The churches were separate but moved closer together in terms of practice and belief. A Perfect union is where there is a union of "hearts and minds". It is cultural before institutional. There is also a united ethos of firstly, promoting the image of Britishness, with publicity campaigns. Secondly, there is a greater sense of unity of political, religious and legal cultures meeting, ending with them being very close. The things that they had in common would be concentrated on more and the rest would follow naturally into alignment. This would be easier than trying to force the issue. So what would get united? Nationality, trade, religion and Parliament would all get united with Law continuing to have separate themes.
Between 1604 and 1607, the debate over a union gets much attention. In this period the debate is at its most explicit and least subtle. The issue of a union is one which is crucial to understanding most of the seventeenth century. .
To concentrate on the 1604 debate, James became monarch and the only union was that of the crowns. There was no difference constitutionally to the countries relations, and therefore no necessary action was needed. James wanted a moderate form of incorporative union between England and Scotland. He made a proclamation naming him King of "Great Britain and Ireland". This was also to help encourage people to think of union in a positive way. When James's first Parliament was called, he asked for three things. Firstly that the country now be called Britain, Great Britain or Britannica. Secondly, that Scots born after 1603 had naturalisation, that they would have the same rights in England as the English. Finally, that there was to be a declaration of fair trade between England and Scotland. The second proposal in particular went down very badly, there was much abuse and shouting at Scots in England and it was not a good time to be English in Scotland.