet, as if by this concession, there had been accumulated upon the Fanatics, a bounty to which nothing could be added, it is declared in the conclusion of the Councils Act, that they were not to look for any further enlargement, but that the laws for conformity were to be strictlie executed, against all contraveeners; but the truth is, there was another motive, for this certification; his Grace knew very well, that not only the generality of that scrupling party over Scotland, were little obliged, by their being, in a manner, excepted from this his Ma ^ties. Grace, which often makes men, that before were unconcerned, to become more curious; but that some of them, who were now deprived of the liberty which at first was allowed to them, were thereby much irritat: And therefore he, in time, provides this color for the executions that might again ensue. And truly, if I were to form conjectures of men's designs, on the measures, that visibly appear to have been taken, in this sorry contryvance, I verily think, that all the specious commendations, wherewith it was magnified, would scarselie, make me forbear to say, that its restrictednesse and uneasinesse, seem rather to have been intended for the marring, then anything else, for the promoveing of its success. It is sufficiently manifest to all ingenuous men, that, the non-conformists, for all their scruples, are not only sincerely, and securelie loyal, but in effect, fully as gentle and tractable, as can rationallie be expected, from those principles, wherewith the Indulgence it self imports a dispense▪ Besides if dispersion & the removing of the grounds of complaints be (as no doubt they are) the most effectual means, to quiet such opinionative distempers, what could have been more promiseing, then to have disposed upon the small handful of outed ministers, that remain, either by returning them all freely, to their own churches, or leaving them to settle, as fair invitations should have determined. But alas, who sies not the strange consequences, that would have ensued; if all wild beasts were once tamed, hunters and their sport would be utterly spoiled, and a quiet and satisfied Kingdom, secured from almost the possibility, of foreign invasion, would need no more any standing forces, far less a standing Commissioner; and how should this poor country, after so many vexations, have endured so great a loss. But that his Graces well disposedness, in affairs of this kind, may be the better understood, there is one instance of it, that I cannot here omit and it is thus; A little before this Indulgence was granted, there were two country gentlemen, Hay of Ballhoussie and Drummond of Meggins, brought in question, for this flagitious impertinencie of conventicling; the quality of their guilt was, that the first, had, indeed, had private meetings in his own house, but the second was only charged, with his wife and daughters transgression: However, his Grace having thought good, immediately upon the delation, to make over their fynes, unto his favourit the E. of Athole, and the gentlemen forseing, that to make the gratification suitable, there was no less, then the utmost rigor to be expected; they judged it best, to abandon their own defense, for a friendly transaction, & therefore, casting themselves on the Earls discretion, they aggrie with him in writing, the one to pay him 600. lb. st., and the other 400. lb. st.; but when they appear before the Council, My L. Laud., not content with what Athole had done, very arbitrarlie and exorbitantlie, procures the sentence to be augmented, against the first, to a 1000. lb. st. and against the other to 500. lb. st. whether more generouslie, towards his friend, who had got before, all that he had demanded, or more justly towards the gentlemen, who relying upon the aggriement, had prepared no other defense, let the world judge. I might also add another example of his Graces moderation, in causing the Countess of Wigtoun, a widow Lady, and otherwise clothed with all the favorable circumstances, that could be desired, to appear in person, before the Council, to answer for private meetings in her own house, and to be fyned in the sum of 5000. merks Scots, thereby showing an impartialitie not to be biased with any courtesy. But to return to our purpose, I need not mention particulars, for confirming of what I have said, of the errors committed, in shapeing out this Indulgence: Its misadventure, as to the composeing of matters, whereunto it pretended, hath afforded, both to his Ma ^ties Council, and to the Ministers licensed, too much unpleasent exercise, in citations, examinations, and reiterat orders, to leave it in the least doubtful. The thing, more worth our noticeing, is to consider, how fortunatlie the event did fall out, to justify my suspicion; I touched, in the beginning, what an opportune pretext, when all others failed, these non-conforming disorders did furnish to his Grace, for his last coming amongst us: But because the letter, that he thereupon purchased from his Ma ^tie to his Par ^lt. , doth not more hold forth, its true Author, in its unsuitableness to his Ma ^ties excellent goodness, then exhibit to the world the truest character of My L. Laud ^s . goodness and sincerity in all these affairs, in lines of his own drawing; I shall here set down at length, some passages of it: But one of the principal reasons of the keeping this session of Par ^lt , is to the end

The text is plain and needs no comment; I shall not say, with some Fanatics, that if the Lord had not unexspectedlie beat down to the earth, this persecutor with his letters, breathing out such threatenings, and slaughter, our land might have again been turned, into a field of blood and confusion: Nor will I positivelie affirm, that these minatorie strains, were purposely intended, for to overaw the nation, to a more complyant submission, to the introduction of a Service-book, which, it is well known, was both designed and prepared, and should have been the great business, of his Grace his last coming down: But certainly, whoever compares, the expressions of this letter, with all their circumstances, viz. his Ma ^ties benign clemency to all innocent dissenters, the Kingdoms unquestionable quiet, from all their disturbances, its great and almost sole distemper from My L. Lauds. own oppressions, the visible necessity that forced him, at that time, to take sanctuary amongst us, and lastly the forebearance and insinuation, that he hath since used, toward the non-conformists, to ease himself of a part, at least, of that universal odium, which he finds to be against him; must inevitablie break forth in admiration, at this unmeasured boldness, of abuseing his Ma ^ties name and authority, to so many extravagancies. These have been his ways in the Church, so like, in every step, to his actings in the State, that they neither could have any better success, nor can receive a milder censure. But now his Grace, having rode out this storm of grievances, delivered himself from Par ^lts , and defeat all his enemies, in order to his return to Court, resolves (as it is probable) to give the Kingdom a proof, both of his own free and unconstrained benevolence, and also of his great power and interest with his Ma ^tie , and therefore, there is a letter produced, from the King to his Council, bearing, that his Ma ^ties affection for us, makes him ready to embrace all occasions, whereby he may witness his zeal, to do all things, which may be for our advantage, and ease; and that being informed, by his Commissioner, of some things which have been, & still are, troublesome, & burdensome to us, he hath thought fit, in his royal bounty, and by his royal authority, to declare, his royal pleasure for the discharging of all impositions, due before his restoration, all rests of the taxation granted by the Par ^lt 1633., all arrears of the annuity of tithes, preceeding the year 1660., and all fynes imposed by his Ma ^ties first Par ^lt , excepting always from all these, all sums of money allreadie paid, or for which bond is given preceeding the date of the letter: And lastly his Ma ^tie doth grant, a general pardon and discharge, of all arbitrary and pecuniall pains, incurred before the date of the letter, extending even to those against Conventicles, withdrawing from ordinances, disorderlie baptisms and marriages, excepting nevertheless, all capital crimes, and sentences of banishment, imprisonment, or confynement. Upon this letter, there being a proclamation voted and formed by the Council, it was the next day made, with the solemnities of the Magistrates in their robes, the citizens in arms, ringing of bells, shooting of guns, public feasting, bonfires, & all other ceremonies, that were used, in the most extraordinary occasions of joy: I shall not insist on the people's wonder, at the vain pomp, of these circumstances, who could findenothing suitable in the subject; nor on the criticizings of the more malign sort, who regreting, that his Ma ^ties affection & zeal for our good, should rather have been directed, by My L. Laud ^s ., scant and partial suggestions then by the full and faithful advice of his Par ^lt. , observed first, that the exception in the discharge, of the rests of impositions, taxations and fynes, was infinitlie broader, then the release it self, the country having, now for 13. years, been so vexed and harassed, for these things, that there is nothing left to be discharged, safe a few desperate, and irrecoverable remains. 2dly. that a general pardon and discharge of arbitrary and pecuniall pains, is an ordinary grace, customary to be granted in most Par ^lts. , with such a latitude as they think fit to give it. 3dly. that the extension of this pardon, even to Conventicles &c. can have no emphasis, unless we suppose, conventicling & non-conconforming, to be worse then Sabbath-breaking, profane swearing, drinking, whoring, userie, extortion, and the like. 4thly. that the exception of banishments, imprisonments and confynments, wherein a few Fanatic ministers are mostlie concerned, appears to be an unseasonable reserve of a peevish rigor: and 5thly. that the style of the proclamation viz. We with advice foresaid, do hereby statute and enact, and accordingly discharge, to our subjects, all rests and assessements &c. is not only forced but more Parliamentary then proper for such edicts.

But the thing, we rather remarque is, that just and important exception, moved against this letter and proclamation, by D. Hammiltoun and others in Council, viz. that D. Hammiltoun, having an undoubted right to the taxation 1633., by a contract betwixt his late Ma ^tie. and James then Duke of Hammiltoun, and also by a commission from his now Ma ^tie , for security and repayment to him of a considerable sum of money, the same could not be taken away in this summary way, without lawful hearing; upon which exception D. Hammiltoun (as he declared) did not insist, for the value of the thing, but for obviating so dangerous a preparative, to every man's right and property; this discharge was overtur'd both by himself, and others, during the sitting of the Par ^lt. , and if it had been prosecuted, that way, all men's interests, might have been considered, and also the country more effectually secured: But after rejecting of that method, to have made choice of this, was an introduceing of presidents, of an evil aspect: And yet albeit it was resolved by the best Lawyers, in a writing under their hands, that Duke Hammiltouns right was unquestionable, that the King in such cases utitur jure privati, and that by the fundamental law of the Land, no man's right could be taken away summarlie by letter and proclamation (which plea was also confirmed by the suffrage of the Judges there present) nevertheless it was with extreme heat, and pain, that My L. Laud▪ could be induced to consent to the reserving of D. Hammiltouns right, as we find it to be done, in the Proclamation. I have before mentioned, the letter impetrat, from his Ma ^tie against M ^r Rougheed town-Clerk of Edinburgh, and the offense which generally it gave, because of the invasion of property and liberty, thereby threatened; but now, that My L. Laud, should have again, and thus openly, and avowedlie, relapsed into so pernicious an error, it doth manifestly evince, a design of arbitrarinesse, beyond the excuses of either folly or fatalitie.

And yet after this, & all his other high & strange misdemeanors, which I have hitherto related, My L. Laud▪ had the confidence, to present to the Council, a letter of answer, to be subscribed by them, and sent up to the King, wherein thanks, are not only returned for his Ma ^ties gracious letter of release, but also for his readiness shown by his Commissioner, to have rectified all our grievances, that were orderlie represented: I will not here take notice of the dissents, entered by a considerable part of the Council, against such a groundless and imposeing practice; as his Grace would delude the common people, by bells and bonfires, and other empty and ridiculous shows, doth he also think, that men of understanding, will suffer their eyes to be put out; is it not enough, that he hath tyrrannised over us, with so much pride and oppression, but that he must morever offer violence to our senses, and not only obstruct our prayers and cries, to his Ma ^tie for his compassion and help, but even endeavor to elicit flattering approbations, and applauses for palliating and supporting these gross malversations; for which nevertheless, it is beyond peradventure, that so soon as he shall be arrived at Court, he will think fit to secure himself, as he hath already done, for his far inferior transgressions in England, by his Ma ^ties remission and pardon?

Certainly the free consideration of these things, might stir up, and raise every ingenuous spirit, to the highest measure of indignation, did not his Ma ^ties concern, and engagement therein, far more powerfullie incline, to a dutiful regrete; who can observe, without an astonishing grief, this Kingdom, lately so overjoyed, for his Ma ^ties restoration, and overflowing in all the possible expressions of the most loyal acknowledgements, now sunk into the saddest depths, of mourning, and darkened, by reason of the witholding of the rays of his Ma ^ties gracious countenance, with clouds of jealousies, which no man is willing to entertain, or yet able to dissipat: And who can think, without a most sensible affliction, that his Ma ^ties most excellent understanding & most benign disposition, in all other occasions, should in these matters of the highest consequence, be so oddelie possessed, with such a strange aversion, to hearken to, a most loyal Par ^lt. and to be advised by his most affectionate subjects: And lastly who can see, (without a confusion, and rising of passions, not to be expressed,) the D. of Laud., a person, so insignificant for the advance of his Ma ^ties service, and, of late, become so extravagant and unacceptable, even in his private deportment and ordinary conversation with • ll men; yet, in these public and great affairs wherein he hath so wyldlie miscarried to preponderat, in his Ma ^ties esteem, to the universal outcry of two nations, the unprejudicat complaint of two Par ^lts. , and the visible disturbing, if not breaking, of the peace and quiet of two Kingdoms; I shall not offer at the arts, charms or enchantments▪ whereby these wonderful things, may be brought to pass it is but too too manifest, that where My L. Laud., did sometime stand in the most undutiful difference, & seeminglie irreconcilable distance, he hath of late, since the beginning, of the last Dutch war; and the ariseing of the jealousies, which did commence with it, procured to himself, so firm a friendship, & so sure a support, that the more that these jealousies, and their dissatisfactions, have increased, the more hath this favor been confirmed, and intended. But why should I grope in these suspicious conjectures, wherein all good men, do rather desire, to find themselves deceived, then further cleared: Let us rather wish, that his Ma ^ties eyes may be opened, and his heart turned towards this, his ancient Kingdom, and in the mean time be established, in this most fixed assurance, that notwithstanding of all the colors, pretensions, and insinuations, that My L. Laud. can employ, for the advancing of his particular interest, and ambitious humors, • gainst the public good of the nation, and for the bearing down of its best subjects, yet the longed for issue, is as certain as that reason is reason and 〈◊〉 men.

I must desire thou would pass over an omission of the Printer in the 3 d. sheet, which is the letter C. wherein the pages are misplaced; and in thy reading follow the last word of each page and the number; what other escapes of misplaceing of letters, as in the dedication l. 11. nd▪ athere, for and there and such like, as I know they cannot mar the sense, so I hope they shall not incur thy censure.