A letter from the Assembly of Divines in England, and the commissioners of the…

And now (dear Brethren) in this extreme danger ⟨p. 10⟩threatening us all, what are the things we can beg of you? But that first you would judge aright of our afflicted condition, of our innocency and integrity in this our just defence. If our Enemies every where calumniate us, that we be risen up in Rebellion against our Sovereign to deprive him of his just power and greatness, and endeavour to bring Anarchy and confusion into the Church of Christ; from these foul and false aspersions, our intentions fully and clearly set forth in our solemn League and Covenant (the copy whereof we here withal humbly present you) we doubt not will sufficiently clear us. But if these children of Belial have unjustly stirred up our Sovereign against us, and by abusing his Majesties name and Authority, are labouring to keep themselves from deserved punishment of their former crimes, which the supreme Judicatories of the Kingdom went about to inflict upon them, and to deprive us of our lives, Liberties, Privileges, and especially of our Religion; And that our defensive Arms are by us used and intended only to preserve our selves from their unjust violence: (which hath often been the condition of many of your selves) Let the righteous Lord judge between us and them; whom we implore to help us no further then we can plead these things in sincerity before him: And let our dear Brethren to whom these letters are addressed, acquit our Innocency in their hearts, and make their Apology for us in all their Churches.

And now (deare Brethren) in this extreame danger ⟨p. 10⟩threatning us all, what are the things wee can begge of you? But that first you would judge aright of our afflicted condition, of our innocency and integrity in this our just defence. If our Enemies every where calumniate us, that we be risen up in Rebellion against our Soveraigne to deprive him of his just power and greatnesse, and endeavour to bring Anarchy and confusion into the Church of Christ; from these foule and false aspersions, our intentions fully and clearely set forth in our solemne League and Covenant (the copy whereof we here withall humbly present you) wee doubt not will sufficiently cleare us. But if these children of Beliall have unjustly stirred up our Soveraigne against us, and by abusing his Majesties name and Authority, are labouring to keepe themselves from deserved punishment of their former crimes, which the supreme Judicatories of the Kingdome went about to inflict upon them, and to deprive us of our lives, Liberties, Priviledges, and especially of our Religion; And that our defensive Arms are by us used and intended onely to preserve our selves from their unjust violence: (which hath often beene the condition of many of your selves) Let the righteous Lord judge between us and them; whom we implore to helpe us no further then we can plead these things in sincerity before him: And let our deare Brethren to whom these letters are addressed, acquit our Innocency in their hearts, and make their Apologie for us in all their Churches.