And wee moste humblie intreat his Grace, to intercede with the King’s Majestie, That hee may appoynt a Free and Lawfull Generall Assemblie, such as GOD’S Word, the practise of the Primitiue Church, and Lawes of the Kingdome doe prescrybe, and allowe, with all convenient speed, to the effect, the present Distractions of the Church may be setled. And if there be anie thing to be layd to the charge of any of the Clergie, of whatso-ever degree, eyther in Lyfe and Manners, or Doctrine, or exercise of his Calling, and Iurisdiction, hee may bee heard to aunswere all Accusations, and abyde all tryall, eyther for clearing his innocencie, or suffering condigne punishment, according to his Transgressions: declyning alwayes this Assemblie, for the causes aboue-written. Lyke as by these Presentes, wee, and everie one of vs, declyne the same, the whole Members thereof, and Commissioners fore-sayd, directed therevnto, and everie one of them. Wee protest, That this our PROTESTATION in respect of our lawfull absence, may bee receaved, in the Name of vs vnder-subscribing for our selues, and in the Name of the CHVRCH of SCOTLAND, that shall adheare to the sayde PROTESTATION, and in the Name of everie one of them, From our well-beloved, Doctor Robert Hamilton, Minister at Glasford: To whome, by these Presentes, wee giue our full Power, and expresse Mandate, to present the same in or at the sayde Assemblie, or where else, it shall bee necessarie to bee vsed; with all submission, and obedience, due to our Gracious Soveraygne, and his Majesties High Commissioner. And vpon the presenting and vsing thereof, Acts and Instrumentes to craue, and all other thinges to doe, that necessarilie are requyred in such Cases: firme and stable holding, or for to holde, what hee, or anie of them, shall lawfullie doe in the Premisses. In witnesse where-of, as wee are readie with our Blood, so with our Hand, wee haue subscrybed these Presentes, at the Palace of HOLIEROOD-HOVSE, NEW-CASTLE, and GLASGOW, the 16, 17, and 20 dayes of November, Anno 1638. Et sic subscribitur. Jo: Sᵗⁱ Andreæ Arch. [_Jo. Spottiswood._] Pa: Glasgow. [_Patrick Lindsay._] Da: Edinburgen. [_David Lindsay._] Tho: Gallovidien. [_Thom. Sydserfe._] Jo: Rossen. [_John Maxwell._] Walterus Brechinen. [_Walter Whitfoord._] * * * * * 86. _His Majesty’s Observations upon the draft copy of the Declinator._[111] CHARLES R. I. The second reason to be advised with my Lord Commissioner, whether or not it be safe at this time to except against the Form of the Publication of the Indiction of the Assembly. II. The third is a very good reason against the Proceeding of the Assembly, but will not infer a Nullity. III. In all the reasons where the Assembly is called a pretended Assembly, it is His Majesties Pleasure, that the word _pretended_ be deleted out of the Copy shewed to His Majesty.