17. If they petition that the Ministers Oath may be no other than that which the Act of Parliament doth order them to take, what Answer shall be given? _I and the Bishops will consider of it._ 18. If they petition that the five Articles of Perth may be held as indifferent, what Answer shall be given? _I will hear of no Petition against an Act of Parliament._ 19. If the Town of Edinburgh may not be dealt with apart to petition for Your Majesties Favour, and if they desire that the Council, Exchequer, and Session may be returned them, what Answer shall be given? _Upon their full submission, and renouncing of the Bond, they may have their desires._ 20. If the like course may not be taken with some other principal Burghs? _As before._ 21. If to gain some leading men from the Party, marks of Your Majesties Favour may not be hoped for? _To some, I; to some, No._ 22. If particular men desire either Acts of Council, or Pardons under the Great Seal, what shall be done? _Grant their desires._ 23. What Service shall be used in the Chappel Royal? _The English._ 24. If the Lords of Council and Session, shall at that time be pressed to receive Kneeling? _This is no time for a Communion, but when there is they must kneel._ 25. If thought fit, what shall be done to them that refuse? _Advise of it._ 26. If all Acts of Council, that have injoyned the use of the Service-Book, Book of Canons, are not to be suspended, and declared of no force in time coming? _Yes._ 27. How far Your Majesty will warrant me to declare Your Pleasure to the Lords of the Clergy, concerning their living within their Diocesses? _I shall do it My Self, but you may tell any of it._ 28. How far I may declare Your willingness to give ear to and receive the private Complaints of Your Subjects in general, and in particular against any of the Bishops? _Refuse none._ 29. If those Ministers (who have been by the Multitude displaced) are not again to be established? _They must._ 30. If in the Abbey-Church the use of the Organs shall be presently enjoyned? _Yes._ 31. If those Ministers formerly silenced may not for a time be connived at, and permitted to preach? _If they preach not Sedition._ 32. If your Majesty aim at more for the present, than establishing the Peace of the Country? _No more for the present._ 33. If more, it is humbly desired, Your Majesty may be pleased to express it? _When time shall be fit._ In execution of all which, or what else Your Majesty shall think fit to command, it is most humbly desired, that I may be so warranted, that the labouring to put them in execution may not turn to my Ruine, nor hazard the losing of Your Majesties Favour, dearer to me than life? _You shall._ * * * * * 1638.—May 16. 38. _Instructions by the King to Hamilton._[63] CHARLES R.