English Puritan & Reformed

Scotlands Ancient Obligation to England

William Prynne (1600-1669) · 2,220 words · 10 min

The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A91258.0001.001

Project Note

This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.

This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.

Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.

However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.

This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.

Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org

SCOTLANDS Ancient Obligation to ENGLAND and public Acknowledgment thereof, For their Brotherly Assistance to, and Deliverance of them, With the Expence of their Blood, and hazard of the State and Tranquility of their Realm, from the Bondage of the FRENCH, in the time of their greatest Extremity. Anno Dom. 1560.

PSALM 133. 1.

Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Unity.

EZECH. 37. 22, 23, &c.

And I will make them ONE NATION in the Land upon the Mountains of Israel, and one King shall be King to them all, and they shall be no more TWO NATIONS, neither shall they be divided into TWO KINGDOMES anymore at all. Neither shall they defile themselves anymore with their Idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned and will cleanse them: So shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be King over them, and they all shall have one Sheepheard; they shall also walk in my Judgments, and observe my Statutes and do them. Moreover I will make a Covenant of Peace with them, it shall be an everlasting Covenant with them; and I will place them and multiply them, and set my Sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

LONDON, Printed by John Macock, for M. S. 1646.

Scotland's Ancient Obligation to England, and Public Acknowledgement thereof, for their Brotherly Assistance to, and Deliverance of them, (with the Expence of their Blood, and hazard of the State and Tranquility of their Realm) from the Bondage of the French, in the time of their greatest Extremity; Anno Dom. 1560.

N Ot only our own Historians (as Holinshed, Cambden, Speed, Stow, &c.) but our Brethren of Scotland in their Printed Histories (especially Buchanon and the late published History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, lib. 3. pag. 217. to 255. Printed at London, Anno 1644.) make honorable mention of the Brotherly Releife, and comfortable Support, which the English Nation, readily and freely afforded to their Protestant Brethren of Scotland, in the year of our Lord 1560. in their greatest extremity, when as their Religion, Liberties, Estates, Lives, were ready to be sacrificed to the Tyranny of their Popish QUEEN MARIE, and fury of an Insulting merciless Foreign Popish French Army, introduced to extirpate or enthrall them. How free that Reliefe of Ours was, without any expense at all to, or pay from our Scottish Brethren; how Puissant and well-provided Our Forces then were, both by Land and Sea; how Expeditious in their Marches, inoffensive in their Carriages, Valarous in their Encounters, Patient in their Extremities, faithful in their Engagements, Successefull in their Expedition, Quick in their Return, and fair-carriaged in their Departure thence, to their Eternal Honor (the most part of the Scottish Protestant Nobility, honourably convoying and accompanying them, as indeed they had well deserved:) the History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Records at large: For which extraordinary Brotherly Assistance, in such a time of Need, Our Brethren of Scotland most thankfully acknowledged this their pre-engagement unto Us, many years before we of England were re-engaged unto them for any such reciprocal Ayde: The memory whereof they gratefully Recorded in their public Liturgy, Printed at Edinburgh, An. Dom. 1575. which I find not only in the original Book it self p. 63. but likewise thus lately re-printed at London for Franc • Constable, Anno 1641. By some Well-wishers to both Nations, with this ensuing Preface thereunto.

To the Courteous Reader.

THis Ancient Prayer coming accidentally into the hands of some English well-wishers of the Scottish Nation, and finding it, in a manner by special Providence, now produced, in the time of our happy pacification with that Nation, there being no greater blessing upon earth than the peace between the two Kingdoms, under one and the same Governor; it was thought fit and seasonable to publish this to all, which whosoever shall read, will easily perceive the constant perseverance of their affection to the English Nation, since the year of their Deliverance from France.

A Thankesgiving unto God, taken out of the Form of Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments used in the Church of Scotland after their Deliverance from the tyranny of the Frenchmen, by the English: with prayers made for the continuation of Peace between the Realms of England and Scotland. Printed at Edinburgh by Thomas Bassandine, Anno Dom. 1575.

NOW, Lord, seeing that we enjoy comfort both in body and Spirit by reason of this quietness of thy mercy granted unto us, after our most desperate troubles, in the which we appeared utterly to have been over-whelmed; we praise and glorify thy mercy and goodness, who pitiously looked upon us when we in our own selves were utterly confounded. But seeing, O Lord, that to receive benefits at thy hands, and not to be thankful for the same, is nothing else but a seal against us in the Day of Judgment; we most humbly beseech thee to grant unto us hearts so mindful of the calamities past, that we continually fear to provoke thy Justice • o punish us with the like or worse plagues. And seeing That we by our own power were altogether unable to have freed ourselves from the tyranny of strangers, and from the bondage and thralldom pretended against us, thou of thine especial goodness didst move the hearts of our Neighbors (of whom we had deserved no such favor) to take upon them the common burden with us, and for our deliverance, not only to spend the lives of many, but also to hazard the estate and tranquility of their Realm and Common-wealth. Grant unto us, O Lord, That with such reverence we may remember thy benefits received, that after this, in our default, We never enter into Hostility against the Realm and Nation of England. Suffer us never, O Lord, to fall to that ingratitude and detestable unthankfulness, that we shall seek the destruction and death of those whom thou hast made instruments to deliver us from the Tyranny of merciless strangers. Dissipate thou the Councils of such as deceitfully travel to stir the hearts of the Inhabitants of either Realm against the other. Let their malicious practices be their own confusion, and grant thou of thy mercy that love, concord, and tranquility may continue and increase amongst the Inhabitants of this Isle, even to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose glorious Evangel thou of thy mercy dost call us both to Unity, Peace, and Christian Concord. The full perfection whereof we shall possess in the fullness of thy Kingdom, when all Offences shall be removed, iniquity shall be suppressed, and thy chosen children be fully endued with that perfect glory, in the which now our Lord Jesus Christ reigneth. To whom with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honor, praise, and glory, now and ever. So be it.

In the History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, l. 3. f. 251. 252. 253. I read, that on a public Day of Thanksgiving at S. Giles Church in Edinburgh, for this great Deliverance and settlement they received by the English, (at which the whole Nobility and greatest part of the Congregation of Scotland assembled,) after the Sermon made for the purpose, public thanks were given unto God for this merciful Deliverance concluding in form as followeth, the same in substance, but a little different in words from that forementioned, recorded in their Liturgy.

But seeing that thou hast mercifully heard us, and hast caused thy Virtue to triumph in us; so we crave of thee continuance to the end that thy godly Name may be glorified in us thy creatures. And seeing that nothing is more odious in thy presence (O Lord) then is Ingratitude and violation of an Oath and Covenant made in thy Name. And seeing thou hast made our Confederates of England the Instrument by whom we are now set at this liberty, and to whom in thy Name we have promised mutual faith again. Let us never fall to that Unkindness (O Lord) that either we declare ourselves unthankful unto them or profaners of thy holy Name. Confound thou the Counsel of those that go about to break that most godly League contracted in thy Name, and retain thou us so firmly together by the power of thy holy Spirit, that Satan have never power to set us again at variance not discord. Give us thy grace to live in that Christian charity, which thy Son our Lord Jesus hath so earnestly commended to all the members of his body, that other Nations provoked by our example, may set aside all ungodly War, Contention, and strife, and study to live in tranquility and peace, as it becometh the Sheep of thy Pasture, and the people that daily look for our final deliverance by the coming again of our Lord Jesus. To whom with thee and the holy Spirit be all honor, glory, and praise now and ever. Amen.

A prayer very fit to be publicly used now.

The Contract made at Barwick with the Kingdom of England, by our Brethren of Scotland, dated the 10 of May 1560. whereupon we were induced to send them this Brotherly Assistance, was thus Prefaced by themselves; Recorded in the self-same History, p. 233.

JAMES, Duke of Chattellarault, Earl of Arrane, Lord Hamilton, and others of the Council, Nobility, and principal Estates of Scotland; To all and sundry whose knowledge these presents shall come, Greeting. We have well considered and are fully persuaded, in what danger, desolation, and misery, the long Enmity with the Kingdom of England hath brought our Country heretofore: how wealthy and flourishing it shall become, if those two Kingdoms, as they are joined in one Island by Creation of the World, so they may be knit in a constant and assured friendship. These considerations grounded upon a most infallible Truth, ought no less to have moved our Progenitours and forefathers then us. But the present danger hanging over our heads, by the unjust dealing of those, of whom we have always best deserved, hath caused us to weigh them more earnestly then they did. The misbehaviour of the French Monsieurs, I had almost said Monsters, here, hath of late years been so great. The oppressions and cruelties of the Soldiers, the tyranny and ambition of their Superiors and Rulers, so grievous to the people, the violent subversion of our liberty, and conquest of the land, whereat they have by most crafty and subtle means continually pressed, hath been, I say, so intolerable to us all; that at last when we could not obtain redress by humble suits, and earnest supplications presented to the Queen Dowager, who both for duties sake, and place she doth occupy, ought to have been most careful of our state; we have been by very necessity constrained, not only to assay our own Forces, but also to implore the Queens Majesty of England's aid and support, which her Majesty hath most willingly granted, upon certain conditions specified in a Treaty past at Barwick, betwixt the Duke of Norfolk, Lieutenant to her Majesty, on the one part, and certain our Commissioners on the other part, whereof the Tenour followeth. &c.

These Public professions of our Scottish Brethren's deep Engagements to our Nation heretofore, to omit our Brotherly Ayd and large contributions towards them in the year 1641. and denial to grant any Subsidies to the King himself against them, when extremely pressed in the dissolved Parliament, Anno 1640. as they were forcible Enducements (by way of Retaliation and Gratitude) to induce them to contribute the like Brotherly Assistance unto us in our Necessities (though upon our own Expence, Pay, and for the preservation of their own Kingdom and Liberties as well as ours;) so I presume the publication of them to the World, will be a most strict Obligation to them inviolably to maintain that ancient League of Friendship, into which they then entered with us, and have of late more solemnly renewed by their most solemn Vow and Covenant, then before, and to demean themselves in these Distracted times, (when so many seek to divide and dash us one against another even now we have vanquished the common Enemy) with that Syncerity, Integrity, Simplicity, and Candor towards us, without giving the least just occasion of Jealosie or Complaint unto Our Nation by Speech, Action, or violating the least Title of their Covenant and Articles of Agreement with the Parliament; as may exactly answer our ancient and late brotherly square carriage towards them; and their last fair and honorable Retreat from hence into their own Country, to the silencing of all Malignant, Jealous, Spirits: & most inseparably unite, most cordially glue us one to another for Eternity, and frustrate all the Machivillian Plots and remaining hopes of our inveterate Enemies, who have now no other Policy left to raise themselves and ruin us, but our Division after so solemn and sacred an Union. Si collidimur frangimur; The prevention whereof, is the only end and Motive of this seasonable Publication.

FINIS.