That We are content absolutely to discharge the Books of Service, and Canons, and the High Commission.
You shall shew that the Five Articles of Perth We are pleased be esteemed as indifferent, and that though We maintain Episcopacy, yet We will be content that their Power be limited according to the Laws.
And it is Our further Pleasure, that if an Assembly be indicted, he and the rest of his Brethren be there, to defend themselves and their Cause: and for that end, that he and they repair to Newcastle, Morpeth, or Berwick, there to attend your further advertisement, that so immediately they may repair to Scotland, not only to answer for themselves at the said Assembly, but likewise to consult with you, what will be fittest to be done, for the advancement of Our Service that evil may be kept off, so much as in you and them lieth, both from Kirk and Commonwealth.
Charles, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith. To our Lovits ______________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Messengers, Our Sheriffs, in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute, greeting. Forsomuch as the cause and occasion of all the distractions which have happened of late both in Church and Common-weale of this Our Kingdome, have proceeded from the conceived fears of innovation of Religion and Lawes: To free all our good Subjects of the least suspition of any intention in Us to innovate any thing, either in Religion or Laws; and to satisfie, not only their desires, but even their doubts: We have discharged, and by these presents do discharge the Service book, book of Canons, and high Commission, and the practice of them, or any of them; and by these presents annuls and rescinds all acts of Councell, Proclamations, and other acts and deeds whatsoever that have been made or published, for establishing them, or any of them: and declares the same to be null, and to have no force nor effect in time coming. And being informed, that the urging of the practice of the five Articles of Pearth Assembly, hath bred great distraction and division in the Church and State, We have been graciously pleased to take the same into Our consideration; and for the quiet and peace of Church and State, do not only dispense with the practice of the saids Articles, but also discharge, like as by these presents Wee discharge all and whatsoever persons from urging the practice thereof, upon either laicke or ecclesiasticall person whatsoever. And We doe hereby free all Our Subjects from all censure and pain, whether ecclesiasticall or secular, for not urging, practising, or obeying the same, notwithstanding of any thing contained in the acts of Parliament, or generall Assembly to the contrarie. And because it hath been, to the disgrace of government, disperst and surmized throughout this Our Kingdome, that some of Our Subjects have exercised such illimited and unwarranted power, and have held themselves eximed from censure and punishment, to which others Our Subjects are lyable: We do by these presents declare, that if any of Our Subjects, whether ecclesiasticall or civill, of whatsoever qualitie, title, or degree, have, or shall at any time presume to do any such act, or assume to themselves any such exemption or power, That they shall, like as by these presents We make and ordain them to be lyable to the tryall and censure of Parliament, generall Assembly, or any other judicatories competent, according to the nature and qualitie of the offence. And for the free entrie of Ministers, that no other oath be administrate unto them, than that which is contained in the act of Parliament. And to give Our Subjects full assurance, that we never intend to admit of any change or alteration in the true Religion already established and professed in this Our Kingdome, And that all Our good people may be fully and clearly satisfied of the realitie of Our intentions towards the maintenance of the truth, and integrity of the said Religion: Wee have thought fit and expedient to enjoyn and authorize, like as We by these presents do require and command all the Lords of Our privie Councell, Senatours of the Colledge of Justice, Judges, and Magistrates to burgh and land, and all Our other Subjects whatsoever, to subscribe and renew the Confession of Faith, subscribed at first by Our dear Father and his houshold, in the yeare of God, 1580. Thereafter by persons of all ranks, in the year 1581. by ordinance of the Lords of secret Councell, and acts of the generall Assembly. Subscribed again by all sorts of persons in the year, 1590.