* * * * * 1638.—July 28. 57. _Reply by the Commissioner._[82] 1. If the Lords and the rest will undertake for themselves and the rest, that noe Laicks shall have voyces in choosing the Ministers to bee sent from the severall Presbyteries to the General Assembly, nor none else but the Ministers of the same Presbyterie: 2. If they will undertake that at the Assemblie they shall not goe about to determine of things established by Acts of Parliament, otherwise then by remonstrance or petition to the Parliament, leaving the determining of things Ecclesiasticall to the generall Assembly, and things settled by Act of Parliament, to the Parliament: Then I will presently indict a Generall Assembly, and promise, upon my Honour, immediately after the Assembly to indict a Parliament, which shall cognosce of all their complaints. * * * * * 1638.—July 30. 58. _Letter from the King to Privy Council._[83] CHARLES R. Right trusty and well-beloved Cousin, Councellour and Commissioner, and Right trusty and well-beloved Cousins and Councellours, and trusty and well-beloved Councellours, We Greet you well. The great Distractions which have of late arisen both in Kirk and Commonwealth, in that Our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland, have much troubled the minds of many good and loyal Subjects there, and these Distractions have fallen out among them upon Jealousies and Fears of Innovation in Religion, and introducing of Popery; and not without some Fears conceived amongst them, as if We Our Self were that way inclined. Upon occasion of these Fears they have of late signed a Covenant, or Bond for conserving the Religion established, and the Laws of the Country; but this Bond being not subscribed by Royal leave and Authority (as was that in Our dear Fathers time) must needs be both null in it self, and very prejudicial to the ancient and laudable Government of both Kirk and Commonwealth: which though We must declare unto you, yet out of Our inborn Love to that Our Native Country, and Loyal Subjects there, and for the obviating of these causeless Fears, and to satisfie your selves and all Our loving People, We do hereby under Our hand let you know that We are, and have ever been satisfied fully in Our Judgement and Conscience, both for the Reformed Religion and against the Roman; and that by Gods Grace and Goodness, We purpose both to live and die in the belief and practice of the Religion now established, and to preserve it in full strength, according to the Laws of that Our Kingdom: and to the end that this may appear to Posterity, how firm and settled We are in that Our Religion, We require you Our Commissioner and Council to see these Letters registred according to course. Given at Our Court at Oatlands, July 30. 1638. * * * * * 1638.—July 30. 59. _Declaration by the King._[84] CHARLES R.