and fourty ſeven, entituled, Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland, concerning the Kings Majeſties Perſon. Which being now taken into conſideration, The Eſtates of Parliament do find and Declare, That it was carried on, and concluded by a prevalent party, againſt the judgement of many of His Majeſties Loyal Subjects; And that it is a moſt ſinful, diſloyal, and unworthy Act, contrary to the will and commandment of GOD; contrary to all Laws, Divine and Humane; contrary to the Duty and Allegiance of Subjects; contrary to all the rules of Juſtice, Honour, Gratitude and Humanity; and highly reflecting on the honour of this ancient Kingdom, and the reputation of His Majeſties good Subjects therein. And therefore, the Kings Majeſty, with advice and conſent of His Eſtates of Parliament, doth hereby Annull and Condemn the ſame for ever: And Ordains it to be expunged out of all Records, and never to be remembred again, but with due abhorrence and deteſtation.
And the Eſtates of Parliament, conceiving themſelves obliged in Conſcience, to make the truth of this buſineſs, and the manner of the carrying of it, known to the world, for the juſt vindication of this Kingdom, and His Majeſties dutiful and loyal Subjects, who otherwiſe may ſeem to be comprehended and concluded in it. They do therefore, from their certain knowledge, Declare, That even in that Parliament (from which many of His Majeſties good Subjects were debarred, for their affection and adherence to His Majeſties Service and Commands) there was a conſiderable number of worthy Patriots, of all Eſtates, who, at the paſſing of that baſe Act, gave a publick teſtimony and diſ-aſſent from it, which is here Recorded for their due honour; and for which, their memory will in all ages receive a famous celebration, And that there were divers others, who, upon the pretexts of Reformation, and aſſurances of the Safety of His Majeſties Perſon, being convinced, were in the ſimplicity of their hearts drawn along for the time: But ſhortly thereafter, being convinced of their error, did imbrace the firſt opportunity to expiate the ſame, by freely hazarding their lives and fortunes in the year, one thouſand ſix hundred and fourty eight, to redeem His Majeſty from theſe reſtraints and dangers, which by that impious Act he was driven into. And therefore, His Majeſty, with advice and conſent foreſaid, doth Declare, That the Act of Parliament foreſaid, of the ſixteenth of January, one thouſand ſix hundred and fourty ſeven, is not to be look'd upon as the Deed of the Kingdom, but as the Act of a few diſloyal and ſeditious perſons, who, having upon ſpecious, but falſe pretences, ſcrewed themfelves into the Government, did by force of Arms, keep the ſame; and from the conſcience of their own guiltineſs, being afraid of the juſtice of His Majeſties Government, did violently carry on that Act. And in further owning thereof, did, in the ſaid year, one thouſand ſix hundred and fourty eight, riſe in Arms, in oppoſition to thoſe who endeavoured to reſtore His Majesty to His Government, and to relieve Him from the impriſonment and hazard He was then lying under, as the natural effects of that unworthy tranſaction, ſo juſtly hereby condemned.
And for the further clearing of the ſenſe of this Kingdom, as to that baſe and treacherous Act, and the aſperſions which have been thereupon raiſed, as if there had been previous Tranfactions and Bargains of Money for carrying on of the ſame, The Eſtates of Parliament Declare, They do abominat the very thought of any ſuch thing; and that if at anytime hereafter, there ſhall be diſcovery of any ſuch wickedneſs, (which they are confident GOD Almighty will in His juſtice bring to light, (if it be true) and wherein they earneſtly intreat the concurrence of all His Majeſties dutiful and loyal Subjects) The perſons guilty thereof, ſhall without mercy be purſued as the vildeſt of Traitours, and ſhall be incapable of the benefit of any Act of Pardon, Oblivion, orlndempnity for ever.
XI.
Act for taking the Oath of AUeagiance, and averting the Royal Prerogative.
OUr Soveraign Lord, being truly ſenſible of the many ſufferings and ſad confuſions, that His dutiful and loyal Subjects have been brought under, during theſe troubles; and deſirous, that His Royal Government, in it's due Adminiſtration, may be refreſhing and comfortable unto them; And conceiving it neceſſar for that end, and for the honour and advancement of His own Service, the welfare and happineſs of His Subjects, and the peace and quiet of this Kingdom, that the places of publick Truſt (which be the Channels and Conduits by which His Majesties Government is conveyed unto His people) be ſupplied and exerced by perſons of known integrity, abilities, and loyalty, Do therefore declare, That it is, and will be, His Majesties Royal care, that thoſe whom ( according to the undoubted Right of the Crown} He hath, or ſhall think fit to call to His Councils, or any publick imployments, ſhall be ſo qualified; And that for the full ſatisfaction of all His good Subjects, and for removing any ſcruples or jealouſies, can ariſe upon this account, they ſhall before their admittance to, or exerciſe of, any ſuch Truſt, give ſuch publick teſtimony of their Duty and Loyalty, as may evidence to the world, they are ſuch as the Kingdom and all honeſt men and good Subjects, may juſtly confide in. And therefore the Kings Majeſty, with advice and conſent of His Eſtates of Parliament, Doth Statute and Ordain, that all and whatſoever perſon, or perſons, who are, or ſhall be, nominat by His Majesty, to be His Officers of State, of His Privy Council, Seſſion, or Exchequer,
