The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANs. V II OL, , R ioterTo return back to general Monk in Scotland; as long as the army goegnum. d a:: • rH,( · ,r; h 1 1659 . vern~ auatrs at rriJt:'11112_;ter~ t e genera . \:as on thei.r fide, and en- ~ tertamed Mr. John Collnzs an tndependent mrmfler, for his chaplain; but upon the quarrel between the army and parliament, and Monk's declaring for the latter, it was apprehended he had changed fides, and would fall in with the presbyteriam; upon which Mr. Cary! and Barker were fent to Scotland with a letter from Dr. Owen, expreffing their fears of the dan– ger of their religious liberties upon a a revolution of government. The general received them with all the marks of efieem; and after a few days– returned the following anfwer, in a letter directed to Dr. Owen, Mr. Greenbi/1, and Mr. Hook, to be communicated to the churches, in and abou~ London. Hon. and dear friends, Monk't let « I Received yours, and am very fenfible of your kindnefs exprelfed to. ttr to the in-" the army in Scotland, in fending fuch honourable and reverend. <lepcndents. " perfons, whom we received with thankfulnefs and great joy as the '' melfengers of the churches, and the minifiers of Chriji of thefe three '' natiom. I do promife you for myfe!f, and the rift of the officers here,. " that your interift, liberty, and encouragement, Jball be very dear to us~ " And we fhall take this as a renewed obligation to alfert to the utmofi, " what we have already declared to the churches of Jefus Chrifi. I doubt> " not, but you have received fatisfaCl:ion of our inclinations to a peace– " able accommodation. I do hope, that fome differences being obviated,. '' we fhall obain a fair compofure. I do a.flure )'Ou, that the great things " that have been upon my heart to fecure and providefor, are our liberties. " and fiwdom, as the jitbjells andJervants if Jejits Chrijt, which we have " conveyed to us in the covenant ifgrace, a/Jitred in tbe promifeJ purchaji:d " by the blood of our Saviour for us, and given as. his great legacy " to his cburch and people; in comparifon of which we efieem all other " things as dung an(! drofs, but as they have a relation to, and dependance " upon this noble end. The others are our laws and rights as men, "" which mufi have their efieem in the fecond place ; for which many •• members of the churches have been eminent infiruments to labour in •• fweat and blood for thefe eighteen years lafi pail:, and our ancefiors fot « many hundred years before ; the fubfiance of which may be. reduc– • ed to a parliamentary government, and the people's confenting to the la~v5 '' by ~vhich they are governed. That thefe privileges of the nation may " be fo bounded, that the churches may have both fecurity and fettle– " ment, is !;lly great defire, and of thofe with me. So that I hope '' you
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