SOS  4*351 
 
77U-* '-  ^^^^ 
 
s^teft 
 
Teftimony -bearing   Exemplified; 
 
 COLLECTION. 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 I.  Gillespie  again  ft  Affociation  with  Malignants  t 
 together  with  the  Cauies  of  God's  Wrarhv  agreed 
 upon  by  the  General  Affembly  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  met  at  Edinburgh,  October,   1651. 
 
 ,11.  The  Informatory  Vindication ;  to  which  is  fubjoined, 
 a  Collection  or  excellent  Laws,  (or  Efchol  Grapes) 
 in  favours  of  our  Covenanted  Reformation, 
 
 To  which  is  added, 
 
 A  Declaration  of   the  Assembly,    Julyult.   1648, 
 
 concerning  the  prtfcnt  danger  of  Religion. 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 A  Seasonable  Warning  concerning  (he  prefent  im- 
 minent Dangers,  and  Duties  relating  thereto,  by  the 
 AfTembly,  July  27,   1649. 
 
 Jude,   Ver.  3/  Earneftly  contend  for  the  faith  which  ivar 
 
 once  delivered  unto  the  faints , 
 Philip,  iii.  16.    U 'hereto  *we  have  already  attained^  let  us 
 
 walk  by  the  fame  rule  ;   let  us  mind  tjbe  fame  thing, 
 Psal.  Ixxviii.  6     That  the  generation -to  come  might  know 
 
 them  ;  even  the  children  which  Jhould  be  born:  whofhould 
 
 arife  and  declare  them  to  their  children^ 
 
 PAISLEY: 
 
 Printed  by  John  Neilson, 
 For  the  Puhlifhers. 
 
 M,  DCCy  XCI. 
 
{  ill  ) 
 
 To  the    READER. 
 
 IT  is  evident  to  every  attentive  obferver  of  the  prefent 
 itatt  of  affairs  in  the  church  of  Cbrift,  that  true  reli- 
 gion is  very  low  ;   that  the  greateft  part  of  men  are  mind- 
 ing their  own  things,  but  few  the  things  of  Jefus  Chrift  ; 
 that  we  are  under  great  fpiritual  judgments,  although  we 
 difcern  them  not ;   and  rhat  he,  who  walketh  in  the  midft 
 of  the  golden  candlefticks,  appears  to  be  gone  to  hi*  place, 
 to  fee  if  we  will  acknowledge  our  offences,   and  feek  him 
 early.      And,  in  confequence  of  the  withdrawing   of  his 
 graeiou3  prefence  from  the  ordinances  of  his  grace,   they 
 are  become  like  dry  breads  and  mifcarrying  womb3  ;   and 
 his  people  under  them  are  fo  divided  in  judgment,  that  one 
 fays,  lo,  here  is  Cbriit  ;   and  another,  lo  there,  while  little 
 of  the  life  and  power  of  relgion  is  to  be  feen.      A  name 
 to  live,  while  fpirrtnally  dead,  is  too  applicable  to  profef- 
 fors  of  all  denominations.      A  felfiih  fcheme  of  principles 
 is  likely  to  eat  out  the  vitals  of  pure  and  undefiled  religiou, 
 as  men  now  generally  profefs  to  feek  inward  peace,  their 
 own  falvation,   and  perfonal  happinefs  in  heaven,  without 
 any  fuitable  regard  to  the  declarative  glory  of  God,  the 
 purity  of  his  truths,  the  profperity  of  his  church,  and  the 
 coming  of  his  kingdom  in  the  world;   and  are  much  rea- 
 dier to  love  God  for  his  benefits,  than  for  his  perfonal  ex- 
 cellency and  glory.     This  mutt  no  doubt  proceed  from 
 an  ignorance  of  his  nature  and  law  ;   for  it  i3  plain,  that 
 the  ultimate  end  of  all  God's  works,  cf  creation,   provi- 
 dence, redemption  and  grace,   is  the  manifestation  of  his 
 own  glory*;  and  that  God  is  infinitely  amiable  and  lovely 
 in  himfeif,  and  is  worthy  of  our   fuprcme  regard  on  that 
 account,  exclufive  of  the  confideration  of  his  benefits.   And 
 bis  law,   which   is  a'tranicrtpt   of  himfeif,    fo  far  as  be 
 has  thought  proper  to  reveal,   is  fpiritual,  holy,  jud  and 
 good,  requiring  nothing  but  what  is  highly  reafonable  ; 
 and  forbidding  nothing,  but  what  is  truly  criminal.     The 
 fura  of  it  re,   Thovjkaft  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
 a  2  heartt 
 
 ♦  Pror.  xvi  4     1A.  tdi'X  <*,  r*    t  Cor,  x'u  lo.  Col  I  1$.  Rev.  v. 
 p.  Tit.  ii   i*. 
 
(     iv     ) 
 
 heart %  nvtth  all  thy  foul9  with  all  thy  j}refigth>  and  nvith  till 
 thy  mind*  and  thy  neighbour  as  tkyfeif* '.  Every  deviation 
 from,  or  violation  t>f,  this  law,  jb  criminal  in  the  light  of 
 God,  and  the  finner  is  chargeable  with  guilt  before  him 
 on  that  account.  This  law  alone  is  our  rule,  and  we  are 
 bound  in  point  of  duty  to  give  univerfal  obedience  to  it, 
 both  in  principle  and  in  practice  ;  to  love  ail  things  which 
 aie  3gretabie  to  it,  and  to  hate  all  things  which  are  oppo- 
 ,  fite  to  it,  without  regard  to  the  perfons,  who  adhere  to,  or 
 violate  the  fame,  whether  high  or  low,  faints  or  finners  ^ 
 a6  mens  fixation  in  the  world,  or  their  date  before  God, 
 does  not  alter  the  nature  of  fin  and  duty,  nor  in  thejeaft 
 tree  from  their  obligation  to  obey  the  divine  law  as  a  rule 
 of  life.  Eytry  Cbriftian,  by  confulting  the  fcriptures  at 
 large,  which  are  the  only  fure  expofition  of  this  law,  will 
 eafily  fee,  that  man's  chief  and  higheft  end  is  to  glorify 
 God  in  body  and  /pirit,  'which  are  his  *  that  God  is  a 
 Spirit)  and  is  to  be  nvorjhipfed  in  fpirit  and  in  truth  -j-  ; 
 and,  as  a  neceflary  confequence  of  this,  that  all  falfe 
 modes  of  worjhip  ought  to  be  removed  out  of  the  world, 
 .as  pouring  infinite  contempt  on  him,  as. a  fpiritual  lawgi- 
 ver to  his  church  J- 
 
 The  happy  reformation,  to  which  the  nations  of  Scot- 
 land, England  and  Ireland  arrived,  by  the  good  hand  of 
 God,  betwixt  the  years  1638,  and  1650,  has  been  gene- 
 rally confidcred  by  all  true  Prtfbyterians,  as  the  zenith  of 
 the  church's  beauty,  under  the  New  Teftament  difpen- 
 lation.  During  that  pefiod  our  land  might  be  called  Hiph* 
 zibah  and  Beuiab,  when  perfons  of  all  ranks  feemed  to 
 contend  who  fhould  do  moil  for  the  rebuilding  of  Zion, 
 and  thef vindicating  of  thefe  liberties,  wherewith  Chritt 
 had  made  his  church,  and  people  free,  .until  prefbytery, 
 the  only  form  of  worfhip,  appointed  by  Chritt  in  hia 
 houfe,  was  eftablifhed,  according  to  the  pattern  (hewn  in 
 God's  hoiy  law,  and  the  church  brought  to  enjoy  found 
 dcclrine,  pure  worfhip,  impartial  discipline,  and  regular 
 government.  At  this  time,  our  reformers,  confeious  .that 
 church  and  ftate  mould  ad  in  union,  in  promoting  the  glo. 
 ry  cf  God,  and  the  interefts  of  true  religion,  fixed  our  fo- 
 lemn  covenants,  as  the  door  of  adrriiffion  into  places  of  power 
 
 and 
 
 *  Matth.  xxii.  3x4  38,  30.     1 *  Cor,  vi.  *o#  John  iv.  34«     I  Deut. 
 
(     v     ) 
 
 and  truft,  that  no  malignant,  nor  difafTected  perfon  to  the  ! 
 caufe  of  God,  might  be  allowed  to  enter  in,  to  break  down  ' 
 the  carved  work  of  GodYfandtuary.  And,  while,  the  na- 
 tion adhered  to  this  eftablifhment,  the  Lord's  gracious 
 prefence  feemed  to  be  with  them,  and  his  right  hand  to 
 ("wpport  them;  but  no  fooner  did  they  give  up  with  this 
 contiitution,  than  our  apoliacy  began,  and  our  name  fince 
 may  truly  be  called  Ichabod,  the  glory  is  departed* 
 
 However,  it  is  furely  the  duty  of  the  church  of  God  ftill 
 to  contend  earnefth  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  faints  % 
 without  faying  a  confederacy  with  them,  who  have  faid 
 a  confederacy  againft  Chrift,  his  pure  worlhip,  and  his  pu-  ' 
 blic  iotereft  3nd  glory,  in  the  worid,  i.  e.  fuch  as  arc 
 guilty  of  popifh  idolatry,  prelatic  fuperftition,  Eraftiart* 
 encroachments,  patronage  intrufions,  and  fectarian  confu- 
 fion,  who  have  all  united  in  a  confpiracy,  to  rob  Chrift  of 
 fome  part  of  his-  mediatoriar  glory,  in  a  way  derogatory  to 
 to  fome  of  hie  offices,  as  prophet,  prieft,  or  king,  of  his 
 church.  And  the  collection  now  publifhed  is  intended, 
 aa  a  vindication  of  the  injured  truths  of  the  Redeemer,  a- 
 gainlt  all  thefe  errors;-  The  first  piece  reprefents  the  firr 
 and  danger,  of  aflbciattng  with  any  of  the  open,  and  de- 
 clared enemies  of  God,  and  his  righteous' caufe,  lealt  we 
 be  partakers  with  them,  in  their  fins,  and  fo  come  to  be' 
 fharers  with  them,  in  their  plagues.  It  was  publifhed  ar. 
 a  time,  wheu  the  pure  worfhip  of  G  >d  was  likely  to  be' 
 corrupted,  by  admitting  the  enemies  thereof  into  places  of 
 power  and  truft,  by  virtue  of  the  public  refolutions,  which 
 was  at  the  beginning -of  our  apoftacy,  from  our  covenanted 
 ettablilhment  ;  and  we  have  viiibly  proceeded  from  evil  to 
 worfe,  until  the  peculiar  excellency  of  that  eftablirhment 
 is  fcarcely  known,  but  is  even  accounted  religious  tyrannv^hv 
 fome  proftfled  prelbyteriansf.  The  warning,  and  causes 
 of  God's  wrath,  fhew  the  great  regard,  which  our  worthy 
 anceitors  had  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  purity  of  hu 
 church,  and  howdefirous  they  were,  to  fearch  out  all  figs* 
 in  themfelves  and  others,  publicly  to  confefs  them  before 
 the  Lord,  and  to  warn  others  againft  them.  And  it  might 
 be  of  great  fervice  to  us,  if  we  would  impartially  examine 
 ourfeivts,  and  fee  how  many  of  thefe  fins  tlill  (tand,  aa 
 grounds  of  God's  controverfy,  againft  both  miniiters  anrt 
 
 people, 
 *  Jude  ver.  3.     f  See  Hutchifon's  ditfertstion,  paj.  i;j,  173. 
 
(     vi     ) 
 
 people,  in  oar  own  day  ;  a  Mb  how  many  more  we  have  add- 
 ed  iince   that  time;  and   having  found  out  the  different 
 Achans    in   our  camp,  let  us  dtflrcy  the  accurfed  things 
 from    among    us,    that  fo    the    Lord  may  turn  from   the 
 fiereenefs  of  his  anger  *       And  furely  this  exercife  would 
 be  more  honouring  to  God,  and  advantageous  to  ourfelves, 
 than  pleading  the  caufe  of  malignant8,as  is  too  common- 
 ly done — the   fecond,  viz.  the  Jnformatory  Vindication^  is 
 limply  a  defence  of  the  principles,  and  practices  of  a  few 
 honett  contenders  for  the  prerogatives  of  Zion's  King,  in 
 their  peculiar  circumftances,  without  minifter  to  apply  to, 
 or  church  couna  to  redrefs  their   grievances  ;   and  their 
 lives  expofed  to  the  cruelty  of  a  barbarous  fbldiery,  and 
 rewards  offered  to  b a [e  informer?,  to  difcover  them,  which 
 reduced  them  to  the  nectflity  of  taking  up  arms  in  their 
 own  defence*  and  publilhing  declarationp,    to   d?ter  th?ir 
 enemies  from  injuring  them.     And  the  declarations  made 
 after  <lhc  revolution  exhibit  the  reatons,  why  the  old  Pref- 
 byterian  Covenanters  could  not  acquiefce  in  the  Settlement 
 then  made,  beeaufe  they  confidered  it  as  a  departure  from 
 their  covenanted   principles,  and  a  virtual  giving   up  of 
 their  tcRimony,  /or  which  they  had  endured  fuch  a  fcene 
 of  fuffering,  for  the  long  fpace  of  28  years;  as  that  very 
 form  of  religion  (viz  prelacy)  was  then  eftabiifhtd,  which 
 to  them  had  been  a  fpecial  head  of  furTtrijig,  and  which  by 
 the  Solemn   League  and  Covenant   (Art,  2.)   they  were 
 bound  to  endeevour  lu  .extirpate.     And  to  fhew  to   the 
 impartial   work:,  that  xheir  principles   were  precifely  the 
 fame,  with  thofe  once  rjcemri  by  the  church  of  Scotland, 
 a  few  of  the  reformation  laws  a»c  added  ;    which  wiil  alfo 
 evince,  that  their   fuccelfare,   who  are   ftiii  feekiag  after 
 the  fcriptural  purity  of  tbefe  two  great  ordinances  of  God, 
 viz  the  ministry  and  magistracy, are  following  the  plain 
 and  approved  fooiiteps  of  the  flock,  and  are  only  endea- 
 vouring in  their  place  and  ilauon,  to  obey  the  divine  pre- 
 cept  whereto  we   have  already  aisained}   let  us  walk  by 
 the  fame  rule,  let  us  mind  the  fame  thing  f . 
 
 Thefe  pieces  defer ve  the  ferious  peruial  of  all  the  true 
 friends  of  the  caufc  and  testimony  of  Jefus  ;  and  the  re- 
 publication of  them  is  peculiarly  neceflary  and  feafonable 
 at  this  time,  when  not  only  ftate  confpiracics  are  entered 
 
 into, 
 •  Joih.  vii.  12,  %6,     f  Phil.  iii.jtf. 
 
(     vii     ) 
 
 Jnto,  with  poplin  and  prelatic  malignants,  but  alfo  church 
 Bflbciations,  with  the  moft  notorious    heretics  ;   and  with 
 the  open  and  avowed  enemies  of  the  fcriptural  difcipline 
 and  government  of  the  houfe   of  God      The  eftablifoed 
 church  of  Scotland  affords   too  many  melancholy  inftancea 
 of  holding  communion  with  grofs  heretics,  fuch  as  Simp- 
 fon  and  Campbell  in  former  times,  who  were  paffed   over 
 without   any   adequate  cenfure  ;  and  Doctors  Dalrymple 
 and  M'Gill  of  late,  who  have  publifhed  a  fyftem  of  SocU 
 nian  principles  to   the  world,  whereby  they  have  endea- 
 voured <     overturn  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  Chriftian 
 religion,  relating  to  the  divinity,  fufferings,  fubftituiion,  a-  * 
 tonemen'  and  interceflion  of  Chrift:.    And  altho'.the  latter 
 of  thefe  was  ft  aged  before  the  fynodof  Glafgow  and  Ayr,  in 
 April  laft,yethe  was  difmlfTed,  on  a  mock  acknowledgment, 
 u  That  in  his  publications  there  are  ideas  that  may  appear 
 11  improper,  and  exprcfiions  unguarded  and  ambiguous, " 
 without  caufingiim  formally  to  retradl  his  errors,  call  in 
 his  books,  and  engage  to  teach(unfound  doctrine  no  more  i 
 or  without  ir.fli&ing  a  judicial  cenfure  of  any  kind  upon 
 him,  by  admonition,  rebuke,  fufpenfion  or  excommun-icci> 
 tion  :   an  awful  evidence  of  their  unfaithfulnefs,   to  Gx>d, 
 to  his  chiirch,  and  to  the  Dodlor  himfelf.    And  it  is  plain 
 that  the  whole  minifters  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  being 
 united  under  the  fame  conftitution,  muft  all  neceffarily  he 
 of  the  fame  communion  ;   fo  that  although  there  may  be  a 
 orreat  difference  as  to  their  doctrines,  their  views  of  churcii 
 politics,  or  their  private  life  and  conversation,  yet  as  they 
 all  come  into  office  by  the  fame  unfcriptural  law  of  patron r 
 ap;e,    and  fit   in   the   fam?  public  judicatories,  they  are 
 all  members  of  the  fame   church,  and  fo  hold  clofe   mi- 
 uifterial    communion    with  one    another. — And  the  Re- 
 lief Chinch,  by  'vhtir  public  deeds  declare  it  to  be  confift- 
 ent  vith  their  principles,  to  hold  occafional  communion 
 with  fuch,  as  are  public  enemies   to   the  fcriptural  order 
 ?nd  government  of  the  church,  of  Chrift.      For  proof  of 
 thi&,  the  reader  is  dellred  to  confider  ferioufly  the  follow- 
 ing  extract  from    their    own  records,    given  by  the    lat^ 
 Mr.  Boflon  at  Falkirk,  and  allowed  by  themfelves  to  be 
 (genuine,  as  it  is  inferted,  and  a  kind  of  defence  given  of 
 it,  by  the  writer  of  ajuft  WW  of  the  principles  of  the  Prvf 
 bytety  of  Relief,  a  part  of  which  i3   as- follows:    "  A  mo- 
 11  tioa  was  made  Mr.  Cowan?   during  to  know  the  mind 
 
(     via     ) 
 
 "of  the  meeting,— with  refpeft  to  holding  minifterial  or 
 €*  Chriftian  communion  occafionally  with  thofeofshe  epif- 
 "copal  or  independent  perfualion,the  meeting  being  of  dif- 
 lc  ferent  opinions,  put. a  *ote  ;  Hold  a  communion  <wrth  thofe 
 Ai  of  Ire  epifeopal  or  independent  per fuafion  iccafiona\ly\  upon 
 "jnppcfition  aim- ay s9  that  they  are  by  profejjlon  v'lf&U  fabi!t9 
 "  or  net  ?  And  the  roils  being  called,  and  votes  marked, 
 <(  it  carried,  held  commumtm*  And  therefore,  the  meei- 
 |{  ing  find  it  agreeable  to  the  principles  of  the  prefbytery 
 41  of  Relief,  to  hold  communion  occaiionally  with  fucli"  *. 
 From  the  above  extract,  it  plainly  appears,  that  the 
 Relief,  of  all  others  of  the  Prefbyterian  name,  plesd  moll 
 ftrenuoufly,  in  favours  of  afibciation  with  malignar.ta,  in 
 mak  ng  it  confident  with  their  principles,  to  hold  com- 
 munion occaiionally,  with  Epifcopalians  and  Independents, 
 both  of  which  are  open  and  avowed  enemies,  to  the  pure 
 difcipline  and  government,  which  Chrift  has  fixed,  to  con- 
 tinue unalterable  in  his  church  for  ever.  And  it  is  diffi- 
 cult to  fay,  how  their  being  by  profefii  m  vjjlble  faints, 
 is  ^ny  warrant  for  a  Prtfoytcrian  church,  to  allow  them 
 communion,  while  they  are  walking  vijibly  contrary  to 
 CfotFa  holy  law,  by  wprfhigping  him  in  a  finful  and  fnper- 
 ftitious  way,  the  Rrlttf  themfeives  being  judges  f.  Sure 
 it  is,  that  the  Lord's  own  people,  by  the  violence  of 
 temptation,  or  ftrength  cf  fin,  may  bring  themfeives  un- 
 der fca^dal,  fo  that  they  cannot  be  admitted  to  church 
 communion,  without  £n,  even  although  they  be  vtfihle 
 juints.  And  is  not  an  open  and  continued  violation  of 
 the  fecond  precept  of  God's  law.  neither  conRffed  nor  for- 
 faken,  a  public  icandal,  (efficient  to  warrant  the  church, 
 to  withold  the  feals  of  the  covenant  from  any  perfon,  un- 
 til they  be  brought  to  a  fight  of  this,  as  their  fin,  and  to 
 turn  from  it,  as  well  as  a  violation  cf  the  feventh,  eighth, 
 or  ninth,  unlefd  we  account  fint  againft  the  firft  table  of 
 God's  law  lefs  aggravated,  than  fins  againft  the  fecond?-— 
 But  as  thi3  fcheme  is  evidently  againlt  the  law  of  God  J, 
 directly  contrary  to  the  nature  of  true  Prefbyterian  prin- 
 ciples, plainly  contrary  to  our  moil  folemn  national  en- 
 
 gagementS| 
 
 *  N    B   The  abore  fhew  the  occafional  terms  of  communion  with 
 \bt  Relief,  but  their  fluted  terms,   as  a  church,  yet  remain  a  fecict 
 from  (the  world,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  from  a  great  part  of  themftivefc 
 ;•;.  29.      }  i  Cor.  i.  io. 
 
fa;.)' 
 
 gagements  *,  and  has  a  native  tendency  to  introduce  con- 
 fufion.and  diforder  into  the  church  of  God,  it  ought  to  be 
 deteited  by  .all,  who  really  defire  to  fee  truth  and  hojinefs, 
 .  the  foundation  of  peace  and  unity,  among  the  followers  of 
 Jefus. 
 
 The  opinions  of  our  worthy  reformers,  and  the  prin- 
 ciples of  the  authors  of  the  following  declarations,  in 
 favour  of  uniformity  in  the  worfhip  of  God,  and  againft 
 alTociations  with  all  roalignants  whatever  ;  have  in  genera! 
 been  efteemed  by  all,  who  favour  the  duft  of  Z;on  ;  and 
 never  did  a  more  virulent  enemy,  of  the  prefbyteriatl 
 name,  take  up  the  pen  ag,ainft  them,  and  their  profciTed 
 fucceffors,  th^n  a  Mr.  Patrick  Hutchifon,  a  minifter  of 
 the  Relief*  formerly  at  St,  Niniane,  now  at  Paifley,  who 
 has  fpared  no  pains  to  'blacken  their  characters,  and  de- 
 fame their  work,  as  any  perfon  may  fee,  by  reading  hia 
 controverfial  pieoc3.  In  his  differtation  of  what  he  calls 
 ehe  Nature  and  Genius  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift ,  p.  )  7. 
 -he  represents  our  reformers  as  "  very  ignorant  of  the  fcrip- 
 1  tural  conditions  of  church  fellowship,  and  the  facred 
 "  right  of  private  judguient:"  and  indifferent  parts  of  that 
 publication,  he  feems  to  view  ail,,  who  favour  the  co- 
 venanted uniformity  of  the  {aft  century,  a3  very  unac- 
 quainted with  the  nature  of  the  Melliah's  kingdom.  And, 
 after  he  has  vented  his  fpleen  fufficiently,  againft  our  re- 
 formers, the  Cv)venante,  and  the  feccflion,  he  thinks  pro- 
 per v.ithout  any  provocation,  to  give  the  Reformed  Pref- 
 bytery  a  ilroke,  as  he  goes  along,  that  none,  who  favour 
 covenanted  principles,  may  pafs  with  impunity.  This  is 
 contained  in  the  above  mentioned  differ  tation,  from  p. 
 183  to  1 88,  and  3. few  Sketches  morep.  211,212.  The 
 narrow  limits  or  a  preface  will  not  admit  of  3  lorg  re- 
 ply,  neither  would  any  thing  have  been  faid  on  the  fub- 
 
 jt&in  this  place,  had  not  Mr.  H 's  reafoning  againft 
 
 the  Reformed  Preibyttry,  afL&ed  the  whole  fubitance 
 ofihe  following  publication  And,  although  Mr.  Walker 
 at  Pollockihaws  has  obtained  one  of  the  moil  complete 
 victories  aver  this  author,  that  can  \kc\\  be  fuppofed,  ia 
 the  way  of  controverfy,  yet  it  was  not  to  be  expected, 
 that  he  was  to  vindicate  the  principles  of  the  R.  P.  which 
 arc  fo  different  from  his  own,  especially  on  the  head  of 
 civil  government. 
 
 Mr, 
 *  Solemn  Icacuf  2nd  covenant* 
 
 ■  - 
 
(  s  ) 
 
 Mr.  H.  cor.dcfcende  on  two  tilings  efpecially,  in  the 
 principles  and  practices  of  the  R.  P.  which  are  exceed- 
 ingly furprifing  to  him.  i  Says  he,  "  they  difoVn  our 
 **  prefent  excellent  fovereign  as  the  lawful  king  of  Britain, 
 <c  aod  refufe  to  pay  im  obedience,  even  in  things  of  a 
 u  lawful  nature."  The  R.  P.  and  their  connections  have 
 npt  been  much  accuftomed  to  give  flattering  titles  to 
 prince?,  as  none  of  thefe  have  been  very  active  of  late,  in 
 profecuting  the  great  ends  of  their  office,  in  promoting 
 the  declarative  glory  of  God,  the  interefts  of  his  church, 
 and  the  real  good  of  mankind,  according  to  God's  holy 
 law.  However  Mr.  H  may  be  aiTured,  that  they  enter- 
 tain no  refentment  againft  the  perfon  of  the  prefent  oc- 
 cupant, nor  any  of  the  good  qualities,  which  he  poiTefTes.. 
 They  fincerely  wifh,  th3t  he  were  ftill  more  excellent  than  ' 
 external  royalty  can  make  him,  that  he  were  adorned 
 with  the  image  of  Chrift,  confiding  in  knowledge,  righte- 
 oufnefs  and  true  holinefs  ;  and  with  that  grace,  which 
 might  bring  him  to  fee  all  the  difhonours,  done  to  the 
 royal  prerogatives,  precious  truths,  and  holy  religion  of 
 Jefus,  under  the  prefent  conttitution  ; — that  he  maybe 
 made  to  hate  the  whore  ^  to  make  her  de folate  and  barey 
 to  eat  her  fiefhy  and  to  burn  her  with  fire  *  ;— and  that 
 he  may  become  a  nurftng  father  to  the  church  of  Chrift. 
 But  they  can  by  no  means  acknowledge  him,  nor  any  of 
 the  epifcopal  perfuafion,  to  be  a  lawful  king  over  thefe 
 covenanted  lands  ;  and  the  reafon3  for  this  part  of  their, 
 principles  they  have  exhibited  at  large  in  their  judicial 
 teftinony,  (part  2.)  which  the  reader  may  confult  at  his 
 leifure,  and  fee,  if  it  be  not  there  proven  by  clear  and  con- 
 cbifve  arguments*  that  neither  the  Britim  fubjefts,  nnr 
 any  fociety  of  Chriftians,  have  any  natural  inherent^  or  ef 
 fhttial  right ,  to  chufe  and  fet  up  civil  rulers  directjy  con- 
 trary to  the  exprefs  prea  pt  of  God's  law,  that  are  bound, 
 by  their  very  cor.fHtutioa,  habitually  to  violate  the  autho- 
 rity of  the  great  Lawgiver. 
 
 It  would  have  been  a  favour,  if  Mr.  H.  and  fome  others, 
 who  irfift  fo  mnch  on  obedience  to  civil  rulers,  in  thing? 
 ofaiviifu'nature,  had  properly  defcrib(d  what  coniti- 
 tutes  'he  commands  of  rulers  lawful,  and  what  is  truly 
 rectory  to  give  a  Chriftian  naagiftrate  a  moral  right  to 
 
 rule 
 •  Rev.  xvii.  *£• 
 
(     si     ) 
 
 rule  over  a  Chriftian  people.     Mr.  H    Teems  at  once  to 
 take  it  for  granted,  that  the  confent  of  the  majority  of 
 the  community  is  all  that  is  neceffary,  to  convey  a  moral 
 right  to  ifFue  commands,  and  to  claim  obedience  thereto; 
 But  this  is  entirely  fetting  afide  the  law  of  God,  as  a  com- 
 plete rule  of  life,  and  is  either  plainly  denying  the  fcrip- 
 tures  to  fix  any  particular  qualifications   for  civil  rulers, 
 or  otherwife  allowing  the  majority  of  a  community  an  in- 
 herent right,  to   fill  up   a   moral   ordinance   of  God  with 
 fuch,  as  are  his   open   and   declared  enemies.     He    will 
 fcarcely  be   fo  barefaced  as   to  do  the  former,   while  the 
 following  paffages  ftand   in  the  Bible,    Thou  ftoalt  in  any - 
 wife  fet  hhn   king  over  thee  who?n  the  Lord  thy  God  Jhall 
 ehorfe,  67ie  from  among  thy  brethren  /halt  thou  fet  king  over 
 thee  ;   them  may  eft  not  fit  a  fir  anger  over  tbee>   which  is  not 
 thy  brother — He  that  ruLth  over  men  mufi  bejuf,  ruling  in 
 the  fear  of  God — Ought  ye  not  to  walk  in  the  fear  of  God- 
 Be  wife  >  ye  kings ,    be  in/ Iru&ed,  ye  judges  of  the  earth- 
 Serve  the  Lord  with  fear —Ktngt  jhall  be  thy  nurfing  fa- 
 thers—  Thou  f j  alt  fuck  the  breafts  of  kings — Rider j  are  ngt 
 a  terror  togoodworks9  but  to  the  evil — He  fa  the  minifier  of 
 God  to  thee  for  good*. — And  he  furely  would  not  be  fo 
 impious  as  to  grant  th*  latter,  ae  that  would  amount  to 
 an  allowing  of  men  a  negative  over  God,   or  a  liberty  to 
 break  his  law  at  pleafure,  in  felting  up  kings,  but  not  ac- 
 cording to  his  precept,  and  princes  but  not  by  his  appro- 
 bation, which  God  himfelf  finds   fault  with  in  his  own 
 people  f — Now,  would  not  Mr.  H.   account  it   religious 
 tyranny  indeed,  to  oblige  a  fociety  of  men  to  yield  obe- 
 dience, for  conscience  fake,   to  fuch  ruUrs,  as  are  bound 
 by  their  folemn  oath,  as  a  condition  of  their  government, 
 to  maintain  and  fupport  faffe  modes  of  worfhip,   directly 
 contrary  to  the  divine  law  ;   and  are  vetted  by  a  corrupt 
 community,  with  the  glorious  prerogatives  of  the   Lord 
 Jefus,  to  the  facriiegious  robbery  of  Zion's  king,  in  their 
 being  declared  head  over  all  perfons  and  caufes,  civil  and 
 ecclefiattic  ; — as  give  their  power  to  the  man  of  fin,  which, 
 as  God's  vicegerents  and  deputies   by  office,  they  ought 
 •   to   employ    againlt    him,  for    the   glory   of  God  ; — and 
 grant  a  legal  and  authoritative  toleration  to  open  idolat- 
 ers, 
 
 *  Deut   xvii.  15.      a  Sam.  xxiii.  3.     Nth.  v.   9.     Pf.  ii.  I©,  If. 
 If.  xiix.  23.  and  lx  16.     Rom.  xii.  I, —  7.         Hoi"  viii  4. 
 
(     x'u     ) 
 
 er«,  and  corrupters  of  the  worfhip  of  God,  to  trample  his 
 royal  authority  under  foot,  and  to  violate  his  righteous 
 law  at  pleafure,  by  worfhipping  him  contrary  to  his  own 
 appointment  !  And  would  he  not  reckon  it  exceedingly 
 finful  in  the  minority  of  a  fociety,  who  fee  the  evil  of  thefe 
 things  in  a  ©onftitution,  to  acknowledge  the  lawfulnefs  of 
 that  conftitution,  or  to  follow  the  corrupt  majority,  in 
 this  their  evil  deed  ?  If  he  will  prove  by  clear  and  conclu- 
 five  arguments,  that  fuch  rulers,  as  are  bound,  by  their 
 very  constitution,  to  aft  in  open  rebellion  againft  the 
 Moft  High  God,  have  yet  a  moral  right  in  his  frVht,  to 
 give  commands,  either  lawful,  or  unlawful,  to  a  Chriitiaa 
 reformed  people,  who  have  framed  their  laws,  both  of  con- 
 ftitution  and  adminiftration,  agreeable  to  the  holy  law  of 
 God,  it  would  fettle  the  coTUroverfy,  but  this  he  has  not 
 yet  done,  and  in  all  probability  never  will  do.  And  in- 
 deed, if  he  had  cor.fidered  more  maturely  why  the  R.  P. 
 cannot  own  the  prefent  civil  government,  he  would  hare 
 fpared  fome  of  his  fatire  and  irony  contained  in  p.  183, 
 where  he  f3ys,  M  From  what  arc  they  (viz.  the  R,  K) 
 u  reformed  ?  From  dutiful  allegiance  to  our  excellent  fo- 
 •'  vereign,  raifed  to  the  throne  of  Ericam  by  the  confenl 
 c<  of  the  community.  From  what  are  they  reformed  ? 
 "  From  obedience  to  the  lawful  commands  of  a  prince 
 U  bound  upon  them  by  the  law  of  God  and  nature,  into 
 "  open  and  avowed  contempt  of  his  authority.  Excelr 
 11  lent  reformation  indred,  and  worthy  of  the  venerable 
 "  name.'-  Mr.  H.  might  have  known  that  the  R.  P. 
 ar>d  their  connections  have  uniformly  teftified  againft  that 
 apoftate  fociety,  which,  at  the  revolution,  raifed  to  the 
 throne  cf  Britain  a  fupreme  magiitrate  of  the  epifcopal 
 perfuafion,  and  veiled  him  with  an  eraflian  fupremacy  over 
 the  church,  contrary  to  our  national  attainments,  in  the 
 tirrflkof  our  fecond  reformation  :  and  they  have  all  along 
 viewed  it  their  duty,  to  refufe  all  allegiance  to  fuch  ma- 
 gidrates,  while  they  continue  in  their  dated  oppofuion 
 againft  Chrift,  and  his  religious  caufe,  however  mild  and 
 gentle  they  may  otherwife  be.  If  he  would  prove,  that 
 a  prince,  bound  by  his  folemn  oath,  as  an  efTential  condi- 
 tion of  receiving  his  crown,  to  acl:  contrary  to  God's 
 law,  in  maintaining  inviolably  a  fyftem  of  fuperftition,  ia 
 vet    bound  upon    us  by  the  la*w  of  Cod  and  nature,  the 
 
 R.  P. 
 
(     xiii     ) 
 
 R.  P.  would  yie.d  a  ready  obedience  to  him  in  common 
 with  other  fubje&s ;  but  until  that  be  done  they  muit  belex* 
 cufed  in  obeying  God  rather  than  man  * .  And  although 
 they  do  not  look  upon  themfelves,  as  reformed  from  obe- 
 dience,  to  all,  or  any  of  the  lawful  commands  of  moral 
 powers,  conftituted  and  qualified  according  to  the  moral 
 Jaw,  yet  they  defire  to  be  reformed  from  all  the  idola* 
 tries  of  popery,  the  fuperftitions  of  prelacy,  and  the  con- 
 fuiion  .  of  fe&arians — they  are  reformed  from  holding 
 church  communion  with  Epifcopalians,  Independents,  and 
 all  public  enemies  to  the  fcriptural  order  of  ChrirVs  houfe  , 
 as  well  as  with  thofe,  who  refufe  the  lawfulnefs  of  church 
 and  national  covenanting  under  the  New  Teftament ;  and 
 deny  the  moral  obligation  of  our  folemn  covenants,  a- 
 gainft  popery,  prelacy,  and  falfe  worlhip,  who,  by  this 
 means,  ufe  their  utmoft  influence,  to  harden  thefe  back- 
 Hiding  nations  in  their  open  apoftacy  from  the  righteous 
 ways  of  God. 
 
 A  fecond  ground  of  Mr,  H *s  furprize  in  the  prin- 
 ciples of  the  R.  P.  is  "  That  they  (in  his  view)  fufpend 
 *'  obedience  to  his  prefent  Britannic  Majefty  on  a  finful 
 "  condition.     They   would  (fays  he,  p.  184.)  acknow- 
 <c  \zdge  the  king's  3Uthotity,  and  obey  his  lawful  com- 
 U  mands,  were  he  to  fwear  and  cfpoufe  the  folemn  league 
 *<  and  covenant ;   and  folemnly  engage  to  profecute  the 
 "  ends  of  that  religions  uniformity,  in  obliging  all  hie 
 "  fubje&s,  by  the  power  of  the  fword,  to  fall  in  with  that 
 •*  league,  and  profefs  the  religious  fyftem  eftablifhcdin.it, 
 "  however  contrary  to  their  own  convi&ion."  But  where 
 did  Mr.  H.  ever  find  it  in  the  principles  of  the  R  .P.  that 
 they    required    the  civil  raagiftrate    to  compel    men    to 
 profefs  any  form  of  religion   by  the  poivtr  of  the  fword? 
 cannot  he  promote  the  ioterefts  of  true  religion  by  hio 
 own  virtuous  example,  by  admitting  good  men  to  offices 
 in  the  ftate,  and  withholding  from  bad   men,   and  by  en- 
 couraging  a   pious   arid   faithful   miniftry.      And  where 
 would    be    the    tyranny   of  Gods   public   miniLter,     ap. 
 pointed  to  be  the  keeper  of  both  tables  of  hi3   law,  re- 
 training falfe  modes  of  worfhip,   poiitively  forbidden   by 
 the  Supreme  Lawgiver  ?  Is  it  a  tyranny  for  a   mafter  to 
 oblige  his  fervants,  by  his  authority,  to  obferve  the  Sab- 
 
 haik 
 
 *  Ifa.  viii.  12, 
 
(     xiv     ) 
 
 bath,  and  to  reftrain  them  from  evil  company  and  immoral 
 actions  thereon,  to  reward  the  mere  faithful,  and  to  en- 
 courage them,  by  example  and  precept,  to  abfiain  from 
 evil  and  to  do  good  ?  May  not  a  magiftrate,  as  God's  pu- 
 blic deputy,  who  is  favoured  with  the  true  knowledge  of 
 the  divine  law,  and  fet  up  by  a  nation,  which  has  adopted 
 the  profefiion  of  the  true  rtiigiun  into  its  civil  eftabufh- 
 meet,  as  Britain  has  dent,  'upprefs  every  thing  by 
 hi9  authority,  which  is  contrary  to  that  ertablifhment, 
 and  give  his  fan&ion  only  to  what  is  agreeable  thereto  ? 
 And  if  heretics  will  corrupt  the  morals  of  mt  n,  by  intro- 
 ducing and  propagating  idolatry  and  fuperfiition,  which 
 are  procurative  of  God's  judgment,  and  fubverfive  of  the 
 good  of  civil  fociety,  why  not  God's  mimiter  punifh  the 
 fame,  according  to  his  own  holy  law  ?  And  how  could  a 
 king's  ufing  his  utmott  influence,  by  all  lawful  means,  to 
 defend  and  promote  the  covenanted  uniformity  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland,  make  him  a  religious  tyrant,  or 
 guilty  sf  itwading  the  kingdom  of  another  prince  ?  If 
 both  magiirates  and  peopJe  would  learn  from  the  divine 
 law  to  be  of  one  mind,  and  to  fpeak  the  fame  thing,  there 
 would  be  no  fuch  difficulty  in  effecting  a  religious  uni- 
 formity aa  is  often  pretended  :  and  at  any  race  it  is  our 
 duty  to  pray,  that,  as  there  is  hut  onejhepherd,  there  may 
 he  but  one  flicepfbld^  and  that,  as  the  Lord  is  one,  fo  his 
 worjhdp  may  be  one  among  all  the  nations. 
 
 What  does  Mr.  H.  mean  by  what  he  calls  the  facred 
 rights  of  mankind— oj 'conference — and  of  private  judgment  ? 
 Does  he  think  that  a  right  to  profefs  any  fort  of  worfhip 
 which  the  corrupt  fancy  of  man  is  pleafed  to  invent  ;  or 
 to  fet  up  rulers  contrary  to  the  exprefs  precept  of  God's 
 law  is-  a  facred  right*,  all  rights,  that  can  properly  be 
 called  facred,  relative  to  true  religion,  or  the  interetls 
 thereof,  are  purchafed  by  Chrift  to  his  Ghurch  and  people  ; 
 but  it  would  be  blafphemy  to  aflcrt  that  he  purchafed  a 
 liberty  to  profefs  or  practife  any  mode  of  worfh'p  con- 
 trary to  the  fecond  precept  of  his  own  law.  Mr.  H- — . 
 furely  knows  that  the  law  of  God  alone,  and  neither  the 
 conference  nor  fallible  judgment  of  man,  is  our  fupreme 
 and  only  infallible  rule  ;  and  that  whatever  principle  or 
 practice  is  contrary  to  this  law  is  truly  fioful,  whether 
 uur  conference  and  judgment  approve  of  it  or  not,  Thefe 
 
 faculties 
 
(      X*      ) 
 
 faculties  of  the  foul  are  God's  creatures  and  fervants, 
 that  ought  to  be  employed  daily  for  his  glory  ;  but  being 
 now  corrupted  by  fin,  they  cannot  do  their  duty,  until 
 they  be  renewed  and  informed  by  his  holy  law.  And  in 
 proportion  to  the  knowledge  which  the  Chriftian  has  of 
 this  law,  his  judgment  and  confeience  will  aft  right  of 
 wrong.  But  to  fet  up  thefe,  as  the  alone  rule  of  our  duty* 
 is  at  once  to  exalt  the  will  of  the  finful  creature  above 
 the  will  of  his  all-perfeft  Creator.  And  to  fuppofe  that 
 thia  law  is  only  a  rule,  as  underftood  by  the  judg- 
 ment and  confeience  oi  men,  is  plainly  to  diveft  it  of  its 
 intrinfic  divine  authority,  and  to  allow  thefe  faculties  a  fu- 
 periority  over  God,  in  giving  a  regulating  authority  to> 
 his  word,  according  to  the  erroneous  fenfe  which  they  put 
 on  it.  But  how  will  an  erring  confeience  make  it  innocent 
 in  a  man  to  believe,  profefs  and  praftife  herefy,  or  ido- 
 latry, more  than  theft,  murder,  or  adultery  ? And 
 
 as  the  law  of  God  direfts  our  judgment  and  confeience: 
 in    our   other   actions,    fo  alfo  in  fetting    up  civil   ru- 
 lers   fupreme   and  fubordinate  to   aft  for  his  glory,  the 
 good  of  his   church  and  the  intereft  of  civil    fociety  at 
 large.     And  if  no  refpeft   is   to  be  paid  to  this  law  ia 
 thefe  matters,  then  it  is  of  no  confequence  what  prin« 
 ciples  of  religion  we  profefs,  or  what  kind  of  rulers  we 
 choofe  to  proteft  thefe  principles,  which  would  open  the 
 door  to  the  prevailing  fyftem  of  Deifm  and  infidelity. 
 According  to  thia  loofe  fcheme,  Mahometans,  Papifts, 
 and   Deifts,  ought  all  to  be  encouraged  by  the  civil  ma- 
 giftrate,  as  God's  minifter,  as  much  as  the  drifted  obfer- 
 ver  of  the  divine  law,  and  thofe,  who  trample  on  the  laws 
 of  Jehovah,  ought  to  be  equally  fewarded  with  afts  of 
 royal  favour,  and  admitted  into  places  of  power  and  truft* 
 as  the  bed  friends  to  the  conftitution  of  heaven  ;  and   a 
 Pagan,  or  a  Roman  Catholic,  may  be  a  lawful  king  over  a 
 Chriftian  reformed  land,  as  well  as  a  brother  by  nation  and 
 religion,  and  then  it  will  be  no  longer  a  crime  for  vile  men, 
 to  be  high  in  place. — Mr.  H.  profefies,  "  that  he  would  b$ 
 "  forry  to  fee  his  Majefiy's  power  exerted  to  crufh  thefe 
 "  poor  people,  aa  they  are  only  a  handful  of  milled  men, 
 <c  and  not  likely  to  increafe."     If  they  were  all  honeft  and 
 right  hearted  men,  as  they  ought  to  be,  they  need  not  be 
 dejefted  by  flavifh  fear  on  account  of  the  power  of  men 
 and  devils,  as  twenty-eight  years  of  cruel  perfecution 
 
 b  could 
 
(     xvi     ) 
 
 could  not  crufh  the  profeffors  of  the  felf  fame  csmfe,  in  the 
 laft  century,  and  the  power  of  God  is  as  able  to  protect 
 as  ever.  They  are  indeed  but  a  handful*  and  a  defpif- 
 ed  handful  too,  but  thty  are  as  numerous  as  the  difciples 
 of  Chrift  in  the  days  of  his  flefh  :  and,  towards  the  con- 
 clufion  of  Antichrift's  reign,  it  is  probable  that  they  will 
 be  fewer  ftill;  but  if  they  be  honoured  to  be  faithful,  t9 
 keep  the  commandments  of  God  and  the  faith  of  Jefus*  they 
 pay  little  refpeA  to  the  fmallnefs  of  their  number,  or  to 
 the  reproach  of  men  on  that  account.  And,  although 
 they  be  reckoned  mifled  men*  they  wifh  to  walk  in  good 
 company,  and  are  ftudying,  through  grace,  to  follow  the 
 approved  footfteps  of  thofe,  who,  through  faith  and  pa- 
 tience, are  now  inheriting  the  promifea  ;  and  like  them  are 
 teftifying  againft  the  prevailing  evils  of  the  times,  in  in- 
 dividuals, families,  churches,  and  civil  ftates.  Their 
 fcherae  is  notindeed  likely  to  increafe  much  under  Prelalic 
 and  Eraftian  conftitutions :  they  think  it  a  great  matter 
 if  they  can  hold  fall  that  which  they  have  ;  but  when 
 Chrift  comes  conquering  and  to  conquer,  he  can  foon  make 
 the  greateft  mountains  to  become  a  plain.  And  whate- 
 ver this  author  may  infinuate,  there  is  nothing  in  thefe 
 principles  contrary  to  true  Chriftian  liberty,  which  alone 
 includes  that  fpiritual  freedom,  wherewith  Chrift  has  made 
 his  church  and  people  free.  However,  as  a  conclufion 
 to  this  paragraph,  if  Mr.  H.  had  rightly  confidered  the 
 nature,  uie,  and  ends  of  magistracy,  as  an  ordinance  of 
 God,  for  promoting  his  own  glory,  and  the  bed  intereiU 
 of  men,  he  would  not  hive  accounted  fcriptural  and  cove- 
 nant.qu3,ificauon3%y?///«/  conditions.  And  this  is  the  fub- 
 ftance  of  what  the  R  P.  contend  for  on  the  head  of  civil 
 government. 
 
 In  page  186,  Mr.  H.  affigns  what  he  calls  the  foun- 
 dation of  the  Reformed  Prefbytery's  erroneous  notion* 
 about  the  power  of  the  Chriftran  magiftrate,  which  he 
 fays,  u  lies  in  their  ignorance  and  mifcouceptions  of  the 
 "  pi  opt  r  diitinctions  between  the  ancient  Ihraeliciih  com* 
 **  m6i^ wealth  and  the  evangelical  kingdom. ,J  It  is  no 
 wonder  that  he  coniiders  the  R.  P.  as  ignorant  on  this 
 head,  when  our  honoured  Reformers  themfelves  are  re- 
 preiented  by  him  in  the  fame  point  of  view.  But  does 
 he  really  think  that  the  gofpel  difpenfation  ha3  abrogated 
 
 any 
 
(     xvu     ) 
 
 any  moral  precept,  or  freed  from  the  performance  of  any 
 moral  duty,  that  has  a  tendency  to  promote  the  glory  of 
 God,  and  the  intereft  of  religion  in  the  world  ?  Or  is  any 
 thing  abrogated  under  the  gofpel,  except  the  ceremonial 
 law,  and  fuch  parrs  of  the  judicial  law  as  were  immediate- 
 ly  conneded  therewith?  And  is  not  the  moral  la*',  as  a 
 rule  of  life,  and  every  ordinance  and  duty  thereof,  as  obli- 
 gatory under  the  gofpel  as  it  was  under  the  Jewifh  difpen- 
 fation  ?  If  Mr.  H  would  only  condefcend  to  examine  this 
 fubjeft  ferioufly,  he  would  readily  find,  that  after  the  re- 
 jection of  the  theocracy  under  Samuel,  there  was  no  fuch 
 difference  between  the  Jewifh  magiftracy  and  that  of 
 Chriftian  countries  as  is  often  pretended.  The  Jewifh  ma- 
 giftracy was  an  ordinance  of  God:  magiftracy  ia  ftill  an 
 ordinance  of  God  to  be  fubmitted  to  for  the  Lord'9  fake. 
 The  Jewifo  magiftrates  were  God's  deputies  and  mini- 
 fters;  Chriftian  magiftrates  lawfully  conftituted,  are  ftill 
 powers  ordained  by  God,  and  minifters  of  God  for  good, 
 to  whom  we  muft  be  fubje£t  for  confciencc  fake.  The  re* 
 vealed  will  of  God  was  the  proper  ftatute  book  of  the  ci- 
 vil law  of  the  jews :  the  will  or  God  revealed  in  fcripture, 
 is  ftill  the  fupreme  ftandara  of  all  civil  laws  among  Chrif- 
 tians,  on  which  they  ought  to  be  founded,  and  by  which 
 their  moral  obligation  is  circumfcribed.  And  the  Jewifh, 
 magiftrates  were  ordained  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the 
 church,  that  they  might  thereby  promote  the  welfare  of 
 the  ftate,  in  fubfervieocy  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  king  of 
 the  nation  :  Chriftian  magiftrates  are  ftill  bound  to  do 
 the  fame  as  they  have  opportunity*.  It  has  never  yet 
 been  proved  that  the  R,  r\  ever  required  the  civil  magif- 
 trate  to  punifh  any,  either  by  capital  or  corporal  punihV 
 rnent,  who  had  nGt  fubje&ed  themfelves  thereto,  by  the 
 open  violation  of  God's  law  ;  this  law  requiring  them  to 
 be  fo  punifhed.  But  if  idolatry  be  as  inimical  to  the  in- 
 terefts  of  civil  fociety  as  theft,  forgery,  or  robbery,  why 
 may  not  God's  mirufter  punifh  the  former  as  well  as  the 
 htter,  according  to  his  own  law.  And  it  is  truly  mourn- 
 ful that  a  profeffed  Prefbyterian  fhould  have  copied  after 
 .the  fectarian  diftinclioni  between  the  ancient  Ifraelitifh 
 commonwealth  and  the  evangelical  kingdom,  as  Mr.  H. 
 b  2  has 
 
 *  Deut.  xvi.  1 8,  19.  Rom.  xiii.  I,  6,  PfaL  Ixxxii.  I,  6.  Ifa  xlaq, 
 23, and  tfo,3,  io,  xo*.  Aftsiv,  ip.  o;:own  on  tokratioa.  p. .66*  6i< 
 
(     xviii     ) 
 
 J139  evidently  done  after  that  noted  Independant  John 
 Glas,  who  renounced  Prefbytery  both  in  name  aud  thing  *. 
 After  having  difcufled  his  grounds  of  furprife  and  dif- 
 played  his  wit  a  little,  Mr.  H  comes  in  p.  211,  212  to 
 exhibit  another  charge  againft  what  he  calls  the  Camero- 
 niarr  church,  4<  becaufe  they  (along  with  the  fecefiion,) 
 "  have  in  their  writings  declared  themfelvea  enemies  to 
 **  toleration."  They  indeed  do  teftify  againft  all  autho- 
 ritative toleration  of  falfe  worfhip,  as  the  members  of  the 
 Weftminftcr  Affembly  have  done  before  them,  Confef. 
 chap.  23  feft.  3.  and  Larger  Cat.  Queft  109.  whicn  Mr. 
 H.  would  readily  declare  his  folemn  approbation  of  at  the 
 time  of  his  ordination.  And  how  he  can  reconcile  that 
 folemn  declaration  with  hie  loofe  tenets  published  to  the 
 world  on  Toleration,  and  what  he  calls  the  fa  ere  d  right j  of 
 confeience  is  difficult  to  fay,  and  can  only  be  afcribed  to 
 his  fuperior  knowledge  of  the  rights  of  private  judg?nent. 
 One  thing  1*5  certain,  that,  in  the  whole  of  his  diflertation, 
 he  has  not  produced  a  fingle  text  of  fcripture  to  prove 
 that  magiftrates,  as  God's  minifters,  have  a  right  to  en- 
 courage or  protect  men  in  blafpheming  his  holy  name  ; 
 and  in  their  rebellious  and  treacherous  acting  againft  bis 
 glory,  by  their  idolatrous  and  fuperftitious  worfhip  of 
 him,  and  thereby  introducing  the  moft  accurfed  and  dam- 
 nable errors  into  his  church ;  or  that  they  ought  to  give 
 Satan  and  his  agents  as  much  countenance  and  afliftance, 
 in  drawing  men  to  hell,  as  they  give  to  Chrift  and  his 
 faithful  fervants,  in  conducting  them  in  the  plain  path  to 
 heaven.' — It  is  true  indeed  that  univerfal  toleration  is  held 
 in  high  efteem  among  modern  infidels  and  lukewarm  pro- 
 fefTors  ;  but  it  evidently  includes  a  great  abfurdity  in  the 
 very  nature  of  it  ;  for  the  religion  of  Jefus  needs  no  fuch 
 favour  of  man,  becaufe  its  freedom  has  been  bought  by  the 
 precious  blood  of  Chrift,  and  therefore  has  an  intrinfic 
 right  to  a  proper  eftablifhment,  wherever  Chriftianity 
 reaches.  This  religion  is  but  one,  a* 'God  is  one,  and  his 
 law  one.  And  it  is  really  amazing  that  the  profefTed  mi- 
 mfters  of  God  would  arrogate  to  themftives  a  power  whfch 
 God  himfelf  has  not.  It  is  inconfittent  with  the  holy  na- 
 ture of  God  to  give  an  authoritative  toleration  to  the  leaft 
 
 evil. 
 
 •  Compare  Glas's  Teftimony  of  the  Xtag  of  Martyrs,  with  Mr. 
 Kutchifon's  Difertatiori. 
 
(     xix     ) 
 
 evil      And,  fince  he  cannot  do  it,  it  muft  be  very  pre- 
 fumptuouB  for  finful  mortals  to  attempt  it.     And,  con- 
 fidering  the  magiftrate's  power  to  flow  from  the  people, 
 acting  according  to  the  divine  law  in  his  inveituure,  he  can- 
 not employ  it  for  the  toleration  of  error,  as  no  people  can 
 communicate  a  right  to  a  magiftrate,  which  they  have  not 
 themfelvee  :  and  no  fociety  of  people  on  earth  has  a  right 
 to  profefs  any  one  article  of  faith  that  is  not  contained  in, 
 or  agreeable  to  the  holy  fcriptures  :  for  if  men  may  add 
 one  human  invention  to  the  worfhip  of  God,  they  may  add 
 twenty,  and  if  they  may  acl:  contrary  to  the  law  of  God, 
 in  one  cafe   without  fin,  they  may  do  fo,  in  a  thoufand 
 cafes.     But  he  that  is  unfaithful  in  little,  is  unfaithful  al- 
 fo  in  much,  and  he  that  ofTendeth  in  one  point,  is  guilty 
 of  all.     The  precious  truths  of  Chrift;  are  not  to  be  fepa- 
 rated  according  to  the  vain  fancy  of  iinful  creatures,  as 
 they  all  flow  from  the  fame  divine  authority,  and  are  ali 
 fo  many  parts  of  the  great  whole,  which,   like  Chrift'a 
 feamlefs  coat,  cannot  be  divided  without  fpoiling  their  beau* 
 ty.      Since  then   there  is  but  one  Lord,  one  faith e,  and  one 
 baptifm  :  and  as  the  dove  and  undefiled  of  Chrifi  is  but  one  *, 
 there  can  be  no  room  left  for  an  authoritative  toleration  of 
 falfe  modes  of  worfhip  exprefsly  forbidden  by  God's  law. 
 The  preceding  observations  may   (hew  that  the  prin- 
 ciples of  the  Reformed  Prefbytery  are  by  no  means  fo  ab- 
 furdas  Mr.  H.  represents  them.   If  impartially  examined, 
 it  will  be  found  that  they  contain  nothing  but  what  has  an 
 obvious  tendency  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  the  inte- 
 rells  of  true  religion,  and  the  general  good  of  mankind. 
 And  let  all  the  intelligent  and  religious  part  of  men  fay, 
 if  it  would  not  be  a  delirable  event  to  fee  church  and  (late 
 firmly  united  on  a  proper  conftitution,   in  receiving,  ob- 
 serving, and  keeping  pure  and  entire  all  fuch  religioua  wor- 
 fhip and  ordinances,  ad  God  has   appointed  in   his  word. 
 And  what  do  the  R   P.   afk  more  ?  Now  fince  they  are 
 perfuaded  that  their  principles  include  all  the  good  thin  erg, 
 that  are  to  be  found  in  the  principles  of  the  different  reli- 
 gious denominations  that  exift,  refpe&ing  doctrine,  wor- 
 ship, difcipline  and  government,  as  thefe  are  revealed  in 
 the  law  of  God,  why  fhould  they  be  blamed  for  teftify- 
 irtg  and  procefting  againft  public  deeds,  which   they  fee 
 
 to 
 #  Eph.  iv.  5.  So.  vi,  p. 
 
(     *x     ) 
 
 to  be  plainly  contrary  to  the  fcriptures  of  truth  ;  and  in- 
 vidioufly  reproached,  becaufe  they  cannot  take,  any  ac\ive 
 part  with  a  corrupt  fociety,  which  has  made  the  mainte- 
 nance and  fupport  of  Prelatic  and  Eraftian  principles  an 
 effential  condition  of  their  conftitution,  contrary  to  the 
 fecond  commandment  of  the  moral  law  ? 
 
 It  might  be  much  to  Mr  H's  honour,  to  retraft  all  that 
 he  has  rafhly,  and  injurioufly  written,  againll  our  folemn 
 covenants,  our  reformers  and  their  fucceflbrs,  and  to  era- 
 ploy  his  pen  on  the  Sociuian  controverfy,  which  he  feems 
 to  have  underftood  much  better  than  the  principles  of  the 
 fecottd  reformation  #.  This  would  be  doing  greater  fer- 
 vice  to  religion  in  general,  and  would  tend  to  hand  down 
 his  name  to  pofterity  with  greater  honour,  than  vilifying 
 the  covenanted  uniformity  of  the  lad  century,  which  will 
 be  efteemed  by  all  the  faithful  friends  of  Zion,  when  the 
 peculiarities  of  the  Relief  fcheme  fliail  be  buried  in  ialting 
 oblivion  f. 
 
 The  reader  may  be  afTured,  that  no  perfonal  prejudice 
 againft  Mr.  H.,  nor  any  member  of  the  Relief  church,  in- 
 duced the  writer  of  this  preface,  to  publiih  the  preceding 
 pages,  but  {imply  a  regard  to  the  public  interefts  of  true 
 religion,  and  a  refpe£r.  to  the  caufe  and  teftimony  of  Je- 
 fus,  which  have  been  exceedingly  injured  by  lax  communion 
 in  general,  and  by  fuch  loofc  observations  as  Mr.  H.  has 
 
 made 
 
 *  See  Mr.  H's  three  Sermons  on  Matth.  xvi  16.  fEy  the  pecu- 
 liarities of  the  Relief  fcheme,  I  do  not  mean  wny  of  the  found  doc- 
 trines of  religion,  which  the  membeis  of  that  church  hold  in  common 
 with  other  denominations,  hue  fuch  things  as  are  not  praclifed  by  any 
 Preibyterian  Diffenters  except  themfelves,  fo  far  as  I  have  had  accefs 
 to  know,  c  g.  admitting  to  thtir  communion  perfons  of  other  deno- 
 minations, over  whom  they  have  not  the  power  of  difciphne  and  .go- 
 vernment, and  thereby  feparating  the  ktys  of  the  gofpei  minifiry — 
 granting  the  freedom  of  election  to  perfons  not  of  their  connection, 
 for  money,  at  the  firit  call  of  minifters  in  their  new  fettlements,  and 
 thereby  proftituting  a  divine  ordinance,  as  was  lately  done  at  D-sj; 
 infi  <ftmg  no  public  cenfnre  on  fuch  of  their  minifters  as  openly  deny 
 the  moral  obligation  of  our  folemn  covenants  againft  Popery  and 
 Prelacy,  and  thereby  confirm  theie  blackfliding  nations,  in  their  aw- 
 ful perjury;  nor  even  on  fuch  as  declare  to  the  world,  that  the  apofrle 
 Paul  in  the  7th  chap,  of  the  Romans,  from  the  14th  v.  to  the  end,  is 
 defcribing  himfeif  as  a  carnal  unconverted  man,  which  is  an  expofi- 
 tion  plainly  contrary  to  other  fcripture,  Gal,  v,  17.  and  to  the  uni- 
 form experience  of  the  faints. 
 
(     xxi     ) 
 
 made  on  th*  principles  of  the  Reformed  Prefbytcry  in  par- 
 ticular An  impartial  examination  of  tbefe  fhort  remarks 
 in  the  balance  of  the  fancluary  is  earneftly  defired  ;  and 
 if  there  be  any  miftakes  in  them,  they  are  to  be  imputed 
 to  the  writer  alone,  and  to  none  of"  his  religious  connec- 
 tions.— And  although  the  ferious  Chriftian  may  think  that 
 controverfies  of  thib  kind  are  only  calculated  tocaufe  men 
 undervalue  the  exercife  of  real  godlinefs,  and  to  place  all 
 their  religion  in  an  external  profefilon,  yet  this  is  by  no 
 means  the  cafe;  for  all,  who  act  confcientioufly  and  judict- 
 oufly  as  to  a  public  principle,  are  fenfible,  that  vital  union 
 to  the  perfon  of  Chriit,a  faving  intereft  in  his  righteoufnefs, 
 and  the  daily  communications  of  his  grace,  are  neceffary  to- 
 wards the  right  performance  of  any  religious  duty,  public 
 or  private.  But  the  true  defign  is,  to  guard  men  againft 
 that  prevailing  opinion,  that  heart  religion  is  all  that  ia 
 neceffary,  and  that  no  particular  public  profeflion  is  of  any 
 importance,  whereas  the  fcriptures  plainly  declare,  that  as 
 with  the  heart  man  hdieveth  unto  righteoufnefs^  fo  with  the 
 mouth  onfejfnn  u  made  unto  Salvation*  ;  and  alfo  to  cau* 
 tion  them  againii  feparating  true  faith  from  the  practice 
 of  univerfal  holinefs,  and  thereby  turning  the  grace  of 
 God  into  wantonnefs.  For  as  certain  as  it  is,  that  <we  are 
 jufltfied  freely  by  grace  f,  equally  certain  it  13,  that  without 
 holineff,  no  man  Jb  a1 1  fee  the  Lord £. 
 
 That  the  divine  bleffing  may  attend  thi3  publication  at 
 large;  fo  as  to  make  it  a  mean,  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit, 
 of  exciting  a  fecure  and  fenfelefs  generation  to  a  fuitablc 
 regard  to  the  declarative  glory  of  God  ; — of  rouflng 
 lukewarm  profeffors  to  a  religious  concern  for  the  churches 
 unity  and  purity; — of  ftirring  up  God's  own  people  to  come 
 forth  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  againii  the  mighty  ; — and 
 of  caufingall  the  true  lovers  of  Chrift,  evidence  their  love 
 by  an  univerfal  obedience  to  his  laws  is  the  fincere  wifh 
 of 
 
 Your  humble  fervant  in  the  Gofpel, 
 
 PAISLEY, 
 
 xoth  Jan.  I7y«« 
 
 THOMAS  HENDERSON; 
 
 -#  Rom.  x-  to.     f  Rom   iii.  *4«     *  Heb.  xii,  1 4, 
 
(      XXII      ) 
 
 P.  S.  As  this  page  happens  to  fall  blank  in  the  courfc 
 of  printing,  it  is  hoped  that  the  following  obfervationa, 
 tending  to  confirm  the  fubftance  of  the  foregoing  preface, 
 will  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  ferious  reader  i .  That  it 
 is  the  incumbent  duty  of  all  Chriftians,  to  feek  firft  the 
 kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteoufnefs  ;  and  earneflly 
 to  pray  that  they  may  have  clearnefs  to  fay  with  the  a- 
 poftle,  Rom.  viii.  2.  The  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life,  in  Cbriji 
 Jefusy  has  made  me  free  from  the  la*w  of  Jin  and  death  ;  be- 
 caufe,  prior  to  the  faving  change  in  regeneration,  all  are 
 in  a  itate  of  fpiritual  death,  and  fo  are  unable  to  perform 
 any  religious  duty  aright,  until  they  be  renewed  by  the 
 Spirit  and  grace  of  God. — 2.  That  we  ought  to  take  a 
 view  of  fin,  chiefly  as  it  is  difhonouring  to  a  holy  God,  and 
 ought  to  hate  it  principally  on  that  account,  more  than  on 
 account  of  the  injury,  which  it  does  to  our  own  fouls,  after 
 the  example  of  pious  Jofeph,  Gen.  xxxix  9  — 3  That  the 
 fame  principle,  which  leads  us  out  truly  to  hate  our  own 
 fins,  will,  if  properly  exercifed,  lead  us  out  to  hate  the  fins 
 of  all  others,  viz.  becaufe  they  are  ofFenfive  to  God  :  and, 
 in  proportion  to  the  aggravations  attending  them,  we 
 ought  to  hate  them  the  more.  Church  and  national  fina 
 are  more  heinous  than  the  fins  of  individuals,  as  they  in* 
 volve  a  greater  number  in  guilt  at  once,  and  therefore  we 
 ought  to  be  more  deeply  affecled  with  thefe  on  that  ac- 
 count.— 4.  That  we  ought  to  obey  the  law  of  God  in  all 
 cafes,  and  not  only  to  perform  every  duty  that  is  com- 
 manded, but  precifely  as  it  is  commanded,  without  alter- 
 ing the  manner,  any  more  than  the  matter  thereof;  and 
 to  beware  of  what  are  called  non-efientials  :  for  all  reveal- 
 ed truths,  however  fmall  they  may  appear  in  the  eyes  of 
 men,  are  efTential  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  fuch  as  are 
 reckoned  moft  circumftantial,  flow  from  his  will  ;  and 
 therefore  they  ali  claim  our  love  and  approbation. 
 
 T.  H. 
 
 ERRATA   in  this   PREFACE. 
 
 Page  7th,  line  laft,  after  made,  infert  by.  p,  8.  line  4. 
 after  hold,  delete  a,  1. 7,  for  rolls,  read  roll,  p.  9  1-  17. 
 for  of,  read  on,  p.  u.  1.  laft,  for  Rom.  xii.  read  Rom. 
 xiii.  p.  13.  !.  40;  for  a,  read  any,  p.  14  1.  13.  for  judg- 
 ment, read  judgments,  1.  14.  after  why,  infert  may,  1.  23- 
 for  aa,  read  as. 
 
 N.  B.  Excufe  fmall  errora  in  pointing,  ancHpelling^^ 
 
AN    USEFUL 
 
 CASE  OF  CONSCIENCE 
 
 DISCUSSED  AND  RESOLVED, 
 
 Concerning  AfTociations  and  Confederacies  witr: 
 Idolaters  Infidels,  Heretics,  or  any  other 
 known  Enemies  of  Truth  and  Godliness, 
 
 B/Mr.  GEORGE    GILL E S PIE. 
 
 Late  Minister  at  Edinburgh, 
 
 WViereunto  la  fubjoined  a  Letter,  written  by  him  to 
 the  Commiffioners  of  the  General  Affembly,  in  the  Time 
 of  his  Sicknef8  :  together  with  W\s  Teftimony  unto  thi« 
 Truth,  written  two  Pays  before  his  Death. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THIS  following  Queftion,  and  Cafe  of 
 Confcience,  as  it  was  handled  and  re- 
 folved  by  Mr.  Gillefpie,  in  fome  fermons  deli- 
 vered by  him,  about  the  time  of  contriving 
 the  late  war  againft  the  kingdom  of  England, 
 being  much  defired  by  many  who  heard  of 
 it,  that  it  might  be  far  public  ufe,  was  at 
 laft  yielded  to  by  the  author  before  his  death. 
 His  friends  have  thought  it  neceflary  to  pu- 
 blifh  the  fame,  together  with  thefe  teftimonies, 
 wherewith  he  fealed  this  truth,  herein  con- 
 tained, in  the  time  of  his  ficknefs,  and  im- 
 mediately before  his  death. 
 
An  ufefuf  cafe  of  con  fa  en  ce  dif cuffed  and  rcf  fvedf  con- 
 cerning affectations  and  confederacies  ivith  idolaters, 
 infidels ,  heretic st  or  any  other  known  enemies  of  truth 
 and  godlinefs. 
 
 WHILE  I  have  occaGon  to  fpeak  of  human  co- 
 venants, it  (hall  not  be  unprofitable  to  fpeak 
 fomewhat  to  that  queftion  fo  much  debated,  as  well 
 among  divines,  as  among  politicians  and  lawyers, 
 whether  a  confederacy  and  aflbciation  with  wicked 
 men,  or  fuch  as  are  of  another  religion,  be  lawful,  yea, 
 or  not.  For  anfwer  whercunto  fhortly>  let  us  diftin- 
 guifli,  i.  Civil  covenants.  2.  Ecclefiaftical,  facred,  or 
 religious  covenants  3.  Mixed  covenants,  partly  civil, 
 partly  religious.  The  iafl  two  being  made  with  wick- 
 ed men,  and  fuch  as  differ  in  religion  from  us,  I  hold 
 to  be  unlawful,  and  (o  do  the  heft  writers.  When 
 th;  Ifraelites  are  forbidden  a  covenant  with  the  C?- 
 naanites,  fpecial  mention  is  made  of  their  gods,  al- 
 tars, images,  Exod.  xxiii.  32.  and  xxxiv.  13,  14. 
 Judges  ii  2  that  no  fuch  fuperftiticus,  unlawful  wor- 
 fhlp  might  be  tolerated.  As  for  civil  covenants,  if 
 they  be  for  commerce  or  peace,  which  were  called 
 t7rMlai,  they  are  a'lowed  according  to  the  fcriptures, 
 Gen.  xiv.  13.  Gen.  xxxi.  44.  and  1  Kings  v.  12. 
 Jer.  xxix.  7.  R.om  xii.  18.  Such  covenants  the  Ve- 
 netians have  with  the  Turks,  becaufe  cf  vicinity  : 
 fuch  covenants  alfo  Chriliian  emperors  of  old,  had 
 fometimes  with  the  pagans,  it  was  the  breach  of  a 
 civil  covenant  of  peace  with  the  Turks,  that  God  pu- 
 nifhed  fo  exemplarrly  in  Uladyflaus,  king  cf  Hunga- 
 ry :  but  if  the  civil  covenant  be  fuch  a  covenant  as 
 the  Grecians  called  w/4|k*a/*»  to  join  in  mi  itary  ex- 
 peditions together,  of  this  is  the  gr  atcit  debate  and 
 controverfy  among  writers  5  for  my  part,  1  hold  it 
 unlawful,  with  divers  good  writers  ;  and  I  conceive 
 B  z  that, 
 
(  i6  ) 
 that,  Exod  xxxiv.  God  forbiddeth  not  only  religious 
 covenants  with  the  Canaanites,  but  even  civil  cove- 
 nants, ver.  12.  and  conjugal  covenants,  ver.  16. 
 Which  is  aifo  Junius's  opinion  in  his  analyfis  upon 
 that  place.  The  reafon  for  the  unlawfuinefs  of  fuch 
 confederacies  are  brought,  I.  From  the  Law,  Exod, 
 xxiii.  32.  and  xxxiv.  12,  15.  Deut.  vii.  2>  Yea, 
 God  maketh  this  a  principal  ftipuiation  and  condi- 
 tion upon  their  part,  while  he  is  making  a  covenant 
 with  them,  Exod.  xxxiv.  jo,  j2  Judges  ii.  1,2.  and 
 left  it  fhould  be  thought  that  this  is  meant  only  of 
 thefe  feven  nations  enumerated,  Deut.  vii.  the  fame 
 law  is  interpreted  of  four  other  nations,  1  Kings  xi. 
 1,2.  fo  that  it  is  to  be  underftood  generally  againft 
 confederacies  with  idolaters  and  thofe  of  a  faife  re- 
 ligion :  and  the  reafon  of  the  law  is  moral  and  per- 
 petua!v  viz.  the  danger  of  enfnaring  the  people  of 
 God  •,  therefore  they  were  forbidden  to  covenant 
 either  with  their  gods,  or  with  themfelves ;  for  a 
 conjunction  of  counleis,  and  familiar  converfatioii 
 (which  are  confequents  of  a  covenant)  draweth  in 
 end  to  a  fellowfhip  in  religion.  2.  From  difallowed 
 and  condemned  examples  ;  as  Afa's  covenant  with 
 Buihadad,  2  Chron.  xvi.  to  ver.  io.  And  Ahaz's 
 covenant  with  the  king  of  AfTyria,  2  Kings  xvi  7,  ic. 
 2  Chron  xxvii.  16,  to  23.  And  if  it  fhould  be  ob- 
 jected, thefe  are  but  examples  of  covenants  with  ido- 
 latrous heathens,  there  is  not  the  like  reafon  to  con- 
 demn confederacies  and  aiTbciations  with  wicked  men 
 of  the  fame  religion  ;  1  anfwer,  1.  It  holds  a  fortiori 
 againft  confederacies  with  fuch  of  the  feed  of  Jacob, 
 as  had  made  defe&ion  from  true  religion,  for  Gro-> 
 tius  de  jure  belli  &  pads,  lib.  2.  cap.  i  5.  Numb.  9. 
 noteth,  God  would  have  fuch  to  be  more  abominat- 
 ed than  heathens,  and  to  be  deftroyed  from  among 
 "their  people,  Deut.  xiii.  13  befides  this.  I  add,  2.  We 
 have  in  other  fcriptures  examples,  which  meet  with 
 that  cafe  alio  ;  for  Jchofaphat's  confederacy  with 
 Ahab,  2  Chron.  xviii.   3.  with  Chrcn.  xix.  2.  ami 
 
 after 
 
(    »7    ) 
 
 afterwith  Ahaslab,  2  Chron.  xx.  35.  are  condemned^ 
 which  made  Jehofcphat  (although  once  reiapfm^ 
 into  trrit  fin)  yet  afterwards  mend  his  fault,  for  hs 
 would  not  again  join  with  Ahaziah,  when  he  fought 
 that  aiTociation  the  fecond  time,  1  Kings  xxii.  49. 
 So  Amaziah,  having  aflbciated  himfelf  in  an  expedi- 
 tion with  the  Ifraelites,  when  God  was  not  with  them, 
 did  upon  the  prophet's  admonition  disjoin  himfelf 
 from  them,  and  take  his  hazard  of  their  anger, 
 2  Chron.  xxv.  7,  8,  9,  10.  Lavater,  upon  the  place, 
 applying  that  example,  noticeth  this  as  one  of  the 
 caufes  why  the  Chriftian  wars  with  the  Turks  had  fo 
 ill  fuccefs.  Why,  faith  he,  confider  what  {"oldie  rs 
 were  employed  -3  this  is  the  fruit  of  aflbciations  with 
 the  wicked.  3.  Thefe  confederacies  proceed  from  an 
 evil  heart  of  unbelief,  as  is  manifeft  by  the  reafons 
 which  are  brought  agiinft  Ahaz's  league  with  Ben- 
 hadad,  2  Chron.  xvi.  7,  35  9.  and  by  that  which  is 
 laid  againft  the  confederacy  with  the  King  of  AfTy- 
 xiZy  lia.  viii.  12,  13.  for,  as  Calvin  upon  the  place 
 noticeth,  the  unbelievers  among  the  people,  confi- 
 dering  their  own  inability  for  managing  fo  great  a 
 war,  thought  it  cieceffary  to  have  a  confederacy  with 
 the  Aflyrians ;  but  this  was  from  faithlefs  fears,  from 
 want  of  faith  to  itay  and  reft  upon  God  us  all-fuf- 
 fieient.  4.  If  we  muft  avoid  feilowfnip  and  conver- 
 fation  with  the  fons  of  Belial,  (except  where  natural 
 bonds  or  the  necefiity  of  a  calling  tieth  us)  Pfal.  vi, 
 3.  Prov  ix.  6.  and  xxiv  1.  2  Cor,  vi.  14,  15.  and 
 if  we  fhould  account  God's  enemies  our  enemies, 
 Pfal.  exxxix.  2  1.  then  how  can  we  join  with  them, 
 as  confederates  and  affociates,  for  by  this  means  we 
 ihall  have  feilowfhip  with  them,  *nd  look  on  them  as 
 f.iends. 
 
 Now,  as  to  the  arguments  which  ufe  to-be  brought 
 
 for  the  contrary  opinion,  fi-rft,  'tis  objected  ihat  A  bra- 
 
 .bani    had   a   confederacy    with    Aner,  Efchol,    and 
 
 Mam  re,  Gen.   xiv.  13.     Abraham  with  Abimeiech, 
 
 i,  xxi.  27,  32.  and  Jfaac  with  Abimelech,  Gen- 
 
 B  3  xxvi. 
 
(  18  ) 
 xxvi.  Jacob  with  Laban,  Gen.  xxxi.  44.  Solomon 
 with  Hiram,  i.  Kings,  v.  12..  Anf.  1.  It  cannot  be 
 proved  that  thefe  confederates  of  Abraham,  Ifaac, 
 and  Solomon,  were  either  idolaters  or  wicked ;  La- 
 :  ban  indeed  was  an  idolater  :  But  there  are  good  in- 
 terpreters who  conceire  that  Abraham's  three  confe- 
 derates feared  God;  and  that  Abimelech  alfo  feared 
 God,  becaufe  he  fpeaketh  reverently  of  God,  and  a- 
 fcribeth  to  God  the  bleffing  and  profpeiity  of  thofe 
 patriarchs. 
 
 Tis  prefumed  alfo  that  Hiram  was  a  plou9  man* 
 becaufe  of  his  epiftie  to  Solomon,  2  Chron.  ii.  11.  12. 
 however,  2.  Thofe  confederacies  were  civil,  either 
 for  commerce  or  for  peace  and  mutual  fccurity,  that 
 they  fhould  not  wrong  one  another,  as  that  with  La- 
 ban,  Gqt\.  xxxi  52.  and  with  Abimelech,  Gen  xxvi. 
 29.  which  kind  of  confederacy  is  not  controverted. 
 
 Tis  objected  alfo,  that  the  Maccabees  had  a  cove- 
 nant with  the  Romans  and  Lacedemonians,  1  Mace 
 vi'ii.  and  xii:  i,  2.  Anf.  1.  That  covenant  is  difallow- 
 ed  by  many  good  writers;  yet  'tis  obferved  from  the 
 itory  that  they  had  not  the  better,  but  the  worfe  fuc- 
 cefs,  nor  the  lefs,  but  the  more  trouble  following  it, 
 2.  The  (lory  itfdf,  1  Mace.  i.  12.  tells  us,  that  the 
 firft  notion  of  a  confederacy  with  the  Heathen  in 
 thofe  times,  proceeded  from  the  children  of  Belial 
 in  Ifrael.  Lafdy,  it  may  be  objected,  that  perions 
 difcontented,  and  of  broken  fortunes,  were  gathered 
 to  David  -,  and  that  he  received  them,  and  became  a 
 captain  unto  them,  1  Sam.  xxii.  2.  Anf.  1.  Some 
 think  (and  'tis  probable)  they  were  fuch  as  were  op- 
 prefled  and  wronged  by  Saul's  tyranny,  and  were 
 therefore  in  debt  and  difcontented,  and  that  David, 
 in  recti  ving  them,  was  a  type  of  Chrift,  who  is  a  re- 
 furre  for  the  afflicted,  and  touched  with  the  feeling 
 el  their  infirmities.  2.  Whoever  they  were,  Da- 
 vid took  care  that  no  profane  nor  wicked  perfon 
 might  be  in  his  company,  Pfal.  ci  yea,  Pfal.  xxxiv. 
 ii,  [which  was  $tni\  '  fame  time  e/hen  he 
 
 departed 
 
(     19     ) 
 
 departed  from  Achifh,  and  became  captain  of  thofc 
 400  men)  he  faith  to  them,  Come,  ye  children,  hearken 
 unto  me,  I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  3.  I  (hall 
 bring  a  better  argument  from  David's  example,  a- 
 gainft  the  joining  with  fuch  aflbciates  in  war,  as  are 
 known  to  be  malignant  and  wicked,  PfaL  cxviii.  7. 
 The  Lord  tdketh  my  part  with  them  that  help  me,  there- 
 fore IJhallfce  my  defire  upon  mine  enemies*  PfaL  liv.  4* 
 The  Lord  is  with  them  that  uphold  my  foul.  Upon  this 
 laft  place,  both  Calvin  and  Gefuerus  obferve,  that  al- 
 though David's  helpers  were  few  and  weak,  yet  God 
 being  in  them,  and  with  them,  his  confidence  was, 
 that  they  fhould  prove  ftronger  than  all  the  wicked  ; 
 he  intimatevth  alfo,  that  if  he  had  not  known  that  God 
 was  with  his  helpers,  leading  and  infpiring  them,  he 
 had  looked  for  no  help  by  them,  2  Chron.  xxv.  7,  8. 
 That  David's  helpers,  in  the  war,  were  looked  upon 
 as  fincere,  cordial,  and  ftirred  up  of  God,  may  fur- 
 ther appear  from  1  Chron.  xii  where  David  joineth 
 with  himfelf,  fidos  homines  qui  idem  cum  eo  fentirenty 
 faith  Lavater,  on  the  place,  faithful  men  of  his  own 
 mind  :  he  addeth,  that  they  were  fuch  as  hated  Saul's 
 impiety  and  injuftice,  and  loved  David's  virtue  Vi£t. 
 Strigelius  calls  them  f  deles  amicos,  faithful  friends. 
 The  text  itfelf  tells  us,  that  divers  of  them  joined 
 themfelves  to  David  while  he  was  yet  in  diftrefs  and 
 fhut  up  in  Zicklag,  ver.  i.  (which  was  an  argument 
 of  fincerity  r)  alfo,  that  fome  of  Benjamin  (Saul's 
 own  tribe)  adjoined  themfelves  to  David,  $nd  the 
 Spirit  came  upon  Amafai,  who,  by  a  fpecial  divine 
 inftinft,  fpake  to  afiure  David  of  their  fincerity,  ver. 
 2,  16,  1 8".  They  alfo  who  joined  themfelves  with 
 David  after  Saul's  death,  ver  23.  were  not  of  a  double 
 heart,  but  of  a  perfe£t  heart,  ver.  33,  38.  and  they 
 all  agreed  that  the  firft  great  bufinefs  to  be  underta- 
 ken, fhould  be  religion,  the  bringing  back  of  the 
 ark,  1  Chron.  xiii.  3,  4. 
 
 This  point   of  the  unlawfulnefs  of  confederacies 
 with  men  of  a  falfc  religion,  is  ftran^e:y  mifapplied 
 
 by 
 
(       2®      ) 
 
 fcy  Lutherans,  againft  confederacies  with  us,  whom 
 they  call  Calvinifts  :  So  argueth  Tarnovius,  Tra3  dc 
 Fxderib  But  we  may  make  a  very  good  uie  of  k ; 
 for  as  we  ought  to  pray,  and  endeavour  that  ail  who 
 are  Chrift's  may  be  made  one  in  him,  fo  we  ought 
 to  pray  againft,  and  by  all  means  avoid  fellowftiip, 
 familiarity,  marriages,  and  military  confederacies 
 with  known  wicked  perfons,  and  fuch  as  are  of  a 
 falfe,  or  h  retical  religion.  I  (hall  branch  forth  this 
 matter  in  five  particulars,  which  God  forbade  to  his 
 people,  in  referertc  to  th^  Canaanites  and  other  hea- 
 thens, which  alfo  (partly  by  parity  of  reafon,  partly 
 by  concluding  more  ftrongly)  will  militate  againil 
 confederacies  and  conjunctions  with  fuch  as,  under 
 the  profeflion  of  the  Chriftian  religion,  either  main- 
 tain herefies  and  dangerous  errors,  or  live  a  profane 
 and  wicked  life. 
 
 Firjly  God  forbade  all  religious  covenants  with 
 fuch,  and  would  not  have  his  people  to  tolerate  the 
 gods,  images,  a  tars,  or  groves  of  idolaters,  Exod. 
 xxiii.  32.  and  xxxiv.  13.  Deut.  vii.  5.  Judges  ii.  2. 
 And  although  the  letter  of  the  law  mention  this,  in 
 reference  to  the  Canaanites,  yet  the  belt  reforming 
 kings  of  Judah  applied  and  executed  this  law,  in  tak- 
 ing away  the  groves  and  high  places  abufed  by  the 
 Jews  in  their  fuperftition  :  And  what  marvel  ?  If 
 fuch  things  were  not  to  be  tolerated  in  the  Canaan- 
 ites, much  lefs  in  the  Jews.  Theodofius  is  commend- 
 ed for  his  fupprefling  and  punifhing  heretics. 
 
 Scc&ndij)  God  forbade  familiar  converfation  with 
 tbefe  heathens,  that  they  fhould  not  dwell  together 
 with  his  people ^  nay,  not  in  the  land  with  them, 
 Exod.  xxiii.  33.  left  one  of  them  being  familiar  with 
 an  lfraelite,  might  call  him  to  a  feaft,  and  make  him 
 eat  of  things  facrificed  to  idols,  Exod.  iii.  15.  Com- 
 pare this  with  Judges  i.  ?l.  Pfal.  cvi  35.  Now 
 the  apoftle  laycth  much  more  reftraint  upon  us,  from 
 converfing,  eating  and  drinking  with  a  fcandalcus 
 Chriftian,  1  Cor.  f.  If.  than  with  a  Pagan,  or  un- 
 believer, 
 
{  21  ) 
 
 believer,  i  Cor.  i.  27.     There  is  a  conrerfing  and  ac- 
 companying with  wicked  perfons,  which  is  our  af- 
 fliction notour  fault;  that  is,  when  we  cannot  be 
 rid  of  them,  do  what  we  can,  1  Cor.  v.  ia    which 
 is  an  argument  againft  feparating  and  departing  from 
 a  true  church,  becaufe  of  fcandalous  perfons  in  it. 
 The  apoftle  gives  this  check  to  fuch,  go  where  they 
 will,  they  (hall  find  fcandalous  perfons  all  the  world 
 over.     There  is  again  a  converting  and  companying 
 with  wicked  perfons,'  which  natural  and  civil  bonds, 
 or  near  relations,  or  our  calling  tieth  us  unto,  as  be- 
 tween hufband  and  wife,  parent  and  child,  paftor  and 
 people,   magiftrate   and  thofe   of  his  charge.      But 
 wittingly  aud  willingly  to  converfe  and  have  fellow- 
 fhip  either  with  heretical  or  profane  perions,  whe- 
 ther it  be  out  of  love  to  them,  and  denght  in  them, 
 or  for  our  own  intereft  or  fome  worldly  benefit,  this 
 is  certainly  finful  and  inexcufabe.     If  we  takr  care 
 of  cur  bodily  fafety,  by  flying  the  company  of  fuch 
 as  have  the  plague  ;  yea,  if  we  take  care  of  the  fa'ety 
 of  our  beads,  and  would  net,  to  cur  knowledge    fuf- 
 fer  a  fcabbed  or  rotten  fheep  to  infeft  the  reft,  fhail 
 we  not  much  more  take  care  of  our  own  and  neigh- 
 bour's fouls,  by  avoiding  and  warning  others  to  avoid 
 the  feilowfhip  of  the  ungodly,  whe  eby  fpiritual  infec- 
 tion comes.     Remember  it  was   but  a  kind  vifit  of 
 Jehofaphat  to  Ahab,  which  was  the  occafion  of  en- 
 gaging him  into  a  confederacy  wTith  that  wicked  man, 
 2'  Chron  xviii.  2,  3. 
 
 Thirdly,  God  forbade  corjugal  covenant?,  cr  mar* 
 rying  with  them,  Exod  xxxiv  16.  Deut  vii.  3  1.  The 
 rule  is  the  fame  againft  matching  with  other  wicked 
 perfons,  whether  idolaters,  or  proftffing  the  fame  re- 
 ligion with  us.  We  read  not  of  idolatry,  or  any  pro- 
 fefled  do&rinal  differences  in  religion  between  the 
 pofteiity  of  Seth  and  the  pofterity  of  Cain,  yet  this 
 was  the  great  thing  that  corrupted  the  old  world, 
 and  brought  on  the  flood,  that  the  children  of  God 
 joined  themfelves  in  marriage  with  the  profane,  Gen. 
 
 vi. 
 
(    w    ) 
 
 vi.  J,  2,  !•  Jehoram  married  not  an  heathen,  but 
 the  daughter  of  Ahab;  but  'tis  parked,  hi  did  evil, 
 as  did  the  houre  of  Ahab -5  and  what  is  the  reafon 
 given  for  this-?  for  the  daughter  of  Hkah  was  hiswife% 
 2  Kings  viii  18  and  oy  and  by,  ver.  27.  the  like  is 
 marked  of  Ahassiah  the  fori  of  /ehcram,  who  did  evil 
 in  the  fight  of  the  Lord  as  did  the  hcufe  of  Ahab  for  he 
 was  the  fon-in-law  of  the  koufe  of  Ahab.  The  apoftle 
 Peter  fuppofeth  trut  Christians  marry  fuch  as  are 
 heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life,  1  Ptt.  iii  7.  fee  alfo, 
 Prov  xxxi.  30 
 
 Fourthly^  God  forbade  his  people  to  make  with 
 the  Canaankes  focdus  deditionis>  orfwa£fronis  or  as  o- 
 ther  {pezkx  pc+£?um  liber atorium:  he  would  have  his 
 peop'e  fiiew  no  mercy  to  thofe  whom  he  had  deftined 
 to  deftruttion,  Deut  vii.  2.  Herein  Ahab  fmned, 
 making  a  brotherly  covenant  of  friendfhip  with  Ben- 
 hadad,  when  God  had  delivered  him  into  his  handt 
 I  Kings  xx  32  33,  34.  So  in  ail  Chriftian  corn- 
 mon-wea!tis,  the  magi-Irate,  God's  vicegerent,  ought 
 to  cut  off  fuch  evil  doers,  as  God's  word  appointeth 
 to  be  cut  off  David's  fparing  of  Joab  and  Shemei, 
 being  partly  nectflitated  thereto,  partly  induced  by  po- 
 litical reafons,  (whereof  he  repented  when  he  was 
 dying,  nor  could  bis  confeience  be  at  eafe  till  he 
 left  a  charge  upon  Solomon  for  executing  juftice  up* 
 onboth  Joab  and  Shemei,  1  Kings  ii  5,  6,  8,  9.)  are 
 no  good  prelidents  or  warrants  to  Chriftian  magis- 
 trates to  negleft  the  executing  of  justice.  '  lis  a  bet- 
 ter preudent  which  David  refolveth  upon  more  deli- 
 berately, Pfal.  ci.  8.  I  will  early  defiroy  all  the  wicked 
 of  the  I  and  i  that  I  may  cut  off  all  luicked  doers  from  the 
 city  of  the  Lord.  Mark  this  all,  of  what  degree  or 
 quality  foever,  without  refpeft  of  perfons,  and  that 
 early  and  without  delay.  Lcjlly%  and  even  Joab  hini- 
 felf  was  fo  far  punifiied  by  David,  that  he  was  call 
 out  of  his  place  and  command,  2  Sara.  xix.  13.  and 
 xx.  4, 
 
 fifthly, 
 
(  n  > 
 
 fifthly  >  The  law  is  aHb  to  be  applied  again  ft  civil 
 covenants*  ^ot  of  peace,  or  of  comn.erce,  hui  o\  warj 
 that  is,  a  league  offuifive  and  defenfive,  whe.ein  we 
 afibciate  ourfelves  with  idolaters,  infidel,  heutics, 
 or  any  other  known  enemies  of  truth  or  godiinefs, 
 fo  as  to  have  the  fame  friends  or  enemies.  A  cove- 
 nant of  peace  or  commerce  with  fuch  rmiy  happ.  n 
 to  be  unlawful,  in  refpett  of  fome  circumitancct 
 wh-n  peace  is  given  to  thefe  rebels,  murderers,  or. 
 incendiaries  in  the  kingdom,  who,  by  the  law  of  < 
 ought  to  be  deftroyed  by  the  hand  of  juftice,  or  when 
 commerce  with  idolaters  is  fo  abufed,  as  to  ftrrnfh 
 them  with  the  things  that  they  are  known  to  make 
 ufe  of  in  their  idolatry.  But  as  for  ri^ax'**  a  con" 
 federacy  engaging  us  into  a  war  with  fuch  a  {facial  e$, 
 his  abfoiutely  and  in  its  own  nature  unlawful  :  and 
 I  find  it  condemned  by  good  writers,  both  of  the  pc- 
 pifh  party,  of  the  Lutheran  party,  and  of  the  or  thodox 
 party.  Some  of  all  thefe  are  before  cited  What  holi- 
 nefs  God  required  in  the  armies  of  Ifrael,  iee  Deut. 
 xxiii.  9,  n,  12,  13,  14.  We  may  well  argue  as  Ifi- 
 dorus  Pelufiota  doth,  lib.  3.  Epift,  14.  If  the  law 
 was  fo  fevere  againft  fuch  uncleannefles  as  wrre  not 
 voluntary,  how  much  lefs  would  God  fuffer  fuch  as 
 did  voluntarily  and  wickedly  defile  themfelves.  Tis 
 marked  as.  a  part  of  Abimelech's  fin,  Judges  ix.  4. 
 that  he  hired  vain  and  light  p  erf  on?,  who  followed  him. 
 God  would  have  Amaziah  to  difmifs  an  hundred 
 thouCand  men  of  Ifrael,  being  already  with  him  in  a 
 body,  and  told  him  he  fhould  faU  before  the  enemy 
 if  thefe  went  with  him,  becaufe  God  was  not  with 
 them,  2  Chron  xxv.  7  &c.  If  they  had  not  yet  been 
 gathered  into  a  body,  it  had  been  much  to  abftain 
 from  gathering  them,  upon  the  prophet's  admonition; 
 but  this  is  much  more,  that  he  fmds  them  away  af- 
 ter they  are  in  a  body,  and  takes  his  baza  d  of  all 
 the  hurc  that  fo  many  enraged  fcldiers  could  tfo  \o 
 him  or  his  people,  and  indeed  they  did  mu;  h  hurt  in 
 going  back?  ver.  13.  yet  God  rewaided  Amaziah's 
 
 obeaience> 
 
(      U      ) 
 
 obedience  with  a  great  vi&ory.     In  the  Iaft  age, 
 fiiortly,  after  the  begun  reformation  inf  Germany, 
 this  cafe  of  confeience,  concerning  the  unlawfulnefs 
 of  fuch  confederacies,  was  much  looked  at.    The  city 
 of  Strafburgh,  anno  1529,  made  a  defenfive  league 
 with  Zurick,  Berne,  and  Bafil,  £%ui  t*f  vicinierant,  Iff 
 dogmate  magis  convex  iebatit,  faith  bkidan      They  were 
 not  only  neighbours,  but  of  the  fame  faith  and  reli- 
 gion, therefore  they  made  a  confederacy  with  them. 
 About  two  years  after  the  Eiettor  of  Saxony  refufed 
 to  take  into  confederacy  thofe  Helvetians,  becaufe 
 although  they  were  powerful,  and  might  be  very  help- 
 ful to  him,  yet  they  differing  in  religion,  concern- 
 ing the  article  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  he  faid,  he  durft 
 not  join    with  them   as  confederates,    left  fuch  fad 
 things  might  befal  him,  as  the  Scripture  teftifieth  to 
 have  befallen  thofe,  who  for  their  help  or  defence, 
 took  any  affiftance  they  could  get 
 
 The  rule  was  good  in  thefi,  although  in  that  parti- 
 cular cafe  mifapplied  The  very  heathens  had  a  no- 
 tion of  the  unlawfulnefs  of  confederacies  with  wicked 
 men,  for,  as  Vi&orinus  btrigelius,  on  2  Chron  xxv. 
 noticeth  ou*  of  Afchylus's  tragedy,  entitled,  Sevsn  to 
 Thebe,  Atr.phiaraus,  a  wife  and  virtuous  man,  was 
 therefore  fwallowed  up  in  the  earth,  with  feven  men 
 and  feven  horfes,  becaufe  he  had  afibciated  himfelf 
 with  Tydeus,  Capaneus,  and  other  impious  com- 
 manders marching  to  the  fiege  of  Thebei.  Laitly, 
 take  thisreafon  for  further  confirmation,  as  we  mufl 
 do  all  to  the  glory  of  God,  fo  we  muft  not  make  wars 
 to  ourfelves  but  to  the  Lord;  hence  the  book  of  the 
 wars  of  the  Lord,  Numb.  xxi.  14.  and  the  battle  is  not 
 eurs,  but  the  Lord's,  1  Sam.  xxv  28.  2  Chron.  xx.  15. 
 Now,  how  (hall  we  employ  them  that  hate  the  Lord, 
 to  help  the  Lord  ?  or  how  {hall  the  enemies  of  his 
 glory  do  for  his  glory  ?  Shall  rebels  and  traitors  be 
 taken  to  fight  in  the  king's  wars  ?  Offer  it  to  thy  go- 
 vernor, as  it  is  faid,  Mai.  i.  fee  if  he  would  take  this 
 well  ? 
 
(      25      ) 
 
 As  for  the  objections  from  fcripture,  they  are  be- 
 fore anfwer.d.  There  are  many  other  exceptions  of 
 men?  corrupt  reafon,  which  yet  may  be  eafily  taken 
 off,  if  we  will  receive  fcripture  light.  That  very 
 cafe  of  Jehofaphat's  confederacy  with  Ahab,  taketh 
 off  many  of  them;  for  although,  i.  Jehofaphat  was 
 a  good  man,  and  continued  fo  after  that  aiTociation, 
 not  drawn  away  into  idolatry,  not  infected  with  A- 
 haWb  religion,  but  only  aflifting  him  in  a  civil  bufi- 
 nefs  2.  Ahab  l.ved  in  the  church  of  Ifrael,  which 
 was  fiill  a  church,  a'though  greatly  corrupted,  and 
 he  was  no  profcfled  hater  of  God  (only  he  had  pro- 
 feiT-d  to  hate  Micajah,  the  man  of  God)  yea,  lately 
 before  this  he  appeared  very  penitent,  and  tome  think 
 Jehofaphat  now  judged  charitably  of  Ahab,  becaufe 
 of  that  great  humiliation  and  repentance  of  h\$f 
 which  God  did  accept,  fo  far,  as  to  reward  it  with  a 
 tempora  fparing  mercy,  i  Kings  xxi  at  the  end. 
 Then  follows  immediately,  chap.  xxii.  Jehofaphat's 
 afibciation  with  him.  Although  Jehofaphat  was 
 alio  joined  in  affinity  with  Ahab,  AhaVs  daughter 
 being  married  to  his  fon.  3.  The  enemy  was  the 
 King  of  Syria,  and  Jehofaphat  doth  not  join  with  a 
 wicked  man  againft  any  of  God's  people,  but  againft 
 the  infidel  Syrians ;  even  as  /\ma;ziah  was  beginningto 
 join  with  thofe  of  the  ten  tribes  againft  the  Edomites. 
 4.  The  caufe  feems  to  have  been  good,  as  Carthu- 
 fian,  on  1  Kings  xxii  3  and  Larater,  upon  2  Chron. 
 xix.  2.  note.  For  Rainoth-Gilead,  was  a  city  of  re- 
 fuge, pertaining  to  the  Levites  in  the  tribe  cf  Gad, 
 ^nd  fhould  have  been  reftc>red  by  the  king  of  Syria  to 
 Ahab,  according  to  their  covenant,  1  Kin^s  xx  34. 
 Daneus  brings  th^t  fame  example  of  Ahal/s  going 
 up  againft  Ratuoth-Gilead,  to  prove  that  'tis  Juft  to 
 make  war  againft  thofe  who  have  broken  covenant 
 with  us.  5  J  hofaphat's  manner  of  proceeding  wag 
 pious  in  this  refpetl,  that  he  faid  to  Ahib,  enquire, 
 I  pray  thee,  of  thz  word  of  the  Lord  to  day;  and  again, 
 is  there  not  here  a  prophet  cf  the  Lord  befides  ?  he  en- 
 quireth  ultra,  and  feeks  all  the  light  he  could  there 
 
 C  have 
 
(     26     ) 
 
 have  in  point  of  conference  from  prophets  of  the 
 Lord,  which  makes  it  probable  that  thote  400  pro- 
 phets did  not  profefs,  or  were  not  known  to  Jehofa- 
 phat  to  be  prophets  of  Baal  •,  but  were  looked  upon 
 as  prophets  of  the  Lord,  as  Cajetan  thinketh.  There- 
 fore they  an.'wer  aifo  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  the 
 Lord  flail  deliver  it.  'Tis  not  likely  that  Jehofaphat 
 would  defire  the  prophets  of  Baal  to  be  confulted, 
 or  that  he  would  hearken  to  them  more  than  to  the 
 prophet  of  the  Lord,  MJcajah  ;  yet  in  this  he  failed 
 extremely,  that  he  had  too  far  engaged  himfelf  to 
 Ahab,  before  the  enquiring  at  the  word  of  the  Lord. 
 However,  it  feems  he  was  by  this  enquiring,  feeking 
 a  fair  way  to  come  off  again  6  Jchofaphat's  end  was 
 good.  Martyr,  on  1  Kings  xxii  thinks  Jehofaphat 
 entered  into  this  confederacy  with  Ahab,  for  the 
 peace  and  jfafety  of  his  kingdom,  and  to  prevent  a 
 new  war  between  Judah  and  Ifrael,  fuch  as  had 
 been  between  Afa  his  father,  and  Baafha,  king  of 
 Ifrael,  for  which  end  alfo  Carthufian,  ibid,  thinks 
 that  Jehofaphat  took  Ahab's  daughter  to  his  fon. 
 Yet,  notwitftandining  of  all  this,  the  prophet  Jehu 
 faith  to  him,  2  Chron.  xix.  2.  Shouldefl  thou  help  the 
 ungodly,  or  hve  them  that  hate  the  Lord  The  LXX. 
 read,  hated  of  the  Lordy  which  comes  all  to  one 
 thing.  And  left  it  fhould  be  thought  a  venial  or 
 light  matter,  he  addeth,  therefore  is  wrath  upm  thee 
 from  before  the  Lord.  So  that  from  this  example  we 
 >earn,  that  let  us  keep  ourfelves  unfpotted  ©f  the  falfe 
 religion  or  errors  of  thofe  with  whom  we  afiociate, 
 let  wicked  men  feem  never  fo  penitent,  and  our  re- 
 lations to  them  be  never  fo  near,  let  the  common  ene- 
 my be  an  infidel,  let  the  caufe  be  never  fo  good,  let 
 the  manner  of  proceeding  be  never  fo  pious,  and  the 
 end  alfo  good,  yet  all  this  cannot  excufe  nor  juft;fy 
 confederacies  and  aiTociations  with  wicked  and  un- 
 godly men.  And  if  God  was  fo  angry  at  T  kt  (tip1  *fc, 
 when  there  were  fo  many  things  concur 
 feern  to  exctrfe  or  extenuate  his  fault,  i:  a  f 
 
(  27  ) 
 him  a  fin  of  infirmity  only,  and  not  without  a  reluo 
 tation  of  confidence,  and  a  conflict  of  the  {pint  a- 
 gainft  the  flefh  {which  Pareus,  upon  i  Kings  xxii.  doth 
 well  colle£l  from  his  dtd^e  of  enquiring  at  the  word 
 of  the  Lord,  that  he  might  have  cccafion  to  come  oft') 
 how  much  more  will  God  be  angry  with  fuch  as  go  on 
 with  an  high  hand  in  this  trefpafs,  carting  his  word 
 behind  them,  and  hating  to  be  reformed  i 
 
 If  it  be  further  objected,  that  we  are  not  able,: 
 without  fuch  confederacies  and  help,  to  profecute  a. 
 great  war  alone. — This  aifo  the  Holy  Ghoft  hath  be- 
 fore hand  anfwered,  in  the  example  of  Ahaz's  con-: 
 federacy  with  the  king  of  Affyria;  for  he  had  a  great 
 war  to  manage,  both  againft  the  Syrians,  and  againft 
 the  king  of  Ifrael,  2  Kings  xvi.  7.  alfo  againft  the  E-/ 
 domites  and  Phiiiftmes,  z  Chron,  xxviii.  16,  i",  18." 
 yet  although  he  had  fo  much  to  do,  this  could  not/ 
 excufe  the  confederacy  with  the  Affyrian  ;  he  fhould 
 have  trufted  to  God,  and  not  ufed  unlawful  means; 
 God  can  fave  by  few  as  well  as  by  many  ;  yea,  fome- 
 times  God  thinks  not  fit  to  fave  by  many,  Judges  vii.  It 
 (hall  not  be  the  ftrength  of  battle  to  have  unlawful 
 confederates,  but  rather  to  want  them,  Exod.  xxiii.  22. 
 
 If  it  befaid,  it  is  dangerous  to  provoke  and  incenfe 
 many  wicked  men,  bycafting  them  off;  this  is  plainly  - 
 anfwered  from  the  example  of  Amaziah  and  100,000 
 men  of  Ifrael  with  him,  of  which  before.  If  futher- 
 more  ofejeftion  be  made,  that  we  muft  be  gentle  and 
 patient  towards  all,  and  in  meeknefs  inftruft  thofe 
 that  oppofe  themfeives,  2  Tim.  ii.  24,  25.  Anfw, 
 1,  Yet  he  bids  us  turn  away  from  the  wicked,  ibid, 
 chap.  iii.  5.  We  ought  in  meeknefs  to  inftrutt  even 
 him  that  is  excommunicate,  2  Their  iii.  15.  yet  we 
 are  there  warned,  verfe  14.  to  have  no  company  with 
 him.  2.  The  angel  of  the  church  at  Ephefus,  is  at 
 once  commended,  both  for  his  patience,  and  that  he 
 coul  1  not  heai*  them  who  were  evil. 
 
 I  fhall  add  five  diflinftions  which  will  take  off  all 
 
 other  objections  that  I  have  yet  met  with.     1    Dif- 
 
 C  2  tinguifli 
 
(     28     ) 
 
 tinguifn  between  a  confederacy  which  is  more  difcre- 
 tive  and  discriminative,  and  a  confederacy  which  is 
 more  unitive.  And  here  is  the  reafon  why  covenants 
 of  peace  and  commerce,  even  with  infidels  and 
 wicked  perfons,  are  allowed,  yet  military  aflbciations, 
 with  fuch,  difallowed  :  for  the  fox mer  keeps  them 
 and  us  (till  divided  as  two  t  the  latter  unites  us  and 
 them  as  one,  and  embcdieth  us  together  with  them  : 
 for  Thucidides  defines  wv/A/imx**}  to  be  fuch  a  cove- 
 nant as  makes  us  and  our  confederates  to  have  the 
 fame  friends  and  enemies,  and  'tis  mentioned  by 
 writers  as  a  further  degree  of  union  than  ?;™Sa/, 
 or  covenants  of  peace.  2.  Diftinguifti  betweeh  en- 
 deavour of  duty  and  the  perfection  of  the  thing  : 
 which  anfwers  that  exception,  M  O  then,  we  mull 
 have  an  army  all  of  faints/'  (it  {hould  be  faid, 
 H  without  any  known  wicked  perfon  in  it.")  Now, 
 c?en  as  'tis  our  duty  to  endeavour  a  purging  of  the 
 church  from  wicked  and  fcandalous  perfons,  yet  when 
 we  have  done  all  we  can,  the  Lord's  field  ihallnot  be 
 perfe&ly  purged  from  tares  till  the  end  of  the  world, 
 Mat.  xiii.  fo  when  we  have  done  all  that  ever  we  can 
 to  3Void  wicked  perfons  in  an  expedition,  yet  we 
 cannot  be  rid  of  them  all ;  but  we  mull  ufe  our  ut- 
 moft  endeavours,  that  we  may  be  able  to  fay,  'tis  our 
 affii&ion,  not  our  fault.  3.  Diftinguifh  between  fome 
 particular  wicked  perfons,  here  and  there  mixing 
 themfdves  with  us,  and  between  a  wicked  fa&ion 
 and  malignant  party:  the  former  {hould  be  avoided 
 as  much  as  pofiible  :  but  much  more  a  conjunction 
 with  a  wicked  faftion.  David  would  by  no  means 
 meet  and  confuit  with  the  Kahal  meregmm,  the 
 aiTembly  of  malignants*,  neither  did  he  only  {hun  to 
 meet  and  confuit  with  vain  perfons ,  who  openly  fhew 
 and  bewray  themfelves  \  but  even  with  dijfembkrsy  or 
 (as  the  Chaldee)  *'  with  thofe  that  hide  themfelves  that 
 they  may  do  evil,"  Pfal  xxvi  4,  6.  We  can  know  bet- 
 ter how  to  do  with  a  whole  field  of  tares,  in  which 
 is  no  wheat,  than  we  can  do  with  tares  growing  here 
 
 and 
 
(     29     ) 
 
 and  there  among  the  wheat.  4.  Diftinguifh  between 
 fuch  a  fellowfhip  with  fome  wicked  perfons,  as  is 
 nrceffary '(which  is  the  cafe  of  thcfe  that  are  married, 
 and  of  parents  and  children)  or  unavoidable,  (which 
 is  the  cafe  of  thofe,  whofe  lot  is  to  cohabit  in  one 
 town,  or'in  one  family)  in  a  cafe  of  necefluy,  travel- 
 ling or  failing  together ;  diftinguifh,  1  fay,  between 
 thcfe  and  an  elective  or  voiuntaiy  fellow fhjp  with 
 wicked  men,  when  love  to  them,  or  cur  own  benefit 
 draweth  us  thereunto.  We  neither  loofe  natural 
 bonds,  nor  require  impolBbilities,  but  that  we  keep 
 ourfelves  pure  by  not  choofing  or  contenting  to  fuch 
 fellowfhip.  5.  Diftinguifh  between  infidels,  heretics;, 
 wicked  perfons  repenting,  and  thofe  who  go  on  ir, 
 their  trefpafs  :  whatever  men  have  been,  yet  as  fodn 
 as  the  figns  of  repentance  and  new  fruits  appear  in 
 them,  we  are  ready  to  receive  them  into  favour  and 
 fellowfhip  :  then  indeed  the  wolf  fhall  dwell  with  the 
 lamb,  and  the  cow  and  the  bear  fhall  feed,  theiv 
 young  ones  fhall  lie  down  together,  meaning  fuch  as 
 were  wolves,  leopards,  bears,  and  now  begin  to 
 change  their  natuie  :  not  fo  with  the  obftinate, 
 contumacious,  and  impenitent,  who  ftill  remain 
 wolves,  &a 
 
 Let  us  now,  1.  Examine  ourfelves,  whether  there 
 be  fo  much  tendernefs  of  confeience  in  usras  toclole 
 with  thofe  fciipture  truths,  or  whether  we  are  flcifl 
 a  way  of  confuting  with  fiefh  and  blood.  2.  Be 
 hum,bled  for  former  mifcarriages  and  failings  in  theft 
 particulars,  and  for  not  walking  accurately  according 
 to  thefe  fcripture  rues.  3  Beware  for  the  future  ^ 
 remember  and  apply  thefe  rules,  when  we  have  to 
 do  wirtl  the  practice  of  them.  And  that  I  may  drive 
 home  this  nail  to  the  head,  1  add  (befkle  what  was 
 faid  btforej  thefe  reafons  and  motives.  Firft,  'tis  a 
 great  judgement  when  God  mingleth  a  perverje  fpirit 
 in  the  midft  of  a  people,  i!a.  x'ix  14  Shall  we  trien 
 make  that  a  voluntary  aft  of  our  own,  which  the 
 word  mentioneth  as  a  dreadful  judgement?  With 
 C  3  ihis 
 
(    3«    ) 
 
 this  fpiritual  judgement  is  oftentimes  joined  a  tem- 
 poral judgement,  as  2  Chron.   xvi    9    and  xx.  37. 
 and  xxviii   20.  fo  Hof.  v.    13,  vii.  8    compared  with 
 Hoi.  viii.  8   9.  where  their  judgement  foundeth  forth 
 their  fin  as  anJtcho:  The  Chaldee  paraphrafe,  in 
 the  place  laft  cited,  faith,  "  The  houfe  of  Ifraei  is 
 delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  people  whom  they 
 loved."     Secondly,  remember  what  followed  upon 
 God's  peoples  mingling  then  felves  with  the  heathen, 
 Pfal.  cvi.  35.  'They  <were  mingled  among  the  heathen , 
 and  learned  their  uteris.   Hof.  vii.  8.  Ephraimy  he  hath 
 mixed  himfdf  among   the  people ;  that  is,  by  making 
 confederacies  with  the  heathen,  (as  Luther  expounds 
 the  place)  and  by  feeking  their  help  and  afiiftance, 
 Hof.  v   13.     But  what  follows,  Epkraim  is  a  caie  not 
 turned ;  hot  and  overbaken  in  the  nether  fide,  but 
 cold  and  raw  in  the  upper  fide.     This  will  prove  the 
 fruit  of  fucb  confederacies  and  afibciations,  to  make 
 us  zealous  for   fome  earthly  or  human  thing,    but 
 remifs  and  cold  in  the  things  of  Chrift  ;   to  be  too 
 hot  on -our  nether  fide,  and  too   raw  on   the  upper 
 fide.       Whereas    not   mingling   our  felves  with    the 
 wicked,  we  fhall,  through   God's  mercy,  be  like  a 
 cake  turned;  that   heat  and   zeal  which  was  before 
 downward,  fhall  now  be  upward,  heavenward,  God- 
 ward.    Let  it  be  a!fo  remembered,  how   both    A- 
 haz,  2  Kings  xvi,   10.  and  Afa  himfelf,  2  Chron. 
 xvi.    10.   (though  a  good  man)    were    drawn    into 
 other   great    fins   upon   occafion    of    thefe    aflbcia- 
 tions  with   the    enemies   of   Gcd   and    his  people  : 
 this  fin  will    certainly  enfnare   men  in  other  fins. 
 Tis  well  faid  by  Calvin  upon  Ezek.  xvi.   26.   that 
 as  we  are   too   prone  of  ourfelvcs    to    wickedntfs, 
 fo  when  we  enter  into  confederacies  with  wicked 
 men,  we  are  but  feeking  new  temptations,  and  as  it 
 were  a  bellow?s  to  blow  up  our  own  corruptions,  as 
 wine  being  mixed  with  water  lefeth  of  its  fpirits,  and 
 white   being  mixed  with  black,  lofeth  much  of  its 
 whitenefs ;  fo  the  people  of  God,  if  once  mixed  with 
 
 wicked 
 
(3i     ) 
 
 wicked  enemies,  fhall  certainly  lofe  of  their  purity 
 and  integrity.  Thirdly,  as  thefe  unlawful  confede- 
 racies draw  us  both  into  great  judgements  and  great 
 fins,  fo  into  a  great  ftcurity  and  ilupidity  under  thefe 
 great  plagues  and  fins,  which  will  make  the  eitate  of 
 fuch  to  be  yet  worfe,  Hof.  vii  9  after  Ephraim's 
 mixing  himfelf  among  the  people,  it  is  added.  Strang- 
 ers have  devoured  his  jhength,  and  he  knowetb  it  not% 
 yea>  gray  hairs  are  here  and  there  upon  him,  yet  he 
 k/Kiveth  it  not  :  although  his  confederates  have  dif- 
 treiTcd  him,  and  not  ftrengthened  him,  ar.d  a'though 
 there  may  be  obferved  in  him  divers  figns  of  a 
 caying,  dying  condition,  yet  he  knows  it  nor,  nor 
 takes  it  to  hfart;  the  fame  thing  is  infilled  upon, 
 verfe  1  .  •  Ephraim  alfo  is  like  a  filly  dove  without  heart ; 
 they  call  to  Egypt,  they  go  up  to  A/Jyria,  He  is  as 
 void  of  underftanding  as  a  fi.ly  dove,  whofe  neft  be- 
 ing fpoiled,  and  "  her  young  ones  taken  from  her," 
 (which  thejChaldeeparaphrafs  acdethfor  explication's 
 caufe)  yet  fhe  Hill  returneth  to  thofe  places  where, 
 and  among  thofe  people  by  whom  fhc  hath  been  fo 
 fpoiled  j  fo  Ifrael  will  ftiil  be  meddling  with  thofe 
 that  have  done  him  great  hurt.  Fourthly,  We  find 
 that  fuch  confederacy  or  sflbciation,  either  with  ido- 
 laters or  known  impious  perfons,  is  feldom  or  never 
 recorded  in  the  book  of  God,  without  a  reproof,  or 
 fome  greater  mark  of  God's  difpleafure  put  upon  it. 
 If  it  were  like  the  polygamy  of  the  patriarchs,  often 
 mentioned  and  not  reproved,  it  were  the  lefs  marvel 
 to  hear  it  fo  much  debated  But  now  when  God 
 hath  purpofely  fet  fo  many  beacons  upon  thofe  rocks, 
 and  (helves.,  that  we  may  beware  of  them,  O  why 
 dial!  we  be  fo  mad,  as  ft i II  to  run  upon  them.  It 
 was  reproved  in  the  time  of  the  Judges,  Judges  ii.  T  j 
 2,  3.  It  was  reproved  in  the  time  of  the  Kings;  A- 
 hab's  covenant  with  Benhadad,  Afa's  covenant  with 
 Benhadad,  Ahaz's  confederacy  with  the  Aflyrianj 
 Jehofaphat's  aflbciation,  firft  with  Ahab,  then  with 
 Ahaziah  ;  Amaziah's  aflbciation  with  thofe  100,000 
 
 men 
 
(      32      ) 
 
 men  of  Ephraim,  when  God  was  not  with  them,  all 
 thofe  are  plainly  difallowcd  and  condemned  More- 
 over, that  reproof,  Jer.  ii.  18  And  now  ivbat  hajt  thou 
 to  do  in  the  way  of  Egypt >  to  drink  the  waters  oj  Sihor  ? 
 Or  what  haji  thou  to  do  in  the  way  of  Ajfyrias  to  drink 
 the  waters  of  the  river?  the  Chaldee  hath  it  thus; 
 41  What  have  ye  to  do  to  aflociate  with  Pharaoh, 
 king  of  Egypt — And  what  have  ye  to  do  to  make  a 
 covenant  with  the  Affyrian  ?"  Again,  after  the  cap- 
 tivity, Ezra  ix.  the  Jews  mingling  of  themfelves  with 
 the  heathen  is  lamented.  Fifthly,  the  great  and  pre- 
 cious promifes  of  God,  may  encourage  us  fo,  as  we 
 (hall  never  fay  to  the  wicked,  A  confederacy  :  for, 
 upon  condition  of  our  avoiding  all  fuch  confederacies 
 and  conjunctions,  God  promifeth  never  to  break  his 
 covenant  with  us,  Judges  ii  i,  2.  and  to  receive  us 
 as  his  fons  and  daughters,  2  Cor.  vi.  14,  16  jy,  8. 
 Sixthly,'tis  one  of  God's  great  mercies,  which  he  hath 
 covenanted  and  pro  mi  fed,  I  will  purge  out  from  among 
 you  the  rebels^  and  them  that  tranjgrefs  againft  me,  Ezek. 
 xx.  38  Why  fhould  we  then  forfake  our  own  mer- 
 cy, and  defpife  the  counfel  of  God  againft  our  own 
 fouls  ?  Seventhly,  as  it  was  in  Afa's  experience,  2 
 Chron  xvi.  7,  8.  fo  it  hath  been  in  our  own,  God 
 hath  done  his  greateft  works  for  us,  when  we  were 
 mod  unmixed  with  fuch  men. 
 
 There  is  another  obje&ion,  which  at  the  writing 
 hereof,  I  have  met  with  :  'tis  David's  confederacy 
 and  aflociation  both  with  Abner,  2  Sam.  iii.  12,  13. 
 and  with  Amaziah,  2  Sam.  xx.  1  j.  whom,  accord- 
 ing to  agreement,  he  made  general  of  his  hoft, 
 2  Sam.  xx.  4.  although  both  of  them  had  been  Da- 
 vid's enemies,  and  borne  arms  againft  him,  Ab- 
 ner being  alfo  fcandalous,  both  for  his  wh<  redom, 
 2  Sam.  iii  7.  and  his  treachery  againft  Ifhbofheth, 
 in  afpiring  to  the  crown  (which  is  collf£te"l  from  his 
 going  in  unto  Saui's  concubine,  as  Abfalom  did  unto 
 David's  afterward),  yea,  for  that  he  had  borne  irms 
 againlt  David,  when  he  knew  that  God  had  fworn  to 
 make  David  king,  and  fo  againft  the  %ht  of  his  con- 
 
 fciencej 
 
(     33     ) 
 
 fcience,  2  Sam.  iii.  9.  18.  Anfw.  1.  Peter  Martyr* 
 commenting  upon  thofe  places,  difalloweth  David's 
 pra&ice  in  both  thefe  cafes  :  efpecially  his  league 
 with  Abner.  Should  we  follow  thofe  two  examples, 
 not  being  allowed  or  commended  in  fcripture  ?  or 
 fhould  we  not  rather  avoid  fuch  confederacies,  be* 
 caufe  of  many  examples  thereof,  plainly  condemned 
 in  the  word  of  God  ?  2.  Whatfoever  may  be  con- 
 ceived to  be  allowable  or  excufable  in  thefe  examples 
 of  David,  yet  it  cannot  be  applied,  except  in  like 
 cafes.  When  David  tovenanted  with  Abner,  he  was 
 but  king  of  Judah,  Abner  undertakes  to  bring  about 
 all  Ifrael  to  him,  and  that  he  fhould  make  him  reign 
 over  all  the  tribes,  whereas  otherwife  there  was  no 
 appearance  of  David's  fubduing  all  the  other  tribes; 
 but  by  a  long  and  bloody  war.  Again,  when  David 
 covenanted  and  capitulated  with  Amafa,  he  was  in  a 
 manner  fled  out  of  the  land  for  Abfalom,  2  Sam. 
 xix.  9  and  was  forced  to  abide  in  the  land  of  Gilead 
 beyond  Jordan,  fearing  alfo  (as  interpreters  ( bferve) 
 that  the  men  of  Judah,  having  ftrengthened  Jerufa- 
 lem,  and  kept  it  with  a  garrifon  for  Abfalom,  and  hav- 
 ing done  fo  much  in  affifting  Abfalom  againft  David, 
 fhould  grow  defperate  in  holding  out  againft  him,  hop- 
 ing for  no  mercy,  therefore  he  is  content  to  make  A- 
 mafa  general  of  his  army,  upon  condition  that  he 
 would  caufe  the  men  of  Judah  to  bring  him  back  to  Je» 
 rufalem,  which  Amafa  moves  the  men  of  Judah  to  do, 
 2  Sam.  xix.  14.  for  it  was  done  by  his  authority,  as 
 Jofephus  alfo  writeth,  nor  could  it  be  done  without 
 his  authority,  for  Abfalom  and  Ahitophel  being  dead, 
 Amafa  had  the  whole  power  and  foie  headfhip  of 
 that  army,  and  of  all  that  faction  that  had  followed 
 Abfalom.  Now  then  let  them  that  will  plead  for 
 the  lawfulnefs  of  confederacies  with  wicked  perfons, 
 from  thefe  examples  of  David,  firft  make  the  cafe 
 alike:  that  is,  that  the  wicked  one  have  power  of  an 
 army,  and  of  a  great  part  of  the  body  of  the  kingdom, 
 to  make  them  either  continue  in  rebellion  and  enmity, 
 
(  34  ) 
 or  to  come  in  and  fubmit.  Next,  let  it  be  remem- 
 bered, that  both  Abner  and  Amafa  did  a  great  fervice 
 (which  was  mod  meritorious  at  the  hand  of  men) 
 for  the  good,  peace,  and  fafety  of  king  and  kingdom, 
 and  they  did  it  at  that  time  alfo  when  David  was  but. 
 weak,  and  they  had  power  enough  to  have  continued 
 a  war  againft  him  •,  which  is  a  very  rare  cafe,  and  far 
 different  from  the  cafe  of  fuch  as  have  done,  and  are 
 doing  all  that  they  can  to  pervert  and  miflead  many 
 thoufands  of  the  people  of  God,  inftead  of  reducing 
 manythoufandstoobedience;  as  Abnerand  Amafa  did* 
 3.  There  are  fome  ether  anfwers  proper  to  the  one 
 cafe  and  the  other.  There  is  nothing  in  the  text  to 
 prove,  that  David  made  fuch  a  covenant  with  Abner, 
 as  the  Grecians  call  <tv/u/jlxxJcl,  or  that  he  covenanted 
 to  make  him  general  of  his  army*  (as  afterwards  he 
 covenanted  with  Amafa)  for  at  that  time  he  could 
 have  no  colour  of  reafon  for  calling  Joab  out  of  hi$ 
 .  place,  a3  afterwards  he  had  *  therefore  I  underftand, 
 with  Siii&us,  that  t^e  league  which  Abner  fought 
 from  D  ivid  was  Fosdus  pacis^  a  covenant  of  peace. 
 Hierome  readeths/jc  mecum  amicitias,  make  friendfliip 
 with  me,  for  before,  they  had  oeen  enemies,  fo  that 
 this  league  is  not  of  that  kind  which  is  chiefly  con-, 
 troverted.  As  for  Amafa,  1  (hall  not  go  about  (as. 
 fome  have  done)  to  excufe  or  extenuate  his  fau  t  in 
 joining  with  Abfalom,  as  not  bnng  from  any  malice 
 or  wicked  intention  againft  Dav:d  his  uncle  ;  but 
 there  is  fome  probability  that  Amafa  was  a  penitent 
 and  hopefu'  man.  Sure  David  had  better  hopes  of 
 him  than  of  Joab  :  And  if  it  be  true  which  Jofephus 
 writeth,  that  before  David  fent  Zadock  and  Abiathar 
 to  the  men  cf  Judah,  and  to  Amafa,  frequent  mef- 
 fages  came  from  them  to  the  King,  defiling  to  be  re- 
 ceived into  his  favour  •>  however  Amafa  being  fo  wilr 
 ling  and  ready  to  do  fo  much  for  David,  when  he 
 might  have  done  fo  much  againft  him  David,  as  he 
 could  not  do  his  bufmefs  without  him,  fo  he  had 
 fome  ground  to  hope  well  o£  him  :  confidering  withal 
 
 that 
 
(     35     ) 
 
 that  Amafa  was  not  fet  upon  this  bufinefs  by  any  of- 
 fence or  difpleafure  at  the  other  party,  as  Abner  was. 
 4.  Even  as  this  example,  fo  far  as  concemeth  the  lay- 
 ing afide  and  cafting  off  of  Joab,  and  not  prefrrring 
 his  brother  Abifhai  in  his  room  (both  of  them  being 
 guilty  of  Abner's  blood,  2  Sam.  iii.  30.  and  both  of 
 them  being  too  hard  for  David)  helpeth  to  ftrengthen 
 that  which  I  have  been  pleading  for. 
 
 The  point  being  now  fo  fully  cleared  from  fcrip- 
 ture,  here  is  the  !efs  reafon  to  argue  contrariwife 
 from  human  examples  in  Chriftian  dates  and  com- 
 monwealths. The  word  of  God  muft  not  (loop  to 
 mens  practices,  but  they  to  it.  Yet  even  among  thofe 
 whofe  example  is  alledged  for  the  contrary  opinion, 
 there  want  not  inftances  for  cautioufnefs  and  con- 
 fcientioufnefs  in  choofmg  or  refufing  confederates. 
 As,  namely,  among  the  Helvetians  or  Switzers* 
 They  of  Zurick  and  Berne,  when  once  reformed, 
 renounced  their  league  made  before  with  the  French 
 King,  for  affixing  him  in  his  wars,  and  refolved  only 
 to  keep  peace  with  him  ;  but  would  not  continue  the 
 league  of  rv^o^/a,  or  joining  with  him  in  his  wars. 
 And  whatfoever  were  the  old  leagues,  about  3©o 
 years  ago,  mutually  binding  thofe  cantons  each  to 
 other,  for  aid  and  fuccour,  and  for  the  common  de- 
 fence of  their  country,  and  for  prefervation  of  their 
 particular  rights  and  liberties,  and  for  a  way  of  de- 
 ciding controverfies  and  pleas  between  men  of  one 
 canton,  and  of  another*  (which  leagues  are  recorded 
 by  thofe  that  write  of  that  common-wealth),  yet,  af- 
 ter the  reformation  of  religion,  there  was  fo  much 
 zeal  on  both  fides,  that  it  grew  to  a  war  between 
 the  pepifh  and  the  proteftant  cantons,  wherein,  as 
 the  popiih  fide  ftrengthened  themfelves  by  a  confe- 
 deracy with  Ferdinand  the  emperor's  brother,  fo  the 
 proteltant  fide,  Zurick,  Berne,  andBafil,  entered  into 
 a  confederacy;  firft  with  the  city  of  Strafburgh,  and 
 '(hortly  thereafter  with  the  landgrave  of  Hcffe,  that 
 thereby  they  might  be  ftrengthened  and  aided  againft 
 
 the 
 
{  &  ) 
 
 the  pop  H-  cantons.  The  differences  In  religion  put 
 them  to  c   confii    erates.     Neverthe- 
 
 lefs,  I  car>  admit  what  >La?ater  judicioufly  ob- 
 
 ferveth  up<.  .  xvi    ;6,  27,  28,   29    that  cove- 
 
 nants made  before  true  religion  did  fhine  among  a 
 people  are  no  .o  be  ramly  broken  5  even  as  the  be- 
 lieving hufbar &  6iu  not  to  pat  away  the  unbeliev- 
 ing wife  wh.mi  ne  mar  i^d  wh-n  bimfelf  alfo  was  an 
 unbeliever,  if  ihe  be  willing  ftill  to  abide  with  h:m. 
 Whaifoever  may  he  f a  d  for  fuch  covenants,  yet  con- 
 federacies with  the  enemies  of  true  religion,  made 
 after  the  light  ot  rtipimation,  are  altogether  inex- 
 cusable. 
 
 Peradventure  fo  nehave  yet  another  obj  £!ion  :  this 
 Is  an  hard  faying  vfay  divers  malignants)  we  are  look- 
 ed upon  as  enemies,  if  we  come  not  in  and  take  the 
 covenant,  yet  when  we  are  come  in,  and  have  taken 
 the  covenantt  we  are  ftill  efteemed  enemies  to  the 
 caufe  of  God,  and  to  his  fervants.  Anfwer,  This  is 
 juft  as  if  thofe  traitors,  covenant-breakers,  and  other 
 fcandalous  perfons,  from  whom  the  Apoftle*bids  us 
 turn  away,  2  Tim.  iii.  5.  had  objected,  if  we  have  no 
 form  of  godlinefs,  we  are  looked  upon  as  aliens,  and 
 fuch  as  are  not  to  be  numbered  among  God's  people, 
 yet  now  when  we  have  taken  on  a  form  cf  godlinefs, 
 we  are  in  np  better  efteem  with  Paul,  but  ftill  he  wiil 
 have  Christians  to  turn  away  from  us:  yea,  'tis  as  if 
 workers  of  iniquity,  living  in  the  true  church,  fhould 
 object  agamft  Chrift  himfelf,  if  we  pray  not,  if  we 
 hear  not  the  Word  &c.  we  are  not  accepted,  but  re- 
 jected for  the  negl  £t  of  neceflary  duties,  yet  when 
 we  have  prayed,  heard,  &c.  we  are  told  for  all  that, 
 Depart  from  me,  ye  workers  of  iniquity ,  I  never  knevj 
 ycu.  Men  muft  oe  judged  accorcing  to  their  fruits, 
 according  to  their  words  and  works,  and  courfe  of  liv- 
 ing ;  and  if  any  who  have  taken  the  covenant  (hew 
 thcmfelvesin  their  words  and  actions  to  be  Hill  wick- 
 ed enemies,  our  eyes  muft  not  be  put  cut  witjb  their 
 hand  at  the  coyenaut. 
 
 u 
 
(  37  ) 
 If  any  difaffe&ed  (hall,  ftill  infill  and  fay,  But  w!iy 
 then  are  we  received  both  to  the  covenaut  and  to  the 
 facrament,  nay,  why  arc  we  forced  and  compelled  in- 
 to the  covenant.  Anfwer,  I.  If  any  known  malig- 
 nant, or  compiler  with  the  rebels,  or  with  any  enemy 
 of  this  caufe,  hath  been  received,  either  to  the  co- 
 venant or  facrament,  without  figns  of  repentance  for 
 their  former  malignancy,  and  fcandal  (fuch  figns  of 
 repentance,  I  mean,  as  men  in  charity  ought  to  be 
 fatisfied  with)  'tis  more  than  minifters  and  elderfhips 
 can  anfwer,  either  to  God,  or  the  attsand  conftitu- 
 tions  of  this  national  church.  I  truft  all  faithful  and 
 confcientious  minifters  have  laboured  to  keep  them- 
 felves  pure  in  fuch  things.  Yea,  the  general  afiembly 
 hath  ordained  that  known  compliers  with  the  rebels, 
 and  fuch  as  did  procure  proteftions  from  the  enemy, 
 or  keep  correfpondence  and  intelligence  with  them, 
 fhall  be  fufpended  from  the  Lord's  (upper,  till  they 
 manifeft  their  repentance  before  the  congregation. 
 Now,  if  any,  after  figns  and  declaration  of  repen- 
 tance have  turned  again  to  their  old  ways  of  malig- 
 nancy, their  iniquity  be  upon  themfelves,  not  upon 
 us.  2.  Men  are  no  other  wife  drawn,  or  forced  into 
 the  covenant,  than  into  other  necefiary  duties.  Nay, 
 it  ought  not  to  be  called  a  forcing  or  compelling. 
 Are  men  forced  to  fpare  their  neighbour's  life,  be-  v 
 caufe  murder  is  feverely  punifhed  ?  or  are  men  com-  \ 
 pelled  to  be  loyal,  becaufe  traitors  are  exempiarily 
 puniflied  ?  There  may  and  muft  be  a  willingnefs  and 
 freenefs  in  the  doing  of  the  contrary  duty  •,  although 
 great  fins  muft  not  go  away  unpunifhtd.  Men  are 
 not  compelled  to  virtue,  becaufe  vice  is  punifhed,  e!fe 
 virtue  were  not  virtue.  Thofe  that  refufe  the  cove- 
 nant, reproach  it,  or  rail  againftit,  ought  to  be  looked 
 upon  as  enemies  to  it,  and  dealt  with  accordingly  ; 
 yet  if  any  man  were  known  to  take  the  covenant 
 againft  his  will,  he  were  not  to  be  received.  3  Thefe 
 two  naay  well  ftand  together,  to  cenfure  the  contempt 
 er  negleft  of  a  duty,  and  withal  to  cenfure  wicked- 
 
 D  neb 
 
(     38     ) 
 
 nefs  In  the  perfon  that  hath  taken  up  the  pra&ice  of 
 the  duty.  If  any  Ifraelite  would  not  worfhip  the  true 
 God,  he  was  to  be  put  to  death,  2  Chron.  xv.  13.  but 
 withal,  if,  worfhipping  the  true  God,  he  was  found 
 Co  be  a  murderer,  an  adulterer,  &c  for  this  alfo  he 
 was  to  be  put  to  death.  The  general  affembly  of  this 
 church  hath  appointed  that  fuch  as,  after  admonition, 
 continue  in  an  ufual  negle£l  of  "prayer,  and  the  wor- 
 fhip of  God  in  their  families,  (hall  be  fufpended  from 
 the  Lord's  fupper  till  they  amend.  Yet  if  any  man 
 (hall  be  found  to  make  family  worfhip  a  cloak  to  his 
 fwearing,  drunkennefs,  adultery,  or  the  like,  muft 
 thefe  fcandalous  fins  be  uncenfured,  becaufe  he  hath 
 taken  upon  him  a  form  of  godlinefs  ?  God  forbid, 
 'lis  jultfo  here,  refufers  of  the  covenant,  and  railers 
 againft  it  are  juftly  cenfured  t  but  withal,  if  wicked- 
 nefs  and  malignancy  be  found  in  any  that  have  taken 
 the  covenant,  their  offence  and  cenfure  is  not  to  be 
 extenuated,  but  to  be  aggravated. 
 
 I  had  been  but  very  (hort  in  the  handling  of  this 
 queftion,  if  new  objections  coming  to  my  ears  had 
 not  drawn  me  forth  to  this  length.  And  now  I  find 
 one  obje&ion  more-  Some  fay,  the  arguments  be- 
 fore brought  from  fcripture  prove  not  the  unlawful- 
 nefs  of  confederacies  and  aflbciations  with  idolaters, 
 heretics,  or  profane  perfons  of  the  fame  kingdom,  but 
 ony  with  thofe  of  another  kingdom  Anfw  i.Then, 
 by  the  conceffion  of  thofe  that  make  the  obje&ion, 
 'tis  at  leaft  unlawful  to  aflbciate  ourfeives  with  any 
 ©f  another  kingdom,  who  are  of  a  falfe  religion,  or 
 wicked  life.  2.  It  familiar  fellowfliip,  even  with  the 
 wicked  of  the  fame  kingdom  be  unlawful,  then  is  a 
 military  affbciation  with  them  unlawful;  for  it  cannot 
 be  without  confulting,  conferring,  con verfing  frequent- 
 ly together.  It  were  a  profane  abufing  and  mock- 
 ing of  fcripture,  to  fay,  that  we  are  forbidden  to  con- 
 verfe  familiarly  with  the  ungodly  of  another  kingdom,^ 
 but  not  with  the  ungodly  of  the  fame  kingdom,  or 
 that  we  are  forbidden  to  marry  with  the  ungodlv  pf 
 
 another 
 
(     39    ) 
 
 another  kingdom,  but  not  with  the  ungodly  of  the 
 fame  kingdom ;  for  what  is  this  but  to  open  a  wide 
 gate  upon  the  one  hand,  while  we  feem  to  fhut  a  nar- 
 row gate  upon  the  other  hand  ?  3.  Were  not  thofe 
 military  aflbciations,  2.Chron.  xix  2  and  xxv.  7,  8. 
 condemned  upon  this  reafon,  becaufe  the  aflcciates 
 were  ungodly,  haters  of  the  Lord,  and  becaufe  God 
 was  not  with  them.  Now  then  a  quatenus  ad  cmne. 
 The  reafon  hoMs  equally  againft  aflbciations  with  any 
 of  whom  it  can  be  truly  faid,  they  are  ungodly,  haters 
 of  the  Lord,  and  God  is  not  with  them.  4  God 
 would  have  the  camp  of  Ifrael  altogether  holy  and 
 clean,  Deut.  xxiii.  9,  to  14.  Clean  from  whom  ?  not 
 fo  much  from  wicked  heathens  (there  was  not  {0 
 much  fear  of  that)  as  from  wicked  Ifraelites.  5.  Saith 
 not  David,  I  uill  early  deftroy  all  the  wicked  of  the  land% 
 Pfal.  ci.  8  and,  Depart  from  me,  all  ye  workers  of  ini- 
 quity, Pfal  vi.  9  How  can  it  then  be  imagined  that 
 he  would  make  any  of  them  his  affociates  and  helpers 
 
 in  war 
 
 ? 
 
 To  the  Right  Reverend  the  commijfion  of  the  General 
 Jjfembly. 
 
 My  very  Reverend  and  dear  Brethren, 
 
 ALTHOUGH  the  Lord's  hand  detaineth  me 
 from  attending  your  meetings,  yet,  as  long 
 as  I  can  write  or  fpeak,  I  dare  not  be  filent>  nor  con- 
 ceal my  thoughts  of  any  finful  and  dangerous  courfe 
 in  the  public  proceedings  Having  therefore  heard 
 of  fome  motions  and  beginnings  of  compliance  with 
 thofr.  who  have  been  fo  deeply  engaged  in  a  war,  de- 
 ftrudive  to  religion,  and  the  liberties  of  the  king- 
 doms, I  cannot  but  difcharge  my  confcience,  in  giv- 
 ing a  tc  ftirnony  againft  all  fuch  compliance.  I  know> 
 and  am  perfuaded,  that  all  the  faithful  witnefles  that 
 gave  teftimony  to  the  thefis,  that  the  late  engage- 
 ment was  contrary  and  deftru&ive  to  the  covenant, 
 E>  2  will 
 
(    40     ) 
 
 will  alfo  give  teftimony  to  the  appendix,  that  com- 
 pliance with  any  who  have  been  a&ivs-  in  that  en- 
 gagement, is  mod  finful  and  unlawful.  I  am.  not 
 able  to  exprefs  all  the  evils  of  that  compliance,  they 
 are  fo  many  *,  fure  I  am,  it  were  a  hardening  of  the 
 malignant  party,  a  wounding  of  the  hearts  of  the 
 godly  ;  an  infinite  wronging  of  thofe  who,  from  their 
 atfe&ion  to  the  covenant  and  caufe  of  God,  have 
 taken  their  life  in  their  hand  ;  a  great  fcandal  to  our 
 brethren  of  England,  who  as  they  have  been  ftrength- 
 ened  and  encouraged  by  the  hearing  of  the  zeal  and 
 integrity  of  the  well  affedted  in  this  kingdom,  and 
 how  they  oppofed  the  late  engagement:  fo  they  would 
 be  as  much  fcandalized  to  hear  of  a  compliance  with 
 malignants  now.  Yea,  all  that  hear  of  it  might  juftly 
 Hand  amazed  at  us,  and  look  on  us  as  a  people  infa- 
 tuated, that  can  take  in  our  bofom  the  fiery  ferpents 
 that  have  ftung  us  fo  fore. 
 
 But  above  all,  that  which  would  heighten  this  fin 
 even  to  the  heavens,  is  this,  That  it  were  not  only  a 
 horrible  backfliding,  but  a  backfliding  into  that  very  (in 
 which  was  fpecialfy  pointed  at,  and  punifhed  by  the 
 prevalency  of  the  malignant  party  ;  God  juftly  mak- 
 ing them  thorns  and  fcourges,  who  were  taken  in  aa 
 friends,  without  any  real  evidence,  or  fruits  of  re- 
 pentance. Alas,  {hall  we  fplit  twice  upon  the  fame 
 rock  ;  yea,  run  upon  it,  when  God  hath  fet  a  beacon 
 on  it;  fhall  we  be  fo  demented  as  to  fall  back  into 
 the  fame  fin,  which  was  engraven  with  great  letters 
 in  our  late  judgment ;  yea,  I  may  fay,  fhall  we  thus 
 out-face  and  out-dare  the  Almighty,  by  protecting 
 his  and  our  enemies,  when  he  is  perfecuting  them  ; 
 by  making  peace  and  friendihip  with  them,  when  the 
 anger  of  the  Lojd  is  burning  againft  them :  by  fet- 
 ting  them  on  their  feet,  when  God  hath  caft  them 
 down.  Oh  !  (hall  neither  judgments  nor  deliverances 
 make  us  wife.  I  mud  here  apply  to  our  prefent  con- 
 dition, the  words  of  Ezra.  And  after  all  this  is  come 
 upn  us j  for  cur  evil  deeds,  and  for  our  great  trefpafs% 
 
 feeing 
 
(    4t     ) 
 
 feeing  that  thou,  our  God,  hafi  punifhed  us  lefs  than  cur 
 iniquities  dejervey  arid  hath  given  us  Juch  deliverance  as 
 this  :  Should  we  again  break  thy  commandments,  and 
 join  in  affinity  with  the  people  of  the/e  abominations  ? 
 JVouldeJl  thou  not  be  angry  with  us>  till  thou  hajl  con- 
 fumed  us*  fo  that  thre  Jh.uld  be  no  remnant ,  nor  e/cap* 
 ing  ?  O  happy  Scotland,  if  thou  canft  now  improve 
 aright,  and  not  abufe  this  golden  opportunity ;  but 
 if  thou  wilt  help  tfee  ungodly,  and  love  them  that 
 hate  the  Lord,  wrath  upon  utratbj  and  wo  upon  wo 
 (hall  be  upon  thee  from  the  Led. 
 
 ihis  teftimony  of  a  dying  man,  (who  expe&s  to 
 (land  fhortly  before  the  tribunal  of  Chrift)  I  lea?e 
 with  you,  my  reverend  brethren,  being  confident  of 
 you,  through  the  Lord,  that  ye  will  be  no  otherwife 
 minded  ;  but  that,  as  men  of  God,  moved  with  the 
 zeal  of  God,  you  will  freely  difcharge  your  con- 
 fciences,  againft  every  thing  which  you  fee  lifting  up 
 itfelf  againft  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jefus :  this 
 (hall  be  your  peace  and  comfort  in  your  latter  end. 
 Now  the  God  of  all  grace  eftablilh  you,  and  direft 
 you,  and  preferve  you  all  blamelefs  to  the  end,  and 
 bring  others  out  of  the  fnare,  that  hanker  after  that 
 compliance.     So  prayeth, 
 
 Your  moft  affectionate  Brother, 
 KIRKCALDY,  to  ferve  you  in  what  I  can 
 
 Sept.  8,i  64  8.  to  my  laft, 
 
 GEORGE  GILLESPIE..- 
 
 27;*  teflimony  of  Mr.  George  Gillefpie  againft  affoaa** 
 tion  and  compliance  with  malignant  enemies  of  truth 
 and  godlittefsy  written  two  days  before  his  death. 
 
 SEEING  now,  in  all  appearance,  the  time  of  my 
 diffolution  is  very  near,  although  I  have  in  my 
 latter  will  declared  my  mind  of  public  affairs,  yet  I 
 have  thought  good  to  add  this  further  teflimony,  that 
 I  efteera  the  malignant  party  in  thefe  kingdoms,  the 
 1)  3  feed 
 
(     42     ) 
 
 feed-of  the  ferpent,  enemies  to  piety,  and  prefbyte- 
 rian  government,  pretend  what  they  will  to  the  con- 
 trary) a  generation  that  have  not  fet  God  before  them. 
 With  the  malignants   are  to  be  joined  the  profane 
 and  fcandalcus,  from  all  which,  as  alfo  from  herefies 
 and  error?,  the  Lord  I  truft  is  about  to  purge  his 
 churches.     I  have  often  comfoited  myfelf  (and  (till 
 do)  wiih  the  hopes  of  the  Lord's  purging  this  pol- 
 luted land  i  furely  the  Lord  hath  begun  and  will  carry 
 on  that  great  work  of  mercy,  and  will  purge  out  the 
 rebels.     1  know  there  will  be  always  a  mixture  of 
 Ibypocrites,  but  that  cannot  excufe  the  conniving  at 
 *gcofs  and   fcandalous   finners.     This  purging  work 
 which  the  Lord  is  about,  very  many  have  dire&ly 
 oppofed  and  faid  by  their  deeds,  we  will  not  be  purg- 
 ed nor  refined,  but  we  will  be  joining  and  mixing 
 eurfelves  with  thefe  whom  the  minifters  preach  a- 
 gainit  as  malignant  enemies  to  God  and  his  caufe. 
 But  let  him  that  is  filthy  be  filthy  ftill,  and  let  wif- 
 dom  be  juftified  of  her  children.     I  recommend  to 
 them  that  fear  God,  fadly  and  ferioufly  to  confider 
 that  the  holy  fcripture  doth  plainly  hold  forth,  i.  That 
 the  helping  of  the  enemies  of  God,  or  joining  and 
 mingling  with  wicked  men,  is  a  fin  highly  difpleaf- 
 ing.     2.  That  this  fin  hath  ordinarily  enfnared  God's 
 people  into  diver3  other  fins.    3.  That  it  hath  been 
 punifhed  cf  God  with  grievous  judgements    4.  That 
 utter  deftru&ion  is  to  be  feared,  when  a  people,  af- 
 *er  great  mercies  and  judgements,  relapfe  into  this 
 £n,  Ezra  ix.  13,  14. 
 
 Upon  thefe  and  the  like  grounds,  for  my  own  ex- 
 oneration, that  fo  neceflary  a  truth  want  not  the  tef- 
 timony  of  a  dying  witnefs  of  Chrift,  alfo  the  on  wor- 
 thier among  many  thoufands  ;  and  that  light  may  be 
 held  forth,  and  warning  given,  I  cannot  be  filent,  at 
 this  time;  but  fpeak  by  my  pen,  when  I  cannot  by 
 my  tcngue,  yea,  now,  alfo  by  the  pen  of  another, 
 when  I  cannot  by  my  own,  ferioufly,  in  the  name  of 
 ?e£u$  Chrift,  exhorting,  and  obtefting  all  that  fear 
 
 God 
 
(    43     ) 
 
 God  and  make  confeience  of  their  ways,  to  be  very 
 tender  and  circumfpeft,  to  watch  and  pray  that  they 
 be  not  enfnared  in  that  great  dangerous  fin  of  con- 
 junction, or  compliance  with  malignant,  or  profane 
 .  enemies  of  the  truthj  under  whatsoever  prudential 
 confiderations  it  may  be  varnifhed  over,  which,  if 
 men  will  do,  and  truft  God  in  his  own  way,  they 
 (hall  not  only  not  repent  it,  but  to  the  greater  joy 
 and  peace  of  God's  people,  they  (hall  fee  his  work  go 
 on  and  profper  glorioufly.  In  witnefs  of  the  premifles, 
 I  have  fubferibed  the  fame  with  my  hand  at  Kirk- 
 caldy, Dec.  15.  1648,  Befote  thefe  witnefles,  M. 
 F.  Carmicbael,  minifter  at  Markingf.  and  M.  Alex* 
 Moncrief,  minifter  at  Skione. 
 
 Sic  fubferib,  George  Gillefpie. 
 
 F.C  Witnefs. 
 
 A.  M.  Witnefs. 
 This  far  did  the  author  write  with  his  own  hand, 
 two  days  before  his  death  ;  but  finding  his  weaknefs 
 increafe.  that  he  was  able  to  write  no  more,  he  dittat* 
 ed  that  which  followeth. 
 
 Follonmth  that  part  of  Mr  GMefpie's  Latter-will$  unto 
 *wbich  the  former  tejlimony  rclateth. 
 
 BEING,  through  much  weaknefs  and  ficknefs, 
 in  expeftation  of  my  laft  change,  I  have  thought 
 good,  by  this  my  latter- will,  under  my  hand,  to  de- 
 clare firft  of  all,  that  the  expectation  of  death,  which 
 appeareth  not  to  be  far  off,  doth  not  (hake  me  from 
 the  faith  and  truth  of  Chrift,  which  I  have  profefled 
 and  preached  ;  neither  do  I  doubt,  but  this  fo-much- 
 oppofed  covenant  and  reformation  of  the  three  king- 
 doms, is  of  God,  and  will  have  a  happy  conclufion. 
 It  hath  pleafed  God,  who  choofeth  the  foolifh  things 
 of  this  world,  to  confound  the  wife,  and  the  things 
 that  are  not,  to  confound  the  things  that  are,  to  em- 
 ploy me  (the  unfitteft  and  unworthieft  among:  gijiny 
 
 thou: -nds) 
 
\ 
 
 (    44    ) 
 
 thoufands)  in  the  advancing  and  promoting  of  that 
 glorious  work ;  and  now  I  repent  no  forwardnefs  or 
 zeal  that  ever  1  had  therein,  and  dare  promife,  to  as 
 many  as  will  be  faithful  and  zealous  in  the  caufe  of 
 God,  it  (hall  be  no  grief  of  heart  to  them  afterward, 
 but  matter  of  joy  and  peace ;  as  this  day  I  find  it, 
 through  God's  mercy,  paffing  by  my  many  and  great 
 infirmities,  and  approving  my  poor  endeavours  in. his 
 caufe.  But  if  there  be  a  falling  back  to  the  fin  of 
 compliance  with  malignant  ungodly  men,  then  I  look 
 for  the  breaking  out  of  the  wrath  of  the  Lord,  till 
 there  be  no  remedy.  O  that  there  were  fuch  a  fpirit 
 at  leaft,  in  fuch  of  our  nobility  as  (land  for  the  truth, 
 that  they  may  take  more  of  God's  counfel,  and  lean 
 lefs  to  their  own  reafon  and  underftanding.  As  from 
 dangers  on  the  other  hand  from  fe&aries,  I  have  been, 
 and  am  of  the  opinion,  that  they  are  to  be  prevented 
 and  avoided  by  all  lawful  means  j  but  that  the  dangers 
 from  malignants  are  neareft  and  greateft  in  this  king- 
 dom. 
 
 Kirkcaldy y  Sept.  1,  1648, 
 
 CAUSES 
 
CAUSES  OF  THE 
 
 LOR  D'S    WRATH 
 
 AGAINST 
 
 SCOTLAND, 
 
 Manifefted  in  his  fad  late  Dispensations. 
 
 Whcrcunto  is  added  a  Paper,  particularly  holding 
 forth  the  Sins  of  the  Ministry. 
 
 j 
 
h 
 
(     3S     ) 
 
 Some  general  Heads  of  the  caufes  -why  the  Lord  intends 
 with  the  landt  agreed  upon,  (  after  feeking  of  the  Lord) 
 by  the  commijfion  of  the  General  ^ffembly,  1 650,  with 
 the  advice  of  divers  minijlers  from  fever  al  parts  of  the 
 kingdom,  met  at  Edinburgh,  Oclober  1651,  fofar,  as 
 for  the  prefent  they  could  attain  light  therein  which 
 they  offer  and  advife  to  be  made  ufe  of  by  all  the  Lord's 
 people  in  the  land,  leaving  place  to  add,  as  the  Lord 
 Jhall  make  further  dif cover ies  hereafter  of  the  gut/tinefs 
 of  the  land,  and  intending  more  fully  and  particularly 
 to  enlarge  this  paper. 
 
 Art.  1.  fTHHE  grofs.  Athcifm  and  ignorance  of 
 1  God,  and  of  his  word  and  works,  that 
 is  in  a  great  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  land,  which 
 is  fuch,  that  neither  law  nor  gofpel,  nor  the  mod  com- 
 mon and  neceffary  points  of  truth  are  underftood  or 
 known  by  many  thoufands. 
 
 Art.  2.  Horrible  loofenefs  and  profanity  of  conver- 
 fation  in  all  forts,  againft  the  commandments,  both  of 
 the  firft  and  fecond  table,  which  hath  fo  abounded 
 and  increafed,  that  fcarce  hath  any  of  the  nations  ex- 
 ceeded us  therein. 
 
 Art,  3.  The  defpifing  and  flighting  of  Jefus  Chrift 
 offered  in  the  gofpel  (which  we  look  on  as  the  chief 
 and  mother  fin  of  this  nation),  and  the  not  valuing 
 and  improving  the  gofpel,  and  precious  ordinances  of 
 Chrift,  unto  the  eftablifhing  and  building  up  of  our- 
 felves  in  the  lively  faith  of  Chrift,  and  power  of  god- 
 linefs,  but  either  neglecting  and  defpifing  thefe  things 
 a-together,  or  elfe  refting  upon  and  idolizing  outward 
 and  bare  forms,  without  ftudying  to  know  in  our- 
 fe'ves,  or  to  promote  in  others  the  kingdom  of  God, 
 which  is  righteoufnefs  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Ho- 
 ly Ghcft  :  whereby  it  hath  come  to  pafe,  that  perfons, 
 not  rightly  qualified,  have  been  admitted  into,  and 
 .continued  in  the  work  of  the  miniftry  and  elderfhips, 
 
 and 
 
(     48     ) 
 
 and  that  public  repentance  and  kirk-cenfures  have 
 been  grofsly  flighted,  and  the  facrament  of  the  Lord's 
 fupper  fearfully  polluted,  by  the  promifcuous  admit- 
 ting of  many  ignorant  and  fcandalous  perfons  there- 
 to, and  many  wilfully  ignorant,  and  openly  and  con- 
 tinuedly  profane,  have  been  kept  in  the  fellowfliip  of 
 this  kirk,  contrary  to  the  word  of  God,  and  conftitu- 
 tions.of  this  kirk,  and  that  many  other  fad  and  fear- 
 ful confequences  have  followed,  unto  the  profaning 
 of  all  the  ordinances  of  God.  and  rendering  them,  for 
 the  moft  part,  barren,  and  fruitlefs  to  us. 
 
 Art.  4.  Not  only  the  exercife  of  godlinefs  in  fami- 
 lies much  flighted,  great  men  being  unwilling  and  a- 
 {hamed  to  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  th?ir  fa* 
 mily  (which  guilt  is  exceedingly  heightened  by  the 
 continuing  of  many  of  thefe  in  the  lame,  after  folemn 
 public  confcfCon  thereof,  and  engaging  to  the  con- 
 trary dury  in  the  year  1648,)  and  others  much  ne- 
 glecting the  fame  ;  but  alio  the  lothing  and  hating 
 of  the  power  and  life  of  religion  and  godl  ne's,  a  d 
 bearing  down  fuch  as  make  confcieice  thereof,  or 
 aim  at  any  perfection  therein,  wlrch  hath  come  to 
 fuch  an  height,  that  the  godly  are  eveiy  where  re- 
 proached, reviled,  oppreffed  and  perfecuted  through- 
 out the  land  by  fundry  of  ail  ranks:  yea,  by  funary 
 magistrates  and  minifters;  and  the  ungodly  and  pro- 
 fane countenanced,  encouraged  and  employed. 
 
 Art  5  The  bafe  love  of  the  world,  and  covetouf- 
 nefs,  which  hath  made,  not  only  the  body  of  the 
 people,  but  many  minifters,  more  to  mind  their  own 
 things  than  the  things  of  Jefus  Chrift  *,  and  many 
 tnafters,  rulers,  magiftrates,  officers,  and  foldiers  in 
 the  armies,  exceedingly  to  abufe  their  power,  unto 
 the  exercifmg  of  intolerable  oppreflion  of  all  kinds  on 
 the  poor,  to  the  grinding  of  their  faces,  and  making 
 their  lives  bitter  to  them  ;  which  covetoufnefs  did 
 alfo  produce  the  great  infolencies  and  oppreflions  in 
 our  armies  in  England  and  Ireland,  and  the  fearful 
 
 perjuries 
 
(     49     ) 
 
 perjuries  in  the  land,  in  the  matter  of  valuation  and 
 excite. 
 
 Art.  6.  The  abufing  and  proftkuting  the  public 
 faith  of  the  kingdom,  in  the  way  of  borrowing  money, 
 andotherwife ;  unto  the  diihonouring  of  God,  mock- 
 ing of  men,  and  reproach  of  the  nation. 
 
 Art  7.  In  purfuing  of  neceflary  duties  of  renew- 
 ing the  national  covenant,  and  entering  into  and  re- 
 newing the  folemn  league  and  covenant,  the  way  of 
 many  mens  taking  thefe  covenants  was  without  the 
 knowledge  cf  the  neceflary  things  contained  therein, 
 and  without  reality  and  fincerity  of  heart,  in  order  to 
 the  performance  thereof  •,  fome  being  induced  thereto 
 by  example,  fome  by  fear,  and  not  a  few  by  prin- 
 ciples of  policy,  following  their  own  carnal  and  cor- 
 rupt ends.* 
 
 Art,  8.  The  following  the  work  of  God",  and  pur- 
 fuing the  ends  of  the  covenant,  not  in  a  fpiritual  holy 
 way,  fetting  the  Lord  always  before  our  eyes,  and 
 acknowledging  him  in  all  our  paths,  but  in  a  carnal, 
 politic  way,  abufing  God's  intereft  for  our  own  in- 
 terest and  ends,  as  if  it  had  been  the  work  of  men,  and 
 not  the  work  of  God,  which  made  us  walk  more  in 
 jhecounfels  of  our  own  hearts  than  in  the  ccunfei  ox 
 God,  and  to  trull  more  in  the  arm  of  flefti,  than,  in 
 :he  arm  of  the  Lord. 
 
 Art  9.  Backfliding  and  defe&ion  from  the  cove- 
 nant, and  from  our  folemn  vows  and  engagements; 
 -the  guilt  whereof  is  exceedingly  heightened  by  the 
 aggravating  circumftances  of  our  renewed  oaths,  and 
 of  the  Lord's  mercies  and  engagements,  and  of  our 
 frequent  relapfes  into  the  fame  fins,  whereof  we  once 
 ieemed  to  have  repented,  and  which  we  condemned 
 in  others:  Of  this  defc&ion  there  are  thefe  lptcial 
 beads  and  fteps. 
 
 Step  1    A  foul  falling  from  that  honefty  of  heart, 
 
 and  purity  of  converfation,  and  from  the   finglenefs 
 
 .   and  integrity  of  heart,  and  from    the   fervency  and 
 
 «al  for  God,  that  appeared  to  be  m  many  at  the  firft 
 
 £  entry 
 
(     5°     ) 
 
 entry  to  the  covenant ;  and  declining  into  loofe  walk- 
 ing, and  jfelf-intcreft,  and  neutrality  and  indiiTerency, 
 from  which  have  iflued  many  fad  confequences,  efpe- 
 cially  the  great  fcandal  and  {tumbling  of  many- godly 
 in  the  land,  at  us  and  the  work  of  God  in  our  hand. 
 
 Step.  2  The  fitting  up  of  many  profeiTors  in  the 
 land  under  the  gofpel,  and  becoming  formal  and  re- 
 friifs,  not  entertaining  tendernefs,  fpiritual  life  and 
 fobemefs  of  mind,  which,  as  it  hath  been  amongft 
 the  provoking  caufes  of  the  Lord's  wrath,  and  hath 
 rendered  fome  obnoxious  to  fnares  on  both  hands,  fo 
 may  it  (if  it  be  not  mourned  for  and  amended)  draw 
 on  more  wrath,  and  expofe  to  the  hazard  of  error 
 and  diialFc£lion  to  the  work  of  God. 
 
 Sup  3.  The  fecret  falling  off  of  fome,  and  open 
 falling  away  of  many,  unto  the  oppofite  party,  after 
 their  entering  in  covenant,  efpecialiy  that  defection 
 carried  on  by  James  Graham  and  his  party,  and  that 
 which  was  afterward  carried  en  by  the  authors  and 
 abettors  of  the  unlawful  engagement  1648. 
 
 Step  4.  The  negk&ing,  obftrufting,  and  condemn- 
 ing the  purging  cf  the  judicatories  and  army,  1649, 
 and  afterward,  from  feandalcus  and  difafTedted  men  ; 
 and  of  the  constituting  the  fame  of  men  of  known 
 integrity  and  affection  to  the  caufe,  and  of  a  blame- 
 lcfs  and  Chriftian  conversation,  notwithstanding  of 
 the  folemn  public  confefricn  of  thefe  fin?,  and  engag- 
 ing unto  thefe  duties  a  little  before  that  time. 
 
 Step  5.  The  authorising  of  commifiioners  to  clofe  a 
 .treaty  with  the  king,  for  the  inverting  him  with  the 
 government,  upon  his  fubferibing  fuch  demands  as 
 were  fent  to  him,  alter  he  had  given  many  clear  evi- 
 dences of  his  difaffe£Hon  and  enmity  to  the  work 
 and  people  of  God,  and  was  continuing  in  the  fame  : 
 And  the  admitting  cf  him  to  the  full  exercife  of  his 
 power,  and  crowning  him,  notwithstanding  cf  new 
 difcoveries  of  his  adhering  to  his  former  principles 
 and  way,  and  of  many  warnings  to  the  contrary 
 
 Step 
 
(   sr«   ) 
 
 Step  6.  The  rejecting  of  difcoveries  of  guiltinefs 
 and  cauf^s  of  the  Lord's  contending  with  us,  and  of 
 our  duty  in  reference  thereto ;  fuch  as  the  caufe  of 
 humiliation  offered  by  the  commifTiori  of  the  gtneial 
 afiemtyy,  to  the  committee  of  efUtes  at  Leith,  he- 
 fore  the  defeat  at  Dunbar:  the  caufes  of  humi  ia- 
 tion  condefcended  on  at  Stirling  immediately  after 
 the  defeat  at  Dunbar:  the  remon&rance  cf  the  gen- 
 tlemen, minifiers,  and  forces  in  the  weft,  and  many 
 other  teftimenies  of  prtfbyteries  and  fynods  together  ; 
 neg'e£ting  the  means  tending  to  peace,  and  to  the 
 preventing  the  eftufion  of  more  blood  •,  from  pride 
 and  bitternefs  of  fpirit  againlt  thofe  who  had — in- 
 vaded us. 
 
 Step  7.  The  public  refolutions  of  kirk  and  ftate,  for 
 bringing  in  the  malignant  party,  firft  to  the  army, 
 and  thfcn  to  the  judicatories,  and  to  the  adlual  en- 
 trufting  of  them  with  the  power  of  the  kingdom,  both 
 military  and  civil,  whereby  the  ftate  of  our  caufe  is 
 not  only  turned  up-fide-down,  by  fuhordinating  the 
 inter  Jft  of  God  to  the  intereft  cf  men  ;  but  the  work 
 and  people  of  God  have  been  entrufted  to  the  ene- 
 mies thereof. 
 
 Step.  8.  The  joining  of  many,  engaged  in  the  co- 
 venant and  caufe  of  God,  in  arms  with  the  forces  cf 
 the  Kingdom,  after  that,  by  the  public  refolutions, 
 there  was  a  prevailing  party  of  malignants  brought 
 into  the  army,  who  had  the  fway  cf  Counfels  and 
 actings  therein,  and  were  carrying  on  a  malignant 
 int-  ; 
 
 Step   9    The  pre-limlting  and  corrupting   of  the 
 iral  aflembly,   in  regard  of  the  free,  lawful  and 
 it   cor.ftitution  thereof,    excluding  fuch  as  were 
 faithful  and  conftant  in  the  caufe,  and  nuking  it  up, 
 for  the  mod  part,  of  thofe  who  had  been  active  and 
 instrumental  in  carrying  on  a  coune  of  defection,  or 
 were  confenting  thereto;  whereby  it  c^mc  to   pafs 
 that  that  meeting  did  ratify  and  approve  the  defec- 
 tion itfelf,  and  did  not  only  cenfure  fun  dry  for  pro- 
 tefiing  againft  them,  but  a!fo  laid  a  foundation  for 
 £  2  cenfuiiag 
 
(     5*     ) 
 
 ceniuring  all  fuch  minifters,  and  for  keepmg  all  fuch 
 out  of  the  miniftry  who  did  not  approve  of  their  con- 
 ftitatton  and  acls,  and  did  iflue  warnings  and  decla- 
 rations reflect ing  exceedingly  upon,  and  contradicting 
 and  condemning  former  pious  and  warrantable  pro- 
 ceedings, and  the  inftruments  thereof. 
 
 Art.  10.  Deep  fecurity,  impenkency,  obftinacy, 
 and  incorrigiblenefs,  under  all  thefe,  and  under  all  the 
 dreadful  ftrokes.  of  God,  and  tokens  of  his  indigna* 
 tion  againit  us,  becaufe  of  the  fame,  fo  that  whilft 
 fce  continues  to  finite,  we  are  fo  far  from  humbl 
 ourfelves,  and  turning  to  him,  that  we  wax  worfe  and 
 worle,  and  fin  more  and  more.     - 
 
 Having,  at  cur  lafl  meeting  intended  and  promised  to  en* 
 large  more  fully  and  particularly  thefe  general  Heads 
 ef  the  Lord's  controver/y  with  the  land,  then  condescend- 
 ed on,  iue  /ball  noiv  profecute  and  perform  the  fame; 
 fo  far  as  we  conceive  is  needful y  and  may  be  helpful  tx? 
 ethers,  for  the  better  under/landing  thereof. 
 
 T  were  fuperfluous  to  fpeak  any  thing  to  the  iff 
 Article,  which  relates  to  the  grofs  ignorance  of 
 many  thoufands  in  the  land  ;  the  truth  of  the  thing 
 being  *n  que  ft  ion  ably  acknowledged  and  bemoaned 
 by  all  the  faithful  and  godly  minifters  in  the  land, 
 and  that  a  great  many,  come  to  age,  are  grofsly  ig- 
 norant of  the  firft  principles  of  the  Christian  religion  ; 
 which  fin  of  ignorance,  although  it  be  extenuated 
 and  flightly  looked  on  by  many,  yet  it  is  held' forth  by 
 the  Holy  Ghofl,  in  the  fcriptures,  as  the  fountain  of 
 the  eftrangemeht  of  fouls  from  the  life  of  God,  Fph. 
 iv.  18.  through  the  hliv.dnefs  that  is  in  them,  having  the 
 underfzanding  darkened,  being  alienated  from  the  li/e  of 
 God,  through  the  ignorance' that  is  in  them,  becaufe  of  the 
 blindnefs  of  their  heart ;  of  all  their  difobedience,  and 
 living  in  their  iufts,  I  Pet.  i.  14  as  obedient  children, 
 nst  fajhioning  y  ourfelves  according  to  the  former  Infis  in 
 
 your- 
 
(     53     ) 
 
 your  ignorance ;  and  as  that  which  makes  them  Sable 
 to  the  wrath  of  God  in  the  day  of  Chriit'a  appearance, 
 •iTluff.  I.  8.  When  the  Lord  Jefuijbatt  be  revealed 
 from  heaven,  with  his  mighty  angels y  in  flaming  fire,  tak- 
 ing vengeance  en  them  who  know  n;t  God}  and  obey  not  the 
 go/pel  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifi.  1  he  guilt  of  this  fin 
 is  much  aggravated  by  thefe  circumflances.  I.  It  is 
 wilful,  under  the  light  of  the  gofpel,  and  the  means 
 cf  knowledge  2-  In  regard  of  long  continuing 
 therein,  many  have  lived  under  it  fcr  fo  many  years 
 together,  even  till  their  old  age.  3  From  thegreff- 
 Defs  of  it,  being  fuch  in  many,  as  they  know  a:mcfi 
 nothing  cf  the  very  letter  of  the  fcriptures,  enher  of 
 their  fni  and  miiery,  or  of  the  mercy  and  remedy  that 
 is  he!d  forth  through  Jcfus  Chrifi,  or  of  the  duty  which 
 they  owe  to  God  ar,d  iheir  neighbour,  nothing  almoft 
 either  of  law  or  gofpel  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  or 
 of  the  covenant  of  works,  of  commandments,  threat- 
 enings  or  prornifes,  except  in  fuch  a  genera*  and  con- 
 fufed  way  as.  is  altogether  ufelefs  unto  them,  and 
 fruitlefs  in  them  4  Jn  regard  of  the  multitudes  of 
 thefe  who  lie  under  it,  which  is  very  great  in  all  the 
 corners  of  the -land  efpecialiy  in  the  Highlands.  $<• 
 la  regard  of  the  quality  of  p:rfons,  who  are  not  ox\\y 
 fcr  varus  and  commons,  but  matters  of  families,  -and 
 perlbns  of  fome  ncte  in  burghs,  end  in  the  country  \ 
 yea,  not  a  few  who  have  the' p1  ace  of  magiftra'tes  ami 
 elders.  The  article  doth  a;fj  mention  ignorance  cf 
 the  works  of  God,  by  which  is  meant  net  only  the 
 works  of  creation,  wherein  the  eternal  power  and 
 Godhead  are  clearly  fecn,  Pvom.  i  20  For  theinvi 
 things  of  him  from  the  creation  cf  the  world,  are  clear Ij 
 fen  being  under/} ood  by  tbi things  tftat  are  made,  even  Mi 
 eternal  power  and  Godhead ;  but  alfo  the  ignorance  of 
 the  works  of  providence,  which  are  great  and  tnarvef- 
 lous,  Ilev.  xv.  3.  And  they  fng  the  Jong  cfji 
 fervant  of 'God ',  and  the  fmg  of  the  Latniffayrf2gy  6 
 an d  viarvelkus  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Almigk 
 E  3 
 
(    54    ) 
 
 j  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  Saints.    And  albeit 
 thefe  fho ill d  be  fought  out  of  all  thefe  that  take  ple3- 
 i(;re  therein,  Pfal.  cxh  2.  and  the  right  underftanding 
 and  obfervation  of  them,  hath  a  large  promife  made 
 thereunto,  Pfal   cvii.  43.  Who  is  wife  and  will  obferve 
 thefe  things y  even  they  floall  underjt and  the  loving  kindnefs- 
 of  the  Lord.     Yet  doth  the  ignorance  thereof  exceed- 
 ingly abound  amongft  many,  efpecially  the  ignorance, 
 and  hot  cbiervin'g,  but  forgetting  the  works  of  mercy 
 and  judgment,  whish  God  hath  wrought  among  our- 
 fefves  :  which  fin,  as  it  proved  an  inlet  to  many  other 
 provocations,  from  the  7th  verfe  of  that  Pfalm  through- 
 out, fo  hath  it  great  threatenings  pronounced  againft 
 it,  and  fore  judgments  inflidied  on  it,  Pfal.  xxviii.  5. 
 Becaufe  they  regatd  not  the  works  of  the  Lord,  nor  the 
 ction  of  his  hands ,  he  j> hall  Oeflroy  them,  and  not  build 
 :  up.  IU.    V    11,12.    IV 0  to  th>>m   that  rife  up  early 
 in  the  morning,  that  they  may  follow  flrong  drink,   and 
 continue  till  night,  till  wine  inflame  them,  and  the  wine 
 and  the  pipe,  the  viol,  the  tarbret  and  the  harp  are  in  their 
 feafis  ;  but  they  regard  not  the  work  of  the  Lord,  nor  con- 
 Jider  the  operation  of  his  hands.   Pfal.  cvi.  7,  13,21,22, 
 C/ur  fathers  under/food  not  thy  wonders  in  Egypt,  they 
 remembered  not  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies,  but  provoked 
 him  at  the  fea  ;   they  fon  forgot  his  woYks,  they  waited  not 
 for  his  counfel      They  for  gat  God  their  Savi.ur,  who  had 
 done  great  things  in  F.gypt,  •wondrous  wofks  in  the  land 
 of Ham  i  and  terrible  things  by  the  Red  fa.     In  this  ar- 
 <:cie  alfo,  Atheifm  is  joined  with  ignorance,"  which, 
 as  it  is  the  root  and  fountain  of  all  other  On,  Pfal. 
 xiv.  I.   The  fool  hath  faid  in  His  heart \   there  is  no  Godi 
 they  are  corrupt,  they  have  done  abominable  works,  there ' 
 is  none  that  doth  good :  So  it  is  alfo  the  root  and  foun- 
 tain of  all  mifeiy,  Eph   ii.  12.  At  that  time  ye  were 
 without  Chrifi,  being  ft  rangers  from  the  Commonwealth  of 
 Ifrael.  and  ft  rangers  from  the  covenant  of  promife,  hiving 
 'pe,  and  being  without  God  in  the  world.     And  yet 
 this  doth  poflefs  many,  there  being  multitudes  of  that* 
 vtft&ed  fort)  Pfal.  s-  4.  Who  thn  pride  of  their 
 
 hart 
 
(    JS     ) 
 
 heart  will  Hot  feel  God;  God  is  not  in  all  their  thoughts. 
 Thefe  are  far  from  acknowledging  him  in  all  their 
 ways,  and  aiming  at  his  glory  in  all  their  actions,  ac- 
 cording to  thefe  divine  rules,   Prov    iii.  6    In  all  thy 
 -ways  acknowledge  him,   and  he  Jhall  diretl  thy  paths, 
 l    Cor   x.    31.    Whether  therefore  ye   eat  or  drink,   or 
 whatfoever  ye  do.  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of 
 the  Lord  Jefus  Chrijl,  giving  thanks  to  the  Father  through 
 him.     But  they  live  as  if  there  were  no  God,  or  as  if 
 he  had  forfaken  the  earth,  and  did  not  fee,  iize::.  ix. 
 9.   Then  /aid  he  unto  me,  The  iniquity  of  the  houfe  of  If- 
 rael  and  Judah  is  exceeding  great,  and  the  land  is  full  of 
 bloody  and  the  city  full  of  perverfenefs  ;  for  they  fay.  The 
 Lord  hath  forfaken  the  earth,  and  the  Lord  feeth  not ;   or, 
 as  if  the  Lord  would  not  do  good  or  evil,  like  thefe 
 who  are   threatened,  Zeph.   i.    12.   1  will  fearch  Je-. 
 rufalem  with  candles,  and  punifJj  the  men  that  are  ft  tied 
 en  their  lees*  that  fay  in  their  hearty  J  he  Lord  will  not; 
 do  good,  neither  will  he  do  evil. 
 
 Art.  2.  r  I  ^HE  fecond  article,  concerning  loof^nefs- 
 and  profanity,  is  no  lefs  true  and  evi- 
 dent than  the  firft,  it  being  undeniable  that  a  flood  of 
 profanity  hath  overflowed  the  whole  land,  and  that 
 the  mod  part  of  the  inhabitants  thereof  have  corrupt- 
 ed their  way  before  him,  unto  the  difhonouring  of  his 
 name,  reproach  of  our  profeflion,  and  provoking  the 
 eyes  of  his  glory,  Ifa.  i.  2,  3,  4,  5.  Hear,  O  heavens  f 
 and  give  ear,  0  earth  !  for  the  Lord  hath  fpoken,  I  have 
 nonrijhed  and  brought  up  children,  and  they  have  rebelled 
 agairjjl  me ;  the  ox  hath  known  his  owner,  and  the  afs  his 
 wafer's  crib,  but  If  rael  doth  not  know,  ??iy  people  doth  not 
 C'Jiftder,  /lh,finful  nation,  a  people  laden  with  iniquity, 
 a  feed  of  evil-doers,  children  that  are  corrupters,  they  have 
 forfaken  the  Lord,  they  have  provoked  the  hdy  One  of  If 
 rael  to  anger,  they  have  gone  away  backward ;  why 
 Jhould  ye  be  Jlricken  any  more,  ye  will  revolt  more  and 
 meres  the  whole  bead  isjick,  and  the  whole  heart  is  faint.  ■ 
 
 Izek. 
 
(    56    ) 
 
 Ezek.  xxxvL  21,  22,  23.  i?a/  I  had  pity  for  my  holy 
 name* s  fake,  which  the  houfe  of  Ifrael  hath  profaned  a* 
 tnongft  the  Heathen  whither  they  went :  Therefore  fay  to 
 the  houfe  of  Ifrael ',  thus  faith  the  Lord  God,  I  do  not  this 
 for  your  fake,  O  houfe  0/  Ifrael,  but  for  my  holy  name's fake , 
 which  ye  have  profaned  among  the  Heathen,  whither  ye 
 went>  and  I  will  fanclify  my  great  name  which  was 
 profaned  among  the  Heathen,  which  ye  have  profaned 
 in  the  midjl  of  them,  and  the  Heathen  Jhall  know  that 
 I  am  the  Lord,  faith  the  Lord  Godf  when  I  jhall  be 
 fanclijied  in  you,  before  their  eyes.  Mai.  ii.  n,  12, 
 13.  Judah  hath  dealt  treacheroujly,  and  an  abomination 
 is  committed  in  Ifrael  and  Jerufalem  ;for  Judah  hath  pro- 
 faned the  holinefs  of  the  Lord,  which  he  loved \  and  hath 
 married  the  daughter  of  a  Jl range  god :  the  Lord  will  cut 
 off  the  man  that  doth  this,  the  mafler  and  the  fcholar,  out 
 of  the  tabernacles  of  Jacob,  and  him  that  offer eth  an  offer- 
 ing unto  the  Lord  of  Hojls ;  and  this  have  ye  done  again, 
 covering  the  altar  of  the  Lord  with  tears,  with  weeping 
 and  with  crying  out,  infomuch  that  he  regardeth  not  the 
 offering  any  more,  or  rcceiveth  it  with  good  will  at  your 
 hands,  ifa.  iii.  8.  For  Jerufalem  is  ruined,  and  Judah 
 is  j alien,  becaufe  their  tongue  and  their  doings  are  againfl 
 the  Lord,  to  provoke  the  eyes  of  his  glory.  The  guilt  of 
 this  abounding  loofenefs  and  profanity  is  fo  much 
 the  more  heightened  by  thefe  circumftances  that  at- 
 tend it :  Fir  ft,  that  it  is  under  the  clear  light  of  the 
 gofpel,  of  the  word  preached  now  for  many  years 
 throughout  the  land,  in  purity  and  plenty.  Second- 
 ly, that  it  is  contrary  to  many  folemn  vows,  engage- 
 ments, oaths,  and  covenants  taken  on  us  before  God, 
 angels  and  men  to  the  contrary.  Thirdly,  that  it  is 
 under  many  befli^gs,  mercies,  and  deliverances  from 
 the  Lord.  Fourthly,  that  it  is  under  many  chaftife- 
 ments,  rods,  and  judgements,  efp^cially  the  fword  and 
 peftiience,  by  which  two,  many  thoufands  in  the  land 
 have  been  taken  away  within  thefe  few  years.  Fifthly, 
 that  it  is  common  and  univerfal,  and  hath  reached 
 over  all  forts  of  perfons,  noblemen,  gentlemen,  ba- 
 
 xqdsx 
 
(  57  ) 
 rons,  burgefTes,  minifters  and  commons.  Sixthly, 
 from  the  greatnefs  of  it,  fhameleiTnefs  of  it,  avowed-- 
 nefs  and  groflhefs  of  it,  which  is  fuch  that  many  de- 
 dare  their  fin  as  Sodom,  and  commit  all  forts  of 
 wickednefs  with  greedin^fs.  Seventhly,  from  the 
 kinds  of  it,  fome  of  the  chief  and  mod  common  of 
 which,  efpecially  thefe  which  are  not  named  in  fome 
 other  article  of  the  former  paper  we  (hall  here  touch  : 
 I«  Impatience,  murmuring  and  fretting  againft  God 
 and  his  works,  which  hath  made  many  to  weary  of 
 the  charges  and  expence  they  hayc  been  put  to  for 
 the  gofpel,  and  to  wifti  there  had  been  no  iuch  thing 
 as  the  entering  into  the  national  covenant,  and  the  re- 
 newing and  entering  into  the  folemn  league  and  cove- 
 nant,not  to  a  few  to  curfe  and  blafpheme  the  covenants, 
 and  to  look  on  them  as  the  rife  and  original  of  all  the. 
 evils  wherewith  the  land  bath  been  affli£Hd  ;  and  ;t  is 
 a  great  provocation  before  God,as  it  appears  from  thefe 
 "and  the  like  fcriptures,  Numb  xiv.  3.  2,  3,  4,  io, 
 if,  12.  If  And  all  the  congregations  lifted  up  their 
 voice,  and  wept,  and  cried,  and  ihe  w<  pt  chat 
 
 night, 'and  att  the  children  of  Ifrae1  n\uTmued  a- 
 gainfi  Mofes,  and  againft  Aaron,  and  the  whole  con- 
 gregation faid  to  them,  Woud  to  God  we  had  die< 
 the  land  of  Ejypt,  or  would  to  God  we  bad  died  in 
 the  wildernefsi  and  wherefore  hath  the.  Lord  brought 
 us  to  this  land,   to  fall. by  the  f  kt  our  wives, 
 
 and  our  children  flrould  be  a  prey  ?  Were  it  no:  better 
 for  us  to  return  to  Egypt  ?  And  they  faid  one  to  an- 
 other, Let  us  make  a  captain,  let  us  return  tc  Egypt. 
 Then  Mofes  and  Aaron  fell  on  their  faces  before  the 
 affjmbhes  of  all  the  congregation  of  the  children  of 
 Ifrael:  but  all  the  congregation  bade  (tone  thtm  with 
 ftones,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  the  ta- 
 bernacle of  the  congregation  before  all  the  children 
 oflfrael:  and  the  Lord  faid  unto  Mofes,  How  long 
 will  this  people  provoke  rre  ?  and  how  long  will  it- 
 be  ere  this  people  believe  me,  for  all  the  figns  I  have 
 fhewed  amongft  them  ?  I  will  finite  them  with  pef- 
 ulence,  and  difinherit  them,  and  will,  ir.ake  of  thee 
 
 a  nation, 
 
(     58     ) 
 
 a  nation,  mightier  and  greater  than  they."  Numb. 
 xxi.  4,  5.  "  And  they  journied  from  mount  Horf 
 by  the  way  of  the  Red  Sea,  to  compafs  the  Land  of 
 Edom  ;  and  the  foul  of  the  people  was  much  dif- 
 couraged  becaufe  of  the  way,  and  the  people  fpake 
 againft  God,  and  againft  Mofes,  wherefore  have  ye 
 brought  us  up  out  of  the  land  to  die  in  the  wilder- 
 nefs  ?  for  there  is  no  bread,  neither  is  there  any  wa«* 
 ter  *,  for  our  foul  lotheth  this  light  bread:  and  the 
 Lord  fent  fiery  ferpents  among  the  people,  and  much 
 people  of  Ifrael  died."  i  Cor,  x.  la.  "  Neither  be  ye 
 murmurers,  as  fome  of  them  alfo  murmured,  and 
 were  deiiroyed  of  the  deftroyer."  2.  Ufing  not  only 
 of  charms,  though  it  be  condemned  in  the  fcriptures^ 
 Deut.  xviii.  11.  4<  A  charmer,  or  a  confulter  with 
 famiHar  fpirits,  or  a  wizard,  or  a  necromancer,  (hall 
 not  be  found  amongft  you  j  for  all  that  dothefe  things 
 are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord  "  yet  is  very  frequent- 
 among  the  commons:  but  alfo  forcery  and  witch- 
 craft, which  is  an  abomination,  Exod  xxii.  18. 
 11  Thou  fhall  not  fuffer  a  witch  to  live."  Deut.  xviii, 
 10  €i  There  fhall  not  be  found  amongft  you  any  that 
 ufeth  divination,  or  any  inchanter,  or  any  witch/' 
 efpecialiy  amongft  thefe  who  have  been  baptized  in 
 the  name  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  and  yet  it  (by  the  great 
 difcoveries  thereof  which  hath  been  of  late)  appears 
 to  be  very  frequent  in  the  land.  3.  Ordinary  ("wear- 
 ing by  them  that  are  no  Gods,  jer.  v.  7.  "  How 
 fnall  I  pardon  thee  for  this?  thy  children  have  for- 
 faken  Me,  and  fworn  by  them  who  are  no  gods,  when 
 I  have  fed  them  to  the  full."  Zeph,  i.  4,  5.  u  I  will 
 al  o  ftrctch  out  my  hand  againft  Judah,  and  all  the 
 inhabitants  of  Jerufa'em  -?  and  I  will  cut  off  the  rem- 
 nant of  Baal  from  this  place,  and  the  name  of  the 
 Chemarims,  with  the  priefts  -9  and  them  that  worfhip 
 the  hod  of  heaven  upon  the  houfe  tops,  and  them 
 that  worfhip,  and  that  fwear  by  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
 and  that  fwear  by  Malcham  :"  fuch  as  faith,  truth, 
 foul,  confcience^  and  by  the  holy  and  blefled  name 
 
 of. 
 
(  59  ) 
 of  God  himfelf,  and  by  hi*  blood  and  wounds,  and 
 fearful  execrations  and  curfings,  which  though  they 
 be  condemned,  forbidden  and  threatened  in  the  fcrip- 
 tures.  Exod.  xx.  7.  iC  Thou  (halt  not  take  the  name 
 of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain."  Lev.  xix.  12  il  Thou 
 (halt  not  fwear  by  my  name  falfely,  neither  (halt  thou 
 profane  the  name  of  thy  God  :  I  am  the  Lord." 
 Matth.  v.  33,34*  3  5>36>  37-  Ct  Again,  ye  have  heard 
 it  faid  by  them  of  old  time,  Thou  fhalt  not  forfwear 
 thyftlf,  but  (halt  perform  to  the  Lord  thy  God,  thy 
 oaths.  But  1  fay  unto  you,  Swear  not  at  all,  neither 
 by  heaven,  for  it  is  God's  throne  :  neither  by  the 
 earth,  for  it  is  his  footftool  :  neither  by  Jerufalem, 
 for  it  is  the  city  of  the  great  King  :  neither  (halt  thou 
 fwear  by  thy  head,  for  thou  cannot  make  one  hair 
 white  or  black.  But  let  your  communication  be, 
 Yea,  yea;  Nay,  nay:  for  whatfoever  is  more  than 
 thefe,  cometh  of  evil."  Jer  xxiiL  io,  4<  For  the  land 
 is  full  of  adulteries;  becaufe  of  fwearing,  the  land 
 mourneth,  and  the  pieafant  places  in  the  wildernefs 
 are  dried  up,  becaufe  their  courfe  is  evil,  and  their 
 force  is  not  right."  Zech.  v.  1,2,  3,  4.  u  Then  I 
 looked,  and  lift  up  mine  eyes,  and  behold,  a  flying 
 roll :  the  length  thereof  is  twenty  cubits,  and  the 
 breadth  thereof  ten  cubits.  Then  faid  he  unto  me, 
 This  is  the  curfe  that  goeth  over  the  face  of  the  whole 
 earth  :  for  every  one  that  ftealetb,  fhali  be  cut  off  as 
 on  this  fide,  according  to  it :  and  every  one  that  fwear- 
 eth,  ihall  be  cut  off  as  on  that  fide,  according  to  it.  I 
 will  bring  it  forth,  faith  the  Lord  of  holts,  and  it  fhall 
 enter  into  the  houfe  of  the  thief,  and  into  the  houfe  of 
 him  that  fweareth  falfely  by  my  name:  and  it  fhall 
 remain  in  the  midft  of  his  houfe,  and  (hall  confume 
 the  timber  and  (tones  thereof."  Yet  thefe  are  fo  fre- 
 quent and  habitual  amongft  us,  that  in  many  parts  of 
 the  land,  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  find  a  man  or  a  woman, 
 that  in  their  ordinary  fpeech  are  not  addi&ed  to  fome 
 one  of  thefe.  4.  Ordinary  and  grofs  profanation  of 
 the  Lord's  day;  not  only  by  flighting  of,  and  abfejit- 
 
 1*ig 
 
(       &>       ) 
 
 lug  from  the  public  worftiip  with  the  congregation, 
 which  is  a  fault  whereof  many  are  guilty  j  and  not 
 attending  to  the.  word,  or  joining  in  prayer  and  fing- 
 ing  of  Pfalms,  when  they  are  prefent,  but  alfo,  by 
 travelling,  tryfting,  working,  fpeaking  our  own  words 
 and  otherwise  :  the  danger  and  heinoufnefs  of  this 
 fin  appears,  from  Exod.  xx.  8.  4<  Remember  the  Sab- 
 bath-day to  keep  it  holy.:>  Neh.  xiii.  15,  16,  17, 
 18.  u  In  thofe  days,  faw  I  in  Judah,  fome  treading 
 wine-prefles  on  the  Sabbath,  and  bringing  in  fheaves, 
 and  loading  affes,  and  alfo  wine  grapes,  and  figs,  and 
 allmannerofburdens,  which  they  brought  to  Jerufalem 
 on  the  Sabbath-day  :  and  I  teftified  againft  them  in  the 
 day  wherein  they  fold  vi£lua!s.  There  dwelt  men  of 
 Tyre  alfo  therein,  who  bought  fifh,  and  all  manner 
 of  ware,  which  they  fold  to  the  children  of  Judah 
 and  Jerufalem  on  the  Sabbath  :  then  I  contended 
 writh  the  nobles  of  Judah,  and  faid  unto  them,  What 
 evi:  thing  is  this  which  ye  do,  and  profane  the  fabbath- 
 day  ?  did  not  ycur  fathers  thus,  and  did  not  our  God 
 bring  all  this  evil  on  us,  and  on  this  city  ?  yet  ye 
 bring  more  wrath  on  Ifrael,  by  profaning  the  Sab- 
 bath.'' Ifai.  Iviii.  .3,  14.  u  If  thou 'turn  away  thy 
 foot  from  the  Sabbath,  from  doing  thy  own  pleafurc 
 on  my  holy  day,  and  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight,  and 
 the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honourable,  and  ihalt  honour 
 him,  not  doing  thine  own  wrays,  nor  finding  thine 
 own  pleafures,  nor  fpeaking  thine  own  words,  then 
 {halt  thou  delight  thyfelf  in  the  Lord,  and  thou  fhalt 
 ride  on  the  high  p'aces  of  the  earth,  and  I  will  feed 
 thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  thy  father,  for  the 
 mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  fpoken  it."  5.  Not  giving 
 obedince  to  authority  to  their  juft  and  lawful  com- 
 mands for  confcience  fake,  Rom  xiii.  5.  €t  Where- 
 fore ye  mull  needs  be  fubj^fl,  not  only  for  wrath,  but 
 for  confcience  fake."  And  on  the  other  hand,  an 
 implicit  and  willing  following  of  their  unlawful  com- 
 mands, obeying  men  rather  than  God,  Hof.  v.  n. 
 '*  Ephraim  is  oppreffcd  and  broken  in  judgment,  be- 
 
 caufe 
 
(     ox      )  - 
 
 caufe  he  willingly  walked  after  the  commandment/' 
 A&s  iv.  19.  ,f  Whether  it  be  right  in  the  fight  of 
 God  to  hearken  to  you  rather  than  to  God,  judge  ye." 
 The  grofs  neglect  of  many  parents  in  the  inftructing 
 and  breeding  of  their  children  in  knowledge,  virtue, 
 and  piety,  Eph.  vi.  4.  "  Ye  fathers,  provoke  not 
 ycur  children  to  wrath  ;  but  bring  them  up  in  the 
 nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord."  And  the  un- 
 towardnefs  and  ingratitude  of  many  children  to  their 
 panntsr  Eph.  vi.  I,  2,  3.  u  Children,  obey  ycur  pa- 
 rents in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right.  Honour  thy  fa- 
 ther and  mother  (which  is  the  firft  commandment 
 with  promi'fe)  that  it  m3y  be  well  with  thee,  and  that 
 thou  may  live  long  on  the  earth."  6.  Self  murder, 
 unnatural  murder  of  children,  enmity,  malice,  frrife, 
 contention,  especially  at  law  fuits,  revenge,  and  blood, 
 which  as  they  are  ancient  fins  of  this  nation,  and 
 did  much  appear  in  the  banding  of  clans  one  againft 
 another,  and  have  been  little  mourned  for,  or  repent- 
 ed of  to  this  day,  fo  they  ftili  continue,  whilil  we  pro- 
 fefs  the  unity  of  the  faith  in  Chrift,  and  are  joined  in 
 covenants  of  love  and  peace  one  with  another,  James 
 iii,  14,  15,  16.  u  But  if  ye  have  bittet  envying  and 
 flrife  in  your  hearts,  glory  not,  and  lie  not  a^ainit  the 
 truth.  This  wifdom  defcendeth  not  from  above,  but 
 is  earthly,  fenfual,  devilifli:  for  where  envying  and 
 ftrifs  is,  there  is  confufion  and  every  evil  woifc  "  1 
 Cor.  v.  8.  M  Therefore  let  us  keep  the  feaft,  not  with 
 old  leaven,  neither  with  the  leaven  of  malice  and 
 wickednefs,  but  with  the  un'cavened  bread  of  fmce- 
 rity  and  truth,  Tit.  iii.  3.  for  we  outlives  were 
 fometime  difobedient,  foolifh,  deceived,  ferving 
 vers  lulls  and  pleafures,  living  in  malice  and  envy, 
 hateful,  and  hating  ens  anGther.  Lev.  xix  18.  il  Thou 
 fhalt  not  avenge,  nzr  bear  any  grudge  againft  thy 
 children  of  thy  peop'e  \  but  thcu  fhalt  love  thy  ne- 
 bour  as  tbyfelf,  1  am  the  Lord,  Prcv  i.  x6.  For  th  ir 
 feet  run  to  evil,  and  they  make  haftc  to  fhed  blood." 
 Gal.  v.  15.  u  For  if  ye  bite  and  devour  one  another, 
 F  take 
 
t    6a    ) 
 
 take  heed  that  ye  be  not  confumed  one  of  another.'* 
 7.  Intemperance,  gluttony,  and  drunkennefsj  the  lad 
 of  which  is  become  fo  common,  that  it  hath  over-ruu 
 almofi  the  whole  nation,  fo  that  it  is  hard  to  find  many 
 who  are  not  tiplers,  or  common  drunkards,  or  will 
 drink  drunk  on  occafion,  and  with  company  :  With 
 this  fin  we  may  join  the  immoderate  and  exceffive  ufe 
 of  tobacco,  which  is  fuch,  that  much  money  and 
 precious  time  is  ncedlefsly  andfuperfloufly  fpent  that 
 way,  by  perfons  of  all  f^rts-  Ifa.  v.  11,12,  22.  "  Wo 
 to  them  that  rife  up  early  in  the  morning  to  drink 
 itrong  drink,  and  continue  all  night,  till  wine  inflame 
 them  ;  and  the  harp,  and  the  viol,  and  tabret,  and 
 the  pipe,  and  wine  are  in  their  feafts.     Wo  to  them 
 that  are  mighty  to  drink  wine,  and  men  of  might  to 
 mingle  ftrong  drink,  Prov.  xxiii   29,30,31,32.  Who 
 hath  woe  ?    Who  hath  forrow  ?  Who  hath  conten- 
 tions  ?  Who  hath  bablings  ?  Who  hath  wounds  with- 
 out caufe  ?   Who  hath  rednefs   of  eyes?   They  that 
 tarry  long  at  the  wine,  they  that  go  to  feek  mixt 
 wine.     Look  not  thou  on   the  wine  when  it  is  red, 
 when  it  gives  its  colour  in  the  cup,   when  it  moveth 
 kfelf  aright  •,  at  laft  it  biteth  like  a  ferp'ent,  and  fting- 
 eth  like  an  adder."  Eph.  v    18.  4<  Be  not  drunk  with 
 wine,  wherein  is  exeefs."  8.  Vanity  and  exeefs  in  ap- 
 -pud,  and  in  houfholci  ftuff,  far  above  that  which  b*« 
 Cometh  the  fobriety  of  the  gofpel,   or  that  the  con- 
 dition of  fuch  a  poople  can  reach  unto,  Ifa.  iii   from 
 the  1 6th  verfe.  ".  Becaufc  the  daughters  of  Zion  axe 
 haughty,  and  walk   with   (tretched  out  necks,  and 
 wanton  eyes,  and  mincing  as  they  go,  and  making  a 
 tinkling  with  their  feet  \    therefore  the   Lord  will 
 fmite  with  a  fcab  the  crown  of  the  head  of  the  daugh- 
 ters of  Zion,  and  the  Lord  will  difcover  their  fecret 
 parts,     And  in  that  day  the  Lord  will  take  away  the. 
 bravery  of  their  tinkling  ornaments  about  their  feet, 
 and  their  cauls,  and  their  round  tires  like  the  moon, 
 the  chains,  and  the  bracelets,  and  the  mufflers,  and 
 the  bonnets,  and  the  ornaments  of  the  legs,  and  the 
 
 head-band^ 
 
(    ^3     ) 
 
 head-bands,  and  the  tablets,  and  the  ear-rings,  and 
 the  nofe-jewels,  the  changeable  fuits  of  appare!,  the 
 mantles  and  the  wimples,  the  crifping  pins,  the  glaf- 
 fes  and  the  fine  linen,  and  the  hoods,  and  the  vails  \ 
 and  it  (hall  come  to  pafs,  that  infteadof  a  fweet  fmell, 
 there  (hall  be  (link,  and  inftead  of  a  girdle,  a  rent, 
 and  inftead  of  well  fet  hair,  baldnefo,  and  inftead  of 
 a  ftomacher,  a  girding  of  fackcloth,  and  burning  in- 
 ftead of  beauty  ;  thy  men  fhall  fall  by  the  fword,  and 
 thy  mighty  men  in  the  war,  and  her  gates  fhall  la- 
 ment and  mourn,  and  ftie  being  dtrfolate  (hall  fit  ou 
 the  ground,  i  Pet.  iii.  3.  Whofc  adorning  let  it  not 
 be  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair,  and  of 
 wearing  of  gold  and  putting  on  of  apparel.  Zeph.  I. 
 8.  u  And  it  fhall  come  to  pafs  in  the  day  of  the 
 Lord's  facrifice  that  I  will  punifh  the  princes,  and 
 the  king's  children,  and  all  fuch  as  are  clothed  with 
 ftrange  apparel."  9-  Uncleannefs  and  filthinefs  of  all 
 forts,  rotten  fpeechts,  filthy  communication,  cham- 
 bering and  wantonnefs,  and  fornication,  adultery,  in- 
 ceft,  in  fome  places  beaftility,  .and  fodomy,  efpecially 
 fornications  and  adulteries,  which  abound  in  many 
 places  ;  the  firft  whereof,  viz.  fornication,  is  by  many 
 accounted  no  fin.  For  difecvering  the  greatnefs  of 
 thefe  fins,  confider  Exod.  xx  14  (t  Thou  (halt  not 
 commit  adultery,"  1  Cor.  vi.  13.  "  Now  the  body 
 is  not  for  fornication,  but  for  the^  Lord,  and  the  Lord 
 for  the  body,"  1  Cor.  v.  1.  <c  It  is  reported  common* 
 Jy,  that  there  is  fornication  amongft  you,  and  fuch 
 fornication  as  is  not  fo  much  as  named  among  the 
 Gentiles,  that  one  fknuld  have  his  father's  wife." 
 Rem.  xiii.  13.  M  Let  us  walk  honeftiy  as  in  the  day, 
 not  inchambering  and  wantonnefs  "Eph  v. 3.  M  But 
 fornication  and  all  uncleannefs  let  it  not  once  be  named 
 among  you."  verfe  4.  ««  Neither  filthinefs,  nor  fool- 
 ifli  talking,  nor  jefting,  which  are  not  convenient." 
 10  Prodigality,  opprefiion,  extortions,  ufury,  bribery, 
 theft,  robbery,  faife  weights  and  meafures,  injuftice, 
 and  unfaithfulnefs  in  ccntrafls  and  bargains,  with 
 F   3  fraudulent 
 
(     <54     ) 
 
 fraudulent  dealing  and  deceiving  one  another;  arti- 
 ficial dearthing  of  viftuals  and  other  things,  the  live- 
 lihood and  maintenance  of  the  people.  I.xod.  xx.  ij, 
 11  Thou  fhait  not  fteai"  Ezek.  xxii.   12.   fC  In  thee 
 have  they  taken  gifts  to  (hed  blood  ;    thou  haft  taken 
 ufury  and  increafe,  thou  haft  greedily  gained  of  thy 
 neighbour  by  extortion. "  Amos  v.    12.  u  They  af- 
 fli£t  the  juftj  they  have  taken  a  bribe,  they  turn  a« 
 fide   the  poor  from  his  right."    Micah  vi.    10,  u. 
 44  Are  there  yet  treafures  of  wickednefs  in  the  houfe 
 of  the  wicked,  and  the  fcant  meafure  that  is  abomi- 
 nable ?  Shall  I  count  them  pure  with  the  wicked  ba- 
 lances,   and   with    the  bag    of  deceitful   weights  ?" 
 1  TheiT.  it,  6    4<  That  no  man  go  beyond  and  defraud 
 his  brother  in  any  matter,  for  the  Lord  is  the  avenger 
 of   all    fuch."     it.    Lying,    flandering,   backbiting, 
 detracting,  reviling,  tale-bearing,  rafii  C  en  faring,  and 
 defaming  and   fpeaking  ill  one  of  another,  with  falfc 
 witnefling  and  perjury,  breach  of  oaths,   covenants, 
 promifes.  Exodus  xx.  jo.  "  Thou  (halt  not  bear  falfe 
 witnefs  againft    thy  neighbour."     Pfal.  1    19,   20. 
 M  Thou  giveft  thy  mouth  to  evil,  and  thy  tongue 
 framed  deceit :  thou  fitteft  and  fpeakeft  againft  thy 
 brother;  thou  ilandereft  thine  own  mother's  fon." 
 2  Cor   xii.  20     "  Left    there  be   debates,  envyiug9, 
 wrath,  ftrife,  backbiting,  whifperings,   fwellings  and 
 tumults."  Matth   viu  1.  "  Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not 
 judged."  Rom   i.  31.  iC  Without  understanding,  co- 
 .  venant-breakers,    without    natural  affection,    impla* 
 cable,   unmerciful."  2  Tim.  iii.  1.  2.  "  This  know 
 alfo,  that  in  the  iaft  days,   perilous  times  (hail  come, 
 for    men    (hall    be   lovers    of    themfe.ves,  covetous, 
 boaflers,  proud,  blafphemers,  difobedient  to  parents, 
 unholy.''     Before  we  clofe  this  article  of  profanity, 
 v/e  cannot  but  in   a  fpecial  way  take  notice  of  the 
 carriage  of  many  beggars' in  tht;  land,  amongft  whom 
 for  a  lon<*  time   pa  It,  abominations  of  all  forts  hath 
 abounded  \  which  fin  lies    fo   much  heavier  on  the 
 land,  becaufe  though  it  hath  been  general'y  known 
 
 and 
 
(    «5     ) 
 
 and  acknowledged  by  all,  yet  hath  no  cffeftual  courfe 
 been  taken  to  this  day  for  the  helping  thereof. 
 
 Art.  3.  fTHHE  third  article  which  relates  to  Jefu9 
 J[  Chriit  and  the  gofpel,  is  in  a  great 
 meafure  fpoken  to  in  the  caufes  of  humiliation,  con- 
 cerning the  contempt  of  the  gofpel,  condcfcended  oa 
 by  the  commiffion  of  the  general  aflembly  at  Penh, 
 Dec  2  id,  1650.  yet  fome  particulars  there  are  in 
 the  article,  which  we  fhall  now  fpeak  unto  :  1.  Th-e 
 retting  on  outward  and  bare  forms,  without  fUulying 
 to  know  in  ouifclves,  or  to  promote  in  others  the 
 kingdom  of  God,  which  is  rigteoufnefs,  and  peace, 
 and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghoft.  The  work  of  reforma- 
 tion in  the  outward  part  of  it,  or  external  means, 
 that  relate  to  the  worfhip  and  ordinances  of  God,  and 
 the  purity  thereof,  is  certainly  a  thing  excellent  and 
 defirable,  which  all  the  lovers  of  pure  religion  and 
 undefiled,  ought  to  endeavour  to  attain  to  and  pre- 
 ferve.  Ezra  vii  27.  u  Blefled  be  the  Lord  God  of  our 
 fathers,  who  hath  put  fuch  a  thing  as  this  in  the 
 king's  heart,  to  beautify  the  houfe  of  the  Lord  at  Je- 
 rufalem."  Exod.  xxxix.  4*  "  According  to  all  that 
 the  Lord  commanded  Moles,  fo  the  Children  of  Ifrael 
 made  all  the  work,  43  verfe,  And  Mofes  did  look 
 look  on  all  the  work,  and  behold  they  had  done  'vy 
 as  the  Lord  commanded,  even  fo  had  they  done,  and 
 Mofes  blefled  them."  Ezck.  xlii.  ti.  iS  And  the  way 
 before  them  was  like  the  appearing  of  the  chambers 
 that  were  toward  the  north,  as  long  as  they,  and  as 
 broad  as  they,  and  all  their  goings  out  were  both  ac-» 
 cording  to  their  fafhiocs,  and  according  to  their  doors. 
 Heb  Hi.  2.  "  Who  was  faithful  to  him  that  3f« 
 pointed  him,  as  alio  Mofes  was  faithful  in  all  h:» 
 houfe."  Heb.  viii.  5.  *«  Who  ferve  unto  the  example 
 and  fhadow  of  heavenly  things,  as  Mofes  was  ad- 
 moTiifhed  of  God,  when  he  was  about  to  make  the 
 tabernacle  -r  for,  fee  (faith  he)  that  thou  make  all 
 things  according  to  the  pattern  (hewed  thee  in  the 
 ¥  3  »curt, 
 
(     66    ) 
 
 mount."  But  when  theft  things  are  relied  upon  and 
 idolized,  they,  through  our  corruption,  become  mares 
 to  us,   to  keep  us  from  feeking  into  more  excellent 
 and  better  things,  to  wit,  communion  and  feliowfhip 
 with  God,  and  the  power  and  life  of  godiinef?,  which 
 are  the  kernel,  whereof  thefe  things  are  but  the  (hell 
 £nd    the  furface,  and   being  refted  upon,  provokes 
 the  Lord  either  to  make  them  barren  and   fruitiefs 
 to  us,  or  elfe  to  lothe  us  in  the  following  of  them,  or 
 to  remove  them  wholly  away  from  us.  Ifa.  i.  10,  1 1, 
 12,  13,  14,  15.  "  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye 
 rulers  of  Sodom,  give  ear  to  the  Lnw  of  our  God, 
 ye  people  of  Gomorrah.    To  what  purpofe  is  the  mul- 
 titude of  your  facrifices  to  me,  faith  the  Lord  ?  I  am 
 i  II  of  the  burnt-offerings  of  rams,  and  the  fat  of  fed 
 beafts  :  I  delight  not  in  the  blood  of  bullocks,  or  of 
 lambs,  or  of  he-goats.  When  ye  come  to  appear  before 
 me,  who  hath  required  this  at  your  hands,  to  tread  my 
 courts  ?  Bring  no  more  vain  oblation  \  incenfe  is  an 
 abomination  to  me,  the  new-  moons  and  the  Sabbaths, 
 gtfd  the  calling  of  the  affembly,  I  cannot  away  with, 
 it  is  an  iniquity,  even  the  folemn  meeting:  your  new- 
 moons  and   appointed  feafts  my  foul  hateth  ;  they 
 are  a  trouble  to   me,  I  am  weary  to  bear  them :  and 
 when  ye  fpread  forth  your  hands,  I  will  hide  mine 
 ,eves  from  you  ;  yea,  when  ye  make  many  prayers,  I 
 will  not  hear  :  your  hands  are  full  of  blood."  Ifa.  Ixvi. 
 J»  2,  3,  4.  4<  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  the  heavens  is  my 
 throne,  and  the  earth  is  my  foot  ft 00),  where  is  the 
 houfe  yc  will  build  me,  and  where  is  the  place  of  my 
 reft  ?  for  all  thefe  things  hath  mine  hand  made,  and 
 all  thefe  things  have  been,  faith  the  Lord  :  But  to 
 this  man  will  I  iook,  even  to  him  that  is  of  2  poor 
 and  contrite  fpirir,  and  trembleth  at  my  word.     He 
 that  killeth  an  ox  is  as  if  he  Hew  a  man  :  he  that  fa- 
 -crificeth  a  lamb,  as  if  he  cut  off  a  dog's  neck ;  he 
 that  ofFereth  an  oblation,  as  he  that  cffereth  fwice's 
 blood ;  he  that  burneth  incenfe,  as  he  that  b-eiFeth 
 an  idol.     Yea,  they  have  chofen  their  own  ways* 
 
 and 
 
(    67     ) 
 
 and  their  foul  dclighaeth  in  their  abominations  ;  I 
 alfo  will  chocf-e  their  de!uGoo6  and  bring  their  fears 
 en  them,  becaufe  when  I  called,  none  did  anfwer ; 
 and  when  I  fpake  they  did  net  hear,  but  did  evil  be* 
 fore  wine  eyes,  and  chofe  that  in  which  I  delighted 
 not."  Jer.  vii.  4,  8,  9,  10,  1  *,  1 2,  13,  14.  "  Truft  ye 
 not  in  lying  words,  faying,  The  temple  of  the  Lord, 
 the  temple  of  the  Lord,  are  thefe.  Behold,  ye  truft 
 in  lying  words  that  cannot  profit.  Will  ye  fteal, 
 murder,  commit  adultery,  and  fwear  falfely,  and  burn 
 incenfe  to  Baal,  and  walk  after  ether  gods,  whom  ye 
 kaow  not,  and  come  and  ftand  before  me  in  this 
 houfe,  which  is  called  by  my  name,  and  fay,  We  are 
 delivered  to  do  all  thefe  abominations  ?  Is  this  houfe, 
 which  is  called  by  my  name,  become  a  den  of  rob- 
 bers in  your  eyes  ?  Behold,  even  I  have  feen  it,  faith 
 the  Lord  ;  but  go  ye  to  my  place,  which  was  in  Shi- 
 loh,  where  I  fet  my  name  at  the  firft,  and  fee  what  I 
 did  to  it,  for  the  wickednefs  of  my  people  Ifrael. 
 And  now  becaufe  ye  have  done  all  thefe  works,  faith 
 the  Lord,  and  I  fpake  to  you,  rifing  up  early,  and 
 ipcaking,  but  ye  heard  not:  and  I  called  you,  but 
 ye  anfwered  "not :  therefore  wi'l  i  do  unto  this  houfe, 
 which  is  called  by  my  name,  wherein  ye  truft,  and 
 to  the  place  which  I  gave  to  ycur  fathers,  as  I  have 
 done  to  Shiloh.  Ezek.  vii.  20,  21,  22.  "  As  for  the 
 beauty  of  his  ornament,  he  fet  it  in  Majefty :  but 
 they  made  the  images  of  their  abominations,  and  of 
 their  deteftable  things  therein  :  therefore  Have  I  fet 
 it  far  from  them.  And  I  will  give  it  to  the  hands  of 
 the  ftrangers  for  a  prey,  .and  to  the  wicked  of  the 
 earth  for  a  fpoil,  and  they  (hall  pollute  it;  my  face 
 alfo  will  I  turn  from  them,  and  they  (hall  pollute  my 
 fecret  place,  for  the  robbers  Ihall  enter  into  it,  and 
 defile  it IJ  Zeph  iii.  13.  "  The  remnant  of  Ifrael  (hall 
 not  do  iniquity,  nor  fpeak  lies,  neither  (lull  a  deceit- 
 ful tongue  be  found  in  their  mouth,  for  they  (hall 
 feed  and  lie  down,  and  none  fnall  make  them  afraid/3 
 And  this  hath  been  undoubtedly  in  a  great  meafure 
 
 the 
 
(     63     ) 
 
 the  fault  of  many  in  this  land,  the  height  of  whofe 
 zeal  and  endeavours  hath  been  for  the  moft  part  to 
 attain  the  purity  of  ordinances,  not  labouring  for  the 
 power  thereof,  whence  hath  iflued  a  great  deal  of 
 boatling  and  confidence  in  a  covenant  and  pure  or- 
 dinances, and  a  well  reformed  kirk,  when  in  the 
 mean  while  moft  men  are  ftrangers  to  that  grace 
 that  bringeth  falvation,  and  teacheth  to  deny  ungod- 
 linefs  and  worldly  lufts,  and  to  live  foberly,  righteouf- 
 ly  and  godly  in  this  prefent  world,  Titus  ii.  ti,  12. 
 •*  For  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  falvation,  hath 
 appeared  to  all  men,  teaching  us,  that  denying  un* 
 godlinefs  and  worldly  lufts,  we  fhould  live  godly, 
 righteoufly  and  foberly  in  this  prefent  world. "  The 
 fecond  is  the  fad  confequents  that  hath  followed  on 
 this,  whereof  there  are  four  fpecial  in  the  article. 
 
 The  firft  whereof  is,  The  admitting  of  perfons, 
 not  rightly  qualified,  to  the  work  of  the  miniftry,  and 
 elderfhips  in  congregations,  and  the  continuing  of 
 fuch  in  thefe  places.  For  underftanding  of  which, 
 ye  would  confider,  that  the  word  of  God,  and  a£ts* 
 and  conftitutions  of  our  kirk,  require  of  minifters, 
 not  only  that  they  be  men  of  knowledge,  underftand- 
 ing and  confcience,  for  ruling  in  the  houfe  of  God, 
 and  of  a  biamelefs  converfation;  but  that  they  be  fanc- 
 tified  and  holy,  and  fpiritual,  and  have  their  fenfes  ex* 
 ercifed  in  fpiritual  things:  u  A  bifhop  (faith  Paul, Tit* 
 i.  8.)  muft  be  a  lover  of  good  men,  fober,  juft,  holy, 
 temperate."  And  the  fame  apoftle,  1  Tim  iii  6.  tells 
 us,  li  he  muft  not  be  a  novice,  or  one  newly- come  ia 
 tothefaith."  He  would  not  only  have  him  in  the  faith, 
 that  he  may  fpeak  becaufe  he  believes,  and  be  able  to 
 Comfort  others  with  the  confolations  wherewith  he 
 hath  been  himfelf  comforted  of  God,  2  Cor  i.  3,  4. 
 "  Blefled  be  God,  even  the  father  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift,  even  the  Father  of  mercies,  and  God  of  all 
 comfort,  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation, 
 that  we  may  be  able  to  comfort  others  who  are  in 
 
 trouble, 
 
(     6?    ) 
 
 trouble, .  with  the  comfort  wherewith  we  ourfelve* 
 have  been  comforted  of  God"  In  the  Acts  of  the 
 AiTembly  at  Edinburgh,  1596,  March  26th,  it  is  pro- 
 vided, That  the  trial  of  the  perfons  to  be  admitted  to 
 the  miniflry  hereafter,  confift,  not  only  in  their  learn- 
 ing and  ability  to  preach,  but  alfo  in  conference  and 
 feeling,  and  fpiritual  wifdom  ;  and  in  the  fame  a£l 
 it  is  provided,  that  fuch  as  fhall  not  be  found  given 
 to  fan&ification  and  prayer,  that  ftudy  not  to  be 
 powerful  and  fpiritual,  but  be  cold,  and  wanting  fpi- 
 ritual  zeal,  that  all  fuch  perfons  be  cenfured  and, 
 continuing  therein,  be  deprived  :  which  a£t  was  re- 
 vived in  the  General  Affembly  1638,  likewife,  in  the 
 General  Afiembly  1646.  The  putting  in,  and  hold- 
 ing in  of  inefficient  and  fufpected  men,  who  favour 
 the  things  of  this  life;  and  the  keeping  the  ijoor 
 ftraiter  on  thefe  whom  God  hath  fealed,  than  on 
 thefe  who  have  lefs  evidence  of  grace  and  holintfs,  is 
 reckoned  amongft  the  enormities  and  corruptions  of 
 the  miniilry  in  their  cal'.ngs;  and  amongft  the  re- 
 medies of  thefe  corruptions  it  is  provided,  That  all 
 prefbyteries  make  great  conscience  to  have  all  va- 
 cant places,  within  their  feve.T  bounds,  fettled  with 
 godly  and  able  men,  wherev-  r  tHey  be  f<.  und  Thefe 
 icriptures  and  afts,  with  fundi  y  others  of  the  like 
 kind,  require,  not  onW  that  a  miniftex  be  negatively 
 holy,  that  is,  one  who  is  net  fcandalous  in  his  life 
 and  converfation,  bin  that  he  be  pofitively  holy, 
 acquainted  with  God  and  fpiritual  things,  and  a 
 partaker  of  the  grace  of  the  gcfpel  in  himfe.f,  which 
 he  preacheth  to  others  -9  and  religious  reafon  re- 
 quireth  the  fame  Hew  fhall  he  be  a  Chrillian  mini- 
 fter,  who  is  not  a  Chrifiian  ?  how  fhall  he  preach  to 
 others,  who  doth  not  himfelf  believe  ?  How  fhall  he 
 know  to  fpeak  a  word  in  feafon,  to  whom  the  Lord 
 hath  not  given  the  tongue  of  the  learned  ?  to  comfort 
 others  with  the  confolatior.s  of  God,  who  was  never 
 comforted  therewith  himfelf?  How  (hall  he  pray  for 
 others,  who  cannot  pray  for  himfelf  ?  How  (hall  he 
 
 reveal 
 
. 
 
 (  70  ) 
 reveal  Chrift,  who  never  knew  him  ?  How  fhall  he  na- 
 turally care  for  fouls,  who  hath  not  the  love  of  Chrift 
 dwelling  in  him  ?  Tire  fcriptures  alfo  require  of  rul- 
 ing elders,  not  only  that  they  be  men  of  underftand- 
 ing,  knowledge,  and  wifdom,  and  fuch  as  are  able  to 
 difcern  and  rule,  but  alfo,  that  they  be  blamelefs  and 
 holy,  3S  is  evident  in  the  epiftles  of  Paul  to  Timothy 
 and  Titus.  And  the  difcipline  of  our  kirk  require?, 
 That  befides  abilities  to  govern,  confu!t,  admoniib, 
 and  order  all  things  appertaining  to  the  ftate  of  the 
 congregation,  that  they  be  men  of  a  good  life,  and 
 holy  converfation,  without  blame,  and  all  fufpicior>, 
 careful  for  the  flock,  wife  ;  and,  above  all  things, 
 fearing  God  :  notwithftanding  hereof,  many  literal 
 and  formal  men,  who  are  Grangers  to  the  myftery  of 
 godlinefs,  and  the  work  of  the  fpirit  of  life,  which  is 
 in  Jcfus  Chrift,  are  admitted  into,  and  continued  in 
 the  miniflry  and  elderfhips,  (nay,  in  fome  places,  ef- 
 pecially  in  elderfhips,  men  that  are  ignorant  and  fcan- 
 dalous)by  which  things  it  comes  to  pafs  that  there  is 
 alifelefs,  dead,  and  carelefs  miniftry,  and  unprofitable 
 elderihips  in  many  congregations,  and  that  the  growth 
 of  the  gofpel  and  godlinefs,  is  exceedingly  obftru&ed 
 and  hindered* 
 
 The  fecond  confequent  which  is  mentioned,  if, 
 The  grofs  flighting  and  mocking  of  kirk  cenfures,  and 
 of  public  repentance  ;  whereof  it  would  be  confider- 
 ed,  That  the  word  of  God,  a£ts  and  conftrtutions  of 
 this  kirk,  require  of  thefe  who  are  to  make  public  pro- 
 feffion  of  their  repentance  for  fcandalous  offences,  not 
 only  a  naked  and  bare  profeflion  of  repentance,  but 
 fuch  a  profeffion  of  repentance,  as  doth  hold  forth  a 
 real  convi£tion  and  forrow  for  fin  ;  and  not  only  the 
 ceafing  from  the  fin  for  the  time,  but  the  bringing 
 forth  of  the  contrary  good  fruits  of  fobriety,  righte- 
 oufnefs  and  holinefs.  Numb.  v.  6,  7,  8.  "Speak 
 unto  the  children  of  Ifrael,  when  a  man  or  a  woman 
 fhall  commit  any  fin  that  men  commit,  to  do  a  tref- 
 pafs  againft  the  Lord,  and  that  perfon  be  guilty  5  then 
 
 they 
 
(    7'     ) 
 they  fhall  confefs  their  fin  which  they. have  done; 
 and  he  {hall  recompence  his  trcfpaf    with  the  prin- 
 cipal thereof,  and  add  unto  it  the  fifth  part  thereof, 
 and  give  it  unto  him  againft  whom  he  hath  trefpaffed. 
 But  if  the  man  have  no  kinfman  to  re.    npenfe  the 
 trefpafs  unto,  let  the  trefpafs  be  recomper.fed  unto   :ic 
 Lord,  even  unto  the  prieil:  befide  the  ram  of  atone- 
 ment, whereby  an  atonement  (hail  be  made  for  him." 
 It  is  appointed  that  offenders,  who  have  wrong::     e- 
 'thers,  and  were  to  be  admitted  to  the  trefpafs  offer- 
 ing, fhould  not  only  make  confeffion  of  their  fin§,  but 
 alfo  make  fatisfattion  to  the  party  to  whom  the  wrong 
 was  done,  wh  ch  fatisfadiion  is  a  fruit  of  righteouf- 
 nefs;  to  which  agrees  that  of  Jefus  Chrift   Matth\  v. 
 23,  24.  If  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  and  there 
 remembered  that  thy  brother  hath  ought  againft  thee, 
 leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar*  ana  go  thy  way, 
 and  firft  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come 
 and  offer  thy  gift."     In  that  tublic  penitential  con- 
 feffion that  is  mentioned,  Ezra  x.  io,  11.  <:  Ye  have 
 tranfgreffed  and  taken  ftrange  wives,  and  in^reafed 
 the  trefpafs  of  Ifrael :  now  therefore  make  cont  ffion 
 to  the  Lord,  God  of  your  fathers,  and  do  his  pleafure, 
 and  feparate  your felves  from  the  people  of  the  land, 
 and   from  the  ftrange    wives,"    there  is  not  only  a 
 confeffion   of  the   fin,   but  a   doing   of  the   Lord's 
 pleafure,  and  a  ftparatirg  of  themfelves  from   the 
 people   of  the   land,  and   from    the   ftrange  wives. 
 Pfal    li.  which   was    penned   to   be  a  teftimony   of 
 David's  public  repentance,   for   the  fcandalous  fins 
 of  murder  and    adultery  committed  by    him  ;    and 
 was  therefore  committed  to  the  chief  mufician,  to 
 be   publifhed    in    the    fan£tuary    and    temple,    con- 
 (aineth   many  notable  evidences   of  repentance  and 
 reformation  :  and  we  fee  the  apoftJe  Paul,  2  Cor.  ii. 
 7   doth  not  give  charge  to  the  Corinthians  for  the  re- 
 ceiving the  inceftu  us  perfon,   until  he  is   in  fome 
 appearance  of  hazard  to  be  fwallowed   up  with  too 
 qpuch  forrow.  7th  verfe,  fl  Ye  ought  to  forgive  him 
 
 and 
 
(  7*  ) 
 and  comfort  him,  leaft  perhaps  fuch  an  one  be  {wal- 
 lowed up  with  over-much  forrow  •/'  which  doth  argue 
 that  the  apoftle  thought  a  great  meafure  of  real  con- 
 vifrion  and  forrow  requifite  in  fuch  an  one,  before 
 he  ought  to  be  received  :  according  to  thefe  fcrip- 
 tures?,  the  firft  book  of  difcipline,  in  the  7th  head 
 thereof  requires,  that  before  fcandalous  perfons  be 
 admitted  to  the  pub  ic  confeflion  of  their  repentance, 
 that  there  appear  in  ihern  tigns  of  unfeigned  repent- 
 ance ,  and  ihe  form  and  o  der  of  public  repentance, 
 appointee,  by  the  general  afllmbiy  of  the  minilrers 
 and  elders,  in  the  whicn  they  ought  flrarply  to  be  ex- 
 amined what  fear  and  terror  they  have  of  God's 
 judgements,  and  what  hatred  for  fin,  and  forrow  for 
 the  fame,  and  what  fenfe  and  feeding  they  have  of 
 God's  mercies,*  in  the  which  if  they  be  ignorant, 
 they  ought  diligently  to  be  inftru&ed  :  for  it  is  but  a 
 mocking  to  prefent  fuch  to  public  repentance,  as 
 neither  know  what  fin  is,  what  repentance  is,  what 
 grace  is,  nor  by  whom  God's  mercy  and  favour  is 
 purchafed,  thereafter  the  offender  fhail  be  inftrutted 
 in  the  affembiy,  ft)  that  he  have  fome  tafte  of  God's 
 judgements,  but  chiefly  of  God's  mercies  through 
 Jefus  Ghiift,  he  maybe  prefented  before  the  pubiic 
 kirk  ;  and  the  ad  of  the  general  affembly,  at  Edin- 
 burgh, 1596,  March  26.  That  none  falling  into  pu- 
 blic fcandal  be  received  in  the  feHowfhip  of  thekirk, 
 except  his  minifter  have  fome  appearance  and  war- 
 rant in  his  confeience,  that  he  hath  both  a  feeling  of 
 fin,  and  an  apprehenfion  of  mercy  ->  and  for  this  ef- 
 fect, that  the  minifter  travail  with  him  in  dc£lrinef 
 and  private  inftruction,  to  bring  him  thereto  ;  efpe- 
 cially  in  the  do&rine  of  public  repentance,  which 
 being  neglected,  the  pubiic  place  of  repentance'is 
 turned  to  a  mocking.  And  the  a&  of  the  general 
 affembly,  at  Edinburgh  1649,  provides,  that  be- 
 caufe  many  heretofore  have  made  a  fhew  and  pro- 
 feflion  of  repentance,  who  were  not  convinced  of 
 their  guiltbef?,  nor  humbled  for  the  fame,  but  did 
 
 thereafter 
 
(     73     ) 
 
 thereafter  return  like  the  dog  to  the  vomit,  and  with 
 the  fow  to  the  puddle,  unto  the  mocking  of  God, 
 the  exceeding  great  reproach  and  detriment  of  his 
 caufe  ;  therefore,  for  the  better  difcerning  the  truth 
 and  fincerity  of  the  repentance  of  theie  who  defire  to 
 be  admitted  to  the  covenant  and  communion,   it  is 
 appointed  and  ordained,  that  none  of  the  perfons, 
 who  are  debarred  from  the  covenant  and  commu- 
 nion, fhall  be  received  and  admitted  thereunto,  but 
 fuch  as  after  trial  (hall  be  found  for  fome  competent 
 time,  either  before  or  after  the  offer  of  their  repent- 
 ance, according  to  the  difcretion  of  the  refractive  ju- 
 dicatories,  <o    have   in   their  ordinary  cenverfation 
 given  real  tettimony  of  their  diilike  of  the  late  unlaw- 
 ful engagement,   and  of  all  the  courfes  and  ways  of 
 maiignants,  and  of  their  for  row  for  their  accefiion  to 
 the  fame,  and  to  live  godly,  righteoufly,   and  fober- 
 lv,  &c.      And  reafon  alfo  proves  the  fame  point,  for 
 whether  we  take  public  repentance,  in  reference  to 
 the  removing  of  fcandal    and  offence  given  to  the 
 lark,  or  in  reference  to  the  abfolution  of  the  party 
 from  the  guilt  of  the  fame  intimated  to  him  by  the 
 minifter  as  the  fervant  of  Chrift,  and  in  the  name  of 
 Chrift,  on  his  repentance  ;    it  mufl  always  be   un- 
 derftood  of  fuch  a  proftffion  of  repentance,  as  doth, 
 evidence  the  reality  and  humility  thereof  in  outward 
 fruits  •,  for  a  real  fcandal  cannot  be  removed  by  a  bare 
 and  verbal  profeffion  without  fruits  ;  .neither  can   a 
 painifter,  with  any  perfuafion  of  confeience  make  any 
 intimation  of  mercy  and  pardon  to  him,  of  the  rea" 
 mi  fincerity  of  whole  prcfeuion,  he  hath  no  tef- 
 timony  in  his  carriage  and  conversation.     Yet,  not- 
 withftanding  of  thefe  things,   many  fcandalous  per- 
 fons of  all  forts,  efpecially  thele   who  were   profane 
 malignants,  difaffefted  to  the  work  of  God,  and  his 
 people,  this  laft  year,  have  been  admitted  to  public 
 repentance,  on  bare  convictions  of  repentance  and 
 forrow,  without  any  real  evidence  and  fruit  thereof 
 in.  iheir  carriage  and  converfation  ;  nay,  in  many  of 
 G  them 
 
(  74  )" 
 them  there  were  preemptions  in  the  contrary; 
 which  as  it  hath  proved  a  fnare  to  their  fouls,  fo 
 hath  it  exceedingly  provoked  Godf  and  ftumbled  the 
 godiy,  and  rendered  kirk  cenfures  and  public  re- 
 pentance bafe  and  contemptible. 
 
 The  third  confequence  is,  that  the  facrament  of 
 the  Lord's  fupper  hath  been  fearfully  polluted  and 
 profaned,  by  the  promifcuous  admitting  of  many 
 fcandalous  and  ignorant  perfons  thereto :  the  truth 
 whereof,  in  the  matter  of  faft,  as  it  hath  been  the 
 conftant  burden  and  complaint  of  all  the  godly  mi- 
 nifters  and  people  in  Scotland  thefe  many  years  paft; 
 fo  it  hath  been  oft  confefled  in  the  caufes  of  folemn 
 fafts,  and  public  humiliation,  and  particularly  in  that 
 public  acknowledgement  of  fin  that  was  made  by  the 
 kirk  of  Scotland,  in  the  year  1648,  that  it  may  be 
 the  better  underftood  and  taken  up ;  ye  would  con- 
 fider  firft,  what  perfons,  by  the  word  of  God,  and 
 do&rine  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  are  to  be  debarred 
 from,  or  admitted  to  the  facrament  of  the  Lord's 
 fupper ;  how  the  rule  of  the  word  and  conftitutions 
 
 the  kirk  are  kept  in  this  particular  For  the  firft, 
 it  is  clear  from  the  word  of  God,  and  the  do&rine  of 
 the  kirk  of  Scotland,  that  all  fcandalous  and  ignorant 
 perfons  ought  to  be  debarred  from  the  facrament  of 
 the  Lords  fupper,  and  that  none  ought  to  be  re- 
 ceived and  admitted  thereunto,  but  fuch  who  do  not 
 only  know  and  make  profeffion  of  the  gofpel,  but 
 walk  fuitable  thereunto.  The  apoftle  Paul,  in  1 
 Cor  xi.  28.  appoints  that  a  man  muft  firft  examine 
 himfelf,  and  .0  eat.  And  he  alfo  faith,  that  he  who 
 comes  to  that-  facrameut,  muft  be  one  who  difcerns 
 the  Lord's  body;  otherwife,  that  he  eats  and  drinks 
 damnation  to  himfelf;  and  he  farther  adds,  That 
 this  mult  be  done  in  remembrance  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
 to  fhew  forth  his  death  till  he  ccme  again  ;  and  there- 
 fore fuch  as  by  reafon  of  their  ignorance  cannot 
 examine  themfdves,  nor  difcern  the  Lord's  body,  nor 
 know  not  what  it  is  to  (hew  forth  the  Lord's  death, 
 
 ought 
 
(  75  ) 
 ought  not  to  come.  This  fame  duty  of  examination, 
 and  difcerning  the  Lord's  body,  which  the  apoflle 
 calls  for,  doth  alfo  debar  fcandalous  perfons,  and  ad- 
 rait  of  none  but  fuch  as  walk  orderly,  according  to 
 the  gofpel,  becaufe  the  examination  here  required, 
 muft  be  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ordinance  of 
 the  Lord's  fupper,  to  wit,  whether  they  be  worthy  or 
 not,  that  is,  whether  they  have  repentance  or  not  \ 
 For  he  that  comes  without  it,  is  unclean,  and  fo  pol- 
 lutes the  ordinance  •,  as  alfo  whether  he  hath  faith 
 or  not,  without  which,  there  can  be  no  difcerning 
 of  the  Lord's  body,  nor  ihewing  forth  his  death  •, 
 and  whether  they  have  love  or  nor,  without  which, 
 there  can  be  no  communion  with  Chrift  and  his 
 members  in  that  ordinance.  The  Confeffion  of  Faith 
 cf  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  intituled,  to  whom  facra- 
 ments  appertain,  fpeaks  thus :  %\  But  the  fupper  of 
 "  the  Lord  (we  confefs)  to  appertain  to  fuch  only  as  be 
 u  of  the  houfehold  of  faith,  and  can  try  and  examine 
 "  themfelves,  as  well  in  their  faith  as  in  their  duty  to 
 M  their  neighbour  •,"  but  if  fuch  perfons  ought  not  to 
 come,  and  if  the  facraments  do  not  appertain  to 
 them,  there  can  be  no  queftion,  but  if  they  prefume 
 to  come,  they  ought  to  be  debarred,  it  being  a  truft 
 committed  to  the  officers  of  the  kirk,  both  in  the  Old 
 and  New  Teftament,  to  keep  the  charge  of  the  holy 
 things,  and  to  take  heed  that  his  ordinances  be  not 
 polluted  and  profaned,  and  to  feparate  the  precio&j 
 from  the  vile.  Lev.  x.  10.  M  That  ye  may  put  a  differ- 
 ence betwixt  the  holy  and  unholy,  betwixt  the  clean, 
 and  unclean."  2  Chron.  xxiii.  19.  "  And  he  fct  the 
 porters  at  the  gates  of  the  houfe  of  the  Lord,  that 
 none  who  was  unclean,  in  any  thing,  fliould  enter 
 in."  Ezek.  xxii  26."  They  have  put  no  difference 
 betwixt  the  holy  and  profane,  neither  have  they 
 {hewed  difference  betwixt  the  clean  and  unclean." 
 Ezek.  xliv.  7.  M  In  that  ye  have  brought  into  my 
 fan&uary  ftrangers,  uucircumcifed  in  heart,  and  un- 
 circumcifed  in  flefh,  to  be  in  my  fan£tuary  to  pollute 
 G  2  it, 
 
(  7<S  ) 
 it,  even  my  houfc,  when  ye  oiler  mybread,  the  fat  and 
 the  bloody  and  they  have  broken  my  covenant,  be- 
 caufe  of  all  your  abominations,  and  ye  have  not  kept 
 the  charge  of  my  holy  things,  but  ye  have  fet  keep- 
 ers of  my  charge  in  my  fan£tuary  f:r  yourfelves." 
 Rfat.  vii.  6.~u  Give  not  that  which  is  holy  untodogs, 
 neither  call  ye  your  pearls  before  fwine,  left  they 
 trample  them  under  their  feet,  and  turn  again 
 and  rent  you."  i  Cor.  v.  13.  "  But  them  that  are 
 without  God  judgcth ;  therefore  put  away  fiom 
 amongft  yourfelves  that  wicked  perfon."  Tit.  iii.  i». 
 "  A  man  that  is  an  heretic,  after  the  firfl  and  fecond 
 admonition,  rej^ft"  Rev.  ii.  20  M  Nevethelefs  I 
 iiave  a  few  things  againft  thee,  becaufe  thou  fuf- 
 fereft  that  woman  Jezabel,  who  calleth  herfeif  a 
 prophetefs,  to  teach  and  feduce  my  fervants  to 
 commit  fornication,  and  to  eat  things  facrificed  to 
 idols.**  Jer.  xv.  19  M  If  thou  take  forth  the  pre- 
 cious from  the  vile,  thou  fhalt  be  as  my  mouth  : 
 let  them  return  unto  thee,  but  return  not  unto 
 them."  The  direfrion  for  the  public  worfhip  of 
 God  throughout  the  three  kingdoms,  in  the  head 
 concerning  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  fupper,  af- 
 ferts,  that  the  ignorant  and  fcandalous  are  not  to  re- 
 ceive the  facrament.  And  the  large  catechifm  af- 
 ierts,  That  fach  as  are  found  to  be  ignorant  and 
 icandalous,  notwithftanding  their  profeflion  of  faith, 
 aid  defixe  to  come -to  the  Lord's  fupper,  may  and 
 ought  to  be  kept  from  that  facrament,  by  the  power 
 which  Chrift  hath  left  in  his  kirk,  until  they  receive 
 inftru&ion,  and  manifeft  their  reformation  :  and  the 
 confeffion  of  faith,  condefcended  on  by  the  affcmbly 
 of  divines,  and  approved  by  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  in 
 the  chapter  of  the  Lord's  fupper,  faith,  that  all  fcan- 
 dalous  and  ignorant  perfons,  as  they  are  unfit  to  en- 
 joy communion  with  Chrift,  fo  are  they  unworthy  of 
 ihe  Lord's  table,  and  fo  cannot  without  great  fin 
 againft  Chrift  (whilft  they  remain  fuch)  partake  of 
 the  holy  myfteries,  or  be  admitted  thereto.  And 
 for  proof  thereof,  citeth  thefe  fcriptures,  1  Cor.  xi. 
 
 27, 
 
(  77  ) 
 27,  it,  29.  H  Wherefore  whofoever  (hall  eat  this 
 bread,  and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord  unworthily, 
 fhall  be  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord  : 
 but  |let  a  man  examine  himfelf,  and  fo  let  him  eat 
 of  that  bread  and  drink  cf  that  cup  :  for  he  that  eat- 
 e:h  and  drinketh  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinketh 
 damnation  to  himfelf,  not  difcerning  the  Lord's 
 body."  2  Cor.  v.  14,  15,  16  "  For  the  love  of  Chrift 
 conftraineth  us,  bccaufe  we  thus  judge,  That  if  ons 
 died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead  ;  and  that  he  died 
 for  all,  that  they  who  live,  fhould  not  henceforth, 
 live  to  themfelves,  but  to  him  that  died  for  them, 
 and  rofe  again.  Wherefore  henceforth  know  we  no 
 man  after  the  flefh  •,  yea,  though  we  have  known 
 Chrift  after  the  flefh,  yet  we  henceforth  know  him 
 no  more.,,  1  Cor.  v.  6,  7,  13.  »•  Know  ye  not,  that 
 a  little  leaven  leaveneih  the  whole  lump  ?  Purge  out 
 therefore  the  old  leaven,  that  ye  may  be  a  new  Jump, 
 as  ye  are  unleavened.  For  even  Chrift  our  paffover 
 is  iacrificed  for  us.  But  them  that  are  without,  God 
 judgeth:  therefore  put  away  fro-m  among  yourfelves 
 that  wicked  perfon."  2  Theff.  iii.  6,  (4,  15  *!  Now 
 we  command  you,  brethren,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift,  that  ye  withdraw  yourfelves  from  every 
 brother  that  walketh  diforderly,  and  net  after  the 
 tradition  which  he  received  of  us.  And  if  any  tnari 
 obey  not  our  word  by  this  lipiftle,  note  that  man, 
 and  have  no  company  with  him,  that  he  may'  be 
 afbamed.  Yet  count  him  not  as  an  enemy,  but  ad- 
 rr.cnifh  him  as  a  brother."  Mat.  vii.  6.  4<  Give  not 
 that  which  is  holy  unto  dogs,  neither  caft  yeyourpeaiia 
 before  fwine,  leit  they  trample  them  under  their  feet> 
 and  turn  again  and  rent  you." 
 
 As  to  the  other,  how  the  rule  of  the  word,  and 
 conftitutions  of  this  kirk  are  kept  in  this  particular  it 
 needs  not  much  be  fpoken,  the  tranfgreffion  being  fo 
 palpable  and  common  that  they  who  run  nray  read. 
 f  hefe  particular  faults  may  be  taken  notice  of  in  or- 
 der to  this  point,  i.  To  fay  nothing,  that  .in  feme 
 G  3  ptaces 
 
(     78     ) 
 
 places,  few  or  none  at  all  are  excluded  for  ignorance, 
 but  that  perfons,  being  cnce  come  to  fuch   an  age, 
 are  admitted,  and   being  once  admitted,  are  never 
 again  excluded  :  there  is  in  many  congregations  little 
 or  no  care  to  examine,  or   take  any   notice  of  the 
 knowledge   of  all  perfons    indifferently,    fomething 
 being  clone  in  reference  to  feivants,  and  thefe  of  the 
 poorer  fort,  but  matters  of  families  and  thofe  of  the 
 richer  fort  for  the  moft  part  neglected,  taking  it  for 
 granted  (as  it  were)  that  they  have  knowledge,  when 
 indeed   many   of    them  are   grofsly   ignorant,    and 
 ought,  becaufe  of  their  ignorance,  to  be  dej^jrred. 
 2     That  the  bare  repeating  of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the 
 belief,  or  ten  commandments,  or  anfwering  a  ques- 
 tion or  two  of  the  catechifm  by  rot-rhime  {as  we  fay) 
 when  nothing  of  the  meaning  is  underftood,  is  by 
 many  taken  for  knowledge  Sufficient.     3.  There  is 
 not  fufficient  care  to  take  notice  of  all  fcandals  and 
 Scandalous  perfons,  in  which  rtfpecT  there  is  a  two- 
 fold grofs  negleft  :    1.  That  the  fcandal  of  omiffion 
 of  dmy  is  not  taken  notice  of,  as  well  as  the  fcandal 
 of  commiffion  of  Sin,   notwithftanding  that  the  a£ts 
 and  confutations  of  the  kirk  make  exprefs  provision' 
 for  the  one  as  well  as  for  the  other,  as  may  be  feen 
 ill  their  a£ts  againft  thefe  who  abfent  themfeives  on 
 the  Lord's  day  from  the  public  worfhip  of  God,  and 
 againft  mailers   of  families  who  negleft  to  pray  in 
 their  family,  and   others  of  that  nature.     2.   The 
 many  Scandals  of  commiffion  are  alfo  negledted,  it 
 being  a  cuflom  in  many  congregations  to  take  notice 
 only  of  fornicators  and  adulterers,  and  workers  on 
 the  Lord's  day  ;  and  fuch  as  thefe  ;  but  negleft  tip- 
 lers,  drunkards,  fwearers,  liars,   deceivers  of   their 
 neighbours,  fighters,  oppreflbrs,  extortioners,  cove- 
 tous perfons,  and  many  others  who  walk  contrary  to 
 :he  gofpel ;  whereas  it  is  exprefsly  provided   by  the 
 difciplifce  of  this  kirk,  in  the  year  '587,  that  if  the 
 dderfhip   perceive  any  thing   in    the  congregation, 
 rthtr  evil  in  the  example,  or  Scandalous  in  manners, 
 
 and 
 
(  19  ) 
 and  not  becoming  their  profeffion,  whatfoever  it  be, 
 that  may  fpot  the  Chriftian  congregation,  yea,  rather 
 whatfoever  is  not  to  edification,  ought  not  to  efcape 
 admonition  or  punifhment,  or  higher  degree  of  kirk 
 cenfure,  as  2  Cor.  ii.  6  Sufficient  tofuch  a  man  is  this 
 punijhment  which  was  inflicled  of  many.  3.  That  many 
 fuch  as  have  been  judicially  convi&ed  of  fcandalous 
 faults,  are  prefled  and  received  into  a  public  profef- 
 fion of  repentance,  when  as  indeed  there  is  no  real 
 evidences  of  repentance,  yet  by  a  profeffion  thereof 
 are  put  in  a  capacity  to  come  to  the  Lord's  table : 
 By  th|£e  ways  it  comes  to  pafs  that  many  ignorant 
 and  fcandalous  perfon9  are  admitted,  who  ought  to 
 be  excluded  ;  which  certainly  is  a  fearful  fin,  as  may 
 appear  in  thefe  and  many  other  refpefts  \  1.  It  hin- 
 ders many  poor  fouls  from  fearching  after  knowledge, 
 and  from  departing  from  iniquity,  and  hardens  them 
 in  their  ignorance  and  lewdnefs.  2  It  caufeth  them 
 to  profane  the  precious  blood  of  the  covenant,  and  to 
 eat  and  drink  damnation  to  therrrfelves.  3.  It  makes 
 the  ignorant  and  fcandalous  promifcuoufly  partakers 
 cf  the  feals  of  the  covenant  of  grace  with  the  truly 
 godly.  4.  It  provokes  the  Lord  to  depart  from  his  or- 
 dinances,  and  forfake  his  temple,  becaufe  of  fuch  dif- 
 honour  to  his  name.  5.  It  brings  on  the  judgment 
 of  God  on  particular  perfons  and  the  whole  land, 
 Laftly,  it  grieves  and  {tumbles  the  godly  amongft 
 ourfelves,  and  expofes  ourfelves  and  the  ordinances 
 of  Chrift  therein,  to  contempt  and  reproach  amongft 
 others. 
 
 The  fourth  confequent  which  is  named  to  follovr 
 on  the  refling  upon  outward  and  bare  forms,  is  the 
 keeping  in  of  many  continually  and  openly  profane 
 in  the  fellowfhip  cf  this  kirk,  by  which  is  meant  the 
 neglect  of  calling  out  fuch  from  the  fellowfhip  of  the 
 kirk  by  the  fentence  cf  excommunication;  for  cer- 
 tainly thefe  who  wilfully  continue  in  their  ignorance 
 from  year  to  year,  flighting  the  means  of  knowledge, 
 and  refufing  to  be  inftrutted,  or  to  learn  the  way  of 
 
 the 
 
(     8o     ), 
 
 the  Lord  :  And  thefe  who  continue  in  an  open  courfe 
 of  profanity,  making  a  profeflion  of  repentance,  and 
 ft  ill  perfiiling  in  their  wicked  way,  after  fufficient 
 pains  taken  on  them,  and  their  flighting  other  in- 
 ferior kirk  cenfures,  ought  to  be  caft  out  as  dry  and 
 withered,  corrupt  and  rotten  branches,  and  not  to  be 
 looked  on  as  members  of  the  kirk  of  God,  Numb.  xv. 
 3c.  "  But  the  foul  that  doth  ought  prefumptuoufly, 
 whether  he  born  in  the  land,  or  a  ftranger ;  the  fame 
 reproacheth  the  Lord,  and  that  foul  (hall  be  cut  off 
 from  amongft  his  people."  Pfal.  1.  16,  17.  But  to  the 
 wicked,  God  faith,  what  haft  thou  to  do  to  declare 
 my  ftatutes,  or  that  thou  fhouldeft  take  my  covenant 
 in  thy  mouth,  feeing  thou  hateft  inftru£tion  and  caft- 
 eth  my  words  behind  thee?"  Matth  xviii.  18.  "  Ve- 
 rily I  fay  unto  you,  Whatfoever  you  (hall  bind  on 
 earth,  {hall  be  bound  in  heaven  "  And  therefore  it 
 is  provided  in  the  old  A£te  of  the  Affembly  of  this 
 kirk,  that  who  will  ftubbornly  remain  ignorant  in  the 
 principal  points  of  falvation,  {hall  be  excommunicat- 
 ed :  and  that  every  mafter  of  family  {hall  be  command- 
 ed, either  to  inftruti  his  children  and  fervants,  or 
 caufe  them  be  inftrufted ;  and  if  they  will  not,  the 
 kirk  {ball  proceed  againft  them.  The  General  Af- 
 fembly, at  Edinburgh,  in  the  year  1648,  in  the  over- 
 tures for  the  remedy  of  grievances  and  common  Gns 
 of  the  land,  provided,  That  perfons  often  guilty  of 
 grofs  fcandals,  be  excommunicated  more  fummarily 
 than  ordinary  procefs,  except  there  be  more  than  ordi- 
 nary figns  and  an  eminent  meafureof  repentance,  made 
 known  to  the  feffionsfland  prefbytery.  Befides  thefe 
 four,  the  article  alfo  mentions  many  other  fad  and 
 fearful  confequents  unto  the  profaning  of  all  the  or- 
 dinances of  God,  and  rendering  them  bare,  barren  and 
 fruitlefs  to  us.  And  there  is  no  queftion,  but  that 
 formality  in  profeffion,  and  refting  upon,  and  idoliz- 
 ing outward  and  bare  forms,  brings  out  many  fad  con- 
 fequents befides  thefe  5  fuch  as  the  flighting  by  many, 
 
 and, 
 
(     Si     ) 
 
 and  mocking  by  fome,  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  not  feed- 
 ing after  communion  and  fellowfhip  with  God  in  or- 
 dinances, not  ftudying  to  know,  and  be  humbled  for 
 the  iniquity  of  our  holy  things,  not  feeing  a  need,  and 
 employing  of  Jesus  Christ  for  ftrength  and  accept- 
 ance in  all  our  performances  •,  and  turning  the  living 
 God  to  a  dumb  idol :  and  many  others  that  are  men- 
 tioned and  fpoken  to,  in  that  paper  publifhed  by  the 
 commiflion,  concerning  the  contempt  of  the  gofpeL 
 
 Art.  4.  rX^HE  fourth  article  hath  two  parts;  the 
 J_  firft  whereof  relates  to  the  negleft  of 
 family  worfhip  :  which  tho"  it  be  a  grievous  fin,  which 
 provokes  the  Lord  to  pour  out  his  wrath  on  a  people, 
 Jer.  x.  25.  "  Pour  out:  thv  fury  on  the  Heathen  that 
 know  thee  not,  and  on  the  fami  ies  that  call  not  on 
 thy  name:"  Yet,  there  be  many  matters  of  families 
 amongft  all  ranks  of  perfons,  noblemen,  barons,  gen- 
 tlemen, burgeffes,  commons,  and  even  fome  minifters 
 who  lie  under  the  guilt;  nav,  there  are  but  few  in- 
 which  the  plurality  will  not  be  found  to  negleft,  or 
 never  to  have  prac^ifed  the  duty  :  mltance  is  given 
 in  the  article  of  great  men,  (nobles,  barons,  gentlemen 
 and  burgeffes  of  fpecial  note)  because  very  few  are  to 
 be  found  amongft  thefe  who  make  conference  to  call 
 on  the  Lord's  name  in  their  families,  fome  of  them 
 turning  over  the  duty  wholly  on  a  chaplain,  or  fome 
 other  perfon  in  the  family  ;  and  others,  of  them  hav- 
 ing no  fuch  duty  in  their  families  performed  at  alJ, 
 either  by  themfelves,  or  by  any  other,  they  being  ei- 
 ther unable,  or  afhamed  and  unwilling  to  do  it; 
 whereas  great  and  eminent  perfons  have  accounted  it 
 their  duty  and  glory,  and  have  followed  it  with  much 
 confeience  and  care,  as  may  be  inftanced  in  Abraham. 
 Gen  xviii.  19.  u  For  I  know  him,  that  he  will  com- 
 mand his  children,  and  his  houfliold  after  him,  and 
 they  fhall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lard,  to  do  juftice  and 
 judgment,  that  the  Lord  may  bring  on  Abraham  that 
 which  he  hath  fpoken  of.''  and  in  Joih.  xxiv.    1  5* 
 
 "And 
 
(  S2  ) 
 *'  And  if  it  feem  evil  unto  you  to  ferve  the  Lord, 
 choofe  ye  this  day  whom  ye  will  ferve,  whether  the 
 gods  that  your  fathers  ferved,  who  were  on  the  other 
 fide  of  the  flood,  or  the  gods  of  the  Amorites,  in  whofe 
 land  ye  dwell :  but  as  for  me,  and  my  houfe,  we  will 
 ferve  the  Lord."  And  David,  in  2  Sam.  vi.  20.  "Then 
 David  returned  to  blefs  his  houfhold."  This  woful 
 negleft  of  fo  neceffary  and  profitable  a  duty,  efpecial- 
 ly  in  the  families  of  great  ones,  ufuaily  attended  with 
 the  negle£t  of  catechifing  and  inftru&ing  of  children 
 and  fervants>  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  and  prefiing  and 
 exercifing  them  unto  prayer,  and  other  religious  du- 
 ties, as  it  is  a  great  fin  before  God,  the  height  where- 
 of  is  increafed  by  their  continuing  therein,  after  fo- 
 lemn  public  confeffion  thereof,  and  engaging  to  the 
 contrary,  in  the  year  1648,  and  is  exprcfsly  to  be  feen 
 in  the  fokmn,  public  confeffion  of  fins,  and  engaged- 
 merit  to  duties;  fo  it  is  the  caufe  of  much  ignorance 
 of  God,  Atheifm  and  lcofenefs,  profanity,  diforder, 
 and  difcoutent  that  is  in  families :  and  not  only 
 proves  a  hindrance  to  the  fpreading  of  piety  amongft 
 others  who  walk  after  their  example,  but  alfo  flops 
 the  courfe  of  the  Lord's  blefSngs  on  themfelvesand  on 
 their  families,  and  brings  down  upon  them  many 
 judgments  and  curfes  from  the  Lord.  The  other 
 part  of  the  article  relates  to  the  lothing  and  hating  of 
 godlinefs,  and  the  reproaching,  reviling,  oppreffing, 
 •andperfecuting  the  godly :  a  fin,  as  it  is  great  in  itfelf, 
 Gen  xxi.  9.  w  And  Sarah  faw  the  fon  of  Hagar,  the 
 Egyptian,  whom  fhe  had  born  unto  Abraham,  mock- 
 ing Gal.  iv.  28.  "Now  we,  brethren,  as  Ifaac  was, 
 are  the  children  of  promife  :  but  as  then,  he  who  was 
 born  after  the  flefli,  perfecuted  him  that  was  born  after 
 the  Spirit,  even  fo  it  is  now.''  Pfal.  xiv.  6.  fi  Ye 
 have  fhamed  the  counfel  of  the  poor ;  becaufe  the 
 Lord  is  his  refuge. "  Ifa.  viii.  j8.  M  Behold,  I  and  the 
 children  whom  the  Lord  hath  given  me,  are  for  figns, 
 and  for  wonders  in  ifrael,  from  the  Lord  of  Hofts, 
 whodwelleth  in  mount  Sion."  A&s  ix.  4.  "  And  he 
 
 fell 
 
(  «3  )" 
 fell  to  the  earth,  and  heard  a  voice  faying  to  him, 
 Saul,  Saul,  why  perfecuteft  thou  me?'*  And  draws 
 down  a  recompenfe  of  tribulation  from  the  Lord. 
 2  Thcflf.  i.  6.  "  Seeing  it  is  a  righteous  thing  with 
 the  Lord  to  recompenfe  tribulation  to  them  who 
 trouble  you:"  fo  itfeems  to  be  a  monftrous  fin  amongft 
 a  people,  making  profeflion  of  reformation,and  who  are 
 fo  often  covenanted  to  God  in  fo  folemn  a  way,  and 
 yet  hath  it  prevailed  and  abounded  exceedingly  this 
 year  bygone,  in  court,  in  country,  in  cities,  in  judi- 
 catories, in  the  army,  and  every  where  throughout 
 the  land  ;  "  A  man  was  made  an  offender  for  a  word, 
 and  he  that  departed  from  iniquity,  made  himfelf  a 
 prey"  It  was  quarrel  enough,  not  to  have  run  with 
 others  to  the  fame  excefs  of  riot :  they  who  would 
 not  be  difaffe&ed  and  difiblute,  behoved  to  be  <rf- 
 teemed  enemies  to  their  country  :  they  who  ftudied 
 to  make  confeience  of  holy  duties,  and  keep  their  in- 
 tegrity, were  fiandered  as  fe&aries,  and  compilers 
 with  feftaries,  and  were  not  only  expofed  to  the 
 fcourge  of  tongues,  but  alfo  to  the  violence  and  op- 
 prefiion  of  malignant,  gracelefs  and  profane  men  : 
 neither  were  magistrates  and  minifters  free  of  this  fin, 
 but  even  fundry  of  thefe,  who  ought  to  have  prote&ed, 
 encouraged  and  countenanced  the  godly,  were  as 
 pricks  in  their  eyes,  and  thorns  in  their  fides ;  not 
 only  by  withdrawing  their  countenance  from  them, 
 giving  way  to  others,  to  revile,  opprefs  and  perfecute 
 them,  but  by  employing  their  own  gifts  and  power  in 
 ■judicatories,  and  pulpits,  2nd  otherwife,  for  keeping 
 them  down,  and  making  them  hateful  and  odious  to 
 others  amongft  whom  they  live.  And  whilft  we  are 
 fpeaking  of  thefe  things,  we  cannot  but  mention  the 
 great  prejudice  and  enmity  which  many  minifters 
 had  againft  the  esercifes  of  godlinefs  and  duties  of 
 mutual  edification,  together  with  the  great  blot 
 •brought  upon  piety,  and  the  great  blow  given  to  the 
 cxercife  of  godlinefs  by  the  aft  of  the  affemWy  at 
 Aberdeen,  not  repented  of  by  the  kirk  of  Scotland, 
 
 nor 
 
(     84    ) 
 
 nor  repealed  to  this  day :  and  the  great  negleft  of 
 the  dutiesof  mutual  edification  amongft  the  Lord's 
 minifters  and  people,  after  there  was  allowance  given 
 for  the  fame  by  the  following  aflemblies,  and  the  fuf- 
 fering  of  many  giftlefs  and  unprofitable  minifters, 
 not  gifted  of  God  to  edify  his  people,  to  continue  in 
 the  miniflry ;  whereby  it  comes  to  pafs  that  many 
 gracious  people  were  neceflitated,  either  to  want  edi-. 
 fication  in  the  public  ordinances,  or  to  fall  under 
 the  cenfure  of  fuch  a&s,  made  againft  fuch  as  did 
 ufually  withdraw  from  the  ordinances  and  miniftry  of 
 their  own  parilh  churches.  Thi$  fin  of  hating  and  bear- 
 ing down  the  power  of  godlinefs,  and  perfecuting  the 
 godly,  was  accompanied  with  another,  which  is  men- 
 tioned alfo  in  the  article,  viz.  The  countenancing  and 
 employing  the  ungodly  and  profane,  a  thing  that  the 
 godly  man's  foul  abhorred,  Pfal  xxvi.  1,2,3,4.  "  Judge 
 me,OLord,  for  I  have  wa  ked  in  mine  integrity,  I  have 
 trufted  a  f o  in  the  Lord,  therefore  I  (hall  not  Aide. 
 Examine  me,  O  Lord,  and  prove  me,  try  my  heart 
 and  my  reins  ;  for  thy  loving  kindnefs  is  before  mine 
 eyes,  and  1  have  walked  in  thy  truth.  I  have  not  fat 
 with  Vain  perfons,  neither  will  1  go  with  diflembl^rs,,, 
 &c  And  fo  throughput  the  Pfalm.  Pfal.  ci.  4,  j. 
 €i  A  froward  heart  fhall  depart  from  me,  I  will  not 
 know  a  wicked  perfon.  Whofo  privily  flandereth 
 his  neighbour,  him  will  I  cut  off:  Him  that  hath 
 a  proud  heart,  and  an  high  look  will  I  not  fuffer. 
 Pfal.  exxxix.  21,-23.  "  Do  not  I  hate  them,  O Lord, 
 that  hate  thee?  And  am  not  I  grieved  with  thefe 
 that  rife  up  againft  thee  ?  I  hate  them  with  perfect 
 hatred  :  I  count  them  mine  enemies.  Search  me,  O 
 Lord,  and  knGw  my  heart  :  try  me,  and  know  my 
 thoughts."  And  yet,  hath  it  not  gotten  great  footing 
 amongft  us,  and  made  wicked  men  get  up  the  head 
 and  wickednefs  to  grow  and  abound  every  where  ? 
 €i  The  wicked  walk  on  every  fide,  when  the  vileft  men 
 are  exalted,"  Pfal.  xii.  8. 
 
 Art.  5. 
 
(     85     ) 
 
 Art.  5.  HT^HE  fifth  article  fpeaks  of  covetous 
 
 JL  and  opprefTion,  the  one  as  the  root,  the 
 other,  as  the  fruit  and  effecl  thereof.  We  need  not 
 infill  to  (hew  what  a  fin  the  love  of  the  world  and 
 covetoufneis  is,  the  fcriptures  hold  it  fcrth  as  ido- 
 latry, Col.  lii.  5  Mortify  therefore  your  members  which 
 are  upon  the  earthy  fornication,  uncle  a.nnefsy  inordinate 
 affection,  evilconcupifcencey  and  covctoufnefs,  which  is  ido- 
 latry •,  as  the  root  of  all  evil,  1  Tim.  vi.  10.  For  the 
 love  of  money,  is  the  root  of  ill  evil  \  which  while  fome  men 
 have  coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and 
 pierced  themflves  through  many  for  rows.  As  that 
 which  is  inconfiftent  with  the  love  of  God,  1  John 
 ji.  15.  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are 
 it?  the.  world  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  leve  of  the 
 Father- is  not  in  him.  As  that  which  makes  the  Lord 
 wroth  with  men,  Ifa.  lvii.  17  For  the  iniquity  of  his 
 covetGitfnejs  was  I  wroth,  and  f  note  him:  1  hid  my- 
 filf,  and  was  wroth  ^  and  he  went  en  frcwardly  in  the 
 way  of  his  heart.  And  to  abhor  them,  Pfal.  x.  3. 
 The  wicked  boajhth  of  his  heart's  defire^  and  bleffeth  the 
 covetous^  whom  the  Lord  abhorreth.  As  that  whieh 
 brings  the  curfe  of  God  on  them  and  on  their  fami- 
 lies, Hab>  ii.  9,  10,  11.  Wo  to  him  that  cCveteth  an 
 evil  covetoufnefs  to  his  houfe,  that  he  may  fit  his  nejl  on 
 high,  fhat  he  may  be  delivered  from  the  power  of  evil. 
 Thou  hafi  ccnfulted  fijime  to  thine  houfe  ^  by  cutting  off 
 many  people,  end  hajl  finned-  againfl  thy  fouL  For  the 
 fi ones  flo all  cry  out  of  the  u  ai 7,  and  the  beam  cut  of  the 
 timber  Jhall  anfwet  it.  And  though  it  have  in  it  all 
 thefe,  and  many  other  mifchiefs  and  evils,  yet  hath 
 it  taken  hold  on,  and  doth  eleave  clofely  to  many  c£ 
 all  ranks  in  the  land,  in  their  carriage  and  actings  r 
 do  not  the  body  of  the  people  fpend  their  time  in 
 feeking  after  the  things  of  a  prefent  world  ;  and  ac- 
 cording as  they  profper,  or  are  crofs-led  in  thefe 
 things,  accordingly  do  they  think  themfelves  happy 
 or  mifcrable.  And  there  are  minifters  not  a  few, 
 H  that 
 
(     85     ) 
 
 that  as  th?y  entered,  fo  they  follow  the  work  of  the 
 miniftry  for  the  things  of  a  prefent  world,  and  are 
 more  for  caring  for  thefe  things,  than  for  the  fouls 
 committed  to  their  charge,  and  more  eager  in  pur- 
 fuin'g  an  increafe  and  augmentation  in  thefe  things, 
 than  in  purfuing  the  things  that  concern  the  beating 
 down  of  Satan's  kingdom,  and  the  promoting  of  the 
 kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  And  hence  alfo 
 it  is,  as  from  a  main  caufe,  that  minifters  not  a  few, 
 prove  unfaithful  in  their  duty,  and  unfuitable  in  a 
 day  of  temptation,  rather  choofing  to  forbear  to  re- 
 prove and  cenfure  the  faults  of  thefe  who  may  bring 
 prejudice  to  them,  in  things  worldly,  rather  than  to" 
 offend  them,  and  rather  choofing  to  become  neutral 
 znd  indifferent,  or  comp'y  with  evil  courfes  than  to  ha- 
 zard the  lofs  of  their  ftipends,  but  efpecially  the  fad 
 and  wofu!  fruit  of  this  wofui  evil  appears  in  mailers  to 
 their  fervants,  landlords  to  their  tenants,  magif- 
 trates  and  ru'ers  to  thefe  over  whom  they  bear  rule, 
 judges  to  thefe  who  come  before  them,  advocates  and 
 procurators  to  their  clients,  clerks,  comrcifuries,  and 
 colirclors  to  thefe  with  whom  they  have  to  do  •,  of- 
 ficers and  foldiers  in  the  country  where  they  bear 
 charge,  yea,  and  amongft  the  commons  themfelves, 
 where  they  have  any  power  one  over  another;  the 
 Lord  hath  forbidden  to  opprefs  an  hired  fervant,  and 
 hath  commanded  at  his  day  to  give  him  his  hire: 
 Deut.  xxiv.  14,  \$.'JTbouJbaIt  not  opprefs  an  hired  fer- 
 tanl  that  is  poor  and  needy,  whether  he  be  of  thy  bre- 
 thren, or  of  thy  Jl rangers  that  are  in  the  land  within  thy 
 gates  ;  at  his  day  thou  fbalt  give  him  his  hire,  neither 
 jhall  the  fun  go  down  upon  it :  for  he  is  poor  and  needy, 
 xmd  fetteth  his  heart  upon  it,  left  he  cry  unto  the  Lord 
 againjl  theit  and  it  be  fin  unto  thee.  Yet  behold,  the 
 •hire  of  the  labourer  is  by  many  matters  kept  back 
 violently  and  fraudulently,  and  this  crieth  unto 
 heaven,  and  is  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of 
 holts  James  v.  4.  Behold,  the  hire  of  the  labourers,  who 
 v  reaped  down  your  fdds%  which  is  of  you  kept  back 
 
 h 
 
(  87  )  - 
 by  fraud)  crieth  ;  and  the  cries  of  than  tubs  have  reaped \ 
 have  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sabbaoth.  1  he 
 opprefiion  of  landlords  to  their  tenants,  are  fo  many 
 and  fo  exorbitant,  that  they  cannot  earty  be  reckon- 
 ed, the  lands  for  the  moft  part  fet  by  them  at  a  dearer 
 rate  than  the  tenants  can  pay  the  duty,  and  live  in 
 any  tolerable  condition  themfelves :  and  therefore  are 
 they  forced,  with  their  wives  and  children,  to  drudge 
 continually  in  the  earth  from  morning  till  evening-, 
 by  which  it  Gome's  to  pafs,  that  their  lives  is  but  a 
 kind  of  lafting  bondage  and  flavery,  and  that  they 
 have  neither  time  nor  encouragement  forfcrving  and 
 "  feeking  God  themfelves  in  their  families,  or  for 
 breeding  their  children  in  knowledge,  virtus*  and 
 piety.  Secondly,  befide  the  rent  of  the  land  conde* 
 fcended  on,  they  alfo  lay  on  them  many  burdens  and 
 taxations  in  an  arbitrary  way  by  their  bailiffs  and 
 courts,  and  otherwife  at  their  pleafure,  fuch  as  fer* 
 vices  of  all  forts,  beyond  pa&ion  and  agreement,  and 
 quarterings  \  and  befides  the  putting  out  of  the  foot, 
 and  the  burden  thereof,  fometimes  the  burden  of  put- 
 ting out  the  horfe,  and  the  bearing  of  a  great  par% 
 or  the  whole  monthly  maintenance  and  cefs.  Third- 
 ly, the  giving  of  fhort  leafes  of  land,  and  removing 
 them  therefrom,  and  taking  away  what  they  have 
 when  they  grow  poor,  and  are  not  able  to  pay$  or- 
 elfc,  if  they  thrive,  by  heightening  and  augmenting, 
 their  farms  and  rent,  by  which  means  it  hath,  in  the 
 righteous  judgment  of  God,  occafioned  that  tenants, 
 in  many  places  prove  undutiful  to  their  matters,  and' 
 deny  to  them  thefe  things  which  in  conscience  and 
 reafon  they  are  obliged  to  perform.  And  for  the 
 rulers,  albeit  we  be  far  from  joining  iflue  with  thefe 
 who  from  difaffeflion  to  the  work  of  God  and  the 
 inftruments  thereof,  did  traduce  and  fpeak  evil  of 
 thofe  whom  God  fet  over  us  in  their  charge,  and  everv 
 in  the  impofing  of  the  moil  neceiTary  burdens  and  in 
 the  moft  moderate  and  equal  way,  yet  we  cannot  but 
 acknowledge  and  bemoan  the  great  reproach  that 
 H  2  hah 
 
(     88     ) 
 
 hath  been  brought  on  the  chief  judicatories  of  the 
 land,  and  on  the  work  of  God,  by  the  felfifhnefs  and 
 particularity  of  fome  perfons  of  note  therein,  who 
 not  only,  contrary  to  the  practice  of  good  Nehemiah, 
 who  would  not  eat  the  bread  of  the  governor,  took 
 large  allowance  for  their  attendance  on  public  affairs  : 
 and  notwithftanding  that  they  had  fufficient  eftates 
 of  their  own,  but  alio  abufed  their  power  and  autho- 
 rity for  exacting  and  employing  fums  of  money  for 
 rhemfelves,  and  for  their  friends  and  fi^fowers,  while 
 in  the  mean  time  fmall  regard  was  had" to  the  con- 
 dition of  thefe  from  whom   thefe    fums  were  exact- 
 ed, or   to  the  equal    fupplying  of  the  condition  of 
 othej»,  to  whom  as  much,  and  poflibly  more  in  defert 
 and  juftice  was  due,  as  to  thefe  to  whom  thofe  funis 
 were  given.     We  (hall  not  infift  on   the  bribery  that 
 hath  been  amongft  judges,  the  cunning,  cozenage, 
 and  exorbitant  pilferings  and  taking  that  hath  beea 
 amongft  advocates,  prc-curators,  commiffaries,  clerks, 
 and  collectors  :  many  of  them  have  made  hafle-to 
 to  be  rich,  and  have,  by  the  bench,  by  ihe  purfe,  by 
 the  tongue  and  by  the  pen,  heaped  up  much  treafure, 
 and  made  conqueft  of  lands  and  eftates,  but  with  an 
 evil    conscience,   becaufe  it   hath   been    the   gain  of 
 bribery  and  injuftice,  and  lying  and  deceit,  violence 
 and  opprefiion  •,  but  amongft  no  fort  of  perfons  hath 
 thefe  fins  of  cavetoufnefs  and   opprefiion   more  ap- 
 peared and  prevailed  than  amongft  many  of  the  chief 
 officers  and  fokiiers  in  our  armies,  in  fo  much  that 
 many  of  thefe  who  were  raifed   for   the   rand's  pro- 
 tection and  defence,  have  been  their  intolerable  bur- 
 den and  plague,  and  have,   by  their  moft  exorbitant, 
 violent,   tyrannical,  and  infatiable  exactions,   made 
 the  lives  of  the  inhabitants  bitter  j  and  a  burden  to 
 them :  what  interverting  of  levies,  what  falfe  muf- 
 ters,  what  exorbitant  exactions  above  the  law,   for 
 men  and  horfe,  and  arms  ;  what  quarterings  and  co- 
 vetous, fubtile,  opprefling  devices  of  many  forts,  for 
 getting  0/  money,  have  been  amongft  officers,  and 
 
 what 
 
(     «9    ) 
 
 what  plundering  of  goods,  deftroying  of  corns,  tak- 
 ing and  robbing  of  money,  railing  upon,  and  beat- 
 ing and  wounding  the  poor  people :  what  exceilivc 
 eating  and  drinking  and  unplacablenefs  in  their 
 diet,  not  fatisfying  themfelves  with  fuch  fare  as 
 people  Could  afford  to  them,  but  billing  their  kinc 
 and  fheep,  and  whatever  came  in^heir  way  :  and 
 how  many  other  things  of  th^  kind  hath  been 
 amongft  foldiers,  and  what  exofbitancies  and  oppref- 
 fions,  whereof  the  negligence  and  over-fight  of  Tome 
 great  ones  and  officers  in  our  armies,  was  not  the  leaft 
 caufe  y  for  they  not  being  able  to  (hake  their  hands 
 of  difhoneft  gain  themfe-ves,  did  oftentimes  wink  ar, 
 nay,  fdmetimes  obftrucl  the  purging  out;  and  punifh- 
 ing  of  others  amongft  other  etre&s  of  ccvetoufnefs, 
 inftance  is  given  in  the  clofe  of  the  article  of  the 
 great  infolencies  and  oppreffion  of  many  in  our  ar- 
 mies in  tngland  and  Ireland,  and  the  fearful  perju- 
 ries of  the  land  in  the  matter  of  valuation  and  excife, 
 both  of  which  were  dreadful  and  horrible  provoca* 
 tions :  the  firftof  them,  as  it  was  a  grievous  burden 
 to  our  brethren  in  England  and  Ireland,  and  did  ex- 
 ceedingly flumble  them  at  this  nation  and  the  work 
 of  God  in  their  hand  ;  fo  we  make  no  queflion  but 
 it  is  one  of  the  (Ins  that  God  is  pointing  at  now  in  a 
 fpecial  manner  in  the  rods  wherewith  he  now  chaf- 
 tiftth  us.  The  other  of  them,  though  little  ad- 
 verted to,  or  laid  to  heart,  or  acknowledgsd  to  this 
 day,  yet  is  a  fearful  guilt,  which  many  in  the  land 
 lie  under :  how  many,  in  the  matter  of  valuation^ 
 that  lands  might  be  valued  at  a  low  rate,  did  fwear  : 
 falfely  ?.  And  how  many  were  there  who  were  in- 
 strumental to  caufe  others  to  fwear  falfely  ?  and 
 fome  judges,  for  their  own  advantage  and  intereft, 
 did  connive  thereat:  and  many  likewife  did  fwear 
 falftly  in  excifeable  goods.  Before  we  clofe  what  re- 
 lates to  this  article,  we  defire  that  thefe  fcriptures 
 maybe  eonfidered,  in  reference  to  the  fins  men- 
 tioned there,  as  the  fruits  of  the  love  of  the  world 
 K  3 
 
(       9°       ) 
 
 and  covetoufnefs.  Job  xxxv.  9.  n  By  reafon  of  the 
 rr.ultitude  cf  cppreffions  they  make  the  opprefled 
 to  cry,  they  cry  out  becaufe  of  the  arm  of  the 
 mighty,  but  none  faith,  Where  is  God?"  &c. 
 Pfal.  Ixii  10.  M  Truft  not  in  opprefiion,  become 
 not  vain  in  robbery :  if  riches  increafe,  fet  not 
 your  hearts  on  them  "  Pfal.  lxxxii.  2.  M  How  long 
 wiU  ye  judge  unjudly,  arid  accept  the  perfon  of 
 the  kicked  ?"  Prov  xiv.  31.  "  He  that  opprefleth 
 the  peer,  reproacheth  his  maker;  but  he  that  ho- 
 noureth  him,  hath  mercy  on  the  poor."  Prov.  xv. 
 27.  u  He  that  is  greedy  of  gain,  troubleth  his  own 
 houfe  \  but  he  who  hateth  gifts,  fbr.lt  live."  Prov. 
 xxii.  16.  "  He  that  opprefleth  the  poor,  to  increafe 
 his  riches,  and  he  that  giveth  to  the  rich,  ihall  furely 
 come  to  want."  Prov.  xxviii.  3,  8,  20.  "  A  poor  man 
 that  opprefleth  the  poor,  is  like  a  fweeping  rain  that 
 leaveth  no  food.  He  who  by  ufury  and  unjuft  gain 
 increafeth  his  fubftance,  he  (hall  gather  it  for  him 
 that  {hall  pity  the  poor.  A  faithful  man  fhall  abound 
 with  bleflings ;  but  he  who  maketh  hafie  to  be  rich, 
 ill  all  not  be  innocent."  Eccl  vii.  7.  "  Surely  op* 
 preflion  maketh  a  wife  man  mad,  and  a  gift  deftroy- 
 eth  the  heart."  Ifa.  i.  21,  22,  23,  24.  "  How  is  the 
 faithful  city  become  an  harlot  ?  It  was  full  of  judge- 
 ment, and  righteoufnefs  lodged  in  it  j  but  now  mur- 
 derers :  thy  filver  is  become  drofs,  thy  wine  mixt 
 with  water.  Thy  princes  are  rebellious,  and  com- 
 panions of  thieves  :  everyone  loveth  gifts,  and  fol- 
 loweth  after  rewards:  they  judge  not  the  fatherlefs, 
 neither  doth  the  caufe  of  the  widow  come  unto  them. 
 Therefore,  faith  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  hofts,  the 
 mighty  one  of  lfrael,  Ah,  I  will  eafe  me  of  mine  ad- 
 versaries, and  avenge  me  of  mine  enemies."  Ifa.  in; 
 12,  13,14,  5  "  As  for  my  people,  children  are  their 
 opprefibrs,  and  women  rule  over  them.  O  my 
 people,  they  who  lead  thee,  caufe  thee  to  err,  and 
 deftfoy  the  way  of  thy  paths.  The  Lord  ftandeth  up 
 to  pletid,  and  ftandeth  to  judge  the  people.  The  Lord 
 
 will 
 
(  9»  ) 
 will  enter  into  judgement  with  the  ancients  of  his 
 people,  and  the  princes  thereof :  for  ye  have  eaten  up 
 the  vineyard,  the  fpoil  of  the  poor  is  in  your  houfes. 
 What  mean  ye  that  ye  beat  my  people  to  pieces,  and 
 grind  the  faces  of  the  poor,  faith  the  Lord  God  of 
 hofts,  ifa,  v.  7,  9,  23.  And  he  looked  for  judg- 
 ment, but  behold  oppreflion ;  and  for  righteoufnefs, 
 but  behold  a  cry.  Of  a  truth,  faith  the  Lord  of 
 Hofts,  many  houfes  fhali  be  defolate,  even  great  and 
 fair  without  inhabitant.  "Which  juftify  the  wicked 
 for  reward,  and  take  away  the  righteoufnefs  of  the 
 righteous  from  him."  If  a.  x.  1,  3.  M  Wo  unto  them 
 |ttl  decree  unrighteous  decrees,  and  that  write 
 grievoufnefs  which  tbey  have  prescribed :  to  turn  a- 
 the  needy  from  judgment,  and  to  take  away  the 
 right  from  the  pcor  of  my  people,  that  widows  may 
 be  their  prey,  and  that  they  may  rob  the  fatherlefs. 
 And  what  will  ye  do  in  the  day  of  V'fitation,  and  in 
 the  defolation  which  (hall  come  from  far  ?  To  whom 
 will  ye  flee  for  help  ?  And  where  will  you  leave  your 
 glory  ?  Without  me  they  mall  bow  down  under  the 
 prifoners,  and  they  fhali  fall  under  the  (lain  :  for  all 
 this  his  anger  is  not  turned  away,  but  his  hand  is 
 ftretched  out  ftUl."  Ifa  xxxiii.  15.  M  He  that  def- 
 pifeth  the  gain  of  oppreflion,  that  fhaketh  his  hands 
 from  holding  of  bribes,  that  ftoppeth  his  ears  from 
 hearing  of  blood,  and  fhutteth  his  eyes  from  feeing 
 evil ;  He  fhali  dwell  on  high  :  his  place  of  defence 
 fiiall  be  the  munition  of  rocks."  Jer.  vi.  6,  7.  "  For 
 thus  hath  the  Lord  of  Hofts  faid,  Hew  ye  down  trees, 
 and  caft  a  mount  againft  Jerufalem  :  this  is  the  city 
 to  be  vifited  :  fhe  is  wholly  oppreflion  in  the  midft  of 
 her.  As  a  fountain  cafteth  out  her  waters,  fo  fh& 
 cafteth  out  her  wickednefs  :  violence  and  fpoil  is 
 heard  in  her  :  before  me  continually  is  grief  and 
 wounds.  ,;Jer.  v.  26, — 29  <c  For  amongft  my  people 
 are  found  wicked  men,  they  lay  wait  as  he  that  fet- 
 teth  fnares,  they  fet  a  trap,  they  catch  men.  As  a 
 cage  is  full  of  birds,  fo  are  their  houfes  full  of  deceit : 
 
 therefore 
 
(    9*     ) 
 
 therefore  are  they  become  great,  and  waxen  rich. 
 They  are  waxen  fat,  they  fhine  :  yea,  they  overpafs 
 the  deeds  of  the  wicked  :  they  judge  not  the  caufe 
 of  the  fatherlefs,  yet  they  profper  j  and  the  right  of 
 the  needy  do  .they  not  judge.  Shall  I  not  vifit 
 for  thefe  things*  faith  the  Lord  ?  {hall  not  my  foul 
 be  avenged  on  fuch  a  nation  as  this  ?"  Jer  xxiL 
 13—17.  "  Wo  to  him  that  buildeth  his  houfe  by 
 unrighteoufnefs,  and  his  chambers  by  wrong :  that 
 ufeth  his  neighbour's  fervice  without  wages,  and 
 and  gives  him  not  for  his  work.  That  faith,  I  will 
 build  me  a  wide  houfe,  and  large  chambers,  and  cut- 
 teth  him  out  windows,  and  it  is  cieled  with  cedar, 
 and  painted  with  vermilion  Shalt  thou  reign  be- 
 caufe  thou  clofeft  thyfelf  in  cedar  ?  Did  not  thy 
 father  eat  and  drink  and  do  judgment  and  juftice, 
 and  then  it  was  well  with  himi  He  judged  the  caufe 
 of  the  poor  and  needy,  then  it  was  well  with  him  : 
 was  not  this  to  know  me,  faith  the  Lord  ?  But  thine 
 eyes  and  thine  heart  are  not  but  for  thy  covetoufnefs, 
 and  for  to  {hed  innocent  blood,  and  for  oppreffior,  v 
 and  for  violence  to  do  it."  Ezek.  xxii.  13*  29  <c  Be- 
 hold therefore  I  have  fmitten  mine  hand  a  thy  dif-< 
 honeft  gain  which  thou  haft  made,  and  at  the  blood 
 which  hath  been  in  the  midft  of  thee.  The  people 
 of  the  )and  have  ufed  oppreffion,  and  exercifed  rob- 
 bery, and  have  vexed  the  poor  and  needy :  yea,  they 
 have  opprefled  the  ftranger  wrongfully. "  Hof  vii.  1. 
 u  When  I  would  have  healed  Ifrael,  then  the  ini- 
 quity of  Ephraim  was  difcovered,  and  the  wicked- 
 nefs  of  Samaria:  for  they  commit  falfhood,  and  the 
 thief  cometh  in,  and  the  troops  of  robbers  fpoil  with- 
 out. "  Amos  iii.  10,  11,  15.  u  For  they  know  not 
 to  do  right,  faith  the  Lord,  who  (lore  up  robbery  and- 
 violence  in  their  palaces.  Therefore,  thus  faith  the 
 Lord  God,  An  adverfary  there  (hall  be,  even  round 
 about  the  Land,  and  he  fhall  bring  down  thy  ftrength 
 from  thee,  and  thy  palaces  fhall  be  fpoiled.  And  I 
 will  fmite  the  winter  houfe  with  the  fummer  houfe, 
 
 and 
 
'(     93     ) 
 
 and  the  houfes  of  ivory  (hall  ptrifli,  and  the  great 
 houfes  (hall  have  an  end,  faith  the  Lord."  Micah  iii. 
 ii,  12.  u  The  heads  thereof  judge  for  reward,  and 
 the  priefts  thereof  teach  for  hire,  and  the  prophets 
 thereof  divine  for  money  \  yet  will  they  lean  on  the 
 Lord  and  fay,  Is  not  the  Lord  amongft  us,  none  evil 
 can  come  upon  us  ?  Therefore  (hall  Sion  for  their 
 fakes  be  plowed  like  a  neld,  and  Jerufalem  fhall  be- 
 come heaps,  and  the  mountain  of  the  houfe  as  the 
 high  places  of  the  foreft."  Zepb.  iii- 1,  3,  8, c<  Wo  to 
 her  that  is  filthy  and  polluted,  to  the  opprefling  city. 
 Her  princes  within  her  are  roaring  lions,  her  judges 
 are  ravenous  wolves,  they  gnaw  not  the  bones  till  the 
 morrow.  Therefore  wait  ye  upon  me,  faith  the  Lord, 
 until  the  day  that  I  rife  up  to  the  prey,  my  determi- 
 nation is  to  gather  the  nations,  that  I  may  aJTemblc  the 
 kingdoms,  that  I  may  pour  out  on  them  mine  indigna- 
 tion, even  all  my  fierce  anger:  for  all  the  earth  fhall  be 
 devoured  with  the  fire  of  my  jealoufy*"  Zeph.  i.  9. 
 "Inthe  fame  daywilllpunifh  all  them  who  leap  on  the 
 threfhold,  who  fill  their  mafters  houfes  with  violence 
 and  deceit."  Exod.  xxii.  2:,  22,  23,  24  4<  Ye  fhall 
 neither  vex  a  ftranger,  nor  opprefs  him  :  for  ye  were 
 Grangers  in  the  land  of  Egypt.  Thou  fhalt  not  afflidt 
 any  widow,  or  fatherlefs  child;  if  thou  afHi£r.  them 
 in  any  wife,  and  they  cry  at  all  unto  me,  I  will 
 fureiy  hear  their  cry,  and  my  wrath  fhall  wax  hot ; 
 I  will  kill  you  with  the  fword,  and  your  wives  fliall 
 be  widows  and  your  children  fatherlefs." 
 
 Art.  6.  r  a  ^HE  fixth  article  relates  to  the  abufiag 
 1  and  proftituting  the  public  faith  ofifthe 
 kingdom,  in  the  way  of  borrowing  of  money  and 
 otherwife  :  which  no  queftion  is  not  one  of  the  leaft 
 provoking  public  fins  in  the  land.  As  private  men 
 ought  fo  far  to  have  their  faith  and  credit  in  eftima- 
 tion,  for  the  love  of  righteoufnefs  and  truth,  as  not 
 to  engage  the  fame  but  when  they  fincerely  intend, 
 and  really  endeavour  to  perform  what  they  promife  : 
 
 io 
 
(     94     ) 
 
 fo  much  more  ought  public  perfons,  and  the  judica- 
 tories of  a  land  to  have  fuch  regard  to  the  public 
 faith  of  a  nation,  as  not  to  engage  the  fame,  but 
 when  there  are  fome  real  purpofes,  and  honeft  endea- 
 vours to  fulfil  it :  becaufe  the  proftituting  and  breach 
 of  public  faith,  as  it  is  an  high  provocation  before 
 God,  fo  it  is  a  great  deal  rn^re  pernicious,  reproach- 
 ful, flanderous,  and  injurious,  and  of  a  worfe  ex- 
 ample amongft  men,  efpecially  when  it  becomes  com- 
 mon and  is  ufed  as  a  ftate  engine,  to  draw  in  mens 
 property  from  them,  under  a  veil  and  fhadow  of 
 righteoufnefs,  and  is  attended  with  a  kind  of  con- 
 ftraint  upon  men,  to  take  the  public  faith  for  fecu- 
 rity,  as  it  w2*  in  this  land.  Job  xv  4  "  Yea,  thou 
 cafteft  off  fear,  and  reftrainenV  prayer  before  God.* 
 Pial.  xxxvii  21.  I€  The  wicked  borroweth  and  pay- 
 eth  not  again  :  but  the  righteous  theweth  mercy  and 
 giveth."  Ifa  lix.  12,  13,  14*  u  For  our  tranfgreffions 
 are  multiplied  before  thee,  and  our  fins  teftify  againft 
 us  :  for  our  tranfgreffions  are  with  us,  and  as  for  our 
 iniquities  we  know  them.  In  tranfgreffing  and  ly- 
 ing againft  the  Lord,  and  in  departing  away  from 
 our  God  ;  fpeaking  oppreflion  and  revolt,  conceiving 
 and  uttering  from  the  heart  words  of  falfehood.  And 
 judgment  is  turned  away  backward,  and  juftice  ftand- 
 eth  afar  off:  for  truth  is  fallen  in  the  ftreet,  and  equi- 
 ty cannot  enter.  Yea,  truth  faileth,  and  he  that  de- 
 parteth  from  evil  maketh  himfelf  a  prey.  And  the 
 Lord  faw  it,  and  it  difpleafed  him  that  there  was  no 
 judgment." 
 
 Art.  7.  r  1  ^HE  feventh  article  mentions  two  fins 
 JL  that  many  of  this  land  are  guilty  of, 
 in  their  firft  taking  of  the  national  covenant,  and  fo- 
 lemn  league  and  covenant,  and  renewing  thereof. 
 The  firft  whereof  is,  the  ignorance  that  was  in 
 many,  or  the  want  of  the  neceffary  knowledge  of 
 the  things  contained  in  the  covenants.  The  Lord  re- 
 quires of  all  thofe  that  take  an  oath,   that  they  do  it 
 
 in 
 
(  9S  ) 
 in  judgment,  Jer.  iv.  2.  fc  And  thou  fhalt  fwear,  the 
 Lordjliveth  in  truth,  in  righteoufnefs,  and  in  judg- 
 ment, and  the  nations  fhall  blefs  themfelves  in  him." 
 That  is,  they  take  it  with  fuch  a  meafure  of  difcre- 
 tion,  judgment  and  underftanding,  as  is  needful  for 
 men  in  their  ftation,  in  order  to  the  duty  which  by 
 their  oath  they  tie  themfelves  to.  But  it  is  beyond 
 queftion  that  many  in  the  land  fwear  thefe  covenants 
 without  the  knowledge  and  underftanding  of  the 
 h|fds  thereof,  (0  far  as  was  needful  for  them  in  their 
 ftation  ;  who  when  they  were  catechifed  on  the  par- 
 ticulars, knew  little  or  nothing  thereof:  which,  no 
 doubt,  is  one  caufe  why  they  have  fo  little  minded 
 and  followed,  and  fo  little  mind  and  follow  the  du- 
 ties contaiiied  therein.  Jer  v.  4.  <(  And  I  faid,  fure- 
 ly  thefe  are  poor,  they  are  foolifh  ;  for  they  know 
 not  the  way  of  the  Lord,  nor  the  judgment  of  their 
 God."  The  other  is,  rhe  taking  of  thefe  covenants 
 without  reality  and  fincerity,  in  order  to  the  per- 
 formance thereof :  which  was  to  fwear  not  in  truth, 
 as  the  Lord  rtquireth.  Jer.  iv.  2.  i(  And  thou  fhalt 
 fwear,  the  Lord  liveth,"  &c  not  falfely.  Hof.  x.  4. 
 "  They  have  fpoken  words,  fwearing  falfely,  making 
 a  covenant  :  thus  judgment  fpringeth  up  as  hemlock 
 in  the  furrows  of  the  field."  And  with  an  heart  that 
 was  not  right,  and  therefore  have  they  not  been  fted<- 
 faft  in  the  covenant.  PfaL  Ixxviii.  36,  37.  "  Never- 
 thelefs,  they  did  flatter  him  with  their  mouth,  and 
 did  lie  to  him  with  their  tongues  :  for  their  heart  was 
 not  right  with  him,  neither  were  they  ftedfaft  in  his 
 covenant."  The  judgments  therefore  mentioned  to 
 have  been,  in  fome,  example  ;  in  others,  fear  ;  and  in 
 not  a  few,  principles  of  policy,  for  attaining  their  own 
 euds.  Other  bad  principles  certainly  there  were  in 
 fundry  perfons,  befides  thefe,  but  thefe  are  mention- 
 ed as  the  mod  common,  and  which  had  fway 
 with  moft  of  thefe  who  were  guilty  either  of  ignor- 
 ance, or  of  hypocrify  in  the  entering  iinto  thefe  co- 
 unts.    Many  did  take   the   national  covenant,  in 
 
 example 
 
(     9<*     ) 
 
 example  of  others,  it  being  counted  praife-worthy 
 and  commendable,  after  fuch  a  defection  as  was  then 
 in  the  land,  to  engage  in  fuch  a  duty,  and  to  be 
 reckoned  amongft  the  repairers  of  the  breach  :  many 
 did  take  the  folemn  league  and  covenant,  for  fear ; 
 becaufe  the  refufing  to  take  it  was  attended  both 
 with  ecclefiaftical  and  civil  ceniures,  and  therefore 
 did  they  rather  cboofe  to  hazard  on  the  oath  of  Gofl, 
 than  to  run  thefe  hazards  amongft  men  ;  which  doth 
 not  yet  condemn  the  enjoining  the  taking  of  thefe  9- 
 venants  upon  a  good  and  warrantable  principle,  it 
 is  lawful  for  the  judicatories  of  a  kirk  and  date  to  en- 
 join to  men  cohabitation  with  their  wives ;  and  to 
 children,  obedience  to  their  parents  ;  to  fubjefts,  o* 
 beaience  to  their  magiftrates,  and  fuch  like,  under 
 fuch  refpectwe  relations:  yet,  as  thefe  perfons  fin 
 againft  God,  if  they  give  obedience  only  from  a 
 principle  of  carnal  fear;  neither  doth  the  influence 
 that  thefe  relations  have  on  them,  make  the  com- 
 manding of  thefe  things  under  thefe  relations  to  be 
 a  fin,  becaufe  they  are  in  themfelves  duties  which 
 are  commanded  of  God,  the  negle£r  whereof  may  in 
 regard  of  fcandai  be  cenfured  by  the  kirk,  and  in 
 regard  of  the  prejudice  that  redounds  to  the  honour 
 of  God,  and  good  of  our  neighbour,  be  punifhed  by 
 the  civil  magiitrate.  In  taking  of  both  covenants  tho' 
 there  were  many  whom  a  principle  of  the  fear  and 
 love  of  God  did  move,  yet  there  were  not  a  few, 
 whom  after-difcoveries  have  made  manifeft,  who 
 were  a&ed  thereto  by  carnal  wifdom  and  policy,  for 
 attaining  their  own  bafw  and  corrupt  ends,  fuch  as 
 riches,  places  of  preferment,  and  livelihood,  and 
 cafe;  and  hence  mainly  hath  iffued  that  fin  which 
 follows  in  the  next  article. 
 
 Art.  8.   r  1  ^HE  following  of  the  work  of  God,  pur- 
 jjj    fuing  the  ends  of  the  covenant,  not  in 
 a  holy  and  fpiritual  way,  fetting  the  Lord  always  be- 
 fore our  eyes,  and  acknowledging  him  in  all  our 
 
 ways  3 
 
(  97  ) 
 ways,  according  to  the  dire&ion  given  us  of  God, 
 which  hath  the  promife  of  the  bleffinfc,  Pfal.  xxxvji,  5. 
 «'  Commit  thy  way  to  the  Lord,  truft  alfo  in  him,  and 
 he  (hall  bring  it  to  pafs."  Prov.  iii.  5>  6.  M  Truft  in  the 
 Lord  with  all  thine  heart;  and  lean  not  to  thy  own  un- 
 derftanding.  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him  and  he 
 (hall  direft  thy  paths."  But  in  a  carnal  politic  way, 
 abufing  God's  intereft  for  our  own  intereft  and  ends, 
 is  a  fearful  tranfgrefiion,  howfoever  it  is  often  palliat- 
 ed with  fpecious  pretences,  as  Jehu's  zeal  againft  the 
 houfe  of  Ahab,  2  Kings  x.  16.  u  Come  with  me  and 
 fee  my  zeal  for  the  Lord  ;  fo  they  made  him  ride  in 
 his  chariot/'  Yet  the  Lord  doth  not  fuffer  it  to  go 
 unpunifhed,  Hof.  i  4,  5.  "  and  the  Lord  faid  unto 
 him,  call  his  name  Jezreel,  for  yet  a  little  while  and  I 
 will  avenge  the  blood  of  Jezreel  upon  the  houfe  of 
 Jehu,  and  will  caufe  to  ceafe  the  kingdom  of  the 
 houfe  of  Ifrael.  And  it  fhall  come  to  pafs  in  that 
 day,  that  I  will  break  the  bow  of  Ifrael  in  the  valley  of 
 Jezreel." 
 
 1  ft  Gonfequsnt.  Two  consequents  of  this  carnal  way 
 are  mentioned,  the  one  is  the  walking  in  the  way  of 
 our  own  hearts,  more  than  in  the  counfel  of  God  ; 
 for  when  men's  hearts  are  not  fingle  and  ftraight,  in 
 reference  to  the  glory  of  God,  they  love  not  to  wralk 
 according  to  the  fimplicity  of  the  word  of  God,  but 
 •turn  afide  to  their  crooked  ways,  to  chufe  fuch  carnal 
 mediums  as  feem  mod  plaufible  to  their  carnal  hearts, 
 -for  comparing  their  corrupt  ends  :  a  fin  that  was. con- 
 ic fled  in  the  public  folemn  confefiion  of  fins,  in  the 
 year  1648.  And  yet  never  have  thefe  crooked  paths 
 been  more  trodden  in,  and  thefe  counfels  of  fiefh  and 
 iblood  been  more  hearkened  to,  than  fince  that  time ; 
 which  is  one  of  the  caufes,  M  why  the  fword  doth  a- 
 bide  in  our  cities,  and  con  fume  our  branches  and  de- 
 vours :"  For  this  the  prophet  threatens  againft  Ifrael, 
 "  becaufe  of  their  own  counfels."  The  other,  trufting 
 ,more  in  the  arm  of  fl^fh,  than  in  the  arm  of  the  Lord; 
 '  which  hath  been  a  conftant  and  continued  fin  in  this 
 
 I 
 
i    98     ) 
 
 mtion*thefe  years  pad  ;  in  doting  on  multitudes,  (kill, 
 -and  abilities  of  men,  and  numbers,  and  ftrength  of 
 bones;  whence  have  iiTued  the  corrupt  mixtures  in 
 our  armies,  and  the  employing  of  all  ranks  of  perfons, 
 how  malignant  and  profane  foever :  what  wonder 
 then  though  our  armies  have  not  profpered  ?  but  have 
 oftentimes  met  with  a  curie  inftead  of  a  bleffing. 
 Jer.  >:vii.  5,  6.  "  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  curfed  be  the 
 man  that  trufteth  in  man,  and  maketh  flcfh  his  arm, 
 and  whofe  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord  ;  for  he  lliall 
 be  like  the  heath  in  the  defart,  and  fliall  not  fee  when 
 good  cometh,  but  fhail  inhabit  the  parched  places 
 in  the  wildernefs,  in  a  fait  land,  and  not  inhabited/' 
 From  this  fame  fountain  hath  proceeded  needlefs  alie- 
 nation of  mind,  and  eftrangednefs  of  heart,  on  the 
 leaft  difference  in  judgment  amongft  brethren,  often 
 attended  with  pailion  and  fpleen.  Which  makes  our 
 aifcclion  rather  to  favour  our  own  image  than  the 
 image  of  Ch rift  in  ethers  :  and  our  zeal  againft  ma- 
 lignancy and  error  did  divers  times  break  forth  into 
 bitternefs  and  reproach  againft  the  perfons  that  did 
 turn  afide,  whereas  it  ought  to  have  been  accompanied 
 with  Chriftian  meeknefs  and  companion. 
 
 Art.  $th.  fTT^HE  ninth  Article  fpecifies  one  of  th 
 ]|_  greateft  and  moft  comprehenfive,  an 
 provoking  fins  in  this  land,  vi2  Backfliding  and  d^ 
 fe£tion  from  the  covenants,  and  our  foiemn  vows  an 
 engagements.  For  attaining  a  right  impreffion  there- 
 of, we  defire,  that  thefe  and  other  fcruples  of  that  kind, 
 may  be  ferioufly  and  impartially  thought  on  and  ap- 
 plied. Prov.  xiv.  14.  "  The  backflider  in  heart  fhall 
 be  filled  with  his  own  ways  :  and  a  good  man 
 Ihall  be  fatisfied  from  himfelf."  Jer.  iii.  20.  €i  Surely, 
 as  a  wife  treacheroufly  departeth  from  her  hufband, 
 fo  have  you  dealt  treacheroufly  with  me,  O  houfe  of 
 Ifracl,  faith  the  Lord.''  Jer.  vlii.  4,-9.  "  More- 
 thou  (halt  fay  unto  them,  thus  faith  the  Lord, 
 flnll  they  fail,  and  not  arife?  fliall  he  turn  away, 
 
 and 
 
(  99  ) 
 and  not  return  ?  Why  then  is  this  people  of  Jeruf%- 
 lem  fliden  back,  by  a  perpetual  backiliding  ?  they 
 hold  faft  deceit,  they  refufe  to  return.  I  hearkened 
 and  heard,  but  they  fpake  not  aright:  no  n van  re- 
 pented him  of  his  wickednefs,  faying,  What  have  I 
 done  ?  every  one  turneth  to  his  courfcj  ?  th«  ;>erfe 
 ruflieth  into  the  battle.  Yea.  the  dork  in  the  hea- 
 vens knoweth  her  appointed  times,  and  the  tunic, 
 and  the  crane,  and  the  fwallow  obferve  the  times  of 
 their  coming  :  but  my  people  know  not  the  judgment 
 of  the  Lord.  Hove  do  ye  fay,  we  are  wife,  and  the 
 law  of  the  Lord  is  with  us  :  lo,  certainly  in  vain 
 made  he  ir,  the  pen  of  the  fcribe  is  in  vain.  The 
 wife  men  are  afhamed,  they  are  difmayed  and  taken; 
 lo,  they  have  reje&ed  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
 what  wifdom  is  in  ttrcm  ?  \  Hof.  xi.  7.  **  My  people 
 arc  bent  to  backfliding  from  me,  though  they  called 
 them  to  the  Moft  High,  none  at  all  would  exalt 
 him."  Jer.  v.  6.  <c  Wherefore  a  lion  out  of  the  fo- 
 reft  (hall  flay  them,  and  a  wolf  of  the  evening  fhall 
 fpoil  them  :  a  leopard  (hall  watch  over  their  cities  : 
 every  one  that  goeth  out  thence,  (hall  be  torn  in 
 pieces  :  becaufe  their  tranfgrefnons  are  many,  and 
 their  backfiidings  are  increafed"  Lev.  xxvi.  15,  16, 
 *7«  35- u  Anc*  if  yefhalldefpifemy  ftatutes,  or  if  your 
 foul  abhor  my  judgments,  fo  that  ye  will  not  do  all  mv 
 commandments,  but  that  ye  break  my  covenant :  I  alfo 
 will  do  this  unto  you,  I  will  even  appoint  over  you  ter- 
 ror, confumption,  and  the  burning  ague,  that  (hall  con- 
 fame  the  eyes,  and  czufe  forrow  of  heart:  and  ye  (hail 
 tow  your  feed  in  vain,  for  your  enemies  fnall  eat  it. 
 And  I  will  fet  my  face  againft  you,  and  ye  (hall  be  .{bin 
 before  your  enemies :  and  they  that  hate  you,  flhall 
 reign  over  you,  and  ye  feali  fi«e  when  none  purfueth 
 you.  As  long  as  it  lieth  defolate,  it  fhall  reft;  be- 
 caufe it  did  not  reft  in  your  fabbiths,  when  ye  dwelt 
 upon  it."  Deut.  xxix.  23,  24,  25.  H  And  that  the 
 whole  land  thereof  is  brimftone  and  fait,  and  burn- 
 ing, that  it  is  not  fown,  nor  heareth,  ncr  any  graft 
 I  2  grcweth 
 
(       103       ) 
 
 proweth  thereon,  like  the  overthrow  of  Sodom  and 
 Gomorrah,  Admah,  and  Zeboim,  which  the  Lord 
 overthrew  in  his  anger  and  in  his  wrath  :  even  all 
 nations  (hall  fay,  Wherefore  hath  the  Lord  done  this 
 to  this  Land  ?  what- meaneth  the  heat  of  this  great 
 anger  ?  Then  men  (hail  fa?,  becaufe  they  have  for- 
 faken  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers, 
 which  he  made  with  them  when  he  brought  them  forth 
 out  of  the  land  of  Egypt/'  I  Kings  xi  ii'...fl  Where- 
 fore  the  Lord  faid  to  Solomon,  For  as  much  as' this 
 is  done  of  thee,  and  thou  haft  not  kept  my  covenant 
 and  my  iiatutes,  which  I  have  commanded  thee,  I 
 will  furely  rent  the  kingdom  from  thee,  and  will  give 
 it  to  thy  fervant."  2  Kings  xvii.  15.  "  And  they  re* 
 jefted  his  ftatutes  and  his  covenant,  which  he  made 
 with  their  fathers,  and  his  teftnronies,  which  he  tef- 
 tified  againfl  them,  and  they  followed  vanity,  and 
 became  vain,  and  went  after  the  heathen  that  were 
 round  about  them,  concerning  whom  the  Lord  had 
 charged  them,  that  they  fliould  not  do  like  them." 
 Pfal.  lxxviii.  9, 10,  1 1,  36.  "The  children  of  Ephraim 
 being  armed  and  carrying  bows,  turned  back  in  the 
 day  of  battle.  They  kept  not  the  covenant  of  God, 
 and  refufed  to  walk  in  his  law :  And  forgat  his 
 works,  and  his  wonders  that  he  had  {hewed  them. 
 Neverthelefs,  they  did  flatter  him  with  their  mouths, 
 and  lied  to  him  with  their  tongues,  for  their  heart 
 wras  not  right  with  him,  neither  were  they  ftedfaft  in 
 his  covenant."  Ifa.  xxiv.  5,6.  c<  The  earth  alfo  is 
 defiled  under  the  inhabitants  thereof,  becaufe  they 
 have  tranfgrefied  the  laws,  changed  the  ordinances, 
 and  broken  the  everlafting  covenant.  Therefore  hath 
 the  curfe  devoured  the  earth,  and  they  that  dwell 
 therein  are  defolate :  therefore  the  inhabitants  of  the 
 earth  are  burned,  and  few  men  left."  Pfal.xliv  17, 
 — 20.  u  All  this  is  come  upon  us;  yet  have  we  not 
 forgotten  thee,  neither  have  we  dealt  falfely  in  thy 
 covenant.  Our  heart  is  not  turned  back  from  thee  j 
 neither   have    our   fteps    declined    from    thy  way. 
 
 "  Though 
 
(     ioi     ) 
 
 Though    thou  haft   fore  broken  us  in  the  place   of 
 dragons,  and   covered  us  with  the  lhadow  of  death. 
 If  we  have  forgotten  the  name  of  our  God,  or  ftretch- 
 ed  our  hands  to  a  itrunge  god  :  mall  not  God  fearch 
 rhis  out?  for  he  knoweth  the  fecrers  of  our  hearts. " 
 PfaL  1.  16    "  But  to  the  wicked,  faith    God,   What 
 haft  thou  to  do  to  declare  my  liatutes,  or  that  thou 
 (houldeft  take   my  covenant  in  thy  mouth  ?  Seeing 
 thou  hateft  inftruction,  and  cafteft  my  words  behind 
 thee."     Jer  xi.  9,  10.   {i  And  the  Lord  faid  to  me,  A 
 confpiracy  is  found  among  the  men  of  Judah,  and 
 amongft  the  inhabitants  of  Jerufaiem.      They  are 
 turned  back  to  the  iniquities  of  their  forefathers,  who 
 refufed  to  hear  my  words-,  and  they  went  after  other 
 gods  to  ferve  them  :  the  houfe  of  Ifrael  and  the  houfe 
 of  Judah   have  broken  my  covenant  which  I  made 
 with  their  fathers."  jer  xxii.  8,  9.  u  And  many  na- 
 tions (hall  pafs  by  this  city,  and  they  (ball  fay  every 
 man  to  his  neighbour,  Wherefore  hath  the  Lord  done 
 this  to  this  great  city  ?  Then  they  fhall  anfwer,  Be- 
 caufe  they  have  fo'riaken  the  -covenant  of  the  Lord 
 their  God,   and  worfhipped  other   gods   and   femd 
 them      For  thus  faith  the  Lord  God,  I  will  even  deal 
 with  thee  as   thou  haft  done,  who  haft  cefpTed  .the 
 oath,   in  breaking  the  covenant.  Iiof.  vi.  j;  li  But 
 they  like  men  have  tranfgrefled  the  covenant,  they 
 have  dealt  treacheroufly  again  ft   roe."  HoC  viii.  k 
 "  Set  the  trumpet  to  thy  mouth  :  he  (hail  come  as 
 an  eagle  againft  the  houfe  of  the  Lord  :  becaufe  they 
 have  tranfgreffed  againft  my  covenant,  and  trefpafled 
 againft   my  law.5'  Rof.  x.  4.    Ci  They  have  fpoken 
 words,  f wearing  falfely  in  making  a  covenant :  thus 
 judgment  fpringeth  up  as  hemlock  in  the  furrows  of 
 the  field  "  Rev.  ii.  5.  u  Remember  therefore  from 
 whence  thou  art  fallen,  and  repent,  and  do  the  firft 
 works,  or  eife  I  will  cprne  to  thee  quick!y»  and  re- 
 move thy  candleftick  out  of  his  place,  except  thou 
 repent."     This  fin  is  aggravated  by  feveral  circum- 
 ftances  mentioned  in  the  article,  which  are  clear  in 
 I  3  themfelves 
 
(      102      ) 
 
 themfelves,  and  need  not  to  be  infifted  on:  there- 
 fore pafling  thefe,  we  come  to  fpeak  of  the  fpecial 
 heads  and  fteps  that  are  condefcended  on  in  the 
 paper. 
 
 Step  i.  The  firft  is,  declining  from  that  purity  of 
 converfation,  that  integrity  ot  heart,  that  zeal  of  God 
 that  feemed  to  be  in  'many  at  their  firft  entry  to  the 
 covenant,  and  a  falling  cfF  into  loofe  walking,  felf- 
 intereft  and  indifferency.  About  the  tim?  of  the 
 firft  renewing  of  the  covenant,  there  was  a  fenfible 
 change  to  the  better  in  mens  carriage  and  converfa- 
 tion, moft  of  all  thefe  who  joined  in  oppofmg  the 
 defection,  not  only  reforming  themfelves  from  com- 
 mon and  grofs  fins,  fuch  as  drunkennefs,  uncleannefs, 
 fwearing,  profaning  the  Lord's  day,  flighting  of  the 
 ordinances,  felf-feeking,  covetoufneff,  andopprefiion, 
 &c.  but  giving  themfelves  to  the  duties  of  re'igion 
 and  righteoufnefs,  fuch  as  fobriety,  edifying  dif- 
 courfe,  chafte  behaviour,  hallowing  of  the  Lord's 
 day,  diligent  feeking  of  the  Lord  in  fecret  and  in 
 their  families,  attending  on  the  preaching  of  the 
 word,  as  often  as  opportunity  is  crfered,  liberality, 
 love,  charity  one  towards  another,  a  public  fpirit  and 
 zeal  for  God  \  but  all  thefe  things  are  now  decayed  in 
 many,  and  they  are  again  grown  as  ill,  if  not  worfe, 
 than  before,  which  as  it  is  an  evidence  of  great  un- 
 foundnefs  of  heart,  fo  hath  it  brought  many  fad  re- 
 proaches on  the  work  of  God  in  our  hands,  and  hath 
 proved  a  great  Rumbling  block  to  many  in  the  neigh- 
 bour land,  to  make  them  averfe  therefrom,  and  hath 
 given  them  no  fmall  advantage  toff  eak  both  againft  us 
 and  it,  though  thefe  who  rejeft  and  fpeak  ill  of  any 
 part  of  the  precious  triUh  of  God  be  not  to  be "  -jus- 
 tified in  fo  doing,  yet  certainly  they  are  much  to  be 
 condemned  who,  bv  their  untender  and  loofe  walk- 
 ing, minifter  occaticn  thereto  :  ivo  to  thefe  by  whom 
 offences  come. 
 
 Step  ..  The  fircond  ftep  is  the  fitting  up  of  many 
 prottilbrs  in  the  land  under  the  ^ofpd,  and  becom- 
 ing 
 
(  i°3  ) 
 ing  formal  and  remifs,  not  entertaining  tendemefa 
 and  fobernefs  of  mind,  a  fin  that  relates  efpeciaby  to 
 the  godly  in  the  land,  not  a  few  of  whom  have  much 
 decayed  in  former  tendernefs,  and  zeal,  and  diligent 
 feeking  of  God,  and  fober  and  exa£t  waking,  ftudy- 
 ing  to  root  their.felves  in  the  folid  knowledge  and 
 love  ot  the  truth,  and  in  valuing  and  improving  the 
 gcfpel  and  the  means  of  grace  unto  a  lothing  and 
 denying  of  themfelves,  and  a  growing  into  and  lov- 
 ing and  employing  of  the  Lcrd  Jtfus  Chrift.  By 
 which,  deaduefs  of  fpirit  hath  feized  on  fome,  and 
 lazintfs  of  fpirit  on  others  •,  whereby  it  hath  come  to 
 pafs,  that  they  have  been  tempted  to  ftep  out  of  the 
 way,  and  fome  to  turn  afide  to  the  left  hand,  to  em- 
 brace malignant  courfes,  and  foire  to  the  right  hand 
 to  embrace  error,  whofe  fin  is  fo  much  the  greater 
 than  the  Gn  of  others,  by  how  much  their  know- 
 ledge and  the  Lord's  loving  kindnefs  to  them  that 
 hath  been  greater  than  to  others  ;  and  this  declining 
 of  profeffors,  and  failing  off  from  their  firft  love,  if 
 it  be  not  deeply  mourned  for,  and  if  they  do  not 
 timeoufly  lament  after  the  Lord,  as  it  may  prove  a 
 fnare  to  many  more  than  yet  it  hath  done,  fo  it  is  like 
 to  be  amongft  the  chief  cawfes  that  may  provoke  the 
 Lord  to  remove  his  candleftick  from  us,  Rev  ii.  4,  5* 
 4<  Neverthelefs  I  have  fomewhat  againft  thee,  be- 
 csufethou  haft  left  thy  firft  love.  Remember  there- 
 fore from  whence  thou  art  fallen,  and  repent  and 
 do  the  firft  works,  or  elle  I  will  come  to  thee  quickly 
 and  remove  ihy  candleftick  out  of  his  place,  except 
 thou  repent. •' 
 
 Step  3.  The  third  is,  the  fecret  falling  off  of  fome, 
 and  open  falling  off  of  many  to  the  oppofite  party, 
 after  their  entering  to  the  covenant ;  efpecially  the 
 defection  carried  on  by  JamesGraham,. and  his  party, 
 and  chat  of  the  year  1648,  by  the  authors,  and  a- 
 beftors  of  the  unlawful  engagement,  which  parti- 
 culars are  fo  well  known,  that  we  fhail  not  need  to 
 ftay  upon  them.  Only  we  defire  that  it  may  be  re- 
 membered, 
 
(     104     ) 
 membered,   that  as  they  were  early  begun  and  long 
 in  ripening,  that  of  James  Graham,  having  begun  in 
 the  year  1639,  and  ripened  till  the  year  1645,  and 
 that  feme  cf  the  chief  authors  of  the  unlawful  en- 
 gagement  having  begun  in  the  year  1644,  y\d  ri- 
 pened till  the  year  1648,  and  did  take  hold  upon, 
 and  infe£l  very  many  of  all  ranks  throughout  the 
 land,  fo  have  they  been  really  and  unfeignedly  re- 
 pented of  by  very  few  to  this  day :  which  we  douht 
 not  is  one  of  the  reafons  why  fo  many  of  thefe  who 
 had  a  hand  in  thefe  bloody  and  backfliding  courfes 
 have  fallen  by  the  fword,  and  are  gone  into  captivity. 
 Step.  4.  The  fourth  ftep,  is,  The  negle&ing  and  con- 
 demning the  purging  of  judicatories,  and  the  army, 
 in  the  year  1649,  and  afterwards,  from  fcandalous 
 and  difaffe&ed  men,  and  of  conftituting  the  fame  of 
 men  of  known  integrity  and  affe&iontothe  caufe,  and 
 of  a   blamelefs  and  Chriftian  convp rfation :  That  it 
 was  a  duty  fo  to  have  conftituted  and  purged  the  ju- 
 dicatories and  armies,  ought  in   reafon  to  be  quef- 
 tioned  by  none  :  it   being  a  duty  held  forth  in  the 
 word  of  God,  that  the  rulers  of  thoufands,  rulers  of 
 hundreds,  rulers  of  fifties,  and  rulers  of  tens  (amongft 
 the  people  of  God)  (houM  not  only  be  able  men,  but 
 fuch  alfo  as  fear  God,  men  of  truth,  hating  covet- 
 oufnefs.  Exod.  xviii.  21,  M  Moreover,  thou  (halt  pro- 
 vide out  of  all  the  people  able  men,  fuch  as  fear  God, 
 men  of  truth,  bating  covetoufnefs :  and  place  fuch 
 over  them  to  be  rulers  of  thoufands,  rubers  of  hun- 
 dreds, rulers  of  fifties,  andrulersof  tens.  And  letthem  v 
 judge  the  people  at  all  feafons  "  Deut   i    15,  16,  1  7. 
 "  So  I  took  the  chief  of  your  tribes,  wife  men,  and 
 known*  and  made  them  heads  o?er  you,  captains  over 
 thoufands,  captains  over  hundreds,  captains  over  fif- 
 ties, and  captains  over  tens,  and  officers  among  your 
 tribes.     And  I  charged  your  judges  at  that  time,  fay- 
 ing, hear  the   caufes  between    your  brethren,    and 
 judge  righteoufly  betwixt  every  man  and  his  brother, 
 and  the  ftranger  that  is  with  him.     Ye  (hall  not  re- 
 
 fpect 
 
(  i°5  ) 
 fpecl  perfons  in  judgment,  but  you  (hall  hear  the 
 fmall  as  well  as  the  great ;  you  fhall  not  be  afraid  of 
 the  face  of  man,  for  the  judgment  is  God's."  2  Sam. 
 xxiii  j,  4-  •«  The  God  of  Ifrael  faid,  The  rock  of  If- 
 rael fpake  to  me  :  He  that  ruleth  over  men  mull  be 
 juft,  ruling  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  he  fhall  be  as  the 
 jight  in  the  morning,  when  the  fun  rifeth,  even  a 
 morning  without  clouds;  as  the  tender  grafs  fpring- 
 eth  out  of  the  earth  by  clear  fhining  after  rain." 
 2  Chron.  xix.  6,  9.  "  And  he  faid  to  the  judges,  Take 
 heed  what  ye  do,  for  ye  judge  not  for  man,  but  for 
 the  Lord,  who  is  with  you  in  the  judgment  •,  where- 
 fore now,  let  the  fear  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you  ;  take 
 heed  and  do  it,  for  there  is  no  iniquity  with  the  Lord 
 our  God,  nor  refpe£t  of  perfons,  nor  taking  of  gifts. 
 And  he  charged  them,  faying,  Thus  fhall  ye  do  in  the 
 fear  of  the  Lord,  faithfully  and  with  a  perfefl  heart;" 
 and  Deut.  xxiii.  9.  "  When  the  hoft  goeth  forth  a- 
 gainft  thine  enemies,  then  keep  thee  from  every 
 wicked  thing."  Therefore  were  they  that  were  unclean 
 by  leprofy,  by  an  iflue,  and  by  the  dead,  to  be  put  out  of 
 the  camp.  Numb.  v.  2.  "  Command  the  children  of 
 Ifrael,  that  they  put  out  of  the  camp  every  leper,  and 
 every  one  that  hath  an  iflue,  and  whofoever  is  defiled 
 by  the  dead."  Deut.  xxii.  10,  11.  "  Thou  (halt  not 
 plow  with  an  ox  and  an  afs  together.  Thou  fhalt  not 
 wear  a  garment  of  divers  forts,  as  of  woollen  and  li- 
 nen together;"  becaufe  the  Lord  their  God  did  walk 
 in  the  midft  of  the  camp  of  his  people,  to  deliver  them 
 and  to  give  up  his  enemies  before,  them  ;  therefore 
 was  the  camp  to  be  holy,  that  he  might  fee  no  un- 
 clean thing  in  them,  and  turn  away  from  them.  Deut. 
 xxiii.  14.  "  For  the  Lord  thy  God  walketh  in  the 
 midft  of  thy  camp,  to  deliver  thee,  and  give  up  thine 
 enemies  before  thee:  therefore  (hall  thy  camp  be  ho- 
 ly, that  he  may  fee  no  unclean  thing  in  thee,  and 
 turn  away  from  thee." 
 
 And  becaufe  this  nation  had  exceedingly  negkded 
 the  purging  of  judicatories  and  armies,  and  conftitut- 
 
(     106    ) 
 
 ing  the  fame  of  perfons  righiy  qualified,  which  was 
 the  caufe  of  many  evils  of  fin  and  punifhmetit  \  there- 
 fore was  this  negltft  publicly  and  foiemnly  confefied  to 
 God,  and  the  contrary  duty  engaged  unto,  at  the  re- 
 newing of  the  covenant  toward  the  end  of  the  year 
 1648,  as  is  to  be  feen  in  the  folemn  public  confeffion 
 of  fins,  and  engagement  to  duties.  For  rendering  of 
 the  which  effc&ual,  the  commifiion  of  the  General 
 Affbrnbly  prefented  many  petitions,  remonftrances, 
 and  warnings,  from  time  to  time,  to  the  committee  of 
 eftates,  and  to  the  Parliament,  who  made  fundry  laws, 
 both  for  the  purging  of  the  judicatories  and  armies 
 which  then  were,  and  for  keeping  then  pure  for  the 
 time  to  come,  as  is  to  be  fetn  in  their  regifters  and 
 a£is,  Anno  1649,  and  1650  And  accordingly  iome- 
 what  was  done  in  that  great  and  neceffary  duty  by 
 themfelvesand  others,  to  whom  they  did  commit  the 
 truft,  but  notwithftanding  of  ail  thefe  things,  it  ap- 
 peared very  foon  after  the  confefling  of  that. fin,  arid 
 engaging  to  that  duty,  that  many  never  minded  re- 
 pentance of  the  one,  or  performance  of  the  other. 
 Therefore  as  the  corn  million  of  the  General  Aff 
 bly  were  necefiitated  to  renew  their  defires  in  that 
 particular  very  often,  and  from  month  to  month,  fo 
 were  not  thefe  laws  and  committees,  having  power 
 to  execute  the  fame,  eftablifhed  without  fome  wreft- 
 ling  and  difficulty  :  not  a  few  labouring  to  obftruft 
 and  retard  the  fame,  and  when  it  came  to  the  execu- 
 tion, with  what  negleft  and  flownefs,  and  partiality, 
 did  they  proceed  therein  ?  And  what  impediments 
 did  they  (who  were  not  diligent)  caft  in  the  way  of 
 others,  who  were  more  diligent  and  faithful  and 
 zealous  in  following  of  the  duty  ?  By  which  it  came 
 to  pfefi,  that  little  could  be  gotten  done  in  that  mat- 
 ter, and  what  was  done,  was  not  only  loaded  with 
 imputations  and  reproaches,  but  alfo  was  for  mod 
 part  made  ineffe&ual:  the  perfons  appointed  to  be 
 removed,  being  either  kept  ftill,  or  fhortly  thereafter 
 being  brought  again  to  their  own,  or  fome  other 
 
 place, 
 
(      io7     ) 
 
 place,  cr  elfer  as  evil  being  put  in  their  place.  Nay, 
 afcer  the  defeat  at  Dunbar,  thefe  duties  came  not  only 
 to  be  negle&ed,  but  what  formerly  had  been  gotten 
 done  therein,  was  looked  and  cried  out  upon,  as  the 
 caufe  of  the  ruin  of  the  army  i  and  therefore,  not  on* 
 ly  thefe  who  had  been  formerly  purged,  but  all  others, 
 how  malignant  and  loofe  foevei ,  were  brought  to  the 
 judicatories  and  army,  and  what  had  formerly  been 
 confeired  a  fin,  was  then  followed  and  commended  as 
 a  duty. 
 
 5.  Step.  The  fifth,  is  the  authorizing  of  commiflion- 
 ers  to  clofe  a  treaty  with  the  king,  for  the  invefting 
 him  with  the  government  upon  his  fubfcribing  fuch 
 demands  as  were  fent  to  him,  after  he  had  given  many 
 clear  evidences  of  his  difaffieiion  and  enmity  to  the 
 work  and  people  of  God,  and  was  continuing  in  the 
 fame;  and  the  admitting  of  him  to  the  full  exercife 
 of  his  power,  and  crowning  him,  notwithftanding  of 
 new  difcoveries  of  his.  adhering  to  his  former  prin- 
 ciples and  way»  and  of  many  warnings  to  the  contra- 
 ry.    For  the  better  underftanding,  and  more  full  and 
 clear  difcovery  of  this  fin,  we  would  confider  thefe 
 things  which  are  fet  down  by  the  General  Affembly 
 of  this  kirk,  in  their  declaration  of  the  date,  July 
 27th,  1649*,  v*z'  ^at  as  raagiftrates  and  their  power 
 are  ordained  of  God,  fo  are  they  in  the  exercife  there- 
 of, noc  to  walk  according  to  their  own  will,  but  ac- 
 cording to  the  law  of  equity  and  fighteoufnefs,  as 
 being  the  minifters  of  God  for  the  fafety  of  his  people, 
 £<c.    Secondly,  That  there  is  a  continual  obligation 
 and   ftipulation  betwixt  the  king  and  the  people,  as 
 both  of  *hcm  are  tied  to  God,  fo  each  of  them  are 
 tied  each  to  other,   for  the  performance  of  mutual 
 and  reciprocal  duties,  according  to  which  it  is  ftatute 
 and  ordained  in  the  8th  A&  of  the  Parliament  of 
 King  James  the  Gxth,.  "  That  all  kings,  princes,  and 
 4i  magiftrates    whatfomever,    holding    their   place, 
 
 11  which 
 
 *  Subjoined  a:  the  end  of  this  volume, 
 
(     ">8     ) 
 
 *  which  hereafter  (hall  happen  at  any  fime  to  reign 
 cc  and  bear  rule  over  this  realm,  at  the  time  of  th^ir 
 <f  coronation,  the  receipt  of  their  princely  atithori- 
 "  ty,  make  their  faithful  promife  by  oath,  in  the  pre- 
 «  fence  of  the  eternal  God,  that  during  the  whole 
 «<  courfe  of  their  liv'es,  they  fhall  ferve  the  fame  eter- 
 «f  nal  God  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power,  according  as 
 "  he  hath  required  in  his  holy  word,  contained  in  .he 
 
 *  Old  and  New  Teftament,  and  according  to  the 
 <«  fame  word  (hall  maintain  the  true  religion  of  Jt  ftis 
 «*  Chrift,  the  preaching  of  bis  moft  holy  word,  and 
 <*  due  and  right  adminiftration  of  the  facraments  now 
 H  received  and  preached  within  this  realm,  and  (hall 
 M  abolifh  and  gainftand  all  falfe  religion  contraiv  to 
 "  the  fame,  and  fhall  rule  the  people  of  Goa  c 
 
 6f  mitted  to  their  charge,  according  to  the  will  and 
 t(  command  of  God  revealed  in  his  word,  and  accord- 
 <f  ing  to  the  laudable  laws  and  conftitutions  received 
 tc  within  this  realm."  &c.  Third]y,  That  in  the  league 
 and  covenant  that  had  been  fo  folemnly  and  publicly 
 fworn  and  renewed  by  this  kingdom,  the  duty  of  de- 
 fending and  preferving  the  king's  Majefty's  perion 
 and  authority,  is  joined  with,  and  fubordinate  to  the 
 duty  of  preferving  and  defending  the  true  religion 
 and  liberty  of  the  kingdoms.  Fourthly,  That  an  ar- 
 bitrary government  and  an  illimited  power  was  the 
 fountain  of  moft,  if  not  of  all  the  corruptions,  both  of 
 kirk  and  ftate.  And  that  it  was  for  reftraint  of  thia, 
 and  for  their  own  juft  defence  againft  tyranny  and 
 unjuft  violence  (which  ordinarily  is  the  fruit  and  ef- 
 feck  of  fuch  a  power)  that  the  Lurd'-;  people  joined  m  j 
 covenant,  and  have  been  at  the  expences  of  fo  much 
 blood,  travails  and  pains  thefe  years,  pr.ft  Fifthly, 
 That  the  king  being  averfe  from  the  work  of  reforma- 
 tion, and  the  inftruments  thereof,  and  compafled 
 about  with  malignant  and  difaffe&ed  rr.en,  wl 
 hearkens  to  as  his  moft  faithful  counfellors,  and  looks! 
 upon  as  his  moft  loyal  and  faithful  ft  je£ts,  being] 
 admitted  to  the  exercife  of  his  power  before  fatisfac-i 
 
 tion. 
 ; 
 
(  ™9  ) 
 tion  given,  would,  by  thefe  counfels,  endeavour  an 
 overturning  of  thefe  things  which  the  Lord  hath 
 wrought  amongft  us,  and  labour  to  draw  public  admi- 
 niftrations,  concerning  religion  and  the  liberty  of  the 
 fubjett,  into  that  courfe  and  channel,  in  which  they 
 did  run  under  prelacy,  and  before  the  work  of  refor- 
 mation :  which  we  had  the  more  caufe  to  fear,  becaufe 
 his  royal  father  often  declared,  That  he  conceived 
 himtelf  bound  to  employ  all  the  power  that  God  had 
 put  in  his  hands  to  the  utmoft,  for  thefe  ends,  and 
 that  he  adhered  to  his  father's  principles,  and  walked 
 in  his  way,  and  had  made  a  peace  with  the  Irifh  re- 
 bels, by  which  is  granted  to  them  the  full  liberty  of 
 popery.  From  thefe  principles,  the  general  affembly 
 then  inferred,  That  it  would  be  the  wifdom  of  every- 
 one who  dwells  in  this  land,  to  take  heed  to  fuch  a 
 temptation  and  fnare,  that  they  be  not  acceffuy  to 
 any  fuch  defigns  and  endeavours,  of  bringing,  or 
 admitting  the  king  to  the  exercife  of  his  power, 
 without  fatisfaction  given  concerning  the  fecurity  of 
 religion,  and  liberty  of  the  fubje&s,  as  they  would 
 not  bring  upon  themfdves,  and  on  their  families, 
 the  guilt  of  all  the  detriment  that  would  undoubtedly 
 foUow  thereupon  to  religion  and  the  covenant,  and 
 of  all  the  miferies  and  calamities  that  it  would  bring 
 on  his  Majefty's  perfon  and  throne,  and  on  thefe  king- 
 doms. Such  a  thing  (fay  they)  would,  in  all  appear- 
 ance, be  the  undermining  and  (baking  off,  if  not  the 
 overthrowing  and  deftroying  the  work  of  reformation, 
 and  that  therefore,  whofoever  attempts  the  fame, 
 oppofe  themfelves  to  the  caufe  of  God,  and  will  at 
 laft  daih  againft  the  rock  of  the  Lord's  power,  which 
 hath  broken  in  pieces  many  high  and  lofty  ones  fince 
 the  beginning  of  this  work  in  thefe  kingdoms.  From 
 all  which  it  doth  appear  upon  good  grounds,  that  it 
 was  an  high  provocation,  to  admit  the  king  to  the 
 exercife  of  his  power,  or  to  entruft  him  with  the 
 caufe  and  people  of  God,  whilft  he  was  continuing 
 in  his  former  difafFe&ion  to,  and  enmity  againft  the 
 K  fame  -r 
 
(  m  ) 
 
 fame ;  with  which  fin  the  Lord   hath  been  fo  dif- 
 p'eafed,  that  hi  hath  in  a  great  meafure  verified  the 
 
 \t  things  on  the  land  which  are  held  forth  by  the 
 general  aiiembly,  and  which  would  be  the  confe- 
 ijuetits  thereof. 
 
 We  know  that  it  will  be  objected  by  many,  that 
 
 king  defifled  from,  and  abandoned  that  courfe  cf 
 enmity  againft  the  work  and  people  of  God,  before 
 the  clofe  of  the  treaty,  and  that  he  gave  fatisfaftion 
 concerning  the  fecurity  of  religion,  and  liberty  of 
 the  fubje£lsf  by  condefcending  to,  and  fubfciibing 
 thefe  demands,  which  were  fent  to  him  from  the  par- 
 liament of  this  kingdom,  and  the  commitTion  of  the 
 general  aflemble.  To  which  we  reply,  firft,  that  thefe 
 demands  were  deficient,  at  lead  not  fo  plain  and  po- 
 fitive,  and  exprefs  in  the  main  and  neceffary  thing, 
 viz.  a  real  abandoning  of  former  malignant  courfes 
 and  principles,  and  a  real  and  coidial  cleaving  to  the 
 work  and  people  of  God,  without  which  there  couli 
 not  be  a  re?*l  fecurity;  it  was  not  a  fhadow  of  fecu- 
 rity for  religion  and  liberty*  or  a  paper  and  verbal 
 fecurity  only,  but  a  real  fecurity  which  we  were 
 bound  before  the  Lord  to  have  endeavoured  and 
 obtained  before  the  clofe  of  a  treaty  with  the  king 
 for  entruding  him  with  the  government,  and  to 
 authorize  comminioners  to  fettle  with  him  upon 
 fuch  paper-fecurities,  and  accordingly  to  entruft 
 hirn,  was  but  to  mock  God,  and  deceive  the 
 world,  and  to  betray  and  deftroy  ourfe-ves,  by  giv- 
 ing up  all  the  precous  ititerefts  of  religion  and  li- 
 berty into  the  hands  of  one  who  was  in  a  courfe  of 
 enmity  to  thefe.  Secondly,  it  is  certain,  (if  men: 
 will  not  deny  clear  and  evident  truths)  that  the  king 
 had  not  only  (before  the  authorizing  of  thefe  com-: 
 midiOiiers  to  clofe  a  treaty  with  him,  upon  his  con- 
 defcending to  thefe  demands)  giren  evidence  of  his 
 tnmity  to  the  work  and  people  of  God,  but  alfo  was 
 continuing  in  the  fame,  during  the  time  of  the  treaty, 
 and  that  n?.  had  not  abandoned  thefe  principles  an4»f 
 
 irfpl  a:  the  clofe  of  theireaty,  and  when  he  did 
 
 fwear ? 
 
(  III  ) 
 
 fwear  and  fubfcribe  the  national  covenant, 
 folemn  league  and  covenant;  nay,  the  whoie  tei 
 of  bis  carriage,  did  then,  and  afterward  convincingly 
 enough  (to  intelligent  men)  demonilme  him  to  be 
 the  fame  he  was  before.  We  (hall  not  need  bring 
 many  inflances,  therefore  paffing  over  thefe  things 
 which  he  did,  before  this  kingdom  began  to  treat  with 
 him,  fucb  as  the  declaration  emitted  by  him  when 
 he  was  prince,  againft  the  caufe  and  people  of  G 
 and  iiis  printed  declaration  at  Jerfey,  as  king,  againit 
 all  who  had  been  in  oppofition  to  his  father  in  thefe 
 troubles:  We  (hail  mention  only  a  few  particulars 
 that  fell  out  thereafter,  viz.  thefe:  firft,  he  not  only 
 countenanced  and  entertained  the  moft  capital  and 
 known  enemies  of  this  kingdom,  fuch  as  James 
 Grahame,  and  others,  who  had  (lied  much  of  the 
 blood  thereof,  but  a'fo  gave  commiflion  to  the  faid 
 James  Grahame  to  make  war  upon,  and  invade  the 
 inhabitants  thereof,  as  traitors  and  rebels.  Second- 
 ly, in  the  whole  progrefs  of  the  treaty,  as  he  did 
 communicate  and  take  counfel  with  known  difaf- 
 fefted  and  malignant  men,  in  all  things  relating  to 
 the  fame,  and  not  moving  a  ftep,  but  according  to 
 their  advice,  fo  did  he  procraftinate  and  delay  to 
 grant  what  was  defired,  until  all  other  means  of  help 
 had  failed,  and  his  own  eftate  and 'condition  was  now 
 become  defperate,  and  what  he  did  grant,  was  not 
 all  at  once,  and  cheerfully,  as  if  it  had  been  a  duty, 
 but  by  little  and  little,  and  by  a  kind  of  coaelion  and 
 merchandife,  as  if  it  had  been  a  bargain  of  buying 
 i\\d  felling.  Thirdly,  after  the  treaty  wa«  brought 
 to  feme  clofe,  he  did,  before  his  coming  to  fea,  re- 
 ceive the  facrament  of  the  Lord's  nipper  from  one 
 of  the  prelatical  chaplains,  and  according  to  the  fer- 
 vice-book,  notwithstanding  the  commiiTioners  of  the 
 kirk  did  reprefent  the  evil  thereof  to  him,  and  did 
 eftly  deal  with  him  to  the  contrary.  Fourthly,  He 
 brought  to  fea,  and  into  Scotland  with  him,  almoft 
 the  whole  train  of  malignant  and  difaffedled  men, 
 K  2  who 
 
(     Hi    ) 
 
 who  had  followed  him  in  his  former  evil  courfes,  and 
 Bed  from  the  juftice  of  both  kingdoms,  and  thefe  he 
 did  more  familiarly  and  entirely  converfe  with,  than 
 with  others.  Fifthly,  he  was  near  the  coaft  of  Scot- 
 land before  he  would  condefcend  to  the  fubferibing 
 cf  thefe  demands  which  were  fent  from  the  parlia- 
 ment, upon  the  report  of  the  clofe  of  the  treaty,  as 
 it  was  firfl  clofed  in  Holland,  and  the  commiflioners 
 were  fo  far  out  of  hopes  of  obtaining  their  defire, 
 that  even  when  they  were  come  near  the  fhore,  they 
 were  preparing  papers  of  exoneration  *,  and  when,  in 
 an  inftant,  on  the  fuggeftion  of  fome  malignants,  he 
 did  condefcend  to  fubferibe  the  demands,  and  take 
 the  covenant,  it  was  with  a  referve  of  a  declaration 
 to  be  printed  therewith,  which  he  did  not  pafs  from 
 until  the  commiflioners  ofthe  church  refufed  to  admit 
 thereof.  Sixthly,  Within  a  few  days  of  his  coming 
 to  Scotland,  when  removing  malignants  from  his  fa- 
 mily and  court,  was  earneftly  preffed  by  the  commif- 
 fioners,  both  of  kirk  and  ftate,  at  Falkland,  he  (hew- 
 ed hirnfelf  very  averfe  from  the  fame,  and  did,  not 
 only  at  that  place,  but  at  ali  places  and  times  after- 
 wards, countenance  and  entertain  men  of  that  ftamp, 
 who  were  in  his  family  and  com t,  and  came  to  the 
 fame.  Seventhly,  he  did  for  a  long  time  refufe  to 
 fuefcribe  the  declaration  which  was  tendered  to  him, 
 for  the  acknowledging  of  his  own,  and  his  parents 
 guiltinefs  for  the  time  paft,  and  according  to  hi*  duty 
 for  the  time  to  come;  and  after  that  he  had, with  a  great 
 deal  of  reluclancy,  fubferibed  the  fame,  he  did  often- 
 times exprefs,  that  he  did  not  think  his  father  guilty 
 of  blood,  and  that  notwithstanding  he  had  fo  declared, 
 he  had  his  own  meaning  thereof.  Eightly,  as  he  did 
 firft  by  letters  authorize  fundry  of  the  malignant  party 
 to  rife  in  arms,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  com- 
 mittee of  eftates,  and  contrary  to  the  ftanding  laws  of 
 this  kingdom  \  fo  did  he  hirnfelf,  within  a  fhort  time 
 thereafter,  defert  the  public  councils  of  the  kingdom, 
 and  join  with  the  malignants.     Ninthly,  during  the 
 
 whole 
 
(  m  ) 
 
 whole  time  of  the  treaty,  and  after  the  clofe  thereof* 
 he  had  correfpondence  with  all  the  malignants  of  the 
 three  nations,  to  fundry  cf  whom  he  gave  ccmroif- 
 fions.     Thefe  inftancee  clearly  enough   prove  w&it 
 was  faid  concermng  the  kingrs  continuing  in  a  courfe 
 of  enmity  to  the  work   and    people  of   God,   which 
 made  it  a  fin  in  us,  whilft  he  was   in  that  condition, 
 to  entruft  him  with  the  interefls   cf  both  :  neither 
 was  our  carriage  here  more  faulty  in  the  matter,  than 
 it  was  rafli  and  precipitate  in  regard  of  the  manner. 
 The  news  of  the  late  king's  death,  brought  to  Edin- 
 burgh on   the  Lord's  day  at  night,  the   parliament 
 did  the  next  day  before  twelve  of  the  clock,  proclaim 
 this  king,  with  all  public  folemnity,  without  felting 
 sny  time   apart    to   feek    the  Lord  for  counftl  and 
 direction  therein  ;  which  as  both  reafcn  and  religion 
 might  have  taught  us,  to  have  ufed  mere  deliberation 
 amongft  curfelvcs,    and    more  fuppiication  to  God, 
 before  he  (whofe  father  and  birnfeif  had  been  Engag- 
 ed io  much  in   oppofition  to  the  work  and  people  of 
 God)  had  been  proclaimed   king,  and  within  a  fhort 
 time   thereafter,  folemn   addrefs  was   made   to  Inn 
 for  offering  him  the  crown  and  kingdom  upon  fome 
 verbal  and  paper  fecurity,  without  any  previous  ad- 
 drefs for  informing  his  confidence,  or  taking  notice 
 whether  he  did  adhere  to  his  former  principles   and 
 way  ;  and  when  the'Lord  was  pleafed  to  render  thefe 
 applications  ineffe&ual,  and  to  bring  back  the  com- 
 miffioners  to  this  kingdom  and  kirk,  without  any  fa- 
 tisfaftion  to  their  defires;  we  did  again  no  lefs  ; 
 cipitately  than  before,  rufh  on  a  fecond  addrefs,  wh 
 was  at  one  and  the  fame  day  concluded  and  propofed 
 in  parliament,  not  only  without  any  previous  consul- 
 tation or  debate  had  thereanent,  amongft  thefe  who 
 had  been  tender  and  faithful  to  the  work  of  God 
 from  the  beginning,  but  without  their  knowledge^ 
 and  contrary  to  their  expeGation  ;  and  afterwards,  in 
 regard  of  the  clofe  and  difpatch  of  commiffioners> 
 vhich  was  fo  paflionately  and  violently  driven  on, 
 K  3  that 
 
(     114     ) 
 
 that  many  were  impatient,  even  of  the  moft  neceflary 
 delays,  and  of  the  moft  reafon'able  contradiction  in 
 any  thing  that  related  thereto:  and  it  is  not  to  be 
 pail  without  obfervation,  that  whilft  we  were  tread- 
 ing thefe  flippery  and  finful  fteps,  the  Lord  fuffered 
 not  us  to  want  warning.  We  lhall  not  infill  on  the 
 fad  apprehenfions  that  were  in  the  hearts  of  many  of 
 the  godly  in  the  land  in  reference  thereto  :  So  albeit 
 they  duril  not  altogether  deny  duty  to  be  in  making 
 application  to  the  king,  yet  did  the  fenfe  of  the 
 Lord's  controverfy  with  him  and  his  hcufe,  together 
 wiih  his  walking  in  his  former  W2y,  lie  heavy  on  their 
 fpirits,  and  made  them  rather  fear  a  curfe,  than  ex- 
 pect a  bit  fling  thereupon.  Nor  fhall  we  fpeak  of  the 
 paflionate  inclination,  defires  and  endeavours  of  the 
 malignant  party,  and  of  their  rejoicing  herein,  and 
 of  their  heightening  of  their  hopes  thereby.  But 
 we  dtfire  it  may  he  remembered,  that  whillt  the  fe- 
 cond  addrefs  was  in  preparing,  not  only  did  the  Lord 
 give  us  warning  of  preemptions,  firft  of  the  king's 
 authorizing  of  James  Graham  to  invade  this  king- 
 dom, and  of  his  encouraging  him  by  letters  to  go  on 
 in  that  invalid),  even  whilft  he  was  in  terms  of  a 
 treaty  with  us  •,  but  a;fo  by  James  Graham's  aftual 
 invaiion  a  little  thereafter  by  the  king's  commiflion, 
 and  by  bringing  to  our  hands  the  authentic  commif- 
 iion  itfelf,  and  fundry  letters  under  the  king's  own 
 hand,  teftifying  his  adherence  to  his  former  prin- 
 ciples, and  his  affection  to  that  great  enemy  of  this 
 caufe  and  kingdom.  And  v/hat  were  all  theft  in- 
 ftances  which  we  have  formerly  fpoken  of  in  the 
 king's  carriage,  but  warnings  from  the  Lord  to  have 
 taught  us  wifdorn  in  this  thing  ?  We  know  that  fome 
 may  think  it  unfuitable  for  us  to  meddle  in  thefe 
 things  which  feem  to  have  been  otherwife  determined 
 by  the  general  affembly  of  this  kirk  1650,  and  that 
 others  may  wonder  that  that  affembly  fhould  have  fo 
 determined.  We  fhall  not  now  ftand  to  debate  how 
 far  that  affembly  did  approve  of  thefe  things  which 
 
 concern 
 
(    its    > 
 
 concern  the  treaty  with  the  king  anent  the  fecurity 
 of  religion  :  but  the  Lord  having  declared  fo  much 
 from  Heaven  againft  the  whole  land,  it  concerns  us 
 and  all  others  impartially  to  fearch  into,  and  to  dif- 
 cover  the  caufes  thereof,  fo  far  as  he  is  pleafed  to  con- 
 vince and  give  light  therein  ;  and  we,  in  charity,  and 
 not  without  ground,  prefume,  that  of  all  the  pafiages 
 of  procedure  of  the  king's  carriage  in  the  treaty,  and 
 from  the  beginning  in  order  to  this  kingdom,  and 
 the  enemies  thereof,  had  been  impartially  and  free- 
 ly difcovered  and  made  known  to  the  aflembly,  as 
 they  have  been  fince,  they  had  not  gone  the  length 
 which  they  went. 
 
 Step  6  For  underftanding  of  the  fixth  flep,  which 
 relateth  unto  the  rejecting  the  difcovery  of  guiltinefs 
 and  caufes  of  the  Lord's  contending  with  us,  it  will 
 be  needful  to  fpeak  fomewhat  for  clearing  of  the 
 matter  of  fa£t,  in  the  inftances  which  are  given  in 
 the  article  :  the  firft  inftance  is  in  the  caufes  of  hu- 
 miliation, condescended  on  by  the  commiflion  of  the 
 general  afllmbly  at  Leith,  and  offered  to  the  com- 
 mittee of  Eftates,  by  whom  they  were  rejected  ;  the 
 ftory  whereof,  as  to  the  matter  of  fa£t,  was  thus : 
 the  next  day  after  the  Englifh  forces  came  in  view 
 of  our  army,  which  was  then  entrenched  betwixt 
 Leith  and  Edinburgh  :  fome  general  perfons  in  our 
 army  (whether  from  any  defire  to  approve  them- 
 felves  to  the  king,  who  the  night  before  was  come  to 
 Leith  from  Stirling,  or  from  any  other  principle,  we 
 know  not)  did  draw  forth  a  great  many  of  the  horfe 
 to  a  fkirmifh  with  the  Englifh,  by  whom  they  were, 
 with  fome  lofs,  and  much  (hame,  beaten  back  again 
 to  the  trenches,  which  bred  fuch  a  difheartening  and 
 aftonifhment  in  the  whole  body  of  the  army,  that  liad 
 the  Englifh  then  flormed  the  trenches,  they  had 
 likely  gained  them,  and  routed  our  army.  Upon  this 
 occaficn  the  corpmiilion  of  the  general  aiTembly  gave 
 themfelves  to  fearch  after  the  caufes  of  this  ftroke 
 and  fpirit  of  cocfufiod  and  aftonifhment  from  the 
 
 Lordj 
 
(     '«<>     ) 
 
 Lord,  and  after  feme  pains  taken  therein,  found  that 
 there  had  been  a  malignant  defign  for  bringing  in 
 again  the  malignant  party  of  a  long  time,  hatching  and 
 carrying  on  by  fundry  in  the  judicatories  and  in  the 
 army,  and  that  it  was  far  promoted  and  advanced : 
 and  for  the  more  conviction  herein,  they  condefcend- 
 ed  on  feveralinftances  and  particulars  of  moment  and 
 confequence  :  this  they  offered  to  the  committee  of 
 eftates  as  grounds  of  humiliation  to  be  kept  by  them 
 and  the  army ;  but  the  committee,  as  they  refufed 
 to  take  with   any  fuch  guiltinefs,  fo  they  refufed   to 
 join  in   any  humiliation  to    be  kept  for   the  fame. 
 Upon  the  which  the  commiffion  did  leave  it  before 
 them  with  a  declaration,  that  they  had  exonered  them- 
 felves,  and  with  a  defire  to  the  committee  of  eftates 
 to  do  therein  as  they  would  be  anfwerable  to  God, 
 who  was  contending  for  thefe  things.     The  fecond 
 is   the  caufes  of  humiliation,   condescended  on    at 
 Stirling    immediately  after  the  defeat  at  Dunbar: 
 thefe  caufes,  which  were  firft  condefcended  on  by  the 
 prefbytery  with  the  army,  and  afterwards  approved 
 by  the  commiffion  of  the  general  affembly,  fpecified 
 fomewhat  of  the  crooked  courfes  which  had  been 
 taken  in  carrying  on  the  treaty  with  the  king,  and  of 
 the  obftru&ing  the  purging  of  the  army,  and  of  the 
 judicatories,  and  of  the  king's  family,  and  of  the  not 
 diftinguiftiing   of  inftruments   employed  in   public 
 truft,  and  feveral  other  things  relating  to  the  carriage 
 of  thefe  in  public  truft  in  judicatories  and  armies, 
 which  though  real  truths  in  themfelves,  and  juft  mat- 
 ter of  humiliation  before  God,  yet  were  rejected  and 
 not  fo  much  as  read  or  intimated  by  many  nunifters 
 in  their  congregations,  and  were  refufed  to  be  taken 
 wiih,  or  acknowledged  by  fundry  ftatefmen  and  offi- 
 cers cf  the   army,   and  others,   who  were  guilty  of 
 them.    The  third  inftance  is  the  remonftrance  of  the 
 gentlemen,  minifters  and  forces  in  the  weft,  which, 
 though  it  was  a  testimony  given  in  reference  to  fin 
 and  duty^  by  a  company   of  men   who   had  been 
 
 ftraight 
 
(     "7     ) 
 
 firaight  from  the  beginning  in  the  work  of  God,  in 
 the  fimplicity  of  their  hearts,  and  contained  in  it 
 many  fad  truths,  yet  was  not  only  readied,  but  con- 
 demned by  the  plurality  of  the  committee  of  eftates, 
 and  commiflion  of  the  general  a(Tembly,,notwitftand- 
 ing  that  many  of  the  members  of  both  thefe  judica- 
 tories diiTented  from  it,  and  protefted  againft  thefe 
 voices,  and  as  if  had  not  been  enough,  was  again  re- 
 fumed  by  the  parliament,  and  a  mod  harfh  cenfurc 
 put  upon  it,  and  all  fuch  as  did  not  difclaim  it  be- 
 fore fuch  a  day,  appointed  to  be  proceeded  againft 
 with  cenfures  of  an  high  nature  •,  other  teftimonies 
 of  prefbyteries  and  fynods  befide  thefe  are  aifo  men- 
 tioned, for  divers  fuch  there  was,  as  the  letters  from 
 the  prefbyteries  of  Stirling,  Aberdeen,  Glafgow, 
 Paifley,  and  feveral  other  prefbyteries  and  fynods, 
 which  were  written  to  the  commiflion  as  teftimonies 
 of  their  diflatisfadtion  with  the  public  refolutions 
 concerning  the  levy,  and  were  rejected,  and  fundry 
 of  the  authors  thereof  fharply  rebuked  :  nay,  feme  of 
 them  difcharged  to  fpeak  their  confidences,  and  con- 
 fined in  places  far  diftant  from  their  charge  for  doing 
 thereof.  In  the  clofe  of  this  article  there  is  mention 
 of  the  negle<fting  of  means  tending  to  peace,  and  the 
 preventing  the  effufion  of  more  blood,  from  pride 
 and  bitternefs  of  fpirit,  againft  thefe  who  had  invad- 
 ed us.  We  know  that  before  this  kingdom  was  in- 
 vaded by  thofe  who  hath  now  brought  it  low,  there 
 was- a  letter  written  by  the  parliament  to  the  prefent 
 power  in  England,  and  duplicates  thereof  to  the  ge- 
 neral, lieutenant-general,  and  general-major  of  their 
 army,  upon  the  ;ud  of  June  1650,  wherein  they  did 
 (hew  that,  as  ;n  their  letter  of  the  6th  of  March  1 649, 
 they  did  acknowledge  their  obligation,  and  declare 
 their  refolution,  to  obferve  the  rule  of  remonftrating  ; 
 firft  the  breaches  of  peace  for  craving  juft  reparation, 
 of  ufing  all  fair  means  of  giving  a  preceding  warning 
 of  three  months,  before  any  engagement  of  thefe 
 kingdoms  in  war,  fo  they  again  renew  the  fame,  and 
 
 accordingly 
 
(     n8     ) 
 
 accordingly  renewed  the  a£s  of  pofture  and  levy 
 for  putting  this  kingdom  in  readinefs,  in  cafe  of  in- 
 vafion,  which  were  made  the  former  year,  when 
 they  wrote  the  forefaid  letter  of  the  6th  of  March, 
 all  which  they  profefs  folemnly  to  be  done  by  them 
 in  the  fincerity  of  their  hearts  ;  not  out  of  any  policy 
 to  catch  advantages,  nor  for  any  other  end  or  defign 
 whatfoever,  but  merely  for  their  own  defence,  which 
 they  account  abundantly  fufficient  to  remove  all 
 grounds  of  jealoufies,  and  mifreports  of  their  inten- 
 tions, and  to  take  away  all  pretence  of  necefiity  of 
 the  marching  of  forces  for  defence  of  the  borders  of 
 England;  and,  on  the  other  part,  being  informed 
 of  a  refolution  in  England  to  fend  an  army  to  invade 
 this  kingdom,  they  defired  to  know  whether  thefe 
 who  have  the  prefent  power  in  England  acknowledge 
 themfelves  obliged,  cr  by  their  anfwer  will  oblige 
 <themfelves,  and  declare  their  refolutions  to  obferve 
 the  forefaid  way  and  order  upon  their  part  to  us,  and 
 plainly  and  clearly  to  declare,  whether  their  forces 
 •march  for  offence  or  defence,  whether  with  intention 
 for  keeping  only  within  the  borders  of  England,  or 
 coming  within  ours,  which  way  of  procedure  for 
 clearing  each  other,  and  dealing  plainly,  is  not  only 
 agreeable  to  particular  treaties,  and  to  the  many  ties, 
 bonds,  and  declarations  pad  betwixt  thefe  kingdoms, 
 but  alfo  to  the  law  of  God,  and  praftife  of  his  people 
 in  his  word,  and  to  the  common  law  and  practice, 
 even  of  heathen  nations,  much  more  of  Chriltian  co- 
 venanted kingdoms,  and  may  prevent  marly  evils  and 
 dangerous  confequences,  which  may  fall  out,  even 
 beyond  and  contraiy  to  the  intentions  of  the  nations, 
 by  their  armies  lying  near  each  other  upon  their  bor- 
 ders, although  merely  upon  intended  defence  :  This 
 did  indeed  favour  of  a  fpirit  of  peace  ;  but  fince  the 
 coming  of  thefe  men  into  the  land,  there  hath  been 
 fuch  pride  and  bitternefs  of  fpirit,  that  not  only  were 
 all  eflays  of  peace  negle&ed,  but  every  motion  tend- 
 ing thereto,  whether  made  by  any  amongft  ourfelves, 
 
 or 
 
(  up  ) 
 or  hinted  at  by  any  amongft  them,  were  flighted  and 
 fome  time  entertained  with  difdain,  reproach  and  con- 
 tempt ;  and  albeit  the  invafion  was  unjuft,  yet  cer- 
 tainly it  was  our  duty  to  have  followed  and  endea- 
 voured peace  fo  far  as  poffible,  Rom.  xii.  18  If  it 
 bepojjible,  as  much  as  lieth  in  you,  live  peaceably  with  all 
 men.  Heb.  xii.  14.  Follow  peace  with  all  men,  and  ho- 
 UnefS)  without  which  no  man  JJjall  fee  God.  Pfalm  cxx. 
 7.  I  am  for  peace,  but  when  I  fpeak  they  are  for  war. 
 
 Step.  7.  i  he  feventh  is,  the  public  refolutions  of 
 kirk  and  ftate,  for  bringing  in  the  malignant  party 
 firft  to  the  army,  and  then  to  the  judicatories,  and 
 the  actual  intruding  of  them  with  the  power  of  the 
 kingdom,  both  military  and  civil :  we  conceive  that 
 thefe  public  refolutions.  in  the  complex  of  them  (be- 
 fides  other  fins  which  may  be  mentioned)  include 
 thefe:  firft,  a  conjunction  with  the  enemies  of  God 
 and  his  caufe,  which  is  ^condemned  by  many  clear 
 fcriptures,  2-Chron.  xix.  1,  2.  c<  And  Jehofhaphat 
 the  king  of  Judah  returned  to  his  houfe  in  peace  to 
 Jerufalem,  and  Jehu  the  fon  of  Hanani  the  feer,  went 
 out  to  meet  him,  and  faid  to  king  Jehofhaphat, 
 fhouldft  thou  help  the  ungodly,  and  love  them  that 
 hate  the  Lord  ?  therefore  is  wrath  on  thee  from  be-. 
 fore  the  Lord."  Ifa.  xxx.  1,2,3  "  Wo  to  the  rebel- 
 lious children,  faith  the  Lord,  that  take  counfel,  but 
 not  of  me;  and  that  cover  with  a  covering,  but  not 
 of  my  fpirit,  that  they  may  add  fin  to  fin  :  that  walk 
 to  go  down  to  Egypt  (and  have  not  afked  at  my 
 mouth)  to  ftrengthei  thernfelves  in  the  ftrength  of 
 Pharaoh,  and  to  truft  in  the  fhadow  of  Egypt.  There- 
 fore fhall  the  ftrength  of  Pharaoh  be  your  fhame,  and 
 the  truft  in  the  fhadow  of  Egypt  your  confufion." 
 Ifa.  xxxi.  1,  2,  3.  Wo  to  them  that  go  down  to 
 Egypt  for  help,  and  ftay  on  horfes,  and  truft  in  cha- 
 riots, becaufe  they  are  many,  and  in  horfemen,  be- 
 caufe  they  are  very  ftrong,  but  they  look  not  to  the 
 holy  One  of  Ifrael,  neither  feek  the  Lord  •,  yet  he  al- 
 io is  wife,  and  will  bring  evil,  and  will  not  call  back 
 
 his 
 
(       1^0       ) 
 
 his  words  :  but  will  arife  againft  the  houfe  of  the 
 evil-doers,  and  againft  the  help  of  them  that  work 
 iniquity  :  now  the  Egyptians  are  men  and  not  God, 
 and  their  horfes  fkfh  and  not  fpirit  ;  when  the  Lord 
 {hall  ftretch  out  his  hand,  both  he  that  helpeth  (hall 
 fall,  and  he  that  is  holpen  fhall  fall  down,  and  they 
 all  (hall  fall  together."  Jer.  ii.  18.  M  And  now  what 
 haft  thou  to  do  in  the  way  of  Egypt,  to  drink  the 
 waters  of  Sihor  ?  or  what  haft  thou  to  do  in  the  way 
 of  Aflyria  to  drink  the  waters  of  the  river  ?"  Jer. 
 xiii.  21.  li  What  wilt  thou  fay  when  he  fhall  punifli 
 thee  ?  (for  thou  haft  taught  them  to  be  captains,  and 
 as  chief  over  thee)  (hall  not  forrows  take  thee  as  a 
 woman  in  travail  ?"  2.  The  laying  of  a  foundation 
 of,  or  the  eftabliftiing  of  a  rule  for  employing  and 
 entrufting  men  with  the  intereft  of  the  caufe  of  God 
 and  of  the  kingdom,  who  ought  not  to  be  employed 
 nor  entrufted,  if  refpe£t  be  had  to  the  qualifications 
 required  in  the  word,  viz.  That  they  be  men  fearing 
 God,  hating  covetoufnefs  and  dealing  truly,  who 
 are  appointed  to  be  rulers  over  thQufands,  hundreds, 
 fifties,  and  tens,  Exod.  xviii.  21.  <c  Moreover,  thou 
 (halt  provide  out  of  all  the  people,  able  men,  fuch  as 
 fear  God,  men  of  truth,  hating  covetoufnefs ;  and 
 place  fuch  over  them  ;  to  be  rulers  of  thoufands,  and 
 rulers  of  hundreds,  rulers  of  fifties,  and  rulers  of  tens/' 
 and  that  they  be  juft,  ruling  in  the  fear  of  God  who 
 rule  over  men.  2  Sam.  xxiii.  3.  "  The  God  of  Ifrael 
 faid,  the  Rock  of  Ifrael  fpake  to  me,  he  that  ruleth 
 overmen  mud  be  juft,  ruling  in  the  fear  of  God.*' 
 3.  That  there  was  therein  a  breach  and  violation  of 
 the  fourth  article  of  the  covenant,  which  obligeth 
 that  we  be  fo  far  from  giving  truft  to  malignants, 
 that  they  (hould  endeavour  to  bring  them  to  con- 
 dign puniftiment.  4.  That  there  was  therein  a  ma- 
 nifeft  receding  from  the  folemn  public  confeffion 
 of  fins,  and  engagement  to  duties,  and  from  the 
 conftant  ten:r  of  our  declarations,  warnings,  and  re- 
 monftrances  and  caufes  of  humiliation  thefe  years 
 
(   l»  ) 
 
 paft,  Jer.  ii.  35,  36,  37.  "  Yet  thou  fayeft,  becanfijl 
 I  a-p  innocent,  furely  his  anger  fhail  turn  from  me: 
 >ld  I-wilL  plead  with  thee,  becaufc  thou  faveft  I 
 have  not  finned.  Why  gadded  thou  about  fo  much 
 to  changi  ay  :  thou  alfo  (halt  be  afhamed  of 
 
 ]  .ft.  as  thou  wall  afhamed  of  Afiyria  ;  yes,  thou 
 :  go  forth  from  him,  am!  thine  hands  upon  thine 
 .;  fur  the  Lord  hath  rejected  thy  confidences, 
 and  thou  ihalt  not  profper  in  them.,,  5.  That  there 
 was  a  great  deal  of  diffidence,  and  diftruft  in  the  arm 
 of  the  Lord,  and  a  feeking  of  help  from,  and  a  refting 
 on  the  arm  of  ik-fh  -,  Jer.  xvii.  5,  6.  "  Thus  faith  the 
 Lord,  Curfed  be  the  man  that  trufteth  in  man,  and 
 maketh  flefh  his  arm,  and  whofe  heart  departeth  from 
 the  Lord  :  for  he  fhali  be  like  the  heath  in  the  deiart, 
 and  (hall  not  fee  when  good  cometh.  but  fnail  inhabit 
 the  parched  places  in  the  wildernefs,  in  a  fait  land 
 and  not  inhabited."  6. That  there  was  therein  a  great 
 deal  of  prevarication  and  deceitful  dealing  by  many, 
 Jer.  v  2,  3.  il  And  though  they  fay,  The  Lord  liveth, 
 furely  they  fwear  fa  fely.  O  Lord,  are  not  thine  eyes 
 Upon  the  truth  ?  thou  haft  ftricken  them,  but  they 
 have  not  grieved,  thou  haft  confumed  fhem,  but  they 
 have  refufed  to  receive  correction,  they  have  made 
 .their  faces  harder  than  a  rock,  they  have  refufed  to 
 return:"  Becaufe  albeit  the  arguments  that  were  uf- 
 ed,  were  taken  from  neceflity  and  other  things  of 
 that  kind,  yet  the  great  wheel  that  moved  in  that  bu- 
 finefs,  was  adefign  to  bring  in  that  party  into  places 
 of  power  and  truft  into  the  army,  who  had  been  for- 
 merly put  out  for  their  malignant  and  difaffefted  car- 
 riage, and  thereafter,  albeit  in  the  beginning  of  this 
 bufmeG  fo  great  hafte  was  pretended,  that  they  could 
 not  wait  for  a  very  few  days,  till  the  commiffion 
 might  convene,  but  made  ufe  of  an  unfrequent  and 
 occafionai  meeting,  when  not  only  many  of  the 
 members  were  abfent,*  but  alfo  not  advertifed,  yet 
 when  that  which  was  aimed  at  concerning  the  mr- 
 ieiling  of  the.  army  was  obtained,  vthcy  did  move  but 
 h  verv 
 
very    flowly,  and  acted   nothing  at   all  for   many 
 months  thereafter ;  nay,  not  till  long  after-the  army 
 was  compleatly  levied,  and  until  they  h^.d  gotten  the 
 act  of  ciafies  aifo  refcinded,  and  that  party  brought  to 
 the  parliament,  as  well  as  to  the  army,  and  until  the 
 general  afiembly  did  fit  down,  that  they  might  have 
 their  approbation  of  thefe  proceedings  fo  far  as  was 
 fit  for  them  to  meddle  with.     7.  There  was  in  it  a 
 real  (tumbling  and  offence  to  the  moft  part  of  the 
 godly  in  the  land,  whofe  hearts  were  much  grieved, 
 and  their  hands  exceedingly  weakened  thereby,  to- 
 gether with  the  making  glad  and  ftrengthening  the 
 ungodly,  and  difafre&ed  and  profane  in  the  land,  Jer. 
 xxiii.  14.     "  I  have  feen  alfo  in  the  prophets  of  Je- 
 rufalem  an  horrible  thing,  they  commit  adultery  and 
 walk  in  lies  ;  they  ftrengthen  alfo  the  hands  of  evil- 
 doers, that  none  doth  return  from  his  wickednefs ; 
 they  are  all  to  me  as  Sodom,  and  the  inhabitants 
 thereof  as  Gomorrah"   Ezek.   xiii    22.  "  Becaufe 
 with  lies  ye   have  made  the  hearts  of  the  righteous 
 fad,  whom  I  hare  not  made  fad;  and  ftrengthened 
 the  hands  of  the  wicked,  that  he  fhould  not  return 
 from  his  wicked    works  by   promifing    him   life.51 
 Laftly,  the  ftate  of  our  caufe  was  thereby  upon  the 
 matter  turned  upfide-down   by  intruding  the  work 
 and  people  of  God  to  the  enemies  thereof,  it  being 
 known  and  made  manifeft  that  thefe  men  did  retain 
 the  fame  principles,  and  did  drive  on  the  fame  defigns, 
 which  could  not  but  prove  deftructive  to  religion  and 
 the  people  of  God. 
 
 Step.  8.  The  next  ftep  is,  the  joining  of  many  of 
 people  (who  are  engaged  with  God  by  covenant 
 to  the  contrary,  no  lefs  than  the  rulers)  with  the  ' 
 forces  of  the  kingdom  ;  after  that  by  the  refolutions 
 there  was  a  prevailing  party  of  malignants  brought 
 t3  the  army,  who  had  the  ftrength  of  counfels  and 
 -clings  therein,  and  were  carrying  on  a  malignant 
 intereft ;  whatever  queftion  there  may  be  of  the  af- 
 ting  of  fubjefts  in  war  with  the  wicked  enemies 
 
 of 
 
(  m  ) 
 
 of  God,  on  the  command  of  the  magistrate  in  a  I 
 ful  caufe,  which  fecora  to  us  to  be  condemned  in  the 
 people  of  God,  Ifa.  viii.  11  — 18.  M  For  the  Lord 
 (pake  thus  to  me  with  a  ftrong  hand,  and  instructed 
 me,  that  I  Should  not  walk  in  the  way  of  thit 
 people,  faying,  Say  ye  not,  A  confederacy,  to  all 
 thefe  to  whom  this  people  fliali  fay,  A  confederacy  •, 
 neither  fear  ye  their  fear,  nor  be  afraid.  8andtify 
 the  Lord  of  Hofts  himfelf,  and  let  him  be  your 
 fear,  and  let  him  be  your  dread.  And  he  ihall 
 be  for  a  fanftuary  ;  but  for  a  ftone  of  {tumbling,  and 
 for  a  rock  of  offence  to  both  the  houfes  of  Ifraelj 
 for  a  gin,  and  for  a  fnare  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jeru- 
 falem,  and  many  among  them  (hall  Stumble  and  fall, 
 and  be  broken,  and  be  fnared,  and  be  taken.  Bind 
 up  the  teftimony,  feal  the  law  among  my  difciples. 
 And  I  will  wait  upon  the  Lord  that  hideth  his  face 
 from  the  houfe  of  Jacob,  and  I  will  look  for  him. 
 Behold,  I  and  the  children  whom  the  Lord  hath 
 given  me,  are  for  figns,  and  for  wonders  in  Ifrael, 
 from  the  Lord  of  Hofts,  who  dwelieth  in  Mount 
 Sion."  As  well  as  in  the  magistrates ;  the  ground  of 
 prohibition,  viz  learning  of  their  works,  and  the 
 enfnaring  of  the  people,  having  a  more  immediate 
 connexion  writh  the  people's  joining,  than  with  the 
 magistrates  commanding  them  to  join  ;  yet,  as  the 
 thing  is  laid  down  in  the  paper,  we  think  there  will 
 be  no  queftion  about  it,  becaufe  it  includes  thefe  par- 
 ticulars, i.  The  joining  of  a  people,  who  with  the 
 confent  and  approbation,  nay,  by  the  commandment 
 and  authority  of  their  magistrates,  had  covenanted 
 with  the  Lord,  not  to  join  with  his  enemies.  2.  That 
 it  was  when  the  rule  of  constituting  the  2rmy  was 
 corrupt,  viz.  the  public  refolutions  which  made 
 the  cafe  defperate,  and  left  no  place  or  remedy 
 for  purging  of  the  army.  3.  That  it  was  when  a 
 party  of  maiignants,  who  had  the  fway  of  coun- 
 fele  and  aftings,  were  brought  to  the  army  who 
 being  added  to  the  former,  not  enly  made  the 
 purging  of  the  army  in  an  ordinary  way  impof- 
 L  2  fible. 
 
(     124     ) 
 
 fible,  but  alfo  carried  the  ftream  and  current  of 
 all  their  refolutions  and  actings  into  a  malignant 
 channel  ;  that  they  were  the  prevailing  party,  is 
 more  manifeft,  than  that  time  needs  to  be  fpent  in 
 verifying  thereof.  4.  That  they  were  carrying  on  a 
 malignant  intereft,  viz.  the  eftabliftiing  the  king  in 
 the  exercife  of  his  power  in  Scotland,  and  the  re-in- 
 vcfting  him  with  the  government  in  England,  when 
 he  had  not  yet  abandoned  his  former  enmity  to  the 
 work  and  people  of  God;  and  tbe  fecuring  of  power 
 in  their  own  hands  under  him  :  And  though  none  of 
 thefe  four  had  concurred  (all  which  we  believe  will 
 be  acknowledged  by  unbiaffed  men)  yet  there  was  a 
 fin  in  the  people's  joining,  becaufe  few  or  none  of 
 thefe  who  joined  gave  any  teftimony  againft  the  ma- 
 gistrates employing  of  the  malignant  party,  but 
 went  willingly  after  the  commandment,  Hofea  v.  1 1. 
 Ephraim  is  opprejfdd  and  broken  in  judgement,  becaufe  he 
 luillingly  obeyed  and  went  after  the  commandment.  Xt  is 
 acknowledged  to  have  been  the  peoples  duty,  even  by 
 thefe  who  juftify  their  joining  with  them  upon  the 
 command  of  the  magifirate,  to  have  bemoaned  it  be- 
 fore the  Lord,  and  in  their  ftations  to  have  teftified  a- 
 gainfl  it  before  men. 
 
 p/l  Step.  The  ninth  ftep  is,  the  prelimiting  and 
 corrupting  of  the  General  Affembly,  in  regard  of  the 
 free  and  right  conftitution  thereof.  General  Afiem- 
 blies,  rightly  conftituted  in  their  liberties  and  freedom, 
 as  they  are  one  of  the  mcft  precious  ordinances  of  Je- 
 fus  Chriit,  fo  they  have  been  moil  wholefome  and 
 profitable  means  in  this  kirk,  for  the  purging  and  pre- 
 serving all  the  ordinances  of  Chrift  in  the  land;  and 
 therefore  as  it  hath  been  the  care  of  all  the  faithful 
 fervants  of  God  in  the  land,  to  vindicate  and  preferve 
 thetr  right  conftitution  and  due  liberty  and  freedom  ; 
 fo,  in  the  promoting  of  any  courfe  of  defe&ion,  hath 
 Satan  always  iludied  to  intrench  thereupon,  and  to 
 corrupt  the  fame.  That  the  General  AlTembly  was 
 prelimited  this  year,  is  evident  by  the  letter  written 
 by  the  commifiion  of  the  General  Affembly  to  the 
 
 prefbyteriee, 
 
(      125      ) 
 
 prefbyteries,  with  an  aft  fent  therewith,  appointing, 
 that  all  thefe  who  remained  unfatisfied  in  the  public 
 refolutions,  after  conference,  and  continued  to  oppofe 
 the  fame,  fhould  be  cited  to  the  General  Aflembly  : 
 which  letter  and  a£l  had  fuch  influence  on  many  pref- 
 byteries, that  though  there  were  in  them  many  i 
 and  faithful  men,  who  were  unfatisfied  with  the  pub- 
 lic refolutions,  yet  very  few  of  thefe  were  chofen  to 
 be  commifiioners ;  and  where  any  fuch  perfons  wer^ 
 elected,  there  was  for  the  moft  part  either  protefta- 
 tions  againtt  it,  or  elfe  another  election  of  ether  per- 
 fons ;  by  which  it  came  to  pafs,  that  almcft  all  thefe 
 were  incapacitated  to  fit  in  the   Aflembly,   and 
 meeting  was  nlmolt  wholly  made  up  only  of  thefe  who 
 had  been  inl-Tumentdl  in  carrying  on  the  former 
 fettion,  or  were  conferring  the:  were  approv- 
 
 ing thereof  A  more  grofs  prelimitation  than  this 
 mid  not  readily  be,  that  mer.  entrufted  by  the  Gc- 
 Benri  Aflembly  with  the  public  affairs,  and  to  prefci  ve 
 the  liberty  thereof,  fhould  firft'  (contrary  to  their  truft) 
 open  a  door  for  bringing  in  the  malignant  party,  i 
 then  (hut  the  deer  againil  the  fitting  of  all  theft 
 the  Afferobly,  where  their  proc  were  to  be 
 
 tried,   who  did   not  before  their  coming  there,    a 
 prove  of  their  opening  the  doer  to  the  malignants  j 
 which  was  not  only  to  make  defection  their,  fe  Ives,  but 
 to  involve  others  therein,  and  to  take  away  the 
 dy  thereof.   Btrfide  this  grofs  prelim: 
 aifo  divers  other  particulars  of  importance,  I 
 out  in  the  meti&g  i:ieif,  in  the  c&nftituent  members, 
 in  the  liberty  and  freedom  of  voting,  which  were  wt 
 down  at  length  in  the  protection  made  at  St.   An- 
 drews agai  meeting,  and  the  r. 
 penned-tor  {lengthening  thereof,   and  there 
 fhai:  not  need  in  this  place  to  repeat  thefe  tilings,  tut 
 recommend  the  reading  of  them  to  fuch  as  defire  $u 
 fully  to  be  informed  in  thefe  particular 3.     It  were  te- 
 dious to  fall  on  the  Ads  of  that  Aflembly,  and  warn- 
 ings iflued  by  them.     Thefe  things  we  no?/  leave,  ac 
 L  3  a  f u  \ 
 
(     n6     ) 
 
 a  fubjeft  requiring  a  more  large  and  diftinft  confider- 
 ation;  defiring  only  this  one  thing  to  be  pondered 
 and  confidered:  that  befides  their  ratifying  and  ap- 
 proving the  proceedings  of  the  former  commiflion 
 (which  were  in  many  things  the  great  grief  of  all  the 
 godly  in  the  land)  in  fuch  ample  manner,  as  even  (in 
 way  of  expreffion)  is  not  free  of  fome  flattery  and  va- 
 nity ;  and  befides  the  cenfuring  of  fome  honeft  men 
 ior  no  other  thing  but  only  protefting  againft  them; 
 and  befides,  the  emitting  of  warnings,  reflecting  ex- 
 ceedingly on  former  pious  and  warrantable  proceed- 
 ings, they  have  laid  a  foundation  for  cenfuring  all 
 minifters  and  proftffors,  and  for  keeping  fuch  out  of 
 the  miniftry  who  do  not  approve  of  all  thefe  proceed- 
 ings, which  have  this  Jaft  year  fo  much  vexed  and 
 grievrd  the  godly,  and  fo  much  rejoiced  and  made 
 glad  the  malignant  party  and  wicked  of  the  land  : 
 and  if  thefe  things  (hall  be  accordingly  executed  and 
 take  eiFcft,  what  perfecution  {hall  there  be  of  many 
 godly  minifters,  elders,  expe&ants,  and  profefibrs ; 
 and  what  a  miniftry,  and  what  a  church  (hall  we  have 
 in  a  few  years  ? 
 
 Art.  10.  <T^HE  laft  head  cf  the  Lord's  contro- 
 JL  verfy  that  is  mentioned,  is  deep  fecu- 
 rity  and  obflinancy,  irnpenitency  and  incorrigiblenefs 
 under  all  thefe,  and  under  all  the  dreadful  ftrokes  of 
 God,  and  tokens  of  his  indignation  ?gainft  us,  be- 
 caufe  of  the  fame,  fo  that  whilft  he  continues  to 
 fmite,  we  are  fo  far  from  humbling  ourfe-ves,  that 
 we  grow  worfe  and  worfe,  and  fin  more  and  more  : 
 that  it  is  fo  with  us,  will  not  (we  fuppofe)  be  denied 
 by  any  godly  man  amongft  us,  who  knows  and  ob- 
 ferves  the  land's  condition,  and  the  prefent  temper 
 and  carriage  of  the  inhabitants ;  every  man  crying 
 out  almoft  for  his  affli&ion,  but  none  almoft  mourn- 
 ing for  his  fin  :  we  think  it  may  be  truly  faid,  that 
 fin  and  iniquity  of  all  kinds,  and  amongft  all  ranks  of 
 perfens  hath  been  more  multiplied  and  increafed  in 
 
 Scotland, 
 
(       1*7      ) 
 
 Scotland,  fince  the  defeat  at  Dunbar,  than  in  many 
 years  before,  and  that  this  nation  was  not  fo  dull, 
 hard-hearted,  and  impenitent,  under  any  of  the  for- 
 mer rods,  wherewith  the  Lord  did  fmite  us  thefe 
 years  paft,  as  under  thefe  rods,  wherewith  he  now 
 fmites  us ;  and  that  this  doth  much  heighten  our  ini- 
 quity, and  fpeak  fad  things  to  come,  if  not  repented 
 of,  is  evident  from  lfa.  i.  5.  "  Why  fhould  ye  be 
 fhicken  any  more-,  ye  will  revolt  more  and  more: 
 the  whole  head  is  fick,  and  the  whole  heart  is  faint." 
 Ifa.  ix.  13, — 16.  "  For  the  people  turneth  not  unto 
 him  that  fmiteth  them,  neither  do  they  feek  the  Lord 
 of  hods.  Therefore  the  Lord  will  cut  off  from  Ifrael 
 head  and  tail,  root  and  branch,  in  one  day.  The  an- 
 cient and  honourable,  he  is  the  head;  and  the  pro- 
 phet that  teacheth  lies,  he  is  the  tail.  For  the  lead- 
 ers of  this  people  caufe  them  to  err,  and  they  that 
 are  led  of  them,  are  deftroyed.,:  Jer.  v  3  "  O  Lord, 
 are  not  thine  eyes  upon  the  truth  ?  thou  haft  ftricken 
 them,  but  they  have  not  grieved  ;  thou  haft  con- 
 fumed  them,  but  they  have  refufed  to  receive  cor- 
 rection ;  they  have  made  their  faces  harder  than  a 
 rock,  they  have  refufed  to  return. "  Jer.  viii.  4, — 7. 
 "  Moreover,  thou  (halt  fay  unto  them,  thus  faith 
 the  Lord,  (hall  they  fall,  and  not  arife  ?  (hall  he 
 turn  away  and  not  return  ?  Why  then  is  this  people 
 of  jerufalem  fliden  back  by  a  perpetual  backfliding  ? 
 they  hold  (aft  deceit,  they  refufe  to  return.  I  heark- 
 ened and  heard,  but  they  fpake  not  aright  :  no  man 
 repented  him  of  his  wickednefs,  faying,  What  have 
 1  done  ?  every  one  turneth  to  his  courfe  as  the  horfe 
 rufheth  into  the  battle.  Yea,  the  ftork  in  the  heaven 
 knoweth  her  appointed  times,  and  the  turtle,  and  the 
 crane,  and  the  fwallow  obferve  the  time  of  their  com- 
 ing ;  but  my  people  know  not  the  judgement  of  the 
 Lord."  Ifa  xlii  23, — z$.  u  Who  among  you  will 
 give  ear  "to  this  ?  who  will  hearken  and  hear  for  the 
 time  to  come  ?  Who  gave  Jacob  for  a  fpoil,  and  If- 
 rati  to  the  robbers  ?  did    not  the  Lord,  He,  againft 
 
 whom 
 
(     "8     ) 
 
 whom  we  have  finned  ?  for  they  would  not  walk  in 
 his  ways,  neither  were  they  obedient  to  his  law. 
 Therefore  he  hath  poured  upon  him  the  fury  of  his 
 anger,  and  the  ftrength  of  battle  \  and  it  hath  fet  him 
 on  fire  round  about,  yet  he  knew  not  j  and  it  burned 
 him,  yet  he  laid  it  not  to  heart."  Lev.  xxvi*  14, — 29. 
 iK  But  if  you  will  not  hearken  to  me,  and  will  not  do 
 all  thefe  commandments ;  and  if  ye  {hall  defpife  my 
 Statutes,  or  if  your  foul  abhor   my  judgments,  fo 
 that  ye  will  not  do  all  my  commandments,  but  that 
 ye  break  my  covenant :  I  alfo  will  do  this  unto  you, 
 I  will  even  appoint  over  you  terror,  confumption, 
 and  the  burning  ague  ;  that  (hall  confume  the  eyes, 
 and  caufe  forrow  of  heart :  and  ye  fhall  fow  your  ieed 
 in  vain,  for  your  enemies  fhall  eat  it.  And  1  will  fet 
 my  face  againft  you,  and  ye  (hall  be  flain  before  your 
 enemies  :   they  that  hate   you  fhall  reign  over  you, 
 and  ye  fhall   flee  when  none  purfueth  you.     And  if 
 you  will  not  yet  for  all  this  hearken  unto  me,  then  I 
 will  punifh  you  feven  times  more  for  your  fins.  And 
 I  will  break   the  pride  of  your  power ;  and   1  will 
 make  your  heaven   as  iron,   and  your  earth   as  brafs. 
 And  your  ftrength  fhall  be  fpent  in  vain  ;  for  your 
 land  fhall  not  yield  her  increafe,  neither   fhall  the 
 trees  of  the  land  yield  their  fruits.     And  if  ye  walk 
 contrary  unto  me,  and  will  not  hearken  unto  me,  I 
 will  bring  feven  times  more  plagues  upon  you,  ac- 
 cording to  your  fins.     I  will  alfo   fend   wild  beafts 
 among  you,  which  fhall   rob  you  of   your  children, 
 and  deflroy  your  cattle,  and  make  you  few  in  num- 
 ber, and   your  highways  fhall  be  defolate.     And  if 
 you  will  not  be  reformed   by  thefe    things,  but  will 
 walk  contrary  unto   me  :  Then  will  I  alio  walk  con- 
 trary unto  you,  and  will  puniih  you  yet  feven  times 
 for  your  fins.     And  I  will  bring  a  fword  upon  you, 
 that   fhall   avenge  the  quarrel  of  my  covenant :  and 
 when  you  are  gathered  together  within  your  cities, 
 I  will  fend  the  peitilence  among  you  ;  and  ye  fhall  be 
 delivered  into  the  hand  of  the  enemy.     And  when 
 
 I  have 
 
(       **9      ) 
 
 I  have  broken  the  ftafFof  your  bread,  ten  women 
 fhall  bake  your  bread  in  one  oven,  and  they  (liall  de- 
 liver you  your  bread  again  by  weight,  and  ye  (hall 
 eat  and  not  be  fatisfied.  And  if  you  will  not  for  all 
 this  hearken  unto  me,  but  v/alk  contrary  unto  me: 
 Then  I  will  walk  contrary  unto  you  alfo  in  fury; 
 and  I,  even  I,  will  chaftife  youfeven  times  for  your  fins* 
 And  ye  (hall  eat  the  fleih  of  you  fons,  and  the  ffefh 
 of  your  daughters  fliall  ye  eat.  And  I  wiil  de- 
 ftroy  your  higk  places,  and  cut  down  your  images, 
 and  caft  your  carcafes  upon  the  carcafes  of  your 
 idols,  and  my  foul  fhall  abhor  you.  And  1  will 
 make  your  cities  wafte,  and  bring  your  fan£tu~ 
 aries  uato  defolation,  and  I  will  not  fmell  the  fa- 
 vour of  your  fweet  odours.  And  I  will  bring  the 
 land  into  defolation ;  and  your  enemies,  which  dwell 
 therein,  fhall  be  aftonifhed  at  it.  And  I  will  fcatter 
 you  among  the  Heathen,  and  will  draw  out  a  fword 
 after  you ;  and  your  land  fhall  be  defolate,  and  your 
 cities  wafte.  Then  (hall  the  land  enjoy  her  Sabbaths 
 as  long  as  it  lieth  defolate,  and  ye  be  in  your  enemies 
 land  ;  even  then  fliall  the  land  reft,  and  enjoy  her 
 Sabbaths.  As  long  as  it  lieth  defolate,  it  (hall  reft ; 
 becaufe  it -did  not  reft  in  your  Sabbaths  when  ye 
 dwelt  upon  it.  And  upon  them  that  are  left  alive  of 
 you,  I  will  fend  a  faintnefs  into  their  hearts  in  the 
 lands  of  their  enemies  ;  and  the  found  of  a  (haken  leaf 
 (hall  chafe  them  *,  and  they  (hall  flee,  as  fleeing  from 
 a  fword,  and  they  fliall  fall  when  none  purfueth  them. 
 And  they  fhall  fall  one  upon  another,  as  it  were  be- 
 fore^ fword,  when  none  purfueth  \  and  ye  fliall  have 
 no  power  to  ftand  before  your  enemies.  And  ye  fhall 
 perifli  among  the  Heathen,  3nd  the  land  of  your  ene- 
 mies fliall  eat  you  up.  And  they  that  are  left  of  you, 
 fliall  pine  away  in  their  iniquity  in  your  enemies  lands, 
 and  alfo  in  the  iniquities  of  their  fathers  ftir.ll  they 
 pine  away  with  them/' 
 
A    HUMBLE 
 
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
 
 OS       THE 
 
 S       I       N       S 
 
 OF       THE 
 
 MINISTRY 
 
 O     F 
 
 SCOTLAND 
 
THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ALTHOUGH  we  are  not  ignorant,  that  mockers 
 of  all  forts  may  take  occafion,  by  this  acknow- 
 ledgment of  the  fins  of  minifters,  to  ftrengthen  them- 
 felves  in  their  prejudices  at  our  perfons  and  callings, 
 and  turn  this  unto  our  reproach,  and  that  fome  may 
 ixiifconftrue  cur  meaning  therein,  as  if  we  did  thereby 
 intend  to  render  the  miniftry  of  this  church  bafe  anS 
 contemptible,  which  is  far  from  our  thoughts,  we 
 knowing  and  being  perfuaded  inpurfelves,  that  there 
 are  many  able,  godly  and  faithful  minifters  in  the 
 land  -,  yet  being  convinced  that  we  are  called  to  humble 
 ourfelves  and  to  juftify  the  Lord  in  all  the  contempt 
 that  he  hath  pou.ed  upon  us:  that  they  who  (hall 
 know  our  fins,  may  not  :lumbfe  at  our  judgments : 
 we  have  thought  it  our  duty  to  publifh  this  following 
 difcovery  and  acknowledgment  oi  the  corruptions  and 
 fins  of  minifters,  that  it  may  appear  how  deep  our 
 hand  is  in  the  tranfgreffion,  and  that  the  minifters  of 
 Scotland  have  no  .f mall  acceflion  to  the  drawing  on 
 of  thefe  judgments  that  are  upon  the  land. 
 
 Only  in  this  following  acknowledgment  we  defire 
 it  may  be  confidered,  that  there  are  here  enumerated 
 fome  fins,  whereof  there  are  but  fome  few  minifters 
 guilty,  and  others  whereof  more  are  guilty,  and  not 
 a  few,  which  are  the  fins  of  thefe  whom  ttie  Lord 
 hath  kept  from  the  more  grofs  corruptions  herein  men- 
 tioned; and  that  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  the  mi- 
 niftry of  Scotland  be  yet  in  a  great  meafure  unpurgedj 
 confidering  that  there  was  fo  wide  a  door  opened  for 
 the  entering  of  corrupt  perfons  into  the  miniitry,  for 
 the  fpace  of  above  thirty  years,  under  the  tyranny  of 
 prelates,  and  that  alfo  there  hath  been  fo  many  diver- 
 fions  from,  and  interruptions  of  endeavours  to  have  a 
 purged  miniftrv  in  this  land, 
 
 THE 
 
T  H  E 
 
 SINS    OF    THE     MINISTRY. 
 
 ?,  Such  as  are  before  their  entry  to  the  Mitiijlry. 
 
 I,  1      IGHTNESS  and  profanity  in  conversion, 
 \  i   unfuitable  to    that  holy  calling  which  they 
 did  intend,  not  thoroughly  repented  of. 
 
 2.  Corrupt  education  of  fome  in  the  Prelatical  and 
 Arminian  way,  whereby  their  corruptions  and  er- 
 rors were  drunken  in,  and  abilities  improved,  for 
 ftrengthening  and  .promoting  the  fame,  not  repent- 
 ed of. 
 
 3.  Not  ftudying  to  be  in  Chrift,  before  they  be  in 
 the  miniftry  ;  nor  to  have  the, practical  knowledge  and 
 experience  of  the  myftery  of  the  gofpel  in  themfelves, 
 before  they  preach  it  to  others. 
 
 4.  Neglecting  to  tit  themfelves  for  the  work  of 
 the  miniftry,  in  not  improving  prayer  and  feilowfhip 
 with  God,  education  at  fchools,  and  opportunities 
 of  a  lively  miniftry,  and  other  means,  and  not 
 mourning  for  thefe  negledts. 
 
 5.  Not  ftudying  felf- denial,  nor  refolving  to  take 
 up  the  crofs  of  Chrift* 
 
 6.  Negligence  to  entertain  a  fight  and  fenfe  cf 
 fin  and  mifery,  not  wreftling  againft  corruption,  nor 
 ftudying  of  mortification  and  fubduednefs  of  fpirit. 
 
 Secondly ,  In  entering. 
 
 CARNALL,  corrupt  and  crooked  ways  for  en- 
 tering to  the  miniftry,  fuch  as  bribing,  in  the 
 time  of  prelacy,  folicitation  of  friends,  and  the  like  ; 
 whereby  many  have  not  entered  by  the  door,  but  did 
 climb  up  another  way. 
 
 2.  Entering  to  the  miniftry  by  an  implicit,  exe- 
 crable, canonical  oath  and  fubfeription*  given  to  the 
 prelates  for  acknowledging  them,  and  advancing 
 tfeeir  corruptions  introduced  and  to  be  introduced. 
 
 M  3    Entering 
 
(     *34*) 
 
 3-  Entering  to  the  miniftry  without  trials,  and  re- 
 
 itig  ordination,  either   from  the  prelate,  or  by 
 
 a   recommendation    from    him    to  the   prefbytery, 
 
 sn'd  fometimes  without  or  againft  the  mind  of  the 
 
 prefbytery. 
 
 4.  Entering  either  only  by  prefentations,  or  by 
 purchafed  i'upplications  from  the  plurality  of  the  pa* 
 rifhioners,  without  or  againft  the  content  of  the 
 godly  in  the  parifti. 
 
 5.  Entering  to  the  miniftry  without  refpeft  to  a 
 commiflion  from  Jefus  Chrift,  by  which  it  hath  come 
 to  pafs  that  many  have  run  unfenr. 
 
 6.  Entering  into  the  miniftry,  not  from  the  love 
 of  Chrift,  nor  from  a  defire  to  honour  God  in  gain- 
 ing of  fouls,  but  for  by-ends,  for  a  name,  and  for 
 Jiveiihood  in  the  world,  notwithftancling  folemn  de- 
 claration to  the  contrary  at  admifiion. 
 
 7.  Some  oiFeriug  themfelves  to  trial  without  abi- 
 lities, and  ftutlying  co  conceal  and  hide  their  weak- 
 ness, by  making  u(q  of  the  help  and  pains  of  fome 
 friends  and  acquaintances,  or  other  mens  papers  in 
 feveral  parts  of  the  trial;  and  fome  authorized  to 
 preach,  and  others  admitted  to  the  miniftry,  who 
 have  littls  or  no  ability  for  performing  the  duties- 
 thereof. 
 
 8.  Too  much  weighed  with  inclination  to  be  cal- 
 led to  the  mi-niftry  in  a  place  where  we  have  carnal 
 relation. 
 
 Thirdly  y  after  entering)  nvhich  is  fir  ft  in  their  private 
 condition  and  conversation* 
 
 i.  TGNORANCEof  God,  want  of  nearnefs  with 
 him,  and  taking  up  little  of  God  in  reading, 
 meditating,  and  fpeaking  of  him. 
 
 2.  Exceeding  great  felfiibnefs  in  all  that  we  do, 
 acting  from  ourfelves,  for  ourfelves. 
 
 3.  Not  caring  how  unfaithful  and  negligent  others- 
 were,  fo  being  it  might  contribute  a  teftimony  to  our 
 
 faithfulnefs 
 
(    *3S    ) 
 
 faithfu'nefs  and  diligence  :  but  being  rather  content, 
 if  not  rejoicing  at  their  fault 
 
 4  Lead  delight  in  thefe  things  wherein  lieth  our 
 neareft  communion  with  God,  great  inconftancy  in 
 our  walk  with  God,  and  neglect  of  acknowledging  of 
 him  in  all  our  ways.  ■ 
 
 5.  In  going  about  duties,  lead  careful  of  thefe  which 
 are  mod  remote  from  the  eyes  of  men. 
 
 6.  Seldom  in  fecret  prayer  with  God,  except  to  fit 
 for  public  performances,  and  even  that  much  ne- 
 glected, or  gone  about  very  fuperficially. 
 
 7.  GJad  to  find  cxcufcs  for  the  negleCt  of  duties. 
 
 8.  Neglecting  the  reading  of  the  fcriptures  in  fecret, 
 for  edifying  ourfeives  as  Chriftians,  only  reading  them 
 in  fo  far  as  may  fit  us  for  our  duty  as  minifters,  and 
 oft-times  negledting  that. 
 
 9.  Not  given  to  reflect  upon  our  own  ways,  nor  fuf- 
 fcring  conviftion  to  have  3  thorough  work  upon  us, 
 deceiving  ourfeives  by  refting  upon  abftinence  frorrv, 
 and  abhorrence  of  evils,  from  the  light  of  a  natural 
 conference,  and  looking  upon  the  fame  as  an  evidence 
 of  a  real  change. 
 
 10  Evil  guarding  of,  and  watching  over  the  heart, 
 aud  carelcffhefs  in  feif-fearching,  which  makes  much 
 unacquaintednefs  with  ourfeives,  and  eftrangednefa 
 from  God. 
 
 11.  Not  guarding  nor  wreftling  againft  feen  and 
 known  ills,  efpeciaily  our  predominants. 
 
 12.  A  facility  to  be  drawn  away  with  the  tempta- 
 tions of  the  time,  and  other  particular  temptations, 
 according  to  our  inclinations  and  fellowfhip, 
 
 I  j.  Inft ability  and  wavering  in  the  ways  of  God 
 through  the  fears  of  perfecution,  hazard,  or  lofs  of 
 efteem,  and  declining  duties,  becaufe  of  the  "fear  of 
 jealoufies  and  reproaches 
 
 14.  Not  efteeming  the  crofj  of  Chrift,  and  fufrer- 
 irgs  for  his  name,  honourable,  but  rather  fiiifting  fuf- 
 >  ferings  from  felf-love. 
 
 Mi  1 5.  Dead- 
 
(    tys   ) 
 
 15.  Deadnefs  of  fpirit  after  all  the  fore  flrokes  of 
 God  upon  the  land. 
 
 \6.  Little  confcience  made  of  fecret  humiliation 
 and  fading  by  ourfeJves  apart,  and  in  our  families  5 
 that  we  might  mourn  for  cur  own  and  the  land's 
 guiltinefs  and  great  backflidings,  and  little  applying 
 the  caufes  of  public  humiliation  to  our  own  hearts. 
 
 17.  Finding  of  cur  own  pleafures,  when  the  Lord 
 calls  for  humiliation. 
 
 18.  Not  laying  to  heart  the  fad  and  heavy  fuffer- 
 ings  of  the  people  of  God  abroad,  and  the  not  thriving 
 of  the  kingdom  cf  Jefus  Chrift,  asd  the  power  .of  god- 
 linefs  among  them. 
 
 19.  Refined  bypocrify,  defiring  to  appear  what  in- 
 deed we  are  not. 
 
 20.  Studying  more  to  learn  the  language  of  God's 
 people,  than  their  exercife. 
 
 2i.  Artificial  confefTmg  of  fin  without  repentancr, 
 profefling  to  declare  iniquity,  and  not  refolving  to  be 
 forry  for  fin. 
 
 22.  Confeffion  in  fecret  much  flighted,  even  of  thefe 
 things  whereof  we  are  convinced. 
 
 23.  No  reformation  after  folemn  acknowledgments 
 and  private  vows,  thinking  ourfelves  excnered  after 
 Confeificn. 
 
 24.  Readier  to  fearch  ont  and  cenfure  faults  in  0- 
 thers,  than  to  fee  cr  take  with  them  in  ourfelves. 
 
 25.  Accounting  of  cur  eftate  and  way  according  to 
 the  eftimation  that  others  h^ve  of  us. 
 
 26.  Eftimatioi)  cf  men  as  they  agree  with,  or  dif- 
 agree  from  us. 
 
 27.  Not  fearing  to  meet  with  trials,  but  prefuming 
 in  our  own  ftrength  to  go  through  them  unfhaken. 
 
 28.  Not  learning  to  fear  by  the  falls  of  gracious 
 men,  nor  mourning  and  praying  for  them, 
 
 29.  Not  obferving  particular  deliverances  and  rods, 
 nor  improving  of  them  for  the  honour  of  God,  and 
 edification  of  ourfelves  and  ethers* 
 
 30.  Little 
 
(     '37     ) 
 30.  Little  or  no  mourning  for  the  corruption  oc 
 our  nature,  and  lefs  groaning  under,  and  longing  to 
 be  delivered  from  that  body  of  death,  the  bitter  root 
 of  ail  our  other  evils. 
 
 Secondly ,  In  cur  conver fatim  ar.d  vjalk  with  and  before 
 thefe  of  our  flocks  and  others. 
 
 i.XT'RUITLESSconverfing  ordinarily  with  others 
 j£     for  the  worfe  rather  than  for  the  better. 
 
 2.  Foolifh  jefting  away  time  with  impertinent  and 
 ufelefs  difcourfe,  very  unfeerning  the  minifters  of  the 
 gofpel. 
 
 3.  Spiritual  purpofes  often  dying  in  cur  hands, 
 when  they  are  begun  by  others. 
 
 4.  Carnal  familiarity  with  natural  wicked  and 
 .malignant  men  }    whereby   they  are  hardened,   the 
 
 people  of  God  (tumbled,  and  we  ourfelves  blunted. 
 
 5.  Slighting  fellowfhip  with  thefe  by  whom  we  -" 
 might  profit. 
 
 6  Defiring  more  to  converfe  with  thefe  that  might 
 better  us  by  their  parts,  than  fuch  as  might  edify  us 
 by  their  graces. 
 
 7.  Not  ftudying  opportunities  of 'doing  geed  to- 
 others. 
 
 8.  Shifting  of  prayer,  and  other  duties,  when 
 
 led  thereto,  choofing  rather  to  emit  the  fame,  than 
 we  fhould  be  put  to  them  ourfelves. 
 
 9.  Abufing  of  time  in  frequent  recreation  and  pat 
 times,  and  loving  our  pleafures  more  than  God. 
 
 10.  Taking  little  cr  no  time  to  Chriftiari  difcourfe 
 with  young  men  trained  up  for  the  miniiiry. 
 
 1 1.  Common  and  ordinary  difcourfe  on  the  Lord's  - 
 Day. 
 
 12.  Slighting  Chriftian  admonition  from  any  of 
 our  flocks,  or  others,  as  being  below  us,  and  afham- 
 ed  to  take  light  and  warning  from  private  Cbrif- 
 tians. 
 
 M  3  {3,  DTfljkf 
 
(     »38     ) 
 
 13.  Ditfike  of,  or  bitternefs  againft  fuch  as  deal 
 freely  with  us  by  admonition  or  reproof,  and  not 
 dealing  faithfully  with  others  who  would  welcome  it 
 offour  hands. 
 
 14.  Not  making  confcience  to  take  pains  on  the 
 ignorant  and  profane  for  their  good. 
 
 15  Our  not  mourning  for  the  ignorance,  unbelief,, 
 and  mifcarriages  cf  the  flocks  committed  unto  us. 
 
 16.  Impatient  bearing  of  the  infirmities  of  others, 
 rafli'y  breaking  cut  againft  their  perfcns,  more  than 
 studying  to  gain  them  from  their  fins. 
 
 17.  Not  uilng  freedom  with  thefe  of  our  charge, 
 and  for  mod  part  fpending  our  time  with  them  \a 
 common  difcourfes,  not  tending  to  edification. 
 
 i8>  Negk&ing  admonition  to  friends  and  others 
 in  an  evil  courfe. 
 
 19.  Refervednefs  in  laying  out  our  condition  to 
 others 
 
 20  Not  praying  for  men  of  a  contrary  judgment, 
 but  uilng  refervednefs  and  diftance  from  them,  being 
 more  ready  to  fpeakof  them  than  to  them,  or  to  God 
 for  therru 
 
 21.  Not  weighed  with  the  failings  and  rnifcarriagee 
 ©f  others,  but  rather  taking  advantage  thereof  for 
 juftifying  ourfelves. 
 
 22  Talking  of,  and  fporting  at  the  faults  of 
 others,  rather  than  compaflionating  of  them. 
 
 23.  No  pains  taken  in  religious  ordering  of  our 
 families,  nor  ftudying  to  be  patterns  to  other  families- 
 in  the  government  of  ours. 
 
 24.  Hafty  anger  and  paiTion  in  our  families  and 
 converfation  with  others. 
 
 25.  Covetoumefs,  worldly-mindednefs,  and  an  in- 
 ordinate defire  after  the  things  of  this  life,  upoa 
 which  followeth  a  neglefr  of  the  duties  of  our  cal- 
 ling, and  our  being  taken  up  for  the  mod  part  with 
 the  things  cf  the  world. 
 
 26.  Want  of  hcfpitality  and  charity  to  the  mem* 
 &ets  of  Qtriit 
 
 Not 
 
(     *39    ) 
 
 27.  Not  cherifhing  godlinefs  in  the  people,  and 
 fome  being  afraid  of  it,  and  hating  the  people  of 
 God  for  piety,  and  ftudying  to  bear  down  and  quench 
 the  work  of  the  Spirit  amongft  them. 
 
 Thirdly %  In  the  difcharge  of  tninijlerial  duties.     Which 
 is,jir/l,  in  regard  of  labouring  in  the  word  and  doBrine. 
 
 1.  "^TOT  entertaining  that  edge-of  fpirit  in  mini- 
 
 X\|  Aerial  duties,  which  we  found  at  the  firft 
 entry  to  the  miniftry. 
 
 2  Great  ncglett  of  reading  and  other  preparation, 
 or  preparation  merely  literal  and  bookifh,  making  an 
 idol  of  a  book,  which  hindereth  communion  with 
 God,  or  prefuming  on  bygone  affiftance,  and  pray- 
 ing little. 
 
 3.  Trufting  to  gifts,  parts,  and  pains  taken  for  pre- 
 paration, whereby  God  is  provoked,  to  blaft  good 
 matter,  well  ordered  and  worded. 
 
 4  .  Carelefs  in  employing  Chrift,  and  drawing  vir- 
 tue out  of  him  for  enabling  us  to  preach  in  the  Spi- 
 rit and  in  power. 
 
 5.  In  prayer  for  affiftance,  we  pray  more  for  af- 
 fiftance to  the  meflenger  than  to  the  meffage  which 
 we  carry,  not  caring  what  become  of  the  word,  if 
 we  be  with  fome  meafure  of  affiftance  carried  on  in 
 the  duty. 
 
 6.  The  matter  we  bring  forth  is  net  ferioufly  re- 
 commended to  God  by  prayer  to  be  quickened  to  hia 
 people. 
 
 7.  Negleft  of  prayer  after  the  word  is  preached, 
 that  it  may  receive  the  firft  and  latter  rain  ;  and  that 
 the  Lord  would  put  in  the  hearts  of  his  people  what 
 we  fpeak  to  them  in  his  name. 
 
 8.  Neglett  to  warn,  in  preaching,  of  fnares  and 
 fin  in  public  affairs  by  fome,  and  too  much  frequent 
 and  unneceffary  fpeaking  by  others  of  public  bufinefa 
 and  t  ran  factions. 
 
 9.  Exceeding 
 
(     M°     ) 
 
 9.  Exceeding  great  negleft  and  unfkilfulnefs  tofet 
 forth  the  excellencies  and  ufefulnefs  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
 and  the  New  Covenant,  which  ought  to  be  the  great 
 fubjett  of  a  minifter's  ftudy  and  preaching. 
 
 10.  Speaking  of  Chrift  more  by  hearfay  than  from 
 knowledge  and  experience,  or  any  real  impreflion  of 
 him  upon  the  heart. 
 
 1 1.  The  way  of  moft  minifters  preaching  too  legal. 
 
 12.  Want  of  fobriety  in  preaching  the  gofpel,  not 
 favouring  any  thing  but  what  is  new,  fo  that  the  fub- 
 itantials  of  religion  bear  but  little  bulk 
 
 13.  Not  preaching  Chrift  in  the  fimplicity  of  the 
 gofpel,  nor  ourfclves  the  peoples  fervants  for  ChrinVs 
 fake. 
 
 14.  Preaching  of  Chrift  not  that  the  people  may 
 know  him,  but  that  they  may  think  we  know  much 
 of  him. 
 
 15.  Preaching  anent  Chrift's  leaving  the  land 
 without  brokennefs  of  heart,  or  up-ftirringof  ourfelves 
 to  take  hold  of  him. 
 
 16.  Not  preaching  with  bowels  of  compafiion  to 
 them  who  are  in  hazard  to  perifli. 
 
 17.  Preaching  againft  public  fins,  neither  in  fuch 
 a  way,  nor  for  fuch  an  end,  as  we  ought  for  the 
 gaining  of  fouls,  and  drawing  men  out  of  their  fins, 
 but  rather  becaufe  it  is  of  our  concernment  to  fay 
 fomething  of  thefe  evils. 
 
 18.  Bkternefs  inftead  of  zeal,  in  fpeaking  againft 
 malignants,  feftaries,  and  other  fcandalous  perfons, 
 and  unfaithfulnefs  therein. 
 
 19  Not  ftudying  to  know  the  particular  condi- 
 tion of  the  fouls  of  the  people,  that  we  may  fpeak  to 
 them  accordingly,  nor  keeping  a  particular  record 
 thereof,  though  convinced  of  the  ufefulnefs  of  this 
 
 20.  Not  chufing  what  may  be  moft  profitable  and 
 edifying,  and  want  of  wifdom  in  application  to  the 
 feveral  conditions  of  fouls,  not  fo  careful  to  bring 
 home  the  point  by  application  as  to  find  out  the 
 
 doftrine, 
 
(     I4i     ) 
 
 doctrine,  nor  fpeaking  the  fame  with  that  reverence 
 which  becomes  his  word  and  meflage. 
 
 21.  Choofing  texts  whereon  we  have  fomething 
 to  fay,  rather  than  fuiting  to  the  condition  of  fouls 
 and  times,  and  frequent  preaching  of  the  fame 
 things,  that  we  may  not  be  put  to  the  pains  of  new 
 ftudy. 
 
 22.  Such  a  way  of  reading,  preaching,  and  prayer 
 as  puts  us  in  thefe  duties  further  from  God. 
 
 23.  Too  foon  fatisfied  in  ^tbe  difcharge  of  duties, 
 and  holding  off  challenges  with  excufes. 
 
 24.  Indulging  the  body,  and  wafting  much  time 
 idlely. 
 
 25.  Too  much  eyeing  our  own  credit  and  applaufe, 
 and  being  taken  with  it,  when  we  get  it,  and  unfa* 
 tisfied  when  it  is  wanting. 
 
 26.  Timoroufnefs  in  delivering  God's  meflage> 
 letting  people  die  in  reigning  fins  without  warning. 
 
 27.  Voguinefs  and  pride  of  heart  becaufe  the  Lord 
 fulfilled  our  word  ill  the  year  1648. 
 
 28.  Rafli  fpeaking  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  in 
 reference  to  the  fuccefs  of  our  armies  of  late. 
 
 29.  Studying  the  difcharge  of  duties,  rather  to 
 free  ourfelves  fromcenfure,  than  to  approve  ourfelves 
 to  God. 
 
 30.  Shifting  to  preach  in  places  where  we  were 
 for  the  time  for  fear  of  difpleafing,  in  this  time  of 
 public  backfliding  and  trial. 
 
 3  1.  Not  making  all  the  counfel  of  God  known  to 
 his  people,  and  paticularly,  not  giving  teftimony  in 
 times  of  defe&ion. 
 
 32.  Not  ftudying  to  profit  by  our  own  do&rine, 
 nor  the  do<frrine  of  others. 
 
 33.  For  mod  part  preaching,  as  we  ourfelves  were 
 not  concerned  in  the  meflage  we  carry  to  the  people. 
 
 34-  Not  rejaicing  at  the  converfion  of  finners,  but 
 content  with  the  unthriving  of  the  Lord's  work 
 amongft  his  people,  as  fuiting  beft  with  our  minds, 
 
 fearing 
 
(     *4*     ) 
 
 fearing  if  they  fhould  thrive  better,  we  fhould  be 
 more  put  to  it,  and  iefs  efteemed  of  by  them. 
 
 35.  Many,  by  preaching  and  pra&ice  bearing  down 
 the  power  of  godlinefs. 
 
 36  Unfaithful  difcharge  of  minifterial  duties  in 
 attending  the  armies. 
 
 37.  We  preach  not  as  before  God,  but  as  to  men, 
 as  doth  appear  by  the  different  pains  in  our  prepara- 
 tion to  fpeak  to  our  ordinary  hearers,  and  to  others 
 to  whom  we  would  approve  ourfelves. 
 
 32=  Not  making  the  miniftry  a  work  in  earneft, 
 as  a  thing  to  be  accounted  for  in  every  dufy,  which 
 makes  much  lazinefs  and  unfruitfulnefs,  doing  duties 
 ex  officio,  not  ex  confcientia  officio^  rather  to  difcharge 
 our  calling  than  our  confcknce. 
 
 Secondly,  In  the  adminijiration  of  facraments* 
 I.     In  Baptifm. 
 
 LITTLE  minding  in  ourfelves,  or  ftirring  up  of 
 others  to  mind  the  obligation  that  lies  on  us 
 and  them,  by  the  covenant  made  with  God  in  b -p- 
 tifm. 
 
 a.  Nor  inftru&ing  parents  in  their  duty,  not  charg- 
 ing them  with  their  pramife  given  at  the  baptizing 
 of  their  children,  nor  trying  what  pains  they  have 
 taken  to  perform  the  fame. 
 
 3>  Being  very  fuperficial  and  formal  in  the  admx- 
 niftration  of  this  ordinance. 
 
 Thirdly^  In  the  adminijiration  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
 
 ADMITTING  of  mixt  multitudes  to  the  Lord's 
 table,  not  feparating  betwixt  the  precious  and 
 the  vile. 
 
 2.  Unequal  dealing  with  poor  and  rich,  in  admit- 
 ting to,  or  iufpending  and  debarring  from  the  Lord's 
 table, 
 
 3.  Great 
 
(     143     ) 
 
 3.  Great  negleft  to  prepare  for  that  a£tion,  pre- 
 paring for  it  more  as  minifters  than  as  Chriftians. 
 
 4.  Carnal  and  unworthy  carriage  of  minifters  at 
 the  communion,  being  more  defirous  to  have  that 
 a£Uon  by  our  hands,  with  credit  to  ourfelves,  than 
 with  profit  to  the  people. 
 
 5.  1'hinking  when  that  a£Uon  is  by  hand,  that  we 
 have  a  vacancy  from  other  minifterial  duties  for  a 
 time. 
 
 6.  Little  wreftling  with  God  to  have  the  people 
 prepared  for  it,  or  the  guilt  of  profaning  of  it  by 
 ourfelves  and  others  taken  away. 
 
 Fourthly,  In  vifiting. 
 
 NEGLIGENT,  lazy  and  partial  vifiting  the  fick  -, 
 if  they  be  poor,  we  go  cnce,  and  only  wheh 
 fent  for ;  if  they  be  rich  and  of  better  note,  we  go 
 oftener,  and  unfent  for. 
 
 2.  Not  knowing  how  to  fpeak  with  the  tongue  of 
 the  learned  a  word  in  feafon  to  the  weary  and  exer- 
 cifed  in  confcience,  nor  to  fuch  as  are  under  the  lofs 
 of  hufband,  wife,  children,  friends,  or  goods,  for 
 the  improving  of  thefe  trials  to  their  fpirituai  ad- 
 vantage, nor  to  dying  perfons. 
 
 3.  In  vifiting,  wearying,  or  (liunning  to  go  to 
 fuch  as  we  efteem  gracelefs- 
 
 4.  Not  vifiting  the  people  from  houfe  to  houfe, 
 nor  praying  with  them  at  fit  opportunities. 
 
 4.     In  Catcchifing. 
 
 I.  T      AZY  and  negligent  in  catechizing. 
 
 1  j  2.  Not  preparing  our  hearts  before,  nor 
 wreftling  with  God  for  a  blefiing  to  it,  becaufe  of 
 the  ordinarinefs,  and  apprehended  eafinefs  of  it; 
 whereby  the  Lord's  name  is  much  taken  in  vain, 
 and  the  people  little  profited. 
 
 3.  Looking 
 
 v>- 
 
(     '44     ) 
 
 3-  Looking  on  that  exercife  as  a  work  below  us, 
 and  not  condefcending  to  ftudy  a  right  and  profitable 
 way  of  inftru&ing  the  Lord's  people. 
 
 4.  Partial  in  catechifing,  paffing  by  thefe  that  are 
 rich  and  of  better  quality,  though  many  of  fuch  ftand 
 ordinarily  in  great  need  of  inftru&ion. 
 
 5  Not  waiting  upon  and  following  the  ignorant, 
 but  paflionately  upbraiding  of  them  often. 
 
 5.     In  Ruling  and  difcipline* 
 
 I.  '^fOF  making  ufe  of  this  ordinance  of  church 
 JL^I  cenfures  for  gaining  of  fouls,  but  turning  i: 
 into  a  mere  civil  punifliment ;  and  in  the  admini- 
 ftration  thereof,  becoming  ekher  coldrife,  or  without 
 a  fpirit  of  meeknefs,  and  ufing  a  way,  either  merely 
 rational,  by  worldly  wifdom,  or  merely  authoritative,, 
 more  than  by  motives  drawn  from  the  love  of  Chrift; 
 and  by  our  carriage  in  judicatories,  putting  a  human 
 (hape  upon  the  ordinances  of  Jefus  Chrift,  carrying 
 ourfeives  in  too  (lately  a  way,  like  the  men  of  this 
 world. 
 
 2  Partiality  in  adminiftration  of  cenfures,  with  ref- 
 pe£t  of  perfons,  not  ufing  the  like  faithful  freedom  to- 
 wards high  and  low,  friends  and  ftrangt  rs. 
 
 3.  Rafli  taking  on  us  to  open  and  (hut  Chrift's 
 door. 
 
 4.  By  our  practice,  teaching  (as  it  were)  formality 
 in  repentance  to  offenders,  hardening  them  in  their, 
 fins,  by  accepting  bare  forms,  without  any  evidence 
 of  repentat  ce,  and  ioofing  when  we  were  perfuaded 
 Chrift  did  not  loofe  :  and  of  late  turning  profeflion  of 
 repentance  into  a  (late  engine  for  men  to  ftep  into 
 preferment  and  public  employments. 
 
 5.  Following  fcandalous  perfons  with  the  higheft  • 
 cenfuies  of  the  kirk,  with  little  or  no  care  to  hold 
 them  up  to  God 
 
 6   Want  of  compaflion  to  thefe  on  whom   disci- 
 pline is  exercifed,  not  labouring  to  convince  them  of 
 
 fin, 
 
(     MS     ) 
 
 fin,  but  imperiously  and  with  paifion,  inftead  of  zeal, 
 threatening  them,  thinking  it  fufficient  if  we  be  obey- 
 ed, though  they  be  not  gained  to  Chrift. 
 
 7.  Superficial,  finful,  and  flight  cenfuring  one  ano- 
 ther, at  times  appointed  for  that  end  in  prtfbyteries 
 and  fynods,  and  negledt  of  faithful  freedom  and  love 
 in  performing  that  duty. 
 
 3.  Admitting  of  men  to  the  miniftry  who  were  not 
 qualified  with  grace  as  well  as  gifts,  notwithftanding 
 the  word  of  God  and  conftitutions  of  this  kirk  require 
 the  one  as  well  as  the  other;  which  hath  been  the 
 fountain  of  many  evils. 
 
 9.  Great  unfaithfulnefs  in  bringing  in,  and  hold- 
 Log  in,  unworthy  perfons  in  the  miniftry,  and  keep- 
 ing  cenfures  off  unfaithful  men. 
 
 10.  Unfaithfulnefs  in  giving  testimonials  and  re- 
 commendations, and  receiving  perfons  upon  teftimo- 
 xiials  merely  negative,  efp^cially  expectants  and  ftu- 
 dents  of  divinity. 
 
 11.  Constituting  elderfhips  of  fuch  men  as  are 
 known  to  be  ignorant,  profane,  and  difaffe£ted  to  the 
 work  of  God,  and  being  carelefs  to  have  them  con- 
 fiding of  the  moft  able  and  godly  men  within  the  con- 
 gregation, a  great  caufe  of  much  ignorance,  profane 
 and  fcandalous  carriage  among  the  people. 
 
 12.  Neglecting  to  remove  from  the  elderfhips  fuch 
 I  as  are  ignorant  and  fcandaleus. 
 
 13.  Neglecting  to  hold  out  the  neceffary  qualifica- 
 tions and  duties  of  ruling  elders,  and  to  ftir  them  up 
 to  their  duty. 
 
 14.  Not  carrying  ourfelves  in  judicatories,  and  o- 
 therwife,  towards  ruling  elders  as  towards  brethren, 
 and  joint  overfeers  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
 
 1 5.  Not  making  confcience  of  keeping  kirk  judica- 
 tories, but  wearying  of  the  expences  and  attendance* 
 whereby  divers  things  hath  bten  hurried  and  mifcar- 
 ried  therein:  willing  deferring  of  them,  and  fhunning 
 to  give  teftimony  in  them,  fox  fear  of  inconvenien- 
 oies. 
 
 N  16.  Net 
 
(     *4<5     ) 
 
 1 6.  Not  (looping  to  a  gaining  way  in  debates, 
 nor  making  application  to  God  for  knowledge  of  his 
 mind  in  things  debated,  before  they  pafs  into  a  con- 
 
 .  clufion. 
 
 17.  Wearying  to  hear  men  fully,  who  reprefent 
 thefr  doubts,  and  to  weigh  all  the  arguments  that  can 
 be  reprefented  for  the  negative  before  the  affirmative 
 be  concluded. 
 
 18.  Too  great  animofities  in  judicatories,  even 
 about  matters  of  fmall  weight. 
 
 19-  Pride,  impatience  and  peremptorinefs  of  fpirlt, 
 not  flaying  on  others  clearnefs  in  our  debates  and 
 conclufions,  through  which  it  comes  to  pafs  that  we 
 judge  rafhly  of  precious  men  ;  and  alienation  of  af- 
 it&ions  fteals  in  and  is  entertained. 
 
 20  Hafty  concluding  of  a£ls,  and  preffing  obe- 
 dience thereto,  without  convincing  grounds  held  forth 
 from  fcripture  for  fatisfying  the  confeiences  of  the 
 Lord's  people. 
 
 2t.  Silence  in  aflemblies,  when  unfatisfied,  being 
 carried  by  the  authority  of  men,  and  too  much  fol- 
 lowing other  mens  light  and  fupprefling  their  own. 
 
 ^2.  Making  votes  fubfervient  to  the  humours  of 
 men  and  human  interefts. 
 
 23.  Some  altogether  neglecling  wholefome  a£ls 
 and  conftkutions  of  aflemblies,  and  others,  receiving 
 their  afts  too  implicitly. 
 
 24.  Too  bitter  exprtffions  againft  adversaries  in 
 public  papers,  and  fermons,  for  efchewing  reproaches, 
 whereof  there  is  no  fruit  but  irritation. 
 
 25.  Abufingtranfporta'ions  by  making  them  too  fre- 
 quent, and  almoft  the  ordinary  way  of  planting  places 
 of  any  eminency  ;  fometimes  enacling  them,  when 
 there  is  no  preffing  neceffiry,  and  without  tender  en- 
 deavouring the  fatisfaftion  of  the  people  interefted* 
 and  without  care  of  providing  them  thereafter. 
 
 In 
 
 I 
 
M7     ) 
 
 •  to  the  public, 
 
 I.  T^TOT  ftudying  the  controverfies  of  the  ti^e, 
 JL^   that  we  might  be  enabled  to  hold  forth  light, 
 and  convince  gainfayersof  the  truth. 
 
 2.  Not  fearing  to  meddle  in  matters  too  high  for 
 us,  and  defiring  to  be  taken  notice  of,  more  than 
 to  be  faithful  in  the  public. 
 
 3.  Following  of  public  bufinefs,  with  too  much 
 negleft  of  our  flocks. 
 
 4.  Following  of  public  buGnefs  with  much  pride 
 and  paffion,  and  loftinefs  of  fpirit,  upon  carnal 
 principles,  and  defire  to  be  efteemed  of,  rather  than 
 true  zeal  to  Jefus  Chrift  and  his  matters,  and  with 
 little  or  no  prayer, 
 
 5.  Supeificial  admitting  of  all  to  the  covenants, 
 and  folemn  acknowledgement,  without  taking  fuffi- 
 cient  pains  to  inflruft  and  inform  them  in  the  know- 
 ledge of  the  things  contained  therein. 
 
 6.  Being  too  inftrumental  for  bringing  difaffe&ed 
 perfons  to  truft. 
 
 7.  Unequal  zeal  againft  enemies,  cooling  in  our 
 zeal  againft  one  enemy  as  it  is  increafed  againft  an- 
 other. 
 
 8.  Much  repining  at  the  judgments  of  God  upon 
 the  land  from  carnal  refpetts,  and  transferring  the 
 caufes  of  the  wrath  of  ourfelves  upon  others. 
 
 9.  Too  eafy  fatisfied  in  fuch  things  as  might  tend 
 to  the  prejudice  of  Chrift's  intereft,  weighing  tru* 
 confequences  of  great  revolutions  more  by  refpetl  to 
 ourfeives  than  to  his  honour. 
 
 10.  Agreeing  to  receive  the  king  to  the  covenant 
 barely  upon  writing,  without  any  apparent  evidences 
 of  a  real  change  of  principles. 
 
 1  r.  Not  ufing  freedom  in  (hewing  what  we  were 
 convinced,  was  finful  in  reference  to  the  late  treaty 
 with  the  king,  but  going  on  therein  when  we  were 
 not  fatisfied  in  our  confcier*ces,  for  fear  of  reproach, 
 and  of  being  milUken. 
 
 12.  Silence 
 
(     i48     ) 
 
 :.  Silence  in  public,  and  not  giving  teftimony 
 af*er  a  difcovery  of  the  king's  commiikon  given  to 
 James  Graham  for  invading  the  kingdom. 
 
 13.  PreiTing  the  king  to  make  a  declaration  to  the 
 world,  whilft  we  knew,  by  clear  evidence,  that*  he 
 had  lto  real  conviftion  of  the  things  contained 
 therein. 
 
 1 4  Too  much  defiring  to  lurk  upon  by  ends,  when 
 called  to  give  a  teftimony. 
 
 15.  Not  bearing  teftimony  again  ft  public  defec- 
 tions in  a  right  and  fpirituai  way. 
 
 16.  Unfaithfulnefs  in  bearing  burden  with  them, 
 whom  the  Lord  raifed  up  to  be  his  witnefles  againft 
 the  publick  backflidings,  omitting  to  bear  teftimony 
 ourfelves  upon  carnal  refpefts  and  lukewarmnefs  in 
 adhering  to  public  teftimonies  formerly  given. 
 
 A  pojlfcript*  which  could  not  be  gotten  printed. 
 
 THE  foregoing  caufes  of  God's  wrath  being  on 
 feveral  daysof  folemn  humiliation  la'd  out  and 
 confefled  before  the  Lord,  we  thought  fit  to  fubjoin 
 here  fome  other  caufes  of  our  late  humiliation  ;  as 
 
 i.   The  late  declining  of  the  land,   by  confenting 
 and  engaging  unto  the  public  attings  of  the  prefent 
 powers,  fo  contrary  to  the  covenants,   and  fo  much  . 
 prejudicial  to  religion  and  liberties. 
 
 2.  The  defeftlpn  of  divers,  who  are  accounted  re- 
 ligious, from  their  former  principles,  unto  feparation, 
 and  other  errors  of  the  time. 
 
 3.  The  ufurpation  and  carriage  of  the  prefent  pre- 
 tended affembly. 
 
 4.  The  Englifn  their  great  encroachments  upon 
 the  liberties  of  this  church. 
 
 5.  That  the  promifed  converHon  of  his  ancient 
 people  of  the  Jews  may  be  haftened. 
 
 6.  That  the  Lord  may  make  our  prefent  resolutions 
 for  reforming  ourfelves,  our  elderfhips  and  people, 
 effe&uat,  and  mavb'efsourendeavours  to  thispurpofe. 
 
 '  AN 
 
AN    INFORM  ATORY 
 
 V  I  N  D  I  C  A  T  I  O  M 
 
 OVA 
 
 Poor,  wafted,  mifreprefented  remnant,  of 
 the  Suffering,  Anti-popifh,  Anti  prelatic, 
 Anti-eraftian,  Anti-fe&arian,  true  Prefby- 
 terian  Church  of  Cpirist 
 
 1     N 
 
 SCOTLAND, 
 
 United   together  in   a  General 
 Correfpondenc 
 
 By  Way  of  Reply  to  various  Ace  i  fat  ions,  :n  Letter** 
 Jniormations,  an4  Conference-  gi  en  fcr(  k>gaio8 
 them. 
 
 IT  3 
 
VINDICATION 
 
 OF     THE 
 
 United  Societies  of  fome  Presbyterians  in 
 >*€ GOTLAND,  who  contend  againft  the 
 defections  of  the  time. 
 
 THE    INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Containing  a  brief  deduElion  of  the  feries  and  tra&  of 
 fome  fgnal  Jieps  of  our  Church's  defeBion^  which, 
 from  time  to  time>  fome  have  ivitnejjed  againjl. 
 
 NONE  that  ever  heard  of  the  church  of  Scotland 
 can  be  altogether  ignorant,  how,  when  the 
 Lord  was  gracioufly  pleafed  to  confer  upon  this  land 
 the  ineftimable  benefit  of  the  pure  and  clear  Ihining 
 light  of  the  gofpel ;  and  to  advance  the  Reformation 
 rherein  begun,  to  a  very  high  degree,  from  mere 
 Ileathenifrn,  even  to  the  extirpation  of  popery,  pre* 
 lacy,  and  Eraftianifm  (which  our  church  hath  had 
 chiefly  to  wreftle  againft)  and  the  abjuration  of  all 
 heretical  and  fettarian  errors,  whether  in  doctrine, 
 worftiip,  discipline  or  government'  that  then  all  ranks 
 of  the  land  were  brought  into  holy  and  folemn  co- 
 ;   venants  with  God,  the  church  did  enjoy  her  power 
 and  privileges  :  then,  when  our  minifters  were  clothed 
 i    with  righteoufnefs  and  falvation,  their  faithfulnefs  to 
 God,  and  zeal  againft  fin,  and  all  lukewarmnefs  in 
 \he  Lord's  caufe,  were  fo  much  feen  and  (hown,  that 
 minifters,  for  their  not  applying  their  do£trine  againt 
 corruptions  of  the  times,  were  to  be  cenfured ; 
 obftinatej  were  to  be  depofedj  according  to 
 
 that 
 
(    '5*    ) 
 
 that  aft  of  the  General  Afiembly,   Aug.  3,   1648, 
 fef.  26.     And  likewife,  complies   with  the  public 
 enemies  of  his  church  and  kingdom,  were  according 
 to  the  degree  of  their  offence,  tc  be  rebuked  and  cen- 
 fured  ;  by   that  act  of  the  General  AflcmbJy,  June 
 17,  1646,   fef.  14.    In  thofc   days  the  work  ot  the 
 Lord  profpered,   his  gofptl  flourifhed,  and  iniquity 
 was  made  to  ftop  her  mouth  :  our  church  was  gle- 
 rious  to  all  beholders,  and  terrible  to  her  enemies  as 
 an  army  with  banners :  the  Lord  delighted  in  us,  and 
 oar  land  was  married  unto  him  :  ialation  was  writ- 
 ten upon  our  walls,  and  praife  upon  our  gates.    But, 
 alas  !  we  did  quickly  turn  away  from  following  the 
 Lord,  forgetting  what  great  and  eminent  privileges 
 he  had  bellowed  upon  us ;  how  he  had  fubdued  our 
 enemies  under  u?,  and   made  them  to  yield  ;  and 
 profpered  us  in  what  we  did  put  our   hands  unto  : 
 we  did,  alas !  {.on  fall  from  cur  jirfi  few,  the  edge  of 
 our  zeal  became  blunted,  and  our  eyes  were  dark- 
 ened that  we  could  not  fee  :  and  fo  we  have  gone 
 further  aftrav,  from  one  degree  to  another,  u;>til  we 
 have  brought  ourfelves  into  fuch  a  mifery  of  difib- 
 lution  and  dcfolation,  divifion  and  confufion,  reproach 
 and  conten.pt,  that  our  cafe  now  is  as  deplorable  and 
 defp  cable,  as  ever  it  was  formely  admired  and  en- 
 vied. 
 
 Wherefore*  to  make  it  the  more  clearly  appear, 
 whence  it  is,  that  now  our  manifold  breaches  are  fo 
 wide,  alienation  of  fpirits  fo  heightened,  various  and 
 contrary  inf  rmations  fo  flying  abroad,  and  we  re- 
 da£b  d  to  fuch  a  paucity  :  we  fhaU  here  premife  a 
 brief  deduction,  in  cumulo.  of  the  feries  and  tra£t  of 
 forne  fignal  fteps  of  our  church's  defection ;  (hew- 
 ing aifc,  notwithstanding  thereof,  how  the  Lord  hath 
 continued  and  conveyed  down  the  teftimony  to  the 
 reformation  :  although  to  us  it  is  matter  of  grief  and 
 forrow,  to  difcover  our  mother's  nakednefs,  which, 
 h  alio  out  own  fhame,  But  the  clearing  oi  the  tefti- 
 mony, 
 
(     153     ) 
 mony,  and  the  vindication  of  truth,  doth  neceffitate 
 us  thereunto. 
 
 While  our  church  was  enjoying  her  privileges,  and 
 and   was  terrible  to  her  adverfaries  ;  a   great  parr, 
 both  of  the  church  and  {late,  fell  upon  public  Refo- 
 lutions  ;  whereby  known  malignants,  and  men  dif- 
 affe£ted  to  the  work  and  people  of  God,  were  ad- 
 mitted to  places  of  power  and  truft,  both  in  judica- 
 tories and  armies,  which  nctwithftanding  was  faith- 
 fully  protefted   and    contended   againft,    by   feveral 
 miniflers  and  profeffcr:  of  al!  ranks,  at  that  time  :  As 
 alfo  the  toleration  of  feclaries  in  Cromwell's  time, 
 and  even  his    ufurpation  was  witnefled  againft  by 
 fome.     But  as  it  was  our  fin,  firil  and  iaft,  to  meddle 
 with  Charles  the  Second,  while  he  gave  all  along 
 fuch  clear  evidences  of  his  being  an  enemy  to  the 
 caufe  of  God;   fo  we  found  the   bitter  effe£ls  cf  it, 
 in  that,  when  he  was  reftored  again,   he  did  quickly 
 -forget  all  his   oaths  and  vcwrs    to  the  Mofl  High 
 (wherein  he  had  been,  as  fome  did  clearly  fee  by 
 many  difcoveries,   a  mocking  and  diflembling  hypo- 
 crite) and  did,  at  one  blow,  cut  off  the' neck  cf  our 
 noble  conftitution  of  church  and  Hate,  and  re-intro- 
 duce abjured  prelacy  :  which  many  miniflers  did  em- 
 brace ;  while  others  left   their  charges  at   his  com- 
 mand, even  without  fo  muctv  as  a  joint  and  formal 
 proteflation,  entered  againft  that  heaven-daring  act 
 of  tyranny,  except   that  fome  were  found  witneffing 
 againft  it  in  their  fingular  capacities  for  themfelves. 
 And  when  congregations  were  fodeftitute  of  faithful 
 paftors,  the  molt  part,  both  of  miniflers  and  profef- 
 iors,  did  countenance  prelacy,  in  hearing  of  hireling 
 intruders  :  yea,  as  if  no  teftimony  had  been  required 
 in  this  point,  very  few  continued  preaching  the  gof- 
 pel,  as  they  had  opportunity.     Howbeit,  as  the  Lord 
 always  had,  and  will  have  fome  witneffes,  2gainft  fuch 
 heinous   indignities;  fo  he  did  ftir  up  a  company, 
 both  of  miniflers  and  profeffors,  who  did  appear  at 
 Pentland,  anno   i666}  €t  And  there  did  bear  tefti- 
 mony 
 
(     '54     ) 
 
 rnony  to  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation,  to  the 
 fhedding  of  their  blood,  both  in  fields  and  fcaffolds  *V 
 but  were  concurred  with,  and  countenanced  by  few, 
 in  refpeft  of  thofe  who  were  obliged.  Alfo,  after 
 that  breach  was  made  upon  the  Lord's  camps,  the 
 raoft  part  of  minifters  became  finfully  filent,  forbear- 
 ing to  encourage,  warn,  and  teach  people,  by  the 
 preached  gofpe!.  But  fome,  notwithftanding  of  the 
 then  ominous  and  badly  prefaging  face  of  affairs,  fet- 
 ting  the  trumpet  to  their  mouth,  ventured  to  give  a 
 a  certain  found>  and  to  go  forth  here-like,  to  difplay 
 the  banner  of  Chrift's  bleffed  gofpel ;  who,  for  their 
 fo  doing,  were  cenfured  by  their  brethren  in  a  meet- 
 ing at  Edinburgh.  Then  enemies,  feeing  that  by  their 
 cruelty  they  could  not  prevail ;  as,  at  the  overturning 
 of  the  work  of  reformation,  they  had  brought  upon  the 
 ftage,  that  monfter  of  a  Chrift-degrading  and  dethroning 
 fupremacy,  and  by  a  law  eftablifhed  it  upon  the  ufurp- 
 er  (which  alfo  paffed  without  a  joint  and  public  tefti- 
 raony)  fo  they  began  now  to  exert  that  ufurped  power, 
 and  to  work  by  enfnaring  and  deftroying  policy :  and 
 knowing  that  nothing  would  more  fortify  it,  than  mi- 
 nifters homologating  and  acknowledging  it,  therefore 
 they  offered  that  firft  indulgence,  a  court-contrived 
 licence,  bounded  with  fo  many  reftri&ions  and  in- 
 ftru&ions,  flowing  forth  from  that  idol  of  jsaloufy, 
 the  forefaid  fupremacy  \  of  fet  purpofe,  to  divide 
 Zion's  builders,  according  to  the  Machiavellian  prin- 
 ciple, divided  impera,  divide  and  then  command: 
 Which  many  embraced  ;  like  the  filly  Trojans  be- 
 guiled by  another  deceitful  Sinon,  to  bring  the  wood- 
 en horfe,  through  their  own  walls,  already  broken 
 down  with  their  own  hands  to  their  own  deftru&ion : 
 many  others  gaped  after  it,'  who  could  not  enjoy  it : 
 and  many  pleaded  for  the  countenancing  of  it,  when 
 embraced  And  as  it  had  few  who  oppofed  it  at  firft,  fo 
 thefe  that  afterwards  contended  againft  it  as  a  defection 
 how  were  they  fufpe£ted,  reproached, and  com  ndi  tied? 
 And  fome  of  them  in  fundry  prtibyteries  cenfured  and 
 rebuked  ?  As  namely,  Mr.  Cameron  at  bundowall,  in 
 
 the 
 
(     155    ) 
 
 the  parifhof  Dunfcorein  Nithfdale,  and  in  Edinburgh* 
 .and  others  elfewhere.  Yet,  notwithftanding  of  the 
 lukewarmnefs  arid  indifFerency  of  many,  the  Lord 
 ftirred  up  a  handful  to  publifli  the  teftimony  at  Ru- 
 therglen,  May  -9th,  1679,  bearing  witnefs  againft 
 the  facrilegious  fupremacy,  the  declaration  condemn* 
 ing  our  covenants,  the  aft  for  keeping  the  29th  of 
 May  as  an  holy  Anniverfary  day  of  thankfgiving  for 
 the  upfetting  of  the  tyrant,  and  againft  ether  nefari- 
 ous a£ls  of  parliament,  and  all  prejudices  done  to  the 
 intereft  of  Chrift  in  the  land.  And  for  confirmation 
 of  their  teftimony,  they  did  burn  the  forefaid  a£ts,  ac- 
 cording as  the  adverfary  had  burnt  our  holy  cove- 
 nants, and  did  extinguilh  the  bonfires  upon  the  fame 
 Anniverfary  day.  Neverthelefs,  when  the  Lord's 
 people  did  appear  at  Bothwell  the  fame  year  to  reco- 
 ver the  church's  due  privileges,  and  peoples  liberties, 
 many  minifters  and  profeffbrs  did  plead  for  taking  in 
 the  tyrant's  intereft  into  the  declaration  of  that  army, 
 thereby  miftating  the  quarrel,  to  the  offence  of  ma- 
 ny ;  and  oppofed  the  inferting  of  the  indulgence  a- 
 meng  the  fteps  of  our  defe&ion.  Likewife  the  Lord 
 making  us  then  to  fall  before  our  enemies,  for  our 
 1  fins,  and  becaufe  we  refufed  to  return,  feveral  mini- 
 fters accepted  of  the  adverfary's  indemnity,  in  terms 
 that  inferred  a  condemning  of  themfelves,  though  no 
 tranfgreffion  was  committed.  And  when  the  tri- 
 umphing enemies  were  ere£ting  trophies  of  victory 
 after  Bothwel  defeat,  (fetting  up  the  heads  of  the  re- 
 nowned martyrs,  Mr.  Kid  arid  Mr.  King,  to  witnefs, 
 not  only  for  religion  and  liberty,  againft  the  deftroy- 
 ers  of  both,  but  alfo  againft  the  unfaithfulnefs  of  their 
 brethren  in  the  miniftry)  and  i'nfulting  over  the  cap- 
 tives of  th^  Lord's  people,  and  impofing  an  enfnaring 
 bond  of  peace,  which  did  imply  a  plain  betraying  of 
 the  caufe,  and  condemning  of  all  that  had  been  done 
 for  promoting  the  work  of  reformation:  many  mini- 
 fters were  filent,  and  refufed  to  give  their  advice  ; 
 and  fome  were  not  afftamed  to  perfuade  thefe  prifon- 
 
 ers 
 
(    is*   ) 
 
 crs  to  put  forth  their  hand  to  that  iniquity  :  Many  alfo 
 voted,  in  that  fo  called  AfTembly,  for  embracing  the 
 iaft  indulgence  with  the  cautionary  bond  (which  was 
 no  better,  if  not  worfe,  than  the  former)  at  lead  ap- 
 proved of,  and  confented  unto  that  deed  :  Yea,  many, 
 from  that  time,  did  forbear  preaching  in  the  open 
 fields,  but  kept  within  houfes,  or  near  to  houfes,  in 
 homologation  of  the  tyrant's  orders,  or  at  leaft,  that 
 the  rigour  of  the  law  might  not  be  execute  againft 
 them,  while  they  went  fo  near  the  borders  of  obedi- 
 ence. But  this  did  not  continue  long,  for  u  the  enemies 
 foon  deprived  them  of  this  pretended  liberty."  How- 
 beit,  the  Lord  had  always  fome,  both  of  minifters  and 
 profeflors,  tobear  teftimony  againft  thefe  public  Hns  and 
 heinous  defections  *,  and  even  in  the  midft  of  this  ge- 
 neral yielding  to  the  forefaid  indulgence,  there  were 
 fundry  minifters,  u  who  did  not  give  a  formal  con- 
 tent to  the  embracement  of  it:"  though  it  is  true,  as 
 they  were  few  who  diflented  therefrom,  fo  they  were 
 far  fewer  who  refolutely  oppofed  the  fame  Yea, 
 when  Mr.  Richard  Cameron  came  from  Holland,  be- 
 fore his  going  to  the  public  work,  he  went  to  fome 
 minifters,  cjefiring  their  concurrence  with  him  in  keep- 
 ing up  the  teftimony  in  the  fields,  according  to  the 
 former  manner  which  was  followed  before  Bothwel, 
 by  many  minifters,  wherein  they  were  much  counte- 
 nanced of  the  Lord;  but  after  his  waiting  fome  time 
 upon  the  fame,  was  denied  thereof.  However,  he 
 went  forth,  in  great  hazard,  and  againft  -much  oppo- 
 fition,  as  a  valiant  and  heroic  contender  for  all  the 
 prerogatives  of  his  Matter,  wherein  he  was  fignal!y 
 owned  of  the  Lord;  and  continued  fo,  until  he  fealed 
 that  neble  and  neceflary  teftimony  with  his  blood, 
 fhed  in  the  open  fields.  Aifo,  how  few,  were  not 
 difpleafed  with  him  ?  and  any  elfe  concurring  in  up- 
 holding the  ftandard  of  the  gofpd,  in  that  faithful 
 manner,  fo  much  called  for,  efpecially  at  that  time  ; 
 that  it  might  be  a  witnefs  and  ttftimony,  beth  againft  < 
 the  adversaries   encroachings,   and  alfo  againft  thejj 
 
 Khame-j 
 
(     157     ) 
 
 fliameful  and  finful  yieldings  of  the  mod  part  of  mi- 
 nifters and  profeflbrs  thereunto      Further,  when  the 
 declaration   was  publiflied  at   Sanquhar,  June   2 2d, 
 1680,  many  of  the  minifters  did  condemn  it,  and  few, 
 concurring  with  the  pub'ilhers  and  confenters,  did  ap- 
 pear publicly  for  it,  even  becaufe  of  its  difowning  and 
 difclaiming  the  tyrant's  intereft  :  Many  accounting 
 fuch  as  died  upon'that  head,  to  have  laid  down  their 
 lives  upon  inefficient  grounds,  which,  notwithftand- 
 ing,  from  that  time  downward,  the  Lord  hath  honour- 
 ed many  martyrs  to  feal   with  their  blood,  greatly 
 countenancing   them  therein.     This    teftimony  did 
 more  and  more  fide  us>  and  fet  us  alone  ;  for,  from 
 thenceforth,  fevecal,  who  had  not  formerly  fo  openly 
 o.ppofed,  began    to    exprefs  themfelves    againft  that 
 handful,  and  a£lion.      However,  the  teftimony  being 
 thus  dated  againft  the  acknowledging  of,  and  com- 
 plying with  the  tyranny  then  raging,  and  any  way 
 (lengthening  the  hands  of  the  perfecuting  party;  it 
 pleafed  the  holy  and  wife  God,  for  our  further  trial, 
 and  his  own  glory,  to  deprive  us  of  thefe  worthies, 
 who  had  fo  dated  it,  and  did  fo  valiantly  vindicate  it, 
 and  at  their  death  did  ftoutly  feal  it  with  their  blood 
 at  Ayr's-mofs:  many  there  being  murdered,  and  o- 
 thers  martyred  afterwards,  particularly  Mr,  Hackfton, 
 who,  as  he  had  the  honour  of  being  the  protomartyr  a- 
 gainft  tyranny,  andof  a  mod  pofitive  declining  his  mur- 
 derers pretence  unto  authority,  fo,  had  the  grace  and 
 glory  of  the  Lord's  affi (lance  and  acceptance  in  his 
 .fuffcrings,  as  fignal,  as  the  barbarous  feverity  of  his 
 butchers  was  every  way  Angular. 
 
 After  which  time,  none  of  our  minifters  did  con- 
 cur with  us  in  that  part  of  our  teftimony,  except  the 
 famous  and  faithful  Mr.  Donald  Cargill,  which  made 
 our  cafe  very  deplorable,  and  yet  by  the  molt  part 
 little  regarded  or  pitied,  for  any  evidences  that  we 
 experienced  of  their  fympathy.  Efpecially  after  the 
 death  of  the  never-to-be-forgotten  martyr  Mr.  Do- 
 nald Cargill,  fad  was  the  cafe  of  the  land  for  fome 
 O  fpace 
 
(     153     ) 
 
 fpacc  of  time.     For  now  the  abominable  and  dam- 
 nable errors  of  John  Gibb  had  been  difcovered,  who, 
 xirft  pretending  to  outftrip  others  in  a  hot  and  vigo- 
 rous zeal  againft  all  the  then  current  corruptions  of 
 the  time,  did  draw  fome  poor  well-meaning  people, 
 Humbled  efpecially  at  minifters  defections,  into  a  con- 
 lortihip  with  himfelf,  in  his  delirious  delufions,  tho' 
 not  all  of  them  alike  to  the  full  length  of  his  force- 
 ries  and  bhfphemies  •,  neither  did  his  followers  in- 
 creafe  to  fuch  a  number  as  was  then  feared  and  re- 
 ported, being  within  thirty,  and  moft  part  women. 
 Nor  yet  could  have  accefs  to  propagate  his  herefies 
 in  the  weftern  (hires,  where  moft  of  our  friends  had 
 their  refidence,  (though  they  and  we  both  have  been 
 moft  iniquitoufly   reproached    herewith)  being  dif- 
 covered by  many,  particularly  by  Mr.  Cargiil,  whofe 
 miniftry  he  rejected  :  Yet  his  forefaid  followers  did 
 go  a  great  way  with  him  (as  they  have  with  remorfe 
 refented  fince  in   their   confeflions,   being  through 
 mercy  reclaimed,  partly  by  Mr.  Cargiil's  writing  to 
 them,  and   partly  by  their  own   discoveries  of  him) 
 did  not  foitake  him,  till  after  all  his  execrable  curf- 
 ing  cf  the  minifters  and  others  not  of  his  way      Be- 
 ing incarcerate  he  put  forth  a  blafphemous  paper, 
 not  only  condemning  all   the   work  of  reformation, 
 but  3*.f6.   the  Englifh  Bible  in  the  form  as  it  is  now 
 extant,  as  a  human  invention,  and  containing  many 
 other  abominations  ;    in   all  which   he   pleafed  the 
 Duke  of  York,  and   received  extraordinary  favours 
 from  him.     And  thereafter,  being  freely  let  go,  he 
 proceeded  to  that  height  of  profanity  and  contempt 
 ,of  God,  that  he  burnt  the  Bible,  and  belched  forth 
 many  other  blafphemies,  which  would  be  offenfive 
 to  chriftian  ears  to  rehearfe.  Again,  in  fome  procefs 
 of  time,  James  Ruffel  difcovered  fome  unwarrantable 
 exctffes,  pre  fling  indifferent  things  as  the  moft  necef- 
 fary  duties,  (as  about  naming  the  days  of  the  week, 
 and  months  of  the  year,    &c.)  and  otherwife  impof- 
 =fftg  upon  men's   conferences;  whereupon    he   and 
 
 we 
 
(     «#     ) 
 
 we  parted:  after  which  he  branded  and  afperfed  us 
 with  falfe  charges,  as  if  we  had  turned  afide  to  grofs 
 defe&ions,  and  palliated  and  plaiftered  the  corrup- 
 tions of  our  time,  contorting  in  this  with  feme  few, 
 and  even  with  fome  who  had  given  little  fatisfying 
 refentment  of  their  former  extravagancies  with  Gibb, 
 being  by  them  applauded  and  lirengthened  in  his 
 forefaid  excefles.  In  the  mean  while,  there  was  no 
 public  teftimony  by  preaching  kept  up,  by  reafen  of 
 that  fad  fieep  of  dark  and  deep  iilence,  into  which 
 minifters  had  fallen,  which  occafioned  very  lament- 
 able confufions  -,  fo  that  one  could  not  underftand 
 the  language  of  another,  the  face  of  affairs  being  fa 
 obfeured,  and  matters  looking  fo  hopelefs  and  help- 
 lefs  like.  Yet  it  pleafed  the  Lord,  by  a  poor  con- 
 temptible handful,  to  convey  down  the  teftimony,  by 
 publifliing  another  declaration  at  Lanark,  January 
 12,  1682,  confirming  the  preceding  at  Sanquhar, 
 in  its  difowning  the  intereft  of  the  tyrant,  and  bear- 
 ing teftimony  againft  the  immediately  foregoing  pre- 
 tended parliament  where  James  Duke  of  York  did 
 preCde  as.  commiffioner,  and  in  particular  againft 
 the  abominable  teft,  framed  by  them.  But  as  the 
 former  was  much  condemned,  fo  alio  this,  even  be- 
 caufe  of  its  coming  from  us,  and  confirming  San- 
 quhar declaration,  as  faid  is.  From  thenceforth 
 many  did  more  plainly  and  pofitively  oppofe  us,  as 
 if  we  had  turned  afide  to  fome  erroneous  and  unhappy 
 courfe.  And  thus  they  proceeded  to  inform  againft 
 us,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  as  fuch,  without  try- 
 ing whether  or  not  we  maintained  fuch  things  as  were 
 laid  to  our  charge,  and  taking  pains  to  admonifh  us, 
 as  became  watchmen  ;  efpecially  when  they  appre- 
 hended people  to  be  drawn  afide  with  errors  :  for 
 furely  it  was  never  yet  heard,  that  an  erring  people 
 (if  we  had  been  as  they  informed  againft  us)  were 
 reclaimed  by  fuch  means,  as  they  ufed.  However, 
 the  Lord  (who  is  not  wanting  to  provide  means  for 
 the  iirengthening  and  encouraging  of  his  people) 
 O  2  even 
 
(     »6o     ) 
 
 even  then,  when  we  were  few  in  number,  without 
 the  concurrence  of  paftors,  and  fcattered  abroad,  not 
 well   knowing  the  minds  of  one  another,  nor  who 
 concurred  with   us  through  the  land,  in  the  forefaid 
 part  of  our  teftimcny,   did   make  fome  inftrumental 
 (immediately  befc.e  the  publication  of  the  Lanark 
 declaration)  to  gather  us  together  in  a  general  cor- 
 refpondence,  which  we  have  hitherto,  by  the  Lord's 
 providence,  kept  up,  both  through  the   fhires  fever- 
 ally ;    and  all  the  (hires  conjunctly,  where   fuch   as 
 owned  our  teftimcny  did  refide  ;  whereby  we  attain- 
 ed to  better  underftanding  of  ©ne  another,  and  were 
 put  in  capacity  to  contribute  more  to  our  mutual  ad- 
 vant?ge.     Whence   it  came  to  pafs,  that  being  thus 
 jointly   and  harmonioufly  knit  together,   we   began, 
 after  the  publication  of  the  forefaid  declaration  at  La- 
 nark, in  the  next  general  meeting  or  correfpondence, 
 to   deliberate    about    feme    method,    wheitby    our 
 broken  and  low  cafe  might  be  reprefented  and  made 
 known  to  ftrangers  (not  that  we  might  carry  on  a 
 faction  or  feparation  from  the  Scottifh  true  prefby- 
 terian  church,  as  we  were  mifreprefented,  but)  that 
 we  might  declare    our  adherence  to  the  principles 
 thereof.     Hereupon  it  was  refolved  and  thought  fit, 
 that  fome  of  our  number  (hould  be  particularly  fent, 
 both  to  the  other  covenanted  and  foreign  churches,  to 
 make  known  our  broken  and  low  cafe  to  them,  to  wipe 
 off  reproaches   that   we:e  caft  upon  us,  t<j  reprefent 
 the  juftnefs  of  our  caufe,  and  that  we  might  fee  what 
 help  thereby  might  be  made  unto  us.     After  which, 
 by  the  fpecial  providence  of  God,  a  door  being  open- 
 ed for  the  inftru&ion  of  fome  ftudents  at  a  college 
 in  the  Netherlands,  we  fent  thither  fome  young  men 
 unto  their  ftudies,  not  to   become  a  reproach  to  the 
 Scottifli  church,  (as  fome  fay)  but  to  be  inftrufted 
 in  Theology,  that  fo  they  might  be  in  better  capacity 
 te>  keep  up  the  teftimony  of  our   Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
 according  to  our  covenanted  reformation.     Where- 
 upon, in  fome  procefs  of  time,  we  received  back  Mr. 
 
 James 
 
James  Renwick,  an  ordained  minifter,  whofe  labouro 
 God  hath  bleffrd  with  fruit  and  increafe  to  the  praife 
 of  grace.     Hereafter,  while  we  continued  to  keep  up 
 our  general  meetings  and  correfpondences,   and  alio 
 endeavoured  to  contribute  what  aid  we  could  in  our 
 places  and  Rations,  to  uphold  the  banner  of  the  gof- 
 pel,  the  perfecutors  fury  did   rage  againft  us   in  a 
 very  great  meafure ;  in  putting  out  cruel  a£ts  and 
 Jaws,  for  all  fubje6ts  to  apprehend,   or  caufe  appre- 
 hend us,  wherever  we  might  be  found,  and  raife  the 
 hue  and  cry  after  us:    alio  inhibiting  all  to  refet  us, 
 or  correfpond  any  manner  of  way  with  us,  under  the 
 hazard  and  pain  of  being  liable  to  the  fame  rigour 
 of  thdr  laws  that  we  ourfelves  were.     Whereupon, 
 many  of  us  being  taken  and  killed,  and  very  many  - 
 bauifhed  and  fent  to  be  (old  as  flares,  while  we  could 
 not  tfcape  falling  into  their  hands  in  great  numbers, 
 partly  by  their  vigilance   and  diligence,  and  partly 
 through  the  information  and  intelligence  that  they 
 got  from  rrany  in  the  country  where  we  wandered  ; 
 we  were  then  neceflitated  to  put  forth  another  decla-  • 
 ration,   November    1684, -which   was  affixed  upoa. 
 fome  market  crolfes  and  feveral  parifh  church  doors, 
 to  deter  and  fear  the  country  from   giving  intelli- 
 gence of  us,  and  alfo  explain  the  latter  part  of  the 
 forefaid  declaration  at  Sanquhar,  concerning  the  de- 
 claring of  war  againft  the  tyrant  and  his  accomplice^ 
 and  to  wipe  off  that  molt  odious  and   falfe  calumny, 
 of  being  of  the  judgment  to  kill  all  who  were  not  of 
 our  own  opinion.     Which  declaration,  though  many 
 cried   out  againft  it,  yet  was  not  condemned  by  fo 
 many  as  the  former:  and  though  it  was  the  occa- 
 Con  of  a  greater  trial  to  the  people  of  the  land  thau 
 any  formerly,  becaufe  the  enemies  prefled  3n   oath 
 for  abjuring  the  fame,  fo  violently  and  generally,  and 
 with  fucli   a  fair  and  lying  face,  that   many  yielded 
 to  it,  fome  minifters  taking  it,  and  others  pleading 
 fo*-  it,  ^but  as  the  Lord  had  many  in  the  land  bear- 
 ing teitinaony-  againft  the  forefaid  abjuration,  fome  of 
 O  3  then: 
 
(    tfi    ) 
 
 them  even  unto  death  j  of  divers  who  had  complied 
 with  it,  exprcffd  afterward  great  forrow  and  remorfe 
 fo    that  rice  i)  yet  the  forefaid  declaration  was  fo  far 
 effectual  as  to  deter  many  from  their  former  diligence 
 in  informing  againft  us,  and  alfo  to  draw  cut  fome  to 
 join  with   us,  and   own  the  work   more   publicly  in 
 their  places  and  ftations,   than  before  this  they  had 
 .done.     But  in  the  mean  time,  when  they  were  per- 
 fecting us  fo  hotly,  their  foldiers  and  fome  gentle- 
 mon  killing  us  wherever  we  could  be  found,  without 
 either  trial  or  fentence,  before  any  of  their  fo  ceiled 
 judicatories,  and  when  they  were  holding  their  courts 
 concerning  the  abjuring  of  that  fame  declaration,  the 
 Lord  did  remove  by  death  that  tyrant  Charles  the  Se- 
 cond !   Wheieupon  inftant  y  followed  the  proclaim- 
 ing of  James  Duke  of  York,  a  pre  ft  ilea  and  known 
 Papift,  an  avowed  enemy  to  God  and  godlinefs,  by 
 a  parry  of  his  own  creatures,  as  King  of  Great  Bri- 
 tain, France  and  Ireland  ;  and  afterwards  his  convo- 
 cating  a  parliament  in   Scotland,    to  authorize  and 
 confirm  the   forefaid  proclamation,  and  to  eftablifh 
 him  in   his  ufurpation   and  tyranny       I  hereiore  we 
 thought  that  fuch  a  deed  could  not  pafs  without  fome 
 witnefs  and  teftimony  againft  the  fame  by  us,  unlefs 
 we  had  forgotten  the  method  of  our  worthy,  zealt  u:, 
 and  refoluie  reformers,  and  our  fclemn   bonds  and 
 covenants  to  the  Lord,   and  a/fo  his  great  kindnefs 
 "fhown  unto  us  in  prefcrving  a  remnant  of  us  in  this 
 hot  fiery  furnace.     Hence  we  piibliihed  another  de- 
 claiation  at  Sanquhar,   May  28,   1685,  teftifying  a- 
 gainft  the    forefaid    proclamation,    arid    prottfting 
 againft  the  then  pretended  parliament,  c<  nvocate  by 
 him  to  eftablifh  his  tyranny,  and  carry  on  his  other 
 defigrs,  and  alfo  bearing  witnefs  and  teftiri  ony  a* 
 gainfi  all  kind  of  papiftry,  in  get  era)  s»nd  particular 
 heads,  as   is  fully  expreffed    in   our  National  Cove- 
 nant, againft  its  entering  into  this  land  aga-n  { which 
 he  and  his  accorrplces  were  e'early  fern  to  be  driv- 
 ing at,  before,  at  that  time,  and  much  more  Gnce) 
 
 and    . 
 
1     1*3     ) 
 
 and  againft  any  thing  which  might  make  way  Tot 
 the  fame,  &c.  Which  declaration,  as  it  was  not  fo 
 much  condemned  by  others,  as  any  of  cur  former,  (o 
 enemies  were  fo  far  reftrained  by  God,  and  diverted 
 by  other  means,  of  prtfent  occurring  exigencies,  that 
 it  never  as  yet  became  any  trial  to  the  land.  This 
 was  done  in  the  mean  time  of  the  Earl  of  Argyle's 
 expedition,  with  which  we  were  much  preffed  to  con- 
 cur *,  and  feveral  embodied  with  us  were  drawn  away 
 with  the  importunity  of  fome  minifters,  and  others 
 of  that  aflbciation  :  yet  we  could  nor  join  with  them, 
 nor  efpoufe  their  declaration  as  the  Hate  of  our  quar- 
 rel ;  becaufe  it  was  not  concerted  according  to  the 
 ancient  plea  of  the  Scottifh  covenanters  in  defence 
 of  cur  reformation,  exprtfly,  according  to  our  cove* 
 nants,  national  and  folemn  league,  of  which  they 
 made  no  mention  in  th-rir  declaration,  nor  of  prefby- 
 ter'al  government :  which  was  of  puipofe,  left  the 
 ftilaiians  fhould  be  irritate,  and  becaufe  it  opened  a 
 door  for  a  confederacy  with  fe&arians  and  malig- 
 nants,  of  which  malignants,  r~ey  had  fome  among 
 them  guilty  of  faedding  cur  blood  at  Ayrs-Mofs. 
 After  the  defeat  of  this  expedition,  in  anfwtr  to  the 
 defire  of  fame  minifters,  who  came  over  with  the 
 forefaid  earl  (at  leaft  it  was  reported  to  us  they  de- 
 fired  fuch  a  thing).  We  had  a  conference  with  them, 
 July  22, 1685,  in  which,  i^'^a^  of  a  laying  differences, 
 the  propofals  that  were  made  for  union,  did  heighten 
 oui  breaches,  b;th  with  them  and  among  ourfe'ves,  as 
 did  apoear  by  the  confluence :  for  herein,  though 
 they  offered  accommodation,  yet  in  conference  to 
 bring  it  about,  th?y  maintained  and  d\d  not  difown 
 that  which  bred  alienation,  viz  Ct  A  previous-infor- 
 mation they  had  f^nt  to  ftran^ers,  accufing  us  of 
 heavy  things,  that  we'bad  net  only  -cMl  off  a  1  magif- 
 trates,  but  had  cenftitute  among  ourfelves  ^11  kinds 
 ef  magistrates,  and  were  for  cutting  off  a  I  as  open 
 enemies  who  d;d  not  acknowledge  our  imaginary  go> 
 Ternmeiitj  that  our  fociedee  weie  o?.ly.an  erroneous 
 
 faction, 
 
(     164     ) 
 
 fa&ion,  and  have  no  power  of  calling  paftors,"  &c. 
 Which  information,  fo  full  of  calumnies,  though 
 they  did  extenuate,  alledging  that  copy  of  it,  which 
 we  produced,  was  forged  ;  yet  they  confefied  fome 
 fuch  information  was  written,  and  went  on  to  pro- 
 fecute  in  effe&  the  fame  crimination,  and  faid,  they 
 excerpted  all  out  of  our  public  papers,  and  fuTther 
 challenged  us  for  falfely  accufing  them  in  our  pro- 
 teftation  againft  the  Scottifh  congregation  at  Rotter- 
 dam, where  they,  with  others,  were  promifcuoufly 
 charged  with  fundry  things  in  r«w;«/<?,  which  they  were 
 not  guilty  of.  We  confefled,  it  was  an  overfight  con- 
 junctly to  accumulate  thefe  charges  without  diftinc- 
 tion,  but  taking  them  feparately,  we  offered  to  make 
 out  every  thing  there  charged,  upon  the  names  infert-  - 
 ed.  Furthermore,  in  inveighing  againft  Mr.  Ren- 
 wick's  ordination,  they  accufed  the  church  of  Hol- 
 land of  Eraftianifm,  and  of  three  fprinklings  in  bap- 
 ttfito,  which  they  called  popifh,  and  fome  other  cor- 
 ruptions :  to  which  he  only  replied,  "  That  he  had 
 received  his  ordination  from  the  prefbytery  of  Gro-- 
 ningen,  and  they  being  foreigners,  and  not  charge-- 
 able  either  with  our  defections,  or  any  declining  from 
 the  teftimony  of  their  own  church,  but  advancing 
 and  groaning  under  fome  corruptions  from  which  • 
 they  were  never  reformed,  would  come  under  an- 
 other confederation  than  the  minifters  of  our  own 
 church,  defending  a  courfe  of  defe£tion."  Howbeit, 
 as  he  protefted  in  the  face  of  their  prefbytery,  when 
 he  received  ordination,  againft  all  things,  that  he  -j 
 knew  among  them  diflbnant  to  the  Reformation  of 
 the  church'of  Scotland,  fo  he  told  his  purpofe  to  in- 
 form that  venerable  prefbytery,  4<  how  they  were  re- 
 prefented  in  Scotland,  an  I  if  they  could  not  clear 
 themfelves,  at  ieaft  of  fome  of  the  grofleft  of  thefe 
 things,  he  would  be  willing  to>  acknowledge,  before 
 fuch  as  were  competent,  th?t  he  had  offended  in 
 meddling  with  them."  The  accommodation  they 
 offered  was  upon  terms  which  we  thought  destruc- 
 tive 
 
(  '65  ) 
 live  to  our  teftimony,  to  lay  allde  all  debate,  and  let 
 bygones  pafs,  and  go  on  in  the  public  work  :  which 
 we  did  not  think  was  the  way  to  heal  our  fore  :  but 
 we  offered,  if  differences  and  exceptions  could  be 
 reir.oved  in  a  right  and  honed  way,  we  would  be 
 moil  willing  to  join  with  them:  which  exceptions 
 were  given  in,  in  thefe  particulars  following,  viz. 
 M  Their  leaving  the  country,  and  deferring  the  pu- 
 blic work,  when  it  was  fo  neceffary  to  concur  in  the 
 teftimony,  in  a  time  of  fo  great  a  famine  of  the  gof- 
 pel ;  and  not  only  not  concurring  in  the  teftimony, 
 but  condemning  it  in  Sanquhar  and  Lanark  decla- 
 ration?, even  as  to  the  matter  of  them  ;  and  not 
 condemning  the  paying  of  the  locality  impofed  for 
 maintaining  foldiers  againft  the  work  and  people  of 
 God ;  their  countenancing  the  compliers  of  the 
 time  while  in  the  land  ;  and  when  abroad  joining 
 with  the  Scots  congregation  at  Rotterdam,  and  hear- 
 ing the  indulged  preach  there  •,  their  informing  a- 
 gainll  us,  and  afperfing  us  with  flanders,  fuch  as 
 thefe  in  the  fore-mentioned  information  ;  and  their 
 concurring  in  the  Earl  of  Argyle's  affociation,  a- 
 gainfl  which  we  had  fo  many  things  to  obj^ft,  as 
 above  hinted."  Which  exceptions  (though  among 
 the  leaft,  we  have  againft  many  other  Minifters; 
 with  whom  we  have  no  clearnefs  to  join  in  our 
 now  circumftances,  yet)  we  thought  fufficient  to 
 demur  upon,  when,  after  many  fruitlefs  janglings, 
 we  could  receive  no  fatisfaftion  about  them,  nor  a 
 public  teftimony  fatisfyingly  ftated,  wherein  we  might 
 both  agree  and  concur  :  Albeit  we  made  an  overture 
 in  the  end,  that  they  and  we  fhould  endeavour  it  in 
 this  fort,  "  That  they  feveralJy  by  themfelves  fhould 
 draw  up  all  the  fins  of  the  time,  and  we  by  ourfelves  ; 
 that  fo,  when  compared  together,  it  might  be  feen 
 where  we  differed,  and  how  far  we  could  unite  is'1  But 
 though  they  feemed  to  be  as  much  for  it  as  we  at 
 firft,  yet  in  the  end,  when  it  was  offered,  they  rejected 
 it.     So  the  conference  bioke  up;  And  thereafter  we 
 
 were 
 
(     166    ) 
 
 were  more  untenderly  dealt  with  by  them,  and  alfo 
 deferted  by  feveral  joined  with  us  in  fellowfhip*  who, 
 from  that  time  began  to  leave  off  coming  to  our  ge- 
 neral meetings,  and  to  keep  feparate  ways,  without 
 refpeft  to  our  former  confented-to  agreement;  and 
 alfo  did  hear,  receive,  and  fpread  fome  falfe  reports, 
 given  forth  againft  us,  without  premonifhing  us  about 
 the  fame,  and  drew  many  off  from  our  Societies  by 
 fuch  means.  With  fome  of  which  we  had  a  confer- 
 ence,  Jan.  28.  1686.  Who  faid,  "  They  had  a  ver- 
 bal commiSioa  from  fome  focieties  in  Carrick,,>  &c. 
 The  effect  whereof  (whatever  was  the  intent  of  their 
 coming)  tended  to  a  further  breach,  though  we  were 
 not  confcious  to  ourfdves  of  any  untender  dealing 
 with  them.  For,  firft,  we  endeavoured  to  remove  ail 
 fuppcfed  grounds,  upon  which  they  might  ftumble 
 into  alienation  from  us,  by  clearing  our  minds  about 
 all  thefe  things  the  minifters  laid  to  our  charge  :  then 
 feveral  queftions  of  weight,  about  our  prefent  differ- 
 ences, were  proponed  to  the  meeting,  viz,  "  about  a 
 letter  of  accufarion  fpread  againft  us;  which  they  did 
 not  pofitively  difclaim,  about  the  Earl  of  Argyle's  de- 
 claration, (which  they  would  own  or  difown,  accord- 
 ing as  it  was  diverfly  interpreted)  "  about  the  excep- 
 tions given  in  againft  the  minifters,  (which  they  al- 
 ledged  were  not  valid.)  And,  finally,  we  afked  the 
 forefnd  perfons,  *'  whether  or  not  they  were  clear  to 
 join  with  us,  in  general  and  particular  fellowfhips, 
 now,  when  they  had  heard  us  fpeak  our  minds  fo  free- 
 ly i"  This  they  refufed  to  anfwer,  putting  the  quef- 
 tion  back,  whether  or  not  we  would  join  with  them  ? 
 And  generally,  in  all  the  queftions,  they  declined 
 freedom  and  plainnefs,  and  fe^med  averfe  from  fatis- 
 fying  us,  and  to  be  rather  for  contending*  than  a  free 
 communing  for  union  :  chiefly  they  ftickled  about  a 
 general  conclufion,  previoufly  agreed  to,  and  refolved 
 upon  among  us,  <c  that  nothing  relative  to  the  public, 
 and  concerning  the  whole,  (hould  be  done,  without 
 
 the 
 
(  i67  ) 
 the  confent,  or  at  leaft  the  knowledge  of  the  whole.'7 
 Which  conclufion,  though  formerly  they  agreed  to, 
 yet  now  they  are  called  an  impofition  ;  alledging  that 
 thereby  they  might  not  hear  a  faithful  minifter,  when 
 occafion  offered  :  Though  we  told  them,  we  did  not 
 tafce  that  conclufion  in  an  abfofute  fenfe,but  exponed 
 it  as  it  is  after  qualified,  with  the  feveral  cautions, 
 mentioned,  Head  fiift,  fe£t  3.  In  fine,  for  the  refult 
 of  this  conference,  when  we  were  urged  as  ab»ve, 
 (whether  we  would  join  with  them  as  formerly  ?)  by 
 way  of  retorrion  to  our  propofal  of  the  fame  to  them  ; 
 we  told  them,  we  could  not  anfwer  in  name  of  our 
 focieties,  having  no  dire&ion  from  them  for  that  ef- 
 fe£t,  and  that,  for  our  own  part,  we  would  not  refufe 
 accidental  or  occafional  communion  with  them,  as 
 brethren  and  Chriftians  ;  but  in  the  prefent  circum- 
 ftances,  we  could  not  be  clear,  to  concur  with  them 
 as  formerly,  in  carrying  on  the  public  work,  until  our 
 exceptions  were  removed :  which  were,  their  break- 
 ing that  conclufion  of  brotherhood  formerly  conde- 
 scended to,  in  their  calling  minifters,  againft  whom 
 we  had  exceptions  unremoved,  without  acquainting 
 us  therewith  *,  in  their  drawing  together  in  arms  with- 
 out our  knowledge,  and  contrary  to  what  was  con- 
 cluded by  themfelves  with  our  friends  ;  and  their  fid- 
 ing  with  other  perfons  in  point  of  difagreement  againft 
 us.  Whereupon  they  broke  away  abruptly;  and  their 
 carriage  fince  hath  been  very  difengaging,  by  their  la- 
 bouring many  ways  to  reprefent  us  unto  the  world  as 
 odious,  in  their  informations  given  in  to  minifters  a- 
 gainft  us.  But  now  we  muft  bear  many  obloquies  from 
 them  and  others,  waiting  in  dependence  on  the  Lord's 
 vindication,  who  will  u  bring  forth  our  righteoufnefs" 
 (or  the  righteoufnefs  of  his  own  caufe,  by  us  maintain- 
 ed) *c  as  the  light,  and  our  judgment  as  the  noon-day 
 in  his  own  time."  But  (hunning  to  be  proli^,  and 
 ftudying  all  brevity  poflible  ;  we  (hall  here  defift  from 
 f    fuch  a  fad  and  lamentable  relation,  wherein  we  have 
 
 but 
 
(     168     ) 
 but  touched  fome  of  the  many  fteps  of  our  defection, 
 and  our  poor  and  infignificant  contendings  againft  the 
 fame. 
 
 the  DECLARATION  of  the  Prefent  State  of  our 
 lejiimony. 
 
 THE  former  deduction  we  have  premifed,  that 
 the  ftate  of  gut  prefent  controverfi  s  may 
 be  the  more  fully  and  clearly  reprefented,  aad  that 
 what  follows  may  be  the  better  underftood  ;  having 
 difcovered  how  our  defections  and  breaches  began, 
 and  how  they  have  multiplied  and  increafed,  and 
 how  notwith (landing  the  Lord  hath  never  wanted 
 a  company  of  living  witneffes  to  bear  teftimony  a*- 
 gainft  the  fame.  But  feeing,  as  it  hath  been  the  lot 
 of  the  more  faithful  in  all  ages  of  the  church,  fo  in 
 our  day,  thofe  whom  the  Lord  hath  honoured  and 
 helped  to  witnefs  for  him,  againft  the  crooked  ways 
 of  the  generation,  have  had  it  for  their  trial  to  be 
 much  fufpe&ed,  reproached,  contradicted,  cenfur- 
 ed,  and  oppofed  by  many  of  lukewarm,  back  drawing, 
 and  indifferent  tempers;  and  we  have  not  wanted 
 our  (hare,  by  reafon  of  the  dreadful  imputation  of 
 perfecutors,  and  the  mifreprefentations  of  pretended 
 friends :  whereby  many  of  Zion's  well-wifhers  have 
 been  non-plus'd  what  to  think  of  us  and  our  caufes 
 therefore  for  the  glory  of  God,  the  vindication  of 
 truth,  the  fatisfaCtion  of  puzzled  confeiences,  clear- 
 ing of  differences,  wiping  off  reproaches,  removing  of 
 miftakes  upon  our  part,  reclaiming  fuch  as  through 
 ignorance,  mifinforxnation,  or  mifconceiving  appre- 
 henfions,  have  heretofore  miftaken,  at  leaft,  have  be- 
 come jealous  of  our  principles  and  practices,  for  con- 
 vincing of  thefe  (if  the  Lord  will)  who  moftly  oppofe 
 us,  for  maintaining,  according  to  our  power  and 
 places,  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation  ;  and 
 that  the  young  generation  may  not  be  (tumbled,  (who 
 are  greatly  in  hazard  thereof,  by  the  turnings  afide 
 
 that 
 
(     *«9     ) 
 
 that  have  been  to  the  right  and  left  hand).  Andf 
 finally,  that  all  the  Chriftian  reformed  world,  who 
 will  impartially  weigh  matters  in  the  balance  of  the 
 fintStuary,  without  affc&ion  or  prejudice,  may  fee 
 with  their  own  eyes,  and  attain  unto  a  better  under- 
 ftanding  concerning  us  ;  upon  thefe  and  the  like  grave 
 and  important  considerations,  we,  forourfelves,  and  all 
 who  adhere  unto  us,  in  the  ftated  teftimony  againft  Po- 
 p-ry,  Prelacy,  Eraftianifm,Sc£Urianifm,fchifm, or  de- 
 fection, find  ourfelves  obliged  to  give  an  account  of 
 our  principles  to  the  world,  and  then  proceed  to  offer 
 a  brief  reply  to  the  material  accufations,  which  are 
 given  forth  againft  us  in  letters,  informations,  and 
 conferences.  We  (hall now  therefore,  in  the firft  place, 
 give  a  fhort  declaration  of  our  teftimony  ;  {hewing, 
 firft,  what  we  maintain  and  pofitively  own,  as  the 
 matter  of  it  :  And,  fecondly,  what  we  difown  as 
 prejudicial  thereunto,  and  inconfiflent  therewith. 
 
 As  to  the  firft,  we  fincerely,  unanimoufly,  and 
 •conftantly  teftify  and  declare,  car  hearty  embracing 
 of  and  adherence  unto  the  written  word  of  God, 
 contained  in  the  fcriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Tef- 
 tamenr,  as  the  only  rule  of  faith,  and  manners,  and 
 whatfoeyer  is  founded  thereupon,  and  confonant 
 thereunto  :  fuch  as  the  confeffion  of  faith,  our  cate- 
 chifms,  larger  and  fhorter,  our  covenants,  national 
 and  folemn  league,  the  acknowledgement  of  fins, 
 and  engagement  to  duties,  the  caufes  of  God's  wrath, 
 the  ordinary  and  perpetual  officers  of  the  church  by 
 Chrift's  own  appointment ;  fuch  as  paftors,  dodors, 
 elders,  and  deacons,  and  the  form  of  church  govern- 
 ment, which  is  commonly  called  prefbyterial,  either 
 in  congregational,  prefbyterial,  or  fynodical  afiem- 
 blies,  whether  provincial,  national  or  oecumenical ; 
 together  with  all  the  a£ts  and  proceedings  of  our  ge- 
 neral affemblies,  efpecially  from  the  year  1638  to 
 1649  inclufive)  yea,  and  every  piece  of  the  attained* 
 unto  reformation  of  the  church  of  Scotland, 
 
 P  Ifl 
 
C     i/o     ) 
 
 In  like  manner,  we  teftify  and  declare  cur  cordial 
 adherence  unto  all  the  faithful  ccntendings,  that 
 have  been  owned  and  profecuted  by  minifters  or  pro- 
 feflbrs,  for  promoting  and  defence  of  reformation  in. 
 former  times  :  as  thefe,  againft  the  public  resolutions, 
 Cromwell's  ufurpation,  the  vaft  toleration  of  herefies 
 and  fects  in  his  time  :  as  alfo,  to  all  the  faithful  con- 
 tendings  of  minifters  and  pfofeflbrs,  fince  the  un- 
 happy reftoration  of  Charles  the  Second,  (when  the 
 work  Of  reformation  was  overturned)  unto  this  very 
 day  ;  whether  againft  the  Sacrilegious  ufurpation  and 
 tyranny  cf  the  malignant  party,  or  againft  the  com- 
 pliances, defections,  and  unfaithfulnefs  of  minifters 
 and  proftflbrs.  More  particularly,  unto  all  faithful 
 proteftations,  tefti  monies,  and  declarations  that  have 
 been  given  in  thefe  latter  times,  for  the  work  of  re- 
 formation, and  againft  all  ufurpation*  of  and  en- 
 croachments upon  the  prerogatives  of  Chrift's  crown 
 and  privileges  of  his  houfe,  and  any  thing  elfe  of 
 whatfoever  fort,  prejudicial  to  the  reformation  :  and 
 exprefsly  we  declare  our  adherence  unto  the  decla- 
 rations pub'ifhed "at  Rutherglen,  Sanquhar,  (firft  and 
 lift)  and  at  Lanark,  together  with  the  apologetical  de- 
 claration, affixed  upon  ibme  market  croflea  and  Se- 
 veral parifh  church  doors,  for  the  matter,  fubftance, 
 and  Scope  of  them,  as  accommodated  to  the  times 
 wherein  they  were  exhibited,  according  as  we  explain 
 them  afterward. 
 
 Head  i.  Finally,  we  teftify  2nd  declare,  our  cor- 
 dial owning  and  approving  of  the  faithful  and  free 
 preaching  of  the  gofpel  in  the  open  fields,  as  well  as- 
 in  houfes,  both  before  and  Since  Bothweil,  and  of 
 the  duty  of  defendirig  thegofpei  andouifelves  by  arms, 
 and  the  lawfulnefs  of  defenSive  war  againft  the  ufurp- 
 ers  cf  our  ecc'efi^ftical  and  civil  liberties  ;  and  conse- 
 quently, all  thefe  appearances  in  a  martial  manner 
 againft  the  public  enemies  of  this  church  and  king- 
 dom, at  Peritlattd,  D/umclog,  Bothweil,  and  Airs- 
 
 Mofi 
 
(     IV     ) 
 
 >fs.  And  alio  our  adherence  unto  the  tell  i  mo- 
 nies given  by  martyrdom  on  fields,  fcaftblds,  and  I 
 or  otherwife  by  banilhment,  imprifonment,  iiigma- 
 ;ortures,  or  fufFering  any  otherways,  for  their 
 adherence  unto  the  reformation,  and  non-comp  i- 
 ance  with  the  God-provoking  courfes  of  the  time,  and 
 for  not  owning  the  authority,  or  rather  tyranny,-  of 
 ufurpers,  in  place  of  magiftracy  qualified  according 
 to  the  word  of  God. 
 
 As  to  the  fecond,  we  fincerely,  unanlmoufiy,  and 
 coi.itantly  teftify  and  declare,  our  rejecting  of  what- 
 ever is  contradiftory,  or  contrary,  unto  the  written 
 word  cf  God,  or  not  founded  thereupon,  either  ex- 
 prefsly,  or  by  direft,  near,  or  neceflary  confequencc ; 
 and  more  particularly,  in  like  manner,  we  teftify  and 
 declare  our  rejecting  and  difowning  of  Popery,  Qua- 
 kerifm  Libertinifm,  Antinomianifm,  Socinianifm, 
 and  all  other  herefies,  under  whatfoever  deflgnatiorj, 
 together  with  the  blafphemies,  herefies,  and  wild 
 extravagancies  of  John  Gibb  ;  all  errors  upon  the 
 right  hand,  fu.ch  as  Anabaptifm,  Independency,  Mrlli- 
 narimifm,  and  all  other  fctb  and  fchifms,  together 
 with  the  devifive  courfes  followed  by  any  others  efpe- 
 daily  in  our  day,  and  the  ufurping  of  any  upon  the~ 
 minifterlal  fun&ion,  not  duly  called  thereunto,  as 
 m  this  ground  (befide  ether  reafons  we  have  ex- 
 cepted againft  Mr.  John  Flint),  and  all  errors  tfptin 
 the  kft  hand,  as  prelacy  and  Eraftianifm,  (flgSi 
 which  our  church  hath  had  rr.uch  wreftling  and  con- 
 tending) together  with  all  kinds  of  idolatry,  fup*r- 
 oh,  and  profanenefs,  and  whatfoever  elfe  is  found 
 contrary  to  found  dochinc,  and  the  power  of  go-d- 
 linefs. 
 
 Moreover,  confidering  what    heinous    and   God- 
 
 •proveking  fins  have  been  committed  in  this  land  a- 
 gainftGod,  in  contempt  of,  and  with  prejudice  to  hh 
 caufe  and  covenants,  tince  we   began   to  tufn  away 
 
 -from  him,  we  (hall  hritfly  enumerate  fome  of  thefe, 
 
 declaring  our  dtteftation  and  abhorrence  of  the  fame. 
 
 P  2  '   Therefore, 
 
(       '7*      ) 
 
 Therefore,  in  the  firft  place,  we  declare  our  tefti- 
 mony againft  all  compliances  with  the  iniquities  of 
 this  time  cftablifhed   by  law,    in  obedience^to  their 
 curfed    commandments,  directly  or  indire&Iy  :   Ail 
 countenancing  of  and  complying  with  prelacy,   fu- 
 premacy,  or  tyranny,  or  any  ufurpation  on  church  or 
 itate  made  by  this  malignant  enemy  ;  all  hearing  of 
 curates,  or  indulged,  or  paying  either  of  them  fti- 
 pends   exa&ed   by  iniquitous  taw  fetting  them  up  •, 
 Ail   anfwering  to    the  courts  of  perfecutors,    tak- 
 ing any  of  their  carbs,  as   the  declaration,  renounc- 
 ing the  covenants,  the  oaths  of  fuprernacy  and  alle- 
 giance, the  teft,  the  oath  of  abjuration,  the  oathyk- 
 per  inquirendisy  and  all  others  of  the  like  nature  •,  par- 
 ticularly, the  late  new  contrived  oath  of  allegiance, 
 fubftitute  in  the  place  of  all  the  former,  and  com- 
 prehending in  its  bofom  the  extract  of  all  their  ini- 
 quities, requiring   the  acknowledgment    and  main- 
 tenance of  the  moft  open  faced,  and  declared  abfo- 
 lute  tyranny  of  the  Duke  of  York,  in  his  invading 
 the  fovcreignty  of  the  Moft  High  ;  and  all  his  fub- 
 fervient  popifli  and  atheiftical  defigns,  which  is  con- 
 j  tained  in  the  late  proclamation  for  the  abominable 
 toleration  :    likewife,    all    fubferibing   any.  of   their 
 bonds,  impofed  to  fetter  and  defile  the  confeience,  as 
 the  bond   of  peace,  bond  of  regulation,   the  bond  of 
 compearance,    and  ail  others  partaking  of  affinity 
 with  thefe.    As  alfo,  the  paying  any  of  their  wicked 
 impofitions  for  bearing  down  the  gofpel  and  work  of 
 reformation,  as  militia  money,  cefs,  locality,  fines,  or 
 ftipends,  or  any  thing  that  may  ftrengthen  the  hands 
 of  fuch  evil-doers  :  and,  in  like  manner,  we  declare 
 cur  teftimony  againft  all  the  fteps  of  defr&ion,  de- 
 clining from  or  contradictory  unto  the  covenanted 
 reformation  of  the  church  of  Scotland  ;  and  there- 
 fore we  difown,  as   inconfiftent  with  our  anceftors 
 teftimony,  that   promifcuous  aflbciation  in  the  late 
 expedition  1685,  anc*  a^  aiTociations  and  confede- 
 racies 
 
(     *73     ) 
 
 racies  whatfoevcr,  with  fedtaries  and  malignnnts,  and 
 any  other  thing  that  opens  a  door  for  their  introt'uc- 
 tion  aud  toleration,  or  whereby  the  flate  of  the  quar- 
 rel is  rot  propofed  according  to  the  ancient  plea, 
 againft  both  right  and  lift  hand  tfprfites. 
 
 But  more  particu-any,   becauie  our  principles  are 
 mc(t  fufpe£ud  upon  the  ordinances  of  magiftracy 
 end  the  miniftfy;  therefore  we   (hail  plainly  unbo- 
 fom  our  hearts  about  thefe  alio.     We  profefs  then,  • 
 concerning  magiftracy,  to  obviate  the  fufpidon  of  any 
 unfriendlinefs,  towards  that  ordinance,  and  oiiloyahy 
 to  rightful  magiftrates,  and  declare  our  minds  in  thefe 
 itions.      U    As    we .  diflinguifli   between    magif- 
 tracy, or  the  office  jn  the  abicratt)  and  the  perform 
 inverted    with   the  ofBce,  fo  of  magiftracy  in  itfe-lf 
 comniersd,    we   fay,    that  as  it    is  net  Jubjetlively  - 
 founded  upon  grace,  fo  it  is  a  holy  and  divine  infti- 
 tution,  for  the  good  of  human  feciety,  the  encourage- 
 t  of  virtue  and  piety,  and  curbing  of  vice  and  im- 
 ty,  competent  unto,  and  honourable  arnongii  both 
 Cbriiiians    and    Heathens.     2.   As   for  fueh   magif- 
 3,  as,  bring  rightly  and  lawfully  cenfthute  over 
 us,  do  a£k  as  the  minifters  of  Gcd,  in  a  direct  line  of 
 •  fubordination  to  God,  in  the  defense  cfour-  cove- 
 ed   reformation,  and  the   fubj^Ls  iberries>  we 
 declare,   wbtnfoever  we  can  obtain   and  enjoy  fuch 
 rs,  we  will  owi)  embrace,  obey,  and  defend  them 
 e  utmoft  of  our  power,  and  prove  encouraging) 
 .at  to  them  in  cur  places  and  fta- 
 s.     3    In  things  crvil,  though  we  do  not  fay  that 
 •very  tyrannical  ^jfrJ:  or  action  doth  make  a  tyrant, 
 yet  we   hold,  that  habitual,  obfunate,  and  deda:^ 
 
 ution  to,  and  overturning  of  religion,  laws,  and 
 liberties,  and  making  void  all  contrails  with  the  fub- 
 je&s,  or  when  he  usurps  a  power  wirhcut  any  coca- 
 patt,  or  giving  any  fecurhy  for  religion  and  liberties, 
 or  when  he  is  fuch,  as  the  laws  of  the  hn-d  make 
 incapable  of  government :  thee  fbffietenfly  invali- 
 date his  right  and  relation  of  magiftracy  ,  and  war- 
 P-3  rant 
 
(     '74     ) 
 
 rant  fubjetb,  efpecially  in  covenanted  lands,  to  re- 
 volt from  un  er,  and  difown  allegiance  unto  fuch  a 
 power.  In  fuch  a  cafe,  when  the  body  of  a  lard,  col- 
 lectively confidered,  or  the  more  faithful  and  better 
 part  of  that  land,  in  the  time  of  national  and  univer- 
 sal apoftacy,  and  compleat  and  habitual  ryranny,  ad- 
 hering clofely  ro  the  fundamental  conftitutione  and 
 laudable  pra£tices  of  that  covenanted  lard,  (when 
 the  fundamental  Jaws  of  that  kingdom  are  dir:£tiy 
 overturned,  and  the  efientfal  conditions  of  the  mu- 
 tual corrpa&s  are  broken,  and  fuch  as  cleave  clofely 
 to  the  reformation  and  liberties  of  the  kingdom  are 
 accounted  rebels,  and  profecuted  as  fuch)  may  reject 
 and  refufe  the  magiitra'ical  relation,  between  the 
 tyrant  and  them  :  yet,  before  the  erect  en  of  formal 
 magiftracy,  they  may  not  lawfully  arrogate  to  them- 
 felves  that  authority  which  the  tyrant  hath  forefault- 
 ed,  or  claim  to  themfelves  the  authority  of  judges  ; 
 though,  radically,  they  have  the  authority  of  the  law, 
 hy  their  natural  right  and  fundamental  power,  which 
 God  allows,  and  is  nature's  attendant,  and  the  mu- 
 nicipal privilege  of  thefe  fubjc£ts  ;  but  they  cannot 
 act  judicially,  in  either  civil  or  criminal  courts  ;  only, 
 in  the  interim,  they  may  lawfully  do  that,  which 
 may  moft  conduce  to  the  fecuring  of  themfelves,  re- 
 ligion, arid  liberty.  4.  In  church  affairs,  we  alow 
 the  magistrate  a  power  over  the  outward  things  cf  the 
 church,  viz  what  belongs  to  the  bodies  of  church 
 officers  and  members,  but  not  over  the  inward  things 
 of  the  church,  fuch  as  dedtnne,  worfhip,  difcipline, 
 and  government.  We  own  he  *ftay,  and  ought  to 
 preferve  both  tables  of  the  law,  and  punifh  by  cor- 
 poral and  temporal  puniihment,  whether  church  of- 
 ficers or  members,  as  openly  dishonour  Gocl  by  grefs 
 offences,  either  againft  the  firft  or  fecond  table  j  but 
 this  he  may  not  do  every  *  ay,  but  after  his  own  man- 
 ner, not  intrinfically,  but  extrinfically,  not  under 
 the  renfideration  of  a  fc^ndal,  but  of  a  crime  :  we 
 grant  he  may  order  fuch  things  as  are  for  the  well- 
 being 
 
(     175    ) 
 
 being  and  fubfiftence  of  the  church,  and  for  that  end 
 may  convocate  fynods  in  fome  cafes  of  the  church, 
 pro  re  nata>  befide  their  ordinary  meetings  (according 
 a6  that  part  of  Art.  2  chap  3  ».  of  our  Confeffion  of 
 Faith,  is  fully  and  clear. y  explained  by  the  a£t  cf 
 the  general  affembly  of  the  cHurch  of  Scotland,  con- 
 vened at  Edinburgh,  Auguft  27,  1647,  f^ff  23  ap- 
 proving the  forefaid  Confeffion  of  Faith)  and  may  be 
 prefent  there  in  external  order •,  but  not  prefide  >n  rheir 
 fynodical  debates  and  refolutions  ;  he  may  add  his 
 civil  fanftion  to  fynodical  refuhs,  but  we  deny  him 
 any  power  to  reftrain  church  officers  in  difpenfing  of 
 Chrift's  ordinances,  or  forbid  them  to  do  what  Chrift 
 hath  given  them  in  commandment :  we  own,  that 
 as  he  nugbt  to  take  care  of  the  maintenance  of  the 
 miniftry,  fchools,  and  poor,  fo  imperative'y  he  m3y 
 command  church  officers  to  do  their  duties-,  yet  we 
 deny  him  an  elicitive  power,  either  to  do  himfelf 
 what  is  incumbent  to  church  officers,  or  to  depute 
 others  to  adminifter  ordinances  in  his  name,  or  by 
 any  minifterial  power  received  from  him  :  finally,  we 
 allow  him  a  cumulative  power,  whereby  in  his  own 
 way  he  affnTetb,  ftrengtheneth,  a-  d  r^rifirth  what 
 church  officers  do  by  virtue  of  their  o&cc  ;  but  we 
 deny  unfo  him  a  privative  power,  which  detracteth 
 any  way  frcm  the  church's  authority,  for  he  isanurf- 
 ing  father,  and  not  a  ftep-father.  In  fum,  we  grant 
 this  to  be  the  full  extern  of  the '  magi  ft  rate's  fupre- 
 macy  in  the  church  affairs,  to  older  whatfoever  Is 
 Commanded  by  the  Gcd  of  Heaven,  that  it  be  dili- 
 gently done  for  the  houfe  rf  the  God  of  Heaven. 
 And  what  further  he  may  ufurp,  we  difown  and 
 deteft. 
 
 But  confidefing  the  God  contemning,  and  Heaven- 
 daring  wickednefs,  ufurpatioif,  arid  tyranny  of  the  pre- 
 font  and  latter  pretended  rulers  over  this  land,  and 
 what  grievous  affront9,  bold  and  cptn  defiances,  they 
 have  given  to  the  moil  High  God,  and  what  unpara- 
 Idled  abufes  twey  have  done  to  the  ordinance  of  mi- 
 
 giftracy  ; 
 
(     i?<S    ) 
 giitracy  •,  therefore,  we  difown,    deteft,  and  abhor 
 the  corruption,  perverfion,  and  everfion  of  that  ordi- 
 nance in  this  land.     And,  in  the  firft  place,  for  the 
 late  tyrant  •,  as  we  do  abhor  the  memory  of  his  erec- 
 tion, and  unhappy  ieftoration,  after,  by  many  evi- 
 dences, he  was  known  to  be  an  enemy  to   God  and 
 the  country  ;  his  nefarious  wicktdnefs  in  eje&ing  the 
 minifters  of  Chrift  from  their  charges,  and  introduc- 
 ing abjured  Prelacy  ;  his  attrocious  arrogance  in  re- 
 funding all  a£ts  of  parliament  for  the  works  of  re- 
 formation;  his  unparallelled  perfidy  and  perjury,  in 
 making  void,  and  burning  the  covenants  •,  his  Heaven- 
 daring  ufurpation,  in  arrogating  to  himftlf,  that  blaf- 
 pherrjous  and  Chrift- dethroning  fupremacy  ;   his  au- 
 dacious and  treacherous   exerting  of   that    ufurped 
 power,  in  giving  indulgences  to  outed  minifters,    to 
 divide  and  deftroy  the  church,  his   arbitrary  and  ma- 
 nifeft  tyranny,  over-the  conferences  of  poor  people, 
 preffing  them  to   conformity  wi  h  the  time's  abomi- 
 nations, contrary  both  to  religion  and    reafon,    and  * 
 impofing  upon    them  comcience-d^bauching  oaths. 
 His    abiolute  domination*  over   the  whole   land,  in -• 
 levying  militia,  and  other  forces,  horfe  and  foot,  for.  j 
 carrying  on  his  wicked  defigns,  of  advancing  himfeif;  j 
 to  an  arbitrary  power,  and    bearing  down  the  work-, 
 of  reformation,   and  enfiaving  the  people;  particul- 
 arly in  f  nding  an  hoft  of  favage  and  barbarous  High- 
 landers  feveral  times,  upon  a  poor  innocent  people, 
 to  waite  and  deftrey  them  •,  and  impoiing  wicked  ?. 
 acions  for  the  maintenance  of  thefe  farces,  profefleci.y 
 required  for    fupprefiing   religion  and    liberty,    and 
 preferving  and  promoting   his  abfoiutenefs  over  all 
 matters  and  perfons,  *  facred  and  civil       His  cruety 
 over  the  bodies  of  Cbriftiaus,  in   chaGng,  catching, 
 and  killing  upon  the  field-,  many,   without  fentence 
 pad  upon  thtm,  or  rime  previoufly  to  deliberate  u 
 death-,    yea,  and  without  raking  notice  of  any  thing 
 to  be  laid   again  ft  them,  accor  ing  to  the  woift  cf 
 their  own  laws ;  drowning  women,   (o\rx  of  v 
 
 young   1 
 
(     '77     ) 
 
 young,  and  fome  of  exceeding  old  age  ;  imprifoning, 
 laying  in  irons,  exquifite  torturings,  by  boots,  thunt- 
 mikins,  and  fire-matches,  .cutting  pieces  out  of  the 
 ears ,  banifhing  and  felling  as  ilaves  old  and  young, 
 men  and  womt  n,  in  great  numbers,  bloodily  butcher- 
 ing upon  fcaffolds  i  hanging  fome  of  all  fexes  and 
 ages,  heading,  mangling,  difmembering  alive,  quar- 
 tering dead  bodies;  oppr  fling  many  others  id 
 their  efiates,  forefaulting  their  poffeflions,  rob- 
 bing, piUaging  their  goods,  carting  men,  women, 
 and  children  out  of  their  habitations,  interdict- 
 ing any  to  refet  them  under  the  pains  of  being 
 treated  after  the  fame  manner :  and  all  this  for  their 
 adherence  unto  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation; 
 while  in  the  mean  time  many  murderers,  adulterers, 
 and  inceftuous  perfons,  fcdomites,  witches,  a»d 
 other  malefactors,  were  pardoned  or  paft  without  pu- 
 nifhment :  fo,  for  the  continued  and  habitual  tra£l  of 
 thefe,  and  many  other  a£ts  of  tyranny,  we  have  dif- 
 owned,  and  yet  adhere  to  our  revolt  from  under  the 
 yoke  of  tyranny  of  Charles  the  Second,  and  declare 
 that  his  whole  government  was  a  compleat  and  ha- 
 bitual tyianny,  and  no  more  magiftracy  than  robbery 
 is  a  rightful  pofftffion.  And  in  like  manner,  in  the 
 next  place,  we  difown  the  ufurpaticn  of  James  Duke 
 of  York,  fucceeding  and  perfifting  in  the  fame  foct- 
 fteps  of  tyranny,  treachery,  and  cruelty  ;  with  the 
 fame  domineering  over  men  and  womens  con- 
 ferences, and  cruelty  towards  their  bodies  and  ef- 
 tates,  and  oppreflion  over  the  land  ;  arrogating  to 
 himfelf  an  abfolute  power,  more  declaredly  than  any 
 other  formerly  ;  and  labouring  to  bring  thefe  lands 
 again  in  fubje&ion  to  the  yoke  of  Anti-Chrift,  be- 
 ing a  profefled  papift  ;  and  therefore,  whatever  right 
 he  may  pretend  by  lineal  fucceflion,  fuffrage  of  ini- 
 quitous laws,  and  packed  parliaments,  he  hath  no  le- 
 gal or  lawful  right  to  the  crown  :  efpecially,  feeii>gv 
 njany  a£ls  of  ancient  parliaments,  declare  papit-s  al- 
 together incapable  of  bearing  any  rule,  or  any  other 
 
 whomfoevcr, 
 
(     «7*     ) 
 
 whomfoever,  except  they  be  maintainers  of  the  true 
 proteftant  religion,  according  to  the  national  cove- 
 nant, as  it  is  ftatute  by  the  8  A£l.  Pari.  i.  repeated  in 
 the  99  Aft  Pari.  7  Ratified  in  the  23  A£t.  Pari.  11. 
 and  114  Aft.  Pari.  12  of  King  James  6.  and  4. 
 Aft.  of  King  Charles  the  Firft  And  here  we  ftand 
 as  to  the  point  of  magiftracy. 
 
 Concerning  the  Miniftry,  to  obviate  the  fufpicloa 
 cf  any  averfion  from  the  ho'y  ordinance  of  the 
 miniftry,  and  of  denying  obedience  in  the  Lord  to 
 true  and  faithful  pallors,  we  in  like  manner  declare, 
 1.  As  we  didinguifh  between  the  miniftry  and  mi- 
 nifters,  as  between  the  office  and  the  perfons  invefted 
 therewith  ;  fo  as  for  the  miniftry  iifeif,  we  own  the 
 lawfulnefs  and  neceifity  thereof,  againfl:  Quakers  and 
 all  its  other  oppofers :  and  bold  it  our  duty  (as  we 
 would  not  be  rebellious  againfl:  Chrift)  to  own,  obey, 
 and  encourage  in  the  Lord,  all  true  and  faithful  paf- 
 tors,  and  highly  to  honour  them  in  love  for  their 
 works  fake.  2.  We  look  upon  it  as  unlawful,  for 
 any  man,  rever  fo.weH  qualified  otherwife,  to  take 
 upon  him  the  work  of  the  miniftry,  without  licence, 
 or  a  lawful  cat!,  and  ordination  by  laying  on  of  the 
 hands  of  the  preibvtcry,  or  any  competent  number 
 of  thtie  to  whom  Chrift  hath  committed  the  power 
 cf  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  cf  heaven  3.  We  hold 
 that  the  power  of  church  government  and  difcipline, 
 together  with  the  exercif*  of  the  minifteria!  fun&ion, 
 by  divine  appointment,  is  neither  committed,  nor 
 doth  appertain  to  pope,  prelate,  magiftrate,.or  mul- 
 titude of  believers,  prefbyterated  or  unprefbyterai 
 but  only  unto  the  minifters  and  officers  which  Chrift 
 hath  appointed  over  his  own  church  (which  is  his 
 mediatory  kingdom)  as  the  fubjeft  and  receptacle  of 
 church  power :  and  fay,  that  believers  are  the  end  of 
 church  power,  and  the  objeft  thereof,  or  the  party  to 
 be  governed  ;  but  not  the  fubjeft,  or  governors,  or 
 in  any  meafure  endued  with  that  power  of  tbemfcli 
 cither  formally  or  radically.  4.  We  hold,  that  fchilm, 
 
 or  1 
 
(  *79  ) 
 i  or  difowning  and  rejecting  of,  or  groundless  and 
 unwarrantable  Separating  from  true  and  faithful  mi- 
 nifters, to  be  a  very  heinous,  hateful,  and  hurtful  fie ; 
 yet  this  doth  not  hinder,  but  that  it  may  be  duty,  in 
 a  broken  ftate  of  the  church,  to  withdraw  from  mini- 
 fters  chargeable  with  defection.  For,  feeing  this 
 church  hath  attained  to  fuch  a  high  degree  of  refor- 
 mation ;  and  feeing,  by  folemn  covenants  to  the  Al- 
 mighty, we  have  bound  ourfelves  to  maintain  and  de- 
 fend the  fame  ;  feeing,  by  reafon  of  the  enemies  fnt- 
 tilty  and  cruelty,  and  the  fainting,  falling  and  failing 
 of  minifters,  fo  many  dreadful  defections  have  been 
 introduced,  embraced,  and  countenanced  5  feeing,  m 
 thefe  times  of  diftempering  confufions  we  are  now 
 deprived  of  the  remedy  of  fettled  judicatorie6,  where- 
 unto  we  might  recur  for  rectifying  of  diforders  :  And 
 feeing  we  are  bound  to  witnefs  againft  thefe  comply- 
 ing anil  backfliding  courfes,  whereby  the  wrath  of  God 
 is  fo  much  kindled  againft  the  land:  therefore  we 
 hold  it  as  our  duty,  that  when  a  backfliding,  or  de- 
 fection is  embraced,  avowed,  or  obftinately  defended, 
 in  fuch  things  as  have  been  reformed,  either  exprefsly. 
 or  equivalent;**,  especially  being  witnefl'ed  againft  doc- 
 trinaliy,  and  further  confirmed  by  other  teftimonies, 
 we  judge  it  'awful,  reafonable,  and  neceflary,  in  a  de- 
 clining, backfliding,  and  troubled  ftate  of  the  church, 
 to  leave  that  part  of  the  church)  which  hath  made 
 fuch  defection,  whether  minifters  or  profeflcrs,  as  to 
 a  joint  concurrence  in  carrying  on  the  public  work 
 (according  as  it  is  given  in  command  to  Jeremiah,  xv„ 
 ver.  19,  "  Let  them  return  unto  thee,  but  return  not 
 thou  unto  them)"  and  to  adhere  unto  the  other  part 
 of  the  church,  minifters  and  profefTors,  whether  more 
 or  fewer,  who  are  ftanding  ftedfaftly  to  the  defence 
 of  the  reformation,  witnefting  againft  others  who  have 
 turned  afide,  and  declined  therefrom;  until  the  de- 
 fections of  the  backfliding  party  be  confefied  ;  mourn- 
 ed over,  and  forfaken  :  This  is  no  Separation  from  the 
 church  of  Scotland^  but  only  a  departing  and  going 
 
 7rorta 
 
(       l&O       ) 
 
 forth  from  her  fins,  backflidings,  and  defections,  as 
 we  are  commanded  by  the  Lord. 
 
 But  confidering,  how  this  courfe  of  defection  and 
 revolting  from  the  Lord,  hath  either  been  carried  on, 
 complied  with,  countenanced,  or  covered,  by  the  mod 
 part   of  the  minifters   of  the  church    of  Scotland; 
 whereby  the  prerogatives  of  Chrift  have  been  furren- 
 dered,  and  the  ufurper  eftabliflied  in  the  peaceable  pof- 
 feflion  of  his  Royal  throne,  the  privileges  and  liberties 
 of  his  kingdom  (the  purchafe  of  his  blood,  tranfmit- 
 ted  to  us  through  the  many  valiant  witntflings  of  our 
 worthy  auceftors)  abandoned  and  yielded  to  the  moft 
 declaredly  ftated  enemy  to  Chrift,  that  ever  was  en- 
 gaged  in  oppofition  to  him;  and  whereby  the  holy 
 ordinance  of  the  minift  ry  is  fo  much  wronged,  corrupt- 
 ed, and  perverted:  and  fuch  indignities  and  affronts  gi- 
 ven  unto  Chrift,  the  giver  and  granter  of  their  com  - 
 million  ;  and  minifters  themfelves  made  contemptible 
 before  the  people.     We  declare  our  teftimony  againft 
 all  compliances,  defections,  backflidings,  turnings- 
 afide,  and  prejudices  done  to  the  work  of  God,  by  the 
 minifters  of  the  church  of  Scotland.    Howbeit,  as  we 
 acknowledge  to  the  Lord's  praife,  that  there  have  been 
 faithful  minifters  in  this  church  from  time  to  time, 
 who  have  raliantly,  zea!oufly,  and  faithfully  wreftled, 
 contended,  and  witnefled  againft,  not  only  the  hein- 
 ous indignities  done  to  their  princely  Matter,  by  the 
 open  and  avowed  enemy  ;  but  alfo  the  wrongs  done 
 to  his  caufe  and  kingdom,  by  the  compliances,  defec- 
 tions, and  lukewarmnefs  of  other  minifters  :  fo  we 
 mention  not  thefe  things  to  refle£t  upon  the  Holy 
 office,   or  from  any  prejudices  at  their  perfons ;  nei- 
 ther to  juftify  ourfelves,  but  to  fhow  our  refpeft  unto, 
 and  efteem  of  the  holy  ordinance,  to  clear  truth*  and 
 to  vindicate  the  caufe 
 
 Therefore  we  muft  teftify  againft  thefe  great  defec- 
 tions of  many  minifters>  viz.  In  the  firft  place  againft 
 that  concurrence  given  by  many  minifters  to  the 
 treaty  of  Breda,  for  bringing  home  the  king,  after 
 many  difcoveries  of  his  treachery  and  inclinations  to 
 
 tyranny 
 
(  !*•  ) 
 
 tyranny,  notwithftanding  of  many  feafonable  an-?  n^* 
 ceflVy  warnings  of  the  general   affembly,  to  be  very 
 wary  and  circumfpeft  in  trufting  wh^n  treating  with 
 him:  againft  their  falling  upon  public  refolutions, 
 even  when  our  church   had  arrived   at  her  higheft 
 pitch  of  reformation  :  and  the  fainting  of  others,  in 
 forbearing  to  give   faithful  warning  of  fo  great  and 
 dangerous  a  fin,   whrn  fome,  for  their  freedom  and 
 faithfulnefs,    were   fufpended-  from   their  miniftry  : 
 againft  their  compliances  with  Cromwtll:  againft  not 
 ftanding  for  the  intrinfic  privileges  of  the  church,  in 
 protefting  againft  that  Heaven-daring  ufurpation,  of 
 diflipating  and  diflblving  all  the  church   afTemblies, 
 and  free  courts  of  Chrift  :  their   finful  and  general 
 fuccumbing,  and  yielding  the  charge  and  overfight 
 of  their,  pecu'iar  flocks  at,  the  command  of  man,  as 
 if  they  had  not  received  their  commiffion  from  Chrift; 
 and  that  inftead  of  faithful  witneffing  againft  the  fa- 
 tal overturning  of  the  work  of  God,  and  introduc- 
 tion of  abjured  Anti-chriftian  prelacy,  the  mod  part 
 did  forthwith  embrace  it,  many  others  countenanced 
 it  by  hearing  thefe  intruded  hirelings  :  their  exhibit- 
 ing no  public  plain  teftimony,  againft  the  nefarious 
 srickednefs  committed  in  that  day  when  our  folemn 
 league  and  covenant  was  broken,  and  declared  null, 
 by  contrary  impofed  declarations,  and  confeience-en- 
 fnaring  oaths.    Their  unfaithfulnefs  and  difloyalty  to 
 the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  in   not  giving 
 teftimony  againft  the  fupremacy,  in  the  day  when  it 
 was  by  law  eftabliihed  upon  the  ufurper  of  Ch rift's 
 royal  dignities  :  their  general  laying  afidc  the  exer- 
 cife  of  their  office,  after  the  work  of  reformation  was 
 overturned,  whereby  poor  people  wanted  warning  cf 
 the  fins  and  fnares  ©f  the  time  :  their  embracing  of 
 the  indulgence,  their  gaping  after  that  pretended  pri- 
 vilege, who  could  not  enjoy  the  fams,  and  others 
 dealing  unfaithfully,  in  not  witneffing  plainly  againft 
 the  granters  and  receivers  thereof,  fome  pleading  for 
 it  a*  no  defection,  and    others  pleading  for  union 
 Q^  with 
 
(      182      ) 
 
 with  thefe  who  had  embraced  it :  And  the  meeting 
 of  fundry  minifters  in  feveral  prefbyteries,  for  re- 
 baking  and  cenfuring  the  more  faithful  fervants  of 
 Chrift,  for  discovering  the  finfulnefs  of  that  defec- 
 tion :  and  their  laying  bonds  on  others  not  to  preach 
 againft-the  fame :  likewife,  when  the  Lord  ftirred  up 
 fome  minifters  to  go  forth   and  preach   the  gofpel 
 freely  in  the  fields,  and  was  feen  to  countenance  thefe 
 meetings,  that  fomd  abode  ft  ill  in  their  habitation?, 
 and  did  not  concur  with  their  more  valiant  and  faith- 
 ful brethren  to  difplay  the  banner  of  the  gofpel,  in 
 that  public  manner  :  and  others,   who  not  only  lay 
 by  from  the  exercife  of  their  miniftry,  but  alfo  coun- 
 tenanced prelacy  in  hearing  of  curates,  and  the  indul-* 
 gence,  in  preaching  with  and  hearing  thefe  who  ac- 
 cepted it  j  their  being  embraced  both  by  minifters 
 and  people,  without  any  acknowledgement  of  fuch 
 offences  :  moreover  when  fome  were  forced  to  ap- 
 pear in  arms  for  defence  of  religion,  laws,  and  liber- 
 ties, that  they  had  fo  little  concurrence  of  minifters, 
 to  countenance  and  encourage  to  thefe  expeditions : 
 as  alfo  the  great  hurt  that  fome  minifters,  (together 
 with  others)  did  at  that  appearance  at  Both  Wei-',  put* 
 ting  in  the  late  tyrant's  intereft  in  the  declaration  of 
 that  army,  (as  alfo  was  done  at  Pentland)  and  their 
 oppofing  the  mentioning  the  indulgence  among  the 
 public  fins,  and  likewife  of  a  day  of  humiliation,  left 
 it  fhould  have  been  numbered  as  one  of  the  caufes 
 of  God's  cohtroverfy  with  the  land  :  the  meeting  of 
 many  minifters  after  Bothwell,  calling  themfelves  an 
 aflembly,  and  voting  for  the  acceptation  of  the  in- 
 demnity, and  the  indulgence   or  new  liberty  (toge- 
 ther with  the  peoples  cautionary  bond)  for  fuch  mi- 
 nifters as  would  live  peaceably  to  preach  in  thefe 
 bounds,  that  the  enemies  reftricied  them  unto  :  and 
 when  an  enfnaring  bond  of  peace  was  impofed  upon 
 the  prifoners  taken  at  Bothweli  *,  their  being  filent,  or 
 not  giving  their  advice  :  and  others  perfuading  thefe 
 captives  to  put  forth  their  hand  to  that  abomination  : 
 
 and 
 
(    1*3    ) 
 
 and  the  great  unfaithfulness  of  the  mod  part,  in  no? 
 giving  faithful  warning  to  people,  of  the  hazird  of 
 many  other  enfnaring  bonds,  and  carhs  impofed  for 
 debauching  of  people's  consciences  :  their  not  taking 
 part  With  the  more  faithful  mefFengers  of  Chrift,  in 
 preaching  the  gofpel  in  the  fields,  when   they  were 
 moftly  called  to  that  duty,  in  time  of  abounding 
 fnares  from  the  right  and  left   hand  •,  and  reproach- 
 ing and   condemning  othe-s,  who  did  jeopard  and 
 lofe  their  lives,  for  their  faithfulnefs  in  the  work  of 
 the  miniftry,  and  denying  allegiance  to  thefe  unrigh- 
 teous rulers :   feme  leaving  of  the  land,  when  they 
 were  moftly  called  to  (lay  in  it  to  difcharge  the  duty 
 of  faithful  watchmen  :  and  their  long  continued  fi- 
 Jence,  in  not  giving  the  people  faithful  warning  of 
 the  fnares  and  abominations  of  the  time,  when  ene- 
 mies were  mod  cruelly  prefling  for  compliance,  arrd 
 paffing  through  with  circuit  courts  of  unparallelled 
 inquifuions  :  their  complying  with  enemies  in  bond- 
 ing with  their  courts  (fome  to  that  length,  as  to  come 
 under  obligations  to  forbear  the  exercife  of  their  mi-* 
 niftry>    And,  finally,  the  concurring  and  joining  of 
 fome  with  fuch  confederacies  and  aflbciations  ai  did 
 open  a  door  for  the  introdu£Uon  both  of  malignanta 
 and  fedtaries,  contrary  to  our  covenant  engagements. 
 But  as  we  defire  to  mourn,   that  thefe  things  fhould 
 be  mentioned,  and  that  we  are  neccflirated  to  make 
 fuch  a  fad  and  unpleafant  rehearfal,  fo  alfo  we  de- 
 fire,   that  what  particular  fteps  cf  defection  may  be 
 there  more  indefinitely  propofed,  as  to  the  miniiters, 
 may  be  underftood  only  of  thefe  to  whom  they  are 
 duly  app'icable. 
 
 But  that  our  teftimony,  as  managed  by  us,  may 
 be  the  better  underftood,  and  exceptions  brought 
 ajrainft  us  "on  that  account  more  eafily  pre-occupied  ; 
 before  we  proceed  to  the  heads  of  our  vindication, 
 we  defire  that  thefe  few  things  may  be  chriftianly 
 conftru&ed  by  way  of  caution  and  concefiion 
 
 I.  We  do  indeed  own  and  adheie  unto   all  thefe 
 
 parts  of  our  teftimony,  eflential  and  integral,  former 
 
 Q^  and 
 
(     i«4     ) 
 
 and  latter,  of  greater  and  lefler  confequence :  but 
 we  do  not  prefs  every  part  or  pendicle,  claufc  or  con- 
 fequence, of  every  one  of  our  latter  declarations,  as 
 the  bond  of  our  communion,  as  is  more  fully  ex- 
 plained afterward,  Head  2.  And  in  the  inefficient 
 grounds  of  withdrawing,  laid  down,  Head  5.  But  if 
 fo  be  our  brethren  will  own  and  avouch,  in  profef- 
 fion  and  pra&ice,  every  part  of  cur  covenanted  re- 
 formation, and  join  with  us  in  the  matter  of  all  our 
 tieclarations  and  teftimonies,  againft  Popery,  Pre- 
 lacy, Tyranny,  fupremacy,  Sectarianifm,  3nd  all  the 
 above  mentioned  compliances  and  defe&ions,  we 
 will  not  require  that  they  come  all  the  fame  lerigth 
 in  the  manner  and  form. 
 
 II  As  the  caufe  of  Go  J,  viz  The  covenanted  re- 
 formation, is  to  be  diftinguifiied  from  the  perfons 
 who  do  efpoufe,  or  formerly  have  owned  that  quar- 
 rel ;  fo  it  is  the  caufe  we  defire  to  contend  for,  and 
 not  the  Nullification  of  perfons  in  things  extraneous 
 to  the  caufe :  therefore  whatever  perfonal  infirmities, 
 or  fcandals  of  any  fort,  have  appeared  among  thefe 
 who  profefs  to  own  the  fame  caufe  with  us,  when 
 not  vindicated  by  the  whole,  ought  not  to  refkdt 
 upon  the  caufe,  nor  to  be  imputed  to  all  its  honeft 
 levers.  So  we  defire  (which  is  juft  and  equal)  that 
 the  fqandalous  tranfgrcilions  or  extravagancies  that 
 any  among  us  have  fallen  i«t$,  to  the  detriment  of 
 the  public  caufe,  either  by  their  latitudinarian  lax- 
 lie's,  falling  into  defection,  or  over  much  rigidity  and 
 ihiciinefs,  running  beyond  the  bounds  of  mediocrity 
 and  truth,  may  not  be  made  ufe  of  as  an  occafion  of 
 an  ill  report,  either  upon  the  caufe  or  the  owners 
 thereof. 
 
 lit  If  in  any  thing  (abftraft  from  our  faithful  and 
 well  bottomed  contendings)  we  have  in  the  manner 
 of  managing  affairs,  in  reference  to  the  public  caufe, 
 through  ignorance  or  imprudence  jointly  mifcarried, 
 having  good  defigns,  and  the  thing  not  attended  with 
 obftinacy  ;  our  wcaknefs   and  infufficiency,    in  the 
 
 abounding 
 
(     i8j     ) 
 
 abounding  confufions  of  thefe  preceding  times,  our 
 faithful  guides  and  men  of  underftanding  by  death 
 and  othe;wrfe,  being  removed,  (hculd  be  compaf- 
 fipnately  looked  upon  and  tenderly  handled  :  Yea,  in 
 very  dttdt  we  fear,  that  this  fhall  be  found  to  lie  heavy 
 upon  thefe,  who  forbearing  to  witnefs  and  contend 
 publickly  for  the  Lord,  had  forfaken  us,  while  en- 
 deavouring .to  follow  duty.  However,  fo  foon  as  any 
 error  or  miftake  did  or  doth  appear  amongft  us,  or 
 ahy  of  us,  prefently  by  degrees  we  endeavoured  and 
 do  endeavour,  both  feverally  and  together  in  fo- 
 cieties  particular,  and  general,  the  amendment  and 
 forfeiting  thereof.  And  albeit  poflibly  our  method  in 
 re&tfying  fomediforders,  while  the  matter  at  firft  was 
 propofed  to  cim fide  ration,  fometimes  was  not  defer- 
 able, yet  if  wat  and  is  our  work  by  piece  and  piece 
 to  attain  unto  a  n  ore  ex  a  ft  manner. 
 
 IV  Whatever  may  have  been  our  mifcarriages* 
 this  is  our  (incere  and  profefled  defign,  purpofe,  and 
 refolution  to  lay  out  ourfelves  to  the  utrr.oft  of  our 
 powers  according  to  our  places  and  ftations,  for  pro- 
 moting and  propagating  the  wo:k  of  reformation^ 
 clofcly  adhering  to  our  worthy  reformers,  and  thofe 
 who  have  conftantly  walked  in  their  foot  fteps,  fted- 
 faftly  wreftiing  againft  the  corruptions  and  innova- 
 tions of  the  times,  continuing  fucceffively  the  tefti- 
 mony  for  the  reformation  :  and  that  our  ftudy  itf, 
 to  ktep  ourfelves  unpolluted  with  the  abounding 
 abominations  of  this  our  day,  and  to  hold  raft  the 
 truths  of  God,  not  lofing  them  among  our  own  hands5 
 but  conveying  them  down  to  the  fucceeding  genera- 
 tion, equa-ly  guarding  ourfelves  againft  right  or  left 
 Kand  extremes. 
 
 Q.s 
 
(     i86    ) 
 
 Our  vindication  from  many  calumnies  caji  upon  us  byfome 
 brethren  that  have  left  us,  reprefented  in  Jeveral 
 heads. 
 
 NOW,  having  with  all  brevity  poflible  declared 
 the  matter  of  our  teftimony,  what  we  pofi- 
 tive  y  own  and  difown  •,  we  lliall  proceed  thence  to 
 remove  miftakes,  obviate  unjuit  exceptions  againft  us, 
 and  to  clear  ourfelves  of  ca.umnious  charges:  tho* 
 we  mud  not  think  it  ftrange  that  we  have  been 
 (through  their  ignorance  of  matters  of  fa£t)  miitaken 
 by  fome,  and  alfo  of  our  being  reproached  by  very 
 many.  For  we  find  in  fcripture  records  of  forn  er 
 ages,  of  our  own  and  other  churches,  that  the  faith- 
 ful have  been  branded  with  ftrange  afperfions,  and 
 odious  calumnies  *7  Satan  always  labouring  to  put 
 odious  names  upon  reai  duties,  and  to  bury  the  truths 
 of  God  under  the  bafe  afhes  of  vile  reproaches :  yet 
 as  the  Lord  hath  in  former  times  by  his  appearance 
 blown  away  the  fame,  fo  we  defire  to  believe  that 
 he  will  yet  do  the  like,  and  vindicate  his  truths  from 
 error,  miftake,  and  contempt 
 
 But  to  come  to  the  prefent  purpofe  :  being  repre- 
 fented by  fome,  M  As  having  erefted  amongft  us  a 
 formal  authoritative  community,  and  Eraftian  repu- 
 blic :  taking  unto  us  the  government  both  of  church 
 and  (late;  attributing  unto  the  people  the  power  of 
 church  government :  impofing  finful  and  unjuft  re- 
 ftricUon  upon  minifters  and  profeffors  •,  and  unwar- 
 rantably dividing  and  feparatlng  from  them  ;  and  con- 
 sequently overturning  the  very  foundation  of  prefby- 
 terian  government,  and  the  covenanted  reformation  :" 
 we  ihall  fpeak  to  fundry  heaJs,  which  may  make 
 the  contrary  appear,  and  free  us  of  fuch  a  heavy  im- 
 putation, and  declare  us  to  be  endeavouring  only  the 
 promoting  of  that,  wrhich  v/e  are  faid  to  have  over- 
 turned. 
 
 HEAD 
 
(     x87    ) 
 HEAD      I. 
 
 Concerning  our  General  Meetings. 
 
 WE  are  faid  by  fome  to  handle,  in  thefe  gene- 
 ral meetings  and  correspondencies,  matters 
 both  of  church  and  ftate,  and  that  judicially,  and  by 
 the  fame  perfons  and  affembly  :  therefore  we  defire, 
 that  thefe  things  following  may  be  confidered,  for 
 clearing  the  nature  of  the  meetings  and  wiping  away 
 reproaches  and  removing  miitakes  about  the  fame. 
 
 I.  We  look  upon  ourfeivgs,  as  by  conflant  and  ha- 
 bitual tyranny,  reduced  to  our  native  and  radical  li- 
 berty in  this  matter  j  and  defiling  faithfully  to  ad- 
 here unto  the  fundamental  laws  and  laudable  confti- 
 tutions  of  our  church  and  covenanted  nation,  with 
 the  reft  of  the  purer  and  better  part :  and  therefore, 
 though  we  cannot  and  do  not  aflume  to  ourfelves  a 
 power  of  magistracy  ;  yet  after  we  had  confidered 
 what  would  be  beft,  and  contribute  moft  to  the  fe- 
 curing  of  ourfelves  and  religion,  we  judged  it  law- 
 ful, expedient,  and  necefiary,  to  join  together  into 
 one  meeting,  all  the  particular  focieties,  who  were  of 
 one  judgment  and  pra&ice,  in  reference  to  the  mat- 
 ter of  our  ftated  teftimony,  by  formal  confent,  for 
 mutual  help  and  correfpondence. 
 
 II.  This  union  being  founded  on  common  con- 
 fent, con  fonant  to  fcripture  and  reafon  ;  for  this  end, 
 the  promoting  of  reformation  and  prefervation  ot 
 ourfelves  ;  the  general  conclufion  we  obferv?  and  lay 
 down  in  order  to  he  managing  affairs  for  the  beftf 
 by  deliberation  amon^ft  us  thus  united,  is,  that  no- 
 thing relative  to  the  public,  and  which  concerns  the 
 whole,  be  done  by  any  of  us,  without  harmonious 
 confent  fought  after,  and  rationally  waited  for,  and 
 fufficient  deiberation  about  the  beft  means  and  man- 
 ner.    Dut  feeing  this   conclufion  hath  bedn   much 
 
 fpoken 
 
(     188     ) 
 
 fpoken  againft  by  fome,  and  condemned  as  an  impo- 
 pofition  ;  we  fhall  here  explain  the  fame,  by  adding 
 fome  few  conceflbry  caveats.  ( i .)  That  forefaid  con- 
 clufion is  not  to  be  taken  in  an  abfolute  fenfe,  as  a  re- 
 ftri&ion  (imply  nectffary  for  all  times,  all  places,  all 
 perfons,  all  cafes,  and  things,  (a  )  Though  the  con- 
 clufion imports,  that  even  in  neceffary  duties  which 
 concern  the  whole,  a  part  ought  not  to  go  on  therein, 
 without  proponing  the  fame  to  the  reft  :  for  that 
 which  concerneth  the  whole,  ought  to  be  handled  by 
 the  whole.  Yet,  if  thefe  (hall  finfully  deny  their  con- 
 currence, that  part  may  lawfully,  without  the  breach 
 of  the  conclufion,  do  it  for  themfelves.  (3.)  As  for 
 points  doubtful  and  controverted,  this  conclufion  is 
 neceffary 'to  be  obferved,  as  an  orderly  and  rational 
 method,  for  advifing  and  deliberating  about  the  pre- 
 fent  controverfy ;  and  fo  we  look  upon  it  as  an  hedge 
 againft  precipitancy  and  rafhnefs,  helpful  for  the 
 prefervation  of  union,  excluding  of  cohfufion,  curb- 
 ing of  petulant  fpirits,  and  right  managing  of  affairs* 
 Thus,  when  according  to  this  conclufion  a  right  me- 
 thod is  followed,  we  chufe  that  which  is  agreeable  to 
 the  law  and  to  the  teftimony. 
 
 III.  Thefe  meetings,  as  they  are  neither  civil  nor 
 ccclenaftical  judicatories,  fo  they  are  of  the  fame  na- 
 ture with  particular  Chriftian  focieties,  in  the  time 
 cf  this  extreme  perfecution,  gathered  together  in 
 their  general  correfpondence,  by  mutual  advice  and 
 common  confent,  endeavouring  jointly  to  know  the 
 fins  and  duties  of  the  day,  that  fo  we  may  be  help- 
 ful and  encouraging  to  one  another,  in  concluding 
 what  is  neceffary  for  our  prefervation,  and  the  pro- 
 pagation of  our  teftimony,  according  to  the  word  of 
 God,  the  law  of  nature,  the  fundamental  conftitu- 
 tions  and  laudable  practices  of  our  ancient  covenant- 
 ed church  and  nation,  afling  joint-y  and  harmoni- 
 oufly,  by  way  of  confoiation,  deliberation  and  ad- 
 monitory  determination. 
 
 IV.  That 
 
(     '89     ) 
 
 IV.  Thefe  determinations  and  rtfolutions  conde- 
 fcended  upon  after  that  manner,  though  they  be  no 
 formal  Statutes  of  either  civil  or  ecclefiaitic  judicato- 
 ries, yet  they  are  understood  to  be  of  a  binding 
 force  upon  all  them  who  are  confenters,  partly  by 
 reafon  of  the  nature  of  the  thing,  and  partly  by  vir- 
 tue of  their  confent ;  but  no  ways  obtruded  as  ex- 
 tending over  the  whole  kingdom,  becaufe  coming 
 from  us  :  though  we  think  there  lieth  upon  them 
 alfo  a  moral  obligation  to  perform  fuch  neceflaty 
 duties. 
 
 V.  Ail  thefe  things,  as  they  are  handled  or  con- 
 sidered among  curfelves  in  our  general  correspon- 
 dences, are  not  abfolutely  refolved  upon,  antecedently 
 to  the  knowledge  of  the  focietiea  feveral  and  apart, 
 but  confequentiy  ;  that  is,  for  the  prefervation  of 
 union,  and  fhunning  feparation  and  divifion,  we  ab- 
 folutely refolve  nothing  in  the  foreiaid  meetings,  but 
 that  for  which  wc  have  the  advice  and  confent  of 
 our  brethren  •,  and  when  it  is  reported  unto  the 
 meeting,  what  any  of  the  focieties  agrees  upon  and  ad- 
 vifes  unto,  if  the  matter  concern  the  whole  (efpecially 
 if  it  be  of  any  dangerous  confequence  to  be  mifma- 
 naged)  nothing  is  done  therein  peremptorily,  until 
 the  reft  of  the  locieties  get  time  to  confider  the  thing 
 alio  :  otherwife  hardly  can  errors  and  divifions  be 
 prevented.  This  we  hold  to  be  our  duty,  and  have 
 been  endeavouring  the  fame,  not  intentionally  keep- 
 ing any  thing  from  any  focieties,  that  ever  was  han- 
 dled at  any  of  cur  correfpondences  :  albeit  the  uncon- 
 cernednefs  of  fome,  and  the  negle£t  of  others,  who 
 were  particularly  fenr  to  our  general  meetings,  hath 
 prejudged  their  focieties  of  what  was  allowed  them  j 
 which  we  wi(h  in  time  coming  may  be  amended. 
 
 VI.  If  fo  be  any  thing  pro  re  nata  fhculd  be  re- 
 folved upon  in  the  common  correfpondence,  for 
 which  they  had  no  delegations,  and  which  might  be 
 liable  to  debates  before  the  focieties  feveraily  and  a- 
 part,  fhQuld  know  and  confider  it,  it  is  not  to  be  reck- 
 oned 
 
(  '9°  ) 
 oned  the  deed  and  fa£l  of  the  focieties,  but  of  thefe 
 perfons  then  prefent,  fpeaking  merely  in  their  own 
 names,  not  in  the  name  of  their  brethren,  from 
 whom  they  have  no  direction  for  fuch  a  thing  :  neither 
 are  the  focieties  bound  to  (land  unto  it,  if  they  fee 
 it  either  unlawful  or  inexpedient :  neither  is  their 
 not  (landing  unto  it,  any  way  to  be  interpreted  a 
 drawing  back  from  harnfonious  agreement,  feeing 
 their  confent  was  not  previoufly  required,  the  matter 
 never  being  imparted  to  them  before  the  determined 
 refoiution  Yea,  in  very  deed,  the  breach  of  har- 
 mony would  lie  rather  at  their  door,  who  had  fo  re- 
 folved  upon  any  thing  either  unlawful  or  inexpe- 
 dient, without  previous  advice  and  confent.  How- 
 ever, when  any  thing  is  conditionally  refoWed  upon 
 in  the  correfpondence,  and  then  imparted  to  the  fo- 
 cieties  feveraliy,  by  their  giving  their  confent  there* 
 to,  it  becometh  their  proper  fa£l  and  deed  alfo 
 
 VIJ.  Laftly,  when  things  incident  and  controverted 
 among  ourfelves,  cannot  be  inftantly  compofed  and 
 agreed  upon,  neither  in  focieties  nor  the  general  cor- 
 refpondence :  Then,  according  to  realon  and  religion, 
 every  one  is  to  take  fufficient  time  to  inform  them- 
 felves,  and  deliberate  about  the  thing,  before  we  pro- 
 ceed to  any  determination  ;  that  fo  things  may  not 
 be  carried  on  rafhly,  and  hand  over  head,  but  a  right 
 way  followed,  and  no  fudden  nor  unwarrantable  di- 
 vifiort  occafioned. 
 
 Hence  it  may  be  evident,  how  in  tbefe  meetings 
 we  have  not  gone  out  of  our  flations,  by  concluding 
 matters  judicially,  as  judges,  either  civil  or  ecclenaf- 
 tic,  or  by  Eraftian  practices  confounded  church  and 
 ftate  together,  but  a£led  therein  as  was  competent  to 
 and  incumbent  upon  us. 
 
 HEAD 
 
(     I9i     ) 
 HEAD      II. 
 
 Concerning  cur  Declarations. 
 
 SEEING  the  unjuft  imputation,  of  afting  as  judge3 
 either  civil  or  ecclefiaftic,  or  as  an  Eraftrian  re- 
 public? and  other  fad  accufations,are  unfriendly  drawn 
 from  our  declarations,  particularly  the  firft  declaration 
 publiihed  at  Sanquhar,  and  the  following  pubiilhed  at 
 Lanerk.  Therefore,  to  remove  fuch  a  charge,  concern- 
 ing both  thefe  declarations,  we  in  general  plainly  de- 
 clare, that  we  never  did,  neither  do  look  upon  thefe 
 as  authoritative  a&ions,  and  as  fuch  extended  over  and 
 binding  the  whole  land  (though  they  were  all  moral- 
 ly  obliged  to  do  what  we  did,  and  more  than  we  were 
 able  to  do,  and  to  own  what  we  have  done  thereby, 
 bccaufe  of  the  duty  of  the  thing)  but  as  declarations 
 publiihed  in  the  name  of  thefe  who  adhere  unto,  and 
 confent  with  us,  in  the  matter  of  the  teftimony.  But 
 to  fpeak  more  particularly,  ift,  As  to  the  firft  declara- 
 tion publifned  at  Sanquhar,  we  {hall  notice  three 
 things  in  it.  Firft,  the  defignation,  by  which  the  pu- 
 blifhers  and  confenters  are  termed,  viz.  "  The  Repre- 
 sentatives of  the  true  Prefbyterian  Church  and  Cove- 
 nanted nation  of  Scotland  "  2dJy,  the  principal  part 
 of  the  declaration,  viz  (i  The  difowning  of,  and  re- 
 volting from  under  Charles  the  Second."  3dly,  The 
 extenfive  declaration  of  war  againft  that  tyrant  and 
 ufurper. 
 
 As  to  the  firft,  to  wit,  the  defignation  ;  we  declare, 
 that  by  it  we  understand  only  thefe  who  in  the  time 
 of  tyranny  and  apoftacy,  cleave  moft  clofcly  to'  the 
 fundamental  laws  of  the  kingdom,  and  to  the  parts 
 and  degrees  of  the  Reformation  already  attained  in 
 this  reformed  and  covenanted  land,  or  the  remnant 
 that  is  left  bearing  witnefs  unto  the  feme;  not  thefe 
 wh«  ordinarily  are  underftood  by  this  word,  viz  per- 
 form 
 
(     19*     ) 
 
 fons  formally  inverted  with  authority  and  delegation, 
 from  thefe  whom  they  reprefent,  but  only  a  poor 
 people  appearing  mod  publicly  for  purfuing  the  ends 
 of  our  Covenants,  fpme  way  reprefenting  the  body 
 that  (hould  have  done  it,  in  that  they  did  it  in  their 
 {lead,  though  they  could  not  have  their  concurrence. 
 Therefore  as  we  utterly  difclaim,  as  an  unfound  and 
 Eraftian  principle  and  prattice,  that  the  fame  party, 
 perfons,  and  aflembly  formally  inverted  with  autho- 
 rity, {hould  take  upon  them  to  perform  actions  civil 
 and  ecclefiaftic,  reprefenting  both  church  and  itate  ) 
 fo  we  declare,  That  neither  the  authors  nor  we 
 ever  intended  or  practifed  any  fuch  thing.  Hence 
 it  may  be  evident,  that  we  ufe  not  the  word  repre- 
 fentative,  according  to  its  ordinary  and  ftrift  accep- 
 tation, but  more  improperly,  as  it  denotes  the  more 
 faithful  and  better  part  of  the  church  and  kingdom, 
 reprefenting  others  who  {hould  deferve  the  fame  fig- 
 nature,  who,  in  the  time  of  compleat  tyranny  and 
 national  apoftacy,  are  for  themfelves,  and  fuch  as  do 
 adhere  unto  them,  endeavouring  clofely  to  adhere  unto 
 the  degrees  of  reformation  in  the  belt  timevS  of  that 
 church  and  ftate,  acling  jointly  according  to  the  word 
 of  God,  the  church  conftitutions,  and  fundamental 
 laws  of  the  land  5  by  virtue  of  that  natural  right 
 which  is  competent  to  fubjqSts,  2nd  men  merely 
 private  in  time  of  neceiTitY,  or  in  reference  to  things  . 
 lawful,  laudable  and  neceffary  :  feeing  in  fuch  a  cafer 
 the  perfecuting  party  have  de  jure  forefaulted  their 
 right ;  and  the  backfliding  party  fled  from  their  tef- 
 timony :  therefore  the  more  faithful  and  better  part 
 may  do  for  themfdves  in  that  interim. 
 
 Secondly}  As  for  the  principal  and  mod  material 
 part  of  the  teftimony,  viz  the  difowning  of  Charles 
 the  Second  :  we  diftinguifhed  between  a  judicial  and 
 authoritative  depofing,  and  a  private,  lawful,  and  ne- 
 ceffary difowning,  and  refufing  any  more  to  own  him 
 in  a  magiftratical  relation  over  us,  for  ourfelves  and 
 
 all 
 
(     ifj     ) 
 
 all  who  adhere  unto  and  content  with  us  in  our  de- 
 claration againft  him,  as  head  of  the  malignants.  The 
 former  we  altogether  deny  to  be  done  by  us,  the  lat- 
 ter we  have  done,  and  own  it  as  our  duty  :  And  that 
 becaufe  of  thefe  rcafons  expreiTe  J  in  the  declarator, 
 and  hinted  above  pag.  170.  Chiefly  for  this  in  the 
 complex  (which  comprehends  all)  that  he  had  in- 
 verted all  the  ends  of  the  government,  and  everted 
 and  perverted  religion,  laws,  and  liberties,  which  he 
 was  obliged  to  maintain  both  by  his  office  and  truft 
 and  by  the  fuperadded  tie  and  obligation  of  facred 
 and  folemn  oaths  and  covenants.  By  breaking  which, 
 he  had  ruined  and  razed  the  very  foundations,  upon 
 which  both  his  right  to  govern,  and  the  people's  al- 
 legiance were  found:  d,  and  thereby  he  had  loofed 
 the  people  from  all  obligation  to  his  authority  :  for 
 the  articles  and  conditions,  agreed  upon  and  mutu- 
 ally covenanted  unto  betwixt  a  p-op'e  and  the  per- 
 son or  perfons  whom  they  intruft  to  rule  over  tnem 
 for  their  good,  are  the  on?y  fundamental  laws,  where- 
 upon the  ruler's  right  to  govern,  and  the  people's  ob- 
 ligation to  obey  are  founded,  and  which  continues 
 and  regulates  the  relation  of  each  to  other,  in  their 
 xefpettive  fpheresand  duties  ;  and  no  laws,  divine  or 
 .human,  oblige  one  party  to  the**  performance  of 
 a  mutual  condition  to  the  other,  while  the  other  does 
 not  mutually  obferve  nor  perform  his  to  them.  And 
 .becaufe  he  had  ufurped  and  exercifed  that  facrilegi- 
 ous  fupremacy. 
 
 Thirdly^  As  for  the  war  there  declared  in  expref- 
 fions  to  this  purpofe  ;  We  declare  a  war  againft  fuch 
 a  tyrant  and  ufurper,  and  all  the  men  of  his  pra£tices, 
 as  enemies  to  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  his  caufe,  and 
 covenants,  and  againft  all  fuch  as  have  any  way 
 Strengthened  him,  fided  with,  or  acknowledged  him 
 in  his  ufurpation,  civil  and  ecclefialtic,  or  (hall  ac- 
 knowledge any  other  in  the  like  ufurpation  and  ty- 
 ranny :  for  understanding  whereof,  and  our  minds 
 R  concerning 
 
(     194     ) 
 
 concerning  the  fame,  we  offer  thefe  few  things  to  be 
 confidered. 
 
 I.  We  have  ingenuoufly  inferted  the  words,  a3 
 they  moft  frequently  occur  in  the  moft  common  co- 
 pies, capable  of  the  worft  fenfe  that  ufually  is  put 
 upon  them  ;  though  we  have  found  fome  far  other- 
 wife,  and  more  favourably  worded,  and  which  pro- 
 bably feem  more  like  the  authors  genuine  expreffions 
 and  meaning  :  and  we  cannot  conceal,  how  wc  have 
 obferved,-  the  only  alteration  in  the  copies  of  that  pa- 
 per to  be  in  that  extenfive  declaration  of  war ;  which 
 gives  us  fome  ground  to  jealoufy,  that  fome  iuduftry 
 had  not  been  wanting  to  mifreprefent  them. 
 
 II  We  will  not  offer  to  put  a  determinate  fenfe  * 
 upon  the  authors  words,  who,  we  are  confident,  had 
 an  honeft  intention,  though  their  expreffions  (if 
 thefe  be  their  expreffions)  cannot  bear  an  ordinary 
 fenfe  without  exceptions  :  only  we  are  free  to  fig- 
 nify  in  what  fenfe  we  allow  them.  We  diftinguifh 
 therefore,  between  a  declaring  of  an  hoftile  war  and 
 martial  infurre£tion,  and  declaring  a  war  of  contra- 
 diction and  oppolition  by  testimonies,  &c  As  for  the 
 former,  we  look  upon  that  only  to  be  declared  againft 
 the  tyrant,  and  fuch  as  ffiould  rife  with  him  in  arms, 
 .muttering  themfelves  under  his  banner,  difplayed  a- 
 gainft  the  caufe  and  people  of  God,  for  deftroying 
 the  covenanted  work  of  reformation,  and  extirpating 
 all  the  owners  thereof :  but  as  for  the  latter,  we  can- 
 not but  think,  that  it  is  declared  againft  all  fuch,  as 
 any  way  ftrenghten,  fide  with,  or  acknowledge  the 
 faid  tyrant,  or  any  other  in  the  like  tyranny  and  u- 
 furpation,  civil  or  ecclefiaftic  *  not  that  we  would 
 martially  oppofe  and  rife  up  againft  all  fuch,  but  that 
 by  our  profeffion,  practice,  and  teftimony,  we  would 
 contradict  and  oppofe  them,  and  their  profeffion 
 and  practice  as  to  that  thing. 
 
 IIT.  We  pofitively  difown,  as  horrid  murder,  the 
 killing  of  any,  becaufe  of  a  different  perfuafion  and 
 opinion  from  us  :  albeit  fome  have   invidiouily  caft 
 
 this 
 
(   m  ) 
 
 this  odious  calumny  upon  us>  from  this  exten(ive> 
 declaration  of  war:  for,  againftthe  latter  fort,  viz.  luch 
 as  acknowledge  the  ufurper,  cr  any  way  fide  with  and 
 ftrengthen  him,  and  do  not  rife  in  an  hoitile  manner 
 under  his  banner,  no  killing  is  intended  at  all.   Bur, 
 
 IV.  We  maintain  it  as  both  righteous  and  ration?1* 
 in  defence  of  our  lives,  liberties,  and  religion,  after 
 an  orderly  and  Chriftian  manner,  to  endeavour  by 
 all  means  lawful  and  podible  to  defend  ourfelves,  re- 
 icue  our  brethren,  and  prevent  their  murder,  in  a 
 martial  oppofuion  againft  wicked  perfeeutors,  wha 
 are  daily  feeking  to  deftroy  them  and  us,  and  em- 
 brae  their  hands  in  our  blood  ;  according  to  the  true 
 import  of  the  Apologetical  declaration,  whereby  this 
 at  Sanquhar  is  confirmed  and  explained. 
 
 Secondly,  as  to  the  declaration  publifhed  at  Lanerk: 
 from  what  hath  been  already  faid,  our  minds  of  it 
 may  be  plainly  underftood.  Howbeit  to  remove  mif- 
 takes,  we  offer  thefe  things  particularly  to  be  con- 
 fidered. 
 
 I.  We  look  not  upon  it  as  a  judicial  or  authorita- 
 tive a£tion,  but  as  a  declaration  of  a  poor  opprefTed 
 community,  neceffitated  to  that  manner  of  contend- 
 ing for  their  covenanted  privileges,  confirming  and 
 approving  the  preceding  at  Sanquhar,  and  as  a  tefti- 
 mony  againftthe precedingpacked  and  prelimited  parV 
 liament,  convocate  by  Charles  the  Second,  wherem 
 the  Duke  of  York  prefided  as  his  commiffioner,  and 
 againft  all  their  iniquitous  a&s  and  laws,  particularly 
 that  abominable  teit,  and  every  thing 'done  by  them 
 at  that  time  againft  the  caufe  of  God. 
 
 II.  But  confidering  fome  expreffions  in  the  forefaid 
 declaration,  to  be  very  exceptionable,  fuch  as  the  at- 
 tributing to  the  publifhers  of  the  Sanquhar  declara- 
 tion, the  title  of  a  convention  of  eftates,  and,  in  c- 
 ther  expreffions,  feeming  to  appropriate  authority  to 
 its  own  authors :  therefore  we  do  hereby  acknow- 
 ledge, that  fuch  na^nes  and  titles  are  not  applicable 
 to  us,  and  therefore  inexpediently  and  unadvlfedly 
 
 R  2  inferted 
 
(     '96    ) 
 
 itiferted  in  our  declarations  •,  fo  we  pafs  from  the  de- 
 fence of  the  fame,  refolving  to  ufe  names  and  titles 
 in  all  time  hereafter,  that  may  be  duly  and  truly  ap- 
 plied to  us,  in  the  circumftances  wherein  we  may 
 ftand. 
 
 (  III.  Notwithftanding  of  this,  we  adhere  unto  the 
 teftimony  then  and  there  given,  as  not  improper  for, 
 or  inconGftent  with  perfons  in  our  capacity  to  give 
 it,  though  we  wanted  the  concurrence  of  great  ones. 
 For  we  think  indeed, great  men  wh^n  faithful, are  great 
 helps  and  fit  instruments  under  God,  for  promoting 
 the  common  caufe  :  but  their  Cmp'e  abfence  doth 
 not  altogether  incapacitate  or  invalidate  the  faithful 
 endeavours  of  a  rfcmnant,  adhering  to  the  reforma- 
 i  on,  and  keeping  their  integrity,  to  maintain  and 
 promote  the  fame,  in  fuch  circumftances,  as  we  ia 
 this  land  are  in  :  for  this  is  our  radical  right,  and  not 
 the  donative  of  princes,  or  dependent  of  greatnefs. 
 At  the  furtheft,  great  men  are  for  the  well-being,  not 
 Amply  neceffary  for  the  being  of  armies,  common- 
 wealths, or  focieties  :  we  mean  thofe  who  are  ftri&ly 
 called  the  Primores  Regni,  or  Ephori,  by  birth,  and 
 not  ennobled  by  qualifications  and  endowments.  In- 
 deed where  excellency  of  virtue  and  nobility  of 
 blood  meet  together,  the  perfons  are  much  to  be 
 preferred  ;  but  fimple  birth  gives  little  right. 
 
 IV.  When  we  defire  of  others  a  formal  and  expli- 
 cit confent  unto  thefe  public  declarations,  we  only 
 dtfire  their  confent  and  agreement,  not  with  every 
 incident  expreilion  -and  word  (as  thefe  forefaid  titles) 
 but  with  the  intentional  fcope,  and  the  things  them- 
 fclves  materially  and  fubftantialiy  confidered ;  and 
 that  chiefly,  becaufe  antecedently  to  ouraftion,  thefe 
 things  which  are  the  matter  of  the  teftimony,  are 
 bound  upon  all,  both  -divinely  by  the  word  of  God, 
 and  ecclefia^tically  by  our  church  constitutions,  and 
 by  the  fuperadded  and  fubje&ive  bond  of  our  holy 
 covenants  •,  that  fo,  in  the  profecution  of  the  Lord's 
 caufe,  we  may  be  of  one  mind  and  pra£lice$  for  ex- 
 cept we  be  joined  In  one  thing  as  to  the  heads  of  our 
 
 ftated 
 
(     *97     ) 
 ftated  teftimcny,  (efpecially  in  thil  confufed  and  clif- 
 turbed   ftate  of  affa;rs)  we  cannot  ftrengthen,  tut 
 rather  weaken  one  another's  hands. 
 
 H    E    A    D      HI. 
 
 Concerning  the  Jirjt  joint  and  written  call  given  to  the 
 minifters. 
 
 THERE  is  another  brand  put  upon  us,  of  im- 
 pofing  finful  and  unlawful  reftri&ions  and  im- 
 pcfitions  upon  minifters  The  occafion  whereof  is 
 taken  from  th  e  firft  call  given  to  the  mirifters  :  there- 
 fore we  defire  thefe  things  to  be  coniidered  concern- 
 ing it. 
 
 I.  That  call,  when  it  was  concluded,  W2S  not  con- 
 defcended  unto  by  all  of  us,  fome  ftill  opposing  the 
 fame. 
 
 II.  When  better  confidered  a  little  afterwards,  it 
 was  found  feveral  ways  diffatisfaJtory,  and  in  fome 
 things  unfound  ;  whereupon  it  was  immediately  ffe- 
 tratted,  even  by  the  nexr  general  meeting,  and'never 
 more  owned  by  us,  but  a'Tths  copies  (fo  far  as  was  pof- • 
 fible)  defired  to  be  called  in  again  :  which  was  pu«~ 
 blicly  andffrequentiy  told,  when  we  had  our  co:  ! 
 rence  with  fome  minifters  about  feveral  things  in 
 controverfy.  Hence,  there  can  be  no  ground  of  cb- 
 jtdting  it  unto  us  now. 
 
 But  as  to  impofnions  £nd  unjtift conditions,  pH 
 tions  and  qualifications,  which  we  are  faid  t: 
 upon  minifters  and  prcfeffors :  for  removing 
 heavy  imputation,  and  fatisfyingof  doubting  andwel!" 
 meaning  perfons,  as  it  was  publicly  told  in  the  fa'cc 
 of  the  meeting,  Jan.  28,  1686,  (together  with  feveral 
 other   things,  preceding  and  following  in  this  vindi- 
 cation) in  the  conference  with  fome  perfons  who  are 
 now  gone  out  from  us  :  So  now  we  ingenucufly  pro- 
 fefs  and  declare,  "  That  we  require  nothing  eithc 
 
 R.  3  minifter& 
 
(     198     ) 
 
 niinifters  or  profeffors,  but  that  which,  antecedently 
 |o  our  humble  defire,  is  bound  over  both  upon  them 
 and  us  in  our  places  and  ftations,  divinely,  by.  the 
 authority  of  God's  word,  and  ecclefiaflical]y  by  the 
 fubordinate  authority  of  our  church  conftitutions." 
 Therefore,  what  we  require,  confent  and  agree 
 unto,  let  it  be  firft  brought  unto  the  word  of  God, 
 which  is  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  manners,  and  com- 
 pared with  the  laudable  degrees  of  reformation,  al- 
 ready attained  unto,  according  to  cur  covenants  and 
 church  conftitutions,  founded  upon  the  fame  werd  $ 
 and  if  it  be  not  agreeable  thereunto,  expreffed  there- 
 in, or  neceffariiy  confequential  therefrom,  let  it  be 
 rejected,  but  if  confonant  thereunto,  let  no  man  call 
 *  it  our  finful  impofuion  or  reflection. 
 
 HEAD      IV. 
 
 Concerning  that  heavy,  though  falfe  charge^  of  cafing 
 off  the  minijiry  a?id  fchifmatical  feparafion  from  the 
 Minijlers  of  the  Church  oj  Scotland 
 
 IN  the  next  place,  being  afperfcd  with  fchifm,  and 
 unwarrantable  feparation  from  the  minifters  of 
 *he  church  of  Scotland,  yea,  with  that  odious  and 
 heavy  charge  of  calling  off  the  miniftry  thereof. 
 Therefore,  though  the  theme  be  moil  unpleafant,  and 
 matter  of  forrow  to  us,  to  fpeakonfuch  a  la.nentable 
 fubjift,  and  neither  our  defiie,  nor  credit  to  difcover 
 our  mother's  .nakednefs  ;  yet  we  are  necefTitated,  for 
 vindication  of  truth,  and  taking  off  fuch  a  calumny, 
 to  touch  a  little  this  fad  and  intricate  head  :  In  pro- 
 fecution  whereof,  according  to  our  weak  and  mean 
 capacities,  we  (hall  fpeak  a  little  to  thefe  few  things. 
 Firft %  We  fhall  make  mention  of  fome  dklin&ious, 
 which  in  fome  meafure  may  conduce  to  the  clearing 
 of  the  cafe,  and  more  eafy  foiving  of  difficulties,  re- 
 lating to  ouf  practice     Secondly }  We  (hah  fliew  fome 
 
 things 
 
(     *99    ) 
 
 things,  which  we  look  upon  as  infuflftient  in  point 
 of  withdrawing  from  minifters,  even  within  this  co- 
 venanted land.  Thirdly,  we  (hall  fhew  fome  grounds, 
 which  we  look  upon  to  be  fufficient  for  withdrawing 
 (in  a  cafe  of  fuch  differences,  and  fo  circumftantiated) 
 from  minifters  of  this  church,  to  whom  they  are  ap- 
 plicable, who  are  obliged  to  maintain  with  us  in  their 
 places  and  ftations,  the  fame  word  of  teftimony. 
 Fourthly,  We  (hall  (hew  what  we  judge  to  be  re- 
 quired, according  to  the  written  word  of  God,  our 
 church  conftitutions,  and  our  covenants,  in  minif- 
 ters whom  we  are  to  countenance,  own,  and  em- 
 brace, in  the  prefent  circumftances.  Fijthly,  We 
 (hall  propofe  fome  things  by  way  of  caution,  in  order 
 to  the  pre  occupying  cf  objections,  and  further  de-' 
 daring  of  our  minds 
 
 As  to  the  firft,  we  (haH  diftingu'fh, 
 
 I.  Between  a  church  in  her  infancy*  and  growing 
 up  into  reformation  \  and  an  adult  church,  which 
 hath  arrived  at  a  higher  pitch  of  reformation  :  in  the 
 former,  many  things  may  be  tolerated,  which  may 
 not  in  the  latter;  and  therefore  our  fathers  might 
 have  borne  with  many  things  in  minifters,  which  we. 
 cannot,  becaufe  we  have  been  reformed  from  thefe 
 things,  which  they  were  not. 
 
 II.  We  diftinguifh  between  a  church  in  a  growing 
 cafe,  coming  forward  cut  of  darknefs  and  advancing 
 in  reformation  ;  and  a  church  declining  and  going 
 back  again  :  In  the  former,  many  things  may  be  borne 
 with,  which  in  the  latter  are  no  ways  to  be  yielded 
 unto  ;  as  in  the  time  of  the  former  pre'acy,  many  did 
 hear  prelatical  men,  which  now  we  Cannot  do,  and 
 fo  in  other  things. 
 
 .  III.  We  diftinguifn  between  a  church  In  a  reform- 
 ed and  fettled  ftate,  and  confirmed  with  the  conftitu- 
 tions of  general  aficmblies,  and  the  civil  fan £1  ion  of 
 acis  of  parliament \  and  a  church  in  a  broken  and 
 difturbed  ftate ;  In  the  former,  abufes  and  difor- 
 ders  can  be  orderly  redreflcd  znd  removed  by  church 
 
 judicatories. 
 
(      2CO      ) 
 
 judicatories,  but  not  fo  in  the  latter ;  therefore,  the. 
 moft  lawful  expedient,  and  conducible  mean,  for 
 maintaining  the  attained-unto  reformation,  is  to  be 
 followed  in  the  time  of  fuch  confufions  and  diftur- 
 bances,  and  that  is  (as  we  think)  abftra&ion  and 
 withdrawing  from  fuch  diforders  in  minifters,  which 
 we  cannot  otherwife  get  rectified. 
 
 IV.  We  diftinguifh  between  a  reformed  church, 
 enjoying  her  privileges  and  judicatories  :  and  a  re- 
 formed church,  denuded  of  herprivileges  anddepriv- 
 ved  of  her  judicatories.  In  the  former,  people  are  to  ad- 
 drefs  themfelves  unto  church  judicatories  :  aud  not 
 withdraw  from  their  minifters  (efpecially  for  ordi- 
 nary fcandals)  without  making  piior  application  to 
 thefe ;  but  in  the  latter,  when  minifters  are  really 
 fcandalous  (though  not  juridically  declared  fo)  and 
 duly  cenfurable  according  to  the  word  of  God,  and 
 their  own  church's  conftitutions,  and  cenfures  can- 
 not be  infli&ed  through  the  want  of  church  judi- 
 catories, and  yet  they  ftill  perfift  in  their  offenfive 
 courfes,  people  may  do  what  is  competent  to  them, 
 and  teftify  their  fenfe  of  the  juftnefs  of  the  cenfure 
 to  be  inflifted,  by  withdrawing  from  fuch  minifters, 
 even  without  the  prefbyterial  fehtence. 
 
 V.  We  diftin^uifn  between  the  miniftry  in  the 
 fcbftraft,  or  the  office  itfelf,  which  is  Chrift's  inftitu- 
 tion  $  and  the  minifters  in  the  concrete,  or  the  per- 
 fons  invefted  with  the  office  >  fo  albeit  the  miniftry 
 can  by  no  mean?  be  difowned,  without  the  higheft 
 rebellion  againft  God,  and  reje&ing  of  man's  faiva- 
 tion;  yet  fuch  m  milters  (that  belong  to  the  prefby- 
 terial church  of  Scotland)  againft  whom  there  are  fo- 
 lid  and  juft  exceptions,  according  to  the  word  of  God, 
 and  the  a£ts  of  the  general  afPmblies,  ftriking  againft 
 them  (perfifting  m  their  courfes)  even  unto  deposition, 
 may  be  withdrawn  from,  by  people  who  would  right- 
 ly fee  to  the  approving  of  themfclyes  faithful  in  their 
 ftation  unto  God, 
 
 VI.  Wa 
 
(       201        ) 
 
 VI.  We  diftinguiih  between  a  faithful,  and  a  fm- 
 lefs  oiiniflry-  ;  the  former  we  have  ground  to  expeft ; 
 but  in  no  cafe  the  latter,  and  for  the  want  of  the  for- 
 mer qualifications,  we  have  ground  to  withdraw,  that 
 is,  when  they  are  not  faithful,  but  from  none,  be- 
 caufe  they  are  not  finlefs. 
 
 VII  As  to  what  we  require  of  unfaithful  minif- 
 tcrs  before  we  can  join  with  them  ;  we  diftinguifh 
 between  minifters  condemning  do£trinaliy,  and  con- 
 f  effing  privately  by  conference  with  offended  bre- 
 thren, or  refenting  to  them  after  fome  more  public 
 manner,  their  defections  and  offences:  And  their  con- 
 fefling  thefe  ecclefiaftically  before  church  judicato- 
 ries, and  fubmitting  to  their  juft  and  equal  cenfures. 
 The  former,  we  judge  fufficient  rn  the  preftnt  cir- 
 cumftances  \  howbeit,  we  confefs  that  the  latter,  if 
 afterward  they  be  called  unto  it,  fhould  not  be  re- 
 fufed  and  denied,  when  there  fhall  be  any  judicatory 
 to  require  it. 
 
 Vill.  We  diftinguifh  between  a  feparation  negative, 
 whether  actively  or  paflively  confidered  \  and  a  fe- 
 paration pofitive  :  a  pofitive  feparation  is,  when  a 
 party  not  only  leaves  communion  with  a  church, 
 and  whereunto  they  were  formerly  joined  in  Chriftian 
 minifterial  duties,  but  alfo  gathers  up  new  diftindl 
 churches  different  from  the  former  in  doftrine,  wo> 
 fhip,  discipline,  and  government :  a  negative  paffive 
 feparation  is,  when  the  better  part  of  a  church 
 ftanding  ftiH  and  refufing  to  follow  and  concur 
 with  the  backfliding  part  of  the  fame  church,  af- 
 ter they  have  become  obftinate  in  their  declinings 
 from  former  found  principles  and  practices,  holds 
 clofely  by,  and  adheres  unto  what  parts  of  refor- 
 mation were  gracioufly  attained  among  them  :  fe- 
 paration, negative  and  adtive,  refpects  the  declining 
 part  of  the  church,  who  have  deferted  their  faithful 
 brethren,  and  after  brotherly  admonition  refufe  to 
 return,  but  hold  on  their  new  courfe.  Hence,  as 
 for  us,  we  abfolutely  deny  a  pofitive  feparation  from 
 the  Scottifli  covenanted  church :  yea,  ajfo  feparation 
 
 negative* 
 
(      202      ) 
 
 negative,  if  it  be  confidered  a&ively,  at  the  fur- 
 theft  :  herein  we  acknowledge  a  feparation  negative* 
 paflively  confidered,  in  our  being  left  alone  (at  firft, 
 in  the  time  of  our  greateft  ftraits)  and  forfaken  by 
 the  reft;  for  we  are  endeavouring  to  our  utmolt 
 (with  many  failings,  and  much  weaknefs)  to  retain 
 and  maintain,  according  to  our  ftation  and  capacity, 
 the  covenanted  work  of  reformation  of  the  church  of 
 Scotland,  againft  Popery,  Prelacy,  Eraftianifm,  and 
 Seftarianifm,  both  more  refined  and  more  grofs,  to- 
 gether with  fchifm  and  defcflion  :  So  we  deny  and 
 altogether  difown  a  feparation  from  communion  with 
 this  church,  in  her  doctrine,  v/orlhip,  difcipHne,  and 
 government,  as  {he  was  in  her  bed  and  pureft  days  : 
 for  we  only  oppofe  the  tranfgreffions  and  ckfe&ions 
 of  this  church,  and  endeavour  to  feparate  from  thefe; 
 while  we  chufe  to  ftand  ftiil,  and  not  to  go  along 
 with  others  in  declining  and  offenfive  courfes,  but  to 
 follow  the  footfteps  of  fuch  faithful  minifters  and 
 profeflbrs,  as  have  gone  before  us  witnefiing,  in  their 
 places  and  ftations,  againft  both  tyranny  and  apof* 
 tacy,  until  defections  be  condemned,  and  offences 
 removed. 
 
 As  to  the  fecond,  viz.  What  we  judge  inefficient 
 in  point  of  withdrawing  from  minifters,  and  members 
 of  this  covenanted  church. 
 
 I.  Infirmities  or  weaknefs,  whether  natural,  fpirit- 
 ual,  or  moral,  are  not  fnfficient  to  found  a  withdraw- 
 ing, even  from  minifters  of  this  covenanted  church. 
 Natural  weaknefs  is  the  infirmity  of  parts,  knowledge, 
 courage,  and  the  like,  which  infirmities  are  difadvan- 
 tageous  to  them  that  labour  under  them,  but  in  fuch 
 things,  (if  there  be  not  altogether  an  inaptitude  to 
 teach,  or  ignorance  incapacitating  them  for  the  dif- 
 charge  of  their  duty)  "  We  ought  to  bear  the  infir- 
 mities of  the  weak,"  Rom.  151  under  which  rule, 
 minifters  alfo  muft  be  comprehended.  Spiritual 
 weaknefs,  is  the  weaknefs  of  grace,  faith,  love,  zeal, 
 paiience,  and  the  like;  as  when  we  perceive  fome  e- 
 vidences  of  mifbelief,  coldnefs,  feciirity,  impatience, 
 
 or 
 
(     *°3     ) 
 
 or  fome  rifings  of  paffion,  and  the  like,  we  muft  not 
 caft  at  one  another  for  fuch  things,  n  but  with  all 
 lowlinefs  and  meeknefs,  with  long  fuffering,  forbear 
 one  another  in  love,"  Eph.  iv.  2.     Efpecially  when 
 fuch  things  are  mourned  over  and  wreftled  againft. 
 Moral  infirmities  and  failings,  are  fuch  evils  as  men 
 fall  into  through  the  ftrefs  of  temptation,  in  time  of 
 persecution,  Satan's  fuggeftions,    &c     |  Being  either 
 fins  of  ignorance,  or  perfonal  efcapes,  not  allowed,  or 
 fuch  as  the  perfon  hath  been  hurried  into  by  a  furpri- 
 fmg  temptation  out  of  fear,  which  otherwise  he  durft 
 not,  nor  would  he  have  done,  if  he  had  been  himfelf : 
 For  though  we  ought  to  reprove  one.another  for  thefe 
 things,  and  not  fuffer  them  to  lie  upon  our  brother, 
 yet  we  muft  not  disjoin  from  one  another  upon  that 
 account,  but  u  reftore  fuch  an  one  in  the  fpirit  of 
 meeknefs,  when  overtaken  in  a  fault,  confideringour- 
 felves  left  we  alfo  be  tempted."  Gal.  vi.  1.    Such  be- 
 ing but  fainting  fits,  lamented  over,  and  not  perfifted 
 in,  nor  allowed.     Consequently,  we  underftand  not 
 hereby  fcandalous  omiflions  and  commiffions,  done 
 deliberately,  and  with  a  high  hand,  or  palpable  and 
 grofs  abominations;  feeing  fuch  things  coming  with- 
 in the  compafs  of  church  cenfure,  ought  to  come  un- 
 der another  confideration,  and  the  perfons  for  thefe 
 tranfgreftionsdifcountenanced,  aye  and  while  the  fcan- 
 dal  given  be  removed  by  confeffmg  and  forfaking. 
 
 II.  Difference  in  judgment  is  not  fufficient  to  found 
 a  withdrawing,  if  it  be  either  in  things  indifferent  in 
 their  own  nature,  which  may  be  done  or  not  done, 
 after  this  manner,  or  after  another,  without  any  breach 
 of  a  divine  precept:  Such  things,  it  is  true,  may  be 
 made  inexpedient  and  may  become  matter  of  ftum- 
 bling  to  a  weak  brother;  therefore  in  thefe  we  muft 
 be  fully  perfuaded  in  our  own  minds,  and  alfo  obferve 
 the  rules  of  charity,  careful  not  to  offend  any  of 
 Chrift's  little  ones :  All  things  indeed  are  pure,  but  it 
 is  evil  for  any  to  do  them  with  offence,  "  it  is  good 
 not  to  do  any  thing,  whereby  our  brother  ftumbleih, 
 
 cr 
 
(     204     ) 
 
 or  is  offended,  or  made  weak,"  Ptom.  siv.  20,  2 1.  Or 
 if  it  be  in  things  that  are  not  material,  or  not  the  word 
 of  patience,  and  matter  of  teftimony  ;  for  in  fuch 
 things  thefe  who  are  ftronger,  and  more  knowing, 
 "  ought  to  receive  the  weak,  but  not  to  doubtful  dif- 
 putations,"  Rom.  xiv  1.  Nor  that  which  follows  up- 
 on the  former,  viz.  every  difference  in  praftice,  ac- 
 cording to  the  judgment  and  light  of  confcience,  in 
 things  that  are  not  diforderly :  For  though  we  could 
 not  allow  fuch  a  thing  in  ourfelves,  yet  it  ought  not 
 to  hinder  our  joining,  but  whereto  we  have  already 
 attained,  "  we  ought  to  walk  by  the  fame  rule,  and 
 mind  the  fame  thing,  hoping  if  in  any  thing  any  be 
 otherwife  minded,  God  fhall  reveal  even  this  unto 
 tbem,"  Phil  iii.  15,  16.  It  is  evident,  we  mean  not 
 herefuch  things  as  are  parts  of  the  teftimony,  wherein 
 of  neceflity  there  muft  be  fome  onenefs  in  judgment 
 and  practice. 
 
 III.  We  conceive  that  ignorance  of  matter  of  fac^, 
 when  nothing  elfe  can  be  charged,  ought  not  to  hin- 
 der joining  ;  that  is,  if  our  brethren  either  know  not 
 what  we  hold  as  our  teftimony,  or  have  been  mifni- 
 formed  concerning  principles  or  practices  :  In  that 
 cafe  we  hold  it  our  duty  to  ufe  all  diligence  to  inform 
 fuch  as  have  had  no  occafion  to  know  the  matter  of 
 the  prefent  teftimony,  and  with  all  due  patience  to 
 wait  upon  them. 
 
 IV.  Such  circumftantial  and  controverfial  points* 
 which  were  never  ecclefiaftically  reformed  by  our 
 church  in  her  beft  and  pureft  times,  nor  do£trinally 
 condemned,  and  witnefled  againft  by  any  of  the  faith- 
 ful minifters  of  Jefus  Chrift,  according  to  the  word 
 of  God,  fince  by  tyranny, and  apoftacy  our  church 
 began  to  decline  from  her  wonted  zeal  and  purity,  will 
 not  hinder  our  joining  with  them 
 
 V.  Nor  any  fuch  points  of  controverfy  of  lefler 
 moment,  which  may  be  incident  among  Chriftians, 
 overturning  no  part  of  the  church's  teftimony  againft 
 
 Popery, 
 
(     2o5     ) 
 Popery,  Prelacy,  Eraftianifm,  Se£tarianifm,  together 
 with  defection,  fchifm  and  error. 
 
 VI.  Even  real  fcanda's,  not  attended  with  obftioacy, 
 but  confeffed,  mourned  over,  and  forfaken,  are  not 
 fufficient  in  point  of  withdrawing. 
 
 As  to  the  third,  wc  (hall  plainly  lay  down   thefe 
 grounds  which  we  look  upon  as  fufiicient  for  with- 
 drawing (efpecia!ly  in  the  cafe  of  iuch   differences 
 *nd    fo  circumftanriated)  from  minifters  to   whom 
 they  are  applicable,  who  are  obliged  by  holy  cove- 
 nants, and  as  minifters  of  the  fame  organical  church, 
 to  own  and   maintain   the  fame  word  of  teftimony 
 with  us :   which  grounds  of  withdrawing  from  mini? 
 iters,  whether  nominal  or  real,   we  (hall  deduce  from 
 that  fountain  which  we  defire  to  make  the  conftant 
 •^unerring  rule  of  our  practice,  the  holy  fcriptures  of 
 truth,  wh.srein  we  find  fuch  precepts,   admonitions, 
 .reproofs,  threatenings. and  examples,  as  without  any 
 {trained  confluence,    mud  determine  us  to  a  re- 
 rfolved  withdrawing  from  all  thefe  following,  whom 
 we   do  not,  nor  cannot  join  with  in    the  exercife 
 of  their  miniftry,  in  the  cafe   fo  circumftantiated, 
 and   for    confirmation    (hall    back  the    fame   with 
 the  approved  fubordinate  rule  of  the  a£ts  and  con- 
 stitutions of  .our  general  affemblies,  as  they  occur. 
 •Permitting  only  in  the  entry  two  general,  that  we 
 be  not   miftaken.    i.   Our  fcope  here  is  to  give  ac- 
 count upon  whatgrounds  we  are  conflrained,  as  the 
 .cafe  now  (lands  in  this  broken  date  of  the  church,  to 
 withdraw  from,  difcountenance,  and  maintain  a  ne- 
 gative piffive  feparation,  from  thefe  whom  we  love 
 in  the  Lord,  and  acknowledge  to  be  minifters  of  this 
 church,  with  whom  we  fometimes  had  fweet  fellow- 
 (hip,  while  they  were  faithful  in  their  Matter's  work, 
 and  with  whom  again  we  would  defire  to  have  com- 
 munion in  ordinances,  if  thefe  our  juft  exceptions 
 were  removed  :  but  we  fhall  mention  otherj    alfo, 
 that  our  mind  in  this  head  may  be  fully   known. 
 §  2.  We 
 
(       206       ) 
 
 2.  We  den  re  to  be  underftood  to  walk  and  Build  our 
 grounds  upon  thefe  folid  principles  in  theft,  which  we 
 think  will  not  readily  be  rejected  in  the  general.   ( i .) 
 We  cm  join  with  none  but  fuch  as  we  mud  acknow. 
 ledge  (as  they  -defire  to  be  accounted)  miniiters  of 
 Chrift,    fet  over  by  the   Holy   Ghoft,  and  faithful 
 ftewards  of  the  myfteries  of  God,  and  that  then  and 
 there,  when  and  where  we  join  with  them,  i  Cor. 
 iv.  r,  2    (2.)  We  can  join  with  none  but  fuch  as  we 
 muft  own  church  communion  with,   in  all  the'ordi- 
 nances  adminiftrated  by  them,  both  as  to  matter  and 
 manner,  and  right  of  administration,  then  and  there  : 
 fo  that  if  a  minifter  either  want  a  right  to  admini- 
 ftrate,  cr  be  wrong  as  to  the  matter  or  the  manner 
 of  difpenfing  any  of  the  ordinances  of  Chrift,  not 
 according  to  his  inftitution,  we  can  have  commu- 
 nion with  him  in  none.     For  in  cur  joining  with 
 them  in  ordinances,  we  muft  own  and  take  on  that 
 teffera,  and  fign  of  our  incorporation  with  them  in 
 their  fellowfhip  :  for  when  we  partake  of  the  bread, 
 ive  become  one  bread  and  one  body,  and  they  that  eat  of 
 the  facrifias  are  partakers  of  the  attar,  1.  Cor.  x.  7,  8. 
 Hence,  (3.)  We  can  join  with  none,  but  fuch  as  we 
 can  confcientioufly  approve  in  the  circumftantiate 
 way  of  his  difpenfing  ordinances,  as  it  mud  be  re- 
 gulated by  the  word  :  for  otherwife,  fuppofe  a, thing 
 might  be  lawful  materially,  yet  circumftances  may 
 make  it  finfui,  and  a  countenancing  of  it  fo  circum- 
 ftantiated  doth   infer  a  communion  in  thefe  circum- 
 ftances that  make  it  fo  (infill.  They  that  eat  of  thefa~ 
 orifices  are  partakers  of  the  altar,  and  if  the  altar  be 
 not  of  God's  approbation,  the  facrifice  lawful  cannot 
 juftify  the  eaters  :.  an  idol  is  nothing,   atkl  that  which  is 
 offered  in  facrifice  to  idols  is  nothing,  yet  they  who  eat  of 
 it%  when  they  know  it  is  fo  circumftantiated,  have  fellow* 
 with  devils,   t  Cor  x.  18,  19,  20,  21.    And  it  is 
 called  idolatry,  compare  verfe  14.     And  confequent- 
 ly,  (4.)  We  can  join  with  none,  with  whom  we  muft 
 ;n  our  countenancing  of  tfrem  partake  of  their  evil 
 
 deeds, 
 
(    «Sf    ) 
 
 deeds,  and  male  ourfelves,  in  the  rh' 
 God,  obnoxiousto  their  punifliments.  And  \\ 
 where  we  know  perfons  guilty  of  fuch  things,  as  wc 
 find  they  are  braided  with,  who  are  under  a  record- 
 ed fentence.  ©f  dreadful  puniihment,  both  again  ft 
 them  and  their  partakers,  we  think  it  is  as  fuflioient 
 a  ground  and  neceffary  to  withdraw  from  them,  as  if 
 we  had  an  exprefs  command  for  it ;  for  then,  lie 
 dare  not  be  partakers  with  them,  nor  have  felhvufinp  iuith 
 thefe  unfruitful  works,  that  we  muft  reprove,  and  that 
 we  find  the  Lord  reproves  and  condemns,  £ph.  v. 
 7,  i  1  Left  in  partaking  of  their  fins  w  receive  of  their 
 plagues,  Rev.  xviii.  4.  (5.)  We  can  join  with  none, 
 whofe  fin  we  may  be  interpreted  to  homolgate,  ei- 
 ther in  their  entry  to,  or  difcharge  of  their  office,  or 
 which  might  be  fo  looked  upon  as  a  teft  of  our  fub- 
 miffion  to  them,  or  badge  of  our  compliance. with 
 them,  or  fign  of  our  approbation  of  their  fin,  direct- 
 ly or  indirectly.  For  in  our  pining  in  wormip  or 
 church  communion,  we  muft  a, avert  to  what  it  may 
 be  interpreted  either  in  law,  or  in  cur  cum  and  others 
 conferences :  for  to  that  we  muft  2K0  have  fpeciai 
 refpett,  left  we  offend  and  (tumble  others,  as  well  as 
 our  own  confeiences ;  fome  things  muft  be  forbornf 
 not  only  for  our  own  unclearnefs,  but  out  of  refpeQ: 
 to  the  confeience  of  others  ;  confeience,  we  fay,  not 
 our  own  but  of  others  :  for  why  is  our  liberty  julged 
 cf  another  man  s  confeience,  1  Ccr-  x  28,29.  (6.)  We 
 can  join  with  none,  from  whom  a  church  duly  con- 
 ftitute,  inveft^d  with  the  orderly  power  of  Chrilt,  and 
 capacity  to  exercife  and  improve  it,  would  enjoin  us  to 
 withdraw.  For,  tho'  we  do  not  take  upon  us  a  pref- 
 byterialor  fynodical  church  power,  to  inflict  juridical 
 church  cenfures  upon  them  that  deferve  them  :  yet 
 we  think  this,  in  our  capacity  and  difcretive  judg- 
 ment, is  incumbent  upon  us,  viz.  according  as. we 
 know  they  would  manifeftly  incur  the  fentence  of 
 excommunication, dtpofition,  deprivation, fufpenfion, 
 or  rebuke,  according  to  the  degrees  of  their  offence, 
 S  2  after 
 
(     2o8     ) 
 
 after  rejected  admonitions :  We  may  by  our  difcoun- 
 tenance  teftify  our  diflike  of  their  ways,  not  inflicting 
 this  as  a  cenfure,  but  fignifying  hereby  our  fenfe  of 
 the  moral  obligation,  and  equity  of  thefe  cenfures 
 when  legally  infli&ed.  For  though  none  have  the 
 power  of  the  keys,  but  church  officers;  yet  people  have 
 a  difcretive  power  over  their  own  pra&ice,  antici- 
 pating that  power  when  it  cannot  be  in  Chrift's  me- 
 thod exerted  :  which  hypothec's  being  permitted, 
 the  grounds  we  lay  down  for  withdrawing  from  mi- 
 nifters  are  thefe, 
 
 I.  We  find,  thefe  are  not  to  be  acknowledged  as 
 Chrift's  ambaffadors,  by  hearing  or  receiving  ordi- 
 nances from  them,  who  either,  never  had  a  call  to 
 preach,  or  never  were  clothed  with  Chrift's  commif- 
 fion,  in  his  orderly  appointed  way,  but  took  it  up, 
 either  by  ufurpation,  beyond  their  fphere,  or  pretend 
 an  infufficient  miffion,  which  they  cannot  clearly  in- 
 ftrudt,  or  have  it  only  from  them  who  have  none 
 themfelves  to  give.  For  we  dare  hear  none  that  run 
 unfent,  for  how  Jhall  they  preach  except  they  be  fent? 
 Rom.  x.  15.  We  dare  hear  none,  with  whom  the 
 Lord  hath  not  promifed  his  countenance  and  con- 
 currence, but  hath  threatened  they  (hall  not  profit  us, 
 Jer  xxiii.  21,  22.  We  dare  hear  none  of  the  thieves 
 and  robbers  that  enter  not  by  the  door,  but  climb  up 
 fome  other  way  ;  but  we  are  ambitious  to  have,  and 
 keep  the  mark  of  Chrift's  fheep  and  followers,  that 
 will  not  follow  ftrangers,  John  x.  15.  And  upon 
 this  ground,  we  withdraw  from  all  Popiffi  priefts,  that 
 have  their  miffion  from  Antichiift  :  from  all  prela- 
 tic  curates,  that  have  theirs  from  the  Epifcopal  hier- 
 archy, which  is  alfo  Antichriftian  :  and  alfo  from 
 gifted  brethren,  who  preach  at  their  own  hands,  or 
 have  their  miffion  from  the  people. 
 
 II.  We  judge  thefe  are  not  to  be  owned  ©r  coun- 
 tenanced in  their  adminiftration  of  ordinances,  who 
 tither  have  fubjecied  their  miniftry  to  the  difpofalof 
 it  range  lords,  by  laying  it  afide  in  obedience  to  their 
 
 mandates, 
 
(  •    20p       ) 
 
 mandates,  or  taking  a  new  poteftative  xniflion  from 
 them  :  or  if  they  pretend  to  keep  their  old  one, 
 which  they  had  from  Chrift  in  his  legal  and  ap- 
 pointed way,  yet  they  have  conferred  to  take  a  new 
 holding^from  and  upon  a  new  artchitr&onic  ufurped 
 power,  and  headfhip  in  the  exercife  of  it,  by  accept- 
 ing a  new  grant,  licence,  and  warrant  from  the  ufurp- 
 ers  of  their  matter's  crown.  We  dare  not  homolo- 
 gate fuch  an  affront  to  the  prerogative-royal  cf  our 
 only  kingly  lawgiver,  who  fent  them  to  negotiate  a 
 treaty  of  peace  with  us,  in  giving  them  the  refpefit 
 of  his  ambafiadors  after  they  have  fo  foully  broken 
 their  inftruftions  and  become  fervants  of  men,  and 
 fubjetis,  even  in  minifterial  functions,  to  another 
 head  than  Chrift.  We"  dare  have  no  more  meddling 
 with  fuch  changelings,  in  .things  that. they  and  we 
 dare  not  come  and  go  upon,  Prov.  xxiv.  %l.  We 
 dare  not  partake  with  fuch  prophets,  as  fo  evidence 
 themfelves  to  be  light  and  treacherous  performs,  who 
 have  fo  palpably  betrayed  their  trufi  (and  fo  great  a 
 truft  as  that)  that  was  committed  to  them  ;  nor  with 
 fuch  priefts,  as  have  polluted  the  fanftuary,  and 
 done  violence  to  the  law  of  their  princely  Mafter  ; 
 left  the  juft  Lord  (who  is  in  the  midft  of  us,  and  v 
 refent  this  unparalleled  indignity)  bring  forth 
 judgment,  and  make  us  partake  with  them,  as  being 
 fo  acctflary  if  we  fo  own  them,  Zeph.  iii.  4,  5.  We 
 cannot  countenance  them  who  fo  corrupted  the  co- 
 venant of  LeVi  by  mifregarding  the  honour  cf  hut: 
 who  called  them  to  be  his  meflengerSj  by  departing 
 out  of  the  way,  and  cauung  many  to  {tumble  ?.t  the 
 Jaw;  for  which  caufe  they  are,  in  holy  juftice,  de~ 
 fervedly  made  contemptible  and  b~fe  before  all  the 
 people,  according  as  they  have  not  kept  his  ways, 
 and  have  been  partial  in  the  law,  Mai.  ii.  7,  S,  9* 
 We  cannot  join  in  wotfhip  with  thefe,  who  either 
 teach  for  doftrines  the  commandments  of  men,  fig- 
 ments  of  mens  traditions,  or  teach  true  dcflrine  by 
 the  commandments  of  men,  fufpending  their  fimc- 
 S  3  tion3 
 
(      2.0      ) 
 
 tion,  and  depending  in  the  exercife  of  it,  upon  mens 
 authority;  for  both  are  vain,  and  both  are  plants 
 which  fhall  be  rooted  up:  and  in  reference  to  both, 
 we  reckon  ourfelves  under  that  command,  Let  them 
 alone,  blind  guides  >  Mat.  xv  9,  13,  14  And  upon 
 this  ground,  in  this  broken  and  declining  (late  of  the 
 church,  not  only  do  we  withdraw  from  thefe  old 
 prefbyters,  new  turned  curates,  who  conformed  to 
 prelacy  1  not  only  from  fuch  minifters,  who  fubmit* 
 ted  to  their  deposition  by  the  act  of  Glafgow,  and 
 never  avouched  publicly  their  minifterial  exercife 
 fince,  though  privately  they  would  preach  now  and 
 then  ;  not  only  from  thofe  minifies,  who  have  con- 
 fented  to  the  giving  of  a  bond,  not  to  exercife  their 
 miniftry  for  longer  or  (horter  time,  as  many  of  the 
 indulged  have  done  :  but  upon  this  complex  ground, 
 we  withdraw  from  all  the  indulged  minifters,  who 
 have  embraced  any  of  the  Chrifl-diflioncuring  and 
 church-defrroying  indulgences,  obtruded  upon  this 
 reformed  church,  to  divide  and  deftroy.  rend  and  ruin 
 the  remnant  thereof  by  an  infulting  enemy,  who  had 
 broken  down  our  covenanted  work  of  reformation, 
 ufurped  the  prerogatives  of  Chrift,  and  fet  them- 
 felves  down  in  his  mediatory  chair,  arrogating  and 
 claiming  a  pre-erninency  or  wicked  fupremacy  over 
 his  houfe.  The  finfulnefs  of  which  indulgences  we 
 fhall  not  now  decypher,  but  it  may  be  evident,  from 
 their  derivation  from  that  arrogated  fupremacy,  from 
 the  grofs  perjury  and  breach  of  covenants  committed 
 by  the  embracing  thereof,  from  their  dividing  the 
 accepters  from  the  duties  andfufferings  of  the  church, 
 and  her  ordinances,  as  to  the  manner  of  adminiftra- 
 tion,  and  from  their  being  the  mother  of  all  our  divi- 
 (ions,  and  tending  to  fupprefs  and  bury  the  covenanted 
 •work  of  reformation. 
 
 III.  We  judge  we  have  fufficient  ground  to  with- 
 draw from  aii  thefe,  who  pervert  and  corrupt  their 
 miniftry,  by  preaching  and  maintaining  errors,  either 
 in  dovtrine,  worfbip,  discipline,  or  government,  con<- 
 
 trary 
 
(      *»*      ) 
 
 trary  to  the  fcriptures,  and  our  confeflions  and  prin- 
 ciples of  our  covenanted  reformation,  and  contradic- 
 tory to  our  prefent  teftimOny,  founded  thereupon, 
 and  agreeable  thereunto.     Kence,  not  only  mull  we 
 withdraw  from  thefe  minifters,  that  maintain  errors 
 fundamental,  overturning  the  do£trine  cf  falvation ; 
 but  in  this  broken  and  declining  (late  of  the  church, 
 from  all  thefe  alfo,  that  oppugn,  and  withftand  our 
 common  confcflion  of  all  orthodox  truths  received  by 
 the  church  of  Scotland,  or  maintain  errors  condemn- 
 ed thereby,   or  condemn  truths  maintained  thereby: 
 And  how  in  the  cafe  circumstantiated,  from  all  that 
 contradict,   oppofe,  or  overturn  the    matter  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland's  teftimony,:and  do  defert,  deny, 
 or  pervert,  the  word  of  Chrift's  patience  given  her 
 now  to  contend  for      For  as  to  the  firft  fort,  we  are 
 commanded,  if  any  feck  to  turn  us  away  f rem  the  Lord 
 our  God,  to  put  away  that  evil,  and  not  to  confent  and 
 hearken  to  any  that  will  entice  us  to  error  or  idolatry, 
 Deut.  xiii.  5,  8.    And  in  perilous  times,  efpecially 
 when   impoPors  do  abound,  we  are  commanded  to 
 turn  away  from  fuch,  how  fpecious  foever  their  forms 
 be,    1  Tim.  iii    5    &c.  And  a  man  that  is  a  heretic 
 (be  who  he  will)  after  the  firft  and  fecond  admoni- 
 tion, we  muft  reject  at  all  times,  Tit  iii.  10.  So  alfo 
 we  muft,  without  refpe£t  or  exception,  cbferve  thefe 
 general  rules,  concerning  teachers  of  errors  or  contra- 
 dictors of  truth.  We  muft  ceafe  to  hear  the  inftruc- 
 tion  that  caufeth   to  err  from   the  words  of  know- 
 ledge, whatever  thefe  words  be.  efpecially  if  they  be 
 the  words  of  Chrift's  patience,  Prov  xix.  27.     We 
 muft  withdraw  from  thefe  leaders  that  will  caufe  us 
 to  err,  by  leading  into  fnares,  or  perverting  the  right 
 ways  of  the  Lord,  or  caufe  us  decline  any  way  to  the 
 right  hand  or  to  4he  left  from  any  of  his  truths  :  for 
 we  are  ?fraid  of  the  threatening  to  be  deftroyed,  even 
 though  the  error  be  net  fundamental,  Ifa.  ix.  16.   We 
 muft  mark  them  who  contradict  the  deftrine  which 
 we  have  learned  (whatever  it  be)  from  the  law  and 
 
 the 
 
(      212      ) 
 
 the  teftimony,  and  avoid  them,  Rom.  xvi.  17.  If  any 
 man  teach  otherwife,  and  confent  not  to  the  who!- 
 fome  words,  even  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift,  and  to  the  doctrine  which  is  according  to 
 godlinefs,  efpecialiy  that  point  of  doftrine,  which  is 
 depofitated  to  us  to  contend  and  fuffer  for,  we 
 muft  look  upon  him  as  a  proud  perverfe  difputer,  (if 
 he  refufe  information)  and  muft  withdraw  ourfelves 
 fromfuch,  iTim.  vi  3,5  If  there  come  any  and  bring 
 not  this  do&riije,  though  he  were  never  fo  found  in 
 other  things,  yet  if  he  bring  doctrine  contradictory 
 to  this  that  Chrift  hath  given  us,  the  word  of  his  pa- 
 tience, we  muft  flot  receive  him,  nor  bid  him  God 
 fpeed,  in  that  work  of  his,  preaching  or  pradlifing 
 againft  any  of  the  truths  we  have  received,  2  John 
 10  11.  Now  upon  this  very  comprehenfive  ground, 
 we  withdraw  not  only  from  grofs  heretics  and  fec- 
 tarians,  and  malignant  prelatifts,  and  fuch  as  run 
 into  wild  extravagancies  upon  the  right  hand,  paf- 
 fing  over  the  bounds  of  holy  truth,  and  doing  injury 
 to  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation,  leading 
 people  out  of  the  way,  and  rending  the  bowels  of  the 
 church. 
 
 But,  in  thU  broken  and  declining  ftate,  even  from 
 many  prefbyterian  minifters  who  have  overturned  a 
 great  part  of  our  church's  teftimony  ;  which  as  it  is 
 now  both  ftated  and  owned  by  us,  is  of  the  greateft 
 importance,  concerning  no  lefs  than  the  great  preroga- 
 tives of  God,  the  fupreme  Lord  and  king  of  all  the 
 world,  in  his  kingdom  cf  power,  ufurped  and  en- 
 croached upon  by  tyranny,  brought  in  and  efta- 
 blifhed,  inftead  of  his  ordinance  of  magiftracy  \  and 
 alio  the  royal  prerogatives  of  Chrift  our  Lord  and, 
 Mediator,  in  his  kingdom  of  grace,  invaded  by  the 
 blafphemous  fupremacy  overturning  a'l  the  church's 
 liberties,  than  which  nothing  greater  can  concern  u9 
 to  contend  for,  either  as  we  are  men,  or  as  we  are 
 Chriftians,  and  which  hath  been  fignally  fealed  by  the 
 blood  of  many  martyrs;  who  in  laying  down  their 
 
 lives 
 
(      213      ) 
 
 lives  for  this  teftimony,  have  been  Angularly  coun- 
 tenanced of  the  Lord  :  yet  we  fay  by  many  of  our 
 minifters  this  in  a  great  meafure  hath  been  deferted 
 and  perverted,  by  their  condemning  the  martyrs  that 
 died  for  it,  as  well  as  us,  who  have  defired  to  witnefs 
 for  it,  by  their  homologating  the  fupremacy,  by  their 
 owning  and  approving,  or  preaching  and  perfuading 
 it  to  be  duty  to  own  and  approve  the  pretended  au- 
 thority (really  tyranny)  of  Charles  the  Second,  and 
 James  the  Seventh,  difowned  in  the  declarations  pu- 
 blished at  Sanquhar,  firft  and  laft,  and  at  Lanark;' 
 which  declarations  have  been  condemned,  even  ma- 
 terially and  fubftantially,  in  fo  far  as  they  difown  the 
 pretended  authority  of  thefe  tyrants.  Howbeit,  fee- 
 ing that  we  have  publicity  difowned  that  fo  called 
 authority,  for  ourfelves,  and  all  who  will  adhere 
 unto  us  in  that  deed,  and  feeing  it  is  a  part  of  cur 
 ftated  teftimony,  and  unto  us  confirmed  by  fufficient 
 reafons  to  be  both  lawful  and  neceflary ;  we  cannot 
 reverfe  it,  nor  concur  with  others,  who  overturn  it, 
 becaufe  where  there  is  a  difference  in  the  ftated  tef- 
 timony, the  publick  work  cannot  be  jointly  carried 
 en. 
 
 IV.  We  judge  we  have  fufficient  ground  to  with- 
 draw from  minifters  guilty  of  grofs  compliances 
 with  the  public  enemies  of  this  covenanted  and  re- 
 formed church  and  nation,  who  have  broken  the  co- 
 venant, deftroyed  the  reformation,  and  are  ftill  by 
 all  means  feeking  the  extirpation  of  all  the  owners 
 of  the  caufe  of  God.  Compliances  with  fuch  have 
 a  great  charge,  and  are  liable  to  a  grievous  fentence ; 
 and,  if  we  fhould  countenance  in  our  communion 
 perfons  fo  chargeable,  we  fhould  incur  a  heavy  cen- 
 fure  from  the  Lord.  For  this  Abiathar  was  thruft 
 from  the  priefthood,  becaufe  he  complied  with  Ado- 
 nijah  the  ufurper,  i  Kings  i.  7.  compared  with 
 1  Kings  ii.  27.  It  is  time  now  we  were  feared  from 
 all  compliances,  after  we  have  felt  the  fmart  of  them 
 from  fad  experience.     And  fhculd  we  again   break 
 
 his 
 
(      2I4      ) 
 
 his  commandments,  and  join  in  affinity  with  the 
 people  of  thefe  abominations,  would  he  not  be  angry 
 with  us  until  he  had  confumed  us,  fo  that  there  fhould 
 be  no  remnant  nor  efcaping  ?  Ezra  ix  14.  We  dare 
 not  partake  with  them  for  fear  of  inveigling  ourfelves 
 in  their  fnares,  and  involving  ourfelves  in  their  guilt 
 and  judgment,  for  by  their  example,  if  not  by  their 
 do&rine,  they  may  caufe  us  to  err,  and  engage  us  to 
 all  the  countenancing  which  they  require  of  us,  viz. 
 their  practical  errors,  which  we  dare  not  do,  but  muft 
 ftand  aloof  and  witnefs  our  deteftadon  of  them,  and 
 neither  dire£tiy  norjndire&iy,  formally  nor  interpre- 
 tative^, approve  their  fin:  but  on  the  cdntrary,  we 
 muft  homologate  the  equity  of  their  cenfure  appoint- 
 ed by  theLord,  and  which  would  be  inflifted  by  the 
 church,  if  conftitute  in  order  and  power.  For  when 
 Ifrael  goes  a  whoring  from  God,  by  open  and  avow- 
 ed defeftion,  we  dare  not  join  in  their  wine-offer- 
 ings, for  they  are  not  pleafing  unto  the  Lord,  and 
 their  facrifices  are  as  the  bread  of  mourners,  and  ail- 
 that  eat  thereof  fhall  be  polluted,  Hofea  ix.  1,  4. 
 We  muft  have  a  care  not  to  be  unequally  yoked  with 
 fuch  unrighteoufnefs,  but  as  we  wou'd  be  the  temple 
 of  God,  and  have  him  to  dwell  amongft  u~,  we  muft 
 come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  feparate,  and 
 touch  no  unclean  thing,  and  then  he  will  receive  us* 
 2  Cor  vi.  14,  17.  He  is  now  loudly  calling  to  us, 
 Depart  ye)  depart  ye  go  ye  out  from  the/ice,  touch  no  un- 
 clean things  they  Ihould  be  clean  that  bear  the  vcffels 
 of  the  Lord,  Ifa.  lii.  u.  The  Lord  we  hope  hath  in- 
 ■fttufted  us  better,  that  we  fhould  not  walk  in  the 
 way  of  this  people,  nor  fay  a  confederacy,  to  them, 
 to  whom  this  pecple  fay  a  confederacy,  nor  fear  their 
 fear,  but  fanttify  the  Lord,  and  wait  upon  him  in 
 an  abftrafted  way  of  following  duty,  though  we 
 fhould  be  accounted  for  ftgns  and  wonders  in  Ifrael \ 
 and  branded  with  fingularity,  lfa  viii.  11,  12,  18. 
 And  upon  this  ground,  in  this  broken  and  declining 
 ftate  of  the  church,  we  withdraw  from  many  minis- 
 ters 
 
(    **S    ) 
 
 ters  of  the  church  of  Scotland  ;  both  thefe  that  were 
 indulged  and  not  indulged,  for  their  manifold  com- 
 pliances, fuch  as  the  compliance  of  many  minif- 
 ters  in  countenancing  of  abjured,  diocefan,  eraf- 
 tian  Prelacyf  by  hearing  of  curates  :  and  the  com- 
 pliance of  others,  in  compearing  before  the  ty- 
 rannical courts  of  inquifition  againft  the  people  of 
 God  ;  in  fubfcribing  and  fwearing  of  oaths  :  and 
 in  fubfcribing  of  bonds,  impofed  by  the  enemies, 
 for  debauching  of  people's  confciences,  and  -deftroy- 
 ing  the  reformation,  contrary  unto,  and  inconfift- 
 cnt  with  the  oaths  of  our  holy  covenants,  and  con- 
 trary unto  the  a£l  of  the  General  Affembly,  June  28, 
 1648,  feff.  18.  againft  all  new  oaths  and  bonds  in  the 
 common  caufe,  without  confent  of  the  church.  And 
 in  paying  of  impofitions,  taxations,  and  exa&ion?,  im- 
 pofed and  required  by  the  enemies  of  this  church  and 
 kingdom,  whereby  they  become  helping  caufes  to 
 them  in  their  wickednefs,  making  their  bows  to  a- 
 bide  in  ftrength,  and  ftrengthening  the  hands  of  thefe 
 evil  doers  The  like  whereof  is  declared  an  horrible 
 thing,  Jer.  xxiii.  14.  And  alfo  is  contrary  to  the  a£t 
 of  the  General  Affembly  1646,  feff.  14.  M  Whereby 
 perfons  in  any  ecclefiaftical  office,  guilty  of  the  equi- 
 valent degrees  of  compliance,  are  difcemed  to  be  fuf- 
 pended  from  their  office,  until  all  the  exercife  there- 
 of, and  fuch  time  as  the  quality  of  the  offence  and 
 condition  of  the  offender  fhall  be  found  to  deferve*, 
 and  the  compliance  of  others  any  other  manner  of 
 way,  really  fcandalou?,  duly  cenfurably  and  difcem- 
 ed, either  exprefsly  or  equivalently  by  our  church 
 <:onftitutions>*and  acts  of  our  general  affemblies,  to 
 deferve  depofition. 
 
 V.  We  judge  we  have  fufficient  ground  to  with- 
 draw, not  only  from  thefe  who  are  a&ively  and  ac- 
 tually guilty  of  the  forefaid  compliances,  and  involv- 
 ed in  grofs  fteps  of  defection  ;  but  alfo  from  fuch 
 minifters  who  take  the  defence  and  patrociny  of  thefe 
 courfes,  and  palliate,  and  plaifter  them,  and  ftrengthen 
 the  hands,  and  harden  the  hearts,  of  thefe  that  are 
 
 engaged 
 
(      216     ) 
 
 engaged  In  them,  fo  that  none  doth  turn  from  fuch 
 wicked  things  :  which  was  that  horrible  thrng  the 
 Lord  faw  in  the  prophets  of  Jerufalem,  for  which  he 
 threatens  fad  things,  and  for  which  he  commands, 
 not  to  hearken  to  them,  Jer.  xxlii.  14,  16.  We  dare 
 not  join  with  either  builders  or  dauberr  of  fuch  a 
 work,  as  is  carried  on,  to  the  diftionour  of  Chrift, 
 and  ruining  of  reformation,  nor  by  our  countenance, 
 and  concurrence  flrengthen  either  builders  or  daub- 
 ers, left  we  be  confumed  in  the  midjl  thereof \  as  we  have 
 that  certification,  Lz^k.  xlii.  10.  14  Where  alfo  a 
 wo  is  pronounced  againft  fuch  as  fow  pillows  under 
 arm  holes  and  make  kerchiefs  upon  the  head  of  evcrj 
 Jlatuey  und  make  the  heart  of  the  righteous  fad,  and 
 Jtrengthen  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  verfe  18,  2  2.  We 
 defire  to  keep  ourfelves  free  of  having  any  han4  in 
 that  confpiracy  of  the  prophets,  like  a  roaring  lion, 
 ravening  the  prey,  and  the  priefts  that  violate  the 
 law,  and  profane  the  holy  things,  and  put  not  dif- 
 ference between  the  holy  and  profane,  and  that  daub 
 with  untempered  mortar,  fieing  vanity  and  divining  lies, 
 Ezek.  xxii  25,  28.  We  cannot  reckon  ourfelves  free 
 of  this  confpiracy,  if  we  incorporate  ourfelves  with 
 them.  And  upon  this  ground,  we  hold  ourfelves  oblig- 
 ed, in  this  broken  and  declining  {late  of  the  church, 
 to  withdraw  from  many  minifters  of  the  church  of 
 Scotland,  who  have  defended,  and  do  yet  defend  all 
 or  any  of  the  forefaid  compliances,  and  who  vindi- 
 cate palpable  and  grofs  defections,  fuch  as  thcfe  v.  9 
 plead  for  and  maintain  the  indulgence,  and  have  gap- 
 ped after  the  fuppofed  privilege  thereof,  and  oppofed 
 the  inferting  the  embracing  of  it  amongft  the  fteps 
 of  defection  ;  and  who  have  taken  part  with  the  in- 
 dulged, and  other  complying  minifters,  againft  the 
 more  faithful ;  chufing  rather  to  concur  with  them, 
 tfban^o  countenance  and  encourage  the  more  faithful, 
 arid  who  have  met  in  prefbjfceries  to  cenfure  them* 
 for  declaring  the  finfulnefs  of  the  indulgence,  con- 
 trary to  that  aft  of  our  General  Aflembly,  Aug.  3, 
 
 1648,  fcff. 
 
) 
 
 i6j8,  fetf"  26.  Who  have  preached  in  favours  of 
 the  indulged  and  pleaded  for  union  with  them  ;  and 
 who  have  defended  the  peoples  taking  of  the  bonds' 
 and  oaths,  contrived  and  tenoeredto  enfnarethe  con- 
 ference; and  have  advifed  prifoners  and  others  there- 
 unto. 
 
 VI.  We  judge  unfaitnfulnefa  in  the  exercife  of 
 the  minifterial  function,   or  a  fmooth   flattering  ge- 
 neral way  of  applj  doftrine  to  the  time,  is  a 
 fufficient  ground  of  .withdrawing.   For  minifters  are 
 commanded  to  be  faithful,  and to  cry  aloud and not  /pare, 
 ing  Jacob  his  fins,   &c.    lfa.  iviii.  r.    And  a  de- 
 lcy  in  this  makes   them  liable  to  a  dreadful  and 
 i table  brand,  that  they  are  called  by  the  Spirit  of 
 God,  blind  watchmen.,  ignorant,  deeping,  lying  down, 
 loving  to   {lumber,   lfa.   lvi     10    There  is  a  terrib'e 
 threatening  againft    fuch  unfa;thfui   miniders,  Jer. 
 xiv    14,  10    where  the  Lord  declares,  He  did  not  find 
 I  them  to  preach  that  way,  and  that  he  would  con  fume  them, 
 and  the  people  to  whom  they  prophefied  jholl  be  caji  out  in 
 thejlreets,   See.'  Therefore  we  dare  not  admit  them 
 to  prophesy  to  us      Ltkewife  the  Lord  takes  to  him- 
 felf  the  punilhment  of  fuch,  who  keep  not  his  ways, 
 and  are  partial  in  the. law,  in  making   them  bafe  and 
 contemptible  before  aU>he-people,   Mai.  ii.  9     i  his 
 is  a  great  part  of  Zion*$  mifrry,  when  her  prophets 
 fee  vain  and  fooli.h  things  for  her,  and   do  not  dif- 
 r  her  iniq  icy,    Lam.  ii.    14.     And   upon  this 
 we  hod  ourfelves  obliged,  in  this  broken  and 
 dev        ig  ftate  of  the  church,  to  withdraw  from  many 
 Stintfters  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  who  have  been 
 aithful,  in  forbearing  to  preach  again  it  the  fins  of 
 the  times,  and  palpab'e  fteps  of  our  defection  and  in 
 feunniug  to  declare  the  whole  counfel  of  God,  con- 
 cerning the  neceffary  duties  c  v,  contrary  to 
 what  a  minifter's  com.v.iflion  beaia,  and  contrary  to 
 the  act  of  our  General  Aflembly,  Aug.  3.  1648,  fell. 
 26   where  miniders,  for  continuing  in  fuch  negli- 
 gence, after  admonition  and  due  trial  of  the  offence, 
 
 T  are 
 
(      218       ) 
 
 are  declared  to  be  cenfurable  with  depofition,  for  be- 
 ing pleafers  of  men  rather  than  fervers  of  Chrift,  for 
 giving  themfelvcs  to  a  detcftable   neutrality  and  in- 
 diflerency  in  the  caiife  of  God,  and   for  defrauding 
 ihe  fouls  of   people:  fuch  minifters  are   thefe  who 
 have  been  filent  about  the  abounding  fins  and  fnares 
 of  the  rime-,  forbidden  in  the  fcriptures,  condemned 
 by  the  a£rs  of  our  general  aflembly,  and  engaged  a- 
 gainft  by  our  covenants  ;   who  forgetting  the  ho<y 
 bonds  of  our  covenants,  have  defifted  from  purfuing 
 the  ends  thereof;  who  have  not  maintained  the  re- 
 ceived principles  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  nor  fol^ 
 lowed  approved  and  laudable  practices  in  minifterial 
 duties  ;  who  have  refufed  and  denied  their  concur- 
 rence with  the  more  faithful*  in  aflerting  this  church's 
 teftimony ;  who,  inftead  of  afferting  the  ancient  and 
 honed  plea  of  the  Scottifli  covenanters,  againft  both 
 f?&aries  and  maHgnants,  in  defence  of  the  reforma- 
 tion and  prefbyteria!  government,  according  to  our 
 covenants,  national  and  folemn  league,  have  taken 
 the  patrociny   of,  and  concurred  with  finful  aflbci- 
 atiens,  whereby  the  ftate  of  the  Lord's  caufe  is  al- 
 tered and  perverted,  and  a  door  opened  to  the  intro- 
 dudtion  of  fectaries  and  malignants,  which  our  wor- 
 thy reformers  many  ways  oppofed,  as  may  be  feen  in 
 their  proceedings,  letters*  and  warnings,  and  particu- 
 larly in  the  declaration  of  the  General  AiTembly,  July 
 laft,  1648,  ftii'.  21*.  concerning  the  dangers  of  reli- 
 gion, &c.      We  find  already  what  hurt  we  have  in- 
 curred, by  favouring  and  in-bringing  of  Malignants, 
 and  if  we  (hall  continue  to  do  fo,  or  begin  in  end  to 
 introduce  fedVaries,  what  may  we  exped  but  utter 
 Gonfumption  from  the  Holy  One  ?  We  look  upon 
 Hie  bonds  of  our  covenants,  to  be  fo  morally  oblig-. 
 Lug*  that  the  folving  of  conditional  ties  (fuch  as  the 
 tion  between  magiftr3te  and  people)  will  not  be 
 a  fuilicient  falvo  for  laying  them  afide.     Though  we 
 mav  exolain  and  add  unto  them,  yet  bv  no  means. 
 
 do 
 
 *  This  declaration  is  fubjoiBcd  at  end  of  the  bcek. 
 
(  2i9  ) 
 do  we  judge  it  lawful,  to  ftate  our  qu( 
 ciations,  and  by  open  declaration,  upon  another  balls. 
 VII.  We  jud^e  we  have  fufficient  ground  ro  with- 
 draw  from  miniiters  guilty  of  lying  by  from  the  pu- 
 blic woik  of  preaching  the  gofpel>  and  defening  their 
 minifteiial  duty,  when  the  peoples  urgent  necefiity, 
 and  prefiing  call  doth  make  it  indifpcnfible,  when 
 people  are  deftiune  of  public  and  faithful  wanting, 
 in  the  time  when  fnares  are  mo(V  abounding,  yei, 
 when  the  poor  flock  is  in  greateft  hazard  to  be  turned 
 afide.  For  as  this  is  a  dreadful  fin,  and  we  are  afraid 
 to  partake  in  it,  and  a  fad  wo  is  denounced  againft 
 thefe  that  are  guilty  thereof,  i  Cor.  ix.  )6.  and  is 
 exprefsly  contrary  to  that  clear  command,  to  preach 
 the  word,  and  be  inftant  in  feafon  and  out  of  feafon, 
 a  Tim.  iv.  2.  So  it  is  among  the  characters  of  the 
 hirelings  and  ftrangers,  whofe  voice  ChrifVs  flieep 
 will  not  hear,  if  when  they  fee  the  wolf  coming,  they 
 leave  the  (heep  and  flee  away,  John  x  5,  12.  Yea, 
 we  find  Paul  refufing  to  take  John  Mark  with  him,  be- 
 caufe  he  had  departed  from  them,  and  went  not  with 
 them  to  the  work,  AcTs  xv.  37,  3S.  This  is  not  ac- 
 cording to  the  apoftles  practice,  who  did  not  behave 
 themfclves  fo  diforderly  ;  for  this  is  to  be  reckoned, 
 and  carried  towards,  as  a  very  grofs  diforder,  when 
 a  minifter  is  fo  far  out  of  order,  that  he  will  net 
 work  the  work  of  the  Lord  ;  from  fuch  we  are  com- 
 manded to  withdraw,  1  Thef  iii.  6,  7,  it,  14.  This 
 is  far  from  keeping  this  comnvand,  without  fpot  un-^ 
 rebukeable,  until  the  appearing  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Ghrift,  t  Tim.  vi.  13,  14  Therefore  it  is  a  diiojcler 
 that  we  cannot  countenance.  And  upon  this  ground, 
 in  this  broken  and  declining  ftate  of  the  church,  wr 
 withdraw  from  many  minifters  of  the  church  of  Scot, 
 land,  who  in  this  day  of  defolation  and  famine  of  the 
 word,  when  it  was  precious  and  there  was  no  open 
 vifion,  did  tender  their  own  eafe  and  intereft  more 
 than  Ch  rift's,  and  lurked  and  lay  by  from  the  nectf- 
 fary  work  of  preaching  the  gofpei  in  the  land,  when 
 X  Z  na 
 
(     *:o     ) 
 
 no  phyfical  impediment  did  neceflitate  them  there- 
 unto, and  poor  people  were  in  greateft  want  of  it% 
 and  in  greateft  hazard  to  be  turned  afide,  by  the 
 cruelty,  and  fubtility  of  enemies,  and  the  over-run- 
 ing  extravagancies  of  others;  contrary  to  fcripture, 
 and  contrary  to  the  tenor  of  the  advice  of  the  bre- 
 thren, deputed  for  penning  the  enormities  and  cor- 
 ruptions of  the  miniftry,  allowed  by  the  church 
 aifernbly  convened  at  Edinburgh,  i  C96,  viz.  That 
 minifters  not  rcfident  with  their  flocks  be  depofed  : 
 ar.d  according  to  the  afts  of  the  general  aflVmbly, 
 ctherwife  the  burden  to  be  laid  on  the  prefbyteries, 
 and  the  forefaid  minifters  to  be  cenfured  therefore  ; 
 or  who  left  the  land,  and  the  flock  committed  to  their 
 charges,  especially  when  people  were  deftitute  of 
 public  and  faithful  warning,  in  the  time  of  abound- 
 ing fnares  from  the  right  and  left  hand,  which  is  al- 
 fo  contrary  to  fcripture,  and  the  forefaid  tenor  of 
 the  advice  of  the  brethren.  But  we  do  not  here 
 fpeak  of  minifters  leaving  this  land  and  church,  with 
 confent  of  the  church,  and  when  there  was  little  or 
 no  need  of  their  remaining  in  it,  or  when  they 
 had  a  Sufficient  call  to  another  place,  and  could  ei- 
 ther be  as  ufeful  or  more  ufeful  there.  Neither  do 
 we  intend  this  againft  fuch  as  may  at  a  time  leave 
 this  land  in  the  cafe  of  extreme  hazard,  through  a 
 fainting  fear,  Sorrowing  for  their  weaknefs,  and  long- 
 ing to  be  reftored  again,  and  heartily  applauding  and 
 approving  the  faithfulnefs  and  valiantnefs  of  other 
 minifters,  unto  whom  the  Lord  may  give  a  fpirit  more 
 fitted  for  dangerous  and  difficult  days. 
 
 VIII.  We  judge  fchifmatical  and  pragmatical  di- 
 viders of  the  church,  and  wideners  of  the  breaches 
 thereof,  already  broken  and  divided,  and  who  fow 
 difcords  among  brethren,  ana1  promote  their  con- 
 tentions by  invidious  reproaches  or  otqerwife,  are 
 to  be  withdrawn  from:  fuch  turbulent  fchifrratics 
 were  Korah  and  his  company,  who  affe&ed  a  pre- 
 emintney  above    their  brethren,  and  to   ereft  and 
 
 exalt 
 
(       22T       ) 
 
 exalt  themfelves  on  their  ruin?,  and  arrogated  tote, 
 as  high  in  refpeft  and  elteem  as  Moles  and  Aaron, 
 and  degraded  from  their  dignity,  by  reproaching  them 
 as  taking  too  much  upon  them,  ar.d  lifting  up  them- 
 felves above  the  congregation  of  the  Lord,  thereby 
 thinking  to  divide  between  the m  and  the  people  ;  for 
 which  caufe,  the  Lord  commands  all  to  feparate 
 themfelves  from  that  congregation,  lejl  they  be  confiim- 
 ed  with  them ,  Numb  xvi.  12.  meaning  the  congre- 
 gation of  Korah,  Dathan,  &c.  vcrfe  24.  We  arc 
 exprefly  commanded  to  note  fuch  fchifuiat'cs,  an<i 
 mark  fuch  caufers  of  divificns  and  offences,  which 
 they  effe&uate  both  by  their  praftice,  and  by  their 
 Words,  crying  up  their  own  party,  and  informing  a- 
 gainft  the  more  pure  and  faithful  remnant,  Rom. 
 xvi.  17,  18  Such  an  one  was  Diotrephes,  pratting 
 againft  the  appft'es  and  the  brethren,  with  ma!icicu3 
 words,  and  receiving  them  net,  but  calling  them 
 cut;  which  the  apoflle  threatens  he  would  animad- 
 vert upon,  by  the  feverity  of  difcipline  and  condign  • 
 fenrence,  3  Epift.  John  9  10  Upon  which  ground> 
 in  this  broken  and  dec.ining  fUte  of  the  church, 
 not  on^y  do  we  withdraw  from  the  prelatic  fchifma- 
 tics,  who  have  a'pired  to  a  predomining  pre-emU 
 nency,  and  advanced  themfelves  upon  the  ruins  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland;  neither  only  from  the  indulg-d, 
 v/ho  have  made  themlcives  guilty  of  a  formed  fchifnv 
 in  and  from  the  church  of  Scotland  ;  but  alfo  from 
 non-indulged  Prefbyterian  mi  lifters, whohave  widen- 
 ed the  breach,  and  call  oil  into  our  flames,  by  their 
 taking  fo  many  ways  to  crufh  a  poor  wafted  remnant) 
 reproaching,  mifreprefenting,  mifinforming,  both  by 
 word  and  write,  at  home  and  abroad,  againll  zealous 
 and  faithful  contenders  and  fuffen  rs  for  Chrift;  ei- 
 ther by  condemning  them  for  real  duties,  and  put- 
 ting the  name  of  odious  tran/gre (lions  thereupon,  or 
 imputing  heavy  charges  and  falfe  accufations  unto 
 them,  and  that  without  previous  and  prerequifite  ad- 
 monition;  and  trial  of  the  verity  of  thefe  things  dif~ 
 T  3  owned 
 
(       222      ) 
 
 owned  by  them,  and  whereof  they  could  clear  and 
 vindicate  themselves.  Howbeit  we  fpeak  not  this 
 from  an  invective,  or  to  refent  injuries  done  to  us  : 
 for  we  lock  more  to  what  of  this  kind  hath  been  done 
 againft  the  valiant  and  faithful  witntffes  of  Chrift, 
 who  have  gone  before  us,  and  fealed  his  truths  with 
 their  blcod  :  2nd  efpecially  unto  what  prejudice  the 
 caufe  oi  Chrift  hath  fufUincd  thereby*  and  how  truth 
 is' like  to  be  buried  under  the  vile  allies  of  lies  and 
 contempt,  than  any  thing  can  be  faid  or  done  againft 
 us- 
 
 IX.  We  judge  fcandalous  diforders  and  mifcar- 
 riages,  in  either  the  rninifterial  or  perfonal  walk, 
 carriage,  or  conyerfation  of  minifters,  are  a  fufficient 
 ground  to  withdraw  from  them.  Such  were  the  pro- 
 fane fcaiidals  of  the  fons  of  Eli,  which  made  men  ab- 
 hor the  offering  of  the  Lord,  1  Sam  ii.  17.  From 
 fuch  brethren  efpecially  (from  which  rule  minifters 
 cannot  be  exempted,  if  they  be  not  firft  our  bre- 
 thren, they  cannot  be  our  minifters)  we  are  exprefsly 
 commanded  to  withdraw  our  company,  if  they  be 
 fornicator st  or  covetous,  or  idolaters  y  or  railers,  or  drunk* 
 ards>  or  extortioners  j  to  which  we  may  add,  thieves, 
 cheats,  liars,  curfers,  and  fwearers,  cr  profane,  in- 
 cluding ail  the  like  fcandalous  diforders,  1  Cor.  v. 
 1 1.  Upon  which  ground,  in  this  broken  and  declin- 
 ing fta:e  of  the  church,  we  do  and  may  withdraw 
 from  any  minifters  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  to 
 whom  any  of  the  forefaid  fcandais  are  really  appli- 
 cable, for  we  can  have  no  fellowship  with  fuch  un- 
 fruitful works  of  darkr.efs,  Eph  v.  11.  Neither  dare 
 we  be  partakers  with  them,  verfe  7.  Howbeit,  let 
 none  look  upon  this  as  a  reflection  upon  minifters, 
 who  are  nor  guilty  of  fuch  a  charge  :  for  we  intend 
 not  the  application  hereof  to  any,  who  are  free  of ^ 
 fuch  '■fcandalous  diforders. 
 
 Further,  what  we  look  upon  as  fufficient,  in  point 
 of  withdrawing  from  minifters  of  a  reformed  cove- 
 nanted church,  in  a  broken  and  declining  ftate,  wc 
 
 judge 
 
(    «3     ) 
 
 judge  the  equivalent,  fo  far  as  they  maybe  applicable, 
 fufficient  for  grounding  a  withdrawing  from  profef- 
 fors  of  the  fame  church,  in  the  fame  broken  and  de- 
 clining ftate,  as  to  that  peculiar  church  communion 
 in  fe!e£ted  Chriftian  fellowfhips,  and  general  corre- 
 fpondences  for  a  joint  carrying  on  of  the  public  work 
 and  teftimony. 
 
 But  now  when  we  are  (hewing  what  we  judge  to 
 be  grounds  fufficient  of  withdrawing  from  minifters 
 of  this  covenanted  and  reformed  church,  in  this  her 
 broken  and  declining  ftate,  and  to  the  end  that  our 
 minds  may  be  more  fully  known,  and  to  obviate  any 
 unjuft  fufpicion  of  {landing  at  a  diftance  from  minif- 
 ters upon  in  fufficient  or  flender  grounds  ;  we  (hall 
 here,  in  the  fourth  place,  declare  what  we  judge,  ac- 
 cording to  the  written  word  of  God  and  our  church 
 conftitutions,  to  be  required  in  minifters,  whom  we 
 will  countenance  and  embrace  as  our  own. 
 
 Therefore  our  judgments  is,  that  all  or^any  mi- 
 nifters, whom  we  are  to  countenance  or  embrace, 
 jruft  be  clothed  with  Chrift's  commiflion  in  his  or- 
 derly and  appointed  way,  and  have  a  fufficient  call  to 
 administrate  his  ordinances.  So  it  is  needful,  in  the 
 firft  place,  we  muft  be  clear  as  to  their  entry  and 
 million  to  the  miniftry  ;  for  how  fiall  they  preach  ex- 
 cept they  be  fent  ?  which  being  clear,  in  the  next  placej 
 they  muft  be  free  of  fcandal,  as  to  their  minifterial  or 
 perfonal  walk,  and  of  a  blamelefs  life  and  converfa- 
 tion,  according  as  Paul  defcribes  it,  i  Tim  iii.  2, 
 3,  4.  (For  fuch  as  have  not  this  qualification,  bring 
 the  ordinance  of  Chrift,  and  the  facred  office  of  a 
 minifter  info  contempt,  as  the  fcandals  of  the  fons  of 
 Eli  made  men  to  abhor  the  faenjice  of  the  Lord,  and  fuch 
 can  have  no  weight  with  the  people,  and  cannot  ex- 
 pect the  prefence  of  God  with  them.)  They  muft 
 alfobe  free  of  palpable  and  maniieft  defection  •,  for 
 fo  hath  the  Lord  taught  us  exprefsly,  declaring  that 
 the  priefts  the  Levites  that  fhcuM  come  near  him,  to 
 minifter  unto  him,  to  (land  before  him,  (hould  be 
 
 the 
 
(      224      ) 
 
 the  fons  of  Zadok  that  kept  the  charge  of  the  fane* 
 tuary,  when  the  children  of  ifrael  went  aftray  from 
 tarn,  Ezek.  xliv    15.  Yea,  we  do  plainly  profefs,  that 
 we  will  not  feparate  from  any,  but  heartily  hear  and 
 cordially  countenance  all,  that  are  free  of  thefe  things 
 that  we  mention  as  grounds  fufficient  of  withdraw- 
 ing.    But  if  they  be  guilty  of  any  fteps  of  fcandal- 
 ous  defection  through  this  declining  time,  we  think 
 it  neceflary,  before  we  can  join  with  them,  that  they 
 duly  refent,  confefs,  and  forfake  the  fame.     Albeit 
 we  do  in  no  ways  aflume  to  ourfelve-s  the  power  of 
 cenfure  or  ecclefiaftic  rebuie  ;  yet  we  think  the  per- 
 fons  guilty  of  thefe  fins,  for  which  a  public  and  ec- 
 clefiaftic rebuke  is  due,  ought  in  fome  public  way  or 
 other  to  refent  the  fame,  for  the  honour  of  God,  and 
 the  fatisfa£lion  of  the  conferences  of  the  offended  ; 
 and  we  hope  that  no   minifter,  either  free  of  thefe 
 things  or  fenfible  of  the  guiit  of  them,  will  think  this  - 
 an  impofition.    For  further  clearing  of  what  we  un* 
 derftand  by  this,  fee  DiJlinBion  8.  Further,  we  defire 
 and  expeft  of  thef?  mimfters  that  we  can  have  clear-- 
 nefs  to  join  with,  that  they    muft  difcharge  what 
 they  have  in  commiflion  from  Chrift  faithfully  :  fo 
 Paul  charges  Timothy  before  God  and  the  Lord  Je- 
 fus  Chrift,  who  (houid  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead 
 at  his  appearing,  and  his  kingdom,  to  preach  the  wordy 
 to  be  inflant  infeafon}  and  out  offeafon^  to  reprove^  re- 
 buhe,  exhort  s  with  long  fuffering  and  dccJrine,  and   to 
 make  full  proof  of  his  minijlry*    2  Tim.  iv    I,  2,   5. 
 And  alfo  gives  him  charge  in  the  Jtght  of  God,  that  he 
 Jhould  keep  the  commandment  without  fpot  unrebukeab/ef 
 until  the  arpearance  of  our  Lord  Jefus  ChriJ}     I    Tim. 
 vi    13,14    ^nd  exhorts  him  to  keep  that  good-thing  that 
 was  committed  unto  him,   2  Tim.   i.  14.   Like  wife  the 
 ap  ftle  -xhorts   Pitas,  to  fpeak  the  things  -which  become* 
 found  dcclr in e,  in  all  things  fheuing  hhnjelf  a  pattern  of 
 go  d  works    in  doctrine \fheutng  un  corrupt  nefs,  gravity , 
 fincerity,   found  fpeetsh  that  cannot  be  condemned \  Titus  - 
 ii.  i>7>8.  Therefore  they  muft  take  up   the  right 
 
 ftate 
 
(    2*5    ) 
 
 fhte  of  the  Lord's  caufe  againft  both  right  and  left 
 hand  oppofites,  and  maintain  the  prefent  teftimonyi 
 and  condemn  and  preach  down  the  prefVnt  defe&ions, 
 and  propagate  the  received  principles  of  the  church 
 of  Scotland,  according  to  the  word  of  God,  the  con- 
 ftitutions  of  our  church,  and  the  oath  of  our  holy  co- 
 venants :  otherwise  they  do  but  defert  and  pervert 
 the  word  of  Ch  rift's  patience,  and  are  men  of  cor- 
 rupt minds,  perverfe  difputers,  i  Tim.  vi.  5.  Now 
 we  are  confident,  that  none  but  fuch  as  are  blinded 
 with  prejudice,  will  for  this  fay,  that  we  prefcribe 
 rules  to  minifters;  for  there  is  nothing  here  requir- 
 ed, but  that  which  is  bound  upon  them  by  the  di- 
 vine authority  cf  God  in  the  fcrifrtures,  and  the  ec- 
 hfiaftic  authority  of  our  church  in  the  a£ts  of  our 
 general  affemblies.  And  therefore,  however  we  be 
 reproched  as  that  we  have  caft  off  all  the  minifters 
 of  the  church  of  Scotland,  and  will  hear  none  of 
 them.  ,We  indeed  profefs  withdrawing  from  fuch  of 
 .them  as  pra£lical!y  contraveen  thefe  rules,  and  to 
 whom  the  forementioned  grounds  of  withdrawing  are 
 applicable  :  Yet  here  we  declare,  that  if  any  minif- 
 ter  will  come  forth,  or  wherever  we  can  find  any  mi- 
 nifter  fo  qualified,  that  is,  clothed  with  Chrift's  com- 
 mifiion,  righteoufnefs,  and  falvation,  free  of  fcan- 
 dals,  minifterial  and  perfonal,  free  of  errors*  defec- 
 tions, and  compliances,  and  discharging  their  com- 
 million  faithfuliy,  or  if  any  will  come  forth  and  clear 
 himfelf  of  thefe  forementioned  exceptions,  or  remove 
 them  by  a  declared  confefiion,  and  forfaking  of  their 
 offences,  which  have  (tumbled  the  gocliy  in  the  land; 
 we  will  call  them,  hear  them,  own,  countenance, 
 and  embrace  them,  obey,  and  fubmit  ourfelves  to 
 them  in  the  Lord,  and  defend  and  maintain  them,  to 
 the  uttermoft  of  our  power.  And  we  defire  that  tfiis 
 may  be  taken,  as  a  ferious  and  folemn  invitation 
 from  us,  to  all  faithful  minifters,  tender  of  their  Maf- 
 ter's  honour,  and  zealous  for  his  kingdom's  propaga- 
 tion, to  come  forth  and  take  part  in  the  day's  work 
 
 •    and 
 
(      226      ) 
 
 and  teftitnony,    and    take  trial  of    our  eameftnefs 
 herein. 
 
 In  the  fifth  and  laft  place,  we  (hall  propofe  fome 
 things  by  way  of  caution,  for  the  better  underftand- 
 ing  of  the  forefaid  grounds,  which  we  look  upon  to 
 be  fufficient  in  point  of  withdrawing  as  is  faid. 
 
 I.  We  do  not  look  upon  all  thefe  minifter  that  we 
 withdraw  from,  upon  more  or  fewer  of  the  forefaid 
 grounds,  to  be  no  minifters,  yea,  or  no  more  minif- 
 ters  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  or  that  their  paftoral 
 a£ts  are  invalidate  or  null ;  but  only  that  we  cannot 
 lawfully  embrace  them  as  our  minifters,  and  concur 
 with  them  in  the  public  work,  as  they  are  now  cir- 
 cumftantiared. 
 
 II.  We  do  not  look  upon  all  thefe  minifters  that 
 we  withdraw  from,  to  be  equally  guilty  of  defections, 
 or  offenfive  courfes  ;  howbeit  we  have  not  only  one, 
 but  more  of  the  forefaid  grounds,  for  withdrawing 
 from  the  molt  part  that  we  refufe  to  concur  with, 
 though  any  one  of  them,  if  rightly  confidered  and  ap- 
 plied, doth  carry  a  fufficiency  in  point  of  withdraw- 
 ing in  thefe  circumftances. 
 
 Ill  We  have  not  fixed  fuch  a  ftated  withdrawing 
 from  all  the  minifters  forementioned,  upon  the  fore- 
 faid grounds,  a3  that  we  will  never  concur  with  them 
 any  more,  even  though  they  fhould  confefs  and  for- 
 fake  their  offenfive  courfes,  and  give  due  fatisfaftion 
 to  the  confciences  of  the  offended  •,  but  only  a  con- 
 ditional withdrawing,  that  is,  as  we  choofe  to  ftand 
 ftill  in  this  cafe,  and  refufe  to  concur,  until  offenfive 
 and  backfliding  courfes  be  turned  from,  according  as  it 
 is  prefcribed  to  Jeremiah,  chap.  xv.  19.  So  whenever 
 the  caufes  of  diftance  ihall  be  rightly  removed,  of- 
 fences and  defections  acknowledged  and  forfaken, 
 we  (hall  with  all  readinefs  concur :  yea  we  would  ac- 
 count it  a  day  of  oar  joy  end  hope  in  Jfraely  if  the  Lord 
 would  give  us  occafion  to  evidence  the  fame  Where- 
 fore we  reckon  it  not  fo  much  the  giving  the  offence, 
 
 as 
 
(    *7    ) 
 
 as  defending  of  and  continuing  in  it,  and  doth  war- 
 rant our  withdrawing 
 
 IV.  We  acknowledge,  as  ministers  have  been  un- 
 tender  of  people,  and  have  not  done  that  which  their 
 office  called  them  unto,  in  pitying  the  ignorant,  and 
 taking  pains  upon  them,  by  preaching,  rebuking, 
 exhorting  and  admonifhing,  but  rather  have  con* 
 demned  and  mifreprefented  people,  in  their  faithful 
 and  zealous  endeavours,  before  trying  what  they 
 were  owning  and  aiming  at ;  fo  people  have  not  been 
 innocent  and  blamelefs,  and  free  of  untendernefs  to- 
 wards minifters,  in  being  rather  imbittered  againft 
 their  perfons  when  they  turned  afide  to  defections, 
 than  mourning  over  their  faults. 
 
 V.  As  we  judge  it  the  height  of  arrogancy,  and 
 encroachment  upon  the  facred  office  for  people  to 
 judge  minifters,  or  prefcribe  rules  unto  them;    fo 
 
 -we  look  upon  it  as  competent,  and  granted  unto 
 people  by  the  Lord  to  have  a  judgment  of  their  own 
 duty,  how  to  carry  towards  minifters,  and  not  to 
 take  matters  upon  truft  from  them,  but  to  prove  all 
 things  before  they  chufe,  and  to  hold  fail  what  they 
 find  agreeable  to  the  law  and  to  the  teftimony,  fearch- 
 ing  the  fcriptures  whether  thefe  things  be  fo  or  not, 
 for  which  the  noble  Bereans  are  commended  ;  and 
 it  is  given  in  command,  i  John  iv.  I,  not  to  be^ 
 lieve  every  fpirit,  but  try  them  whether  they  are  of 
 God  ;  which  is  not  written  only  to  church  guides, 
 tho*  church  guides  are  to  try  after  their  own  way  jud- 
 cially,  and  people  in  a  private  way,  competent  unto 
 them  :  we  look  upon  this  as  a  privilege,  which  the 
 people  (if  they  would  not  proftitute  their  true  Chrif- 
 tian  liberty)  are  bound  to  defend  :  and  that  not  on'y 
 extended  to  minifter's  doftrine,  but  a'fo  to  their  prac- 
 tices and  profeffions  (to  know  with  fome  fatisfa&ion 
 to  the  confcience,    what    they   have  been)    which 
 
 {through  this  vaft  trad  of  defections  have  been  fo  dif- 
 ferent, while  they  have  not  clearly  fided  themfelves, 
 m  making  a  difference  between  the  precious  and  the 
 vile, 
 
(     *X     ) 
 
 vile,  nor  given  people  diftinftly  to  underta^  what 
 they  are  aiming  at,  and  where  they  refoive  r  a    :uid. 
 
 H    E     ADV. 
 
 Concerning  our  delegating  and  commijjionatingfome  to  re~ 
 prefent  cur  cafe  to  foreign  reformed  churches  :  and 
 our  fending  f .me  young  men  to  the  Jiudy  of  theology  in 
 the  Netherlands. 
 
 THIS  head  hath  two  parts  to  be  confidered.  As 
 to  the  fiift  :  we  are  branded  with  that  heinous 
 arrogation>  of  taking  the  power  of  church  govern- 
 ment into  our  hands  ( which  we  have  abundantly  re- 
 futed already)  and  are  faid  to  have  fent  delegation 
 in  that  capacity,  to  the  churches  of  Holland,  Helve- 
 tia, and  Geneva  :  therefore,  to  wipe  away  this  ca- 
 lumny, we  offer  thefe  things  following  to  confi- 
 deration. 
 
 I.  Our  defign  in  thefe  delegations  was,  to  declare 
 our  adherence  to  all  the  fworn  and  received  prin- 
 ciples of  the  church  of  Scotland,  our  wreft'ings  a- 
 gainft  the  current  of  the  time's  defe&ions,  and  our  <3e- 
 teftation  of  the  blafphemirs,  execrations,  errors,  and 
 extravagancies  of  John  Gibb,  wherewith  we  had  been 
 moil  foul  j  and  uiijuftly  branded  ;  arid  a'sfo  to  repre- 
 fent  unto  foreign  reformed  churches,  our  fad,  broken, 
 and  low  cafe,  to  the  end  they  might  commiferate 
 and  help  us,  by  their  prayers  and  otherwife ;  and  that 
 we  might  alfo  know,  in  what  fta'e  affairs  are  amongft 
 them,  which  things  might  conduce  both  to  their  and 
 our  advantage,  putting  them  and  us,  according  to 
 our  places  and  power,  to  endeavour  the  ftrengthen- 
 ing  of  ourtelves,  and  of  the  intereft  of  Chriit,  a- 
 gainft  the  plots,  underminings,  and  crueitks  of  the 
 adverfary. 
 
 II.  We  profefs  and  declare,  that  it  was  for  no  bad 
 defign,   neither  to  carry  on  a  fchifm,  nor  to  difcover 
 
 the 
 
-     (     **9     ) 
 
 the  nakednefs  of  our  mother  :  but  to.  give  them  touiin 
 derftand,  to  whatalow,  lamentable,  and  broken  (tate, 
 the  fometimes  famous  church  of  Scotland  was  now 
 redacted,  being  made,  by  the  violence  of  prevailing 
 enemies,  a  ruinous  heap,  and  that  yet  there  was  a 
 remnant  of  her  children,  taking  pleafure  in  the  (tones 
 and  duft  of  her  rubbiih  ;  to  the  end,  that  when  we 
 could  get  few  at  home;  we  might  provoke  foxne 
 abroad  to  fympathize  with  us. 
 
 III.  We  did  not  fend  fuch  a  delegation,  nor  give 
 fuch  a  cornmiflion,  as  a  thing  determined  by,  or  if- 
 fuing  from  minifterial  or  magiftratical  authority  \ 
 nor  .yet  as  from  the  whole  church  of  Scotland,  of 
 which  more  fully  fee  in  the  explication  of  our  mind, 
 concerning  the  title  of  the  proteftation  againft  I 
 Scottifh  congregation  at  Rotterdam,  Head  6.  But, 
 
 IV.  As  a  poor  opprefled  and  diftreffed  remnant  of 
 this  church,  embodied  together  in  a  general  corre- 
 spondence, and  endeavouring  to  ftand  by  the  prin- 
 ciples of  this  true  prefoyterian  church,  in  doctrine, 
 worfliip,  discipline  and  government  •,  and  as  a  poor 
 wafted  handful,  whom  God  hath  hitherto  preferved 
 in  the  midft  of  the  fires  from  utter  confumption. 
 Wherefore  we  are  the  more  bound  to  profefs  and 
 confefs  his  name,  notwithftanding  all  oppoGtion. 
 
 But  further,  understanding  that  we  are  excepted 
 againft  becaufe  of  a  letter,  directed  to  the  churches 
 of  Helvetia  and  Geneva,  giving  a  fhort  account  of 
 our  deplorable  cafe,  particularly,  becaufe  of  fome 
 words  in  that  forefaid  epiftle,  which  are  as  follows, 
 £i  But  the  ingredient  which  is  moft  birter  in  our  cup 
 is  this  ;  we  are  as  flieep  fcattered  without  a  (hepherd, 
 having  no  minifters  at  this  prefent  time,  to  difplay 
 the  gofpel's  banner  among  us  (faving  one)  the  reit 
 of  our  minifters,  who  continued  faithful  are  taken 
 away,  by  the  violent  hand  of  the  adverfaries  *,  and 
 others  of  them  having  laid  aiide  their  work,  becom- 
 ing cruel  like  the  oftriches  of  fhe  wildernefs."  .To 
 U  obivato 
 
(     *30     ) 
 obviate  and  remove  exceptions  againft  us  from  thefe 
 words,  we  ofTe;  thefe  things  to  be  confidered. 
 
 I.  The  cafe  of  affairs  amongft  u?,  at  the  writing 
 of  that  letter,  is  to  be  remembered.  For  as  it  ap. 
 pears  by  our  words,  we  fpoke  only  of  that  time  then 
 prefent :  and  certain  it  is  (as  ourfelves  and  many 
 others  know)  that  then  there  was  no  minifter  (five 
 one)  concurring  with  us  in  our  ftated  teftimony,  and 
 publicly  preaching  the  gofpel  amongft  us. 
 
 II.  In  that  letter  we  fpoke  only  of  ourfelves  em- 
 bodied together  in  particular  and  general  correfpon- 
 xlences,  as  may  appear  from  the  fore-rehearfed  words, 
 compared  with  the  tenor  of  the  whole:  And  fo  con- 
 cerning ourfelves^  the  fame  might  very  well  be  af- 
 firmed. 
 
 III.  As  to  the  compamon  ufed,  whereby  it  is  faid, 
 others  are  become  cruel  !ike  the  oftriches  in  the  wil- 
 dernefs ;  we  defire,  that  the  defign  and  fcope  of  the 
 comparifon  be  adveited  unto  ;  which,  as  it  is  obvious 
 from  the  comparifon,  was  to  ho'd  forth  this  ;  li  that 
 as  thefe  cruel  creatures  do  not  fhew  natural  affection 
 to  that  which  is  their  own  .  fo  our  minifters  in  that 
 time  did  not  teach  and  preach  God's  word  unto  us, 
 but  did  then  leave  us  in  the  mid  ft  of  fnares,  void  of 
 counfel  and  afliftance,  which  gave  us  that  occafion, 
 with  grief  and  lamentation  to  fpeak  fo  concerning 
 them,  while  we  were  feeking  help  in  our  low  cafe/' 
 
 Moreover  on  this  occafion,  though  it  may  feem 
 preptfterous  for  order,  and  that  we  mould  have  clear- 
 ed the  cafe  before  in  the  foregoing  Head:  yet *be- 
 caufe  mention  is  made  in  that  letter,  of  one  only 
 difplaying  the  gofpel's  banner  amongft  us,  we  (hall 
 bere  exonerate  ourfelves  from  another  reproach.  We 
 are  branded  with  that  ignominious  calumny,  that  we 
 are  of  the  mind  to  call  and  hear  no  minifters,  but  the 
 forefaid  one  only:  to  wipe  off  fuch  a  heavy  imputa* 
 tion,  we  profefs  3nd  declare, 
 
 I.  That  as  we  look  upon  the  thing  to  be  ignorant^ 
 fa&ious.  and  deteftable  :  fo  we  never  declared  nor 
 
 did 
 
(       23t       > 
 
 did  plead  a  principle,  to  rtftri&  our  calling  and 
 hearing  of  minifters  ro  that  one  only  :  But  as  we  faid 
 above,  we  are  willing  and  longing  to  receive  and 
 embrace  all  faithful  minifters,  free  of  the  grofs  de- 
 fections of  the  time,  or  that  will  come  cleanly  off 
 from  them,  as  is  abundantly  evinced  by  our  prefent 
 praclice,  in  ca'ling  and  hearing  of  fuch,  befide  the 
 forefaid  one,  though  we  do  refufe  to  call  and  hear 
 others  in  this  broken  time,  againft  whom  we  have 
 juft  exceptions,  until  differences  be  removed,  in  the 
 mean  while  a£ting  abftr*&!y,  not  as  a  new  ere&ed 
 church,  but  as  a  poor  broken  remnant  of  the  old  true 
 prefbyrerian  church  of  Scotland. 
 1  II.  Though  we  be  falfely  aecufed  of  feparating 
 from  others,  becaufe  they  own  it  as  their  duty  to 
 hear  and  call  faithful  minifters  5  yet  we  declare  that 
 we  own  it  as  our  duty,  to  call  and  hear  minifters, 
 with  fuch  qualifications  as  they  themfelves  fpeak  of, 
 viz.  ik  Who  have  owned,  do  own,  and  adhere  unto, 
 the  true  received  principles  of  the  church  of  Scotland, 
 founded  upon  the  written  word  of  God,  and  what- 
 foever  declarations  or  teftimonie£,  former  or  latter, 
 particular  or  more  general,  are  agreeable  thereunto/' 
 And  we  profefs  that  we  own  it  as  our  duty,  to  call 
 and  hear  all  minifters,  againft  whom  we  have  not 
 juft,  folid,  and  valid  exceptions.     Yea, 
 
 III.  We  profefs  and  declare,  that  we  will  call  and 
 hear  fuch  minifters  as  now  we  have  juft  exceptions 
 againft,  whenfoever  the  right  removal  thereof  (hall  fa- 
 tisfy  our  confeiences,  1  y  their  condemning  their  de- 
 fections, teftifying  before  God  and  the  world  their 
 refeiHment  of  the  fame,  and  taking  up  the  right  ftate 
 of  the  quarrel.  Yet  we  muft  ftili  ftick  at  this,  that 
 we  will  not  call  or  hear  any  minifters,  againft  whom 
 we  have  juft,  folid,  and  valid  exceptions,  until  the 
 fame  be  rightly  removed  in  manner  forefaid. 
 
 As  to  the  fcond  part,  viz   the  fending  fome  young 
 men  to  the  ftudy  of  theology,  and  to  receive  ordi- 
 nation in  the  Netherlands :  we  fhall,    i.  {hew  fome 
 U  2  things 
 
(       232      ) 
 
 things  that  concurred  as  motives,  caufes,  and  occa- 
 sions thereof.  And,  2.  infert  fomething  about  the  or- 
 dination of  one  of  them. 
 
 As  to  the  firft,  we  (hall  mention  thefe  following, 
 which  concurred  among  others  as  moving  caufes  of 
 that  refolution 
 
 :  I.  At  that  time  being  left  alone,  and  thefe  of  the 
 minifters  with  whom  we  did  meft  agree  being  va- 
 rious ways  removed  from  us,  and  feeing  fo  many  op- 
 pofed  our  teftimony,  which  we  thought  pur- 
 ielves  very  inefficient  to  maintain  or  promote,  there- 
 fore, that  we  might  have  fume  more  capacitated  to 
 do  ir,  and  that  we  might  be  preferved  from  errors, 
 we  judged  it  expedient,  to  fend  fome  young  men 
 abroad  to  thefe  colleges,  that  they  might  be  foundly 
 principled  in  the  Chriilian  faith,  feeing  our  colleges 
 were  fadly  corrupted. 
 
 II.  At  that  time  (yea  more  and  more  fince)  a  gre3t 
 part  of  our  church  was  either  gone  afide  to  defec- 
 tion, in  compliance  with  the  enemy,  or  elfe  was 
 pleading  for  favourablenefs  towards  union  with  the 
 men  of  thefe  defections,  in  their  defeftions  and  com- 
 pliances :  therefore  we  defired  to  furnifh  ourfekes 
 with  fome  means,  to  make  oppofition  to  thefe  cour- 
 fes.  For  at  that  time,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Rich- 
 ard Cameron  and  Mr.  Donald  Cargill,  the  teftimony 
 by  public  and  frequent  preaching  of  the  gofpel  did 
 fail  (though,  it  is  true,  the  only  wife  God  did  then 
 keep  up  this  teftimony  by  other  means,  viz.  banifti- 
 ments,  martyrdoms  upon  fc^iffolds,  &c.  Yea,  in  a 
 fpecial  manner,  martyrs  then  were  fo  fignally  coun* 
 tenanced  of  the  Lord,  that  fafely  it  may  be  faid,  the 
 then  Ihed  blood  of  the  martyrs  hath  become  a  feed 
 unto  the  church  ;  for  as  by  hearing  and  feeing  them, 
 fome  were  reclaimed  from  their  evil  ways,  fo  many 
 others  were  daily  more  and  more  confirmed  in  the 
 ways  of  the  Lord)  and  minifters  became  generally  fi- 
 lent :  fo  that  (whatever  might  have  been  done  pri- 
 vately in  fome  fecret  chamber,  and  fome  other  retired 
 
 placeS| 
 
(  233  ) 
 places,  yet)  as  for  the  body  of  the  land  little  r£me~ 
 dy  by  faithful  warning  was  prepared  :  therefore  we 
 thought  it  our  duty,  not  to  be  wanting  for  our  parts, 
 and  this  was  the  molt  ready  expedient  we  could  fall 
 upon. 
 
 III.  Becaufe  there  was  fo  gre?t  oppofition  made 
 unto  fome  of  the  witneffes  of  Chrift  who  had  more 
 faithfully  witneffed  againft  the  defe&ions  of  the  time, 
 we  could  not  fufFer  them  altogether  to  be  buried, 
 which  in  all  appearance  was  then  dcfigned:  for  it 
 cannot  altogether  be  unknown,  how  they  had  dcfigned 
 to  bury  our  fore-mentioned  teftimony  in  our  declara- 
 tions, which  was  evident  from  their  fo  much  oppof- 
 ing  the  fame. 
 
 IV.  In  oppofition  to  which  defign,  refolving  to 
 maintain  thefe  teftimonies,  we  could  not  but  con- 
 clude, that  none  confcientioufly  adhering  to  thefe 
 teftimonies  given  againft  the  tyranny  and  apoftacyof 
 our  time,  could  expert  either  licence  or  ordination 
 from  them ;  neither  cou'd  it  be  fafely  fought  in  fuch 
 circumftances,  upon  the  account  of  fuch  impofed  re- 
 ftri&ions  which  fome  before  had  been  troubled  with, 
 even  when  matters  in  controverfy  were  not  come  to 
 fuch  height. 
 
 V.  Becaufe  in  feveral  prefbyteries,  fome  faithful 
 witneffes  had  been  fharply  rebuked,  for  their  faith- 
 fulncfs,  and  contending  freely  and  publicly  againft 
 fome  fins  and  corruptions  of  the  time;  but  very 
 rarely  have  they  been  in  preibyteries  rebuked  and  cen- 
 fured,  in  thefe  latter  times,  foi  their  unfaithfulnefs : 
 therefore  after  fo  many  difcoveries  of  much  un- 
 faithfulnefs  :  in  our  preibyteries  at  home,  we  were 
 much  difcouraged  in  our  expectations  of  help  from 
 them,  and  thought  it  fafer  to  fend  abroad  to  take  trial 
 of  other  churches. 
 
 VI.  We  knew  affuredly,  that  the  reformed  churehe3 
 of  Chrift  abroad,  had  a  power  to  licence  and  ordain 
 minifters  either  to  the  church  univerfa!,  or  in  par- 
 
 U  3  ticXilv 
 
(  234  ) 
 ticular  cafes  to  particular  churches,  upon  the  requeft 
 of  a  people,  eommulatively  not  privatively  ;  that  is, 
 for  to  help  and  confirm  thefe  churches  in  their  own 
 power  ;  but  not  to  deprive  them  of  their  rights,  or  to 
 ufurp  authority  over  them  ;  not  as  an  a£t  of  autho- 
 rity over,  but  as  an  aft  of  charity  to  them.  Finally, 
 as  was  faid  above,  hereby  we  defigned  neither  to  bring 
 up  an  evil  report  upon  the  church  of  Scotland,  nei- 
 ther to  carry  on  a  fa£tion;  nor  fchifm  in  it  •,  but  upon 
 the  contrary,  to  dedare  our  (landing  to  the  reforma- 
 tion attained  unto  in  this  land,  and  to  fatisfy  our  ewn 
 confciences. 
 
 More  particularly  in  the  fecond  place,  as  to  the 
 ordination  of  one  of  thefe  young  men,  it  is  to  be 
 confidered, 
 
 I.  When  he  went  abroad,  he  was  not  in  capacity 
 for  being  ordained,  nor  in  any  way  accomplifhed  for 
 offering  himfelf  to  previous  trials. 
 
 li.  There  was  then  no  hope  of  ordination  here  in 
 Scotland,  to  any  who  agreed  with  us  in  all  the  parts 
 of  our  teftimony,  neither  could  it  be  (afely  fought 
 after,  upon  the  forefaid  confiderations. 
 
 III.  Though  the  Claflis  of  Groningen,  by  whom 
 he  was  ordained,  differ  from  the  Reformation  of 
 ficoland,  in  her  beft  times,  in  fome  things  :  yet, 
 confidering,  (i.)  That  in  thefe  differences  they  were 
 never  reformed,  and  fo  cannot  be  charged  therein 
 witfi  defeftion.  (2  )  That  they  agree  with  the  true 
 prefbyterial  church  of  Scotiand,in  all  principles  againft 
 Popery, 'Prelacy,  Eraflianifm,  and  all  heretical  and 
 iefitarian  errors.  (3.)  That  they  did  then  objecl  no- 
 jg  againft  our  prefent  teftimony.  (4»)That  they 
 .erne  under  a  general,  and  far  other  confideration, 
 -;g  of  a  foreign  church,  than  minifters  of  the  fame 
 original  church,  and  under  the  fame  bond  of  cove- 
 nant with  ourfelves ;  for  which  caufe,  joining  with 
 ehem  in  that  a£t  of  ordination  came  under  another 
 consideration.  (5.)  That  in  the  ati  of  ordinationi 
 did  obTrds  r_oi?e  of  thefe  differences,  but  did 
 
(  235  ) 
 take  him  engaged  to  teach  according  to  the  word  of 
 God,  and  the  Confefiion  of  Faith  of  the  church  of 
 Scotland,  and  the  difcipline  thereof.  Upon  all  which 
 confiderations  it  was  thought  lawful  to  accept  of  or- 
 dination from  the  forefaid  Claflis ;  efpecially  feeing 
 thefe  differences  were  openly  before  them,  and  plain- 
 ly and  particularly  protefted  againft,  which  was  fuf- 
 iicient  in  fuch  circumftances. 
 
 IV.  As  the  forefaid  Claflis  did  not  hereby  affume 
 any  authority  to  the  detriment  of  the  church  of  Scot- 
 land :  fo  the  church  of  Scotland  did  never  monopo- 
 lize to  herfelf  the  fole  power  of  ordination,  of  all 
 that  would  officiate  in  her  fervice  in  a  broken  ftate  of 
 the  church  ;  neither  did  rejtft  or  invalidate  the  ordi- 
 nation of  any  filter  church,  lending  her  helping  hand 
 in  the  cafe  of  her  neceflity. 
 
 \r.  The  forefaid  cl?.fiis  is  to  be  conficlered,  as  con- 
 tradiftinguifhed  from  the  impure  Cocceian  party* in 
 thefe  lands,*  there  being  none  fuch  concurring  in  the 
 forefaid  ordination  :  yea,  ordination  by  the  univer- 
 fity  was  refufed,  becaufe  of  a  Cocceian  profeffor  there, 
 who  was  to  examine  previoufly  to  the  ordination. 
 And  fo  a  teftimony  was  given  againft  the  toleration 
 of  that  impure  party  in  thefe  lands.  However  their 
 errors  were  both  preached  againft,  and  otherwife  wit- 
 nefied  againft  by  minifters  in  that  place. 
 
 HEAD      VI. 
 
 Concerning  the  proteftathn  given  againft  the  Scottlfh  con* 
 gregation  at  Rotterdam. 
 
 BECAUSE  we  are  much  oppofed,  and  cried  out 
 againft,  upon  the  account  of  the  proteftation 
 given  in  againft  the  Scots  congregation  at  Rotter- 
 dam; therefore,  that  our  minds  may  be  plainly  un- 
 derftood  as  to  that,  we  offer  the  following  particulars 
 to  confideration. 
 
 I.  The 
 
(    *36     *. 
 
 I.  The  chief  occafion  of  entering  that  proteftation 
 was,  Mr.  W.  B's  writing  to  Mr.  H.  That  they  at 
 Rotterdam,  together  with  Mr  G  B.  Mr.  T.  H. 
 younger,  Mr.  R.  L.  and  others,  did  take  it  in  evil 
 part  that  any  of  our  young  men  were  ftudying  at  Gro- 
 ningen,  and  did  accufe  our  focieties  of  falfe  and 
 grievous  things  :  as,  that  we  had  difowned  the  king 
 and  all  ruling  under  him  ;  (which  we  own  as  our  dutyf 
 as  is  exprefled  before,  but  we  deny  what  followeth) 
 and  had  chofen  all  kinds  of  magiftrates  among  our- 
 felves,  as  chancellors,  lords,  presidents,  and  other  or- 
 ders ;  and  were  for  killing  all  as  enemies,  who  would 
 not  own  our  government  fabricated  amongft  us  ;  that 
 our  focieties  were  not  pure  in  Religion  ;  and  as  they 
 were  a  faction,  &c  Whereupon,  finding  ourfelves 
 and  the  caufe  much  wronged  by  their  calumnies,  to 
 vindicate  ourfelves,  and  invalidate  their  charge,  we 
 refolved  upon  this  proteftation  againft  that  congrega- 
 tion, for  fuch  thngs  as  we  could  truly  make  out. 
 
 II.  We  acknowledge,  that  the  perfons  who  entered 
 that  proteftation,  ought  to  have  given  previous  admo- 
 nition, to  the  perfons  protefted  againft  :  and  by  their 
 failing  in  this,  fomething  of  the  due  method  of  going 
 about  fuch  an  aftion  was  omitted.  ■  But  though  we 
 are  not  to  juftify  the  failings  that  are  in  our  a&ions 
 by  the  failings  of  others,  yet  the  authors  of  the  fore- 
 faid  accufations  did  caft  us  a  bad  copy,  in  giving 
 out  fuch  things  againft  us  without  pre-requifite  ad- 
 monition. 
 
 III.  As  to  the  title  of  the  forefaid  proteftation,  viz. 
 True  Prelbyteri?n  church  of  Scotland  (which  is  alfo 
 to  be  found  in  fome  other  papers)  we  do  confefs  it 
 unfuitable  to  exprefs  it  fo  coix.prehenfively  :  but  there- 
 by do  we  no  ways  underftand,  that  unto  the  fo- 
 cieties in  any  fenfe  belongs  the  title  of  the  church  mi- 
 nifterial,  for  this  belongs  alcne  to  the  church  guides ; 
 nor  do  we  underftand  that  it  fhould  in  any  other  fenfe 
 be  aftri&ed  to  our  focieties,  as  if  they  only  were  to  be 
 reckoned  believers  (for  that  is  as  large  as  converfion 
 
 or 
 
(  237  ) 
 oreffe£lual  calling)  or  as  if  they  only  were  to  be 
 reckoned  fuirerers  for  Chrift,  or  that  he  hath  no 
 ether  martyrs  but  from  amongft  them  ;  nor  in  a  word 
 do  we  reckon  them  the  only  members  of  the  vifible 
 church  of  Chrift  in  Scotland:  but  we  would  have 
 them  to  be  looked  upon,  as  a  poor  diftreffcd  and 
 contending  remnant,  of  the  fuffcring  and  witneffing, 
 Anti-popifh,  Anti-prelatic,  Anti-eraftian,  Anti-fec- 
 Urian,  true  Prefbyterian  church  of  Chrift  in  Scot- 
 land, which  hath  been  labouring  to  cleave  clofe  to 
 the  parts  and  degrees  of  our  attained  reformation, 
 and  cordially  concurring  in  their  places  and  ftations 
 with  fuch  of  the  minifters  and  proteflbrs,  as  have 
 gone  before  them,  and  with  them,  more  refolutely 
 and  faithfully  witneffing  both  againft  tyranny  and 
 apoftacy. 
 
 IV.  We  defire  that  the  charges  in  the  fecond  ar- 
 ticle, wherein  fome  minifters  names  are  exprefied, 
 be  underftood  feparately,  and  diftributively,  not  col- 
 -kttively  and  copulatively,  every  one  of  thefe  mini- 
 fters not  being  guilty  in  his  own  perfon  of  all  and 
 every  one  of  thefe  charges.  But  as  we  acknow- 
 ledge, that  as  it  was  an  overfight  to  exprefs  thefe 
 charges  fo  indefinitely,  and  to  caft  them  and  the 
 names  of  the  perfons  all  in  a  heap  together,  with- 
 out making  particular  application  •  So  we  are  not 
 convicted  of  any  faifhood  in  thefe,  as  we  defire 
 thern  to  be  underftood.  For  there  is  nothing  there 
 faid,  that  is  not  applicable  to  fome  cf  the  perfons 
 named:  yea,  we  may  fafely  fay  that  the  forefaid 
 information  againft  us,  fpoken  of  in  Mr.  W.  Bs  let- 
 ter, mentioning  feme  minifters  names,  did  give  oo- 
 cafion  of  inferring  of  names  in  this  proteftation,  ef- 
 pecially  of  thefe  minifters  who  were  given  up  in  the 
 faid  letter,  as  the  principal  authors  of  the  forefaid  in- 
 formation. 
 
 V.  We  do  not  mean  by  the  word  treacheroujly  in  the 
 freend  article,  a  defign  to  betray  \  neither  does  the 
 
 word 
 
(     238     ) 
 
 word  itfelf  always  import  fo  much  :  but  only  a  prac- 
 tical betraying  of  truft,  whether  it  be  deGgned  or 
 not  Nor  do  we  mean,  that  the  epithets  giv^n  to 
 the  aiTociating  parties,  viz.  Godlefs,  &c.  arc  applied 
 to  all  and  every  one  of  that  company  (for  we  do  not 
 doubt  of  the  godlinefs  cf  many  of  them)  but  only  to 
 fomc  of  them  :  nor  yet  thefe  words  in  the  conclu- 
 (ion,  concerning  the  forefaid  congregation,  viz.  that 
 no  pendicle  of  thrift's  crown  was  afferted  by  them, 
 arefo  cxtenfively  and  univerfally  underftood  by  us,  as 
 that  no  pendicle  at  all  of  Chrift's  crown  was  afferted 
 by  them,  but  only  that  our  controverfies  with  feme 
 of  the  complying  party  of  our  church,  concerning  ' 
 Chrift's  prerogatives  as  king,  and  what  belongs  to  his 
 crown,  was  not  afferted  by  them,  we  mean  the  necef- 
 fary  teilimony  againft  the  fupremacy,  tyranny,  and 
 compliances  with  the  fame.  However  we  profef?, 
 as  we  are  not  to  juftify  any  exprefficn  whatfomever 
 in  that  forefaid  proteftation,  which  is  too  extenfiv-e- 
 ]y  propofed,  or  favours  of  real  bittemefs  ;  fo  we  are 
 not  to  condemn  the  fcope  thereof:  albeit  we  acknow- 
 ledge feverai  unfuitable  expreffions  in  ic. 
 
 VI  Confidering  that  the  caufes  inferted,  materially 
 confidered,  and  rightly  applied,  are  both  true  and  fuf- 
 ficient  for  a  proteftation  :  we  defire  that  it  may  be 
 looked  upon  as  a  ftanding  teftimony  (together  with 
 what  contendings  have  formerly  been  by  fome  faith* 
 ful  Scottifh  fufferers  in  that  land)  for  the  vindication 
 of  truth,  and  againft  the  fad  wrongs  and  abufes  in 
 that  congregation,  aye  and  while  the  caufes  inferted 
 are  maintained,  and  the  offence  and  fcandal  given 
 not  removed,  yea,  in  very  deed,  a  deep  fenfe  in  the 
 mean  time  of  the  fins  witneffed  againft  by  the  fore- 
 faid proteftation,  would  make  all  therein  involved 
 more  favourably,  and  charitably  to  conftruft  of  the 
 action. 
 
 HEAD 
 
(    *?9    ) 
 
 HEAD      VII. 
 
 'Concerning  the  charge  of  making  canons^  in  which  are 
 expreffed  the  qualifications  of  the  members  of  general 
 meetings  and  focieticS)  and  trying  of  fcandalous  per* 
 fens. 
 
 THE  focieties  being  llkewife  mifreprefented,  in 
 that  they  are  bid  to  make  canons,  exprvffing 
 qua'ifications  of  the  members  of  their  meetings  par- 
 ticular and  more  general,  and  accordingly  take  to 
 themfelves  the  trial  of  fcandalous  perfons:  therefore, 
 to  (hew  the  gr  ^undkfWfs  of  fuch  an  imputation,  we 
 {hall  fpeak  a  little  both  to  the  one  and  to  the  other. 
 
 Firjiy  As  to  the  ailedged  nuking  of  canons,  the 
 allegation  is  founded  upon  a  queftion  ufually  pro- 
 poned to  the  members  of  our  general  meetings,  which 
 is  this,  u  Are  you  free  of  joining  with  the  unfaith- 
 ful, (ilem(and  complying  minifters  of  the  time?"  which 
 being  fo  much  difp'eafing  to  many,  and  much  csff£- 
 ed  at,  and  aifo  the  occafion  of  the  forefaid  charge  be- 
 ing taktn  from  :  we  (hall  therefore  propone  fome 
 things  concerning  the  charge  in  genera1,  imputing  to 
 us  rhe  making  of  thefe  fo  called  canons,  and  impof- 
 ing  fuch  qualifications  on  the  members  of  our  meet- 
 ings, and  then  touching  the  fore-mentioned  interro- 
 gation in  particular. 
 
 FirJ},  We  think  it  an  odious  calumny,  invidioufly 
 caft  upon  us  by  our  traducers,  that  we  have  taken 
 upon  us  to  make  canons:  neither  do  we  underftand 
 what  they  mean  by  making  canons :  for,  (i  )  If  by 
 canons  be  underitood  fuch  constitutions  or  aft?,  as 
 flow  from  politic  or  ecclefiaftic  authority,  that  the  fo- 
 cieties did  or  do  afTume  to  themfelves,  the  making  of 
 fuch,  we  altogether  deny  (2.)  If  they  ur>der(iand  by 
 them  impofitions  or  finful  reftri&ions,  thefe  we  a'fo 
 deny  and  difown.  (3  )  If  they  underftand  them  to 
 
 be 
 
{     *4«     ) 
 
 be  general  and  abfolute  rules,  laid  dow$  by  us  for  all 
 times,  and  cafes  of  the  church,  or  for  church-fel- 
 lowfhtp,  and  communion  of  faints  in  all  its  degrees, 
 thefe  we  alfo  deny  to  be  among  us :  but  if  they  mean 
 fome  interrogations  for  discovering  the  perfons,  we 
 may  concur  with  in  our  general  meetings,  thefe  we 
 own  and  acknowledge.  But  thefe  are  very  imperti- 
 nently called  canons,  neither  did  we  ever  call  them  by 
 fuch  a  name,  nor  look  upon  them  as  fuch  a  thing. 
 
 Secondly.  Whereas  they  fay,  we  make  canons  ex-* 
 preffing  qualifications  of  the  members  of  our  meet- 
 ings :  the  truth  is,  we  wodld  have  them  fo  quali- 
 fied as  we  may  with  comfort  and  confidence  join 
 with  them  in  our  fele£ted  fellowfhips,  being  of  one 
 accord,  of  one  mind  in  the  matter  of  our  teftimony; 
 but  hereby  we  make  no  rules,  prefcribing  qualifica- 
 tions of  church  members,  in  other  kinds  and  degrees 
 of  church  communion.  And  that  this  may  be  bet- 
 ter underftood,  we  (hall  here  briefly  and  plainly  ex-' 
 prefs  our  minds. 
 
 We  deny  not  the  communion  of  faints  to  and  with 
 others,  in  many  other  degrees,  whether  they  be  na- 
 tives or  foreigners  under  diverfe  confiderations.;  for 
 we  diftinguiflb  betwixt  a  joining,  which  we  may  call 
 catholic  or  univerfal  among  Chriftians,  confidered  as 
 fuch,  and  an  ecclefiaftical  joining  among  members 
 of  one  particular  organical  church,  confidered  as 
 members  of  that  church  :  as  for  the  firft,  we  fub- 
 divided  it  alfo  into  its  degrees  ;  for  we  may  join  with 
 fome  as  Chriftians,  holding  the  fame  fundamentals, 
 Eph.  iv.  3,  6.  Acls  ii.  5,  9,  comprehending  all  that 
 are  found  in  religion,  excluding  all  heretics;  we 
 may  join  with  others  confidered  more  ftriftly,  and 
 upon  ftri&er  conditions,  as  Proteftants,  providing 
 they  hold  nothing  contrary  to  any  of  the  reformed 
 churches  teftimonies,  but  efpecially  if  they  be  faith- 
 ful in  their  own  particular  testimony,  though  the 
 word  of  theirs  be  not  the  fame  with  ours;  we  may 
 join  with  others  upon  yet  ftricter  condition,  as  our 
 
 covenanted 
 
(   a*   ) 
 
 •covenanted  brethren,  fuch  as  the  members  of  the 
 churches  of    England  and  Ireland    joined   together 
 with  us  in  the  fame  league  and  covenant,  providing 
 they  own  it,  and  profecute  the  ends  of  it,  and  main- 
 tain the  word  of  their  tePtimony  according  to   ir, 
 and  their   attained    refermation ;     a!beit  they  have 
 not  the  fame  word  of  ttftimony  every  way  with  us : 
 As  for  the   fecond,    we  own  a  communion  upon 
 ♦ftri£ter  conditions    and  with  ftricter  qualifications, 
 amongft  the  members  of  one  church  and  formed  "fo- 
 x;iety,  under  fubjection   to  the   fame  reformed   doc- 
 trine, worfliirr  and  government,  as  for  inftance  this 
 covenanted  church  of  Scotland  ;  which  ecdefiafticai 
 communion  (particularly  in    reference  to  our  own 
 church)  is  to  be  confidered  divers  ways,  and  accord- 
 ingly is  capable  of  divers  degrees;    for  either  the 
 church  muft  be  confidered  as  conftitute  in  good  order, 
 having  jutlicatories   for  redreffing  abufes,  in  which 
 cafe  we  think  it  were  an  ufurpation,  for  private  fo- 
 cieties  to  aiiume  the  regulation  either  of  joining  or 
 feparating,  without  recourfe  to  the  judicatories,  or  it 
 mud  be  confidered  as  afcending  and  growing  up  gra- 
 dually unto  reformation,  in  which  cafe  many  things 
 alfo  may  be  borne  with,  efpecially  by  perfons  in  a  pri- 
 vate capacity  and  not  made  a  matter  .of  reparation, 
 becaufe  never  reformed.    Or  laftly,  (which   comes 
 more  home  to  our  cafe)  it  may  be  confidered  as  de- 
 clining and  falling  back  from  fome  degrees  of  refor- 
 mation attained  unto,  and  as  it  is  broken  down  by 
 compleat  and  habitual  tyranny  and  epidemical  apof- 
 tacy  ;  in  which  cafe  our  ftricieft  degrees  of  commu- 
 nion, in  felected  feliowfhips,  at  leaft,  muft  be  qua- 
 lified with  ftricteft  conditions,  confidering  the  pre- 
 fent  ftate  of  affairs  in  this  broken  ftate  of  the  church  : 
 for  in  thefe  we  muft  neceflarily  endeavour  after  fame- 
 nefs  and  agreement  as  to  the  word  of  our  teftimany, 
 among  the  conftituent  members  of  thefe  focicties, 
 with  whom  we  concur  in  a  joint  carrying  on   the 
 public  work.     For  we  defire  not  to  forget  how  the 
 quarrel  of  our  zealous  and  ancient  covenanters  was 
 X  ftated* 
 
(       *42       ) 
 
 dated,  againft  Papifls,  malignant*,  and  fe&aries,  de- 
 fection, and  fchifm,  and  againft  Gnful  union  as  one 
 extreme,  and  finfui  reparation  as  another  ;  and  ail 
 that  join  with  us  in  cur  fele&ed  communion,  we 
 would  have  concerning  the  fame  quarrel. 
 
 Thirdly,  more  particularly,  as  concerning  that  ques- 
 tion, called  by   them  canon,  which  among  others  is 
 propefed  to  the  members  of  our  general  meetings, 
 concerning  their  joining  or  not  joining  with  the  fi- 
 Icjnty  unfaithful  and  complying  minifters  of  the  time, 
 we  (hall  3dd  thefe  few  things,    i .  The  occafion  of  the 
 proponing  this  interrogation  amongft  us  was  and  is, 
 becaufe  fince  our  perfecution-  began  to  increafe,  mi- 
 nifters generally  had  fallen  into  fuch  fad  and  lament- 
 able defe£tions,  as  is   (hewed  above ;  therefore  we 
 would  inform   ourfelves,    by   that  qutftion  to  the 
 members  of  our  meetings,  whether  they  had  their 
 countenance  as  formerly,  or  not-     However,  2.  By 
 that  queftion,  we  underftand  no  minifters,  but  thefe 
 only  to  whom  all  (or  at  leaft  fome)  of  the  forefa*d 
 adjective  epithets  are  applicable/,  that  i?,  either  thefe 
 who  had  complied  with  the  enemy,  or  were  become 
 i/ilent  in  lying  by  from  the  public  work,  or  not  dif- 
 covering  the  palpable   Cms  of  the  time,  or  were  in 
 fuch  a  meafure  unfaithful,  as  would  be  difcerned  een- 
 furable  by  our  church  conftitutions. 
 
 Secondly^  As  to  the  other  thing  obje&ed  agamft 
 our  focieties,  viz.  the  taking  to  ourfelves  the  trial  of 
 fcandalous  perfons  :  we  profefs  and. declare,  that  all 
 the  trial  of  fcandals  or  fcandalous  perfons  which  we 
 judge  lawful,  expedient,  and  competent  to  private 
 perfons,  notwithftanding  of  the  greateft  neceffity,  is 
 merely  popular  and  private,  for  information  about 
 the  cafe  or  practice  of  the  perfons,  in  order  to  the 
 regulating  our  confeiences  in  our  duty  and  carriage 
 towards  them,  that  fo,  according  to  the  judgment  of 
 difcretion,  we  may  be  fully  perfuaded  in  our  minds, 
 as  to  what  is  right  or  wrong,  falfe  or  true,  and  may 
 sat  remain  daggering  or  doubting  ia  our  duty  and 
 
 deportment 
 
(     243     ) 
 
 deportment  towards  them  ;  not  judicial  and  autho- 
 ritative :  for  we  by  no  means  judge  it  lawful  to  com- 
 mit unto  the  people  the  power  of  difcipline,  no  more 
 than  it  is  lawful  for  them  to  preach  and  admini- 
 ftrate  the  facraments.  Yea,  fo  far  are  we  from  that 
 fe&arian  principle,  that  under  no  confideration  what- 
 foever,  we  judge  it  warrantable  to  afiert,  that  radi- 
 cally and  originally  the  power  of  church  government 
 is  feated  in  the  people,  and  from  them  derived  unto 
 the  paftors  and  elders,  as  it  is  in  civil  govern- 
 ment, which  cometh  from  God  the  fupreme  Lord 
 and  King  of  all  the  world,  and  is  radically  feated  in 
 the  people,  and  from  them  derived  unto  and  con- 
 ferred upon  their  magiftratts  and  civil  governors, 
 whereas  ecclefiaftic  government  cometh  from  Chrift 
 the  mediator  and  king  of  his  own  church,  and  by  him 
 is  immediately  conferred  upon  the  rulers  and  officers 
 of  his  houfe,  with  whom  he  hath  promifed  his  pre- 
 fence  unto  the  end  of  the  world 
 
 But  to  conclude,  we  defire  a  few  things  of  our 
 brethren,  unto  whofe  hands  this  flnll  come.  t.  That 
 none  may  look  upon  us  from  what  we  have  profelTed 
 2nd  declared  in  this  our  vindication  as  having  new 
 fentiments  abcut  thefe  heads.  For  we  did  never  hold 
 or  maintain  opinions,  as  to  thefe  particulars,  con- 
 trary to  what  we  have  here  expreiTed  ;  fo  that  this  is 
 not  a  change,  but  an  explication  of  our  minds  :  and 
 if  any  well  meaning  perfon  and  zealoufly  inclined 
 amongft  us,  hath  through  ignorance  or  miftake  ut- 
 tered themfelves  otherwife  than  we  have  here  expli- 
 cated, we  are  not  to  maintain  the  fame.  2.  We  de- 
 fire  that  no  advantage  may  be  taken  3gainft  us,  from 
 words  or  exprefiions  in  this  paper  through  our  weak- 
 ness, but  that  the  fcope  and  defign  of  the  whole  may 
 be  weighed  and  confidered  ;  and  fo  that  one  part  of 
 it  may  not  be  divided  from  another,  but  that  all  the 
 parts  of  it  may  be  together  confidered,  and  impartially 
 pondered  without  affe&ion  or  prejudice.  3.  Seeing 
 the  caufe  of  God  hath  fuffered  great  hurt,  by  perfons 
 X  Z  their 
 
(  244  ) 
 their  tco  much  credulity  in  believing  ill  and  falfc  re- 
 ports, and  fpreading  the  fame  as  real  certainties,  with- 
 out ever  trying  or  fearching  into  the  truth  or  false- 
 hood thereof:  and  feeing  that  thereby  our  divifions, 
 and  diffractions  have  been  greatly  multiplied,  there- 
 fore we  defire  (which  we  are  alfo  willing  to  grant 
 unto  others)  that  none  hereafter  may  give  ear  and 
 credit  to  bear  reports  of  our  accurers  and  traducers, 
 without  due  trying  and  fearching  into  the  truth  there- 
 of (at  lead  if  not  for  our  fakes,  yet  that  they  would  for- 
 hearfor  the  gofpel's)  feeing  that  from  henceforth  they 
 may  be  convinced  of  our  being  fo  much  wronged  by 
 fuch  fad  mifreprefenta'.ions.  4.  We  defire  that  in  time 
 coming,  any  who  foal!  hear  or  fuppofe  fuch  opinions 
 or  practices,  as  are  unfound  acd  hurtful,  to  be  main- 
 tained and  followed  by  us,  may  deal  fo  friendly  and 
 Chriftianly  with  us,  as  to  admonifh  us  thereof,  in 
 o^der  to  evince  and  ccnvi£l  ua  of  the  fame,  before 
 they  publicly  vent  fuch  things,  or  inform  againft  us. 
 5.  That  nothing  in  this  paper,  which  may  feem  more 
 freely  expreiTed,  may  be  conftru&ed  as  flowing  from, 
 prejudice  at  any  perfon  or  perfons  whatfomever,  or. 
 from  .a  glorying  in  our  mother's  pakednefs  which  ia 
 alfo  our  own,  or  from  an  humour  to  debate  :  for  we 
 defire  herein,  fingly  and  (imply  to  have  a  refpecl  to  the 
 glory  of  God,  the  vindication  of  his  truths,  and  (if 
 the  Lord  will]  the  advantage  both  of  the  givers  and 
 receivers  of  mifreports  againft  us.  In  the  mean  time 
 we  commit  the  caufe  unto  the  Lord,  and  defire  to 
 wait  until  he  (hall  arife  and  give  teftirnony  for  his 
 truths.  For,  as  we  are  firmly  perfuaded  in  our  con- 
 ferences before  God,  that  this  is  his  caufe,  and  the 
 covenanted  reformation,  which  we  are  owning  and 
 fuffering  for  :  fo  we  are  hopeful  that  he  (hall,  in  his. 
 own  appointed  time,  make  himfelf  known  unto  the 
 world  owning  the  fame,  how  low  foever  it  be  now  : 
 and  that  as  he  hath  been  pleafed,  even  in  thefe  times 
 of  hot  and  heavy  perfecution  of  cruel  and  crafty  ene- 
 mies, and  of  flnful  and  (hameful  defection  of  the  ge- 
 nerality 
 
(      245      ) 
 
 nerality  of  miniilers  and  prof-flbrs,  to  raife  up  and 
 fignally  to  fpirit  rot  a  few  honoured  worthies  (tho* 
 mean,  weak,  and  contemp'ib'e  in  the  eyes  of  the 
 world)  valiantly  to  contend,  faithfully  to  witnefs,  and 
 patiently  to  fuffer  for  the  fame  caufe,  even  to  refill- 
 ing unto  blood,  in  their  ftedfaft  adhering  unto  their 
 fwoni  duties  and  principles  (wreftiing,  as  men  and 
 as  Chriftians,  as  well  for  their  natara!  and  civil  rights 
 and  liberties  againft  ufurpation  and  tyranny,  as  for 
 their  covenanted  religion  againft  Popery.Pre'acy,  and 
 Sacrilegious  Supremacy,  and  a!fo  againft  the  apof- 
 tacy,  compliance,  and  deteftable  neutrality  of  others) 
 which  worthies,  following  the  footfteps  of  the  faith- 
 ful c'oudof  witneffes  that  have  gone  before  them,  have 
 pourtrayed  a  noble  and  renowned  example  of  virtue, 
 faithfulntfs,  and  courage  to  the  prefent  age,  and  have 
 fealed  and  tranfmitted  an  honeft  and  honourable  tef- 
 timony  to  pofterity:  fo  we  hope  the  fame  teftimony, 
 (hall  be  continued  to  the  Preformation,  among  men 
 of  our  principles  and  profeflion,  at  length  until  he 
 fhall  make  the  bbod,  which  hath  been  fhed  fealing 
 the  fame,  appear  above  ground  to  be  the  feed  of  the 
 church,  and  caufe  his  people  to  reap  the  fruit  of  this 
 prefent  fierv  furnace  according  to  his  word  prom  if • 
 ing  that  ail  things  Jhalt  work  together  for  good  to  them- 
 that  love  him  and  wait  j or  him  Finally,  we  add  no 
 more,  but  defire  that  this  imy  be  taken  as  the  un- 
 bofoqiing  of  the  genuine  thoughts,  and  exhitibingthe 
 minds  and  fentirnents  (as  to  the  controverfies  of  this 
 prefent  time)  cf  a  poor  wafted,  wounded,  afflicted, 
 Weeding,  rn  freprefented  and  reproached  r&aVnant, and 
 handful  of  fuffering  people  who  defire  to  threw 
 down  what  God  will  throw  down,  and  to  build  what 
 he  will  dtau-lifh,  when  he  conres.  To  whom  be  the 
 kingd.m  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 
 
 Bccaufe  the  reader  may  defiderate  thefe   declara- 
 tions, fo  fervently  exclaimed  againft,  and  fo  here  fre- 
 quently mentioned,  and    may  impute  it   to   difinge- 
 »aity  to  conceal  thefe  things  that  are  every  where 
 X  ^  befpattered  r 
 
(  245  ) 
 befpattcred  ;  and  may  reckon  he  is  irnpofed  upcm> 
 in  having  the  faults  of  things  both  aggravated  and 
 extenuated,  and  yet  cannot  fee  the  things  themfelves; 
 therefore  to  the  end,  that  both  the  reader  maybe  fa- 
 tisfted,  and  the  owners  of  thefe  declarations  may  be 
 cleared  of  any  prevarication  in  the  cafe,  and  that 
 alio  more  abufes  of  tranferibers  may  be  preventedf 
 care  hath  been  taken  to  get  the  mod  correft  copies, 
 that  could  be  found  at  the  publifhing  hereof,  and  to 
 fubjoin  the  fame  in  the  following  pages,  giving  the 
 f.xprcffions  moll  excepted  againft  in  different  charac- 
 ters. 
 
 The  tejiimony  pablijhed  at  Rutkrglen>  May  29,  1679.. 
 
 AS  the  Lord  hath  been  pleafed  Rill  to  keep  and 
 preferve  his  intereft  in  this  land,  by  the  tefti- 
 monies  of  fome  faithful  witnefles  from  the  begin- 
 ning :  fo  in  our  day,  fome  have  not  been  wanting, 
 who  through  greateft  hazards  have  added  their  teftU 
 monies  to  thefe  who  have  gone  before  them  by  fuf- 
 fering  death,  banifhment,  torturing,  forfeitures,  im« 
 prifonments,  and  what  not,  from  a  perfidious  and 
 cruel  adverfary  to  the  church  and  kingdom  of  our 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrifl  in  the  land.  Therefore,  we  own- 
 ing the  fame  intereft  of  Chrift,  according  to  the  word 
 of  the  Lord,  and  the  national  and  folemn  league  and 
 covenant,  defire  to  add  our  teftimony  to  the  teftimo- 
 nies  of  the  worthies  that  have  gone  before  us  (though 
 we  be  unworthy,  yet  hoping  as  true  members  of  the 
 church  of  Chrift  in  Scotland)  and  that  againft  all 
 things  done  prejudicial  to  this  intereft,  from  the  be- 
 ginning of  the  work  of  reformation,  efpecialiy  from 
 ihe  year  1648  to  1660.  And  more  particularly  from 
 the  faid  year  1660  and  downwards  againft  the  sfts 
 following:  As,  3gainft  the  aft  of  fupremacy  \  the 
 declaration,  whereby  cur  covenants  were  condemned  \ 
 the  aft  for  everflon  of  trm  eftabliihed  government  of 
 and  for  eftabliflwng  of  ?hjured  Prelacy* 
 
(  247  ) 
 the  aft  refciflbry  of  all  afts  of  parliament  and  affem- 
 blies  for  eftablifhing  the  government  of  the  church 
 according  to  the  word  5  the  aft  of  Glafgow,  putting 
 the  fame  in  execution,  whereby  at  one  time  were 
 violently  caft  out  above  three  hundred  minifters,  with- 
 out any  legal  procedure  ;  likewife  the  aft  for  appoint- 
 ing an  holy  anniverfary  day,  to  be  kept  every  twenty- 
 ninth  of  May,  for  giving  thanks  for  the  fetting  up  an 
 ufurped  power,  deftroying  the  intereft  of  Chrift  in 
 the  land  :  whereby  the  creature  is  fet  up  to  be  wor- 
 fliipped  in  the  room  of  our  great  Redeemer.  And  a 
 power  is  aflumed  which  is  proper  to  the  Lord  only, 
 for  the  appointing  of  ordinances  in  his  church,  as 
 particularly  the  government  thereof,  and  the  keep- 
 ing of  ho?y  days,  belongeth  to  no  prince,  prelate,  nor 
 perfon  on  earth,  but  only  to  our  Lord  Redeemer. 
 And  further,  we  give  our  teftimony  againft  all  fmful 
 and  unlawful  afts,  emitted  and  executed,  published, 
 and  prolecuted  by  them  againft  our  covenanted  refor- 
 mation. And  lor  confirmation  of  this  our  teftimony, 
 we  do  here  this  day,  being  the  twenty-ninth  of  May, 
 1679,  publicly  and  mod  juftly  burn  the  forefaid  afts 
 at  this  crofs  of  Rutherglen,  being  the  chief  burgh  of 
 the  nether  ward  of  Clydiil ale  ;  as  they  perfidioufly  and 
 blafphemoufly  have  burnt  our  holy  covenants,  through 
 feveral  cities  of  thefe  covenanted  kingdoms.  We 
 hope  none  will  take  exceptions  at  our  not  fubferib- 
 ing  this  our  teftimony,  being  fo  folemnly  given  :  for 
 we  are  ready  to  do  it  if  neceflary.  And  to  enlarge  it 
 with  all  our  faithful  fuf&ring  brethren  in  the  land. 
 
 The  declaration  and  teftimony  of  the  true  Prejkyterian% 
 Anti  pre!atic%  Anti-eraftian,  persecuted  party  in  Scot' 
 land)  publiftjed  at  Sanquhar}  June  22,   16S0. 
 
 IT  is  not  amongft  the  fmalleft  of  the  Lord's  mer- 
 cies to  this  poor  land,  that  there  hath  always 
 been  fome,  who  have  given  their  teftimony  againft 
 £v$ry  courfe  of  defeftion  wc  were  guilty  of  j  which  is 
 
 a  token 
 
(    *4*     ) 
 
 a  token  for  good,  that  he  doth  not  intend  to  call  us  off 
 altogether,  but  that  he  will  leave  a  remnant  in  whom 
 he  will  b-  gracious,  if  they  through  his  grace  keep 
 themfe'ves  clean,  and  walk  in  his  ways  and  methods, 
 as   they  have  been  walked  in  and  owned   by  prede- 
 ceflbrs  of  <ruiy   worthy  memory,  in  their  carrying 
 on  of  our  noble  work  of  reformation,  in  the  feveral 
 ft<-ps  'hereof,   both   from  Popery  and  Prelacy,  and 
 likrwife  from  Eraft'an  fupremacy,  fo  much  ufurped 
 by  him    who    it  is   true  >fo  far  as  we  know)  is  de- 
 scended from   the  race  of  cur  kings,  yet  he  hath  fo 
 far  departed  fiom  what  he  orght  to  have  been,  by 
 his  p.^jury,  and  ufurpmg  in  church  matters,  and  ty- 
 ranny in   matters   civil,  as  is   known  by  the  whole 
 land  ;  rhat  we  have  juft  reafon  to  account  it  amongft 
 the  Lord's   great  controversies   againft  us,  that   we 
 have  not  d  fowned  him,  and  the  men  of  his  practices, 
 whether  inferior  magistrates  or  any  other,  as  enemies 
 to  our  Lord  Jefus's  crown,  and  the  true  Proteftant 
 and  Prcfbyterian  intereft  in  thefe  lands,  our  Lord's 
 cfpoufed  bride  and  church.  Therefore,  although  we 
 be  for  government  and  governors,  fuch  as  the  word 
 of  God,  and  our  covenants  allows  ;  yet  we  for  our* 
 felves  and  all  that  will  adhre  to  us,  the  reprefenta- 
 tives  of  the  true  Prefbytf  rian  church  and  covenanted 
 nation  of  Scotland,  confidering  the  great  hazard  of 
 lying  under  fin  any  longer,  do,  by  thefe  prefents,  dif- 
 own  Charles  Sruart<   who  hath  been  reigning  thefe 
 years  bygone  (or  rather  we  may  fay  tyrannizing)  on 
 the  throne  of  Britain,  as  having  any  right,  title,  or  in- 
 tereft to,  or  in  the  faid  crown  of  Scotland  or  govern- 
 ment •>  as  forfeited  feveral  years  fince,  by  his  perjury 
 and  breach  of  covenant  with  God  and  his  church,  and 
 ufurpation  of  his  crown  and  royal  prerogative,   and 
 many  other  breaches  in  matters  ecclefiaftic,  aind  by  his 
 tyranny  and  breaches  in  the  very  leges  regnandi  in  mat- 
 ters civil     For  which  reafens  we  declare  that  feveral 
 years  fince  he  fhould  have  been  denuded  of  being  king, 
 juler,  or  magiitrate,  or  having  any  power,  or  to  be 
 
 obeyed 
 
(     *42     ) 
 
 obeyed  as  fuch.  As  alfo  we,  under  the  banner  of 
 our  Lord  Jefus  (Thrift  the  Captain  of  falvation,  do 
 declare  a  war  with  fuch  a  tyrant  and  ufurper,  and  all 
 the  men  of  thefe  pra&ices,  as  enemies  to  our  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift  and  his  caufe  and  covenant,  and  againft 
 all  fuch  as  have  any  wayftrengthened  him,  fided  with, 
 or  acknowledged  him,  in  his  ufurpation,  civil  and  ec- 
 c^.fiaftic  :  yea,  and  againft  all  fuch  as  (hall  any  way 
 ftrengthen,  fide  with,  or  acknowledge  him,  or  any 
 other  in  the  like  ufurpation  and  tyranny  ;  far  more 
 againft  fuch,  as  would  betray  or  deliver  up  our  free, 
 reformed  church  into  the  bondage  of  Antichrift,  the 
 pope  of  Pvorne.  By  this  we  homologate  our  tefti- 
 mony  at  Rutherglen>  the  29'h  cf  May  1679.  And 
 all  the  fa:thful  testimonies  of  thefe  that  have  gone  be* 
 fore  us,  as  alfo  of  thefe  who  have  fuffered  of  late. 
 Alfo  we  do  difclaim  that  declaration  publifhed  at  Ha- 
 milton, the  13th  day  of  June  1679,  chiefly  becaufe  it 
 takes  in  the  king's  imereft,  which  we  are  feveral 
 years  fince  loofrd  from  ;  as  alfo  becau/e  of  the  fore- 
 foid  reafons»  and  others  that  we  may  after  this  (if  the 
 Lord  will)  publifti.  As  alfo  we  difown  and  refent 
 the  reception  of  the  Duke  of  York,  a  profefled  Papift,. 
 as  repugnant  to  our  principles  and  vows  to  the  Moft 
 High  God,  and  as  that  which  is  the  great,  though, 
 (alas  !)  the  juft  reproach  of  our  church.  We  aifo  by 
 this  proteft  againft  his  fucceeding  to  the  crown,  as 
 againft  whatever  hath  betn  done,  or  any  are  eflaying 
 to  do  in  this  land  given  to  the  Lor  J  in  prejudice  to 
 our  work  of  reformation.  And  to  conclude,  we  hope 
 after  this  none  will  b-ame  us,  or  offend  at  our  re- 
 warding of  thefe  that  are  againft  us,  as  they  have 
 done  to  us,  as  the  Lord  gives  the  opportunity  This{i3 
 cot  to  exclude  any  who  hath  declined,  if  they  be. 
 willing  to  give  fatisfa&ion  according  to  the  degree  of 
 pffencr, 
 
 iy 
 
(    15°    ) 
 
 The  aFt  and  apologetic  declaration  of  the  true  Pre/byte* 
 rians  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  publifhed  at  Laneri, 
 January  12,  i68z. 
 
 ALTHOUGH  we  ought  to  take  in  good  part, 
 whatever  God  in  his  infinite  wifdom  hath, 
 for  the  punifhment  of  our  fins,  carved  out  unto  us, 
 and  eye  and  acknowledge  him  alone  in  it ;  and  tho* 
 we  always  ought  to  acknowledge  government  and 
 governors  as  ordained  by  him,  in  fo  far  as  they  rule 
 and  govern  according  to  the  rules  fet  down  by  him 
 in  his  word  and  conftitutive  laws  of  the  nation,  and 
 and  ought  to  cad  the  mantle  of  love  on  the  leiTer 
 errors  of  governors,  and  give  the  beft  counte- 
 nance to  their  adm'miHration  that  the  nature  of 
 their  aftions  will  bear :  yet  when  all  thefe  laws,  both 
 of  God  and  the  kingdom,  conditional  and  constitu- 
 tive of  the  government  are  called  and  annulled,  by 
 pretended  laws,  and  the  highcfl  of  ufurpation,  and 
 an  inexplicable  prerogative  in  matters  ecclefiaftic,  and 
 arbitrary  government  in  matters  civil  is  arrogate; 
 when  a  banner  of  impiety,  ptofanenefs,  and  Atheifm 
 isavowedlydifplayed  againft  the  heavens,a door  opened 
 to  abominations  of  all  forts  and  fizes,  and  the  remedy 
 thereof  ft i II  denied  by  him  who  fhouid  be  as  a  fun 
 and  a  fhield  to  the  people;  when  the  parliaments, 
 who  ought  to  be  the  grand  truftees  of  the  kingdom, 
 to  whom  it  belongs  in  fuch  a  cafe  to  fecure  the  civil 
 and  fpiritual  interefts,  are  fo  prelimited  by  law,  as 
 that  no  true  fori  of  the  ftate  or  church  hath  liberty  to 
 fit  and  vote  there;  fo  that  the  parliaments  and  all 
 places  of  public  truft  and  offices  of  the  kingdom, 
 from  the  higheft  to  the  lowed,  are  made  up  of  none 
 but  thefe  who  are  corrupted,  over-awed,  over-ruled* 
 and  bribed  :  what  (hall  the  people  do  in  fuch  an  ex- 
 tremity ?  Should  they  give  their  reafon  as  men,  their 
 confeiences  as  Christians,  and  refign  their  liberties, 
 fortunes,  religion,  and  their  aH  to  the  inexorable  ob- 
 ftinacy,  incureable  wilfulnefs,  and  malice  of  thefe, 
 
 who. 
 
(        25I      ) 
 who,  in  fpite  of  God  and  man  (and  notwithftrmding 
 of  thtir  man]  ofv.  r  ms  bptl    I  |  Gou  and  his 
 
 people)  aiC  refolved  *  . wi  WflJ  the  abfo- 
 
 Jttte  and   faverei^n  ruk  lejfc  aft  ons,  aid  their 
 
 (trained  indulgences   the    m  afure  of    the    fubjt&s 
 hope  and  happinefs  ?  Sbal1  tneend  of  government  be 
 left,  through  the  weaknefs,  wickednefs,  and  tyranny 
 .of  governors  ?  Mull:  the  people,   by  an  implicit  fub- 
 miffion  and  dcpl  rable  ftupidity,  deftroy  themfelves, 
 and  betraj  their  pofterity,  and  become  obje&s  of  re- 
 proach to  the  prefent  generation,  and  pity  and  cou- 
 •  tempt  to  the  future  ?  Have  they  not  in  fuch  an  ex- 
 tremity, good  ground  to  make  ufe  of  that  natural  and 
 radical  power  they  have,  to  fhake  off  that  yoke,  which 
 neither  we  nor  our  forefathers  were  able  to  bear  ? 
 Which  accordingly  the  Lord  honoured  us  (in  a  ge- 
 neral and  unprelimited  meeting  of  the  eftares  and 
 (hires  of  Scotland)  to  do ;  a  convention  of  unpreli- 
 mited members,  a  convention  of  men  who  had  only 
 the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  the  commonwealth 
 before  their  eyes  ;  the  like  whereof  the  prefent  reign- 
 ing tyrant  could  never,  fince  his  home-coming,  pre- 
 tend to.    At  which  convention,  he  was  mod  legally, 
 snd  by  general  confent  caft  off,  by  the  declaration  af- 
 terward publiihed  at  Sanquhar,  by  efpecial  warrant 
 frorri  the  faid  convention     But  that  we  may  not  feem 
 to  have  done  that,  or  yet  to  do  the  like,   upon  no 
 grounds,  or  yet  upon  few  and  fmall  grounds,  we  (hall 
 hint  at  fome  of  the  many  thousands  of  the  mifde- 
 meanours  of  the  now  caft  off  tyrant  in  his  overturn- 
 ing of  our  church  and  ftate 
 
 And  firft,  at  his  very  entry,  as  if  he  had  attained  to 
 Nero's  defire,  at  one  blow,  in  his  firft  parliament,  he 
 cut  off  the  neck  of  that  noble  conftitution  of  church 
 and  ftate,  which  our  noble  and  worthy  anceftors 
 had  made ;  and  not  thinking  it  enough*  teacheroufly 
 and  falfely  to  perjure  himferf,  he  made  fuch  confti- 
 tutions  and  laws  (if  it  be  not  an  abufe  of  language 
 to  call  them  fo)  as  that  none  but  fowls  of  his  own 
 
 feather, 
 
(      *P      ) 
 
 'feather,  and  fuch  as  would  run  with  himfelf  to  the 
 fame  excefs  cf  riot  (bould  have  accefs  to  the  very 
 rr.eaneft  place  or  office  in  the  kingdom  :  and  though 
 that  in  itfelf  is  enough,  yet  not  the  thousandth  part 
 of  what  he  hath  done. 
 
 2.  Did  he  not  take  to  himfelf  a  licentious  pri- 
 vilege, the  exalting  of  himfelf  unto  a  fphere  ex- 
 ceeding all  meafures  divine  and  human,  tyrannically 
 obtruding  his  will  for  a  law,  both  in  matters  civil 
 and  ecclefiaftic,  making  us  a  laughing-ftock  to  the 
 neighbouring  nations,  who  imagined  that  what  he 
 was  doing  (however  tyrannous  in  itfelf)  to  be  con- 
 fonant  to  our  law,  framing  the  badnefs  of  the  law 
 inftead  of  the  badnefs  of  the  governors  whereas  no- 
 thing could  be  lefs  confonant  to  the  tenor  and  end 
 of  our,  and  all  other  laws,  divine  and  human  ?  for 
 we  have  reafon  to  praife  the  Lord,  who  eminently 
 affifted  our  anceftors  in  framing  of  our  laws,  fo  true 
 we  may  (upon  good  ground)  fay,  that  there  is  no  na- 
 tion in  civilibus  hath  better,  and  in  ecclefiafticis  fo 
 good  laws  as  vre  :  having  (by  God's  great  providence) 
 attained  unto  a  more  excellent  and  ftrict  reformation, 
 than  any  nation.  The  obferving  of  which  laws,  was 
 the  very  conftitvtive  and  abfolute  condition,  where- 
 upon he  was  admitted  to  the  royal  office,  and  with- 
 out which  he  was  not  to  have  the  exercife  of  his 
 power,  and  to  which  he  was  moft  folemnly  and  deeply 
 fworn  oftener  than  once,  with  his  hands  lifted  up 
 to  the  Moft  High  God  ;  he  himfelf  declaring  thefub- 
 jefts  tie  no  longer  to  remain  or  continue,  than  the 
 ends  and  conftitutions  of  thefe  covenants  were 
 purfued  and  preferred  by  him:  all  which  are  contrary 
 ro  his  engagements  forefaid,  by  bis  pretended  (and 
 as  aforefaid  conftitute)  parliaments  called  and  an- 
 nulled, and  the  laws  no  more  made  the  rule,  but 
 his'own  will  in  his  letters:  fo  that  we  are  made  the 
 reproach  of  the  nations,  who  fay  we  have  only  the 
 law  of  letters,  inftead  of  theietter  of  the  law. 
 
 3.  Hatk 
 
(  *$}  ) 
 3.  Hath  it  not  been  his  conlhnt  method  to  ad- 
 journ and  diflblve  parliaments  at  his  pleafure,  when 
 they  (though  his  own  creatures)  were  fo  fenfible  of 
 his  mifderiieanours,  that  they  began  to  queftion,  and 
 when  quftioned  by  them,  ye  may  eafily  conjecture 
 what  they  were  ? 
 
 4    Hath  he   not  feated  himfeif  as   fupreme  head 
 over  all  perfons,  in  all  caufes  civil  and  ecclefiaftic  ?    . 
 And  by  virtue  of  that  arrogantly  arrogated  power j 
 fabricate  a  chimerical  government,  or  rather  page- 
 antry  in    the    church,    With  fuch  ludibrious    emi- 
 nences,   pompous   power   and  pr^de,    through    the 
 vanity  of  mens   depraved    imaginations,    the  griev- 
 ous and  myfterious  abyfs,   from  whence  have  iiTued 
 all    the    calamities,    all    the    languiihing    forrows, 
 and    confounding    flumes    and   reproaches,    which, 
 in  this  cay  of  blacknefs  and  darknefs,  have  invaded, 
 involved,    polluted,    and  peftered    the  church     and 
 kingdom.      And    thus    hath    he  approved    himfeif 
 to  be  the  Defender  of  the  Faith  !   under  which  the 
 godly  party,  true  fons   of   the  church  and    nation, 
 have  been  groaning  thefe  twenty  years  bygone,   and 
 in  great  numbers  murdered  and  flam  in  the  fields, 
 led  as  lambs  to  the  {laughter  upon  fcaffbkU,  imprison- 
 ed, and  kept  in  irons,  and  with  exquifite  tortures  tor- 
 mented, exiled,  banifhed,  and  fold  as  flaves  amongft 
 favages  :    all  which   they  endured   mod  patiently  a 
 long  time,  or  ever  they  offered  to  appear  in  publick 
 inarms  againft  him.     And  all  this  they  have  met 
 with  as  a  reward  (juft  upon  the  Lords  part,  though 
 unjuft  and  ungrateful  as  to  his  part)  for  their  too  great 
 and  inordinate  love,  wherewith  they  prevented  him 
 in  the  day  of  his  diftrefs  •,  being  the  firft  and  only  be- 
 ginning of  his  unhappy  reftoration. 
 
 5.  Time  will  fail  us  to  narrate,  what  exorbitant 
 taxings,  ceflingSj  and  every  way  impoverishing  of 
 the  Subjects,  and  grinding  of  the  faces  of  the  poor, 
 dilapidating  the  pendicles,  rights,  and  revenues  of 
 the  crown,  for  no  other  end,  but  to  employ  them 
 
 Y  for 
 
(     254     ) 
 for  keeping  up  a  brothel,  rather  than  a  court,  fince 
 there  is   no  court  in  the  world  hath  attained   unto 
 iueh  a  height  of  debauchery  and  depravednefs  as  that 
 court  by  his  example  hath  done.     For, 
 
 Regis  ad  exemplum  lotus  compenltur  crbis. 
 
 6.  And  laftly,  as  if  it  had  not  been  Enough  to  exer- 
 cifc  fuch  a  tyrannical  and  arbitrary  power  himfelf,  he, 
 by  a  late  parliament,  fuch  as  the  former,  intends  that 
 his  cruelty  and  tyranny  lhould  net  die  with  himfelf, 
 but  that  he  fhall  in  his  time  inftal  fuch  an  one  (if 
 not  worfe)  as  himfelf,  contrary  to  ail  law,  reafon, 
 and  religion,  and  tn  that  parliament  to  unhinge  veiy 
 proteflantifm  itfelf,  by  framing  a  teft,  fuch  as  no 
 Proteflant  (how  corrupt  foever)  can  t^ke  :  and  fo  ri- 
 diculous, that  it  is  made  the  laughing-ftock  even  of 
 enemies  themfelves. 
 
 k  it  then  any  wonder,  confidering  fuch  dealings, 
 and  many  thousands  more,  that  true  Scotfmen  (tho* 
 we  have  been  always,  and  even  ro  extremity  fome- 
 times  loyal  to  our  king?)  (hould  after  twenty  years  ty- 
 ranny break  out  at  laft,  as  we  have  done,  and  put  in 
 praclice  that  power,  which  God  and  nature  hath 
 given  u?,  and  we  have  referved  to  oufeives  ?  As  cur 
 engagements  with  our  princes,  having  been  always 
 conditional,  as  other  kingdoms  are  implicitly,  but 
 ours  explicitly. 
 
 Let  none  therefore  obj-ft  againfl:  the  legality  of 
 what  wre  have  done,  or  are  doing  :  for  we  offer  (as 
 how  inconfiderable  Ave  are  faid  to  be)  to  prove  our- 
 felves  to  have  dene  nothing  againft  our  ancient  laws, 
 civil  or  ecclefiaftic,  againft  any  lawyers  or  divines 
 wjtatfoever,  our  ancient  laws  being  judges;  and  we 
 having  fafety  to  pafs  and  repafs  (if  the  public  faith, 
 after  fo  many  breaches  can  be  trufted)  for  that  ef- 
 fect. So  then  let  no  foreign  kingdoms  or  churches 
 through  mifinformation,  6r  falfe  copies,  (as  they  are 
 many)  ef  what  we  aft  or  do,  becaufe  we  have  no  ac- 
 ce'fs  to  the  prefs  as  they ;  we  fay,  let  them  not  take 
 up  a.wrofcg  opinion  of  us,  or  our  proceedings :  for  we 
 
 are 
 
(     *$S    ) 
 
 are  only  endeavouring  to  extricate  ourfdves  from 
 under  a' tyrannous  yoke,  and  to  reduce  oar  church 
 and  ftate,  to  what  they  were  in  the  years  1648  and 
 
 1649- 
 
 We  therefore,  here  convened,  in  our  name  and 
 
 authority,  ratify  and  approve  what  hath  been  done  by 
 the  Pvutherglen  and  Sanquhar  declarations.  And  do 
 by  thefe  prefents,  refcind,  annul  and  make  void, 
 whatfoever  hath  been  done  by  Charles  Stewart  or  his 
 accomplices  in  prejudice  to  our  ancient  laws  and  li- 
 berie?, in  all  the  fevcral  pretended  and  prelimited 
 parliament?  and  conventions,  fince  the  year  1660. 
 And  particularly,  the  late  parliament  holden  at  Edin- 
 burgh the  28th  July  168 1,  by  a  commifibner  profef- 
 fediy  Popifli,  and  for  villany  exiled  his  native  land, 
 with  all  the  acls  and  laws  there  ftatute  and  enadted : 
 as  that  abominable,  ridiculous,  unparallelled,  and 
 foul-perjuring  teft  and  the  reft.* 
 
 We  therefore  command  and  charge  you  to  pafs. 
 to  the  market  crofs  of  Lanerk,  and  in  our  name  and 
 authority,  publiflb  this  aft  and  declaration  as  you  will 
 be  anfwerable.     Given  at  the  15th  Decern^ 
 
 ber  168  1. 
 
 Let  King  Jefus  reign,  and  all  his  enemies  be  Scat- 
 tered. 
 
 The  apologetic  declaration ,  and  admonitory  vindication  of 
 the  true  Pre/byterians  of  the  church  of  Scotland :  ef 
 pecially  anent  intelligencers  and  informers. 
 
 ALBEIT  we  know  that  the  people  of  God  in 
 all  ages  have  been  cruelly  perfecuted  and  ma- 
 licioufly  reviled,  by  apoftates  from,  and  enemies  to, 
 the  truths  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift ;  yet  fuch  hard 
 ufage  and  virulent  reproach ir^gf,  hath  not  (at  leaft 
 ought  not)  to  have  abated  the  zeal  of  tender  hearted 
 Chriftians,  in  the  profecution  of  holy  and  command- 
 ed duties.  Therefore  as  hitherto  (through  grace  a-f- 
 liftiug)  we  have  not  been  driven  to  lay  afide  necef- 
 Y  2  fary 
 
(    *S(S    ) 
 
 fary  obliging  duties,  becaufe  of  the  viperous  threat* 
 enings  of  men,  who  are  given  up  of  a  holy  and  wife 
 God  to  lay  out  all  their  might,  and  power,  for  pro- 
 moting a  courfe  of  wicked  profanity,  by  virulent  per- 
 fection and  ignominious  calumnies  (to  all  of  whom 
 nev'ertheiefs  that  are  reconcileable  unto  God  we 
 heartily  wifh  etenal  falvation)  for  {o  we  declare  our 
 firm  refolution  of  conftant  adherence  to  our  cove- 
 nants and  engagements  ;  whereby  we  are  bound  to 
 have  common  friends  and  foes  with  our  covenanted 
 reformation,  and  to  look  upon  what  is  done  to  one 
 as  done  to  all  of  us ;  and  alfo  our  unanimous  adher- 
 ence to  our  faithful  declarations,  wherein,  we  bave 
 diibwned  the  authority  of  Charles  Stewart  (not  au- 
 thority of  God's  inftitution,  either  among  Chriftians 
 or  Heathens)  and  all  authority  depending  upon  him, 
 for  reafons  given  elfewhere;-  (disclaiming  all  fuch 
 things  as  infer  a  magiftratical  relation  betwixt  him 
 and  us)  and  wherein  alfo  we  have  declared  war  againft 
 him  and  his  accomplices,  fuch  as  lay  out  themfelves 
 to  promote  his  wicked  and  hellilh  defigns.  There- 
 fore, that  therein  our  mind  may  be  the  more  clearly 
 underftood,  and  for  preventing  further  mi  (lakes  anent 
 our  purpofes,  we  do  hereby  jointly  and  unanimoufly 
 teftify  and  declare,  that  as  we  utterly  deteft  and  abhor 
 that  bellifh  principle  of  killing  all  who  differ  in  judg- 
 ment or  perfuafion  from  us,  it  having  no  bottom  upoif 
 the  word  of  God,  or  right  reafon  ;  fo  we  look  upon  it 
 as  a  duty  binding  upon  us.  to  publim  openly  unto  the 
 world,  that  forafmuch  as  we  are  firmly  and  really  pur- 
 pofed  not  to  injure  or  offend  any  whomsoever,  but  to 
 purfue  the  ends  of  our  covenants,  in  (landing  to  thede- 
 fence  of  our  glorious  work  of  reformation,  and  of  our 
 own  lives  :  yet  (we  fay)  we  do  hereby  declare  unto  all, 
 that  whofoever  ftretch  forth  their  hands  againft  us, 
 while  we  are  maintaining  the  caufe  and  intereft  of  Chrift 
 againft  his  enemies,  in  defence  of  the  covenanted  re- 
 formation ;  by  (he  dding  our  blood  aftually,  either  by 
 authoritative  commanding,  fuch  as  bloody  counfellors 
 (bloody  we  fiy,  infinuating  clearly  by  this  and  other 
 
 adje&ive 
 
(     257     ) 
 
 T:dje£Uve  epithets,  an  open  diftin&ion,  betwixt 
 cruel  and  blood-thirfty,  and  the  more  lober  and  mo- 
 derate) efpeciallv  that  (fo  called)  juliiciary,  geueraS 
 of  forces,  adjutants,  captains,  lieutenants,  and  call  ir; 
 civil  and  military  power,  who  make  ic  their  work  to 
 embrue  their  hands  in  our  blood,  or  by  obeying  fueh 
 commands,  fuch  as  bloody  militia-men,  malicious 
 troopers,  fo'diers,  ?.nd  dragoons;  likevvife  fuch  gen- 
 tlemen and  commons,  who  through  wickednefs  and 
 ill  will,  ride  and  run  with  the  forefaid  perfons  to  lay 
 fearch  for  us ;  or  who  deliver  up  any  of  us  into  their 
 hands  to  the  fpilling  of  our  blood;  by  enticing  mo- 
 rally, or  ftirring  up  enemies  to  the  taking  away  of 
 our  lives,  fuch  as  defignedly  and  purpofedly  advifeP 
 counfel,  and  encourage  thern  to  proceed  againft  us 
 to  our  utter  extirpation  ;  by  informing  againft  u;3 
 wickedly  wittingly,  and  willingly,  fuch  as  viperous 
 and  malicious  bilhops  and  curates,  and  all  fuch  fort 
 of  intelligencers,  who  lay  out  themfelves  to  the  eitV 
 hon  of  our  blood,  together  with  ail  fuch,  as  in  c  • 
 bedience  to  the  enemies  commands,  at  the  fight 
 of  us,  raife  the  hue  and  cry  after  us;  yea,  and  a- 
 gainft  all  fuch,  as  compearing. before  the  adversaries 
 courts  upon  their  demand,  delate  us  and  any  who 
 befriend  us,  to  their  and  our  extreme  hazard  and  fuf- 
 fering ;  we  fay,  all  and  every  one  of  fuch  fnail  be  re- 
 puted by  us  enemies  to  God  and  the  covenanted  work 
 of  reformation,  and  punifhed  as  fuch,  according  to 
 our  power  and  the  degree  of  their  offence  ;  chiefly  ii 
 they  fhall  continue  after  the  publication  cf  this  cur 
 declaration,  obflinately  and  habitually,  wilh  malice 
 to  proceed  3gainft  us  any  of  the  forefaid  ways  ;  not 
 at  all  exeeming  from  prefent  puni&ment,  fuch  a* 
 formerly  have  been  chief  ringleaders  and  obftinate 
 offenders ;  and  withal  leaving  room  for  civil  and  ec- 
 clefiaftic  fatisfa&ion  before  lawful  and  fettled  judica- 
 tories, for  the  offence  of  fuch  perfons  as  our  power 
 at  this  time  cannot  reach,  or  the  degree  of  their  pu- 
 nifhment  according  to  their  offences  is  hard  for  us 
 T  3  * 
 
(     2S8     ) 
 
 to  be  determined.  Finaliy,  we  do  hereby  declare,  tba 
 we  abhor,  condemn,  and  difcharge  any  perfonal  at- 
 tempts, upon  any  pretext  whatfomever,  without  pre- 
 vious deliberation,  common  or  competent  confent, 
 without  certain  probation  by  fufficient  witnefles,  the 
 guilty  perfon'a  conieffion,  or  the  notorioufnefs  of  the 
 deeds  themfelves.  Inhibiting  alio  and  discharging 
 any  of  cur  emiffaries  whomfoever,  to  ftretch  forth 
 their  bands  beyond  the  certain?y  known  degrees  of 
 any  of  the  forefaid  perfons  offences. 
 
 Now  let  not  any  think  (our  God  affifting  up)  we 
 will  be  fo  flack  handed  in  time  coming,  to  put  mat- 
 ters in  execution,  as  heretofore  we  have  been,  feeing 
 we  are  bound  faithfully  and  valiantly  to  maintain  our 
 covenants  and  the  caufe  of  Chrift  :  therefore  let  all 
 thefe  forefaid  perfons  be  admonifned  of  their  hazard. 
 And  particularly  all  ye  intelligencers,  who  by  your 
 voluntary  informations  endeavour  to  render  us  up  to 
 the  enemies  hands,  that  our  blood  may  be  fhed :  for 
 by  fuch  courfes  ye  both  endanger  your  immortal  fouls, 
 if  repentance  prevent  not,  feeing  God  will  make  in- 
 quifition  for  (bedding  the  precious  blood  of  his  faints,  . 
 whatever  be  the  thoughts  of  men,  and  alfo  your  bo- 
 dies, feeing  ye  render  yourfelves  actually  and  mali- 
 cioufly  guilty  of  our  blood,  whofe  innocency  the 
 Lord  knoweth  :  however,  we  are  forry  at  our  very 
 hearts,  that  any  of  you  fhould  chufe  fuch  courfe?, 
 either  with  b'oody  Doeg  to  (lied  our  blood,  or  with 
 the  flattering  Ziphites  to  inform  perfecutors  where 
 we  are  to  be  found  :  fo  we  fay  again,  we  defire  you 
 to  take  warning  of  the  hazard  that  ye  incur,  by  fol- 
 lowing fuch  courfes  :  for  the  finlefs  neceffity  of  felf- 
 prefervation,  accompanied  with  holy  zeal  for  Chrifi/s 
 reigning  in  our  iand,  and  fuppreffing  of  profanity, 
 will  move  us  not  to  let  you  pafs  unpunifhed.  Call 
 to  your  rememberance,  all  that  is  in  peril  is  not  loft, 
 and  all  that  is  delayed  is  not  forgiven.  Therefore 
 expect  to  be  dealt  with  as  ye  deal  with  us,  fo  far  as 
 our  power  can  reach  ;  not  becaufe  we  are  a£led  by  a 
 
 finful 
 
(     *59     ) 
 
 finful  fpirit  of  revenge  for  private  and  perfonal  inju- 
 ries; but  mainly  becaufe,  by  our  fall,  reformation 
 fuffers  damage,  yea,  the  power  of  godlinefs,  through 
 enfnaring  flatteries,  and  terrible  threatening,  will 
 thereby  be  brought  to  a  very  low  ebb,  the  consciences 
 of  many  more  dreadfu'ly  furrendered,  and  profanity 
 more  eftablifhed  and  propagated 
 
 And  as  upon  the  one  hand  we  have  here  declared 
 our  purpofes  anent  malicious  injurers  of  us,  fo  upon 
 the  other  hand,  we  do  hereby  befeech  and  obrcft,  all 
 you  who  wi(h  well  to  Zion,  to  (hew  vour  good-will 
 towards  us,  by  a£ting  with  us,  ?nd  in  your  places  and 
 ftations,  according  to  your  ability,  counfclling,  en- 
 couraging and  (lengthening  our  hands,  for  this  great 
 work  of  holding  up  the  ftandard  of  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift  1  hink  not  ih^t  in  any  ways  you  are  called  to  lie 
 by  neutral  and  indifferent,  efpecially  in  fuch  a  day; 
 for  we  are  a  people  by  holy  covenants  dedicated  unto 
 the  Lord,  in  our  perfons,  lives,  liberties,  and  fortunes, 
 for  defending  and  promoting  this  glorious  work  of 
 reformation,  notwithstanding  all  oppofition  that  is  or 
 may  be  made  thereunto,  yea,  and  fworn  againft  all 
 neutrality  and  indifferency  in  the  Lord's  matters  : 
 and  moreover  we  are  fully  perfuaded,  that  the  Lord 
 who  now  hideth  his  face  from  the  houfe  of  Jacob 
 will  fuddenly  :>pp^ar,  and  bring  light  out  of  darknefs, 
 and  perfeA  ftrengtn  out  of  weaknefs,  and  caufe  judg- 
 ment return  again  to  righteoufnefs. 
 
 Thus  having  declared  our  deliberate,  lawful,  and 
 necefiary  purpofes,  concerning  this  matter,  in  order 
 to  the  publication  of  the  fame,  we  do  hereby  ftatute 
 and  ordain,  that  upon  the  eight  day  of  November  co- 
 pies of  this  our  decaration  be  affixed  upon  a  fuf'H- 
 cient  and  competent  number  of  the  public  market 
 crofles  of  the  refpe&ive  burghs,  and  of  the  patent 
 doors  of  the  refpe&ive  kirks  within  this  kingdom. 
 Given  at  upon  the  28th  0£lober  1684. 
 
 Let  King  Jefus  Reign,  and  aU  his  enemies  be  fcat- 
 tered. 
 
 The. 
 
(    a<5o     ) 
 
 The  proteftation  and  apologetic  admonitory  declaration,  <f 
 the  true  P  re/by  terians  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  againjl 
 
 •  the  proclaiming  James  duke  of  York,  king  of  Scot- 
 land, England,  France ,  and  Ireland,  the  lawfulnefs  of 
 the  prefent  pretended  parliament,  and  the  apparent 
 inlet  of  popery,  be.  publifbed  at  Sanquhar. 
 
 IT  hath  p'eafed  the  holy  and  wife  God,  to  exercife 
 the  church  of  Scotland  now  of  a  long  time,  with 
 wreftling  and  waifaring,  under  the  yoke  of  cruel 
 oppreflbrs,  who  have  made  it  their  whole  work  to 
 extirpate  the  true  wcrfhip  and  worfhippers  of  God 
 out  of  the  land,  they  make  it  highly  criminal  to  own 
 Chrift  as  fole  fupreme  ever  his  own  houfe,  to  men- 
 tion any  adherence  to  Scotland's  reformarion  and  co- 
 venants, and  to  take  the  written  word  of  God  to  be 
 the  only  rule  of  faith  and  manners,  difcerning  any  to 
 forfeit  light  to  eftate,  life,  and  liberty  who  are  of 
 Prefbyterian  principles,  who  will  not  make  a  full 
 furrender  of  confeknee  unto  them,  tabe  carried  a- 
 bout  as  they  pleafe,  complying  with  all  contradic- 
 tions, znd  contradictory  impofitions  which  their  dia- 
 bolic fpirits  may  invent,  who  are  clearly  fcen  to  be 
 void  of  all  religion,  reafon,  snd  humanity  ;  fo  that 
 they  proceed  againft  all  recufants  with  the  height  of 
 barbarity  and  hellifii  cruelty,  refufing  to  hear  them 
 profefs  fubje£tion  to  rulers  only  in  the  Lord,  and 
 according  to  his  word,  yea,  cutting  them  off  in  the 
 fields  without  giving  them  any  time  to  deliberate  up- 
 on death,  yea  oftentimes  without  fo  much  as  to  com- 
 mit their  fpirits  unto  the  Lord,  but  treacheroufly 
 flaying  them,  without  taking  notice  what  they  are, 
 or  what  (according  to  their  own  law)  is  to  be  led  a- 
 gainft  them  :  Moreover,  thtfe  arbitrarians  have  fo 
 xaged,  that  they  have  now  brought  the  land  to  that 
 (Oh!  poor  miferable  and  lamentable  ilavery)  that 
 the  freeft  fubject  and  beft  gentleman  in  the  kingdom, 
 Is  by  their  a£ts,  latvs,  and  proceedings  bolden  obliged 
 
 to 
 
(      261      ) 
 
 to  give  an  oath  fupe'r  inquirendis  before  any  Tingle 
 foldier  or  dragoon  meeting  them  upon  the  way.  Lo 
 all  this  and  much  more,  we  have  met  with,  as  juft 
 upon  the  Lord's  part,  though  mod  unjuft  upon  man's, 
 for  our  manifold  fins  and  iniquities  ;  and  in  a  fpecial 
 manner  for  our  not  purging  our  judicatories  and  ar- 
 mies, when  the  power  was  in  our  hands,  of  men  dif- 
 affe&ed  to  the  caufe  and  intereft  of  Chrift  ;  for  our 
 bringing  in  known  malignants  to  places  of  power 
 and  truft  among  us  \  and  for  inordinate  affctlicn  un- 
 to, and  lufting  after  the  decenft  tyrant,  Charles  the 
 Second,  and  advancing  him  to  the  regal  throne,  even 
 while  known  by  many  palpable  difcoveries(asare  to  be 
 feen  in  the  caufes  of  God's  wrath  with  the  church  of 
 Scotland)  to  retain  his  heart  enmity  at  the  covenant- 
 ed work  of  reformation,  which  fins  we  defire  to  con- 
 fefs  and  mourn  for,  before  God,  angels  and  men  5 
 as  alfo  our  fin  in  not  timeoufly  reje&ing  the  forefaid 
 Charles,  when  he  brake  covenant  and  all  parts  of 
 his  coronation  oath  :  howbeit  fearing  the  lying  under 
 fuch  a  fin  any  longer,  when  we  were  brought  to  a 
 very  fmall  remnant,  we  did  by  open  declarations, 
 difclaim  his  pretended  authority,  upon  many  import- 
 ant grounds  and  reafons,  as  is  to  be  feen  elfewhere, 
 particularly  in  our  declaration  publifhed  at  Lanerk, 
 January  12,  1682  years.  All  which  declarations  we 
 do  hereby  ratify  and  approve. 
 
 So  now,  the  Lord  in  his  goodnefs  and  wifdom 
 having  removed  the  forefaid  Charles  from  his  tyran- 
 ny by  death  :  and  a  fewr  wicked  and  unprincipled 
 men  of  this  kingdom,  having  by  open  proclamation 
 proclaimed  James  duke  of  York,  though  a  profeft 
 Papift  and  excommunicate  perfon,  and  not  yet  re- 
 ceived into  the  church,  to  be  king  of  Scotland,  Eng- 
 land, France,  and  Ireland  :  we  the  contending  and 
 fuffering  remnant  of  the  true  Prefbyterians  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland,  calling  to  mind  the  many  bonds 
 and  obligations  that  lie  upon  us  from  the  Lord  ;  and 
 being  defirous  to  be  found  faithful  in  this  day  of 
 
 temptation, 
 
(      262      ) 
 
 temptation,  to  avoid  accefHon  to  the  guilt  in  which 
 many  have  involved  themfelves,  to  exoner  our  con- 
 ferences as  in  his  fight,  to  teftify  our  refentnaent  of 
 the  deed,  and  to  make  it  appear  unto  the  world  that 
 we  are  free  thereof,  whether  by  concurrence  or  con- 
 nivance ;  do   here  deliberately,  jointly,  and  unani- 
 rnoufly  proteft  again  ft  the  forefaid  proclamation  of 
 James  duke  cf  York,  to  be  king,  as  faid  is,  in  regard 
 that  it  is  the  choofing  a  murderer  to  be  a  governor, 
 who  hath  flied  the  b'ood  of  the  faints  of  God  •,  in 
 regard  that  it  is  the  height  of  confederacy  with  an 
 idolater,  which  is  forbidden   by  the  law  of  God  :  in 
 regard  that   it  is  contrary  to  the   declaration   of  :he 
 general  affembly  cf  the  church  of  Scotland,  of  the 
 date  27th  July  1649  years  ;  in  regard  that  it  is  con- 
 trary to  many  wholeforne  and  lau  'able  afts  of  par- 
 liamenr,    as   aft    8,     parliament  fir  ft,    repeated    in 
 the   99th  aft,   parliament    7,    ratified    in  the     23d 
 2ft,    parliament    11.      114th  aft,   parliament    \2  of 
 king   James    VI.    where   papifts    are    difcerned    to 
 be  punifhed  by  manifold  civil  and  ecclefiaftic  pain3, 
 as   adverfaries   to   God's    true   religion :    yea,    they 
 are   ordained   to  be  punifhed  as   common  enemies 
 to   a1!     Chriftian    government;     aft    8.   parliament 
 16,  king  James  VI      And  in   regard   that  it  is  in- 
 con  fiftenr  with   the  fafety  of  the  faith,  conference, 
 2nd  Chriftian  liberty  of  Chriftian  people,   to  chufe  a 
 fubjeft  of  Antichrift  to  be  their  (efpecially  fupreme) 
 magiftrate.     And  fo  it  is,  that  we  under  ft  and  that 
 part  of  the  4th  fcft.  chap    23,  of  our  Confcflion  of 
 Faith,  and  in  a  general  and  abftraft  fenfe,  where  it 
 is  faid  (in  opposition  to  feftarians,  whoaiTert  that  fuch 
 are  not  lawful  kings,  who  eitrur  know  not  Chrift,  or 
 believe  not   in  him)  that  infidelity  or  difference  in 
 religion,  doth  not  make  void  the  magiftrate's  juft  and 
 legal  authority,  nor  free  the  people  of  their  due  obe- 
 dience to  him  :  We- acknowledge  it  to  be  true  in- 
 deed, that  infidels  and  thefe  of  a  different  religion 
 are   not  (chiefly  becaufe  fuch)  prefrntly  to  be  de- 
 clared 
 
{      263      ) 
 
 clared  no  magiftr  ates,  for  magijlratus  non  eft  mjgijiratvf 
 quaChrijIiarniSyfed  qua  homo:  fo  it  is  that  the  magiftra* 
 tical  power  coniidered  generaliter,  given  for  thegcod 
 of  human  focieties,  may  be  in  theperfcn  of  an  infidel, 
 cr  one  of  a  different  religion,  but  ccnfidered  fpecial- 
 ter,  given  for  the  good  of  the  church,  it  is  only  in  the 
 perfon  of  a  profeiTor  of  the  true  religion  Hence, 
 in  travelling  or  trafficking  in  foreign  ^lands,  be  the 
 perfons  in  whom  is  the  power,  infidels  or  of  a  differ-^ 
 ent  religion,  we  cannot  refufe  fubje£lion  to  their 
 laws,  fo  far  as  they  are  ccnfiftent  with  the  written 
 wcrd  of  God,  and  our  true  Chiiftian  liberty.  How- 
 beit,  our  covenants  and  a&s  of  parliament  have 
 put  a  bar  upon  the  admiflion  of  any  perfon,  if  either 
 infidels  or  of  a  different  religion,  while  fucb,  to  go- 
 vern in  Scotland  :  and  the  practice  of  cur  church 
 confirms  it,  in  refufing  the  crown  to  the  late  de- 
 ceaft  tyrant.  Charles  II.  until  he  fubfcribed  fuch  de- 
 mands as  were  fent  unto  him  ;  and  efpecially  upon 
 the  admiflion  of  a  known  enemy  to  the  true  religion, 
 to  govern  :  for  it  could  not  but  be  both  highly  finful 
 and  irrarionai  for  us,  to  entruil:  an  enemy  to  the  work 
 and  people  of  God,  with  the  intereft  of  both. 
 
 Alfo  conceiving  that  this  pretended  parliament  is 
 net  a  lawful  parliament,  in  regard  that  the  election 
 of  commiffioners  is  limited  and  prejudged,  in  the 
 due  liberty  thereof,  by  their  afts  and  laws  :  in  re- 
 gard that  the  members  are  convicted  of  avowed  per- 
 jury, which,  according  to  the  Scottifli  law,  maketh  a 
 man  incapable  of  being  fo  much  as  a  witnefs,  in  re- 
 gard they  are  men  of  blood,  the  chief  being  convifted 
 of  avowed  murder,  whereby  they  are  under  the  lalh 
 cf  the  law  ;  and  in  regard  of  their  carrying  on  apof- 
 tacy,  and  making  way  for  the  man  of  fin  :  we  do  in 
 the  like  manner,  upon  thefe  and  many  cthsr  import- 
 ant grounds  and  reafons,  proteft  againft  the  validity 
 and  conftitution  of  this  prefent  parliament,  as  not 
 being  free  and  lawful ;  againft  their  alTuming  to 
 themfelves  any  authority,  or  exercifing  any  power  or 
 
 iurifdi£tion% 
 
<      ^4      ) 
 
 jurifdiftion,  for  making  of  aft s  or  laws  for  judging 
 of  caufes,  determining  of  controverfies,  or  proceed- 
 ing in  any  parliamentary  way.  And  in  particular, 
 we  proteft  againft  their  proceeding  to  any  approba- 
 tion or  ratification  of  the  forefaid  proclamation  of 
 James  duke  of  York,  to  be  king,  as  faid  is  :  and  that 
 they  may  not  go  on  further,  to  fet  the  crowti  upon 
 his  head,  they  being  incapable  to  give  it. 
 
 And  further  feeing,  bloody  Papifts,  the  fubjefts  of 
 Antichrift,  become  fo  hopeful,  bold,  and  confident, 
 under  the  perfidy  of  the  faid  James  duke  of  York, 
 and  popery  itfelf  fo  eminent,  and  (oh  lamentable  !) 
 like  to  be  intruded  again  (if  God's  mercy  and  power 
 meeting  together  in  a  wonderful  way  prevent  it  not) 
 upon  thefe  covenanted  lands,  an  open  door  being 
 made  thereunto,  by  its  accurfed  and  abjured  harbin- 
 ger Prelacy,  which  thefe  three  kingdoms  are  equally 
 fworn  againft.  We  do  in  the  like  manner,  proteft 
 againft  all  kind  of  popery  in  general  and  particular 
 heads,  the  jurifciiftion  of  the  pope,  all  the  heretical 
 and  erroneous  doctrine  of  the  church  of  Rome,  their 
 tyrannous  laws  made  againft  Chriftian  liberty,  their 
 erroneous  and  bloody  decrees,  their  vain  ceremonies 
 and  fuperftitions,  their  allegories,  ritts,  figns,  and 
 traditions,  their  laws,  ftatutes,  afts,  conftitutions, 
 canons,  civil  or  municipal,  with  all  other  ordinances 
 and  praftique  penalties  whatfoever,  made  in  prejudice 
 of  the  true  religion  and  the  profeflbrs  thereof,  or  of 
 the  true  church  discipline,  and  jurifdiftion  or  free- 
 dom thereof,  and  every  other  thing  contrary  to  found 
 doftrine  and  the  power  of  godlinefs,  abjured  moft  ex- 
 plicitly by  our  national  covenant,  abrogated,  annul- 
 led, and  refcinded  by  our  afts  of  parliament,  as  aft  3. 
 Aft  31.  pari.  1.  Aft  2^,  pari  it.  Aft.  114.  pari. 
 12.  Aft  5,  pari.  2c,  king  James  VI.  We  fay,  we  do 
 proteft  againft  all  kind  of  Popery  whatfoever,  againft, 
 its  entering  again  icto  this  land,  and  againft  every 
 thing  that  doth,  or  may  direftly  or  indireftly,  make 
 
 way 
 
(     ^5    ) 
 
 way  for  the  fame,  difclaiming  likewife  all  fevfhrian- 
 ifm,  malignancy,  and  any  confederacy  therewith. 
 
 Moreover,  taking  to  our  ferious  confideration,  the 
 low,  deplorable  and  obfcured  (late  of  the  churches 
 of  England  and  Ireland,  and  that  we  are  a?l  bound  in 
 one  covenant  and  folemn  league  together,  we  (in  the 
 bowels  of  Chrift)  do  in  like  manner  hereby  admonifh 
 you  our  brethren  in  thefe  our  neighbouring  and  cove- 
 nanted, lands,  that  ye  remember  how  far  ye  have  fadly 
 failed  in  purfuing  the  ends  of  our  covenants  (as  we 
 ourfelves  alfo  have  done,  which  we  defire  to  confefs, 
 imploring  God's  forgivenefs  to -you  and  us  both)  how 
 ye  have  fuffered  your  Lord's  en? mies-  to  rob  you  of 
 ail  your  privileges  and  pleafant  things  :  how  ye  have 
 given  up  yourfelv  s  to  be  feduced  by  complying  luke- 
 warm and  court  flattering  brethren  ;  and  how  ye  have 
 palled  by,  lightly  looking  upon  our  bleeding  woundpf 
 denying  us  help,  though  we  have  been  Irke  to  give  up 
 the  ghoft  \  and  what  great  accrffion  ye  have  to  the 
 giving  Popery  fuch  an  open  door  to  enter  upon  our 
 land  again.  Remember  thefe  things,  and  confider 
 what  the  Lord  is  now  calling  for  at  our  hand  :  break 
 off  your  finful  ways  by  repentance  ;  and  abandon  all 
 lukewarmnefs  and  indifferency  in  the  Lord's  matters, 
 ,gtve  up  with  your  own  things;  be  tender  of  God's 
 declarative  glory,  which  is  lying  at  the  flake :  quit 
 yourfelves  like  Chriftians  and  men  -,  and  ftretch  your 
 hands  to  the  helping,  {lengthening,  encouraging, 
 and  comforting  a  poor  wafted,  wronged,  wounded, 
 reproached,  defpifed,  and  bleeding  rer.nant  (with 
 whom  you  are  in  covenant)  fetting  ourfeives  againft 
 all  the  injuries  and  affronts  done  to  our  bleffed  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift,  againft  the  man  of  fin,  the  kingdom  of 
 Antichrift,  and  all  the  limbs  and  parts  thereof.  And 
 here,  with  all  fincerityof  mind,  and  unfeignednefs  of 
 refolution.  we  promife  to  a£t  unto  you  the  part  of 
 covenanted  brethren  in  the  Lord,  to  the  utmoft  of 
 our  power.  Likewife,  we  do  hereby  in  like  manner, 
 call  unto  you,  allproteftant  reformed  churches,  king- 
 Z  dorus, 
 
(    266    ) 
 
 ::Sj  and  commonwealths,  that  ye  would  take  to 
 your  fericus  confederation    the    low  and  dangerous 
 ftatc  of  the  goipel  intereft,  and  advert  to  the  growth 
 and  increafe  of  popery  in  ail  places,  beftirring  your- 
 felves timcGufiy  againft  it,  left  ye  be  too  late,  and 
 lofs  what  much  blood  and  contending  may  not  re- 
 cover again  ;  confidering  the  diftreffed  cafe,  where- 
 'tnto  we  are  brought,   as  a  fhare  of  the  true  protef- 
 tant  intereft  ;    and  rtfrefhing    us    with   your    help  : 
 and  withal,  as  ye  tender  the  advantage   of  (Thrift's 
 caufe,  which  to  own  is   the  Chriftian's  glory,    that 
 ye  engage  not    yourfelves  in    any  quarrel,  or  with 
 any  perfoa  w.hatfomever,  till  you  know  that  the  quar- 
 rel be  rightly  ftated,  and  that  the  perfons  in  the  judg- 
 ment of  charity  are  feeking  the  advancement  of  the 
 kingdom  of  Chrft,  left  that  ye  join  yourfelves  to  thefe 
 who  may  lead  you  back  to  Egypt,  and  .fq  you  pro- 
 voke the  Lord  to  deftroy  you  in  the  wildernefs. 
 
 Finally,  we  being  mifreprefented  to  many,  by 
 the  wicked  malice  of  our  avowed  enemies,  and  the 
 ■  finful  prejudice  of  others,  who  mifreprefenting  pur 
 ]ate  declaration,  affixed  at  feveral  parifb  church  doors 
 (which  we  do  hereby  ratify  and  approve)  perverting 
 the  tru*  and  obvious fenfe  thereof.  And  through  blind 
 malice  and  prejudice  miftaking  our  figns  therein  (elfe 
 their  confciences  give  their  tongue  the  lie)  held  us 
 forth  as  perfons  of  murdering  and  afiaffinating  prin- 
 ciples :  aH  which  principles  and  practices,  we  do 
 hereby  declare  before  God,  angels  and  men,  that  we 
 abhqr,  renounce,  and  deleft,  as  alfo  ail  manner  of 
 robbing  of  any,  whether  open  enemies,  or  others, 
 which  we  are  moft  falfely  afperfed  with,  either  in 
 their  gold,  their  filver,  or  their  gear,  or  any  houfe- 
 hold  ftuff.  Their  money  perifti  with  themfelves ; 
 the  Lord  knows  that  our  eyes  are  not  after  thefe 
 things.  And  in  like  manner,  we  do  hereby  difclaim 
 all  unwarrantable  practices  committed  by  any  few 
 pcrfoas  reputed  to  be  of  us,  whereby  the  Lord  hath 
 
 been 
 
(    267   ) 
 
 been  offended,  his  caufe  wronged,  and  we  all  made  to 
 endure  the  fcourge  of  tongues  ;  for  which  things  Ave 
 have  defired  to  make  confcience  of  mourning  before 
 the  Lord,  both  in  public  and  private.  As  the  un- 
 warrantable manner  of  killing  that  curate  of  Carf- 
 phairn  (though  he  was  a  man  of  death,  both  by  the 
 ]|w  of  God  and  man,  and  the  faft  not  materially 
 Ynurder)  it  being  gone  about  contrary  to  our  decla- 
 ration, without  deliberation,  common  or  competent 
 confent,  (the  ccnclufion  and  deed  being  known  only 
 to  three  or  four  perfons)  in  a  rath,  and  not  in  a  Chrif-: 
 tian  manner.  And  alfo  otherofFences  beingcomrnitted 
 at  the  time,  which  mifcarriages  have  proved  a  mean  to 
 (top  and  retard  rawful,  laudable,  and  warrantable  pro- 
 ceedings, both  as  to  matter  arid  manner.  But  let  not 
 guilty  perfons  think  themfelves  indemnified.  How- 
 beit,  we  require  and  hope,  that  all  whofoever  in  this 
 our  land,  our  neighbour  or  foreign  lands,  who  have 
 not  a  wilful  prejudice  at  the  caufe  and  way  of  God,wili 
 not  give  ear  unto  reports,  which  ftated  enemies,or  pre- 
 judiced  pretended  friends  give  of  us,  that  they  will  not 
 impute  the  mifcarriages  of  one  or  more  p? rfons,  to  us 
 or  all  of  us  ;  who  defire  that  nothing  maybe  looked  en 
 hereafter,  as  our  deed,  which  wanteth  common  con- 
 fent or  approbation,  and  that  they  will  not  receive  a 
 wrong  impreffion  of  us  and  our  proceedings :  for  we 
 call  the  living  God,  the  Searcher  of  hearts,  to  wit- 
 nefs,  that  this  only  is  our  fincere  defire,  and  un- 
 feigned refolution,  to  continue  in  the  profefiicn  and 
 obedience  of  the  true  religion  of  Jefus  Chrift,  accord- 
 ing to  his  word,  our  covenants,  national  and  foiemn 
 league,  to  defend  the  fame,  and  to  refifl  all  contrary 
 errors, corruptions,  and  innovations,  according  to  our 
 vocatipn,  and  utmoft  of  the  power  that  God  dotb,  or 
 may  put  in  our  hands. 
 
 Now,  we  hope  none  who  have  not  made  full  fur- 
 render  of  confcience,  and  are  not  bent  to  welcome 
 popery  into  the  land,  will  be  offended  at  what  we 
 have  here  done  :  For,  in  the  Lord's  fight,  we  durft 
 
 Z    2,  do 
 
(     z6Z     ) 
 
 do  no  lefs,  whatever  occaGon  of  perfecution  our  God's 
 enemies  may  take  from  the  fame  :  For  we  could  not 
 fee  at  the  time  any  other  way  to  difcharge  our  duty 
 before  the  Lord,  to  exoner  our  confeiences,  and  to 
 iree  ourfelves  of  the  connivance  at  popery,  which 
 we  pray  the  Lord  may  (top,  and  not  lay  the  guilt  of 
 its  increafe  to  the  charge  of  us  and  our  poflerity. 
 
 Therefore,  we  appoint  and  ordain,  chat  inconti- 
 nently ye  our  emifiaries  pafs  upon  the  twenty-eighth 
 day  of  May  1685  years,  unto  the  market  crefs  of 
 Sanquhar  \  and  there,  by  open  proclamation,  make 
 intimation  of  this  cur  declaration,  leaving  copies  of 
 the  fame  affixed  upon  the  forefaid  market  crofi,  a.nd 
 other  patent  places  of  the  forefaid  burgh.  Given  at 
 upon  the  28th  day  of  May  1685. 
 
 Let  King  Jcfus  reign,  and  all  his  enemies  be  feat- 
 ured. 
 
 A  PRE- 
 
(      *<Sj>      ) 
 
 PREFACE, 
 
 Introductory  to  the  following  Sheets, 
 
 IT  hath  been  the  lot  of  the  Suffering  Remnant  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  both  in  the  bye-paft  and 
 prefent  time,  to  be  in  feveral  ways,  and  in  divers 
 manners  exercifed  ;  and  this  no  doubt  for  the  trial  of 
 their  faith,  as  we'll  as  for  other  holy  and  wife  ends* 
 known  unto  the  Lord  :  and  this,  amongft  other  things* 
 hath  not  been  the  leaft  of  the  bitter  ingredients  of 
 their  cup,  to  travel  often  in  their  wildernefs,  with- 
 out help  and  direction,  countenance,  and  affiftancc 
 of  faithful  leaders  and  guides ;  which  hath  ofen  put 
 them  to  a  (land  how  they  might  carry  (fo  as  they 
 might  not  bury  the  truth,  nor  wrong  the  tellinnoTsv) 
 through  the  feveral  dangerous  emergencies,  and  cif- 
 penfations  of  Divine  Providence,  .which  hath  oU 
 times  fallen  out  in  thefe  junctures  and  periods  where- 
 in they  have  been  without  faithful  guides.  Upon 
 which  weighty  confederations,  we  judge,  that  feeing 
 our  intentions  and  refolutions,  as  to  the  caufe  of 
 God,  and  carrying  on  of  a  teftimeny,  is  no  ways  al- 
 tered from  what  they  were,  when  we  were  honoured 
 with  faithful  ihepherdf,  who  were  as  the  he-goats 
 pathing  the  way  before  us ;  that  in  that  cafe,  none 
 (we  think)  wiii  adventure  to  carp  at  whatever efcapes, 
 roifmanagements,  or  defefts,  might  have  proceeded 
 from  uSj  in  the  carrying  on  of  the  teftimony,  fmce 
 we  are  an  i'literate  people,  yet  heneft  in  our  inten- 
 tions; and  there  being  nothing  cf  fuch  mifmanage- 
 
 Z-3  T;VJ 
 
(  *7°  ) 
 mcnts,  or  efcapes,  (as  we  judge)  as  will  deflroy  the 
 fubftantial,  or  material  part  of  any  of  the  faithful 
 teftimonies,  which  have  been  formerly  emitted,  but 
 a  corroboration  of  the  fame  Therefore,  albeit  that 
 our  teftimonies,  late  y  emitted  by  us,  as  we  had  not 
 the  afliftance  of  the  learned  therein)  may  not  appear 
 fo  plaufible  in  their  ftile,  to  the  more  criticifing  and 
 nice;  y<u  herein,  (ince  our  defign  and  intention  was, 
 not  only  to  adh  re  to  the  fame  word  of  Chrift's  pa- 
 tience, as  formerly;  but  alfo  according  to  our  capa- 
 city, to  tranfmit  a  t  ftimony  to  the  up  coming  gene- 
 ration. Under  this  consideration  though  it  be 
 heavy  unto  -us,  yet  patiently  we  defire  to  bear  the  re- 
 proaches of  the  critical  age,  and  toteftify  our  adher- 
 ence unto  every  part  and  pendicle  of  Chrift's  crown, 
 until  our  Lord  (hall  be  ^leafed  to  raife  up  more  pro- 
 per and  fit  inftruments  for  carrying  on  of  the  fame. 
 
 And  fi  ice  our  prefent  defign,  is  not  to  give  fatis- 
 fa&ion  to  the  learned  critics  of  our  time  (although 
 we  could)  as  to  the  grammatical  drefs  and  ornament 
 of  fpe^ch,  which  the  gallants  of  this  age  more  itudy, 
 than  the  demonftration  of  truth  in  its  fimple  garb  ; 
 therefore  to  be  brief,  the  following  fheets,  with  re- 
 ference to  our  declarations  emitted  fince  169:,  will 
 give  an  account  of  honeft,  fimple,  and  faithful  con- 
 tendings  (though  weakly)  againft  the  defections  and 
 abominations,  pracftifed  m  church  and  ftate,  lince  we 
 were  deprived  of  faithful  leaders  And  that  the  world 
 may  know  that  we  walk  not  contrary  to  the  prin- 
 cip  es  of  the  church  cf  Scotland  in  her  bed  time?, 
 when  we  keep  at  a  diftance  from  fuch  rulers  and  mi- 
 nifters,  as  have  not  taken  up  the  ftate  of  the  quar- 
 rel, according  to  the  covenanted  engagements  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland,  although  we  be  ignorantly  by 
 fome  and  malicioufly  by  others,  afperfed  with  that  of 
 fchifmatics  and  feparatifts  :  yet  if  our  beft  and  pre- 
 fent times  were  brought  to  the  (landing  balance  of 
 the  fanftuary,  any  unbiafled  perfon  might  fee  as  grfcat 
 a  di  proportion  betwixt  what  we  were  .then,    and 
 
 what 
 
(    »7!    ) 
 
 what  we  are  now,  as  betwixt  reformation  and  defec- 
 tion.    So  that  our  principles  and  praftices  need  not 
 fo  much  to  be  flouted  at  as  they  are;  and  if  the  com- 
 parifon  were  rightly   ftated  betwixt  Prelacy  and  the 
 prefent  eftabliftied  Prefbvtery,  the  difference  will  not 
 appear  to  be  fo  great.     For,   ( i  )  Preiacy  was  never 
 ecclefiaftically  afferted,  neither  is  Prefbvtery  fince  the 
 Revolution   (2  )  Theprelates  high  eccefiattical  court 
 was    called,  adjourned,  and  diflblved  in   the   king's 
 name  :  fo  likewife  is  all  their  aflemblies  fince  the  Re- 
 volution (for  it  is  but  a  mere  cheat,  ihat  in  their  late 
 aflemblies  they  fay,  that  the   church  hath  gotten  her 
 intrinfic  power  fettled  )  (3  )  Ihe  prelates  owned  the 
 king  in  the  txercife  of  his  Eraftian   fupremacy  over 
 them      So  this  corrupt  church  hath   never  declined 
 the  exetcifes  of  hks  fupremacy  in  her  annual  aflem- 
 blies, by  an  uniform  and  ample  proteft,  inferred  and 
 recorded  in   the  aflembly  book,  fince  the  year,  1690. 
 {4  )  Prelacy   was  counted  the  on'y  government  of 
 this  church  when  Eraftianifm  was  higheft,  fo  that 
 to  this  hour  this  corrupt  church  hath  never  declared 
 by  an  aft,   whether  it  was   the  only  government   or 
 not.  (;  )  The  king  and  parliament  who  eftabliflied 
 Pretacy,  likewife  ratifird  this  church  government,  as 
 only  hiking  the  people's  inclinations,  and  fo  confe- 
 quenty  is    human  ;    this  church  when  fo    ratified, 
 nevrr  teftified  agamft  this,  whether  human  or  divine. 
 (6)  King  and  parliament  prefcribed,  limited,  and  al- 
 tered prelatical  government  at  treir  pleafure,  fo  to 
 this  church,  the  king  and  parliament  hath  prefcribed 
 a  formula,  that  all  ordinances  within  the  fame  be  fo 
 performed  by   the  minifters  thereof,  as  they  are  at 
 prefent  allowed  them,  or  (hall  be  hereafter  declared  by 
 their    authority.     This   together  with   what   is  wit- 
 ncfl>d  againft  in  our  teftimony.  may  give  ground  to 
 all  that  tjuly  fear  the  Lord,  to  fee  that  it  is  not  upon 
 finiftrons  defigns,   that  we  ftand  at  a  diftance  from 
 the  prefent  courfe  of  defc&ien,  but  upon  a  principle 
 of  coufcien.ee. 
 
 And 
 
(      *7*      ) 
 
 And  before  we  (hall  in  this  introdu&ory  preface 
 narrate  any  thing,  either  as  to  the  lofs  of  our  faithful 
 paftors,  or  yet  of  the  enfnaring  draughts  that  thefe 
 three  minifters  took,  who  went  off  from  us  to  bring 
 us  into  a  conjunction  with  fuch  as  our  covenants  ex- 
 cludes :  we  (hall  here  take  the  occafioit  to  acquaint 
 the  generation,  that  we  would  not  be  conftrufted  as 
 fuch,  from  our  Clence  in  this  prefent  juncture,  as  to 
 the  unhallowed  union,  that  we  are  homologaters 
 thereof,  for  we  are  fo  far  from  it,  that  we  have  been 
 honoured  of  the  Lord  to  have  the  ftart  of  the  nation, 
 to  teftify  againft  any  union  with  the  corrupt  and  pef- 
 tiferous  church  of  England,  deftru&ive  to,  and  fub- 
 verfive  of  that  well-grounded  union  made  betwixt  the 
 two  nations  in  our  beft  times  :  which  union  never 
 allowed  cf  fuch  a  finful  confederacy  as  this  does, 
 which  puts  us  in  the  category  with  fuch  as  walk 
 directly  oppofite  to  our  covenant  engagements,  as 
 the  corrupt  church  of  England  moft  perfidioufly  hath 
 done,  who  have  fo  finfully  broken  the  oath  of  God 
 betwixt  the  two  nations  ;  for  which  we  doubt  not 
 but  God  in  his  due  time,  will  reckon  with  them  for 
 it,  and  with  Scotland  too,  which  is  fo  deeply  involv- 
 ed in  the  fin  of  covenant  breaking  Oh!  a  moft  fin- 
 ful and  heaven-daring  attempt,  for  the  nobility,  gen- 
 try, borons,  and  boroughs  of  Scotland,  to  pullChrift's 
 bride  (although  polluted)  as  Scotland  was,  from  our 
 Lord's  very  fide,  and  to  join  her  to  a  harlot,  fuch  as 
 England  is  And  now  we  having  in  our  declaration, 
 Anno  17^3  (as  faid  above)  teftified  againft  any  other 
 union,  we  thought  it  both  fuperfluous,  and  alfo  2 
 tautologising  to  do  it  over  again,  feeing  we  are  the 
 fame  now,  that  we  were  then,  when  we  emitted  our 
 declaration  as  to  any  other  union  with  England,  than 
 fuch  as  above  faid.  And  we  are  more  than  aftonifhed, 
 not  fo  much  at  thefe  who  are  defigned  the  primores 
 rcgniy  though  they  incline  to  fuch  an  union,  deftruc- 
 tive  to  the  religious  and  civil  concerns  cf  the  reform- 
 ed church  of  Scotland,  fince  their  principles  declared 
 
 by 
 
(  273  ) 
 by  their  pra£Hce,never  led  them  to  be  for  the  covenant- 
 ed work  of  reformation,  we  fay  is  not  fo  much  aflo- 
 niibing  to  us  what  thefe  may  do,  as  it  is  to  fee  fuch  as 
 pretend  to  be  the  leaders  of  the  people,  homologating 
 fuch  a  finful  defign,  as  is  evidently  apparent  from  their 
 finful  and  {harmful  addreffes,  whereby  they  (how 
 therhfelves  fatisfied  to  abide  in  their  breaches,  pro- 
 viding they  have  their  own  temporal  intereft  fecured  : 
 by  which  homologation  of  theirs,  or  rather  a£lual 
 concurrence,  of  fuch  we  mean  who  offered  fuch  ad- 
 dreffes, they  (interpretatively  by  their  confent  to  the 
 going  on  of  this  union  with  the  church  of  England, 
 as  fo  circurnftantiate)  are  acceffory  to  the  putting  on 
 the  capeftone  of  defection,  and  thereby  fay  Amen  to 
 all  that  the  late  tyrannical  powers  did  to  the  extirpa- 
 tion of  the  work  of  reformation  in  the  church  of 
 Scotland.  Neither  do  we  fo  much  admire  at  many  of 
 the  prefent  minifters,  for  what  they  have  done  of  this 
 kind,  who  are  tenacioufly  fet  to  defend  the  defections 
 they  are  chargeable  with  in  the  bypalt  times',  but  we 
 are  furprifed  to  fee  and  hear  fuch,  who  would  appear 
 more  refined  than  all  the  reft,  acidreffing,  as  others, 
 with  all  their  court  compliments!  who,notwithftand- 
 ing  of  their  many  plaufible-like  pretentions,  againft 
 both  church  and  ftate  5  yet  hitherto  have  owned  both  : 
 when  yet,  in  the  mean  time  'tis  known  that  the  de- 
 fignsand  intentions  of  their  corrupt  court  men,  is  to 
 have  the  finful  union  carried  en,  over  the  beliy  of 
 the  generality  of  the  nation. 
 
 But  to  proceed,  after  the  death  of  our  faithful 
 and  painful  minifter,  and  now  glorified  martyr,  Mr. 
 James  Renwick,  we  having  none  to  fucceed  him  in 
 the  holy  office  of  the  miniftry  in  Scotland,  fave  the 
 eminent  Mr.  Alexander  Sheilds,  preacher  cf  the 
 gofpel,  (Mr.  D.H.  being  then  in  Ireland,  and  foon  af- 
 terwards taken  and  imprifoned  by  the  deputy,  at  the 
 inftigation  of  the  indulged  minifters  there,  who  had 
 caufed  fome  years  ago  to  apprehend  him  5  and  being 
 fent  to  Scotland  to  be  execute,  was  refcued  by  a  party 
 
 of 
 
(  274  ) 
 of  our  brethren  at  Bellow-path)at  that  timeMr.Thoma* 
 Linning  being  abroad  at  his  ftudles,  fent  there  before 
 by  the  remnant,  in  Mr.  James  Renwick's  time,  our 
 general  meeting  and  focieties,  after  the  death  of  our 
 renowned  martyr  were  much  concerned  in  writing 
 letters  abroad,  to  the  Claflis  at  Embden.  That  the 
 faid  Mr.  Thomas  might  receive  licence  and  ordina- 
 tion :  who  accordingly,  about  the  end  of  harveft,  or 
 beginning  of  winter  1 683,  returned  to  Scotland  an 
 ordained  minifter,  and  was  by  the  number  of  twenty- 
 four  elders,  together  wbh  the  fuffrage  of  the  whole  rem* 
 nant  of  Scotland  called,  and  embraced  as  their  a&ual 
 minifter,  who,  for  fome  fhort  time  thereafter  carried 
 on  and  maintained  the  teftimony>  as  it  was  dated,  in 
 ail  the  heads  and  claufes  thereof;  until  that  the 
 prince  of  Orange  (being  come  over  to  England)  e-r 
 mitted  his  dec  laration,  containing  the  grounds  of  his 
 appearance  for  the  deliverance  of  the  kingdom  :  upon 
 the  back  of  which,  Mr.  Thomas  foon  manifefted  his 
 knavery. 
 
 This  fame  viinter  1688,  the  prince  of  Orange  com- 
 ing over  into  England,  was  admitted  as  their  king, 
 to  the  exercife  of  government ;  and  thereafter  being 
 embraced  by  Scotland,  he,  by  the  advice  and  help  of 
 the  corrupt  old  ftatefmen,  whofe  hands  were  reeking 
 in  the  biood  of  the  faints  !  condefcended  to  a  form 
 of  church  government,  as  was  moft  fuitable  to  the 
 people's  inclinations  :  a  model  vaftly  inconfiftent  with 
 the  principles  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  which  holds-, 
 that  her  government  is  of  divine  right.  A  far  bet- 
 ter foundation  than  the  inclinations  of  the  people. 
 
 December  19,  1688,  upon  the  falfe  report  of  the 
 #  burning  of  Kirkcudbright  by  the  papifts,  our  friends, 
 in  a  rafh  and  precipitate  manner,  joined  the  bulk  and 
 body  of  the  backilidden  country,  which  by  them  was 
 eaGly  complied  with,  becaufe  our  minifter6  preached 
 it  up  as  a  duty,  contrary  to  their  former  doftrine 
 
 About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1689,  thefe  three 
 minifters,  iv^flrs.  Shields,  Linning,  and  Boyd,  hav- 
 ing 
 
(  275  r 
 
 ing  had  (unknown  to  us)  their  private  conferences 
 with  the  indulged  minifters,  in  and  about  Glafgow, 
 in  order  to  the  adjufting  the  differences  that  were 
 betwixt  them,  wheddled  us  over  into  a  belief,  under 
 plaufible-like  pretexts,  that  their  zeaj  to  the  covenants 
 was  the  fame  as  formerly ;  which  could  not  by  us  be 
 any  otherwife  underftood,  when  at  fome  general  meet- 
 ings, it  was  concluded,  that  the  covenants  fliould  be 
 renewed  :  in  order  to  which  ft  vera!  good  overtures 
 were  agreed  to  ;  yet  at  which  time,  by  the  confer- 
 ences (as  above)  with  thefe  indulged  minifters,  Mcflrs. 
 Iinning  and  Boyd,  gave  clear  proofs  of  their  under- 
 hand dealing,  in  their  propofing,  that  a  bond  of  af- 
 fociation  might  be  drawn  up  in  order  to  others  join- 
 ing with  us.  To  which  the  eminent  and  pious  Mr. 
 Shields  replied,  that  our  covenants  were  our  bond 
 of  affociation,  and  fuch  as  would  not  adhere  to  thefe, 
 we  would  not  join  with  them.  At  which  time  it 
 was  concluded,  that  our  covenants  fliould  be  re- 
 newed by  a  few  of  every  {hire  in  a  martial  manner, 
 and  thereafter,  that  they  fhould  be  renewed  in  every 
 (hire,  according  to  theforefaid  form  and  order  by  all 
 our  number  therein.  But,  March  3,  1689,  when 
 they  were  about  to  be  renewed,  the  former  overtures 
 being  laid  aiide,  and  the  minifters  being  then  at  the 
 place  where  they  renewed  the  covenants,  though  not 
 at  the  place  appointed  by  the  general  meeting  (which 
 was  to  be  at  Linlithgow)  they  fent  their  pofts  con- 
 trary to  our  former  conclufions,  to  diffuade  us  from 
 bringing  along  our  arms,  .which  too  generally  was 
 complied  with,  except  by  a  few,  who  obferved  the 
 the  former  appointment,  and  that  the  rather,  becaufe 
 they  faw  the  malignant  intereft  twifted  in  contrary  to 
 former  refolutions,  which  was  evident,  not  only 
 from  what  Mr.  Boyd,  and  a  few  with  him  did  rafhly, 
 and  abruptly,  without  the  confent  of  our  general 
 meeting,  in  his  going  into  Giafgow,  and  reading  the 
 Prince  of  Orange's  declaration  ^  which  greedy  grafp- 
 ing  of  the  man's,  at  that  occafion,  to  free  \ mfelf  of 
 
 the 
 
(     276     ) 
 
 the  yoke,  which  he  reckoned  a  bondage,  in  witnef- 
 fing  to  the  caufe  of  God  with  the  faithful  remnant; 
 (we  fay)  that  his  former  promifes  to  the  indulged  rni- 
 nifters, came  clearly  to  light ;  to  whom  he  had 
 given  promifes,  to  break  and  divide  the  remnant  in 
 Scotland  ;  which  was  manifeft  from  the  teftimoni- 
 als  that  he  received  of  them  for  his  licence,  when 
 he  went  abroad :  and  alfo  upon  this  and  many  other 
 confiderations,  it  was  clear  enough,  the  defire  that 
 thefe  rninifters  had,  efpecially  Meffrs.  Boyd  and  Lin- 
 ing, to  grafp  at  untimeous  liberty  :  fo  alfo,  upon  the 
 back  of  the  Renovation  of  thefe  three  folemn  en- 
 gagement at  Liimahgow,  thefe  three  rninifters  hur- 
 ried a  confidsrable  party  of  the  profeiTors  of  the  weft, 
 into  a  conjun&ion  with  thefe  who  had  Lately  pur- 
 fued  us,  and  fhea  our  brethren's  blood  (viz  )  in  guard- 
 ing of  the  convention  of  eftates,  which  was  after- 
 wards bewailed  by  many,  when  they  came  to  fee  the 
 evil  of  it.  At  the  renovation  of  which  covenants, 
 on  Borlandhill  of  Lifmahagow,  Mr.  Sheilds  faid, 
 (i  From  thu.  day  (hall  be  dated  either  our  reforma- 
 tion, or  dfcfect'on  !"  which  of  the  two  was  trueft,  hy 
 what  followed  the  reader  may  conjecture 
 
 Thatfummer,  1689,  under  the  conduct  of  William 
 Cleland,  lieutenant  colonel  to  Angos,  who  accord- 
 ing to  the  23d  act  of  the  convention  of  eftates,  levied 
 a  regiment  of  the  fuffrring  remnant;  which  com- 
 pliance of  theirs  therein*  was  contrary  to  their  former 
 principles  and  proftrflions,  in  complying  with  a  ma- 
 lignant intereft,  as  they  had  been  taught  by  their  rni- 
 nifters when  faithful,  ytt  notVitftanding  at  this  junc- 
 ture, thefe  three  rninifters  cMded  us  into  a  compli- 
 ance and  conjunction  with  the  malignant  party, 
 before  that  there  was  any  evidences  given  of  their 
 abandenin^,  mourning  over,  and.  laying  afide  of  their 
 former  practices,  as  they  had  been  deftru£tive  to  the 
 caufe  and  people  of  God.  W  hich  piece  of  defection 
 was  too  ea£ly  complied  with  by  thefe  of  our  num- 
 ber, 
 
(      2/7      ) 
 ber,  who  were  for  worldly  gain  and   pre-eminence, 
 and  yet  ncvcrthclefc  it  was  teftified  againft  by  fome. 
 
 That  fame  fummer '1679  the  north  being  in  an 
 uproar,  by  the  4th  act  of  the  convention  of  eftates, 
 the  fouth  and  weft  being  commanded  to  rendezvous 
 many  of  our  brethren,  kept  up  rendezvoufing.  days, 
 with  the  late  perfecuting  gentry,  little  to  fame's  com- 
 fort, who  bfpying  the  evil  thereof,  witneffed  againft 
 it,  both  then  and  afterwards. 
 
 June  17,  1689,  William  and  Mary  were  accepted 
 •of,  and  admitted  to  the  crown,  but  not  covenant- 
 wife  :  albeit  the  covenants  in  Scotland  are  to  be 
 holden  as  the  coronation  oath,  which  all  magiftrates, 
 ^according  to  the  (landing  laws  of  this  nation,  are  to 
 -fwear  before  they  can  be  admitted  to  bear  rule  in 
 this  covenanted  land,  as  you  may  read  in  our  third 
 declaration.    „ 
 
 Shortly  after,  July  22,  their  church  government 
 being  fettled  (running  back  to  the  1592  with  its  le- 
 gal eftablifhment,  and  fo  overleapiDg  our  beft  times) 
 according  to  the  inclinations  of  th«  people,  a  thing, 
 which,  without  doubt,  had  as  its  tendency,  an  eye  to 
 -the  pleafing  of  the  prelatic  and  prefbyterian  party 
 .(as  they  might  be  termed)  which  may  eafily  be  un- 
 derftood  from  the  general  terms  of  the  -Proteftant 
 intereftof  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation,  which 
 Settlement  of  church  government,  as  it  opened  a  door 
 to  the  pr^atic  party  to  plead  for  a  (hare  of  church 
 communion,  and  yet  without  an  acknowledgment  of 
 their  bypaft  offences,  fo  it  allayed  their  fears  of  being 
 brought  to- condign  puniftiment  for  their  former  mif- 
 carriages ;  fo  that  as  the  general  epithet  and  Pro- 
 teftant  iatercft  was  not  frightfome  upon  the  one  hand 
 to  the  prelatical  party,  our  adversaries  :  fo  on  the 
 Qther  hand,  it  not  unfitly  anfwered  the  character  of 
 fuch  as  made  intereft  more  their  ftudy  than  God's 
 glory;  as  thofe  of  the  indulged  and  tolerated  party 
 cf  both  church  and  itate  then,  who  were  more  ready 
 to  grafp  at  fecular  preferments  and  worldly  interefts 
 A&  in 
 
(     278     ) 
 
 in  things  pertaining  to  thertfelves,  than  they  were 
 to  have  the  houfe  of  God  purged  from  that  leaven  of 
 defection  wherewith  it  had  been  defiled,  by  which  al- 
 teration of  times,  though  not  of  manners,  our  ene- 
 mies were  advanced,  and  thofe  of  the  minifters  whom 
 we  had  juft  exceptions  againft,  and  whom  our  mi- 
 nifters could  not  .own  before  as  their  brethren,  were 
 notwithftanding  upon  this  new  revolution  joined  with 
 by  the  great  part  of  the  land,   and  that  before  ever 
 they  had  declared   any   remorfe   for    their    former 
 courfes,  yea,   our    minifters,  though  formerly   doc* 
 trinally  they  had    taught  us,  not  to  join  in   affinity 
 with  the  people  of  fuch  abominations,  yet  how  for- 
 ward were  they  then  to  bring  us   to  an   union  with 
 fuch  minifters,  as  they  themfelves  had  formerly  de- 
 clared their  juft  exceptions  againft,  and  this  (as  was 
 faid)  before  ever  fuch  miniflers  had  evidenced  their 
 remorfe :  whereby  our  teachers  who  formerly  were 
 leading  us  into  Canaan,  were  now  bringing  us  back 
 to  Egypt. 
 
 Anno  1690,  the  parliament  by  their  aft,  indi&ed 
 and  appointed  the  firft  general  aiTembly,  as  the  firft 
 fpecimen  of  their  Eraftianifm  over  the  new  confti- 
 tute  church,  which  afterwards  came  to  be  pra£Hcal, 
 as  was  feen  in  their  frequent  calling,  diffolving  and 
 adjourning  of  thefe  general  aflemblies,  even  fome- 
 times  to  an  indefinite  day.  To  which  general  af- 
 fembly  the  fuffering  remnant  being  inftigate  by  the 
 three  miniflers,  to  give  in  a  paper,  (as  they  had  done 
 before  to  the  convention  of  eftates)  which  paper  as  it 
 contained  an  enumeration  of  the  fins  of  the  land, 
 though  not  fo  particular  as  fome  of  the  remnant 
 would  have  had  it,  was  appointed  to  be  given  into 
 that  afiembly  by  ten  or  twelve  of  each  ihire,  and 
 they  to  crave  a  redrefs  of  thefe  particular  grievan- 
 ces, which  was  fo  far  from  being  acquiefced  unto 
 by  that  aiTembly,  that  it  could  not  fo  *nuch  as  have 
 a  hearing  by  reading,  and  though  riiat  thofe  three 
 minifters  knew  many  of  the  fuffering  party's  averfe* 
 
 nefs 
 
(     279    ) 
 
 ncfs  from  meddling  with  thefe  backflidden  mincers, 
 convocate  in  that  aflembly,  until  they  had  declared 
 their  reientment  of  their  former  courfes,  yet  how  in- 
 duftrioufly  did  thefe  three  minifters,  in  their  going 
 through  the  country,  break  many  of  car  number, 
 and  brought  them  into  a  compliance  with  thefe  their 
 defigns  to  acknowledge  fuch,  as  a  lawful  judicatory, 
 whom  formerly  they  had  refufed  to  own,  as  long  as 
 juft  exception  flood  in  the  way.  As  for  what  pa- 
 pers the  three  minifters  offered  to  that  affembly,  their 
 affembly  afts  1690,  declares  whatever  reception  they 
 got.  However,  it  is  obfervable,  that  thefe  three  mi- 
 nifters fadly  fuccumbed,  when,  at  their  reception  into 
 the  communion  of  that  backflidden  church,  they  pa- 
 tiently received  a  reprimand  i  which  was  in  effect  for 
 their  faithfulnefs  to  the  intereft  and  caufe  of  God  ; 
 whereby  they  gave  thefe  backflidden  minifters  ground 
 to  believe  that  they  were  repenting  for  their  former 
 zeal,  and  alfo  the  honeft  party,  ground  to  alledge, 
 that  efpecially  Meflrs.  Linning  and  Boyd,  had  never 
 been  honeft  in  heart  to  the  caufe  of  God. 
 
 As  to  Mr.  D.  H.  (of  whom  before)  after  his  re- 
 leafe  from  the  enemy,  he  preaching  here  and  there, 
 as  he  was  called,  was  for  his  freedom  againft  the  pre- 
 fent  courfes  of  defection,  as  well  of  thofe,  viz.  the 
 three  minifters  who  had  lately  gone  from  us  as  others> 
 much  hated,  flighted,  and  defpifed  \  fo  what  through 
 one  thing,  what  through  another,  the  reverend  gody 
 old  man  was  rendered  ufelefs,  fo  that  he  going  over 
 to  Ireland,  he  lived  fome  few  years  after,  and  died 
 peaceably,  witneffi.ng  againft  the  defections,  and  for 
 Cbrift's  crown  rights. 
 
 Now  the  fuffering  remnant  being  without  the  help 
 of  leaders,  their  wildernefs-lot  came  to  be  more  ter- 
 rible like  unto  them  ;  wherein  they  met  with  many 
 afTaults  and  fore  trials,  not  only  by  fuch  as  had  left 
 them,  but  alfo  their  trials  came  to  be  (harp,  with  re* 
 ference  to  others  :  for  (hortly  after  that  we  were  de- 
 prived of  our  leaders,  thrcugh  their  backfliding, 
 A  a  2  came 
 
(      28.0      ) 
 
 came  over  out  of  Ireland,  two  women,  pretending 
 themfelves  to  be  fomewhat,  where-through  fome  of 
 the  morefimpleof  our  number,  both  in  the  weft,  eaft, 
 and  in  Fife,  were  ready  to  be  endangered  with  them  : 
 but  procefs  of  time  discovering  the  naughtinefs  of 
 thefe  perfons,  and  our  friends  being  better  informed 
 concerning  them,  came  to  be  more  cautious  in  med- 
 dling with  them. 
 
 *  And  albeit  we  had  fcveral  temptations,  by  fuch  as 
 were  not  of  us,  viz  Meffrs.  R  and  G.  to  call  fuch 
 of  ourfelves  as  might  be  tbought  fit  to  the  office  of 
 the  miniftry,  and  difpenfe  the  ordinances  to  us  :  yea, 
 thefe  two  forefaid,  offered  themfelves  to  preach  un- 
 to us  ;  yet  fuch  got  no  reception  :  for,  we  defire  ftill 
 (through  the  Lord'§  help  and  affiftance)  to  keep  off 
 from  every  unwarrantable  and  unpra£ticable  courfe, 
 although  we  be  otherwife  reprefented  by  the  gener- 
 ation. 
 
 Yet  notwithftanding  of  all  thefe  trials  that  the  - 
 godly  remnant  met  with  from  both  hands,  yet  the 
 Lord  in  his  mercy  ftill  preferved  a  witneffing  rem- 
 nant  from  both  right  and  left  hand  errors  and  ex- 
 tremes :  and  though  to  our  grief,  many  of  our  num- 
 ber were  greatly  {haken,  as  to  their  fowner  zeal  and 
 ftedfaftnefs  in  the  caufe  of  God,  after  thefe  three  mi- 
 nifters  had  left  us,  and  before  the  general  meetings 
 were  erected,  ( being  for  fome  time  deprived  of  general : 
 meetings  alfo)  where  through  we  were  like  perfons  in 
 a  daggering  condition,  not  having  fixed  a  ftand.  We 
 thought  fit  to  call  general  meetings  again.  But  when 
 gathered  and  fearching  into  one  another's  judgments 
 as  to  the  ftate  of  the  teftimony,  we  found  ourfelves 
 to  be  but  a  mixed  company,  whereupon  we  purged 
 our  meetings  from  all  fuch,  as  had  finfully  joined 
 with  the  courfes  of  the  times,  and  were  defending 
 the  fame  ;  and  alfo,  fet  days  apart  for  fafting  and  hu- 
 miliation before  the  Lord  ;  for  what  acceffion  any  of 
 us  had  to  any  piece  of  compliance  :  which  thing  to 
 our  felt  experience  we  faw  to  be  fo  far  countenanced 
 of  Go$,  as  that  without  oftentation,  we  might  have 
 
 called 
 
called  the  place  Bohim  :  and  having  got  bur  meet- 
 ings purged  of  luch  as  had  made  defection  to  the  con- 
 trary party,  we  emitted  a  declaration  Auguft  ic, 
 i6y2  (which  fpeaks  for  itfelf)  and  thereby  we  declared 
 the  ftate  of  the  teftimony  as  we  were  purpofed,  and 
 refolved  (through  divine  afliftance)  to  maintain  againft 
 both  church  and  ftate,  in  as  far  as  they  are  oppcfite 
 to  and  aveife  from  the  maintaining  of  the  covenanted 
 work  of  reformation  of  the  church  of  Scotland* 
 Which  declaration,  as  it  was  a  teftimony  of  our  ad- 
 herence to  what  our  forefathers  had  been  contend- 
 ing for,  fo  alfo  it  was  fo  far  difpleafing  to  our  adver- 
 faries,  that  they  caufed  apprehend  Tome  of  our  bre- 
 thren ;  but  thereafter  were  fet  at  liberty,  without 
 the  lead  reftriftion  or  acknowledgment  of  their  au- 
 thority. This  declaration  had  alfo-  that  eftt£t  with  it, 
 that  many  came  to  get  their  eyes  opened  who  had 
 them  fhut  befere. 
 
 Now  as  to  the  prefent  church,  her  defections  and 
 backftidings   (of   which  already)  they  are  notourly 
 known,   which    defections    car    feveral    teftimonies 
 bear   witnefs   and   teftimony  ag3*mft,   and   thefe  net  "■ 
 only  of  the  former  times  but  a'1o  of  the  latter.    And 
 we  defire  to   be  forry  and  heartily  grieved,  that  any  . 
 prcfeffing  themfelves  a  minifter  of  the    church   of 
 Scotland,  friould  own  and  countenance,  concur  and 
 corrply  with  a  prelatical   Eraftianifm,  eftablifhed  in '■'* 
 this  land  (which  we  of  this  church  were  reformed 
 from)  which  thing   is  evident   from    mini fters  their 
 compliance  with  the  a£ls  and  mandates  of  the  ftate2  .- 
 they  exerciilng  their  Eraftian    fupremaey  over  this 
 church,  as  their  acts  and  praftice  hath    rnanifefted 
 and  declared       Which  ach  of  the  ftate,  as  it  would 
 be  tedious,  fo  it  would  be  fuperfluous  to   relate  all 
 of  them,  yet  we  (hail  fet  down  fo  much  as  we  think 
 may  fuflice  to  declare  the  Eraftian  defigns. 
 
 As  that  a£t,  anno   1693,   entitled,   an  a£t  for  fet- 
 tling   the  peace  and  quiet    of  the    church,  ordains,  - 
 "  That  no  perfon  be  admitted  or  continued  for  here- ' 
 A  a  3  after 
 
(      282      ) 
 
 after  to  be  a  minifter  or  preacher  within  this  church, 
 unlefs  that  he  having  firft  taken  and  fubfcribed  the 
 oath  of  allegiance  and  aflurance  (this  is  the  new- 
 qualification  of  minifters  impofed  by  the  magiftrate) 
 as  likewife,  that  he  owns  and  acknowledges  Prefby* 
 terian  church  government  as  fettled  by  the  forefaid  5th 
 aft  of  the  2d  feffion  of  this  parliament,  to  be  the  only 
 government. of  this  church  (and  how  is  it  fettled,  but 
 on  the  people's  inclinations,)  a*id  that  he  will  fubmit 
 thereto,  and  concur  therewith,  and  never  endeavour 
 direftly  nor  indireftly  the  prejudice  or  fubverGon 
 thereof.  (Obferve  that  here  the  minifters  have  all,  and 
 to  feek  for  more  will  make  an  alteration  whatever  is 
 wanting:  which  has  been  yery  well  obferved  by  a 
 great  part  of  the  corrupt  minifters,  that  would  not 
 have  more  when  they'had  the  opportunity  to  have  had 
 it.)  And  their  Majefties,  with  advice  and  confent 
 forefaid,  ftatute  and  ordain,  that  uniformity  of  wor- 
 fhip,  and  of  the  adminuftration  of  all  public  ordi- 
 nances within  this  church,  be  obferved  by  all  the 
 faid  minifters  and  preachers  as  the  fame  are  at  pre- 
 fent  performed  and  a-lowed  them,  or  (hall  be  here- 
 after declared  by  the  authority  of  the  fame.  And  no 
 minifter  or  preacher  be  admitted  or  continued  for 
 hereafter,  unlefs  that  he  fubfcribe  to  obferve,  and  do 
 aftually  fubfcribe  the  forefaid  uniformity."  Obferve, 
 this  church  by  this  aft,  is  deprived  of  that  intrinfic 
 power,  which  properly  belongs  to  the  church  of 
 Chrift,  fo  that  hereby  they  muft  depend  upcn  the 
 parliament  for  what  liberty  they  have,  and  this  is  a 
 Vidimus  for  all  the  reft  of  th<ir  afts  relating  to  the 
 church. 
 
 But  we  return,  the  fuffering  remnant  durft  never 
 from  a  zeal  to  God's  glory,  love  to  truth,  and  con- 
 science of  their  duty,  wink  at,  or  paft  over  in  filence 
 the  national  fins  of  this  land,  without  a  teftimony  a- 
 gainft  them  :  but  upon  every  new  emergent,  as  the 
 duty  of  the  day  called  for  a  teftimony  at  their  bands,fo 
 therernthry  endeavoured  not  to  be. deficient,  and  the 
 
 rathe* 
 
(     283     ) 
 
 rather  when  fuch  iniquitous  impo/itions  as  hearth- 
 money,  and  pole-money  came  to  fte  impofed  upon 
 cur  land,  as  had  never  been  practicable,  we  reckoned 
 ourfelves  obliged  to  teftify  againft  them.  And  fo  ac- 
 cordingly we  emitted  another  declaration,  November 
 6,  1695*  as  maY  be  feen  in  the  following  (heets.  And 
 albeit  there  was  none  of  our  number  that  fuffered. 
 upon  the  account  of  publi(hing  of  the  fame,  yet  we 
 wanted  not  the  bitter  reflections  of  fome,  in  faying, 
 that  it  (lengthened  the  malignant  party  at  home,  and 
 common  enemy  abroad. 
 
 In  that  interval  of  time,  betwixt  the  emitting  of 
 our  fecond  and  third  declaration,  as  there  was  nothing 
 in  WiUiam's  time  that  gave  us  ground  to  the  emit- 
 ting of  a  third  declaration,   befides  what  we  had  al- 
 ready teftified  againft,  yet  it  is  obfervab'e,  that  there 
 were  no  amendments  as  to  the  things  teftified  againft, 
 either  in  church  or  ftate  :  for  fo  pun&ual   was  he, 
 and  pliable  were  they,  viz   the  minifters,  in  the  obfer- 
 vation  of  that  model  of  church  government,  which  he 
 with  his  parliament  had  firft  eftablifhed,    that   they 
 ftill  perfifted  and  went  on  without  any  amendment 
 of  the  things  teftified  againft,  for  (as  was  faid)  the  dif- 
 folutions,  callings,  and  adjournments  of  their  aflem- 
 blies  was  fo  practicable,  that  it  became  a  cafe  of  con- 
 feffion  to  thtfe  who  owned  them  ;  and  albeit  this  bad 
 pra&ice  had  a  rank  fmell  of  Eraftianifm,  yet  how 
 fhamefully  and  bafely  they  fubjefted   themfelves  to 
 the  iniquitous  commandments  of  the  ftate  ;  an  in- 
 fiance  whereof  (once  for  all)  in  that  aflembly,  where- 
 in Lothian  Ker  was  commiflioner,  who  faid,  that  he 
 in  his  Majefty's  name  diffolved  this  aflembly  (this  was 
 Feb    13,    1^92,)  whereupon  the  moderator  afked  his 
 grace,  if  this  aflembly  was  diflblved   without  nomi- 
 nating a  diet  for  another  ?  To  which  his  Grace  made 
 return  in  thefe  words  ;  u  His  Majefty  will  appoint  an- 
 other general  affemby*  wherewith  ye  will  be  timeoufly 
 advertifed.5'     Upon  this   the  moderator  defiring  of 
 his  grace  th  it    he  might  be  heard  a  few  words,   his 
 grace  replied,  c<  That  as  a  private  perfon  he  would 
 
 hear 
 
(     *84    ) 
 
 hear  him,  but  not  as  a  moderator.  The  moderator 
 anfwered,  "  Sir,  in  whatfoever  capacity  your  Grace 
 pleafeth,  1  beg  to  be  heard  a  few  words."  His  Grace 
 replied,  "  That  as  a  private  perfon  he  might  fpeak." 
 And  becaufe  what  the  commiffioner  had  done,  in 
 difiolvingthat  affembly,  without  nominating  another, 
 many  of  the  members  were  fo  far  diflatisfied  there- 
 with, that  they  verbally  protefted  againft  what  the 
 commiffioner  had  done  :  but  as  there  was  much  of  a 
 coward- like  fpirit  that  appeared  in  their  moderator, 
 in  the  rtfigning  up  of  his  port,  (as  above  at  the 
 command  or  word  of  a  man  ;  fo  how  much  unfaith- 
 fulness in  this  affair  to  the  conconsof  Chrift,  did  the 
 commiffion  of  the  kirk  afterward  {hew,  while  they  de- 
 clined the  deed  of  that  proteftation  verbally  given  in 
 by  Come  of  their  number,  at  the  diflblution  of  thar 
 affembly,  as  theirs:  uhich  afterwards  clearly  appear- 
 ed from  their  fubmiiTion  to  the  encroachments  made 
 by  the  magiftrate,  upon  the  church  privileges  j  as, 
 that  of  their  pafiing  from  the  appointed  diet  of  their 
 meeting  which  was  to  be  on  the  third  Wednefday  of 
 Auguft  1693  :  and  their  acquiefcing  to  that  diet, 
 which  by  optn  proclamation  was  appointed  by  the 
 magiftrate,  December  6th  1693  ;  which  yet  by  an- 
 other proclamation  was  adjourned  to  the  24th  of 
 March  1694.  Which  fearful  encroachments  by  the 
 ftate,  has  never  faithfully  been  teftified  againft  by  this 
 church.  And  though  there  were  no  more  to  declare 
 this  church's  compliance  with  the  magiftrate's  eraf- 
 tian  courfe*  their  very  laying  2fide  thefe  minutes,  in 
 net  bringing  them  to  the  world's  view,  though  that 
 they  had  firten  for  the  fpace  of  a  month  in  that  af- 
 fembly (as  above)  where  Lothian  Ker  diffblved  them  : 
 We  fay,  if  there  were  no  more  to  teftify  their  de- 
 pendence on  the  ftate,  it  is  fufScient  to  declare  it  •, 
 and  how  provoking  fuch  a  praftice  may  be  to  the 
 Lcrd  Jcfus  Chrift,  the  only  read  of  his  church,  and 
 injurious  to  the  up-coming  generation,  let  the  woi Id- 
 judge  I  But  moreover  the  king's  commiffioner  ap- 
 pointed the  firft  Thuifday  of  April  1695,  as  the  diet 
 
 of 
 
(     285     ) 
 
 of  their  meeting ;  yet  by  the  proclamation  it  was  ad- 
 journed from  that  day  to  the  i  ith  of  July  thereafter, 
 and  from  that  to  the  29th  of  November  •,  and  from 
 that  to  the  17th  of  December  :  and  yet  in  all  this, 
 nothing  like  zeal  and  faithfulnefs  to  the  concerns 
 of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  was  feen  to  appear  in  fuch 
 weighty  matters:  .How  confounding  like  nay  it 
 be  to  the  very  Gallios  of  the  age  we  live  in  I  Ah ! 
 tell  it  not  in  Gath  !   £?c- 
 
 Yea,  and  fo  obfequious  was  this  Eraftian  church 
 .to  the  mandates  of  the  magiftrate,  as  to  the  holding 
 or  not  holding  of  the  courts  of  Chrift  ;  that  though 
 they  were  fitting  in  aflembly  in  the  mean  time  of  Wil- 
 liam's death  ;  and  when  his  commlffioner  told  them,, 
 that  he  could  attend  them  no  longer,  his  matter  being 
 dead.  So  that  albeit  they  had  a  fair  door  fet  open 
 to  have  aflerted  Chrift's  headfhip  over  his  church  ; 
 yet  they  would  not  Gt,  though  they  might,  but  dif- 
 f  .ved  abruptly. 
 
 Now,  after  the  death  of  their  king  William,  prin- 
 cefs  Anne  being  admitted  to  the  government  of  the 
 church  affairs,  (he  walked  in  the  fame  footfteps  with 
 her  predeceffor ;  for  the  very  firft  aflembly  was 
 called  by  her  authority  :  upon  which  change  of  per- 
 fons  to  the  exercife  of  the  government,  the  fuffering 
 party  finding  themfelves  obliged  by  the  indifpenfib  e 
 oath  of  God,  contained  in  the  covenants,  to  teftify 
 againft  every  thing  that  was  definitive  thereof.  And 
 princefs  Anne  being  now  admitted  to  the  govern- 
 ment over  the  three  kingdoms,  we  could  net  but  bear 
 teftimony  againft  the  fame,  upon  thefe  confideraticr.s 
 mentioned  in  the  declaration,  which  was  our  third 
 declaration  emitted  at  May  1703. 
 
 And  fq  conclude,  with  reference  to  thefe  declara- 
 tions following,  whatever  exceptions  they  may  get 
 from  perfons  of  all  ranks,  parties,  or  perfuafions,  yet 
 we  perfuade  ourfelves,  that  when  the  honeft  and 
 faithful  a£ls  of  church  and  ftate  in  our  beft  times  are 
 judicially  approved,  that  cur  honeft  defigns  and  in- 
 tentions in  the  publication  of  thefe  our  declarations, 
 
 will 
 
(     286     } 
 
 will  be  alfb  approved.  And  albeit  we  (hould  be 
 counted  as  fools  and  branded  with  various  afperfioi\s 
 for  the  following  out  of  our  duty,  and  adhering  to 
 every  part  of  the  reformation  of  Scotland  both  as  to 
 church  and  (late.  We  fay  our  fuffering  is  more  ho- 
 nourable than  (inning  So  thofe  nick  names  and  af~ 
 perfionSjwe  defire  with  a  Mofes  to  efteem  them  greater 
 riches  than  the  treafures  of  Egypt. 
 
 Pojlfcript,  As  for  that  pamphlet,  entitled  Church 
 Communion,  emitted  by  Mr.  Linning  and  fathered 
 on  Mr.  Shields,  we  fay  that  our  thoughts  of  it  is, 
 though  that  the  once  worthy  Mr.  Shields  was  turned 
 off  bis  feet  by  cunning  and  flight  of  Meffrs.  Linning 
 and  Boyd,  fo  that  he  could  not  eafily  recover  them 
 again  ;  yet  that  he  was  a  man  more  conformant  to  his 
 principles,  than  fo  openly  to  condemn  by  his  pen 
 that  which  he  had  fo  openly  avouched  before,  as  may 
 be  clearly  feen  both  in  the  Vindication  and  Hynd  let 
 loofe :  for  we  having  had  the  occafion  to  know  the 
 judgment,  humour  and  temper  of  the  three  men,  as 
 much  as  any  in  the  nation,  muft  fay,  (that  abftraft 
 from  Mr.  Shields's  parts)  for  faithfulnefs,  zeal,  love, 
 and  conftancy  to  the  caufe  of  God,  we  found  him 
 by  many  degrees  preferable  to  the  other  two,  although 
 he  was  (as  faid  above)  ftolen  off  his  feet  by  his  falfe 
 brethren  :  and  as  for  Mr.  Thomas's  pamphlet,  as  we 
 judge  him  to  be  the  author,  fo  as  the  fwatch  is  not 
 pleafing,  being  round  fpun  linning  indeed,  we  (hall 
 fuffer  the  author  to  make  the  beft  hand  of  it  he  can  : 
 and  as  for  what  bitternefs  he  hath  kithed  againft  the 
 poor  remnant  by  words  and  deeds,  in  hindering  them 
 to  get  the  gofpel  faithfully  preached  :  he  being  the 
 principal  man  that  inftigated  his  brethren  to  write  to 
 the  colleges  abroad,  that  all  doors  of  hope  might  be 
 fhut  as  to  the  poor  remnant's  bettering  their  condi- 
 tion) we  fay,  it  ill  became  him  to  have  flood  fo  crofs 
 in  the  way  of  their  mercy  of  the  preached  gofpel,  for 
 it  was  to  their  purfes  he  was  beholden  for  what  ad- 
 vancements he  attained  unto  when  abroad. 
 
 THE 
 
(     287     ) 
 THE 
 
 DECLARATION 
 
 O    F      -A 
 
 iPdor,  wafted,  mifreprefented  Remnant,  of 
 the  fufferipg,  Anti-popifh,  Anti-prelatic, 
 Anti-eraftian,  Anti-feclarian,  true  Frefby- 
 terian  church  of  Chrift,  in  Scotland,  united 
 -together  in  a  general  correfpoudence.  Pu- 
 >bli£hed  at  Sanquhar. 
 
 IT  \vt\l  no  doubt  be  reputed  by  many  a  work  both 
 fuperfiuous  and  unfeafonable  at  this  time,  to 
 publiili  any  thing  of  this  nature.  Superfluous,  in  re- 
 gard that  our  principles  and  practices  are  abundantly 
 manifeft  to  the  world  ;  particularly  in  our  informa- 
 tory  vindication,  the  teftimony  againft  the  toleration, 
 and  the  contendings  and  the  fufferinge  of  many  of  our 
 dear  brethren  in  their  adhering  to  the  fame.  And 
 unfeafonable,  by  reafon  of  our  prefent  circumftances, 
 being  this  day  as  fheep  fcatteced  upon  the  mountains, 
 without  a  (hepherd  to  gather  or  lead  us  :  no  man 
 taking  care  for  our  fouls  :  but  inftead  thereof,  all 
 or  mod  part  waiting  for  our  having,  looking  for  and 
 lying  in  waii,  to  catch  advantage  againft  the  caufe, 
 through  the  leaft  mifbehaviour  of  any  of  thofe  who 
 own  it  :  and  would,  we  dcubt  not,  be  glad  Gf  any 
 thing  whereby  they  might  get  the  le^ft  ihado*/  of 
 ground  to  reproach  j  now  when  we  are  as  Ggnets  an  J 
 
 wonders, 
 
(     288     ) 
 
 wonders,  and  have  far    more  to  criticife  upon  our 
 words  and  actions  than  to  kyth  any  fympathy  with 
 the  fcope  and  defign  of  what  we  intend  by  the  fame, 
 upon  thefe  and  the  like  confiderations,  it  may  be  a 
 queftion,  whether  at  this  time  it  be  our  duty  to  ap- 
 pear in  this  manner  ?  Seeing  much  of  the  beauty  afhd 
 luftre  of  a  teftimony,  yea,  and  much  of  its  weight, 
 depends  upon  its  being  both  feafonably  exhibited, 
 and  by  men  of  underftanding,  that  have  knowledge 
 of  the  times,  and  what  Ifrael  ought  to  do.     Thefe 
 and  many  other  things  relative  to  the  fame,  and  they 
 have  in  forne  meafure  been  pondered  by  us  ;  fo  have 
 not  altogether  wanted  their  own  weight,  to  deter  us 
 from  any  thing  of  that  nature  in  fuch  a  jun&ure.  But 
 yet  upon  the  other  hand,  when  we  confider,  that 
 ever  fince  the  Lord's   outftretched  arm   brought  re- 
 demption  to  this  land  from'  Antichriftian  darknefs, 
 and  in  an  eminent  way  made  it  his  own,  by  bring- 
 ing us  under   thefe   facred  and  inviolable  bonds  of 
 holy  covenants  j  as  enemies  to  that  covenanted  work 
 of   reformation,  have  not  been,  neither  at  this  day 
 <are  wanting  for  their  part  in  carrying   on  their  ma- 
 lignant defigns,  in  oppofition  to  and  for  definition 
 of  the  covenant  and   ca-fe  of  God,  and  have   been 
 not  a  little  helped  thereto  by  the  faintings  and  daf- 
 tardly  yieldings  of  unfaithful  and  declining  minifters 
 and  profeffors  of  the  fame.  So  likewife  the  Lord  hath 
 glorified  his   name,   and   hath  fo   far  dignified  this 
 church,  as  to  have  the  honour  (to  the  honour  of  his 
 name  be  it  fpoken)  of  having  ftill  a  party  in  her,  who 
 notwithftanding  the   helliih  cruelty  of  open  and  a- 
 vowed  enemies  in  their  perfecution  on  the  one  hand, 
 and  the  bafe  and  treacherous  dealings  of  backfliding 
 minifters  and  profeflbrs,  in  their  reproaches  and  mif- 
 reprefentations  of  that  poor  party  on  the  other  hand. 
 Yet  over  all  thefe  difficulties,  accounted  it  their  glory 
 to  be  faithful  for  him   in   their  places  and   ftations  ; 
 and  efteemed  the  lead  hoof  of  the  attained-unto  re- 
 formation, preferably  to  their  dearefl  interefts :  laid 
 
 hold 
 
(     *89     ) 
 hold  upon  all  opportunities  that  were  offered  for  giv- 
 ing a  teftimony  of  their  love  to  himfelf  and  zeal  for 
 his  public  glory  ;  although  feldom  or  never  thought 
 feafonable  by  the  wife  and  learned  rabbies  of  the  time. 
 Confidering  how   they    were  helped   to  refift   unto 
 blood,  in  driving  to  keep  the  word  of  his   patience, 
 and  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the 
 faints.     How. the  Lord  fmiled  upon  their  honeft  de- 
 figns,^nd  received  them  with  good-will  at  their  hands. 
 And  likewife  confidering  what  God- provoking,  foul- 
 enfnaring,  and  land-defolating  courfes  are  now  on 
 foot  in  thefe  lanos  \  as  if  a'l  we  have  done  thefe  years 
 bypaft  were  not  fufficient  to  draw  down  the  Lord's 
 deferved  wrath  upon  us>  without  putting  on  the  cap- 
 (lone  on  aU  our  other  defections,  by  joining  once 
 more  in  affinity  with  the  people  of  thefe  abomina- 
 tions, and  carrying  it  on  under  the  name  of  JProtef- 
 tant  intereft;  and  new  reformation.    And  then,  what 
 itrange  apprehenfions  the  land  hath  conceived  of  us, 
 upon  the  account  of  cur  non-concurrence  with  the 
 fame:  looking  upon  us,  as  men   milled*  drinking  in 
 and  maintaining  ftrange  and  pernicious  principles, 
 defpifers  of  government  and   rejecters  of  the  gofpeh 
 We  fay,  upon  thefe  and  other  weighty  con(iderationrf 
 we  judge  ourfelves  fome   way  obliged,   if  we  can  do 
 no  more,  at  lead  to  kythe  our  defire  to  follow  tint 
 noble  Cloud  of  Witneffts,  and  to  go  forth  by  their 
 foot-fteps  in  contending  for  tiuth,    by  adding    our 
 mite  of  a  teftimony  to  all  the  truths  that  are  this  day 
 practically  contravened:  and  againft   all  defections 
 either  on  the  right  or  left  hand,  whatfoevcr  plaufible 
 pretences  they  may  be  covered  with.     Although  we 
 judge  ourfelves,  at  this  time,  inoepab'e  of  puhlifn- 
 ing  any  thing  that  can  either  make  truth   more  clear 
 than  it  is,  or  yet  efcape  the  fneaking  cenfure  of  thofe, 
 whofe  (tation  (if  they  were  fairJhful  in  it)  leads  th?m 
 to  be  far  more  forward  in  this  work  than  we. 
 
 We  therefore  declare  to  the  world,  our  hearty  de- 
 fire  to  embrace  and  adhere  to  the  written   word  of 
 JB  b  God. 
 
{  -9°  ) 
 God,  contained  in  the  holy  fcriptures  of  the  Old  and 
 New  Teftamei.t,  as  the  on!y  and  compkat  rule  of 
 faith  and  manners .:  and  whatfoever  is  founded  there- 
 upon, or  agreeable  thereunto  ;  fuch  as  our  Confcflion 
 of  Faith,  larger  and  (horter  catechifms,  directory  for 
 worihip  and  our  covenants, national  and  folemn  league, 
 the  acknowledgment  of  fins  and  engagement  to  du- 
 ties,, the  caufes  of  God's  wrath,  the  ordinary  and  per- 
 petual officers  of  the  church  by  Chriit's  own  appoint- 
 ment, as  pallors,  doctors,  elders,  and  deacons,  and  the 
 form  of  church  government  conm  only  called  prelbyte- 
 .  rial.  We  declare  qur  adherence  to  all  the  faithful  con- 
 ^tendings  for  truth,  whether  of  old  or  of  late  by  mi- 
 rifters  or  profeiTors,  againft  whatfoever  courfes,  whe- 
 ther more  refined  or  more  grofs.-  And  particularly, 
 againft  the  publfck  refolutions,  Cromwell's  ufurpa- 
 tion,  the  toleration  of  herefies  and  it&s  in  his  time. 
 Againft  the  facrilegious  ufurpations  and  tyranny  of 
 Charles  If.  the  unfaithfulness  ofminiftersand  profef- 
 fors  id  complying  wkh  him,,  by  accepting  his  indul- 
 gences firft  ?j\d  laft.  ,  And  in  a  word  to  every  thing 
 agreeable  to  the  matter  of  our  teftimony,  as  it  is  de- 
 clared p.  168  to  172  of  cur  Informatory  Vindication, 
 Likewife  our  adherence  to  the  teftimony  againft  the 
 abominable  toleration  granted  by  the  duke  of  York, 
 given  in  to  the  minifters  at  Edinburgh  by  that  faith- 
 ful nfiiiiifter  and  now  glorified  martyr,  Mr.  James 
 .Renwick,  Jan.  17,  .  i6§8.  And  to  whatever  faithful 
 contendings  have  been  mace,  cr  teftirr.onies  given 
 againft  the  endeavours  of  any,  in  their  driving  to 
 engage  us  in  a  finful  confederacy  with  a  malignant 
 caufe,  contrary  to  this  our  uftimony  ilnce  the  late 
 revolutions. 
 
 Next  we  declare  our  reje&ing  of  whatever  is  contra- 
 dictory or  contrary  unto  the  written  word  of  God,  or 
 not  founded  thereupon,  either  exprefsly,  or  by  direct, 
 near  or  neceffary  confequence.  More  particularly,  we 
 teftify  our  defeftatiou  and  abhorrencce  of  Pcpery, 
 Quaker  if  21,  Libertinifm,  Antiaoaiianifm,  Socinian* 
 
 ifm 
 
(       291       ) 
 
 ifm,  Anabaptifm,  Independency,  Prelacy,  and  Erafti- 
 anifm,  and  all  extravagancies  and  errors  on  the  right  or 
 left  hand,  fuch  as  the  doating  delufions  of  thefe  drawn 
 into  a  confortfhip  in  and  about  the  Cotemoore  :  to- 
 gether with  all  kinds  of  idolatry,  fuperfiition,  and 
 profanenefs,  and  whatsoever  is  found  contrary  to  found 
 doctrine  and  the  power  of  godlinefs,  and  againft  every 
 other  thing,  contrary  to  the  teftimony  of  this  church, 
 as  they  are  particularly  enumerated  in  pages  1 73, 1 74 
 of  our  forefaid  Vindication; 
 
 And  in  like  manner,  we  difown  as  a  ftep  of  de- 
 fe£tion,  declining  from,  and  ccntradi&ory  unto  the 
 covenanted  reformation  of  the  church  of  Scotland, 
 and  inconfiftent  with  the  teftimony  of  our  anceftors* 
 the  publifning  of  that  declaration,  called,  the  decla- 
 ration of  his  highnefs  William  prince  of  Orange, 
 Sec-  and  efpoufing  it  as  the  ftate  of  the  church  and 
 kingdom  of  Scotland's  quarrel,  while  he  then  was, 
 and  yet  is,  furrounded  in  council  and  army  with' 
 many  of  the  old  and  inveterate  enemies  of  ChriftV 
 caufe  and  people,  both  at  home  in  thefe  lands  and 
 abroad,  except  France  and  his  affbeiates  His  u.a- 
 concernednefs  with  the  overturning  the  work  of  God 
 in  thefe  lands  thefe  many  years,  till  his  own  intereft, 
 and  the  call  of  the  prelates  in  England,  did  prompt 
 him  to  his  undertakings.  Their  being  fet  tip  by  the 
 faffrages  of  thefe  men  of  blood  here  in  Scotland, 
 notwithftanning  of  their  being  immediately  before 
 crowned  and  anointed  king  and  queen  in  our  neigh- 
 bouring covenanted  land,  according  to  all  the  Popifh 
 ceremonies,  upon  their  engaging  on  their  knees,  be-  ' 
 fore  the  altar,  &c.  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power  to 
 preferve  unto  the  bifnops  and  clergy  of  that  rea-  n, 
 and  that  to  the  churches  committed  to  their  charge, 
 fucb  rites  and  privileges  as  d®  or  fnall  appertain  un:o 
 them,  or  any  of  them. 
 
 As  alio,  if  we  confider  his  other  declaration  of 
 
 the  reafon  indacing  Kim  to  appear  in  arms  in  the 
 
 kingdom  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  emitted 
 
 B  b  2  ,  at 
 
(  29  *  .  ) 
 at  the  fame  time  :  Wherein  he  labours  to  put  flianie 
 and  contempt  upon  mod  of  all  the  contendings  of  this 
 church,  and  to  bury  many  of  the  mod  material  points 
 of  her  teftimony.  Thereby  declaring  his  principles,  and 
 what  he  refolved  upon  in  his  after  pra&ice :  and  his 
 thereby  rending  and  overturning  that  defirable  uni- 
 formity in  religion  attained  unto  with  England, 
 which  thefe  lands  cannot  break  without  manifeft 
 perjury:  being  fworn  thereto  by  the  firft  article  of 
 the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant.  At  leaft  it  is  a 
 walking  in  their  counfels  who  rent  the  fame  before 
 him  j  and  a  corroborating  and  ratifying  the  ftatutes 
 of  Omri,  and  the  works  of  the  houfe  6f  Ahab, 
 that  thereby  theft  covenanted  lands  fliould  be  made  a 
 defclation,and  the  inhabitants  thereof  a  hilling.  Upon 
 thefe  and  other  very  weighty  grounds  and  reafons, 
 which  (if  the  Lord  will)  we  may  have  the  occ  Iwn 
 to  make  known  afterwards  ;  we  declare  the  refufal 
 of  our  concurrence  with  the  prefent  courfe  now  on 
 foot  ;  it  being  no  way  concerted  according  to  the  an- 
 cient plea  of  the  Scottifh  covenanters,  for  the  cove- 
 nanted reformation  of  religion  in  Britain  and  Ireland, 
 for  the  do<fhine,  worfnip,  difcipline,  and  government 
 of  the  houfe  of  God  againft  Popery,  Prelacy,  Malig- 
 nancy, Se&arianifm,  EraftiaDifm,  and  whatever  is 
 contrary  to  found  do£trine  and  the  power  of  godli- 
 nefs.  But  inftead  thereof,  a  joining  and  concurring 
 with  the  promoters  of  all  thefe,  in  their  popi{h,prelatic, 
 malignant,  and  fectarian  defigns,  whereby  error,  pro- 
 fanity, and  wickednefs  is  encouraged  and  tolerated  ; 
 the  Lord  h'ghly  difhonoured  :  his  avowed  and  de- 
 clared enemies  brought  into  places  of  greateft  power 
 and  truft,  inftead  of  bringing  the  {wheel  of  juflice 
 ever  them  ;  together  with  the  addition  of  moft  of  all 
 thefe,  who  have  been  the  chief  ring-leaders,  fomen- 
 tors,  and  favourers  of  indulgences,  toleration,  andall 
 other  defections  of  this  church.  This  quarrel  we 
 fay,  we  refufe  to  cfpoufe  in  lieu  of  that  other  :  but 
 to  fignify  our  difpleafure  therewith,  refufe  to  con- 
 cur 
 
(     *93    ) 
 
 cur  in  any  thing  that  we  know  will  ftrengthen  to  en- 
 courage the  fame,  fuch  3S  taking  the  oath  of  allegi- 
 ance, rendezvoufmg  at  their  command,  paying  any 
 fubfidies  impofed  for  that  end,  or  doing  any  thing 
 that  may  tend  to  the  weakening  the  hands  or  fad- 
 dening  the  hearts  of  our  brethren,  in   their  honcft, 
 zealous,  and  faithful  contending  againft  the  fame. 
 For  which  let  all  concerned  fee  the  feafonable  and 
 necefiary  warning  of  the  General  Affembly  of  this 
 kirk  to  all  the  members  thereof,  July  27,  1649.  ^e*~- 
 27.  General  Affembly,  July  ult!  164B    feff,  21.  with 
 the  humble  fupplication  of  the  afiembly  to  the  com- 
 mitee  of  eftates,  Aug.  2,  1648,  fcff.  25.  Act  Gene- 
 ral Afiemby,   Aug.    3,   1648.  fcff   26    A£l  4  pari. 
 2  Char.    And  what  our  land   mourned  for.  Art.  9. 
 Sept.  5.  of  the  caufes  of  God's  wrath.     With  many 
 places  of  fcripture,  acts  both  of  aiTembfies  and  par- 
 liaments, which  are  fo  clear,  that  if  they  were  made 
 judges,  and  durft  come  3bove-board  to  examine  the 
 preftnt   courfc;   it  were  no  great  difficulty  to  the' 
 meaneft  capacity,  to  fee  as   great   difparity  between 
 this  and  what  our  fathers  contended  for,  a^  between 
 defection  and  reformation.      But   left  we   fhould  be 
 hereby  fufpe£led  of  maintaining  the  principle  of  dif- 
 owning  all  government;  therefore,  as'  for  fuch  ma- 
 giftrates,  as  being  rightly  and  lawfully  conftitute  over 
 us,  fhall  employ  their  power  for  fetting  theMediator 
 on  his  throne,  and  the  cro-vn  upon  his  head,  and  in 
 defence  of  his  crown  rights  and  royal  prerogatives* 
 (hall  aft  as  the  minifters  of  Gx)d  in  a  direft  line  of 
 fubordinaticn  to  him,  in  defence  of  our  covenanted 
 reformation,  and  the  fubjetts  liberties  againft:  Popery, 
 Prelacy,  Eraftianifm,  Superftition,  Herefy,  Profane- 
 nefs,  and  whatever  (hall  be  found  to  be  contrary  to 
 found  do&rine  and  the  power  of  godlinefs  \  and  thus 
 become    a  terror  to  evil-doers,  and  encouragers  of 
 them  that  do  well.     We  declare,  whensoever  we  can 
 obtain  and  er.joy  fuch  rulers,  we  will  own,  embrace, 
 B  b  3  and 
 
(    *94    ) 
 
 and  defend  them  to  the  utmoft  of  our  power,  and 
 prove  encouraging,  fubjett,  and  obedient  to  them  in 
 our  places  and,  ftations.  Ami  here,  in  purfuance  of 
 S>ur  former  teftimony,  we  refolve  to  (land*  and  wait. 
 
 Moreover,  we  teftify  and  declare  againft  the  un- 
 parallelled  unfaithfulnefs  of  the  minifters  of  Scotland, 
 as  in  what  they  have  done  before  thefe  revolutions,  to 
 the  detriment  of  the  caufe  -,  fo  efpccially  fince,  in 
 contributing  and  concurring,  they  and  all  their  ac* 
 complices,  in  their  ftations,  and  to  their  power,  with 
 the  bulk  of  thefe  old  bloody  and  perjured  enemies  of 
 of  Chrift,  his  caufe  and  people,  in  fetting  up,  their 
 highnefs  the  prince  and  princefs  of  Orange  king  and 
 queen  over  thefe  covenanted  lands,  while  a&ing  di- 
 rectly contrary  to  the  covenants,  being  without  cove- 
 nant  qualifications,  viz.  of  known  integrity,  approved 
 fidelity,  conftant  afredtion  and  zeal  to  the  caufe  of 
 God,  fuch  againft  whom  there  is  no  juft  caufe  of  ex- 
 ception nor  jealoufy  ;  which  our  covenants  and  the 
 laws  of  the  crown  require  to  be  in  judges  fuperior  or 
 inferior,  whom  we  are  allowed  to  fet  over  us,  and 
 join  with,  according  to  Exod.  xviii.  212  Sam  xxiii. 
 3,  4.  Neh.  vii.  2,  7.  Being  not  of  one  perfect  reli- 
 gion with  ourfelves,  neither  in  covenant,  nor  ad- 
 mitted covenant  ways,  without  the  fealihg  and  fwear- 
 ing  of  which  our  fathers,  or  rather  we  ourfelves, 
 refufed  to  receive  Charles  the  See4nd  to  the  crown. 
 It  being  the  very  foundation,  whereupon  any  right 
 they  have  to  govern  is  founded  :  and  without  the  ap- 
 probation and  fubfeription  whereof,  the  people  can 
 never  have  from  him,  fufticient  fecunty,  either  for 
 religion  or  their  juft  liberties.  And,  if  the  prelates 
 in  England,  with  their  aflbciates,  were  fo  peremptory, 
 as  not  to  admit  him  to  the  exercife  of  the  government, 
 until  they  had  him  engaged  to  maintain  and  defend 
 that  abjured  hierarchy  :  hew  aftoni  filing  is  it  that  Pref- 
 byteriant  fhould  have  waited,  till  the  Lord  had  raif- 
 ed  up  inftruraentfl,  rightly  qualified,  and  from  whom 
 fufficient  fecurity  for  the  covenated  reformation  of 
 
 the- 
 
(     *9J     ) 
 
 the  true  religion  in  thefe  lands  might  be  had  :  and 
 not   to  have  made   hafte,    in    building   up    Zion's 
 breaches  with  the  flones  of  that  burnt  mountain  of 
 Babylon  !  Their  unfaithfulnefs  to  their  fouls,  in  not 
 reprefenting  to  them  the  hazard  they  were  and  would 
 be  in,  if  they  entered  themfelves  heirs  to  the  fins  of 
 that  throne,  againlt  which  the  Lord  hath  fuch  along 
 and  eminent  controverfy,  in  feeking  to  eflablilh  his 
 own  intereft  upon  the  ruins  of  the  intereft  of  Jefus 
 Chrift,  which  is  nothing  elfe  but  to  oppofe  the  king-    - 
 dom  of  the  Son  of  God*  by  -whom  kings  do  reign.    If 
 he  fhould  cleave  unto  thefe  men  as  his  trufty  coun- 
 fellors  ;  who,  as  thty  never  had  the  glory  of  God, 
 nor  the  good  of  his  people  before  their  eyes :  fo  now, 
 in  all  their  ways  and  councils,    are  feeking  nothing 
 but  their  own  intereft,  to  the  hazard  and  deftrvclion 
 of  religion,  and  the  defolation  of  the  kingdoms.     If 
 he  fhould  fettle  a  peace  with  God's  avowed   and  de- 
 clared enemies,  the  murderers  of  his  poor  innocent 
 people,  by  owning  them  as  his  good  and  loyal   fub- 
 je£ts,  upon  condition  of  their  peaceable  fubtnifpon  to 
 his  government.     And   if  he  fhould  employ,    help, 
 concur,  or  join  with  Antichriftian  forces,  either  at 
 home  or  abroad.     All  which  he  hath  done,  and  this 
 day  is  doing ;    which   cannot  be  otherwife  judged 
 but  a  giving  his  royal  power  and  ftrength  unto  the 
 beaft  :  and  an  acceffion  to  all  that  biood  of  the  Lord's 
 people  wherewith  thofe  fons  of  Babel  have  made  the 
 lands  undrr  their  refpe£Hve  tyrannies  to  fwim.  Xheir 
 unfaithfulnefs,  in  not  laying  plainly  and  feafonably 
 to  his  confideration,  what  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  cf 
 hofts  hath  fpoken  of  all  the  accounts  of  people,  na- 
 tions,  kings,  and  rulers  againft  the  kingdom  of  his 
 Son,  that  they  imagine  a  vain  thing,  and  that  he  that 
 fitteth  in  heaven  will  have  them  in  derifion,  and  vex 
 them  in  his  fore  difpleafure. 
 
 What  marks  of  defperate  malignancy,  enmity,  and 
 hatred  to  the  caufe  and  people  of  God,  hath  appear- 
 ed, thefe  years  bjrpaft,  in  thefe  men  that  now  bear 
 
 fway 
 
(     296     ) 
 
 fway  in  his  councils  and  armies.  How  the  anger  of 
 the  Lojd  hath  been  kindled,  even  againft  his  deareft 
 faints,  when  they  have  joined  themfelves  to  fuch  men 
 as  he  hateth  and  are  curfed  ;  and  how  feverely  he 
 hath  threatened  and  punifhed  fuch  kings,  as  have  af- 
 fociate  with  idolaters  and  leaned  to  their  helps.  And 
 next,  their  unfaithfulnefs  to  the  poor  guilty  land,  in 
 not  forefeeing  the  evil  and  forefliewing  the  danger, 
 fetting  up  magiftrates  without  alking  counfel  at  the 
 mouth  of  the  Lord  ;  although  a  duty  incumbent  on 
 faithful  watchmen,  to  fet  the  trumpet  to  their  mouths 
 in  fuch  cafes,  and  give  faithful  and  diftinft  warn- 
 ings, left  Ifrad  caft  ofF  the  thing  that  is  good,  and 
 the  enemy  purfue  him,  for  fetting  up  kings  and  not 
 by  God,  and  princes  without  his  knowledge.  Nor 
 yet  declaring  the  fin  and  danger  of  aflbciating  in  war 
 with  known  enemies  of  truth  and  godlinefs,  fuch  as 
 are  employed  in  the  prefent  expedition  :  Whereby  a 
 door  is  opened  for  the  introduction,  toleration,  and 
 encouragement  of  Papifts,  Malignants,  and  feftaries. 
 And  the  (late  of  the  quarrel,  inftead  of  being  rightly 
 propofed,  according  to  the  ancient  plea  againft  both 
 right  and  left  hand  oppofites  ;  it  is  thereby  betrayed, 
 loft,  and  buried.  Add  to  all  thefe,  their  pretended 
 fafts  and  thankfgivings,  for  fuccefs  and  profperity 
 to  the  enemies  of  God,  his  church  and  people :  where- 
 by the  Lord  is  mocked,  his  truths  buried,  the  people's 
 fouls  enfnared,  the  godly  {tumbled,  a  courfe  of  re- 
 formation, rather  buried  than  raifed,  profecuted  or 
 defended,  and  a  malignat  quarrel  embraced  ;  yea, 
 that  fame  courfe  which  hath  been  always  curfed  of 
 God,  and  upon  which  he  hath  fet  evident  marks  of 
 his  difpleafure.  The  public  fin,  for  which  he  is  this 
 day  contending  againft  the  land  :  and  the  Achart 
 which  made  Ifrael  fo  oft  to  fall  before  his  ene- 
 mies. 
 
 New,  if  this  be  no  falfe  charge,  as,  alas !  it  is  not : 
 and  if  thefe  be  not  only  pieces  of  unfaithfulnefs,  but 
 matrifeft  breaches  of  covenant,  and  very  great  fteps 
 
 of 
 
(     297     ) 
 
 of  defection  from  the  principles  and  practices  cf  the 
 once  famous  church  of  Scotland,  as  indeed  they  are  ; 
 and  if  our  hearing  and  joining  with  them,  will  infer 
 a  concurrence  with  their  courfe,  a  participation  of 
 their  guilt :  and  a  rendering  of  us  obnoxious  to  the 
 judgments  to  which  the  breach  of  the  covenant  is 
 liable  :  Since  it  is  fuch  a  communion,  as  in  the  pre* 
 fent  circumftances  is  interpreted  by  all  to  be  a  teflera 
 cf  incorporation  with  them,  and  a  fign  of  approba- 
 tion of  their  way,  with  which  all  muft  be  interpreted 
 confenters  that  are  not  contradictors.  And  like- 
 wife  a  laying  down  of  our  former  teftimony,  before 
 the  courfes  teftified  againft  be  forfaken,  as  none  will 
 deny.  Then  we  fee  not,  how  any  honed  man,  zea- 
 lous Chriftian,  or  faithful  minifter  can  condemn  us, 
 for  declaring  our  cheerful  refolution,  in  the  Lord's 
 ftrength,  to  (land  off,  and  not  to  concur  with  them 
 in  this  their  new  and  ftrange  way,  by  hearing  them, 
 paying  their  ftipends,  obferving  their  fads  orthankf- 
 giving  days,  compearing  before  their  kirk-feflions, 
 prefbyteries,  fynods,  general  aflemblies  or  the  like. 
 But  on  the  contrary,  to  proteft  and  teftify  againft  the 
 constitution  of  thefe  ecclefiaftic  meetings:  in  regard 
 they  are  made  up  of  fuch  a  corrupt  mixture  of  mem* 
 bers.  Some  of  them  having  embraced  indulgences  ; 
 fome  having  grven  bond  to  the  council,  not  to  preach 
 for  an  indefinite  or  longer  or  ihorter  time.  Some 
 having  ordinarily  heard,  and  communicated  with  cu- 
 rates. Some  having  come  under  finful  bonds  of 
 peace  and  oaths  of  allegiance,  ahd  the  like,  to  the  per- 
 secuting adverfaries,  repugnant  to  the  oath  of  our  co- 
 venants Againft  the  breaches  of  which  covenants, 
 we  teftify,  and  againft  all  the  injuries  or  affronts  that 
 have  been  or  are  offered  to  the  fame  by  the  minifters 
 in  Scotland,  in  not  preaching  the  perpetual  obligation 
 of  them,  nor  renewing  them  ;  neither  difccvering 
 particularly  the  breaches  thereof:  yea,  many  not  once 
 mentioning  them  in  the  engagements  which  they  re- 
 quire of  parents^  when  they  prefent  their  children  to 
 
 baptifm, 
 
(     193     ) 
 
 baptifm,   or  in  their  licenfing  and  ordaining  of  per- 
 fons  to  that  holy  function  of  the  miniftry. 
 
 Oh!  how  aftoniihing  !  The  like  not  to  be  heard  a- 
 mong  the  heathen,  that  thefe  folemn  vo^s  and  co 
 nants  fhould  nor  only  be  fcomed,  derided,  openly 
 burnt,  and  made  a  capital  crime  to  own  them,  by 
 open  and  avowed  adversaries,  but  alfo  caft  by  and  bu- 
 ried by  the  minifters  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  called 
 Prtfbyterians.  A  covenant,  without  the  fwearing  of 
 which,  none  was  capable  of  the  meaneft  employment 
 either  in  church  or  ftate.  A  covenant,  to  which 
 Chrift's  witneffes  did  always  adhere,  and  for  which 
 they  did  fuffer  and  contend.  That  covenant  which 
 the  reprefentatives  of  church  and  ftate  in  the  three 
 kingdoms,  did  foternnly  fwear  and  fubferibe  for  them- 
 felves  and  pofterity;  to  which  the  obligation,  either 
 S3  to  the  duty  cr  punifhment,  continues  indifpen- 
 fible  upon  the  generation  ;  which  for  the  moral  equicy 
 of  its  matter,  the  formality  of  its  manner,  the  import- 
 tance  of  its  purpofe,  the  holinefs  of  its  folemn  engage-- 
 ment,  and  the  glory  of  its  ends  ;  no  power  on  earth 
 can  difannul,  difable,  or  difpenfe.  That  covenant* 
 which  was  juftly  thought  a  fit  and  excellent  mean,  not 
 only  to  ftrengthen  and  fortify  the  kingdoms  againft 
 the  common  enemy  of  the  true  reformed  religion, 
 public  peace  andprofperity  ;  but  alfo,  to  acquire  the 
 favour  of  Almighty  God  towards  the  three  kingdoms 
 of  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland,  as  is  expreft  in  the 
 ordinance  of  the  Lords  and  Commons,  dated  February 
 20,  1653  Surely  then,  the  authors  and  chief  inftru- 
 ments  of  the  breaches  of  that  covenant,  are  to  be 
 looked  upon  as  thofe  that  ftrengthen  the  hands  of 
 the  common  enemy,  and  provoke  the  wrath  of  Al- 
 mighty God  againft  thofe  kingdoms.  And  if  by  the 
 Declaration  of  both  kingdoms,  joined  in  arms,  anno 
 1643,  fuch  as  would  not  take  the  covenant,  are  de- 
 clared to  be  public  enemies  to  their  religion  and 
 country,  and  to  be  cenfured  and  punifhed  as  public 
 adverfaries  and  malignants;    who  feeth  not  now  a 
 
 a  ftrange 
 
(   »»   ) 
 
 a  ftrange  falling  away  from  thefe  firfl  principles  and 
 profeflions,  among  thefe  who  either  magnify  or  cry 
 up,  or  at  Icati  connive  at  or  comply  vrith  fuch  as 
 have  not  taken  the  covenant ;  yea,  are  known  ene- 
 mies to  it. 
 
 Yet  notwithftanding,  thefe  fame  enemies  have  been 
 complied  with  and  connived  at,  by  many  minifters, 
 
 4o  their  taking  oaths  imposed  by  them,  repugnant,  we 
 fay,  to  che  oath  or  our  covenants.  And  others  of 
 them  having  gone  on  in  fundry  other  ft<*ps  of  defec- 
 tion ;  and  to  no  fmali  contradiction  of  Chrift's  moft 
 faithful  fufferers  and  witneffes  ;  moft  part  having  ad- 
 drefied  for,  and  accepted  of  the  late  Antichriftiau 
 toleration,  and  to  this  day  are  treading  the  fame 
 paths  that  leaJ  to  defedtion,  and  to  adeteftable  indif- 
 ferency  and  neutrality  in  the  Lord's  matters,  without 
 any  ihadow  of  their  cordial  abandoning  fuch  woful 
 courfes  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  A  wiping  of  the  mcuthf 
 and  faying^  W*  have  done  no  evil:  a  fafting,  praying, 
 and  giving  thanks  for  fuccefs  and  profperity  to  thofe 
 ■who  have  devoured  Jacob  and  laid  his  habitation  defo- 
 late  ;  under  whofe  ihadow  they  enjoy  this  unhallow- 
 ed eafe,  as  if  they  were  delivered  to  retain  and  main- 
 tain all  thefe  abominations.  Can  fuch  a  work  be  of 
 God  ?  Can  tender  zealous  fouls  concur  with  it  in 
 faith  ?  Or  can  it  ftand,  which  hath  its  foundation 
 laid  upon  the  ruins  of  truth  ?  Such  a  fuperftrudrure, 
 as  building  up  Zion  with  bloody  and  Jerufalem  with  ini* 
 quity  ?  Such  meafures,  being  bounded  by  the  decrees 
 of  God's  enemies;  and  fuch  workers,  who  by  the 
 word  of  God  and  decrees  of  our  church,  would  be 
 fufpended,  if  not  depofed  from  their  office,  and 
 brought  in  as  delinquents  to  undergo  cenfure,  and 
 not  as  confiituent  members  of  a  judicatory;  in  re- 
 
 t  gard  they  have  yielded  up  the  liberties  cf  the  church 
 into  the  hands  and  will  of  her  enemies  ;  and  in  regard 
 they  carry  on  a  courfe  of  defection,  contrary  to  the 
 fcriptures,  cur  covenants,  and  the  acts  and  confuta- 
 tions of  this  church. 
 
 We 
 
(     3°°     ) 
 
 We  fay  again,  upon  thefe  grounds,  we  in  our 
 places  and  Rations,  teftify  againft  all  that  they  may 
 conclude  or  determine  in  thefetheir  ecclefiafticcourts, 
 by  a£ts,  ratifications,  declarations,  fentences,  cen- 
 fures,  or  commiffions,  &c  That  fhall  be  made  or 
 given  out  by  them  :  and  protefts  that  the  fame  may 
 be  void  and  null,  and  not  interpreted  as  binding  to 
 the  church  of  Scotland.  But  let  none  think,  that 
 what  we  have  here  faid  can  be  interpreted  to  be  a 
 viUipending  or  rejecting  of  the  free,  lawful,  and 
 rightly  constitute  courts  of  Chrift  :  for  we  do  acknow- 
 ledge fuch  to  have  been  among  the  firfi  &nd  moft 
 effe&ual  mean&  appointed  of  God,  for  preferving  the 
 purity*  and  advancing  the  power  of  reformation  in 
 the  church  ;  the  fweet  fruits  and  bleiTed  effects 
 whereof,  this  church  hath  fometime  enjoyed;  which 
 we  have  endeavoured  after,  and  are  this  day  longing 
 for. 
 
 We  deteli  and  abhor  that  principle  of,  carting 
 off  the  miniftry,  wherewith  we  are  malicioufly  calum- 
 niated,by  thofe  who  labour  to  fallen  upon  us  the  odious 
 names  of  fchifniaticsandfeparatifts^deipifersofthegof- 
 pel,andthelike.  Bui  as  herein  they  bewray  their  enmi- 
 ty to  the  caufe  we  own  j  fo  till  they  bring  their  own 
 principles  and  practices,  and  ours  both,  and  try  them 
 by  the  law  and  the  teftimony,  the  meafuring  line  of 
 the  fan£tuary,  the  word  of  God,  and  the  practice  of 
 this  church,  when  the  Lord  kept  houfe  with  her,  and 
 rejoiced  over  her  as  a  bridegroom  over  the  bride. 
 They  can  never  prove  us  fchifmatics  or  feparatiils 
 fromthekirkof  ScotlandiUpon  the  account  of  our  non- 
 union with  the  backfliding  multitude  therein?  And 
 herein  we  may  have  a  fure  and  well  grounded  hope, 
 that  when  the  Lord  (hail  decide  the  controverfy  in 
 favours  of  truth  :  in  that  day,  union  in  truth  and 
 duty,  and  feparation,  finfully  conf2dered,wiil  be  other- 
 wife  applied  than  now  they  are.  Befides,  we  may 
 fay  (without  boafting)  we  fuppofe  it  may  be  gathered 
 from  what  we  have  done  for  the  faithfully  preached 
 
(     30i     ) 
 
 gofpel,  and  what  love  and  refpecfc  we  have  fhown 
 towards  faithful  minifters,  whilft  fuch  :  what  our  car- 
 riage to  them  would  yet  be  if  we  had  them,  yea,  we 
 are  fo  far  from  having  any  Rated  prejudice  (as -Tome 
 foolifhly  think)  at  any  of  them,  for  whatever  their 
 ftrayings  have  been  either  as  minifters  or  Chriftians  , 
 that  we  declare  by  thefe  prefents  whenever  the  Lord 
 ill  all  fend  us  fuch,  as  cut  of  love  to  God,  zeal  for  his 
 public  concernments,  and  confeience  of  their  duty, 
 wiil  kythe  their  refentment  of  theirformer  backilidings 
 -  and  defe&ions,  by  condemning  and  forfaki ng  the  fame, 
 and  fatisfy  the  offended  consciences  of  the  Lord's 
 people,  b.y  their  public  declaring  the  mind  of  God 
 faithfully  and  freely,  and  the  people's  duty  in  order  to 
 the  pad  and  prefent  courfes  of  the  rime  \  keeping  no- 
 thing  back  thai  may  Be  profitable  for  our  building  up 
 in  hoiinefs,  our  managing  a  teftimony  for  Chrilt,  a- 
 gainft  all  the  forementioned  or  the  like /tens  of  de- 
 fection ^  and  that  the  fame  may  be  faithfully  tranf- 
 mitted  to  the  fucceeding  generations,  that  they  may 
 ki\ow  what  the  Lord  hath  done  for  our  land>  and  may 
 not  be  iike  their  fathers,  a  race  not  right  in  heart  with 
 God,  unftedfaft  and  perfidious  in  his  covenant :  up- 
 on thefe  conditions,  and  upon  removal -of  juft  excep- 
 tions, we  promife  our  hearty  concurrence  with  them, 
 in  hearing  them,  and  to  do  every  other  thing  that  pre- 
 cept or  former  pra£tice  to  miniiiers  in  the  like  cafe, 
 can  oblige  perfons  in  our  circumftances  to  do  to,  or 
 for  their  faithful  leaders,  to  whom  they  may  fafely, 
 without  fcruple,  commit  the  charge  of  their  fouls  : 
 withal  protefting,  that  this  our  declaration  may  be  a 
 ftanding  anfwer  to  all  the  lies,  reproaches,  mifinfor- 
 mations,  or  mifreprefentaticnj,  or  whatfoever,  that 
 fhall  be  brought  in  againft  us  in  time  coming,  by 
 whatfoever  party  or  perfons,  upon  the  account  of  our 
 non-confederating  with  them,  feeing  what  we  here 
 require,  is  both  reiigiou$  and  reafonable.  And  fee- 
 ing what  we  own  is  of  no  new  extra&ion,  but  was  ef- 
 tcejRed  truth  before  we  had  a  tongue  to  fpeak  for 
 
 C  c  it, 
 
(     3°*     ) 
 
 it,  and  we  hope,  (hall  be  fo,  when  its  enemies  and 
 betrayers  fhaiJ  want  a  mouth  to  fpeak  againft  it. 
 
 And  now,  having  thus  declared  our  teftimony  in 
 as  compendious  and  innocent  a  way,  as  the  nature  and 
 circurnftances  of  it  will  ailow,  as  we  are  not  alto- 
 gether ignorant  what  acception  it  {hall  find  from  per- 
 sons of  all  tempers,  to  whofe  hands  it  may  come;  fo 
 efpeciallyfromthofe  minifters,Mr.  Alexander  Shields, 
 Mr.  Thomas  Linning,  Mr  William  Boyd,  and  others 
 their  accomplices,  who  have  lately  gone  from  us  and 
 left  us,  after  the  Lord  (in  his  mercy  to  us)  had  fruf- 
 trate  their  defign  of  precipitating  us  into  a  confede- 
 racy wich  all  thofe  to  whom  the  nations  are  faying,  a 
 confederacy*  by  regimenting  and  uniting  with  the 
 deftroyers  and  betrayers  of  the  caufe,  and  that  both  in 
 church  and  Rate  ;  and  carting  in  our  lots,  and  inter- 
 weaving our  interefts  with  theirs  ;  as  they  had  done 
 with  many  of  our  brethren  before,  and  alfo  with 
 many  of  ourfelves,  which  this  day  we  defire  to  mouri^ 
 for,  and  long  for  that  day  wherein  we  may  confefs 
 the  fame  before  a  competent  and  faithful  judicatory. 
 But  if  we  dur-ft  fay,  that  what  we  have  here  done, 
 was  not  intended  to  pleafe  ourfelves,  To  neither  to 
 give  juft  ground  of  irritation  or  ftumbling  to  any  of 
 the  Lord's  people.  And  as  for  the  wicked,  who  know 
 not  at  what  they  (tumble,  we  may  warrantably  fay, 
 it  was  n  )t  defigned  to.pleafe  th?m,  be  the  event  what 
 will.  Only  thif,  to  let  the  indiiterent  and  lukewarm 
 pirty  on  the  one  hand  know,  that  the  Lard  is  keep- 
 ing up  a  handful  to  witnefs  for  him,  againft  their  paft 
 and  prefent  rotten  courfes  of  defection,  notwith- 
 ftanding  their  cutting  off  the  hair,  and  putting  out 
 the  eyes  cf  thefe  three  minifters  before-mentioned, 
 and  carrying  them  in  their  printed  acts  and  letters 
 through  the  nations,  as  trophies  of  their  vi&ory  over 
 them  ;  as  men,  whofe  former  lives  and  docStrine  had 
 been  contrary  to  the  former  rules  and  principles  of 
 the  church,  nourifhing  and  encouraging  fchifm,  di- 
 viiion  and  defe£lion,  and  their  former  teftinonies 
 made  up  in  many  things  of  feveral  peremptory  grofs 
 
 miftakcs, 
 
(     3*3     ) 
 
 mi  Mates,  uncharitable  and  injurious  reflecYions  tend- 
 ing rather  to  kindle  contentions,  than  remove  divr- 
 fions".  All  which  are  plainly  innouated  in  their  ad, 
 called,  the  proceedings  of  the  afiembiy  anent  Mr.  Lin- 
 ing  and  others.  Thereby  labouring,  through  them, 
 to  reach  a  blow  to  the  caufe  of  God,  and  to  all  the 
 faithful  witnefies  and  witneffmgs  of  the  poor  remnant 
 with  whom  they  were  once  embarked.  And  the 
 malignant  party  may  alfo  know,  that  we  look  upon 
 them  as  the  murderers  of  our  dear  brethren,  whofe 
 blood,  as  it  is  precious  in  God's  fight,  fo  no  human 
 power  can  indemnify,  for  though  it  be  God's  glory 
 to  pardon  yet  man's  duty  and  glory  is,  to  admini- 
 fterjuftice  impartially,  We  are  not  changed  from 
 our  former  p  inciples  and  intentions,  but  our  caufe 
 is  the  fame,  whatever  thofe  who  have  fallen  off  from 
 us  may  plead  for.  And  finally,  we  defire  all  Perfons, 
 of  whatsoever  new  party  they  be,  minifter  or  other, 
 that  would  appear  more  refined  than  the  reft,  and 
 pretending  to  a£t  feparately  from  our  enemies  and  an- 
 tagonifts,  whilft  yet  real'y  incorporate  with  them,  and 
 carrying  on  their  defigns  more  effc&uVily,  though- 
 more  fmoothly  and  inftrumental,  to  break  and  divr'c 
 us  more  than  any,  as  if  purpofely  fent  forth  by  the 
 reft  for  that  efFeft  ;  not  to  miftake  us,  as  if  what  we 
 have  fcid  in  order  to  the  reft,  were  not  applicable  to 
 them  But  on  the  contrary,  that  we  look  upon  their 
 courfe,  as  accompanied  with  many  aggravations  that 
 others  are  not  capable  of,  and  fo,  as  more  loth  fo  me* 
 cO  God,  ought  to  be  the  more  deteftable  to  us.  And 
 a3  for  neutraiifb,  who  account  it  wifdom  to  condemn 
 all,  and  pretend  to  fide  with  none,  we  refcr  them  to 
 the  laft  article  of  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant 
 (without  forgetting  the  reft)  namely,,,  that  we  fhall 
 aiTift  and  defend  a]l  that  enter  into  this  league  and  co- 
 venant, in  the  maintaining  and  purfuing  thereof,  and 
 (hall  not  fuiFer  ourfelves,  direftly  nor  indirect1?,  by 
 whatfoever  combination,  perfuafion  or  terror,  to  be 
 divided  or  withdrawn  from  this  bleflfed  union  and 
 C  c  2  conjunction  •, 
 
(     3°4    ) 
 
 conjun&ion  ;  whether  to  make  defection  to  the  con*. 
 trary  part,  or  to  give  ourfelves  to  a  deteftable  indif-; 
 ferency  and  neutrality  in  this  caufe.,>  According  to 
 r#hich  article,  mens  reality  and  integrity  in  the  cove- 
 rant  will  be  manifefl  and  demonftrable,  as  well  by 
 their  omiflions  as  by  ftieir  commiflions,  as  well  by 
 their  not  doing  good  as  by  their  doing  of  evil.  He 
 that  is  not  with  us,  is  againft  us,  and  he  that  gather- 
 erh  not  with  us,  fcattereth  :  And  however  our  com- 
 plaints be  this  day  toffed  with  tempefts  and  not  com- 
 forted ;  yet  we  hope  he  hath  thoughts  of  peace  and 
 purpofe  of  mercy  towards  us.  We  do  not  mourn  as 
 thofe  without  hope  ;  but  we  will  bear  the  indigna- 
 tion of  the  Lord,  becaufe  we  have  finned  againft 
 him,  until  he  plead  our  caufe  and  execute  judgment 
 for  us*  He  hath  lifted  up  our  enemies  that  their  fall 
 may  be  the  greater  :  and  that  he  may  caft  them  down 
 into  d  folation  for  ever.  He  will  make  his  caufe  to 
 triumph  at  lad,  over  all  op  pofition,  and  the  enemy's 
 foot  to  Aide  in  due  time  :  and  fo  put  a  new  fong  of 
 praife  in  the  mouths  of  aU  the  faithful  friends  and 
 followers  of  the  Lamb. 
 
 Therefore  we  appoint  and  ordain,  that  inconti- 
 nently, ye  our  emiffaries,  pafs,  upon  the  tenth  day  of 
 Auguft  1692  years  unto  the  market  crofs  of  Sanqu- 
 har, and  there,  by  opui  proclamation,  make  intima- 
 tion of  this  our  declaration,  leaving  copies  of  the 
 fame  aiHxed  upon  the  forefaid  market  crtrfs,  and  other 
 patent  places  of  the  kingdom  neceffary.  Given 
 upon  the  tenth  day  of  Auguft  1692  years. 
 
 Let  king  Jefus  reign,  and  let  all    his  enemies  bs 
 flattered. 
 
 Tk 
 
(     3°S     ) 
 
 7 he  proiejlation  and  apologetic  declaration^  cud  aJtncni* 
 tory  vindication  of  a  pcor>  ivajledy  mijreprefei:ted  rem- 
 nant of  the  Suffering  Antipoti/h,  Antiprelatic^  Anil* 
 erajlian,  Antifeclarian,  true  Prefoyterian  clutch  of 
 Chrijl  in  Scotland,  united  together  in  a  general  cor- 
 refpondence>  be* 
 
 THESE  kingdoms  have  been  in  pain   to  bring 
 forth    an    uniformity  :    bur?   alas  !    they  have 
 brought  forth  wind  :  we   have   been   in  expectation 
 of  unity  in  judgment  and  praftice  :  but,  ah,  how  mon- 
 {trous  a  deformity  and  diffenfion  in  both  i  Thefe  that 
 profefs  themfelves  healers  of  our  breaches,  they  make 
 them   wider,  while    they  build  a  wall    and   ft  rive  to-"" 
 uphold  it,  and  daub  it  with  untempered  mortar,    le- 
 nity is  beautiful,   and  accurfed   may  he  be  that  dpth 
 not  both  love  it  and  ft u d y  it,  but  unity  mud  be  con- 
 fecrated  to  verity,  and  both  to  God.     Truth  .rnuft  be 
 the  uniting  principle,   eife  vve  cannot   be  truly  one  :   ■ 
 but  intereft  and  prejudices  are  cloud?  to  eclipie  that 
 light  of  divine  truth    that  otherwise  would  fhine  in 
 the  world,  thefe  put  out  the  eye  of  the  mind,  and 
 darken  the  light  of  truth.  Where  is  now  the  product 
 of  all   that  exoence  of  witneiTrng,  wreftling,  biocd, 
 and  fuffering  of  cur  worthy  ancedors  and  dear  bre- 
 thren, in  depoQtatir.g  and  tranfmiuing  to  us  fuch  an 
 excellent  tefti^ony,  when  brought  to  the  very  brinks 
 of  Jordan  ?  Have  we  not  fmfuily  and  ihamefully  bu- 
 ried all?  Have  we  not  chofen  ourfelves  captains  to 
 return  us  back  unto  ligypt  again  ?   And  are  we  not 
 in  the  high  w*y  to  ir,  and  at  one  blow  cut  the  very 
 neck  of  our  noble  confutation,  covenanted  rights,  and 
 charters  of  cur  poire  mother  church,  for  an  Eraftian 
 and    clipped   platform    of  mock  prefbytery,    fhapen 
 cut  by  and  accepted  at  the  firft   inftant   from   the 
 hands   of  the  civil  powers,  and  thefe  for  the   mod 
 her  old  inveterate   enemies,   underminers,  and  op- 
 pofers,.  desJirg  with  her  as  with  an  illegitimate  baf-- 
 C  c  3 
 
(     306     ) 
 
 tard,  who  cannot  difpofe  of  or  tranfmlt  their  inhe- 
 ritance to  pcfterity,  but  muft  fall  in  the  king's  hands, 
 or  as  broken  heirs  who;  enter  to  their  grandfathers, 
 to  evire  the  debt  of  her  many  vows,  engagements, 
 proteftations,  teftimonies,  declarations,  fre.  that  we 
 and  the  whoie  land  are  inevitably  engaged  into,  efpe- 
 
 v  thefe  between  the  year  1638,  and  1649,  with 
 the  faithful  contendings  of  the  protefting  party  in  the 
 1  car  165  r,  till  anno  1660,  reducing  her  to  an  eftate 
 of  minority,  and  delivering  her<up  to  the  pedagogue 
 tutory  and  diTpofal  of  her  enemies,  betrayers,  and  op- 
 pofers.  What  corrupting  and  everting  the  very  con- 
 iiitution  of  the  fupreme  courts  of  Chrift  in  their  mem- 
 bers, convocating,  fitting,  voicing,  and  proceedings, 
 all  accommodated  and  managed  according  to  the 
 king  and  court's  letters,  a&s,  appointments,  and  re- 
 commendation. What  burying  and  vilipending  our 
 iolemn  a-nd  facred  covenants,  acknowledgement  of 
 firiS,  and  engagement  to  duties.  And  in  lieu  of 
 them  introducing  illimited  oaths  of  allegiance  and 
 :*;;lirance,  not  only  excluiive,  but  contradictory  of 
 the  former,  and  making  iheaa  the  grand  qualifica- 
 tions of  all  members  in  their  church,  (tat**  andaimy. 
 What  abominable  conjunction  and  confederacies  with 
 the  Lord's  inveterate  enemies,  riiC  very  old  props, 
 pillars,  and  limbs  of  Antichrift  ?  And  how  encou- 
 raged with  finful  and  barbarous  levies,  cefs,  hearth* 
 pole-money,  and  other  fupplies  1  What  a  vaft  toler- 
 ation of  all  errors,  herefies,  and  blafphemies  promot- 
 ed, pleaded  for,  connived  at  and  protected  ?  What  en- 
 couraging of  bloody  and  perjured  prelates  with  their 
 underlings?  Yea,  and  nulling  with  the  cure  and 
 care  of  fouls;  forne  of  them  created  prefbyters  : 
 fume  indulged,  while  pretended  prefbyrers  are  made 
 or  rather  hare  made  themfclves  court  curates,  para- 
 (kes,  hirelings  and  changelings*     What  God  pro- 
 
 ing,  fouler uinttig,  land  cheating   fafta,  and  days 
 tk  inankfgiving,  for  the  fuccefs,  dehgrs,  and  interefts 
 bj  *rie  jLord?c  aid  and  Hated  taemiesi  What  dread- 
 ful 
 
(    3^7    ) 
 ful  polluting  and  profaning  of  the  Lord's  fupper  ? 
 What   horrid  pardoning   and    advancing   of   bloody 
 murders  and    murderers  of  the  Lord's  people  and 
 others  ?  whereby  the  Lord  is   provoked  and  the  land 
 defiled  with  blood.     Alas!  what  horrid  iniquities  are 
 not  now  perpetrated,  encouraged,  enacted,  and  com- 
 plied with  ?   But  our  defign  here,   is  neither  to  infift 
 nor  expatiate  on  the  unparallelled    God- provoking, 
 foul-deftroying,  iand-finking    apoftacies  and   defec- 
 tions of  the  pretended  representatives,  either  of  church 
 or  ftate,  having  in  our  declaration  at  Sanquhar,  anno 
 1692,  Auguft  10,   by  virtue  not  only  of  our  general 
 call  as  Chriitians  ;  but  by  reafon  of  that  facred  and 
 folemn  tie  of  the  public   National  Covenant,  and  of 
 the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  and    defirous  to 
 be  found  faithful   in  this  day  of  temptation,   and  to 
 exoner  our  consciences  as  in  his  fight,  and  to  avoid 
 acceflion  to   the   guiltinefs  in   which   mod   have   in- 
 volved themfelves,  fairly  red  marcheSj  in   fetting  up 
 our  "ancient  boundaries,  and  covenanted  land-marks 
 betwixt  us,   and  both  of  them  holden  out  by  many 
 weighty  reafons,  why  we  could  own  neither  of  them  ; 
 but  in  our  places  and  ftations,   behoved   to   difown 
 and  teftify  againft  them,  and  all  the  afts,  determi- 
 nations, and  conjunctions  flowing  from  them,  with  all 
 their  courts  and  judicatories,  while  fo  constitute  and 
 circumftantiate  (which  declaration  wre  here  homolo- 
 gate) though  hitherto  flouted  at  with  diidain,  and  ex- 
 ploded with  indignation,  and  the  owners  and  adherers 
 thereunto,  reproached,  perfecuted,    and  hated;    not 
 only  by  open  enemies,  but  by  the  bulk  of  the  fo  cal- 
 led prtfbyterian  minifters  and  profeffbrs,  while  they 
 themfelves  neither  will,  nor  dare  fo  much  as  mutter# 
 or  offer  one  mite  of  a  teftimony  for  the  prefent  pre- 
 cious word  of  the  Lord's  patience,  and  the  covenant- 
 ed reformation  of  Scotland,  in  doftrine,  worfhip,  dif- 
 cipline  and  government,   and  the  National  Covenant 
 of  Scotland,   and  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant 
 of  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland,  and  the  work  of 
 
 uniformity 
 
(     308     ) 
 
 uniformity  in  religion,  and  againft  all  or  any  of  the 
 injuries,  infolent  indignities,  violations,  and  breaches 
 done  unto,  and  made  upon  the  fame  :  but  out  of  zeal 
 to  their  mercenary  baftard  loyalty, and  to  their  own  ftiort 
 and  curfed  quiet  have  manifeftly  and  deliberately 
 broken  and  buried  their  folemn  oaths  and  allegiances 
 to  Chrift,  fold  his  crown,  fword,  and  fcepter,  and 
 royal  prerogatives,  with  the  liberties  of  this  church, 
 and  have  confederate,  bonded,  aflbcixte,  and  embo- 
 died theT.ielves  with  the  Lord's  fitted  enemies  and 
 oppoftrs,  their  fins,  interefts  and  courfes  ;  yea,  have 
 metamorphofed  themfelves  net  unto  a  fhape,  but  un- 
 to a  condition  btlow  an  afs,  whereby  the  work  of 
 reforrr  atioru  piety,  and  godlinefs,  have  gotten  a  fore 
 blow,  the  wicked  and  ungodly  their  hopes  heightened, 
 and  made  to  fay  their  day  is  coming.  So  we  have 
 feen  it,  and  the  godly  difcouraged,  their  hands 
 weakened,  their  hearts  faddened,  and  made  almoft  to 
 fay.  Our  hope  is  cut  cffi>  cur  glory  is  departed  :  ruin  and 
 defolation  apparently  inelu£labiy  drawn  on  the  land,: 
 if  not  prevented,  by  giving  and  taking  timeous  warn- 
 ing: and  yet  after  all  thefe  things  are  done,  gadding 
 about  fo  much  to  change  their  way  to  feek  love, 
 teaching  the  wicked  ones  their  ways,  they  wipe  their 
 mouth  and  fay,  We  are  innocent,  and  that  notwith- 
 ftanding  of  all  that  is  corre  upon  u?,  we  have  not 
 forgotten  the  Lord,  nor  dealt  falfely  in  his  covenant, 
 and  we  cannot  bear  thefe  who  difcover  our  iniquity 
 and  make  known  our  fins  unto  us.  And  if  there  be 
 any  who  defign  to  keep  their  integrity,  an-  adhere  to 
 their  former  covenanted  principles,  bear  teftimony 
 againft  the  land's  apoftacies,  backflidings,  and  defec- 
 tions. Thefe  are  the  burdens  of  ra any,  and  are  for 
 figns  and  wonders  ;  who  are  fpoken  and  a£ted  againft 
 as  fchifmatics,  traitors,  Gibbs,  Coct-roooronians,  and 
 what  not.  Neverthelefs,  though  we  be  men  compaf- 
 fed  about  with  many  infirmities,  and  for  our  fakes 
 alfo  wrath  is  upon  the  land,  yet  considering  that  fome 
 by  reafen  of  the  acb  of  your  pretended  parliaments, 
 
 Of 
 
(     3°9     ) 
 
 or  upon  what  other  pretences  or  pretexts  we  know 
 not,  have  to  the  grief  of  our  hearts  moft  finfully  and 
 fhamefully  paid,  and  defigns  to  pay  the  pole-mo- 
 ney, in  our  name,  unjuftly  and  impioufly  impofed, 
 exacted  and  complied  with  by  all  ranks  in  the  land, 
 whereby  many  of  our  names  are  inferred  in  the  pu- 
 blic collectors  books,  as  tacit  payers,  compilers,  and 
 connivers  with  fuch  juggling,  cheating,  and  God-pro- 
 voking abominations,  manifeftly  importing  and  own- 
 ing any  of  their  impofers,  as  our  lawgivers,  who  have 
 broken,  burn,  and  buried  the  covenant,  overturned 
 the  reformation,  and  deftroyed  the  people  of  the 
 Lord,  a  facrilegious  robbing  of  God,  in  our  means 
 and  eftates,  and  giving  it  to  his  enemies,  which  we 
 gave  away  to  him  in  our  facred  covenants,  contrary 
 the  zeal  we  owe  to  our  covenanted  hufband  and  the 
 honour  of  his  houfe,  by  not  only  fecuring  and 
 ftrengthening  his  enemies  and  oppofers  in  their  pof- 
 feflions,  courfes,  and  defigns ;  but  inviting  them,  and 
 profiftuting  our  means,  eftates,  and  confciences  to 
 ihem.  Not  only  playing  the  harlot  with  them,  but 
 hiring  them  when  they  have  cone,  ftrengthening,  fup- 
 porting,  and  furnifhing  of  them  :  a  palpable  changing 
 the  good  old  quarrel  of  this  covenanted  kingdom,  for 
 purfuing  the  ends  of  our  covenant,  to  the  efpoufing, 
 confederating,  and  joining  with  a  contrary  party,  viz. 
 a  popifr),  prdatic,  malignant,  and  fe&arian  party, 
 with  their  caufe,  intereftSj  and  defigns,  and  venturing 
 cur  (lock  in  one  vciTel  with  them  ;  and  calling  in  cur 
 lot  with  them.  And  to  ufe  the  like  words  of  the 
 General  Affembly  Jul.  U:t.  1646.  fcff.  21.  M  It  is  a 
 joining  hands,  with  a  white  devil,  to  beat  a  black 
 devil  !"  A  courfe  that  hath  been  always  curfed  to  us 
 of  God,  and  hath  often  coft  this  land  very  dear,  in  UCeif 
 rnoft  finful  and  unlawful.  And  beGdes,  a  violation 
 of  our  folemn  oaths  and  engagements,  a  backfliding 
 from  our  former  covenanted  principles  and  profefliens, 
 and  a  walking  contrary  to  the  whole  tenor  of  the  former 
 
 refolutions 
 
(  3">  ) 
 refolutions  and  practices  of  this  church,  when  glo- 
 rious to  all  beholders,  and  terrible  to  her  enemies, 
 and  when  the  Lord  delighted  in  us,  and  our  land  wa3 
 married  to  him,  and  falvation  was  written  upon  our 
 walls,  and  praife  in  our  gates. 
 
 But  now  it  is  not  our  defrgn  to  enlarge  in  long 
 arguments^  ra  debating  with  oppoiltes,  neither  our 
 inclination  to  have  appeared  in  this  jun&ure,  if  the 
 methods  of  the  prefent  Chrift-dethroning  reforma- 
 tion, overturning-,  and  land-ruining  powers,  had  not 
 put  a  necefiuy  upon  us  ;  and  left  our  fiience  at  this 
 time  might  be  (tumbling  both  to  friends,  who  might 
 look  upon  it  as  a  fainting  and  fuccumbing  ^at  lead  ia 
 our  contending*  for  the  caufe  of  Chrift)  as  being  quite 
 overcome,  and  to  enemies  and  oppofers,  prov€  harden- 
 ing and  encouraging  in  their  wicked  and  finful  de- 
 figns,  when  they  fee  their  contrivances  to  univerfaily 
 complied  with.  Wherefore  as  we  do  profefs  the 
 forrow  of  cur  hearts  i  fo  we  do  declare  before  God, 
 angels,  and  men,  that  we  abhor,  renounce,  and  de- 
 teft,  proteft,  and  teftify  againft  all  'fuch  principles 
 and  practices,  and  that  we  defign  not  to  concur  in, 
 nor  any  way  affift  fuch,  lead  wre  partake  in  other 
 men's  fins,  and  fo  receive  of  their  plagues:  But  by 
 the  grace  and  affiftancc  of  Chrift,  ftedfaftly  refolve  to 
 fu-ffer  the  outmoft,  rather  than  put  forth  our  hands 
 to  iniquities.  And  withal,  here  we  do  declare  our 
 firm  resolution  to  adhere  to  our  covenants  and  en- 
 gagements, whereby  we  are  bound  to  have  common 
 friends  and  foes  with  our  covenanted  reformation, 
 and  to  look  upon  what  is  done  to  one,  done  to  all 
 of  us. 
 
 Thus  having  declared  our  deliberate,  lawful,  and. 
 neceflary  purpofes  concerning  this  matter,  in  order  to 
 the  publiiliing  of  the  fame,  we  appoint  and  or- 
 dain, that  incontinently,  ye  our  emiiTaries,  pafs,  upon 
 the  fixth  day  of  November  1695  years,  unto  the  mar- 
 ket crofs  of  Sanquhar,  and  there  by  open  proclama- 
 tion make  intimation  of  this  our  declaration?   leaving 
 
 copies 
 
(     3"     ) 
 copies  of  the  fame  affixed  upon*  the  forefaid  market 
 crofs,  and  other  patent  places  of  the  kingdom  necef- 
 far/      Given  at  upon  the  6th  of 
 
 November,  1095 
 
 Ler  Kmg  Jefus  reign,  and  Jet  all  his  enemies  be 
 fcattered. 
 
 T.he  proteftatUtiy  apologetic  declaration ,  and  admonitory 
 vindication  of  a  poor  ivrfted,  :>  ifrcpefented  remnant  of 
 the  fnffrring  Antipopijh  Antiprelatks  Antieraflian^ 
 A:itifeciariany  true  Pre/by rerian  church  in  Sc:tland} 
 united  together  in  a  general  correfpondencey  &c> 
 
 IT  certainly  is  and  ought  to  be  matter  of  great  la- 
 mentation, that  thefe  one:  fo  famous  covenanted 
 nations*  have  fo  far  degenerated  into  the  plant  of  a 
 ftrange  vine  of  a  long  time  5  and  are  yet  ftill  going 
 on  forward  in  the  fame  courts,  from  evil  to  worfe, 
 notwithftanding  of  the  LordV  trying  to  reclaim,  forre- 
 times  by  ftrokes,  fometimef  by  «k  iverances  ;  which 
 have  been  fo  far  from  having  effect,  that  we  have 
 ftill  grown  worfe:  10  that  the  poor  remnant  have 
 that  fad  fong  to  fing  (ever?  in  a  covenanted  nation) 
 uhich  David  had,  when  by  perfecution  banifhed  from 
 the  church,  Woe's  me  that  I  dwell  in  Aleftch,  or  fo- 
 rn  in  Kedar's  tents.  This,  witM  many  fad  fnares 
 and  temptations  we  are  tike  to  be  tryfted  with,  and 
 that  we  may  (in  this  declining  time)  declare  where 
 we,  and  all  the  naticn,  ought  to  foot  a  Hand  :  Go  i's 
 glory,  the  advancing  and  flourishing  of  his  Son's 
 kingdom,  being  our  chiefeit  end  and  defign  ;  3na  to 
 which  we  defire  (through  grace)  to  level  all  our  ac- 
 tions, according  to  the  holy  and  fweet  fcriptur<-s  of 
 truth,  in  the  Old  and  New  Teftaments,  Confeflion  of 
 Faith,  Catechifms  larger  and  fhorter,  Covenants  Na- 
 tional and  Solemn  League,  Directory  for  Worfhip, 
 Ackowledgement  of  Sins,  Engagement  to  Duties, 
 inding  by  thefe  a  ntceflity  laid  upon  us,  is  the 
 ground  and  reafon  of  our  appearing  in  public  at 
 this  time,   left  we  fhould  be  found  unfaithful  in  our. 
 
 generation, 
 
(     3*2     ) 
 generation,  though  weak  and  mean.     Although  we 
 have  in  our  former  teftimonies  and  declarations  dif- 
 owned  the  tyrannical  and  unlawful  powers  of  the  late 
 tyrants.     And  in  like  manner  having  in  our  two  lafl 
 declarations  emitted  at  Sanquhar,  Auguft  10,  1692, 
 and  November  <5,   1695,  declared  tbe  late  unlawful 
 magistrates  and   their   proceedings,  which  we  here 
 homologate.  The  three  nations  and  this  in  particular 
 were   once  famous   for  an    union  with    God,    and 
 together  in  the  defence  of  the  holy  fcriptures  of  truth, 
 Confeffion  of  Faith   and    Catechifn.s,  and    that  by 
 double  ties,  national  and  Solemn  League,  which  was 
 the  once  famous  teft  of  both  prince  and  people  :   and 
 this  we  have  had  handed  down  from  our  faithful  an- 
 ceftors,  by  a  noble  cloud  of  faithful  witnefiks  who 
 thought  it  their  honour  and  advantage,  and  found  fo 
 much  fweetnefs  aud  fatisfattion  in  their  Mailer's  fer- 
 vice,  that  they  would  not  take    the   opportunity  of 
 their  falfely  pretended   years  of  liberty,  but  would 
 •nail  their  ears  to   their  mailers  door-polls  to   be  his 
 •fervant  for  ever  by  their   fo   oft   renewing  of  the 
 fame:  Therefore,  we  finding   the  like,  elleem  our- 
 fdves  obliged   alfo  fo  to  do:  and  to  declare  to  the 
 world  that  we  cannot  own  princefs  Anne  as  our  law- 
 ful chofen  covenanted   princefs,  fuch   as  we  ought 
 to  have,  nor  can  have  no  princefs  but  a  covenanted 
 one,  and  fuch  as  will  not  accept  of  the  qualifications 
 of  a  covenanted  fubjetl  to  God,  fball  never  (through 
 grace)  be  chofen,  owned,  or  fubje&ed  to  as  a  prince 
 by  us :  in  regard,  that  (he 'has  fworn  to  maintain  pre- 
 lacy in  our  neighbouring  covenanted  nation,  and  alfo 
 given  encouragement  to    the  fame  in  Scotland,  by 
 her  letters  to  the  council,  and  in  regard  of  her  inditl- 
 ing  and  diffolving  affemblies  at  her  pleafure,  as  her 
 predeceflbr  William  did,  which  is  to  be  feen   in  her 
 proclamation,   February  18,  1703,  and  alfo  her  in- 
 volving the  land  further  in  perjury,  by  her  imponng 
 illimited  oaths  of  allegiance  and  aflurance,  and  fet- 
 ting  up  in  places  of  power  and  trull,  fuch  vile  men  as 
 inoft  conduce  for  the  carrying  on  of  her  wicked  de- 
 
 figns* 
 
(     3>3     ) 
 figus,  all  which   we   do   hereby  declare    and  proteft: 
 agairtft,  as  contrary   to  the  word  of  God,  and  the 
 covenanted  work  of  reformation. 
 
 Likewife  we  proteft  and  declare  againft  the  un- 
 faithfulnefs  of  the  reprefentatives  of  this  nation,  for 
 the  receiving  and  fetting  up  the  forefaid  princefs 
 Ann,  as  queen  over  this  covenanted  land,  by  their  act 
 recognizing  her  majefty's  juft  title  and  authorityjune 
 12,  1702.  Ah  !  how  fad  is  it  when  thefe  who  ought 
 to  be  the  grand  truftees  of  the  kingdom,  to  whom  it 
 belongs,  in  fuch  a  cafe,  to  fecure  the  civil  and  fpiri- 
 tualintereft  thereof  are  fo  prelimited,  that  many  of  the 
 members  of  parliament  are  made  up  of  pensioners  and 
 corrupt  men  :  fuch  as  the  word  of  God,  and  laud* 
 able  laws  of  this  nation  doth  exclude,  Exod.  xviii  21. 
 2  Sam.  xxiii.  3  Rom.  xiii.  3.  Parliament  2.  feff.  2. 
 Charles  II.  acl:  26.  For  keeping  judicatories  and  places 
 of  truiT,  free  of  corruption,  February  27.   1649. 
 
 *4  Theeflatesof  parliament  taking  into  confederation,, 
 that  the  Lord  our  God  requires,  that  fuch  as  bear 
 charge  amongfthis  people,  ihould  be  able  men,  fear- 
 ing God,  hating  covetoufnefs,  and  dealing  truly,  and 
 that  many  of  the  evils  of  fin,  and  punifhment  under 
 which  the  land  groans  hath  come  to  pafs;  becaufe 
 hitherto  there  hath  not  b^en  fufficiently  provided  and 
 cared  for:  and  being  fenfible  of  the  great  obligation 
 that  lie  upon  them  by  the  national  covenant,  and  the 
 folemn  league  and  covenant,  and  by  the  many 
 deliverances  and  mercies  from  God,  and  the  fc- 
 lemn  engagement  unto  duties,  and  to  advance  re- 
 ligion and  righteoufnefs  in  the  land,1  and  fill  places 
 of  power  and  truft  with  men  of  approved  integrity, 
 and  of  a  blameiefs  and  Chriflian  converfation.  And 
 being  convinced  in  their  confeiences,  that  there  can*- 
 not  be  a  more  effectual  way  for  bearing  down  of  ma- 
 lignants,  and  fcpprefTmg  of  profanity,  iniquity,  and 
 ungodlinefs,  and  rendering  all  the  laws  already  made, 
 or  hereafter  to  be  made,  forcible  and  efTef  tual,  for 
 the  honour  of  God,  the  advancement  of  religion  and 
 D  d  Tigruepufnek, 
 
(  3M  ) 
 righteoufnefs,  the  good  of  the  lieges,  than  that  all 
 judicatories  of  the  kingdom  confift  of,  and  places  of 
 power  and  public  truft,  be  filled  with  able  and  honeft 
 men.  Do  therefore  ftatute  and  ordain,  that  no  per- 
 fon  that  is  .malignant  and  difafftcted  to  the  prefent 
 work,  of  reformation  and  covenants,  and  againft 
 whom  there  is  jufl  caufe  of  exception,  or  juft  ground 
 of  jealoufy  (becaufe  of  their  difaffeftion),  nor  any 
 peribn  given  to  drunkennefs,fwearing,unc!eannef3,or 
 •any  other  fcandalous  offence,  (hall  hereafter  be  chofen 
 to  be  a  judge  or  any  office  of  eftate,  or  magiilrate,or 
 ccunfelior  in  burghs,  derks,  or  deacons  of  crafts,  or 
 any  officer  of  any  army  belonging  to  this  kingdom, 
 or  employed  in  any  place  of  power  and  truft  in  this 
 kingdom,  fhall  not  only  be  able  men,  but  alfo  fliall 
 be  men  of  known  affection  unto  God,  and  approven 
 fidelity  and  integrity  in  the  caufe  of  God,  and  of  a 
 blamelefs  and  Chriftian  converfation." 
 
 As  alfo,  we  mufl  declare,  for  the  vindication  of our- 
 felves,  and  undeceiving  of  our  neighbour  nations, 
 that  fince  they  defpife  that  union  whereby  we  were  ac- 
 ceptable to  Go:!,  and  glorious  to  the  worjd,  we  pro- 
 tell  and  teftify  againft  any  other  union  (not  founded 
 on  that  k-afis)  with  them.  And  to  inform  them, 
 that  it  is  our  fears,  that  their  aiming  at  any  other 
 union,  will  be  but  a  confederacy  againft  God,  and 
 bring  ruin  upon  us  aU.  And  we  muft,  for  our  own 
 vindication,  declare,  that  howfoever  mean  and  defpi- 
 cabie  we  may  be  thought ;  yet  having  our-  ancient 
 laws  upon  our  fide,  both  of  Church  and  ftate,  to 
 which  the  nation  was  fo  fo'emnly  fworn,  that  we 
 muft  look  upon  ourfelves  a9  thefe  who  are  endea- 
 vouring to  (hew  themfelves  the  trueftand  moft  loyal 
 fubje£ts  of  the  nation.  For,  although  the  greateft 
 part  of  the  nation  mould  make  defe£tion,and  break  the 
 rules  of  government,  both  of  church  and  State  ;  yet 
 the  fmalieft  part  adhering  thereto,  beft  deferves  the 
 name-  And  it  was  never  found,  that  treachery  to 
 God  and  their  country,  efcaped  punithment  and  faith* 
 fulnefs  Jolt  its  reward.  Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the 
 
 righteous. 
 
(     3i5     ) 
 
 righteous.  Verily  he  is  si  God  tbatjildgeth  in  the  ea> 
 Take  but  a  look  of  our  former  acts  of  parliaments, 
 refcinded  at  Charles  the  Second's  Bdme-coming,  by 
 that  and  thefe  pretended  parliaments  Gnre,  and  ye 
 will  find  the  covenants  made  the  coronation  oath, 
 as  well  as  the  other,  and  them  made  the  oath  of  al- 
 legiance too,  obliging  king  and  people  each  to  other, 
 and  both  to-God,  by  a  more  facredar.d  foicm'n  tie, 
 than  any  iliimited  oath,  without  referve,  can  do. 
 See  aft  15.  pari',  2.  Charles  II.  February  7,  F649* 
 anent  fecuring  the  covenants,  religion,  and  peace  of 
 the  kingdom-,  wherein  they  do  enact,  ordain,  and 
 declare,  "  That  before  the  king's  majefty  who  now  is, 
 or  any  of  his  fuccefTbrs  fhaU  be  admitted  to  the  exer- 
 cife  of  his  royal  power,  he  fhaU,  by  and  attour  the 
 forefaid  oath  of  coronation,  affure  and  declare  by  his 
 folemn  oath  under  his  hand  and  feal,  his  allowance; 
 of  the  national  covenant,  and  of  the  folemn  league 
 and  covenant,  obligation  to  profecute  the  end?  there- 
 of in  his  a6tion  and  calling  :  and  that  he  (hall  for 
 himfelf  and  fucceffors,  confent  and  agree  to  acts  fully 
 eftablifhing  Prefbyterian  government,  the  Directory 
 of  Worfhip,  Confeffion  of  Faith  arid  Catechifms,  as 
 they  are  approved  by  the  General  Aflefnbly  of  this 
 kirk,  and  parliaments  of  this  kingdom,  in  all  his  11:2. 
 j  ?fiy7s  dominions."  And  a 61  5.  parliament  fecond, 
 Charles  I.  concerning  the  covenant,  June  11,  1640. 
 Wherein  they  ordain  and  command  the  confeffion  of 
 faith  and  covenant  to  be  fubfciibed  by  all  his  ma- 
 jcfty's  fubjects,  of  all  ranks,  degrees,  arid  qualities, 
 whatfoever,  under  all  civil  pains,  &c.  And  £\fo  or- 
 dains the  fame  covenant  to  be  prefentei  at  the  entry 
 of  every  parliament,  and  before  they  proceed  to  any 
 other  a£t,  that  the  fame  be  publicly  read  and  f\«/orn 
 by  the  whole  members  of  parliament  claiming  voice 
 therein,  otherwife  the  rcfufers  to  fubfcribe,  and  i*t?.r 
 the  fame,  (hall  have  no  place  nor  voice  in  parliament. 
 Andfuch  like,  ordains  all  judge's, magiftrates, or  o:hc" 
 ofliceis  of  whatfoever  place,  rank  br  quality,  and  mi- 
 Dd  :  nifters 
 
(     3i*    ) 
 
 iiifters  at  their  entry  to  fwear  and  fubfcribe  the  fame 
 covenant. 
 
 Which  a£ts,  if  they  had  been  kept,  as  they  were  ma- 
 terially fworn  to,  would  have  kept  places  of  power 
 and  tiuft,  both  high  and  low,  civil,  ecclefiaftic  and 
 military,  from  being  filled  with  perfons  of  corrupt 
 principles  and  practices  (as  they  too  long  have  been) 
 and  have  fupplie(|  them  with  thefe,  according  to  the 
 fUndard  01  God's  word  :  whereby  religion,  liberty, 
 and  property,  would  have  been  preferved  entire  at 
 home  ;  and  we  would  have  been  kept  from  any  .un- 
 lawful Antichrillian  confederacies  abroad,  the  fhame 
 of  cur  once  (otherwife)  covenanted  nation,  and  as  by 
 that  breach  our  ft  ate  hath  been  debauched  of  a  long 
 time,  fo  our  church  harh  not  wanted  its  (hare  by  be- 
 ing fupplied  by  the  ordinances  of  men,  with  men  of 
 corrupt  principles  of  a  long  time,  and  yet  continues 
 fadly  to  be  fc,  to  our  great  grief  and  fpiritual  detri- 
 ment and  lofs  to  the  whole  nation ;  for  they  being 
 ministers  of  men,  and  illimitedly  fworn  to  men,  can- 
 not have  ground  of  expectation  from  God  to  profit 
 the  people,  having  acted  fo  far  contrary  to  the  word 
 of  God,  Jer.  xxiiL  22.  Rom  vi.  16.  and  their  fworn 
 principles,  which  they  are  now  afliamed  of,  inftead 
 of  glorying  in.  Ah  1  how  lamentable  is  this,  that 
 minifters  mould  be  with  the  firft,  and  exemplary  in 
 prompting  one  another  and  involving  the  land  deeper 
 in  defection.  Therefore  we  proteft  and  declare  a- 
 gainft  all  fuel)  unfaithfulnefs  in  miniflers  and  magif- 
 trates,  and  refufe  to  own  or  concur  in  any  thing  we 
 know  will  ftrengthen  and  encourage  them,  as  in 
 paying  them  tiends,  taxes  or  impofitions  in  their  fe- 
 veral  places  and  fhtions,  while  fullering  Chrift's 
 crown  and  privileges  to  be  fo  enhanced,  and  fo  chop- 
 ing  and  changing  his  ordinances  formerly*  and  now, 
 the  order,  as  if  they  were  arbitrary,  contrary  both  to 
 fcripture,  (Mai.  ii.  8.  But  ye  are  departed  cut  of  the 
 way i  ye  have  caufed  many  to  Jlumble  at  the  law.  Ye 
 h  ive  corrupt  id  the  covenant  of  Levi}  faith  the  Lord  of 
 
 hop. 
 
(     317     )    . 
 
 bofts.     Ifa.  xxlv.  5.   The  earth  alfo  is   defied  under  i 
 inhabitants  thereof,  becaiife  they   have  tranfgnjjul  the 
 law,  changed  the  ordinances^  and  broken  the  everlafiing 
 covenant.  Col.  i.  18.   And  he  is  the  head  of  the  church, 
 ivho  is  the  beginnings  the  firft-born  from  the  dead,  that  in 
 all  things,  he  might  have  the  pre-eminence.    Eph.  i.  22. 
 And  hath  put  all  things  tinder  his  feet,  and  gave  him  to 
 he  the  head  over  all  things  to  the  church.  J  and  cur  form- 
 er noble  conftitutions  of  faithful  parliaments  and  af- 
 femblies,  all  which  has  been  owned  and  countenanced 
 of  God  in  our  purer  times,  and  witnefied  and  "tefli- 
 fied  for  both  on  fcaffolds,  and  in  fields  at  home,  in 
 feas  and  plantations  abroad,    and  by  our  forefaid  de- 
 clarations, which  we  here  count  ourfflves  obliged  to     - 
 own,  being  by  covenant  engaged  thereto.     But  tl 
 we  be  not  miftaken,  we  hereby  declare  cur  he, 
 invitation  to  our  covenanted  brethren,  of  all  r^nks, 
 both  in  this  land,  and   our  neighbouring  covenar 
 kingdoms,  to  abandon  their  former  and  prefent  ccurfes 
 of  defection,  (we  not  being  willing  or  defirous  to  rake 
 further  in  thefe  allies,  wifhing  rather  that  the   firs 
 were  extinguished,  and   the  jail  grounds   of  cur  ex~ 
 ceptions  removed)  that  they  would  put  to  their  help- 
 ing hand  10  the  work  of  God,  his  caufe  and  covenants, 
 that  is  now  trampled  upon,  and  buried  by  great 
 (mail,  ministers  and  others.     We  exhort  and  bef. 
 them,  in  the  bowels  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriit  \  that 
 now,  after  the  lofs  of  the  opportunity   of  fo  nvdir/' 
 years,   they  would,  in  the'r  places   and  fiations,  not 
 be  flack  handed  in  giving  a  tefiimony  for  Chrift  faith- 
 fully, againfl  all  usurpation*  upon  ourXord's  crown 
 rights  and  encroachments  upon  his  church's  privileges, 
 both  of  old,  and  of  late.      And  like  wife  that  they  dif- 
 own  the  reception  of  ary  fuc.h,  whofe  principles  and 
 practices  are  repugnant  to  the  covenanted  principles 
 of  the  church  of  Scotland  and  vows  to  the  Mcft  High 
 God.     And  remember  you   are  bound  in  covenants, 
 to  the  utmoit  of  your  power,  with  your  lives,  lajids, 
 D  d  3  znd 
 
(    3«8     ) 
 
 and  eftates,  to  maintain  and  defend  the  whole  cove- 
 nanted work  of  reformation,  againft  al)  whatfom- 
 ever. 
 
 Ought  ye  not  then  to  endeavour  to  repair  the  houfe 
 of  the  Lord,  that  lies  fo  long  defolate  ?  Let  it  be  feen 
 that  ye  Rate  yourfelves  rightly,and  your  former  debatings 
 for  your  own  ends  and  interefts  be  laid  afide,  and  that  it 
 is  only  for  the  Lord's  intereft,  and  not  your  own  ye 
 are  ftriving  for  :  otherwife  if  ye  will  not,  after  all  this, 
 appear  for  Chrift  and  his  caufe,  we  cannot  look  upon 
 you  as  friends,  but  foes,  notwithstanding  of  your  flat- 
 tery and  fair  pretences.  Only  we  deiire  to  exoner 
 our  confcienctfs,  to  put  you  yet  in  mind  of  what  you 
 may,  and  ought  to  know  you  are  engaged  to,  if  fo  be 
 the  Lord  would  ftir  up  or  awaken  any  in  his  mercy 
 before  judgment  come  on  altogether :  among  the 
 many  warnings  you  have  gotten,  both  by  the  Lord's 
 difpenfations,  and  by  the  teftimonies  that  have  been 
 given  by  the  faithful  witnefles  of  old  and  late,  in  thefe 
 declining  times,  as  they  are  to  be  feen  by  any  who  are 
 defirous  to  fearch  for  them  -,  both  by  martyrs  and 
 faithful  contenders,  as  thefe  contained  in  our  Infor- 
 niatory  Vindication  and  teitimony,  againft  the  tolera- 
 tion, given  in  by  Mr  James  Renwick,  Jan.  17th,  1688. 
 All  which  teftimony  we  own  and  approve  of.  And 
 I  ike  wife  we  declare  our  clofe  and  firm  adherence  to 
 the  whole  of  our  covenanted  reformation  ;  for  we 
 love  the  laws  of  our  father  and  the  ordinances  of  our 
 mother,  the  once  famous  church  of  Scotland.  This 
 we  thought  fit  to  declare  in  this^undture,  for  the  vin- 
 dication of  truth,  and  exoneration  of  our  consciences, 
 and  to  teftify  to  all  parties  where  we  ftand,  and  re- 
 fo!ve  (through  the  Lord's  grace)  to  foot  our  ftand. 
 
 Therefore  in  order  to  the  publication  hereof,  we 
 appoint  and  ordain,  that  ye  our  emiffaries,  pafs  upon 
 the  2 1  ft  of  May  1703  years,  unto  the  market  crofs  of 
 Sanquhar,  and  there  by  open  proclamation  make  in- 
 timatiou  of  this  our  declaration,  leaving  copies  of  the 
 
 fame 
 
(     3<9     ) 
 fame  affixed  upon  the  forefaid  market  crofs,  and  other 
 patent  places  of  the  kingdom  necefiary.     Given  at 
 May  2i  ft,  1703. 
 Let  King  Jefus  reign,  andlet  all  his  enemies  be 
 foattered. 
 
 Protejlation  and  Tejlimony  of  the  United  Societies  *f  the 
 witneffing  remnant  of  the  Antipopip  Antiprelatic.  An- 
 tierajiiati)  Antifeciarian>  true  Pre/byterian  Church  of 
 Chrijl  in  Scotland^  againjl  the  finful  incorporating 
 union  with  England,  and  their  Briti/h  Parliament, 
 concluded  and  ejlablifljed  May )  1707. 
 
 IT  will,  no  doubt,  be  reputed  by  many,  very  unfea- 
 fon-ible  to  proteft  at  this  time,  againft  this  union, 
 now  fo  far  advanced  by  their  law  eftablifhec! ;  but  the 
 confideration  of  the  fuperabundant,  palpable,  and  im- 
 minent fins,  hazards,  and  deftru&ions  to  religion, 
 laws,  and  liberties  that  are  in  it,  and  natively  attend 
 it,  is  fuch  a  prcfling  motive,  that  we  can  do  no  lefs, 
 for  the  exoneration  of  our  confciences  in  (hewing  our 
 diflike  of  the  fame,  before  the  fitting  down  of  the 
 Britifh  Parliament,  left  our  filence  fhould  be  altogether 
 interpreted,  either  a  dire&  or  indireft  owning  of,  or  fuc- 
 cumbing  to  the  fame:  and  though,  having  abundantly 
 and  plainly  declared  our  principles  formerly,  and  par- 
 ticularly in  our  laft  declaration,  May  21ft,  1703?  a- 
 gainft  the  then  intended  union  •,  and  waiting  for  more 
 plain  difcovery  of  difaffc&ion  with,  and  oppofition  un- 
 to this  abominable  courfe,  by  tfcefe  of  better  capaci- 
 ty, yet  being  herein  fo  far  difappointed  in  our  expec- 
 tations, of  fuch  honourable  and  commendable  ap- 
 pearances for  the  laudable  laws,  and  ancient  confti- 
 tutions  of  this  kingdom,  both  as  to  facred  and  civil 
 concerns,  all  thefe  appearances,  whether  by  addreffes 
 or  proteftations  being  fo  far  lame  and  defe&ive  as  that 
 the  refolutions  and  purpofes  of  fuch  have  never  been 
 fairly  and  freely  remonftrate  to  the  contrivers,  pro- 
 moters and  edabliihers  of  this  union.  The  confider- 
 ation 
 
(  32o  ) 
 ation  of  which  and  the  lamentable  cafe  and  condi- 
 tion the  land  already  is,  and  may  be  in,  by  reafon  of 
 the  fame,  hath  moved  us,  after  the  example  and  in 
 imitation  of  the  Cloud  of  Witnefles  who  have  gone 
 before  us,  to  proteft  againft  the  fame,  as  being  contra- 
 ry to  the  word  of  God,  Lev.  xxv.  23.  2  Chron.  xx. 
 35*  3<5-  and  repugnant  to  our  former  union  with 
 England,  in  the  terms  of  the  folemn  league  and  co- 
 venant. 
 
 And  whereas  it  hath  been  the  good  will  and  plea- 
 fure  of  Almighty  God,  to  grant  unto  this  nation  a 
 glorious  and  blefled  reformation,  of  the  true  Chrif- 
 tian  religion,  from  the  errors,  idolatry,  and  fuperfti- 
 tion  of  Popery  and  prelacy,  and  therewithal  to  blefs 
 us  with  the  power  and  purity  of  heavenly  doftrine, 
 worfhip,  difcipline,  and  government  in  the  church  of 
 God,  according  to  his  will  revealed  in  the  holy  fcrip- 
 tures,  and  to  let  us  have  all  this  accompanied  and  at- 
 tended with  many  great  and  fingular  bleffings,  in  the 
 converfion  and  comfort  of  many  thoufands,  and  in, 
 reforming  and  purging  the  land  from  that  grofs  ig- 
 norance, rudenefs,  and  barbarity,  that  once  prevailed 
 among  us.  Wherefore  our  zealous  and  worthy  fore- 
 fathers being  convinced  of  the  benefit  and  excellency 
 of  fuch  incomparable  and  unvaluable  mercies,  thought 
 it  their  duty,  not  only  by  all  means  to  endeavour  the 
 prefervation  of  thefe,  but  alfo  to  tranfmit  to  posterity 
 a  fair  depofitum  and  copy  in  purity  and  integrity,  and 
 as  a  fit  expedient  and  mean  to  accomplifli  and  perfect 
 the  fame,  they  entered  into  the  national  covenant 
 (no  rank  nor  degree  of  perfons,  from  the  higheft  to 
 the  lowed  excepted)  wherein  they  bound  themfelves 
 to  defend  the  reformation  of  religion  in  every  part  and 
 point  of  the  famei  with  their  lives  and  fortunes  to  the 
 utmoft  of  their  power,  as  maybefeen  in  the  Nation- 
 al Covenant  of  this  Church  and  kingdom,  which  was 
 five  times  folemnly  fworn. 
 
 Likeas  the  Lord  was  fo  pleafed  to  blefs  our  land 
 and  to  beautify  it  with  his  prefence,  that  our  neigh- 
 bour 
 
(  3»  ) 
 bour  nations  of  England  and  Ireland,  who  beheld  this, 
 and  were  groaning  under,  and  likewife  aiming  at  the 
 removal,  and  abolifhing  of  Popery  and  prelacy,  had 
 fought  and  obtained  ailiflance  from  this  nation  to  help 
 them  in  their  endeavours  for  that  end,  and  had  been 
 owned  of  God  with  fuccefs,  they  likewife  thought  it 
 fit  to  enter  into  a  mod  folemn  league  and  covenant 
 with  this  church  and  kingdom  for  reformation  and 
 defence  of  religion,  wherein  with  their  hands  lifted 
 up  to  the  moll  high  God,  they  do  bind  and  oblige 
 themfelves  to  maintain,  preface,  and  defend  what- 
 ever meafure  and  degree  of  reformation  they  had  at- 
 tained unto,  and  mutually  to  concur,  each  with  ano- 
 ther, with  their  lives  and  fortunes  in  their  fevera!  places 
 and  callings,  in  oppofition  to  all  the  enemies  of  the 
 fame,  as  may  be  feen  at  large  in  the  Solemn  League 
 and  Covenant.  By  means  of  which,  thefe  nations  be- 
 came (as  it  were)  dedicated  and  devoted  to  God  in  a 
 peculiar  and  fingular  manner,  above  all,  other  people 
 in  the  world,  and  that  by  an  indiflblvable  and  indif- 
 penfatye  obligation  to  perform,  obferve  and  fulfil  the 
 duties  fworn  to,  and  contained  therein,  from  which 
 no  power  on  earth  can  abfolve  us.  And  fo  to  profe- 
 cute  and  carry  on  the  ends  of  the  fame,  and  to  evidence 
 our  firm  adherence  to  it,  with  the  utmofl  of  our 
 endeavours,  in  oppofition  to  every  thing  contradi£lory 
 or  contrary  unto,  or  exclufive  of  thefe  our  facred  vows, 
 we  have,  from  time  to  time,  for  thefe  feveial  years 
 bypaft,  emitted  and  pubiiflied  feveral  declarations,  and 
 public  teftimonies  againft  the  breaches  of  the  fame, 
 as  is  evident  not  only  from  our  declarations  of  late, 
 but  alfo  from  all  the  wreftlings  and  contendings  of 
 the  faithful  in  former  times,  all  which  we  here  adhere 
 to,  approve  of,  and  homologate,  as  they  are  founded 
 upon  the  word  of  God,  and  are  agreeable  thereto. 
 
 And  in  this  junfture,  to  perpetuate  and  tranfmit  to 
 pollerity,  the  teftimony  of  this  church,  and  to  acquit 
 ourfelves  as  faithful  to  God,  and  zealous  for  the  con- 
 cerns of  religion,  and  every  thing  that  is  dear  to  us  as 
 
 men 
 
(  :3»  ) 
 men  and  Chriftians,  We  here  teftify  and  proteft  a- 
 gainft  the  prompters  to,  promoters  or  eftabiifhers  of, 
 and  againft  every  thing  that  hath  tended  to  the  pro- 
 moting, advancing,  corroborating,  or  bylaw  eftablifh- 
 ing  fuch  a  wicked  and  ruining  union  ;  and  hereby 
 we  alfo  declare  againft  the  validity  of  the  proceedings 
 of  the  iate  parliament  with  reference  to  the  carrying 
 en,  and  eftabliOiing the  faid  Union;  and  that  their afts 
 fliall  not  be  looked  upon  as  obligatory  to  us,  nor  ought 
 to  be  by  pofterity,  nor  any  way  prejudicial  to  the  caufe 
 of  God,  and  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation  in 
 this  church,  nor  to  the  being,  liberty,  and  freedom  of 
 parliament?,  according  to  the  laudable  and  ancient 
 praftice  of  this  kingdom,  the  which  we  do  not  only 
 for  ourielves,  but  alfo  in  the  name  of  ail  fuch,  as  {hall 
 join  or  concur  with  us  in  this  our  prcteftation,  and 
 therefore  we  proteft. 
 
 In  regard,  That  the  faid  Union  is  a  vifible  and 
 plain  fubveffion  of  the  fundamental  ancient  conftitu- 
 tions,  laws,  and  liberties  of  this  kingdom,  which  we 
 as  a  free  people  have  enjoyedfor  the  fpace  of  about 
 two  thoufand  years,  without  ever  being  fully  conquer- 
 ed, and  we  have  had  lingular  and  remarkable  fteps  of 
 providence  preventing  our  utter  finking,  and  preferr- 
 ing us  from  fuch  a  deluge,  and  overthrow,  which  fome 
 other  nations  more  mighty  and  opulent  than  we,  have 
 felt,  and  whofe  memory  is  much  extinft :  while  by 
 this  Incorporating  Union  with  England  in  their  fin- 
 ful  terms,  this  nation  is  debafed  and  enflaved,  its  an- 
 cient independency  loft  and  gone,  the  parliamentary 
 power  diflblved,  which  was  the  very  ftrengtb,  bul- 
 wark and  bafis  of  all  liberties  and  privileges  of  perfons 
 of  all  ranks,  of  all  planner  of  courts  and  judicatories, 
 corporations,  and  focieties  within  this  kingdom,  all 
 which,  now,  muft  be  at  the  difpofal  and  difcretion  of 
 the  Britifh  parliament,  (to  which,  by  this  Union,  this 
 nation  muft  be  brought  to  full  fubj-ction)and  further, 
 thenumber  of  Peers,  who  have  many  times  ventured 
 their  lives  for  the  intereft  of  their  country,  having  re- 
 putation 
 
 i 
 
(     3*3     ) 
 
 putation  and  fuccefs  at  home  and  were  famous  and 
 formidable  abroad  :  and  the  number  of  barons  and 
 burghs,  famous  fometime,  for  courage  and  zeal  for 
 the  intereft  of  their  country  (and  moreefpeciallyin  our 
 reforming  times)  all  thefe,  reduced  to  fuch  an  infig- 
 nificant  and  fmall  number  in  the  Bririfn  parliament, 
 we  fay,  (as  is  alio  evident  from  the  many  protefta- 
 tions  given  in  to  the  late  parliament  againft  this  U- 
 nion)  how  far  it  is  contrary  to  the  honour,  intereft, 
 fundamental  laws,  and  con  fti  tut  ions  of  this  kingdom, 
 and  palpable  furrender  of  the  fovereignty,  rights  and 
 privileges  of  the  nation;  and  how  by  this  furrender  of 
 parliament  and  fovereignty  the  people  are  deprived 
 and  denuded  of  all  fecurity,  as  to  any  thing  that  is 
 agreed  to,  by  this  Union,  and  all  that  is  dear  to  them, 
 is  daily  iri  danger  to  be  encroached  upon,  altered,  or 
 fubverted  by  the  faid  Britifh  parliament,  managed  en- 
 tirely by  the  Englifh,  who  feldom  have  confulted  our 
 welfare,  but  rather  have  fought  opportunity  to  injure 
 us,  and  are  now  put  in  a  greater  capacity  with  more 
 eafe  to  aft  to  our  prejudice:  and  poor  people   to  be 
 made  liable  to  taxes,  levies  and  unfup portable  bur- 
 dens, and  many  other  imminent  hazards  and  imposi- 
 tions, all  which  we  here  proteft  againft. 
 
 As  alfo  that  which  is  little  confidered  (though  mod 
 lamentable)  how  the  fundamental  conftitutions 
 fhould  be  altered,  fubverted,  and  overturned,  not 
 only,  renitente  <b  relamanie  popnlo,  but  alfo  by  fuch 
 men,  who  if  the  righteous  and  (landing  laws  of 
 the  nation  were  put  in  execution,  and  uncapable  of 
 having  any  vote  or  fuffrage  in  any  judicatory  ;  fee- 
 ing the  covenants  National  and  Solemn  League, 
 which  had  the  affent  and  concurrence  of  the  three  ef- 
 tates  of  parliament,  and  the  fantlion  of  the  civil  law, 
 cordially  and  harmonioufly  affenting  to,  complying 
 with,  and  corroborating  the  a£ts  and  canons  of  ec- 
 clefiaftic  courts  in  favour  of  thefe  covenants,  whereby 
 they  became  the  foundation  whence  any  had  right  to 
 reign  or  govern  in  this  land,  and  alfo  became   the 
 
 foundation 
 
(  324  ) 
 foundation,  limitation,  and  conftitution  of  the  go- 
 vernment and  fucceffion  to  the  crown  of  this  realm, 
 and  the  qualification  of  all  magiftrates,  fupreme  and 
 fuborriinate,  and  of  all  officers  in  church,  ftate,  or  ar- 
 my, ^nd  likewife  the  ground  and  condition  of  the 
 peoples  obedience  and  fubje&ion*  as  may  be  feen  in 
 the  a£ts,  laws,  and  praftice  of  thefe  times  :  witnefs 
 the  adiTiiflion  of  Charles  II.  to  the  government,  anno 
 1.65 !.  From  all  which  it  is  evident,  how  blind  fuch 
 men  have  been,  who  not  only  have  enflaved  the  na- 
 tion, but  haye  rendered  themfelves  infamous  by  fuch 
 an  open  and  manifeft  violation  of  thefe  folemn  and 
 facred  vows  to  the  moft  high  God,  to  the  obligation 
 of  which  they,  as  well  as  the  reft  of  the  land,  are  in- 
 difpenfibly  bound. 
 
 But  ah  !  When  we  mention  thefe  covenants,  how- 
 notorious  and  palpable  is  the  breach  thereof,  and  in- 
 dignity done  to  thefe  folemn  vows  by  this  finful  union, 
 by  means  whereof  they  come  to  be  buried  in  perpe- 
 tual oblivion,  and  all  means  for  profecutingtheir  ends 
 are  fo  blocked  up  by  this  incorporating  union  with 
 England,  as  that  whatever  is  or  may  be,  done  or  act- 
 ed contrary  thereunto,  or  in  prejudice  thereof,  by 
 any  of  the  enemies  of  the  fame,  cannot  be  remedied 
 in  a  due  and  impartial  exercife  of  church  discipline, 
 and  execution  of  the  laws  of  the  land  againft  fuch 
 tranfgreflbrs.  And  if  we  would  open  our  eyes  and 
 consider  a  little  with  reference  to  our  national  cove- 
 nant, we  may  clearly  fee  that  this  incorporation  u- 
 nion  is  dire&ly  contrary  to  that  particular  oath  and 
 vow  made  to  God  by  us  in  this  kingdom,  which  we 
 are  obliged  to  fulfil  and  perform  in  a  national  ftate 
 and  capacity,  as  we  are  a  prrticular  ration  by  our- 
 felves,  diftintt  in  the  conftitution  of  our  government 
 and  laws  from  thefe  of  England,  and  from  all  others  : 
 But  now,  when  we  ceafe  to  be  a  particular  nation, 
 we  being  no  way  diftinct  from  that  of  England, 
 (which  is  the  very  genuine  and  inevitable  efte£t  of  the 
 union)  how  then  can  we  keep  our  national  vows  to 
 
 God, 
 
(  m  ) 
 
 God,  when  wefliaH  not  be  a  particular  nation,  but  only 
 s  of  this  incorporating  union) made  a  part  of 
 
 another  nation,  whole  government  is  managed,  a  > 
 is  very  well  known,  in  many  things  directly  contrary 
 
 to  what  is  contained  in  the  national  covenant  of  this 
 land,  though  we  have  charity  to  believe  there  fhali 
 multitudes  be  found  in  the  land  who  will,  grant  and 
 acknowledge  their  .unci  to  the  obiei ration  or 
 
 that4 oath  by  an  indifpenfible  tie,  which  no  power  on 
 >We; 
 And  what  a  palpable  breach   is  this  wicked  union 
 of  c.  q  league  and  covenant,  which  was  made 
 
 and  Cwprn  pi  if  ted  hands  to  the  moll  high  God, 
 
 for  purging  aad  reforming  his  houfe  in  thefc*  three 
 nations  (xorri  error,  herefy,  fuperftition,  and  profane- 
 neis,  and  w  batever  is  contrary  to  found  and  pure  dec- 
 trine,  worihip,  difcipline,  and  govern nient  in  the 
 fame  :  and  fo  it  involves  this  nation  in  fearful  per- 
 jury before  God,  being  contrary  10  the  iirit  article 
 of  the  covenant,  wherein  we  fwear  to  contribute  our 
 uimoft  endeavours  in  our  feveral  places  and  callings, 
 to  reform  England  in  doctrine,worfhip,  difcipline,  and 
 government  •,  but  by  this  union  both  we  and  they 
 are  bound  up  for  ever  from  all  endeavours  and  at- 
 tempts of  this  nature,  and  have  put  ourfelvesout  of  a 
 capacity  to  give  any  help  or  affiftance  that  way  ;  but 
 en  the  contrary  they  come  to  be  hardened  in  tneir  re- 
 formation, impious  and  fuperftitious  courfes.  And 
 how  far  contrary  to  the  fexond  article,  where  -we  fo- 
 lemnly  abjure  prelacy  for  ever,  when  by  this  union, 
 prelacy  comes  for  ever  to  be  eftabliflied  and  fettled 
 on  the  fufell  and  ftrongeft  foundation  imaginable,  as 
 is  evident  from  the  ratification  of  the  articles  in  the 
 linglifh  parliament,  with  the  exemplification  of  the 
 fame  in  the  Scots  parliament,  where  the  prelatic  go- 
 vernment in  England  is  made  a  fundamental  article 
 of  the  union  :  fo  is  it  alfo  impoflible  for  us  to  fulfil  the 
 other  part  of  that,  article,  where  we  foifwear  fcjb 
 with  a  legal  toleration  of  errors  will  infer  and  fix  ■«- 
 E  e   .  mong 
 
(     3^6     ) 
 
 mong  us,  as  the  native  refult  and  inevitable  confe- 
 quence  of  this  union  ;  and  how  far  this  is  contrary 
 to  the  word  of  God,  Deut.  xiii.  6, — 12.  Rev.  ii.  15, 
 and  to  our  covenants,  any  coijfidering  perfon  may 
 difcern.  As  to  the  third  article,  any  one  may  fee  how 
 far  it  is  impoffible  for  us  to  preferve  the  right?,  liber- 
 ties and  privileges  of  parliament  and  kingdomr  when 
 divefted  both  of  our  parliaments  and  liberties  in  a  dif- 
 ,tin£t  national  way,  or  yet  according  to  the  fame  ar- 
 ticle, where  we  are  obliged  to  maintain  and  defend 
 the  king,  his  Majefty's  perfon  and  government  in  de- 
 fence and  prefervation  of  the  true  religion,  how  can 
 it  be  fuppofed,  that  we  can  anfwer  our  obligation  to 
 this  pare  of  the  covenant,  when  a  corrupt  religion 
 is  eftablifhed,  as  is  by  this  union  already  done,  when 
 prelatic  government  is  made  a  fundamental  thereof. 
 And  it  is  a  clear  breach  of  the  fourth  article  of  the 
 folemn  league  and  covenant,  where  we  fwear  to  op- 
 pofe  all  malignants,  and  hindrances  of  reformation 
 in  religion,  and  yet  by  this  union,  the  prelates,  who 
 themfelves  are  the  very  .maHgnanfs  arid  enemies  to 
 all  further  reformation  in  religion,  are  hereby  fettled 
 and  fecured  in  all  their  places  of  power  and  dignity, 
 without  the  lead  appearance  or  ground  cf  expecta- 
 tion of  any  alteration  for  ever. 
 
 How  offenfive  and  difpleafmg  unto  God  this  ac- 
 curfed  union  i*,  may  be  further  evident,  by  its  in- 
 volving this  land  in  a  finful  conjunction  and  ailbci- 
 ation  with  prelates,  malignants,  and  many  o.her  ene- 
 mies to  God  and  godl-inefs,  and  dated  adversaries  to 
 our  reformation  of  religion,  and  f worn -to  principles 
 in  our  covenants  national  and  folemn  league:  and 
 particularly  as  this  union  embodies  and  unites  us  in 
 this  land  in  the  drifted  conjunction  and  aflbciation 
 with  England,  a  land  fo  deeply  already  involved  in 
 the  breach  of  covenant,  and  peftered  with  fo  many 
 feferies,  errors,  and  abominable  pra&ices,  and  joins 
 us  in  itTue  and  intereft  with  thefe,  that  are  tolerators, 
 maintainors,  and  defenders  of  thefe  errors,  which  the 
 
 word 
 
(     3^7     ) 
 
 word  of  God  prohibits,  2  Chron.  xix.  2-  If  a  viii.  r  2, 
 &c.  and  our  facred  covenants  plainly  and  exprefsly 
 abjures.  And  further,  how  far  and  deeply  it  engages 
 this  land  in  a  confederacy  and  aflbciation  with  God's 
 enemies  at  home  and  abroad  in  their  expeditions  and 
 councils;  a  courfe  fo  often  prohibited  by  Goi  in  hii 
 word,  and  vifibly  plagued  in  many  remarkable  in- 
 ftances  of  providences,  as  may  be  feen  both  in  facred 
 and  hiftorical  records,  and  the  unlawfulnefs  thereof, 
 on  juft  andfcriptural  grounds,demonftrated  by  Famous 
 divines  even  of  our  own  church  and  nauon,  and  fet 
 down  as  a  caufe  of  God's  wrath  againft  this  church 
 and  kingdom  And  how  deteflable  mud  fuch  an 
 union  be,  whofe  native  tendency  leads  to  wear  off" 
 from  the  diffenting  party  in  England,  ail  fight,  fenfe, 
 confideration,  and  belief  of  the  indifpenfibility  of  the 
 fblemn  league,  and  hardening  enemies  in  their  oppo- 
 fition  to  it,  and  thefe  of  all  ranks  in  the  habitual 
 breach  of  it.  Yea,  alfo,-how  ftumefully  it  leads  to  the 
 obliterating  and  extinguifhing  all  the  a£ts  of  parlia- 
 ments and  aflemblies  made  in  favours  of  thefe  cove- 
 nants  and  reformation,  efpecially  between  1638  and 
 1649  inclufive.  And  not  only  (b,  but  to  a  tram- 
 pling oq  all  the  blood  of  martyrs  during  the  late  ty- 
 rannical reigns,  and  a  plain  burying  of  all  the  teftimc- 
 nies  cf  the  fuffering  and  conrending  party  in  this 
 land,  in  their  firm,  faithful  and  conftant  adherence 
 to  the  covenanted  work  of  reformation,  and  their  de-- 
 clarations,  proteftations  and  wreftiings  againft  all  the 
 indignities  done  unto,  and  ufurpations  made  upon 
 the  royal  crown  and  prerogative  of  the  Mediator, 
 all  the  privileges  and  intrinfic  right$of  this  church.  We 
 fay,  not  only  burying  thefe  in  perpetual  oblivion  by 
 this  capeftone  of  the  land's  fins  and  defections,  but 
 a!fo  oppofing  and  condemning  thefe  as  matters  of  the 
 leaft  concern  and  trivia1,  as  not  being  worthy  of  the 
 contending  and  fuffering  for,  whertby  thofe  who 
 ventured  their  lives,  and  their  all,  may  be  reputed  to 
 have  died  as  fools,  and  fufFered  juftly. 
 
 E  e  2  We 
 
(    M«    ) 
 
 V\V  caftnCt  here  omit  alfo  to   dec 
 fail  the  conditution  of  the  Britifti  pacKatiijeat. 
 asilj  upon  the   con  fide  rati  on   of  the  fortfaid  ; 
 and  reaions,  but  alfo  upon  the  account  of  the  finful 
 mixttlrfe,    and    unlawful    admifiion  of    bifhops  and 
 churchmen,  to  have  a  (hare  in  the  legiflstive  power, 
 or  in  place  cf  civil  courts  or  affairs,  and  thereto  s£t 
 <t  vote  forenfically  in  civil  matters,  a  thing  < 
 forbidden  and  difcharged  by  Chrift,  thetmiy  head  and 
 Lord  of  his  own  houfe  •,  whole  kingdom;  as  Mediator, 
 \i  not  of  this  world,  but  purely  fpiritual  ;  and  fo  the 
 officers  in  his  houf  -  muft  be  fpiritual  ;  (o  that    the  . 
 civil  power  of  churchmen  is  a  thing  inccmfiftent  and 
 incorrfp&tib'e  with  that  facred  and  fpiritual  function. 
 m  which   confiderafion,   how  palpable  a  fin  will 
 to  fubjecT:  to,  or  accept  of  any  oath  that  maybe 
 impofed  by  the  faid  Britifh  parliament,  for  the  main- 
 tenance and  fupport  of  fuch  an  union,  or  for  recog- 
 nizing, owning,  and  acknowledging  the  authority  of 
 the  faid  parliament  ?  And  that  becaufe  of  our  fwear- 
 ing  and  promifing  fu.bj:c"tion  to  the  faid  parliament, 
 we  do  thereby  homologate  the  forefaid  finful  confti- 
 tution,  and  fwear,  and  promife  fubjettion  to  the  bi- 
 (hops  of  England,  who  are  a  confiderable  part  of  that . 
 parliament,  and  fo  we  fhallbt  bound  and  obliged  to 
 maintain  and  uphold  them  in  their  places,  dignities,  and 
 offices, which  is  contrary  to  the  word  of  God  andour  co- 
 venants, while  the  very  fifft  articlecf  the  folemn  league' 
 obliges  us  to  endeavour  the  reformation  of  religion  in 
 the  kingdom  of  England,  in  do£trine,  worfhip,  djfci- 
 p4ine  and  government,  according  to  the  word  of  God,- 
 as  well  as  in  Scotland.      And  it  is  very  well  known, 
 that    the    government   of  bifhcps    is    not  according 
 to   the   word   of   GorT,    but    contrary    to    it,    r  Pet- 
 v.   3.  Matth.    xx     25,    26.     And   likewife  contrary 
 to  the  fecond  article  of  the  Solemn  League,  where- 
 by  we  are    obliged    to   the    extirpation   of   prelacy; 
 that   is,  church  government  by  archbifhops,  Bifllbj 
 &p.  which    ve    will   be  obliged    by  fuch  ari  oath  to 
 maintain   and  defend*      And  hefides,  from  the  con- 
 federation 
 
(     3*9    ) 
 
 ^deration  of  the  perfon  that  by  the  patrons  and  efla- 
 blifhers  of  this  union,  and  by  the  fecond  article  of  ths 
 Union  itfelf,  is  nominated  and  defigned  to  fuccced 
 after  the  deceafe  of  the  prefent  Queen  Anne,  in  the 
 government  of  thefe  nations,  viz.  the  prince  of  Han- 
 over, who  has  been  bred  and  brought  up  in  the  Lu- 
 theran religion,  which  is  not  only  different  from,  but 
 even  in  many  things  contrary  unto  that  purity,  in 
 dc&rine,  reformation,  and  religion,  we  in  thefe  na- 
 tions had  attained  unto,  as  is  very  well  known.  Now 
 the  admitting  fuch  a  perfon  to  reign  over  us,  is  not 
 only  contrary  to  our  Solemn  League  and  Covenant, 
 but  to  the  very  word  of  God  itfelf,  Deut.  xvii.  Requir- 
 ing and  commanding  one  f rein  among  their  brethren,  ard 
 not  ajh'anger,  who  is  not  a  brother,  to.  be  Jet  ever  them. 
 
 Whereby  undoubtedly  is  underftood,  not  only  fuch 
 who  were  of  a  confanguinity  with  the  people  of  the 
 land,  but  even  fuch  as  ferved  and  wot  (hipped  the  God 
 of  Ifrael,  and  not  any  other,  and  that  in  the  true  and 
 perfect  way  of  worshipping-  and  ferving  Him,  which 
 He  himfe-f  hath  appointed,  as  they  then  did,  to  which 
 this  intended  (uccefhen  is  quite  contrary.  And  be- 
 fides  this,  he  is  to  be  folemnly  engaged  and  fworn  to 
 the  prelates  of  England,  to  maintain,  protect,  and  de- 
 fend them  in  all  their  dignities,  dominion,  and  reve- 
 nues, to  the  preventing  and  excluding  ail  reformation 
 cut  of  thefe  nations  forever. 
 
 And  upon  the  like  and  other  weighty  reafons  and 
 confiderat  ons,  (as  prpiih  education,  converfation,  &c.) 
 fft  picteit  again  (I  and  difown  the  pretended  prince  of 
 WaM*;  from  having  any  juil  right  to  rule  or  govern 
 thefe  nations,  or  to  be  admitted  to  the  government 
 thereof.  And  whereas,  (as  is  reported)  we  are  mali- 
 cloudy  afperfed  by  thefe  who  profefs  themfelves  of 
 the  Prefbyterian  perfuafion,  especially  the  Laodicean 
 preachers,  that  we  fhouid  be  accriTory  to  the  advance- 
 ment of  whom  they  call  the  pretended  prince  of 
 Wales,  to  the  throne  of  Britain  :  therefore  to  let  all 
 concerned,  be  fu'ly  a  lured  of  the  contrary!  we  pro 
 E  «  3  \  && 
 
(  33°  ) 
 toft  and  tcftify  againft  all  fuch  fo  principled,  to  rule  in 
 thefe  lands*,  becaufe.  we  look  upon  all  fuch  to  be 
 flanding  in  a  ftated  oppofuion  to  God  and  our  cove- 
 nanted work  of  reformation.  Not  that  we  contemn,. 
 deny,  or  reject  civil  government  and  governors  (as 
 our  former  declared  principles  to  the  world  make  evi- 
 dent) but  are  willing  to  maintain,  own,  defend  and 
 fubj  fX  to  an  fach  governors  as  frail  be  admitted  ac- 
 cording to  our  covenants,  and  laws  of  the  Marion,  and 
 ?ftj  in  defence  of  our  covenanted  work  of  reforma- 
 tion, and  in  defence  cf  the  nation's  ancient  liberties 
 ?nd  privileges,  according  to  the  laudable  laws  and 
 practice  of  this  kingdom. 
 
 And  further,  we  cannot  but  dctcft,  abominate  and 
 abhor,  and  likewife  prote'r  againft  the  vu&  unlimited 
 to'eration  of  error  and.feclaries,  which  as  a  neceffary 
 ;vid  native  c-nf':quence  of  this  union  will  inevitably 
 io!low  thereupon,  and  which  will  certainly  have  a  bad 
 influence  upon  a'l  the  parts,  pirces,  and  branches  of 
 ike  reformation,  both  in  doctrine,  worfhip,  difcipline 
 ?.nd  government,  yea  even  upon  the  mod  momentous 
 and  fundamental  articles  of  the  Chriftian  faith  :  for 
 hereby  Anabaptifts,  Eraftians,  Socinians,  Arminians, 
 Quakers,  Deifts,  Atheifts  and  Libertines  of  all  kinds, 
 with  many  others  (which  abound  and  fwarm  in  that 
 j;.nd)  will  come  crouding  and  thronging  in  among 
 vs9  venting  and  vomiting  up  their  damnable  and  hel- 
 VAh  tenets  and  errors  to  the  deftruftion  of  fpuls,  and 
 •c  difbonour  of  God  in  many  refpefts,  and  that 
 without  any  check  or  controul  by  civil  authority;  as 
 5$  evident  from  the  prefent  practice  of  England,  as 
 ng  gotten  full  and  free  liberty  for  all  this  by 
 uiean6  of  this  accurfed  Union.  How  then  ought  not 
 -very  one  to  be  afraid,  when  incorporating  the?Trfelves. 
 with  fuch  a  people  fo  exposed  to  the  fearful  and  tre- 
 d!ous  judgments  cf  God,  becaufe  of  fuch  grofs 
 impieties  and  immoralities  (nor  that  our  land  is  free 
 of  fuch  heinous  wickedneiTts  as  may  draw  down  a 
 judgment,  but  there  thefe  evils  arc  to  a  degree)  for 
 
 what 
 
(  33'  ) 
 what  unparalelled,  univerfal,  national  perjury  is  that 
 land  guilty  of,  both  towards  God  and  man  (though 
 there  was  no  more)  by  the  breach  of  the  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant,  that  they  once  made  with  this 
 nation,  for  the  defence  and  reformation  of  religion  : 
 but  alfo  what  abominable  lafcivioufnefs,licentioufnefs, 
 luxury,  arrcgancy,  impiety,  pride  and  infolence,  to- 
 gether with  the  vileft  of  whoredoms,  avowed  breach 
 of  the  Sabbath,  and  mod  dreadful  blafphemies,  yea# 
 the  contempt  of  all  that  is  facred  and  holy,  gets  li- 
 berty to  reign  and  predominate  without  check  or  chal- 
 lenge, fo  that  joining  with  fuch  people,  cannot  but 
 )f«  us,  as  well  as  them,  to  the  juft  judgment  of 
 God,  while  continuing  in  thofe  (kf£ 
 
 And  here  Ve  cannot  pafs  by  the  unfai'hfuTnefs  of 
 the  prefent   minifters  (not  that  we  judge  all  of  them 
 to  be  caft  in  the   balance)  who  at  the  firft  beginning 
 of  this  work  feemed  to  be  fo  zealoufly  fet  againfl  it, 
 and  both  in  their  fpeeches,  fermons,   and  difcourfes, 
 (which  was  duty)  but  yet  in  a  very  little  after,  flinch- 
 ed from,  and  became  generally  fo  dumb,  fiient,  indif- 
 ^ferent  or  ambiguous,  to  the  admiration  of  many,  fo 
 jthit  people  knew  not  what  to  conftruct. 
 f     But  from  what  caufe  or  motive  they  were  fo  influ- 
 /  enced,  they  know   belt  themfelves  :  fure  their  duty 
 /    both  to  God  and  man  was,  to  fhew  and  declare,  how 
 I      fhameful,  hurtful,  and  highly  finfu!  this  courfe  was  as 
 fo  circumftantiate.     And  if  minifters  faith^ulnefs  and 
 2  al  to  the  concerns  of  Chrifr  had   led  them  to  fuch 
 freedom  and  plainnefs,  as  was  duty  in  fuch  a  matter, 
 and  had  difcovered  how  contrary  this  Union  was  to 
 the  fundamental   laws   and '  fworn  principles,  by  all 
 probability  they  might  have  had  fuch  influence,  as  to 
 flop  fuch  an  unhallowed  and  unhappy  project.     But 
 it  feems  their  policy  b,;d  outwitted  their  piety,   their 
 afing  of  man  in  conniving   at.   if  not  complying 
 with  their  dofign  that  was  carried  on,  hath  weighed 
 more  with  them,   thari  the   pleafmg 'of  God.   in  the 
 witncffing  and  teftifyinc;  acainfi  it. 
 
 (But 
 
(     33*     ) 
 
 But,  to  fay  no  more,  by  the  negligence  of  miniftera 
 on  the  one  hand,  and  the  politics  of  the  ftatefmen  on 
 the  other  hand,  this  wicked  and  haughty  bufinefs  has 
 been  carried  on  and  accomplifhed,  to  the  provoking 
 of  God,  enflaving  the  nation,  and  bringing  the  fame, 
 under  manifeft  perjury  and  breach  of  covenant.  But 
 how  to  evite  the  judgments  pronounced  againft  fuch, 
 we  know  not,  but  by  returning  to  their  firft  love,  tak- 
 ing up  their  firft  ground,  and  (landing  to  fworn  cove- 
 nants, folemnly  unto  God,  and  adhering  to  the  caufe 
 of  God,  and  the  faithful  teftimonies  of  this  church, 
 and  feeking  back  unto  the  old  path,  abandoning  and 
 (baking  off  and  forfaking  all  thefe  God-provoking  and 
 land-ruining  courfes,  we  fay,  we  know  and  are  per- 
 fuaded,  there  can  be  no  mean  to  retrieve  us  in  this 
 land,  but  by  unfeigned  repentance,  and  returning  un- 
 to Him,  from  whom  we  have  fo  deeply  revolted.  And 
 among  the  politics  of  this  age,  it  could  not  but  be 
 reckoned  the  wifdom  of  the  nation,  if  ever  they  get 
 themfelves  recovered  out  of  the  fnare,  to  animadvert 
 upon  fuch,  as  have  had  any  hand  in  the  contriving 
 or  managing  it,  as  being  enemies  both  to  God  and 
 their  country  ;  which  courfe  if  it  had  been  taken  in 
 former  times,  with  fuch  who  were  enemies  to  reli- 
 gion and  liberty,  it  would  have  deterred  fuch  from 
 being  fo  aftive  in  this  fatal  ftroke. 
 
 Upon  thefe  and  many  more  weighty  confiderations, 
 plain  and  demonftrable  evils  in  this  complex  mafs  of 
 fin  and  rnifery,  all  the  true  lovers  of  Zion,  who  defire 
 to  be  found  faithful  to  God,  to  their  vows  and  fworn 
 principles,  and  who  feek  to  be  found  faithful  in  their 
 generation  and  duty  of  the  day  :  and  all  fuch,  who 
 defire,  love  and  refpett  the  honour,  independency, 
 liberty  and  privilege  of  their  native  country,  efpecialiy 
 in  fuch  ajun&ure,  when  long  threatened  judgments 
 are  fo  imminent,  and  religion  and  liberty  as  it  were, 
 in  their  laft  breathing,  will  eafily  find  it  to  be  their 
 bound  duty  (as  they  would  not  confpire  with  adver- 
 saries to  religion  and  liberty)  to  fhew  no  favour  or 
 
 refpectj 
 
(     335     ) 
 
 refpeft,  and  give  no  encouragement  or  smiftarice  that 
 
 may  tend  to  the  upholding  or  fupporting  this  Union  : 
 but  that  it  is  their  duty  and  concernment,  (as  well  as 
 our-)  to  teftify  and  declare  againft  the  fame,  and  to 
 concur  with  their  utmoft  endeavours  to  flop  and  hin- 
 der the  fame  :  and  to  deny  their  acceiTion  to,  con- 
 nivance at,  or  compliance  with  any  thing  that  may 
 tend  to  the  continuing  fuch  an  infupportable  yoke 
 upon  themfelves  or  their  poitei  ity. 
 
 x'Vnd  now  to  draw  this  our  proteftation  to  a  con- 
 clufion,  we  (hall  heartily  invite,  and  in  the  bowels  of 
 our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  invite  all  in  both  nations,  who 
 tender  the  glory  of  God,  and  removing  the  caufes  of 
 his  wrath,  indignation,  and  imminent  judgments  up- 
 on us;  and  who  detire  the  continuance  of  his  taber- 
 nacle, gefpd  ordinances,  and  gracious  prefence  among 
 us}  and  feck  and  contend  earneftly  for  the  faith  once 
 delivered  to  the  faints,  and  labour  to  follow  the  foot- 
 fteps  of  thefe,  who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit 
 the  promlfe,  the  noble  Cloud  of  Witness  who  have 
 gone  before  us ;  we  fay,  we  heartily  invite  and  in- 
 treat  fuch  to  confider  their  ways,  and  come  and  join 
 in  a  harmonious,  zealous  and  faithful  withftanding 
 all,  and  every  thing  that  maybe  like  a  heightening, 
 or  capeitone  of  our  defe6brnc,  and  particularly  to 
 join  with  us  (according  to  6ur  reformation,  cove- 
 nants, Confe'iTion  of  Fifth,  aftd  Tefti  monies  cf  cur 
 church,  as  agreeable  to  th$  iacred  and  unerring  ru'e 
 cf  faith  and  manners,  the  holy  fenptnres)  in  .this  our 
 proteftation  and  teitimony.  And  for  thefe- effifts  we 
 defire  that  this  our  proteftation  may  be  a  ftaOding 
 teQimony  to  prffent  and  fucceeding  ages,  againft  the 
 finfulnefs  of  this  land-ruining,  God  provoking,  foul- 
 deftroying,  and  pofterity-eniTaving  and  enfnafing  U- 
 nion,  and  this  adfuturum  ret  memoriam.  And  to  e- 
 vite  the  brand  and  odium  of  paffing  the  bounds  cf  our 
 fiation,  and  that  this  cur  proteftation  may  be  brought 
 to  the  view  of  the  world  ;  we  have  thought  fit  to  pu- 
 blifh  and  leave  a  copy  of  the  fame  at  Sanquhar,  by  a 
 
 part 
 
(     334     ) 
 
 part  of  our  number,  having  the  unanimous  confent  of 
 the  whole  fo  to  do.     Given  at  the 
 
 2d  day  oj"  October  1707. 
 
 Jer.  ii.  5.  Thus  faith  the  Lord,  what  iniquity  have  your 
 fathers  found  in  me,  that  they  are  gone  fur  from  me%  and 
 have  walked  after  v:?:ity,  and  are  become  vain  ?  ver.  10. 
 For  pafs  over  the  if.es  ofChittim,  and  fee  ;  and  fend  un- 
 it Kedar,  and  conjider  diligently  :  and  fee  if  there  be  fuch 
 a  things  ver.  1  1.  Hath  a  nation  changed  their  gods ',  which 
 are  yet  no  gods  ?  but  my  pciph  have  changed  their  glory 
 for  that  which  doth  not  profit,  ver.  14.  Is  Ifrael  a  fer- 
 vant  P  is  he  a  home  born  flave  ?  why  is  he  fp  filed  ?  ver. 
 J  8.  And  now  what  h  fl  thai  to  do  in  the  way  of  Egypt 
 to  drink  the  waters  of  Sihor  f  or  what  haft  thou  to  do  in 
 the  way  of  Affyria,  to  drink  the  waters  of  the  river,  ver. 
 19.  Thine  own  wickednefs  Jball  correct  theey  and  thy 
 hackfliding  fh  11  reprove  thee  :  know  'therefore^  and  fee 
 thai  it  is  an  euil  thing  and  bitter  that  thou  hajt  forfaken 
 the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  my  fear  is  not  in  ihee}  faith 
 the  Lord  God  cf  ho/Is. 
 
 Deut,  xix.  14.  Thou  fhalt  not  remove  thy  neighbour's 
 land -mark,  which  they  of  old  time  have  fet  in  thine  inhe- 
 ritance which  thou  fhalt  inherit  in  the  land  that  the  Lord 
 tfy  God  g^  vet  h  thee  topofffs  it 
 
 1  Kings  xxi.  3.  And  Nabothyfaid  to  Ahab,  The  Lord 
 forbid  it  me,  that  I  fbould  give  the  inheritance  tf  'my  fa- 
 ther unto  thee.  Zech.  xi.  5.  And  they  that  fell  them, 
 fah  Blejfed  be  the  Lord,  for  I  am  rich)  j&r. 
 
 Zeph.  i Ii .  4.  They  have  done  violence  to  the  law.  Ho- 
 fea,  vii.  8.  Ephraim  hath  mixed  himfelf  among  the  people. 
 
 Let  God  arife,  and  let  all  his  enemies  be  fcattered. 
 
 ESCHOL 
 
E  S  C  II  O  L    GRAPES, 
 
 Or  fome  of  the 
 
 ANCIENT    BOUNDARIES, 
 
 AND 
 
 COVENANTED  MARCH  STONES, 
 
 Set  up  by  Kirk  and  State,  in  the  days  when  they 
 a£led  for  the  Lord,  and  he  was  eminently  feen 
 to  be  with  them,  betwixt  the  years  1638  and 
 1649.  clearly  evincing  the  vaft  difference  betwixt 
 the  then  (late  of  the  quarrel,  and  the  prefent,  as 
 now  carried  on  by  this  corrupt  and  degenerate  Kirk 
 and  State.  To  inform  the  fimple,  and  more  ig- 
 norant, and  to  evidence  our  love  and  reipett  to 
 them,  and  our  defire  to  adhere  to  the  fame  cove- 
 nanted caufe,  to  the  utmoft  of  our  power,  in  our 
 places  and  ftations. 
 
 Jer.  vi.  16.  Afk  for  the  old  paths,  where  is  the  good 
 old  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  fha'l  find  reft  for  your 
 fouls. 
 
 Pfal.  xlviii.  12,  13  Walk  about  Zion,  and  go  roufid 
 about  her  :  tell  the  towers  thereof.  Mark  ye  well  her 
 bulwarks,  confider  her  palaces  :  that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the 
 generation  following. 
 
 Ifa.  viii.  L2,  20.  Say  ye  not  a  confederacy  to  all  them, 
 to  uhom  this  people  ftall  fay,  a  confederacy  ^  neither  fear 
 ye  there  fear,  nor  be  afraid.  To  the  law  and  the  tefti* 
 mony  :  ii  they  fpeak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  ia 
 becaufc  thcie  ig  no  light  in  them. 
 
o 
 
 THE     READER. 
 
 IT  may  be  thought  fuperfluous,  to  give  any  prefa- 
 tory compliment  to  the  fubfequent  collection, 
 and  reprinting  of  old  glorious  and  honourable  truths, 
 which  are  prefentcd  to  the  world:  yet  the  coniidera- 
 tion  of  the  uneftimable  benefit,  and  unexpicffible  mer- 
 cy the  Lord  hath  vouchfafed  upon  this  poor  corner  of 
 the  world,  Pfal.  ii.  8.  Jer  x-ii  4.  Ifa.  xlix.  I.  and  6. 
 Pfal.  Ixv.  5.  Hofea  xii.  9  )  in  pulling  us  our  of  Anti- 
 chriftian  darknefs,  icattering  the  black  clouds,  and 
 ciinpating  the  mill,  tiiat  overfpread  us  >  and  break- 
 ing thefnares  ofVSatan,  andjiberating  us  from  that 
 prifon  wherein  we  were  captives.  And  not  only  fo, 
 but  following  the  conquefl:  of  us,  with  mod  clear, 
 bright,  and  irra.iiant  beams  of  the  fun  of  righteouf- 
 nefs.  Every  vineyard  the  Lord  hath  planted  in  any 
 nation,  hath  had  the  Influence  of  that  fun  to  make  it 
 fructify.  How  confpicuous,  difcernible,  and  evident 
 hath  Scotland's  (hare  been  of  that  blefled  light  ?  Not 
 only  hath  it  equalized  other  churches,  in  their  fevcral 
 and  refpective  attainments  \  but  alfo  hath  outftripped 
 them  in  purity  of  doctrine,  worfhip,  difcipline,  and 
 government.  We  need  not  (though  we- could  expa- 
 tiate on  the  feveral  advancements  this  church  hath 
 made,  fince  1560,  andwhat  her  rials  from  all  hands 
 have  been,  Mr.  Knox's,  Calderwood's  Apol.  Piela- 
 tion,  Hynd  let  Loofe,  &c.  have  given  a  moll  lucu- 
 lent  and  plain  demonftration  ofour  reformation,  and 
 what  great  and  wonderful  works  God  wrought  for 
 us,  and  among  us ;  with  what  piety,  conftancy,  cou- 
 rage, arid  zeal,  did  he  animate,  and  qualify  his  fer- 
 vants  to  oppofe,  eradicate,  expej,  and  exterminate 
 popery,-  prelacy,  fupremacy  and  other  errors  and  he- 
 terodox principles   and  practices?  Andby  the  light, 
 
 and 
 
(     ?37     ) 
 and  afiiftance  of  his  word,  and  conduct  and  influei 
 of  his  Spirit,   planting  a  right  feed  of  found  (: o 
 
 this   vineyard.     And   Low    wonderfu'ly  did    the 
 Lord,  by  the  power  of  his  Spirit,  animate  and  guide 
 our  reformers,  in  declaring,  confirming,  eftablifh! 
 judicially,    and   bearing  folemnly   to   maintain  the 
 doctrine,  worflnp,  difcipline,  and  government  of  this 
 church,  according  to   the  word   of  God*     It  is  no: 
 unknown,  how  brifk  and  zealous  they  were  in  op- 
 pofing  prelacy  in  the  fmalleft  blinks  and  buds  of  the 
 fame  ;  what  proteftations  againft  epifcopacy  in  theo- 
 ry, and  their  judicial  proceffes  againft  perfons.aflum- 
 ing,  practifing,  or  ufurping  any  power  in  ecclefiaftics, 
 fuperior.  to  that  of  prefbyters.     It  is  alfo  notour,  with 
 what  zeal,  knowledge,  and  courage  they  did  oppofe 
 that  cutfed  plague  of  fupremacy,  the  bloody  gully,  in 
 its  firft  ftart ;  inveighed,  preached  and  protefted  a- 
 gainft  by  Mr.  Melvil  and  others  :  they  valiantly  a«d 
 faithfully,  did  oppofe  and  proteft  againft  the  corrupt 
 council  and  king,  hi  their  endeavours  to  advance  and 
 -eftabUih  it.     And  with  conftancy,  courage  and  wiN 
 lingnefs  did  they  fuffcr  perfecution  and  exile  for  their 
 faithfulnefs  and  freedom  in  coutending  againft  that  in- 
 dignity done  to  the  crown  and  prerogatives  of  their 
 iiead  and  king,  Jefus  Chrift.     They  itood  valiantly 
 and  witneffed  faithfully  for  the  liberties  and  privileges 
 of  the  church,  and  avowed  before  the  world,  the 
 •    freedom  and  independency  of  ChrilTs  courts  upon 
 any  fecular  power,  and  protefted  againft  the  king's 
 ufurpation  in  church  affairs,  by  (topping  the  courfe  of 
 aiTembl^es,  as  may  be  feen  oftener  than  once  in  the 
 hiitory  of  our  church.     AnS  notwithftanding  of  ail 
 the  affaults  of  adverfaries,  yet  to  the  praife  of  His  own 
 name,  the  Lord  ftil]  preferved  a  witnefRng  rtmuant  a- 
 gainft  prelacy  and  fupremacy,  &c. 
 
 When  our  night  appeared  dark,  and  a  fatal-like 
 ^clipfe  upon  the  church,  enemies  power  advancing, 
 and  growing  infolent,  working  by  fraud  and  force  to 
 rase  Prefoyterlan  government  -3  and  to  fecure  them- 
 felvcs  fiom  its  rife,  revival  or  refurrection,  they  frt 
 F  f  ward 
 
(     333     ) 
 
 forward  to  innovate  and  alter,  fubvert  and  extirpate 
 Prtfhytery,  and  to  introduce  a  popifh,  prelatic,  litur- 
 gical fervices:  but  He  who  fits  in  heaven  and  orders 
 all,  to  the  praife  cf  his  own  glory,  and  with  whom 
 the  refidue  of  the  Spirit  is,  defeated  tbeir  counfeis, 
 brake  their  defigns  and  devices,  and  fruftrated  their 
 intentions/  He  whofe  caufe  it  is,  did  fpirit  his  peop'e 
 with  light  and  life,  zeal  and  courage,  to  oppofe  the 
 fame  •,  and  did  fo  back  his  people  their  honeft  endea- 
 vours "with  a  bkfiing,  and  bappy  iflue,  that  the  fnare 
 and  device  being  broken,  they  did  renew  and  foltmn- 
 ly  fwear  the  National  Covenant,  anno  1638,  and  1639, 
 whdii  firft  they  obtained  the  privi-ege  zpd  opportunity 
 cf  an  afiembly,  they  purged  the  houfe  of  God;  null 
 and  enervate  corrupt  and  unfree  aflemblies,  iiliminate 
 prelacy,  and  cenfure  prelatifts  according  to  the  degrees 
 of  their  offences  or  obftinacy  :  a-fo  they  revive,  ratify, 
 and  confirm  the  docflrine,  worfhlp,  6c.  and  the  act 
 c-f  former  free,  lawful  aiTembiies.  'Then  did  refor- 
 mation advance,  and  the  work  of  the  Lord  profper  in. 
 their  hands,  notwithilanding  of  the  king's,  prelates 
 and  malignants,  endeavours  to  the  contrary,  friends  to 
 the  covenants  caufe  increafed,  foes  were  diminifhed, 
 nr^ry  made  to  own  the  do£lrine,  worfhip,  difcipline^ 
 ?,nd  government'  of  the  church  according  to  the  fa- 
 cried  vows.  And  though  the  king  (Kimfelf  heartily 
 inclined  that  way)  was  Simulated  by  the  prelatic  and 
 malignant  fadiqn,  to  a  hortile  oppofitiori  to  that 
 work,  yet  the  Lord,  who  is  Zion's  king,  in  his  mer*- 
 cy  ordered  it  ctherwife,  the  king  is  inclined  to  a  pa- 
 cification, and  at  length  grants  a  parliament;  the 
 work  then  begun  and  cvried  on,  is  ratified  by  it,  and 
 by  federal  parliaments  after.  By  which  our  religion 
 became  a  national  civil  quarrel,  and  law  rights,  and 
 proftilors  bound  to  maintain  the  fame  by  arms  as 
 well  as  their  other  rights.  What  were  the  particular  act- 
 ings, troubles  and  cppofitions  of  thefe  times,  we  are 
 not  here  to  enumerate,  only  we  cannot  pafs,  the 
 wonderful  mercy  pf  God,  advancing  the  work  begjm, 
 ^nd  mounting  it  fo  high,  as  to  be  c-othed  v/ith  the 
 
 authcrity 
 
(     339     ) 
 
 authority  of  parliaments,  as  well  as  afts  of  affcmblies, 
 and  to  have  the  ftiperadJed  binding  force,  and  indif- 
 folvable  bonds  cf  National  Covenants  in  Scotland, 
 Solemn  league  and  Covenant  in  the  three  kingdom?, 
 and  now  become  the  fundamental  conftitirion  a-,d 
 eftabhfhed  law  of  the  kingdom,  and  the  foundation 
 and  qualification  of  king  and  inferior  magfft  rates,  &c. 
 and  as  Nephtali,  p  164  became  the  very  fecondary 
 fundamental  law  of  the  kingdom  (the  word  of  God, 
 the  fcriprures  of  the  Old  and  New  Teilaments,  being 
 the  prime  and  principal,  one)  whereon  all  the  rights 
 fcnd  privileges  either  cf  king  or  people,  are  principally 
 bottomed  and  fecured.  And  by  virtue  of  thefe  laws 
 King  Charles  II.  could  not  be  admitted  to  the  cxrr- 
 cife  of  the  government,  until  he  had  fubferibed  the 
 covenants,  and  given  his  folemn  oath  for  himfelf  and 
 fucceiTors.    See  Neph.  p.  160,  i6i>  162,  163. 
 
 And  upon  the  account  that  many  are  ignorant,  o- 
 thers  are  indifferent,  and  fume  willing  to  know,  but 
 ting  the  means  and  cccafions  of  information  ;  we 
 thought  fit  here  -to  caufe  print  again,  and  give  a  vide- 
 mus  of  fame  material  a£ts  of  aff-mblies,  and  parlia- 
 ments, and  fome  other  papers  of  the  faithful  conten- 
 ders, and  contendings,  witnefies  and  martyrs  for  the 
 covenanted  work  of  reformation  :  whereby  the  unpre- 
 judiced may  fee,  the  malicious  Vnay  be  filent,  the  ig- 
 norant informed,  the  credulous  unbiafied,  the  ftate 
 and  ground  of  this  church's  quarrel  may  In  fome  mea- 
 fure  appear  in  that  luftre  and  perfpicuhy  in  which 
 our  faithful  reformers,  and  z^a;ous  contenders  have 
 phc?d  it :  and  withal  that  the  poor  reproached,  and 
 naufnated,  hiffed  and  huffed  at  remnant,  may  be  vin- 
 dicated from  the  groundlefs  and  unreafonable  impu- 
 tations, and  obloquies  of  almoft  all  ranks.  The 
 ground  they  have,  and  the  caufe  they  now  maintain 
 (though  they  be  few  and  infignificant,  the  caufe  they 
 own,  is  not  wrorfe  of  it,  it  honours  them  or  any  th  t 
 will  own  it,  and  not  they  it)  is  none  other  than  what 
 was  ownea,  and  maintained  by  parliaments  and  af- 
 fembhes,  and  foaled  with  the  blood  of  martyrs,  and  a- 
 Ff  z  greeabie 
 
I   340   ) 
 
 greeable  to  the  genuine  ftate  of  their  teftimony,  ac- 
 cording to  the  facred  tie  of  the  covenants.  The  brand 
 and  calumny  of  rtjc-tling  the  gofpel,  fhaking  off  ma- 
 giftracy  and  civil  authority,  may  be  wiped  off  by  an 
 impartial  confideration,  and  unprejudiced  weighing 
 of  what  the  fubfequent  fheets  may  declare.  Truth  is 
 a  good  help  to  weak  advocates,  if  we  be  weak,  yet  if 
 we  through  grace,  can  keep  clofe  by  truth,  it  will  free 
 us,  and  prove  vi&orious  at  length  ;  yet  hath  it  not 
 wanted  ftrong  heads,  found  and  fincere  hearts,  and 
 zealous  hands  and  pens  to  avouch  it.  Yea,  we  may 
 aver,  that  the  author  of  Naphtali,  Apologetical  Rela- 
 tion yju s popid'h  &c.  have  afforded  ftronger,  and  more 
 pungent  and  irrefragable  defences  from  fcripture  and 
 reafon,  than  enemies  hitherto  ever  could  folidly  e- 
 nervate. 
 
 Though  there  be  no  new  thing  here  publifhed,  none 
 have  reafon  to  cavil  or  difdain  it,  old  truth  is  better 
 and  preferable  to  any  new  gaudy,  pedantic  and  para- 
 fitical  curiofity,  tempered  to  gratify  an  Athenian  fan- 
 cy. Truth  needs  not  new  paintry,  and  paiiky  fophifms, 
 to  prop  it  by  fubtiiity,  and  cunning  craft  of  foarlng 
 theorifts.     Naked  truth  fhines  beft  in  a  plain  drefs. 
 
 It  is  hard,  if  not  impofiible,  that  every  thing  will 
 pleafe  every  pallate  :  fome  may  reje£l  and  villify  the 
 afts  of  parliament  here  inferted,  becaufe  they  wanted 
 the  king  or  his  commjilioner  :  but  this  is  no  new  bu- 
 finefs  and  objection,  and  no  new  cavil,  and  there- 
 fore an  old  anfwer  may  ferve  the  matter,  and  that, 
 alfo  better  cannot  be  given.  And  who  would  be  fa- 
 tisfied  folidly  and  convincingly,  confult  Apologetic 
 Relation,  p  130,  131,  where,  in  anfwer  to  the  alle- 
 gation, that  thefe  parliaments  were  not  legally  called 
 and  conveened,  is  clearly  demonftrated  that  they  were 
 formally  called  and  conveened,  the  king  called  the 
 parliament  1639,  and  fent  the  Earl  Traquair  commif- 
 fioner,  which  was  adjourned  to  anno  1640,  and  then 
 to  1641  ;  and  at  this  feffion  the  King  was  prefent, 
 and  ratified  all  their  acts,  among  which  this  was 
 one,  viz.  a£t  17,  anno  1640, <c  That  every  third  year, 
 
 once 
 
once  at  kaft,  there  (liould  be  a  full  and  free  pasJii- 
 jnent  ;  and  that  the  time  and    place  fhould  be  ap- 
 pointed by  his  Mayfly,  or  his  commiflioner  for  the 
 time,  and  the  eftates  of  parliament,  before  the  end 
 an|  clofing    of  every  parliament."      According  to 
 which  a£t,  King  and  parliament  diij  appoint  the  next 
 parliament  June  1644;  and  this  parliament  is  conti- 
 nued  till  January  1645,   thence  till  March,  thence 
 till  July  1645,  auc*  from    thence  it  is  adjourned  to 
 -November  1646,  and  then  till  March   1647.     And 
 at  the  c!ofe  of  this  ftfiion  of  parliament,  conform  to 
 the  forefaid  a£l  1640,  they  appointed  the  next  meet- 
 ing of  parliament  to  be  anno  1648.    This  parliament 
 adjourned  to  March   1650.    'But   withal  they  gave 
 power  to  their  committee,  or  the  quorum  thereof,  to 
 call   the  parliament   fooner,    if  they  faw  nectfliry. 
 Accordingly  it  is  convocated,  anno  1649,  and  at  the 
 time  appointed  it  meeteh  anno    i6jo;  and  fo  ad- 
 journecKto  times  convenient.     So  that  there  is  no  in- 
 formality here  at  all  difcernible.     If  it  be  faid,  thr.t 
 neither  the  King    nor  his  commiflioner  was  prefent 
 at  thefe  parliaments,  and  fo  this  informality  annulled 
 all.     Anfwer,  1.  The  want  of  this  formality  cannot 
 be  the  caufe  of  annulling  thefe  parliaments,  or  fef 
 flons  of  parliament ;    becaufe   they  annul  the   very 
 feffion  of  parliament    1641,  at  which   King  Charles 
 himfelf  was  prefent.     2.  There  is  no  law,  making 
 theprefence  of  the  King  or  his  commiflioner  effen- 
 t;al  16  every  parliament,  far  lefs  to   every  feffion   of 
 parliament.     3    There   luvc  been  many  parliaments 
 in  Scotland,  without  either  King  or  commiflioner  , 
 as  in  the  days  of  King  James  II.  anno  1437,   1438, 
 2nd  1440,  where  there  is  no  mention  made  of  the 
 King  in  the  acts,  as  there  is  at  the  next  parliament 
 14 -1 3,  but  only  of  the  three  eftates  of  parliament  con- 
 cluding and  ordaining.  So  anno  1 560,  there  is  a  par- 
 liament holden   at  Edinburgh,   by  the   three  eftates, 
 *-nhout  either  King  or  Queen,  and   an  act  thereof 
 ratified  in  the  firft  parliament  of  King  James  VI.  ?.C: 
 2.     £0  anno   1567,  the  parliament  U  kept  by  the 
 r  f  $  regen^ 
 
(     342     ) 
 
 recent,  and  the  three  eftates  without  the  Queen,  who 
 then  did  reign,  as  the  aft  of  parliament  1 58  f.  King 
 James  VI.  (hews,   as  maybe  feen  in  "the  place  cited 
 
 afcrefaid. 
 
 You  (hall  not  be  detained  .longer  from  perufing 
 what   is  here  offered  to  your  ferious   confederation. 
 l\ead   them  without  regard  to  any  infignificancy  in 
 the  hands  of  them   who  now  give  this  occafion  of 
 feeing  them.     It  is  ground  and  matter  of  lamenta- 
 tion, that  when   light  and  means  of  light   is  fo  co- 
 pious, there  ihouki  be  fuch  an  unconcernednefs  and 
 unwii'ingnefs  to  follow  the  footlteps  of  thefe  who  have 
 paved  a  way  to  us,  contending  for  the  faith  once  de- 
 livered to  the  faints  ;  yea,  but  more  lamentable,  that 
 when  we  cannot  but  fee  how  long,  how  far  and  from 
 what  we  have  been  debarred  and   made  defection. 
 The  covenants,  and  that  work  carried  on  both    by 
 church  and  ftate,  and  which  was   Scotland's  glory 
 and  renown,  owned  and  countenanced  of  God,  with 
 lingular  bleilings  from  heaven,  and  fealed  on  the  fpi- 
 rits  of  many,  with  convincing,  converting,  and  com- 
 forting motions  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  made  this 
 church  famous  among  other  churches,  and  terrible  to 
 adverfaries  as  an  army  with  banners,  in  thefe  our  hap- 
 py covenanting  days.     But  ah  !  now  as  if  afhamed, 
 dare  not  fpeak  with  that  liberty  and   freedom,  nor 
 maintain  and  profecute  the  ends  of  our  vows  to  God, 
 but  for  the  moft  part  rather  burying  than  any  way 
 offering  to  have  raifed  eftimation,  and  confcientious 
 owning  of,  or  adhering  to  them  :  rather  labouring  to 
 have  them  obliterate,  and  in  oblivion,  than  any  way 
 to  renew  and  prefs  the  duty  of  being  faithful  in  the 
 matter  of  our  indifpenfible  oaths  :  Ah  !  What  may 
 any  think!  That  nothing  in  any  regifter  of  kirk  of 
 ftate  for  reviving  or  renewing  them,  no  regard  had  to 
 them,  and  faithful  afts  enjoining  them  in  admiffion 
 of  the  civil  magiftrate  to  the  exercife  of  the  govern- 
 ment, and  as  little  in    inferior  officers,  but  laying 
 them  thus  wholly  ande,   though    they  be  the  bortora 
 
 -peine  or  owning  them. 
 -   *  ESCHOL 
 
ESCHOL    GRAPES. 
 
 ACTS    OF    PARLIAMENT. 
 
 Second  parliament,  act  5.  of  King  Charley  anent  the  ra- 
 tification of  the  covenant y  and  of  the  affembly*  s  fuppli- 
 cation^  acl  of  council  y  and  act  of  the  Ajfembly  concern- 
 ing the  covenant }  June  II,  1640. 
 
 THE  eftates  of  Parliament,  prefently  conveened, 
 by  his  majefty's  fpecial  authority  ;  confider- 
 ing  the  (application  of  the  General  Affembly  at 
 Edinburgh  the  12th  of  Auguft  1639,  to  his  Majefty'g 
 high  commiflioner,  and  the  lords  of  his  majefty's  ho- 
 nourable privy  council,  and  the  acl  of  the  council 
 the  30th  of  Auguft  1639,  containing  the  anfwer  of 
 the  (aid  fupplication,  and  the  aft  of  the  faid  General 
 Affembly  ordaining  by  their  ecclefiaftzc  conftitution 
 the  fubfeription  of  the  confeflion  of  faith  and  cove- 
 nant, mentioned  in  their  fupplication,  and  withal 
 having  fupplicated  his  Majefty  to  ratify  and  enjoin 
 the  famen  by  his  royal  authority  under  all  civil  pains, 
 as  tending  to  the  glory  of  God,  prefervation  of  rcli* 
 gion,  the  King's  majefty's  honour,  and  the  perfeft 
 peace  of  this  kirk  and  kingdom  :  do  ratify  and  ap- 
 prove the  faid  fupplication,  aft  of  council,  and  aft  of 
 affembly,  and  conform  thereto,  ordains  and  com- 
 mands the  faid  confeflion  and  covenant  to  be  fub- 
 fcribed  by  all  his  majefty's  fubjefts,  of  what  rank  and 
 quality  foever,  under  all  civil  pains,  and  ordains  the 
 faid  fupplication  acl  of  council,  and  aft  of  the  af- 
 fembly, with  the  whole  confeflion  and  covenant  itfe;f, 
 to  be  inferted  and  regiftrated  in  the  afts  an  J  books  of 
 parliament,  and  a:fo  ordains  the  famen  to  be  pre- 
 sented at  entry  of  every  parliament,  and  before  they 
 proceed  to  any  other  aft,  that  the  fame  be  publicly 
 
 read 
 
(     344     ) 
 
 read,  and  fworn  to  by  the  whole  members  of  parlia- 
 ment, claiming  voice  therein,  otherwife  the  refuftrs 
 to  fubfcribe  and  fwear  the  fame,  (hall  have  no  place 
 nor  voice  in  parliament.  And  fuch  like  ordains  all 
 judges*  magiftrates,  or  other  officers  of  whatfoever 
 place,  ranl^»  or  quality,  and  minifters  at  their  entry, 
 to  fwear  and  fubfcribe  the  famen  covenant :  whereof, 
 and  of  the  faid  fupplication  a£t  of  council,  and  a£t  of 
 the  affembly  the  tenor  follows,  &c. 
 
 Parliament  3 dy  of  King  Charles*  A3  5M,  at  Edinturght 
 OHober  \2tb,  1643. 
 
 THE  comm'ffioners  of  the  convention  of  eflates 
 having  received  from  the  commiffioners  of  the 
 General  Affembly,  the  folemn  league  and  covenant, 
 above-mentioned,  approven  and  folemnly  fworn  and 
 fubfcribed  in  the  kingdom  of  England,  and  having 
 taken  the  fanle  to  their  ferious  confideration,  do  una- 
 nimovfly  and  chearfully  receive  and  embrace  it,  as 
 agreeing  with -that  draught  approved  by  the  late  con- 
 vention of  eflates  and  General  affembly :  and  therefore 
 ordains  the  fame  to  be  with  all  religious  folemnities, 
 fworn  and  fubfcribed  by  all  his  majefty's^ubjefts  of 
 this  kingdom,  and  that  under  the  pain,  to  fuch  as 
 (hall  poftpone  orrefufe,tobe  efteemed  and  punifh'*'3  as 
 enemies  to  religion,  his  majefty's  honour,  and  peace 
 of  thefe  kingdoms,  and  to  have  their  goods  and  rents 
 confifcated  for  the  life  of  the  public,  and  that  they 
 flail  not  bruick  nor  etjoy  any  benefit,  place,  nor 
 office,  within  this  kingdom  :  and  alfo  ordains  all 
 flieriffs,  ftewarts,  and  others  his  majefty's  magif- 
 trates in  burgh  and  land,  and  committees  in  the  fe- 
 veral  fhires,  to  be  ^lifting  to  minifters  and  prefby- 
 teries  in  procuring  real  obedience  hereunto,  and  that 
 with  aH  diligence  they  make  report  unto  the  com- 
 mittee of  eftates  of  the  names  of  all  fuch  perfons  as 
 fnall  poftpone  cr  refufe,  to  the  effeft  courfe  may  be 
 taken  with  them,  as  aforefaid.     And  that  they  may 
 
 be 
 
(  345  ) 
 be  cited  to  anfwer  to  the  next  parliament,  as  enemies 
 to  religion,  King,  and  kingdoms,  and  to  receive  what 
 further  punifhment  his  majefty  and  parliament  (hall 
 inflift  upon  them.  And  further  ordains  thefe  pre- 
 fents  to  be  printed  with  the  former  a£t  of  the  eflates, 
 and  publiftied  at  the  market  crofTes  of  the  head  bo- 
 roughs of  this  kingdom,  wherethrough  none  pre-* 
 tend  ignorance  of  the  Came. 
 
 2d  Parliament  King  Charles  t  Acl  r  5  ancnt  ft  curing  of 
 the  Ccveqanti  Religion^  and  peace  of  the  kingdom^ 
 Feb.  yth}  1649. 
 
 THE  eftates  of  parliament  taking  to  their  mod  fe- 
 rious  confideration,  the  unhappy  differences  be- 
 tween their  late  fovereign  and  thtfc  kingdoms,  caufed 
 by  the  evil  councils  about  him,  unto  the  great  preju- 
 dice of  religion,  and  long  difturbance  of  the  peace  of 
 thofr  kingdoms  :  as  likewife,  the  manifold  acls  of 
 parliament,  and  fundamental  confutation  of  this 
 kingdom,  anent  the  king's  oath  at  his  coronation, 
 which  judging  it  necefiafy,  that  the  pritace  and  the' 
 people  be  of  one  perte£t  religion,  appointeth,  That 
 all  king?  and  princes  who  fhali  reign  or  bear  rule  over 
 this  realm,  fhali  at  their  coronation,  or  receipt  of  their 
 princely  authority,  folemnly  fwear  to  obferve  in  their 
 own  perfons,  and  to  pieferve  the  religion  as  it  is  pre- 
 sently eftablifhed  and  profeffed,  and  rule  the  people 
 committed  to  their  charge,  according  to  the  will  cf 
 God  revea^d  ic  his  word,  and  the  icveable  constitu- 
 tions received  v.  ithin  this  kingdom,  and  do  fundry  o- 
 ther  things  which  are  more  fully  expreffed  therein. 
 And  withal,  pondering  their  manifold  folemn  obliga- 
 tions to  endeavour  the  fecuring  of  religion  and  the  co- 
 venant, before  and  above  all  worldly  interefts.  There- 
 fore they  do  enact,  ordain  and  declare,  that  before  the 
 king's  majefty,  who  now  is,  or  any  of  h:s  fucceflbrs 
 (hall  be  admitted  to  the  exercife  of  his  royal  power, 
 he  fhali  by  and  attour  the  forefaid  oath,  allure  and 
 
 declare 
 
(     346     ) 
 
 declare  by  his  folemn  oath,  under  his  hand  and  feal, 
 his  allowance  of  the  national  covenant,  and  oX  the 
 Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  and  obligation  to  pro- 
 fecute  the  ends  thereof,  in  his  Ration  and  calling,  and 
 that  he  fhall  for  himfelf  and  his  fucceflbrs,  confent 
 and  agree  to  a£ts  of  parliament,  enjoining  the  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant,  and  fu'ly  eftab!i(hing  Prefby- 
 terian  government,  the  Dire£iory  -of  Worfhfp,  the 
 Confefiion  of  Faith,  and  Catechifms,  as  they  aie  ap- 
 proven  by  the  general  afiembiy  of  this  kirk  and  par- 
 liament of  this  kingdom,  in  all  his  majrfty's  domi- 
 nions, and  that  he  (hall  obferve  thefe  in  his  practice 
 and  fami-y,  and  that  he  {hall  never  make  eppofition 
 10  any  of  thefe,  cr  endeavour  any  change  thereof. 
 
 It  ia  a^fo  declared,  eri3&ed,  and  ordained,  that  be- 
 fore the  king  who  now  is  to  be  admitted  to  the  exer- 
 cife  of  his  royal  power,  he  (hall  leave  aTl  council  and 
 rour-fellors  prejudicial  to  religion,  and  the  National 
 Covenant,  and  to  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant, 
 ;nd  give  fatisfaclion  to  the  parliament  of  this  king- 
 dom as  it  is  now  conftitute,  in  what  farther  fliall  be 
 found  nectflary  for  the  fettling  of  a  happy  and  du- 
 rable peace,  prefervation  of  the  union  between  the 
 kingdoms,  and  for  the  good  of  the  crown,  and  for  his 
 own  honour  and  happinefs,  and  fhall  confent  and  a- 
 gree,  that  all  matters  civil,  be  determined  by  the  par- 
 liaments of  this  kingdom,  and  all  ecclefiaftic  matters 
 by  the  general  aflembly  of  this  kirk,  for  the  which 
 ends  the  eftates  of  parliament  are  reffflved  to  make 
 their  humble  and  earned  addrefies  to  his  majefty,  with 
 all  poffible  expedition,  a!l  which  they  find  themfelves 
 bound  to  profecute,  and  refolves  not  to  recede  there- 
 from, but  to  fee  the  fame  really  performed. 
 
 Likeas  the  eftates  of  parliament  difcharges  all  the 
 lieges  and  fubjefts  of  this  kingdom*  to  procure  or  re- 
 ceive from  his  majefty,  any  commiffions,  patents,  ho- 
 nours, offices,  or  gifts  whatfoever  •,  until  his  majefty 
 give  fatisfa^Ion,  as  faid  13,  under  the  pain  of  being 
 cenfured  in  their  perfons  and  eftates,  as  the  parliament, 
 
 or 
 
(     347    ) 
 
 or  any  having  power  from  them,  flialljuJgj  fitting. 
 And  if  any  fuch  commifiions,  patents,  honours,  of- 
 fices or  gifts,  (hall  be  procured  or  received  by  any  of 
 the  fubje&s  of  this  kingdom,  before  fuch  fatisfa&ion, 
 the  parliament  declares  and  ordains  all  fuch  commif- 
 fions,  parents,  honours,  offices  or  gifts,  and  all  that 
 fliall  follow  thereupon,  to  be  void  and  null. 
 
 Parliament  2a1 9  Sejf.  2<J>  Ac!  26.     For  keeping  thejuM- 
 caUrleSy  and  places  oftrujifree  of  corruption,  Feb.  1 7, 
 1649. 
 
 THE  eftates  of  parliament  taking  into  confidera- 
 tion,  that  the  Lord  our  God  requires  that  fuch 
 as  bear  charge  among  his  people,  (hou!d  be  able  men, 
 fearing  God,  hating  covetoufnefs,  and  dealing  truly, 
 and  that  many  of  the  evils  of  fin,  and  pun'fhment  un- 
 der which  the  land  groans,  have  come  to  pafs,  be- 
 caufe  hitherto  there  hath  not  been  fufficiently  pro- 
 vided and  cared  for:  and  fcVing  fenfible  of  the  great 
 obligation  that  lies  upon  them  by  the  National  Cove- 
 nant, and  by  the  Solemn  league  and  Covenant,  and  by 
 many  deliverances  and  mercies  frfcra  God,  and  by 
 the  folemn  engagement  unto  duties  t  >  advance  reli- 
 gion and  righteoufnefs  in  the  land,  and  fill  places  of 
 power  and  truft  with  men  of  approved  integrity,  and 
 ofablamelefs  and  Chriftian  conversion*  and  being 
 convinced  in  their  confeiences,  thac  there  cannot  be  a 
 more  effectual  wayfor  bearing  down  of  malignantsjand 
 fupprefiing  of  profanity  and  iniquity"a~net  ungodlinefc, 
 and  rendering  all  the  laws  already  made,  or  here- 
 after to  be  made,  forcible  and  effectual  for  the  ho- 
 nour of  God,  the  advancing  of  religion  and  righte- 
 teoufnefs,  and  the  good  of  the  lieges,  than  that  all 
 the  judicatories  of  the  kingdom  coniift  of,  and  peaces 
 of  power  and  public  truft  be  filled  with  able  and  ho- 
 neft  men  :  do  therefore  ftatute  and  ordain,  that  no 
 perfon  that  is  malignant  and  difaffc'&ed  to  the  prefent 
 work  of  reformation  and  Covenants,  3n  i  againft  whom 
 there  is  juft  caufe  of  exception,  or  j aft  ground  of  jeal- 
 osy, 
 
<     348     ) 
 
 ©ufy,  becauie  of  their  difafFe£Hon,  nor  anyperfon  given 
 to  drunkennefs,  {wearing,  uncleannefs,  or  any  other 
 Scandalous  offence,  fhall  hereafter  be  chofen  to  be 
 judge,  or  any  officer  of  ftate,  or  magiftrate,  or  ccun- 
 fellor  in  burgh,  clerks  or  deacons  of  crafty  or  any  of- 
 ficer of  an  army  belonging  to  the  kingdom,  or  em- 
 ployed in  any  place  of  public  power  or  truft  within 
 this  kingdom  :  and  that  all  fuch  as  fhall  be  chofen  to 
 be  judges,  officers  of  ftate,  officers  of  the  army,  ma- 
 giftrates,  counsellors  in  burghs,  clerks,  deacons  of 
 crafts,  or  employed  in  any  place  of  power  aad  truft 
 in  this  kingdom-,  fliall  not  only  be  able  men,  but 
 alio  fhall  be  men  of  known  affe&ions  unto,  and 
 approved  integrity  and  fidelity  in  the  caufe  of  God, 
 and  of  a  blamelefs  and  Chriftian  converfation.  And 
 it  is  ftatute  and  ordained,  that  if  any  malignant  or 
 fcandalous  perfons  fhall  be  chofen  to  be  judges,  of- 
 ficers, or  employed  in  any  of  places  aforefatd,  or  other 
 places  of  power  and  truft  \  or  if  after  they  being  cal- 
 led to  be  judges  or  officers,  and  employed  in  places 
 of  power  and  truft,  they  fhall  make  defection  to  the 
 malignancy,  as  is  aforefaid,  or  give  themfelves  to 
 fcandalous  offences,  one  cr  more,  that  this  their  ma- 
 lignancy and  profanity,  conjunctly,  or  either  of  them 
 feverally,  being  proved  againft  them,  fliall  be  a  fuffi- 
 cient  caufe  to  the  parliament  of  this  kingdom,  or  any 
 having  power  from  them,  for  that  effe£t,  to  keep 
 back,  remove,  or  fufpend  thefe  perfons  from  the  places 
 of  power  and  truft,  to  which  they  are  called,  or  in 
 which  they  are  employed,  as  faults  and  crimes  fliall 
 be  found  to  deferve.  But  prejudice  always  to  all 
 other  judicatories  and  perfons  having  right  by  the 
 laws  of  this  kingdom  thereto,  to  purge  and  fill  all 
 offices  and  places  of  power  and  trot  within  their 
 refpe&ive  powers,  required  and  ordained  to  do  the 
 fame,  as  they  will  anfwer  thereupon  to  the  parlia- 
 merit,  or  any  having  power  from  them  in  that  be- 
 half. 
 
 Second 
 
I     349     ) 
 
 Second  parliament  of  Ring  Charles^  an  d  ftjf.  3.  aft  ri. 
 
 aft  for  purging  the  army  ^  June  21,  1649. 
 
 THE  eftates  of  parliament,  considering  the   ma- 
 nirold  evils  both  of  fin  and  punifbment,  where- 
 with this  land  has  been  affecled  by  reafon  of  the  ma- 
 lignant infolencies  and   profanity  of  many  in   cur  ar- 
 mies •,  and  calling  to  mind,  that  they  have  lately  made 
 a  folemn  confeflion  and  acknowledgement  unto   God 
 thereof  as  one  of  the  public  fins  of  the  land,  and  that 
 they  have  engaged   themfelves  for  purging  of  judica- 
 tories and  armies,  and  entrufling  and  employing  none 
 but  fuch  as  are  of  known  good  affection,  and  to  the 
 effect,  that  none  be  flittered  to  abide  in  the  arrr.y, 
 who  are  of  a  profane  malignant   and  fcandalous  car- 
 riage, having  therefore  according  to   their  vov:sy  and 
 for  removing  and  preventing  ail  dangers  or  inconve- 
 niences, thaUmay  fall  cut  thereby,  and  for  remedy- 
 ing an^  relieving  the  exorbitant  burdens  and  eppref-' 
 fibns  of  th  ^  country,  becauft  of  fuch  men's  infoleh- 
 ces,   thought  neceflary  to  grant  power  and  commit 
 fion  to  fome  well  affe&ed  perfons  in  feveral  (hires, 
 for  vifiting  the  troops  and  companies  quartered  there- 
 in, and  for  ordering  and  directing  the  cafhiering,  or 
 otherwife  puniffiing  of  them,  as  they  after  trial  (hall 
 find  their  mifcarriage  to  defrrve.      And   for  that  ef- 
 fedl  the  eftates  of  parliament  grants  commifiion,  war- 
 rant, ai  d  p:>#er  to  to 
 vifit  the  troops  and  companies  lying  within  the  (Lire 
 ct                              and  receive  all  complaints againft 
 them,  to  take  all  manner  of  trial  of  their  carriage  bf 
 rmation  or  examination  of  the  country  people, 
 with  whom  they   have   been  quartered,    or  other  ho- 
 ne/l  perfons  of  the  fhire,  or  officers  or  foidiers  in  thefe 
 troops,  ekher  upon  their  oaths,-  or  otherwife  as  they 
 fball  thipk  fir,  and  to  give  up  to  the  chief  officer  ip- 
 on  the  p'acc  the   lift  of  fuch  officers   and   foidiers  as 
 they  (hall  find  guilty  of  any  of  the  faults  contained 
 G  g  ia 
 
35< 
 
 in  the  iaftru&iona  given  to  them,  by  this  prefect 
 parliament,  that  the  faid  officer  forthwith  fecure  their 
 horfes  arid  arms,  and  remove  them  out  of  the  army, 
 or  punifh  them  otherwife,  as  they  (hall  deferve,  and 
 in  cd(z  the  faid  commiflioners  fliall  upon  pregnant 
 pjefumption,  think  fit  before  trial,  that  any  officer 
 cr  foldier,  be  fecured  until  they  be  tried,  that  the 
 chief  officer  upon  the  place,  upon  the  defire  of  the 
 fiid  cemmiffioners,  (hall  accordingly  fecure  the  faid 
 pcrfons  with  their  horfes  and  arms. 
 
 Articles  for  purging  the  Army. 
 
 Firjlp  Concerning  officers. 
 
 v?.  HP  HAT  if  there  be  any  officers  in  the  ar- 
 X  rcy  that  feived  under  the  Marquis  of 
 H  mtly,  or  their  adherents  againft  this  kingdom  and 
 caufe,  that  thefe  be  cafhiered  and  put  out  of  the 
 army. 
 
 Secondly ',  That  no  officer  that  ferved  in  the  late 
 engagement  againft  England,  fhall  be  employed  as 
 efficer  in  the  army,  or  be  permitted  as  a  common 
 folciier,  or  ride  with  a  troop  or  company  in  the  army, 
 but  fhall  becafniered  and  put, out  of  the  army,  uiilefs 
 he  have  been  admitted  by  confent  of  the  parliament, 
 cr  committee  of  eftates  and  general  aiTembly,  cr  their 
 million. 
 Thirdly ,  That  any  efficer  who  after  trial,  {hall  be 
 found  guilty  of  malignant  and  difaffe£ted  fpeeches, 
 as  railing  and  inveighing  againft  the  caufe  and  cove- 
 nant, or  againft  the  miniftry,  or  againft  the  prefent 
 civil  government,  and  fuch  as  are  of  a  profane  car- 
 riage, or  are  guilty  of  oppreffion,  be  cafhiered  and 
 put  out  of  the  army. 
 
 ,  That  any  officer  who  after  trial  fhall  be 
 \i  to  have  refufed  fufficient  foldiers  rightly  qua- 
 lified 
 
(    351     ) 
 
 lifted,  and  hath  .taken  money  for  them,  and  inter- 
 verted  the  fame,  either  in  whole  or  part,  to  his  own 
 private  ufe,  and  levied  malignant,  difaffecSted,  or 
 profane  ar;d  fcandalous  men  in  their  rooms,  to  com- 
 pleat  his  number,  that  the  officer  that  fhall  be  found 
 thus  guilty  be  calhiered  and  imprifoned,  till  he  make 
 reftitution  of  the  money  to  the  commiffioners  for  the 
 ufe  of  the  public. 
 
 Fifthly,  That  all  officers  that  levied  money  for 
 foltliers,  and  did  not  compleat  their  number,  ihal 
 reftore  the  double  to  the  commiffioners,  for  the  ufe 
 of  the  public,  and  be  farther  punifhed,  as  the  gene- 
 ral perions  ihall  think  fit. 
 
 Sceondljt  Concerning  Soldiers. 
 
 i.  That  ail  foldiers  that  ferved  under  James 
 Grahame,  the  late  Marquis  of  Montrofe,  or  their.ad- 
 herents  againft  the  kingdom  and  caufc,  be  cafniered 
 and  put  out  of  the  army. 
 
 2.  That  all  foldiers  that  want  fufficient  teftimo- 
 nials,  or  are  found  to  be  guilty  of  railing,  urilefa  they 
 be  of  known  and  approved  integrity,  within  a  con- 
 venient time  to  be  allowed  by  the  commiffioners  for 
 that  purpofe,  be  cafhiered  and  put  out  of  the  army, 
 and  their  horfes   and  arms  taken  from  them. 
 
 3.  That  all  foldiers,  albeit  fuch  as  have  teftimo- 
 nials,  as  are  found  to  be  guilty  of  railing  or  reviling 
 againft  the  caufe  and  covenant,  or  againft  the  mi 
 try,  or  againft  the  prefent  civil  government,   and 
 fuch  as  are  blafphemers  and  mockers  of  piety,  or 
 fpifcrs    of  the  worihip  of   God,  or  profaners  of  the 
 Lord's'day,  or  oppreffors  of  the  people,  or  dru 
 
 or  plunderers,  or  unclean  perfons,  be  cafhiered  and 
 put  out  of  the  army,  and  their  horfes  and  arms  taken 
 from  them. 
 
 .4.  That  no  perfon  that  fhall  maintain  any  error 
 or  praflice  contrary  to  the  do£lrine,  worfhip,  and 
 difeipline  of  this  kirk,  or  againft  the  civil  govern- 
 ment by  King  and  Parliament,  according  to  the  cove- 
 nant and  declarations  of  this  kingdom,  fhall  be  per- 
 G  g  2  mitted 
 
(     352     ) 
 
 mitted  in  she  army  to  ferve  as  officer  or  fcldier,  but 
 frwll  be  removed  and  cathiered. 
 
 5.  That  the  places  of  fuch  officers  as  (hall  be  ca- 
 fhiered  and  removed  cut  of  the  army,  being  under 
 the  degree  of  a  captain*  be  filled  for  this  time  by 
 tht  colonel  of  that  regiment,  with  the  advice  and 
 confent  of  the  commifiioners  of  the  refpe£Uve  (hires 
 where  the  fame  are  for  the  time,  appointed  for  the 
 purging  the  army,  and  that  the  fupernumeraries,  wo- 
 men, and  pedees,  be  purged  cut  of  the  army. 
 
 6.  That  no  c  ffieer receive  into  a  troop  or  regiment, 
 any  of  thefe  that  are  purged  out  cf  the  army,  under 
 the  pain  of  cashiering.  And  recommend  to  the  faid 
 com  miffi  oners,  for  purging  the  army,  and  the  offi- 
 cers  of  the  army,  to  fill  up  the  placet  of  fuch  as  fhall 
 be  purged  out,  with  fuch  of  the  well  affected  offi- 
 cers and  foldiers  as  have  fled  out  of  Ireland. 
 
 And  the  (aid  eftates,  gives  warrant  to  the  perfon9 
 before  named,  to  conveen  in  fuch  places,  and  at  fuch 
 times  a3  they  ffiall  think  fit,  with  power  to  ^them  to 
 chufe  clerks  and  other  members  of  meeting;  and  or- 
 dains them  at  the  firft  meeting,  to  give  their  oaths 
 of  faithful  discharging  the  faid  commiffion  in  all  the 
 heads  and  articles  ther -of,  and  report  their  diligence 
 jn  th>  faid  matter  on  this  fide  of  Tay,  betwixt  and  the 
 firft  of  Auguft,  and  on  the  ether  fide  of  Tay,  betwixt 
 and  the  15  th  day  cf  the  faid  month,  under  the.  pain 
 of  one  thoufand  merks,  to  be  paid  by  the  forefaid 
 perfons  failing  to  do  their  diligence,  and  to  report 
 •.again  ii  the  faid  day. 
 
 *d Parliament  King  Charles,  Sefi  2(1,  AB  8.  Of  claf 
 Jes  for  purging  the  judicatories t  and  other  places  of 
 public  tritjl,  Jan,  23,  1649. 
 
 AT  Edinburgh  the  23d  of  January  1649  years, 
 The  eftates  of  parliament  prefently  conveened, 
 in  tfiis  fecond  Stffion  of  the  fecond  triennial  parlia- 
 ment, by  virtue  cf  an  a£l  cf  the  committee  of  eitates, 
 
 who 
 
(     353     ) 
 who  had  power  and  authority  from  the  laft  Pai 
 for  con?  ceiling  the  parliament,  confidering,  That  for 
 as  meikle  as  the  late  committee  of  eftates,  did  in  the 
 indittion  of  the  parliament,  by  their  act  of  the  27th 
 of  October  laft,  declare  and  warn,   as   after-follows, 
 To  wit,  That  whereas  the  corruption  of  judicatories 
 of  this  kingdom  and  officers  of  Hate,  and  other  perfons 
 in  public  truft,  hath  been  the  caufe  and  fountain  from 
 whence  our  former  evil  hath  proceeded  :  And  where- 
 as by  our  fclemn  acknowledgement  agreed  upon  by 
 church  and  fute,- we  are  bound  to  God  by  our  en-, 
 gagement  to  England,  we  are  bound  to  the  or;  and 
 by  the  fore-cited  and  public  declaration,  we  are  oblig- 
 ed before  the  world,  to  endeavour  the  purgation  a 
 reformation  of  our  judicatories  and  places   of  pub] 
 truft.     And  for  as  much  as  the  forefaid  perfons,  a 
 all  who  are  in  public  truft  are  liable  to  the  judgment 
 -and  cenfure  of  parliament,  for  their  procedure  in  their 
 feveral  places  and  offices.     Likeas  by  the  agreen 
 at  Edinburgh,  and  Stirling,  all  fuch  as  have  been  em- 
 ployed in  public  phce  and  truft,  and  have  been  ac- 
 ceilbry  to  the  late  unlawful  engagement,  ffiould  for- 
 bear the  exercifcs  of  their  places  in  the  mean  time, 
 and  all  queftions  are  referred  to  the  determination  qF 
 the  parliament  r  and  whereas,  by  the  faid  treaty, 
 ie  who  have  been  acceiTcry  to  the  faid  engagerr- 
 are  cha'lengahle  for  their  faid  aceeflion,  at  the  leaft  in 
 (o  hr  as  concerns  their  places  and  public  truft,  ajid 
 the  debarring  of  them  from  any  of  thefe. 
 
 Therefore  the  committee  of  eftates  doth  here 
 warn,  and  cite  all  and  every  one  of  thefe  who  exer- 
 clfed- any  office,  place  or  public  truft,  or  who   were 
 members  or  clerks  of  any  public  judicatories,  of  what- 
 foever  degree,  quality,  or  condition  foever,  in  burgh 
 or* land  within  this  kingdom,  and  hath  been  acceffi 
 to  the   late  engagement,  or  are  guilty  of  the  faults 
 mentioned  in  the  printed  acts  of  the  twenty-fecond  ; 
 of  September,  and  fourth  of  October.     To  c 
 
 re  the  eftates  of  parliamc  nburgh,  the 
 
 Ggj  fourth 
 
(     3S4     ) 
 
 fourth  day  of  January  next  to  come,  in  a  peaceable 
 way,  accompanied  only  with  their  domeftic  fervants, 
 to  hear  and  fee  the  parliament,  take  fuch  courfe,  as 
 they  in  their  juftice  and  wifdom,  for  the  good  of  the 
 kingdom,  fhall  think  fit  j  for  purging  of  judicatories, 
 and  for  declaring  their  places  vacant,  and  filling  them 
 with  fuch  as  are  able  and  qualified  perfons,  fitteft  for 
 the  fervice,  and  may  give  moft  contentment ;  and  as 
 have  continued  conitant  in  the  covenant  and  caufe 
 in  the  time  of  trial.  And  for  debarring  them  (who 
 are  put  out)  from  any  public  places  or  truft  during 
 fuch  time,  and  in  fuch  manner,  as  the  eftates  of  par- 
 liament fhall  think  fit,  with  certification  to  every  one 
 of  the  perfons  concerned,  as  is  above  faidr  and  war- 
 ranted by  this  public  proclamation,  (which  the  com- 
 mittee of  eftates  declares,  that  they  find  it  a  fufRcient 
 intimation  of  this  notour  cafe  of  fo  great  and  public 
 a  backfliding  to  all  perfons  concerned  therein,  for  the 
 effect  forefaid,  to  be  efteemed  by  them,  equivalent  to 
 a  perfonal  citation,  or  at  their  dwelling-houfe  upon 
 particular  fummens  againft  every  one  of  .them,  to 
 compear  before  the  eftates  of  parliament  as  is  before 
 faid,  and  compear  not,  that  then  the  eftates  will  pro- 
 ceed both  to  determine  the  general  queftion,  and  the 
 particular,  concerning  their  places  and  truft,  and  take 
 what  further  courfe  they  fhall  think  fitting,  for  the 
 good  of  the  kingdom. 
 
 And  for  fo  meikleas,  the  eftates  of  parliament  be- 
 ing now  conveened,  have  ratified  the  forefaid  aft,  in 
 all  the  heads  thereof,  and  by  open  proclamation  inti- 
 rmtfi  the  fame  :  Lkeas,  they  have  made  their  folemri 
 acknowledgment  of  the  public  fins  and  breaches  of 
 the  Covenant,  and  their  foiemn  engagement  to  all  the 
 duties  contained  therein  ;  namely  thofe  which  do  in  a 
 more  fpecial  way  relate  to  the  dangers  of  thefe  times  : 
 and  in  relation  thereto,  have  renewed  their  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant  before  God  ;  and  by  their  aft 
 of  the  i6th  of  January  in  (Ian  t,  have  difclaimed  and 
 :ojj i earned  the  late  unlawful  engagement,  as  contrary 
 
 to 
 
(  355  ) 
 to  God's  \t  or Ay  and  a  manifeft  breach  of  covenant  and 
 treaties  •,  as  definitive  to  the  caufe  and  covenant,  to 
 religion,  the  king,  and  thefe  kingdoms,  and  is  the 
 cauie  of  all  the  oppreflions  and  miferieB  that  hath  fol- 
 lowed, or  may  follow  thereupon  And  therefore,  and 
 for  the  many  other  reafons,  have  annulled  and  repealed 
 all  a£ts  made  by  the  late  parliament,  and  committee 
 cf  eftates  in  profecution  thereof;  and  have  ratified  and 
 approven  the  proteftation  in  parliament,  and  oppofi- 
 t:on  made  thereof  by  this  kingdom,  againft  the  authors 
 and  abettors  whatfoever.  And  the  late  treaty  made 
 at  Stirling,  debarring  all  acceffbry  to  that  unlawful 
 engagement,  from  the  exercifes  of  their  places  of  pu- 
 blic truft,  until  the  meeting  and  determination  of  this 
 prefent  parliament,  unto  whom  all  civil  queflions  are 
 referred,  and  likewife  hath  confirmed  the  affurance 
 given  by  the  committee  unto  the  kingdom  of  Eng- 
 land, that  we  fhould  not  admit  any  of  thefe  authors 
 or  abettors  of  the  late  engagement,  to  any  public  place 
 Or  truft  without  the  confent  of  that  kingdom,  againft 
 which  their  engagement  was,  as  is  more  fully  expreft 
 in  their  anfwer  of  the  6th  of  O&obcr  :  and  whereas 
 the  eftates  of  parliament  are  not  only  fatisfied  of  the 
 truth,  lawfulnefs,  and  neceffity  of  the  forefaid  grounds, 
 but  a  fo  are  convinced  in  their  confeiences  from  the 
 word  of  God,  from  the  large  treaty  between  the  king- 
 doms, and  from  their  oath  of  parliament,  from  their 
 Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  efpecially  from  the 
 2d,  4th,  and  5th  articles  thereof,  and  from  fad  and 
 dear  bought  experience,  that  the  malignant  dealing 
 of  ibme,  and  the  profane  Icofe  walking  of  others, 
 who  have  been  members  of  judicatories,  and  employ- 
 ed in  places  cf  powerand  trull,  hath  been  a  chief  caufe 
 ofalithe  evils  both  of  fin  and  punifhment,  under 
 which  the  land  now  groans,  and  that  theXord  requires 
 in  his  word,  that  thofe  who  judge  and  bear  charge 
 among  his  people,  fnould  not  only  be  able  men,  but 
 fuch'  as  fear  God.  hate  covetoufr.efs,  and  deal  trulv: 
 aid  th^t  it  is  of  i^eciui  importance  lor  the  remedy  cf 
 
 all 
 
(     356     ) 
 
 all  our  evils,  and  for  fecuring  and  advancing  of  reli- 
 gion, and  righteoufnefs,  for  keeping  a  right  under- 
 standing between  the  kingdoms,  and  for  profecuting 
 all  the  ends  of  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  and 
 for  removing  the  judgment  of  God,  and  preventing 
 or  difappointing  all  the  defigns  and  oppofition  of  e- 
 nemies  of  all  forts,vand  for  procuring  the  bleffing  of 
 God  upon  the  whole  land,  that  men  not  only  of 
 known  ability,  but  alfo  of  approven  integrity  and  ccn- 
 ftant  affe£tion  to  the  caufe,  and  good  and  Chriftian 
 converfation,  be  intrufted  in  all  judicatories  and  places 
 of  power  and  truft,  according  to  the  feventh  defire  of 
 the  commiflioners  of  the  church,  given  in  to  the  laft 
 parliament,  as  fo  absolutely  neceflary  for  the  fecuring 
 of  religion,  which  by  the  engagers  themfelves  io  the 
 treaty  at  Stirling,  is  fubmitted  to  the  church  their  de- 
 termination ;  which  determination  anent  the  qualifi- 
 cations aforefaid  is  clearly  fet  down  in  the  5th,  6th, 
 7th,  ioth,  and  12th  pages  of  the  acknowledgment, 
 and  their  declaration  emitted  to  the  world. 
 
 Therefore  the  eftates  of  parliament  remembering 
 well  the  laudable  precedent  of  the  parliaments  1641 
 and  1646,  and  feveral  others,  for  purgation  of  the  ju- 
 dicatories and  places  of  truft.  And  confidering  that 
 all  perfons  both  by  the  common  law,  by  many  a£ts  of 
 parliament,  and  thenatureof  their  place  and  truft,  are 
 countable  for  their  proceedings  in  their  fevera!  places 
 arid  truft,  which  they  have  ad  titam  aid  culpmn  :  and 
 pondering  how  great  a  fault  it  is  to  have  had  any  hand, 
 or  acceffion  in  the  enabling,  or  in  forcing  or  profe- 
 cuting fo  unlawful  an  engagement/,  thereby  drawing 
 on  the  land  (fo  far  as  they  could)  the  wrath  of  God, 
 and  all  the  miseries  of  a  war  with  our  brethren  of 
 England,  again  ft  covenant  treaties,  and  many  warn- 
 ings from  the  kirk,  and  contrary  to  the  petitions  from 
 many  fynods,  prefbyteries  and  (hires,  and  the  folemn 
 proteftatioriS  of  fo  great  a  number  of  each  eflate  in 
 parliament.  They  do  in  purfuance  of  their  folemn, 
 acknowledgment,  performance  of^their  vows  to  God, 
 
 declaration. 
 
(  357  ) 
 declaration  emitted  to  the  world,  and  afiurance  given 
 to  the  kingdom  cf  England,  both  in  the  large  treaty 
 1641,  and  late  anfwer,  6th  of  October  laft,  and  for 
 fatisfying  of  the  kirk's  juft  defirts  for  purgation  and 
 reformation  of  our  judicatories,  and  for  determina- 
 tion of  this  queftion  anent  places  of  truft,  referred  by 
 the  treaty  of  Stirling  to  their  determination,  and  for 
 detering  all  others,  in  this  or  fubfcquent  generations, 
 who  {hall  be  entrufted  with  public  power  or  place, 
 from  drawing  on  this  nation,  the  guiltinefs  and  mi- 
 fery  of  inoffenfive,  urneceffary,  and  unlawful  war,  and 
 againft  covenant  and  treaties,  and  public  warnings 
 from  church  judicatories,  and  fhires,  and  for  encour- 
 aging all  who  (hall  be  in  public  place  or  truft,  in 
 times  of  new  (traits  and  trials,  to  abide  conftantly  by 
 the  caufe  and  covenant,  and  to  give  evident  teftimo- 
 r.Ls  thereunto  againft  all  defe&ion  and  ape  (lacy. 
 
 The  eftates  of  parliament  upon  this,  and  many 
 other  great  and  weighty  considerations,  moving  and 
 pre  fling  them  to  this  neceffary  duty,  do  therefore  de- 
 clare, enacl,  and  ordain,  that  all  thefe  officers  of 
 ftate,  members  or  clerks  of  the  parliament,  commit- 
 tees thereof,  fecret  council,  feffion,  exchequer*  juftice- 
 court?,  commiffion  for  plantation  of  kirks,  conferva- 
 tion  of  the  peace,  ihcriff  courts,  ftewart  courtSi 
 bailie  courts,  commiffary  courts,  bailie  of  regality 
 courts,  warden  court?,  of  his  majefty's  mint-houfe, 
 admiral  court,  gild  court,  town  council,  or  any  other 
 public  judicatory,  or  deacons  of  crafts,  and  all  who 
 had  any  office,  place,  or  public  truft,  and  all  having 
 deputation  from  or  dependence  upon  any  of  thefe 
 aforefaid,  who  were  guilty  of  any  of  the  faults  con- 
 tained in  the  four  feveral  clafles  after-mentioned,  fhali 
 be  removed  and  fecluded  from  public  truft,  according 
 to  the  feveral  rules  refpe&ive  after-following. 
 
 Thefrft  Oafs. 
 
 The  eftates  declare  all  thefe  to  be  comprehended 
 in  the  firft  clafs,  who  were  general  officers,  who  led 
 
 and 
 
(     353     ) 
 
 and  accompanied  the  army  into  England,  and  all 
 thofe  officers  that  continued  in  the  engagement,  who 
 commanded  the  forces  at  Mauchline-moor,  or  at  Stir- 
 ling, and  all  thofe  who  were  principally  a&ive  ia 
 perfuading  or  bringing  over  of  the  forces  from  Ire- 
 land, and  all  thefe  pcrfons  who  were  plotters,  chief 
 aftors,  and  prime  promoters  of  the  late  unlawful  en- 
 gagement, from  the  beginning  to  the  end  thereof, 
 in  parliament,  committees,  or  other  wife  :  GckUke,  all 
 thefe  who  were  chief  actors,  and  prime  promoters  of 
 the  horrid  rebellion  of  James  Grahame,  and  who 
 fmce  have  either  accepted  of  charge,  or  joined  as  vo- 
 lunteers in  the  laid  unlawful  engagement,  or  taken 
 the  oath  in  committees,  or  fubfcribed  the  bond  for 
 themfelves  or  others  for  the  engagement,  or  fat  in  the 
 committees  or  other  meetings,  and  gave  order  for 
 profecuting  the  (aid  engagement,  or  who  ctherwife 
 gave  or  received  and  executed  orders  againft  others, 
 for  profecuting  the  engagement ;  KB  alfo  fuch  clerks 
 of  parliament,  committees  thereof,,  fecret  councilor 
 feffion,  who  were  guilty  ef  any  of  the  faults  con- 
 tained in  any  of  the  claffes,  at  St,  Andrews,  and  re- 
 taining their  former  principles  of  malignancy,  and 
 have  been  active  in  thtir  places  or  employments,  for 
 promoting  the  late  unlawful  engagement. 
 
 Tbeftcond  Clafs. 
 
 The  eftates  alfo  declare  all  thefe  to  be  compre- 
 hended in  the  fecend  clafs,  who  not  being  included 
 in  the  Srft  clafs,  have  been  formerly  clafied  or  cen- 
 fured  for  malignancy,  or  guilty  of  the  crimes  con- 
 tained in  the  firft  and  fecond  clafs  at  St.  Andrews  the 
 day  of  one  thoufand  fix  hun- 
 
 dred and  years,  and  finge  have  either  ac- 
 
 cepted of  charge,  or  joined  as  volunteers  in  the  faid 
 unlawful  engagement,  or  taken  the  oath  in  commit- 
 tees, or  fubfcribed  the  bond  for  themfelves  or  others, 
 for  the  engagement,  cr  fat  in  committees  or  other 
 
 meetings 
 
(  359  ) 
 meetings,  and  gave  order  for  profecuting  the  faid  en- 
 gagement, or  who  otherwife  gave  or  received  and 
 execute  orders  againft  others  for  profecuting  the  en- 
 gagement j  and  ficklike,  all  thofe  perfons,  although 
 not  formerly  clafied,  and  not  being  included  in  the 
 firft  clafs  who  were  officers,  who  were  upon  any  of 
 the  expeditions  into  England  or  Scotland  for  the  faid 
 engagement. 
 
 And  ficklike,  all  thefe  who  concurred  in  petitions, 
 proteftations,  remonftrances,  or  letters,  for  moving  of 
 the  parliament  or  committees  to  carry  on  the  engage- 
 ment ;  and  ficklike,  all  thefe  who  protefted  againft  the 
 caufeofthe  faft,  or  the  kirk's  declarations,  or  the 
 petitions  of  the  prefbyteries,  or  kirk  feffions  againft 
 the  engagement  -9  or  read,  or  caufed  read  at  kirk  doors 
 the  committee's  obfervations  againft  the  affembly's 
 declaration,  or  interrupted  divine  fervice,  or  magif- 
 trates,  and  perfons  of  quality,  or  who  removed  at  the 
 reading  of  the  aflembJy's  declaration ;  ficklike,  all 
 thefe  who  not  only  took  the  oath  enjoined  by  the  laft 
 parliament,  for  the  engagement  in  committees,  or 
 fubfcribed  the  bond,  or  declared  themfelves  ready  to 
 do  the  fame,  but  alfo  fecluded  others,  or  protefted 
 againft  others  for  their  not  taking  of  the  oath,  or  not 
 fubfcribing  of  the  bond  ;  ficklike  all  thefe  who  en- 
 joined and  prefled  others  to  fubfcribe  the  bond  or 
 take  the  oath  for  carrying  on  the  engagement ;  and 
 ficklike,  all  thefe  who  concurred  as  membersor  clerks 
 in  acts  of  parliament  and  committee  of  eftates  for 
 profecuting  the  faid  engagement,  or  for  preffing  others 
 thereunto,  and  fuch  who  confulted  and  gave  advice 
 for  penning  and  profecuting  of  the  procefs  againft 
 the  honed  minifters  who  were  at  Mauchline  Moor, 
 or  any  others,  for  their  oppofmg  or  not  joining  in 
 the  engagement. 
 
 The  third  Clafs. 
 
 The  eftates  likewife  declare,  all  thefe  to  be  com- 
 prehended in  the  third  clafs,  (who  not  being  included 
 
 in 
 
(  l*°  ) 
 
 in  the  firft  or  fecond  clafs)  fat  in  parliament,  and 
 committee  of  eftates,  and  took  the  oaths  forefaid  from 
 the  engagement,  or  fat  as  clerks  in  anjr  of  thefe,  or 
 any  other  judicatories,  and  gave  no  public  teftimony 
 againft  the  faid  engagement,  carried  on  therein  by 
 their  fervice,  or  were  any  way  known  to  have  been 
 for  the  fame  in  their  judgment,  manifefted  by  their 
 exprefllons  and  aftions ;  ficklike,  all  thefe  perfons 
 who  have  taken  the  oath  forefaid,  or  fubfcribed  the 
 bond  for  the  engagement,  or  who  in  committees  of 
 war,  or  other  meetings,  town-council,  or  other  courts, 
 have  refufed  or  oppofed  the  defires  of  any  petitions 
 from  {hires,  prefbyteries,  feflions,  or  other  kirk  judi- 
 catories, againft  the  engagement,  or  concurred  in  a£b 
 to  force  the  diffenters,  petitioners  or  others  to  concur 
 in  the  firft  or  fecond  levies,  or  otherways  acceflbry  to 
 the  faid  engagement,  or  with  the  force  under  the  Earl 
 of  Crawford,  Earl  of  Lanark,  and  George  Monro, 
 and  ficklike  all  fuch  who  were  either  forcers,  urgers, 
 or  feducers  of  others  to  concur  in  the  faid  engagement, 
 or  fwith  the  forefaid  forces  :  and  ficklike,  ail  thofe 
 w.ho  accepted  commifiions  to  be  officers,  or  joined  as 
 volunteers  to  the  forces  under  the  Duke  of  Hamilton, 
 or  the  Earls  of  Crawford,  Lanark,  or  George  Monro. 
 Likeas  all  perfons  who  in  their  fpeeches  or  anions, 
 did  evidence  their  judgments  for,  and  affection  to 
 that  finful  courfe,  cr  who  (in  fuch  a  time  of  trial)  af- 
 ter fuch  petitions  from  the  (hires :  and  fuch  declara- 
 tions and  v/arnings  from  the  church,  evidencing  to 
 the  unlawfulnefs  of  the  engagement,  againft  cove- 
 nant and  treaty,  did  not  give  any  countenance  to  the 
 caufe  or  teftimony  of  their  judgment  and  afYetlion  a- 
 gainitfuch  a  defection  and  dangerous  war,  when  and 
 where  they  had  the  opportunity  to  do  it  with  others. 
 
 The  fourth  Clafs. 
 
 The  eftates- of  parliament  in  like  manner  declares 
 all  thefe  to  be  comprehended  in  the  fourth  clafs,  who 
 
 being 
 
(     36i     ) 
 
 being  members  of  judicatories,  clerks  and  perfons  m 
 public  tiuft  as  aforcfaid,  are  given  to  unclcanneft, 
 bribery^  fwearing,  drunkennefs,  or  deceiving,  or  are 
 otherwife  openly  profane,  and  gr  fsly  fcandalous  in 
 their  converiation,  or  who  negictt  the  worftiip  of 
 God  in  their  families. 
 
 The  eftates  declares,  enafts,   and   ordains,  that  all 
 fuch  officers  of   eftate,    members  of  any  judicatory, 
 clerks,  and  others  before  mentioned,  and  all  peifons 
 in  public  place  or  truft,  who  are  guilty  of  any  of  the 
 faults  before  fptcified,  contained  in  any  of  the  four 
 clafles  before  let  clown,  be  prefently  removed  by  this 
 par  iament,  or  fuch  committees  or  perfons  as  fhall  be 
 by  them  authorized  with  power  to  that  efrldt,  from 
 .their  prefent  p'aces  and  offices,  and  all  other  public 
 truft,  mentioned  in  the  acl,  or  clafs,  at  St.  Andrews  ; 
 or  wh  ch  has  deputation   from,   or  dependence  upon 
 the  forenamed  judicatories  or  officers,  ^without  preju- 
 dice of  the  fubicription  of  them  in  the  mean  time,  for 
 the  exercife  of  their  places,  conform   to  the  treaty, 
 and  former  acls  of  committees  ratified  in  parliament.) 
 And  that  thefe  places  belonging  to  them  ad  vitum 
 vel  culpam  be  declared  vacant  and  filled  with  other 
 perfons,  who  are  known  to  be  free  of  thefe  fau'ts,  and 
 not  only  to  have  fufficient  ability,  but  alfo  who  have 
 given  real  proof  of  their  conftant  affeclioa   to  the? 
 .  caufe,  and  a  good  converfarion  ;  and  that  thefe  who 
 hereupon  (hall  be  removed  from  their  places  and  of- 
 fices, are  hereby  difcharged  from  meddling  thereafter 
 in  any  exercife,  badge,  or  benefit  thereof,   under  the 
 pain  of  confiscation  of  their  moveables,  life-rent  of 
 their  efhtes,   imprifonment  of  their  perfons,  and  of 
 being  declared  for  ever  incapable  of  the  meaneft  pu- 
 bic  truft  within  the  kingdom.     Likeas  the  eftates  cf 
 parliament,  upon  the  manifold  grounds  aforefaid,  doth 
 -declare,  enact,  and  ordain,  that  none  of  thofe  perfons 
 who  are  .guilty  of  any  of  the  crimes  contained  in  the 
 firft  clafs.  fhall  ever  be  capable  of,  or  admitted  to  any 
 public  office,  place  or  truft:  aforementioned,  within 
 H  b  this 
 
(  &*  ) 
 
 this  kingdom  during  all  the  days  of  their  life-times, 
 Likeas  they  ena£t,  declare,  and  ordain,  that  none  or* 
 thefe  who  are  guilty  of  any  of  the  crimes  mentioned 
 in  the  fecond  clafs,  fhall  be  capable  of  or  admitted  to 
 any  public  office,  p'ace  or  trufl  aforementioned,  with- 
 in this  kingdom  for  ten  years  to  come  And  further, 
 until  they  have  given  fufficient  evidence  of  their  change 
 of  their  malignant  principles  and  practices*  and  of 
 their  firm  refolution  and  affeflion  to  promote  the 
 ends  of  the  covenant,  in  all  the  times  of  fubfequent 
 trial  (whereof  the  judicatories  of  the  church  and  itate 
 refp&ive,  having  power  for  that  effect,  are  to  judge 
 impartially,  as  in  God's  fight)  and  thereby  have  given 
 fatitfaction  to  the  church,  and  to  both  kingdoms,  fo 
 far  wrought  by  them,  according  to  the  aflurance  gi- 
 ven on  the  6th  of  October  laft. 
 
 Likeas  the  eftates  declare,  ena£,  and  ordain,  That 
 no  perfon  who  is  guilty  of  any  of  the  faults  contained 
 in  the  third  clals  (excepting  thefe  as  are  after  except- 
 ed) (hall  be  capable  of,  or  admitted  to  any  public 
 place,  office  or  truft  aforementioned,  within  this 
 kingdom  during  five  years  to  come,  and  further,  until 
 they  have  giv^n  fufficient  evidence  of  their  change  of 
 th(,ir  malignant  principles  and  practices,  and  of  their 
 firm  refolution  and  affi&ion  to  promote  the  ends  of 
 the  covenant  in  all  times  of  fubfequent  trial  (whereof 
 the  judicatories  of  the  church  and  ftate,  -refpedtive, 
 having  power  for  that  effeft,  are  to  judge  impartially  as 
 in  the  fight  of  God)  and  thereby  have  given  fatisfac- 
 tion  to  the  kirk,  and  both  kingdoms  fo  far  wronged  by 
 them,  according  to  the  aflurance  given  on  the  6th  of 
 
 .Oaober  laft 
 
 Excepting  thefe  who  before  the  time  of  the  pro- 
 moting of  the  engagement  were  known  to  have  been 
 hontft  in  the  caufe  of  God,  and  not  malignant,  and 
 who  were  known  by  their  carriage  to  have  been  a- 
 gair.ft  the  engagement  in  their  judgment,  and  did 
 concur  in  petitioning,  difienting,  protefting,  or  raif- 
 
 .ing  in  armies,  or  otherwise  did  bear  tcftimony  againft 
 
 it 
 
(     3*3     ) 
 
 it  as  they  had  opportunity,  and  who  not  knowing  the 
 nature  and  drift  of  the  bond  or  oath  for  th"  engage- 
 mf.nt,  were  deceived  and  enfnared  to  the  fubferibing 
 or  taking  of  the  fame,  *  hich  perfons  having  the  fore- 
 faid  qualifications,  and  giving  fatiafadtion  to  the  kirk, 
 are  remitted  to  the  nextfciTun  of  parliament,  at  which 
 time,  according  to  their  repentance  and  carriage, 
 they  may  be  declared  capable  of  public  places  and 
 truft  (fo  far  as  the  parliament  mall  think  them  fit.) 
 
 Likeas  the  eUates  declares,  ena£ta,  and  ordains, 
 that  no  perfon  guilty  of  any  of  the  faults  contained  in 
 the  fourth  ciafs,  (hall  be  capable  of,  or  admitted  toa- 
 ny  public  p!ace  or  truft  aforementioned  within  this 
 kingdom,  for  a  year  to  come  •,  and  further,  until  they 
 have  given  to  the  judicatories  of  church  and  date  rc- 
 fpe&ive,  fufficient  evidence  of  their  change  of  their 
 feandalous  life,  and  of  their  firm  refolution,  and  con- 
 ftant  endeavour  for  a  good  and  Chriftian  converfation 
 (whereof  the  judicatories  of  the  church  and  (late  (hall 
 judge  impartially,  a$  iri  God's  fighr)  and  this  without 
 derogation  to  the  former  laws  made  again  ft  the  fame. 
 
 Likeas  it  is  hereby  declared,  that  where  any  per- 
 fons are  excluded  by  the  former  clafs  from  the  exer- 
 cife  of  their  heritable  offices,  that  during  the  time  of 
 their  feclufion,  thefe  places  (hall  be  fupplied  by  fuch 
 deputes,  as  the  parliament,  committee  of  eftates, 
 or  others  authorized  by  the  parliament  (hall  appoint 
 to  ferve  therein  for  the  interim. 
 
 It  is  always  hereby  declared,  that  this  prefent  acl 
 fha'l  not  be  expended  to  thefe  minors  who  being  guil- 
 ty of  any  of  the  faults  aforefaid,  (hall  withiu  three 
 months  after  the  publication  hereof,  if  they  be  within 
 the  kingdom,  and  if  they  be  without  the  kingdom* 
 within  the  fame  fpace  after  their  return  to  the  coun- 
 try, give  fufficient  evidence  to  the  judicatories  of 
 church  and  itate  refp.-flive,  having  power  for  that  ef- 
 fect, of  their  repentance,  and  of  the  change  of  their 
 malign mt  principles  and  pra&ices,  and  of  their  firm 
 refolutioa  and  endeavour  to  promote  the  eads  of  the 
 H  h  2  covenant, 
 
(     30*4     ) 
 
 covenant,  in  ail  times  of  fubf  quent  trials,  and  fhall 
 behave  themfelves  accordingly  unto  their  majority, 
 and  who  within  fix  months  after  their  majority  fhall 
 ratify  the  fame. 
 
 It  is  declared,  that  this  aft  is  without  prejudice  to 
 what  further  cenfure  the  eftates  fhall  think  fit  to  in- 
 fli£t  upon  thefe,  who  are  guilty  of  the  faults  aforefaid, 
 and  hath  not  by  their  due  acceptance,  the  benefit  of 
 the  treaty  at  Edinburgh  and  Stirling. 
 
 The  faid  eftates  declare?,  That  they  referve  to  them- 
 fclves,  the  consideration  of  fuch  perfons  as  may  fall 
 under  the  exception  of  the  third  clafs,  and  what  fhall 
 be  done  concerning  them  in  the  committees  of  war, 
 of  the  fevera!  fhires*  when  the  committees  fhall  be 
 nominated  :  and  the  fiid  eiiares  ordains,  the  aft  fore- 
 said to  be  pub:ifned  at  the  mariu  t  crofs  of  Edinburgh, 
 by  a  herald,  having  difphyed  arms,  by  found  ot  trum- 
 pet, and  thereafter  ordains  the  fame  to  be  printed* 
 
 A  declaration  by  the  King's  majefty  at  Dumfcrmline^ 
 to  his  fubjefts  of  the  kingdoms  *f  Scotland,  England^ 
 and  Ireland,  according  to  the  copy  printed  16,51. 
 
 CHARLES  RFX, 
 By  the  KING. 
 
 HIS  maj-fly  taking  into  confideration  that  mer- 
 ciful difpehfation  of  Divine  Providence,  by 
 which  he  hath  been  recovered  out  of  the  fnare  of 
 evil  council,  and  having  attained  to  full  perfuafion 
 and  confidence  of  the  loyalty  of  his  people  in  Scot- 
 land,- with  whom  he  haih  too  long  flood  at  a  dif- 
 tance,  and  of  the  righuoufnefs  of  their  caufe,  as  to 
 join  in  one  covenant  with  them,  and  to  caft  himfelf 
 and  his  interefts  wholly  upon  God,  and  in  ail  matters 
 civil  to  follow  the  advice  of  his  parliament,  and  fuch 
 as  fhall  be  intruded  by  them,  and  in  all  matters  ec- 
 clefiaftic,  the  advice  of  the  General  Affcmbly  and 
 their  commiiiioners,  and  being  fenfible  of  his  duty 
 to  God,  and  defirous  to  approve  himfelf  to  the  con- 
 
 fciencea 
 
(     3«5     ) 
 
 Iciences  of  all  his  good  fubje£is,  and  to  ftop  the 
 mouths  of  his  and  their  enemies,  and  traducers,  doth 
 in  reference  to  his  former  deportments,  and  as  to  his 
 refo^utions  for  the  future,  dec- are  as  follows : 
 
 Though  his  majefty,  as  a  dutifu1  fon,  be  obliged 
 to  honour  the  memory  of  his  royal  father,  and  have 
 in  eftimation  the  perfon  of  his  mother,  yet  doth  he 
 defire  to  be  deeply  humbled  and  affli£ted  in  fpirit  be- 
 fore God,  becaufe  of  his  father's  hearkening  to,  and 
 following  evil  councils*  and  his  oppofition  to  the 
 work  of  reformation,  and  to  the  folemn  league  and 
 covenant,  by  which  fo  much  of  the  blood  of  th« 
 Lord's  people  hath  been  {h3d  in  thete  kingdoms, 
 and  for  the  idolatry  of  his  mother,  the  toleration 
 whereof  in  the  kind's  houfe,  as  it  was  matter  of  great 
 {tumbling  to  all  the  proteftant  churches,  fo  could  it 
 not  but  be  a  high  provocation  againft  b»m,  who  is 
 a  jealous  God,  vifiting  the  fins  of  trvr  fathers  upon 
 the  children 
 
 And  albeit  his  maj/fty  might  extenuate  rris  former 
 Carriage  and  actions,  in  following  of  the  advice,  and 
 walk*og  in  the  way  of  t^ofe  who  are  oppofite  to  the 
 covenant,  and  to  the  work  of  God,  and  mi^ht  ex- 
 cine  his  delaying  to  give  farisf>,£tion  to  the  juft  and 
 beceflkry  defires  of  the  kik  and  kingdom  of  Scotland, 
 £ro .n  his  education  and  age>.  and  evil  council  and 
 company,  and  from  the  ftrange  and  infolent  proceed- 
 ings of  fe&ariea  againft  his  royal  father,  and  in  re- 
 ference to  religion*  and  the  ancient  government  of 
 the  kingdom  of  England,  to  when  he  hath  the  un- 
 douVea  right  of  iucceilion  yet  knowing  he  hath  to, 
 do  with  God,  he  doth  ingenuouilv  acknowledge  a!K 
 bi|  o'-^n  (ins,  and  all  the  fins  of  his  father's  houfe> 
 cravir.g  pardon,  and  hoping  for  mercy,  and  reconci- 
 liajion,  through  (be  blood  of  Jefus  Chrift 
 
 And  as   he  doth  daily  vaim  the  constant  address 
 
 re  made  by  his  people    to  the  throne  of  grace 
 
 on    his    behalf*   when   he   (tool  in  oppofition  to  the 
 
 :  God,  as   a  finguur  teftimony  of  long*fuf- 
 
 tl  b  3  fering:. 
 
(     366     ) 
 
 faring  patience  and  mercy  upon  the  Lord**  part,  and 
 
 loyilty  upon  theirs:  fo  doth  he  hope*  an  (hall  take 
 it  as  one  of  the  greater  tokens  of  their  love  -and  af- 
 feftion  to  him  and  his  government,  that  they  will 
 c  ntinue  in  prayer  and  fupplication  to  God  for  him, 
 that  the  L  >rd  who  fpared  and  preferved  him  to  this 
 day,  notwithftar.ding  of  all  hi--  own  guiltinefs,  n  ay  be 
 at  peace  with  him,  and  give  him  to  fear  the  Lord  his 
 God  and  to  ferve  him  with  a  perfect  heart,  and  with 
 a  willing  mind,  all  the  days  of  his  life. 
 
 And   his  majtrfty  having,  upon   fuil    perfuafion  of 
 the  juftice  and   t quit y  of? all   the  .heads    and    articles 
 thereof,   now  fworn  and   fubfcribed   the  national  co- 
 venant of  the  kingdom  of  Scotland,  and  the  foiemn 
 league  and  covenant  of   the  three  kingdoms  of  Scot* 
 land,    Eng  and,   and   Ireland,   doth   declare,  that  he 
 hath  not  i^orn  and  fubfcribed  thcfe  covenants,   and 
 entered  into  the  oath  .of  God   with    his  people,  upon 
 any  finifter  intention  and  crocked  clcfign  for  attain- 
 ing his  own  end?  ;  but   fo  far  as  human  weaknefs 
 trill  permit,  in  the  truth   and  fincerity  of  his  heart, 
 and  that  he  is  firmly  rcfo'ved  in  the  Lord's  ftrength 
 to  adhere   thereto,  and  to  profecute  to  the  utrr.olt  of 
 his  power  aU  the  ends  thereof,  in  his  ftation  and  cal- 
 ling, really,  conftantly,  and  fmcercly  all  the  days  of 
 his  life  ;  in  order  to  wh:ch  he  doth  in  the  fir  ft  place, 
 prof  fi   and  declare,  that   he  will   have  no   enemies 
 but  the  enemies  of  the  covenant,  and  that  he  will 
 have  no  friends,  but  the  friends  of  the    covenant. 
 And  therefore  as  he  doth  now  deteft,  and   abhor  all 
 popery,  fuperftition,  and  idolatry,  together  with  pre- 
 lacy, and  all  errors,  herefy,  febifm,  and  profanentfs, 
 and  refolves  not  to  tolerate,    much  left  allow  any  of 
 thefe    in  any  part  of  his  majefty's- dominions,  but  to 
 oppofe  himfelf  thereto,  and   to  endeavour  the  extir- 
 pation thereof  to  the  ucmoft  of  his  power  :    fo  he 
 doth,  as  a  Chriftian,  exhort,   and  as  a  king  require, 
 that  all  facb  of  his  fubje&s.  who  have  ftoou  inoppo- 
 
 n  to  ths  folemn  league  and  covenant,  and  work 
 
 of 
 
(  3<7  ) 
 of  reformation,  upon  a  pretence  of  kingly  intereft,  Of 
 any  other  pretext  whatsoever,  to  lay  down  thrir  en- 
 mity againit  the  caufe  nd  people  of  God,  and  to 
 ceafe  to  prefer  the  inren  It  of  man  to  the  intereit  of 
 God,  which  hath  bern  '  ne  of  thefe  things,  uhich 
 hathoccafioned  many  troubles  and  calamities  in  thefe 
 kingdoms  :  and  being  infilled  into,  will  be  fo  far  from 
 .eftabhfhirg  his  throne;  that  it  wi:l  prove  an  idol 
 of  jealoufy,  to  provoke  unto  wrath,  him  who  is  King 
 cf  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords  The  Kng  fhali  always 
 efteem  them  bctt  iervants  ;  and  moll  loyal  fu!>j  £1$, 
 who  fcrve  him  and  feek  his  great  nefo,  in  a  right  line 
 N(f  fubordi nation  unto  God  Giving  unto  God  the 
 things  that  are  God's,  and  unto  Cgjar  the  things  that 
 are  Cajars.  And  relc.veth  not  to  love,  or  coun- 
 tenance, any  who  have  fo  little  confcience  and  piety, 
 as  to  follow  his  inttreft,  with  a  prejudice  to  the  gof- 
 pel  and  kingdom  of  Jefart  Chriit :  which  he  looks 
 not  upou  as  duty,  but  as  flattery,  and  driving  of  felf- 
 defigns,  und'^r  a  pretence  of  maintaining  royal  au- 
 thority and  g^eatnefs. 
 
 2d  y,  His  Majefty  being  convinced  in  confidence,  of 
 the  exceeding  great  fin fu  nek  and  unlawtuinefs  of 
 that  treaty  and  peace  made  with  the  bloody  lrifh  re- 
 bels, who  treacheroufly  (bed  the  blood  of  fo  many 
 of  his  faitMu!  and  loyal  fubjrfts  in  Ireland,  and  of  al- 
 lowing unto  them  the  liberty  *of  the  Popifh  religion  ; 
 for  the  which  he  doth -from  his  heajt  deiire  to  be 
 deeply  humb'ed  before  the  Lord  ;  and  likewife  con- 
 fiueiing  how  many  breaches  have  been  upon  their 
 part,  doth  declare  the  fame  to  be  void,  and  that  his 
 majefty  is  abfolved  therefrom;,  being  truly  forry  that 
 he  (hould  have  fought  unto  f  >  unlawful  hep  for  re- 
 floring  him  to  his  throne  an  rcfo;ving  for  the  time 
 to  co  lie,  rather  to  choofe  affliction  than  fin. 
 
 ^dly,  As  his  majefty   did  in   the   late   treaty  with 
 his  peop  e  in   this  kingdom,  agree  to  recal  and   an- 
 nul all  commiffuns  againft  any  of  his  fttbjefts,  who 
 did  adaere  to  the  covenant;  .and  monarchical  .govern- 
 ment 
 
(     368     ) 
 
 mcnt  in  any  of  his  kingdoms,  fo  doth  he  now  declare* 
 that  by  commiffionating  of  fome  perfons  by  fea,  a- 
 gainft  the  people  of  England,  he  did  not  intend  da- 
 mage or  injury  to  his  oppreft  and  harmlefs  fubje£ts 
 in  that  kingdom,  who  follow  their  trade  or  merchan- 
 dize in  their  lawful  callings,  but  only  the  oppofing 
 and  fupprefling  of  thofe  who  had  ufurped  the  govern- 
 ment, and  not  only  bar  him  from  his  juft  right,  but 
 alfo  exercife  an  arbitrary  power  over  his  people,  in 
 thofe  things  which  concern  their  perfons,  consciences,, 
 and  eftatee;  and  as  fince  his  coming  into  Scotland, 
 he  hath  given  no  commiflions  againft  any  of  his  fub- 
 je£ls  in  hngland  or  Ireland,  fo  he  doth  hereby  alTure 
 and  declare,  that  he  will  give  none  to  their  preju  ics 
 or  damage,  and  whatever  (hall  be  the  wrongs  of  thefc 
 ufurpers,  that  he  will  be  fo  far  from  avenging  thefe 
 upon  a^y  who  are  free  thereof,  by  interrupting  and 
 flopping  the  liberty  of  trade  an  merchandize,  or  o- 
 thcrwifc,  that  he  will  feek  their  good,  and  to  the  ut- 
 Ktdft  errpky  his  royal  power  that  tb-y  may  be  pro- 
 tected and  defended  againft  the  unjuft  violence  of  ail 
 mea  whatfoever :  and  albeit,  his  nvjefly  defir  th  to 
 conftri.ft  ell  of  the  intentions  of  thofe  (in  reference 
 to  his  majefty)  who  have  been  active  in  council  or 
 arms  againft  the  covenant ;  yet  bt'mg  convinced  that 
 it  doth  conduce  for  the  honour  of  God>  the  goo  I  of 
 his  caufe,  and  his  own  honour  and  happinefs,  ami  for 
 the  pe^ce  ind  fafety  of  cbefe  kingdo  ns,  that  fuch  be 
 net  employed  in  places  of  power  and  truft,  he  doth 
 declare  that  he  win  not  employ,  nor  give  commiffions 
 to  any  fuch,  until  'hey  have  not  only  tak  n  or  renew- 
 ed the  covenant,  but  alfo  have  given  fufficient  evi- 
 dences of  their  integrity,  carriage,  and  afTeftion  to 
 the  work  of  reformation,  and  fhall  be  declared  capal/e 
 cf  truft  by  the  par  iament  of  either  kingdoms  respec- 
 tive, ar  d  his  rr.aj^fty  upon  the  lame  grounds,  d  ih 
 hereby  fecal  all  coram  ilions  given  to  any  fu  b  |  r- 
 fens,  ccnce.vinj.-  all  fuch  perfons  *iil  fo  much  w  .  er 
 a  gooa  uauertUiidsng  buwix:  him  and  his  fu£|g&8* 
 
 and> 
 
(    3*>    ) 
 
 and  the  fettling  and  preferring  a  firm  peace  in  thcfe 
 kingdoms,  that  they  will  not  grudge  nor  repine  at  his 
 majefty'srefoiutions and  proceedings  herein,  much  lefs 
 upon  difcontent,  act  any  thing  in  a  divided  way  unto 
 the  raifing  of  new  troubles,  efpecially  fince  upon  their 
 pious  and  good  deportment,  there  is  a  regrefs  left  un- 
 to them,  in  manner  above  exprefled. 
 
 And  as  his  niajcfty  hath  given  fatisfa&icn  to  the 
 juft  and  neeeiTary  defires  of  the  kirk  and  kingdom  of 
 Scotland,  fo  doth  he  hereby  allure  and  declare,  that  he 
 is  no  left  willing  and  defirous  to  give  fatisfacHou  to 
 the  juit  and  neceflary  deCres  of  his  good  fubje£ls  in 
 England,  and  Ireland  :  and  in  token  thereof,  if  the 
 todies  of  parliament  of  England,  fating  in  freedom, 
 fhall  think  fit  to  prUcnt  unto  him,  the  proportions  cf 
 peace  agreed  upon  by  both  kingdoms,  he  will  not  on- 
 ly accord  to  the  fame,  and  fuch  alterations  thereanent 
 as  the  houfe  cf  parliament,  in  regard  of  the  conftitu- 
 tion  of  affairs,  and  the  good  of  his  majefty  and  his 
 kingdoms,  (hall  judge  necefiary,butdo  what  is  further 
 receffary,  for  profecuting  the  ends  of  the  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant,  efpecially  in  thcfe  things  which 
 concern  the  reformation  cf  the  church  of  England  in 
 doctrine,  worfhip,  difcipline,  and  government,  that 
 not  only  the  Directory  of  Worfhip,  the  Confeffion  of 
 Faith,, and  Catechifme,  but  alio  the  prcpofitions  and 
 Diredlory  for  Church  Government,  agreed  upon  by 
 the  fynod  of  divines  at  Weftminfter,  may  be  fettled, 
 ar.d  that  the  church  of  England  may  enjoy  the  full  li- 
 berty and  freedom  of  all  affemblies  and  power  of  kirk 
 ccufures  and  of  all  the  ordinances  of  Jefus  Chrift,  ac- 
 cording to  the  rule  cf  his  own  word,  and  that  what- 
 foever  is  commanded  by  the  God  of  heaven,  may.be 
 diligently  done  for  the  houfe  of  the  God  of  heaven.  And 
 whatever  heretofore  hath  been  the  fug^eflions  of  fome 
 to  him,  to  render  his  maj  fly  jraJous  of  his  parliament, 
 and  of  the  (ervantsof  God  ;  yet  as  he  hath  decVed,. 
 that  in  Scotland  he  will  hearken  to  their  council  and 
 follow  their  advice  .in  thcfe  things  that  concern  that. 
 ..   .  kingdom 
 
C  37°  ) 
 kingdom  and  kirk;  fo  doth  he  alfo  declare  his  firm 
 refolution  to  manage  the  government  of  the  kingdom 
 of  England,  by  the  advice  of  his  parliament,  confid- 
 ing of  a  houfe  of  lords,  and  a  houfe  of  common! 
 there ;  and  in  thofe  things  that  concern  religion,  to 
 prefer  the  councils  of  the  minifters  of  the  gofpel,  to 
 all  other  councils  whatfoever :  and  that  all  the  world 
 may  fee  how  much  he  tenders  the  fafety  of  his  people, 
 and  how  precious  their  b'ood  is  in  his  fight,  and  haw 
 defirous  he  is  to  recover  his  crown  and  government 
 5n  England  by  peaceable  means,  as  he  doth  efteem  the 
 fervice  of  thofe  who  firfl  engaged  in  the  covenant, 
 and  have  fince  that  time  faithfully  followed  the  ends 
 thereof,  to  be  duty  to  God  and  loyalty  to  hirn,  fo  he 
 is  willing,  in  regard  of  others,  who  have  been  invol- 
 ved in  thefe  late  commotions  ia  England,  againit  re- 
 ligion and  govern -r.ent,  to  parSxan  a£t  of  oblivion,  ex- 
 cepting on^y  Tome  few  in  that  nation,  who  have  been 
 chief  obiVu&ors  of  the  work  of  reformation,  and  cb<ef 
 authors  >  f  the  chmge  of  the  government,  and  of  the 
 murder  of  his  royal  father  ;  provided  that  thef-  who- 
 are  to  have  the  Benefit  of  this  a£t  lay  down  ar  :ns,  and 
 return  unto  the  obedience  of  their  lawful  fovereign 
 
 The  committee  of  the  ^ftatcrs  of  the  kingdom,  'and 
 general  aiTembiy  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  having  de^ 
 c'3red  (c  fully  in  what  concerns  the  f  claricb,  and  the 
 prefent  defigns,  refolutions,  and  a6tings  of  their  army 
 againft  the  kingdom  of  Scotl  ind,  and  the  fa'ne  com- 
 mittee and  afiembly  having  Efficiently  laid  open  pu- 
 blic ('angers  and  duties,  both  i.pon  the  right  hand 
 asd  upon  the  left,  it  is  not  needfal  for  his  msjeliy  to 
 add  any  thing  thereunto,  except  that  in  thefc  things 
 he  doth  commend  and  approve  them,  and  that  he  re- 
 folves  to  ive  and  die  with  them  and  his  loyal  tubj  &s, 
 in  profecution  of  the  ends  of  the  covenant. 
 
 And  whereas  that  prevailing  party  in  England,  af- 
 ter all  their  ftrange  ufurpations,  and  infolent  actings 
 in  that  land,  do  not  only  keep  his  majefty  from  the 
 .government  of  that  kingdom  by  force  of  arms,  but 
 
 alfo 
 
(    iV     ) 
 
 a!fo  hare  now  invaded  the  kingdom  of  Scotland,  who 
 have  deferved  bttter  things  at  their  hands,  and  againft 
 whom  they  have  no  ju(t  quarrel;  his  majefty  doth 
 therefore  defire  and  expeft  that  ail  his  good  fubjefts 
 in  Jtngland,  who  are  and  refolve  to  be  faithful  to 
 God,  and  to  their  king,  according  to  the  cove* 
 nant,  will  lay  hold  upon  fuch  an  opportunity,  and 
 ufe  their  utmott  endeavours  to  promote  the  co- 
 venant and  all  the  ends  thereof,  and  to  recover 
 and  re  eftablifh  the  ancient  government  of  the  king- 
 dom of  England  (under  which  for  many  generations 
 it  did  flourith  in  peace  and  plenty  at  home,  and  in  re- 
 putation abroad)  and  privileges  of  the  parliament,  and 
 native  and  juft  liberty  of  the  people.  His  majefty 
 defires  to  aiTure  himfelf  that  there  doth  remain  in 
 thefe  fo  much  confeience  of  their  duty  to  religion, 
 their  king  and  country,  and  fo  many  fpark'es  of  the 
 ancient  Englifh  valour  which  fhined  fo  eminently  in 
 their  noble  anceftors,  as  will  put  them  on  to  beftir 
 themfelves  for  breaking  the  y<ke  of  thofe  men's  op- 
 preffions  from  ofFthcir  necks  bhall  men  of  confeience 
 and  honour,  fee  rel'gion,  liberties  and  government  at 
 fo  low  a  rate,  as  not  rather  to  undergo  any  hazard, 
 before  they  be  thus  deprived  of  them  ?  will  not  all 
 generous  men  count  any  death  more  tolerable  than 
 to  live  in  fervi'ude  all  their  day5;  ?  and  will  not  pof- 
 -terity  blame  thufe.who  dare  attempt  nothing  for 
 themfelves  and  for  their  chddren  in  fo  good  a  caufe, 
 in  fuch  an  exigent  ?  whereas  if  they  gather  them- 
 felves and  take  courage,  putting  on  a  refolution  an- 
 fwerable  to  fo  noble  and  juft  an  enterprize,  they  (hall 
 honour  God,  and  gain  themfelves  the  reputation  ot 
 pious  men,  worthy  patriots,  and  loyal  fubje£fo,  and 
 be  ca  led  the  repairers  of  the  breach,  by  the  prefent 
 and  fucceeding  generations;  arid  they  may  certainly 
 piomife  to  themfelves  a  blrffing  from  God  upon 
 fo  juft  and  honourable  an  undertaking  for  the 
 Lord  and  for  his  caufe,  their  own  liberties,  their  na- 
 tive king  and  country,  and  the  unvaluable  good  and 
 
 bappinefs 
 
(    37*     ) 
 
 -happmefs  of  their  pofterity.  Whatever  hath  former- 
 ly  been  his  rmjdty's  gaiitincfs  before  God,  and  the 
 bad  fuccefs  that  th.fe  ha/e  had  who  owned  his  af- 
 fairs, whilft  he  ilood  in  cppofition  to  the  work  of 
 ^God  :  yet  the  (late  of  the  qucftion  being  now  altered, 
 -ahd  his  majefty,  having  obtained  mercy  to  be  on 
 God's  fide,  and  to  prefer  God's  intereit  before  his 
 -own,  he  hnpes  that  the  Lord  will  be  gracious  and 
 countenance  his  own  caufe,  in  the  haiuls  of  weak  and 
 finful  inftruments,  againft  all  enemies  whatfoev^r. 
 This  is  all  that  can  be  faid  by  his  majefty  at  prefent 
 to  thefe  in  England  and  Ireland  at  fuch  a  diftance  : 
 and  as  they  (hall  acquit  themfelvcs  at  this  time  in 
 a&ive  difcharge  of  their  necefiary  dutirs,  fo  mall  they 
 be  accepted  before  God,  endeared  to  his  msj-fty,  ^nd 
 their  names  had  in  remembrance  throughout  the 
 :  world. 
 
 Given  at  our  court,  at  Dumfermline,  the  fixteenth 
 day  of  Auguft,  1650,     And  in  the  fecond  year  of  our 
 .  reign. 
 
 ACTS     OF     ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Augull  17th,  1639. 
 
 .  ACT.  ordaining  the  fubfeription  of  the  Con(ejJim  of  *  Faith % 
 and  covenant  %  with,  the  JJfemblys  declaration. 
 
 THE  General  Aflembly  confidering  the  great 
 happinefs  which  flow  from  a  full  and  pf  ricd 
 union  of  this  l>irk  and  kingdom,  by  joining  of  all  in 
 one,  and  the  fame  covenant  with  God,  with  the 
 king';*  majefty  and  amongft  ourfelves,  having  by  our 
 great  oath  declared  the  uprightnefs  and  loyalty  of 
 our  intentions  in  all  our  proceeding?,  ami  having 
 withal  fupplicated  his  majefty's  high  commifTioner, 
 and  the  lords,  of  his  majefty's  honourable  privy  coun- 
 cil, to  join  by  a&  of  council  all  the  lieges  in  time 
 
 coming 
 
(     373     ) 
 coming  to  fubfcribe  the  Confcflion  of  Faith  and  Co* 
 venant,  which  as  a  teftimony  of  our  fidelity  to  God 
 and  loyalty  to  our  king  we  h:;ve  fubfcribed,  and  fee- 
 ing his  majefty's  high  commiflioner,  and  the  lords  of 
 his  majefty's  honourable  privy  council   have  granted 
 the  defire  of  our  fuppiicacion  ordaining  by  civil  autho- 
 rity, all  his  majefty's  lieges  in  time  coming  to  fub- 
 fcribe the  forefaid  covenant,  ihat  our  union  may  be 
 the  more  full  and  perfect,  we  by  our  act  and  confti- 
 tution  ecclefiaitical  do  approve  the  forefaid  covenant, 
 in    all    the    heads   and  claufes   thereof,  and  ordains 
 of  new,  und  r  all  ecciefiaftical  cenfure,  that  all  the 
 mafters  of  univerfuies,  colleges  and  fchools,  all  fcho- 
 lars,  at  the  palling  of  their  degrees,  all  perfons  fuf- 
 p.ected  of  papiftery,  or  any  other  error';  and  finally,  all 
 the  members  of  this  kirk  and  kingdom,  fubfcribe  the 
 fame,  with  thefe  words  prefixed  to  the  fubfeription  : 
 41    The  articles  of  this  covenant   which  was  at  the 
 firit  fubfeription  referred  to  the  determination  of  the 
 Genera]  Aflembly,    being  determined,   and    thereby 
 the  five  articles  of  Perth,  the  government  of  the  kirk 
 by  bithops,  the  civil  places  and  power  of  kirkmen, 
 upon  the  reafons  and  grounds  contained  in  the  acts 
 of  the  General   Aflembly,  declared  to   be  unlawful 
 within  this  kirk  :  we  fubfcribe  according  to  the  de- 
 termination forefaid. "     And  ordains   the  covenant, 
 with  this  declaration,  to  be  inferted  in  the  regifters  of 
 the  aflerRblies  of  this  kirk,  general,  provincial,   and 
 prefbyterial  ad  perpetuam  res  memoriam,      And  in  ail 
 humility,  fupplicates  his  majefty's  high  commiflioner, 
 and  the  honourable  eftates  of  parliament,  by  their  au- 
 thority, to  ratify  and  enjoin  the  fame  under  all  civil 
 pains,  which  will  tend  to  the  glory  of  God,  prefer- 
 vation  of  religion/  the  king's  majefty's    honour  and 
 perfect  peace  of  this  kirk  and  kingdom. 
 
 I  t  Jnflioa 
 
(     374    ) 
 
 Seffion  5,  Auguft  i,   1640. 
 
 Aft  fir  cenfuring  Speakers  againjl  the  Covenant. 
 
 The  aflembly  ordains,  that  fuch  as  have  fubfcribed 
 the  covenant  and  (peaks  againftthe  fame,  if  he  be  a 
 n>ixiifler,  fliall  be  deprived  5  and  if  he  continue  fo  being 
 depnved,  (hail  be  excommunicated;  and  if  he  be 
 any  other  man,  fhall  be  dealt  with  as  perjured,  and 
 fatnfy  publicly  for  his  perjury. 
 
 Stflion  10th  Auguft  1640. 
 
 A3  agawji  ExpeBants  refafing  to  fubjcribe  the  Cove- 
 nant. 
 
 The  aflembly  ordains,  that  if  any  expectant  fhall 
 refufe  tofubfcribe  the  covenant  he  fhall  be  declared 
 incapable  of  a  pedagogue,  teaching  of  a  fchool,  read- 
 ing at  a  kirk,  preaching  within  a  prtfbytery,  and  fhall 
 not  have  liberty  of  refiding  within  a  burgh,  univer/ky, 
 or  college  :  and  if  they  continue  obftinate,  to  be  pro- 
 filed. 
 
 Auguft  17,  1643. 
 
 Approbation  of  the  League  and  Covenant. 
 
 The  aflembly  having  recommended,  unto  a  com- 
 mltte  appointed  by  them,  to  join  with  the  committee 
 of  the  honourable  convention  of  eftates,  and  the 
 commiflioners  of  the  honourable  houfes  of  parliament 
 of  .England,  for  bringing  the  kingdoms  to  a  more 
 near  conjuftion  and  union,  received  from  the  afore- 
 faid  committees*  the  covenant  above-mentioned,  as 
 the  refult  of  their  confultation  :  and  having  taken  the 
 fame,  and  as  a  matter  of  fuch  public  concernment,  and 
 of  fo  deep  importance,  doth  require,  unto  their  great- 
 eft 
 
(     37*     ) 
 
 eftconfideration,  did,  with  all  their  hearts  an  J  with 
 the  beginning  of  the  feeling  of  that  joy  which  they 
 did  find  in  fo  great  a  meafure,  upon  the  renovation 
 of  the  national  covenant  of  this  kirk  and  kingdom, 
 all  with  one  voice  approve  and  embrace  the  fame,  as 
 the  mod  powerful  msan,  by  the  bleffiig  of  God,  for 
 fettling  and  pref-rving  the  trae  Proteftant  religion, 
 with  perfect  peace  in  his  majefty's  dominions,  and 
 propagating  the  fame  to  other  nations,  and  for  efta- 
 biifhing  his  majefty's  throne  to  all  ages  arid  gene- 
 rations And  therefore  with  neir  beft  affections 
 recommend  the  fame  to  :ht  honourable  convention  of 
 eftares,  that  being  examined  and  approved  by  them, 
 it  may  be  fent  with  a'l  diligence  to  the  kingdom  of 
 England  :  that  being  received  and  approved  there, 
 the  fame  may  be  with  pub»ic  humiliation,  and  all 
 religious,  and  anfwerabe  folemnity,  fworn  and  fub- 
 fcribed  by  all  true  profeflbrs  of  the  reformed  religion^ 
 3tid  all  his  Majefty's  good  (ubje&s  in  both  king- 
 doms. 
 
 June  3,  1644,  Seff  6. 
 
 A3  concerning  the   Declaration fuhferifod  by   th-e  Scot* 
 Lords  at  Oxford. 
 
 The  General  Afiembly  having  received  a  copy  of 
 a  declaration,  made  and  fubferibed  at  Oxford,  fent 
 unto  them  from  the  honourable  convention  of  eftates, 
 and  having  ferioufly  confid^ered  the  tenor  thereof, 
 doth  find  the  fame  to  be  a  perfidious  band,  and  un- 
 natural confederacy,  to  bring  this  kirk  and  kingdom 
 to  confufion,  and  to  be  full  of  blafphemies  againftthc 
 late  folemn  league  and  covenant  of  the  three  king 
 doms,  of  vile  afp-rfions  of  treafon,  rebellion,  and  fe- 
 dition,  mod  falfefy  and  impudently  imputed  to  the 
 elates,  and  the  mod  faithful  and  loyal  fubje&s  of 
 thefe  kingdoms,  and  feeing  it  is  incumbent  to  the  af- 
 fembly  to  take  notice  thereof,  and  flop  the  courfe  of 
 1  i  2  thefe 
 
\  37<5  ) 
 
 thefe  malicious  intentions,  in  fo  far  as  concerns  them, 
 declare,  that  the  fubfcribers  of  this  or  the  like  decla- 
 ration or  bond,  or  any  that  have  been  acceflary  to  the 
 framing,  or  that  has  been  or  fhall  be  acceflary  to  the 
 execution  thereof,  deferve  the  higheft  cenfure  of  the 
 kirk.  And  therefore  gives  power  to  the  commiffion- 
 ers  of  this  affcmbly,  appointed  for  the  public  affairs, 
 to  proceed  againft  them  to  the  fentence  of  excommu- 
 nication, unlefs  they  make  humble  confeflion  of  their 
 offence  publicly  in  fuch  manner,  and  in  fuch  places 
 as  the  commiflion  fhall  prefcribe  ;  or  otherwife,  to 
 refer  the  trial  and  cenfure  of  fuch  delinquents  to 
 prefbyteries  or  fynods  as  they  (hall  think  convenient. 
 And  when  the  fentence  of  excommunication  fhall  be 
 pronounced,  discharges  prefbyteries  or  fynods  to  re- 
 lax any  from  the  fentence,  without  the  advice  of  the 
 General  Affembly,  or  their  commiflioners,  nifi  in 
 extremis.  And  in  refpf  ft  of  the  atrocity  in  this  faft, 
 the  affembly  in  all  humility,  do  ferioufly  recommend 
 to  the  right  honourable  the  eftates  of  parliament, 
 to  take  fuch  courfe,  as  the  perfon  that  (hall  be  found 
 guilty,  may  be  exemp-ary  puniftied,  according  to  the 
 merit  of  fo  unnatural  and  impious  an  offence  :  and* 
 that  fome  pub^c  note  of  ignominy  be  put  upon  the 
 declaration  and  bond  itfelf,  if  their  honours  (hall 
 think  it  meet. 
 
 June  3,  T644. 
 
 A3  againft  fecrei  Difaffttlion  to  the  covenant, 
 
 The  General  Affembly  underftanding,  that  divers 
 perfons  difaffe&ed  to  the  national  covenant  of  this 
 kirk,  and  the  folemn  league  and  covenant  of  the  three 
 kingdoms,  do  efcape  their  juft  cenfure,  either  by  their 
 private  and  unconftant  abode  in  any  one  congrega- 
 tion, or  by  fecret  conveyance  of  their  malignant 
 fpeeches  and  praftices  •,  therefore  ordains  all  mini- 
 sters to   take  efpecial  notice,  v/hen  any  fuch  perfon 
 
 (hall 
 
(    377    ) 
 
 (hall  come  within  their  parifhes,  and  fo  foon  as  they 
 (hall  know  the  fame,  that  without  delay  they  caufe 
 warn  them  to  appear  before  the  prefbyterie3  within 
 which  their  pariihes  lies,  or  before  the  commiffioners 
 of  this  aflembly  appointed  for  public  affairs,  as  they 
 (hall  find  moft  convenient,  which  warning  the  af- 
 fembly  declares,  (hall  be  a  fufficient  citation  unto 
 them:  and  alfo,  that  minifters  and  elders  delate  to 
 the  faid  judicatories  refpe&ive  every  fuch  difaffe£led 
 perfon,  although  without  their  own  parifh,  fo  foon 
 as  they  (hall  hear  and  be  informed  of  them.  And 
 the  aflembly  ordains,  the  faid  commiiTi  oners  not  o 
 to  proceed  to  trial  and  cenfure  of  fuch  dif  iffetted  per- 
 fons,  but  alfo  take  fpecial  account  of  the  diligence  of 
 minifters,  elders,  and  prefbyteries  herein  refpe&ive, 
 
 Afolemn  and fea [on able  warning  to  the  noblemen,  barons^ 
 gentlemen^  burghs*  minifters^  and  cannons  of  Scot* 
 land ;  as  alfo>  to  our  armies  without  and  wit  bin  this 
 kingdom^  1645. 
 
 THE  caufe  of  God  in  this  kingdom,  both  in  the 
 beginning  and  progrelj  of  it,  hath  been  carried 
 through  much  craft  and  mighty  oppofition  of  enemie?, 
 and  through  other  perplexities  and  dangers  *,  God  fo 
 difpofing,  for  the  greater  glory  of  his  manifold  and 
 marvellous  wifdom,  and  his  invincible  power,  andfer 
 our  greater  trial. 
 
 Fhefe  dangers  both  from  without  and  from  within^ 
 together  with  the  remedies  thereof,  have  been  from 
 time  to  rime  reprcfented  and  held  forth,  in  the  many 
 public  fjpp:ications  of  this  kirk  and  kingdom  to  the 
 k  kg,  and  in  their  many  declarations,  remonftrances, 
 atb,  and  other  public  intimations  :  particu- 
 1  y  a  nreffary  warning  publiflied  by  the  com- 
 
 1       ioiiers  of  the  general  aflembly  in  January  1643  » 
 5  he  lemjnftrance  of  the  fame  commiffioners 
 
 to  r  van  ion   of  eftatcs  in  July  thereafter,  con- 
 
 ctr  dangers  of  religion,  and  remedies  of  thefe 
 
 Li- 3  dangers: 
 
(  3/3  ) 
 dangers :  which  warning  and  remonftrance  at  that 
 time  had,  by  the  bleffing  of  God,  very  good  and  com- 
 fortable effefts.  And  now  the  general  affembly  itfelf, 
 being  by  a  fpecial  providence,  and  upon  extraordinary 
 occafions  called  together,  while  God  is  writing  bitter 
 things  againft  this  land  in  great  letters,  which  he  that 
 runs  may  read  :  and  knowing  that  we  cannot  be  an- 
 fwerable  to  God,  nor  our  own  consciences,  nor  the 
 expectation  of  others,  if  from  this  chief  watch-tower 
 we  fhould  give  no  feafcnab^e  warning  to  the  city  ef 
 God:  while  we  think  of  thefe  things,  for  Zion'sfake 
 iv e  will  not  hold  eur  peace,  and  for  Jerujalenis  Jake  we 
 will  not  rej}  :  t rutting  that  God  will  give,  though  not 
 to  all,  yer  to  many,  a  feeing  eye,  a  hearing  ear,  and  an 
 underltandmg  heart:  for  who  is wife  and  he Jhall  nn- 
 derjland  theje  things,  prudent ,  and  hejhall  know  them  : 
 fsr  the  Tfui ays  of  the  Lord  are  right  and  the  juft  /hall 
 wcdk  m  them,  tut  the  trarfgrijjoi  $  Jhall  fall  therein , 
 and  the  wicked  /Jj all  do  wickedly ,  and  none  of  the  wicked 
 Jhall  under Jt and. 
 
 That  which  we  principally  intend,  is  to  hold  forth, 
 (fo  far  as  the  Lord  gives  us  light)  how  this  nation 
 oughr  to  be  afre£ied  with  the  prefent  mercies  and 
 judgments,  what  ufe  is  to  be  made  of  the  Lord's 
 dealings:  and  what  is  required  of  a  people  fo  dealt 
 with. 
 
 Had  we  been  time-y  awaked,  and  taken  warning 
 cither  from  the  exemplary  judgment  of  other  nations, 
 or  by  God's  threatenings  by  the  mouths  of  his  fer- 
 vants,  amongft  ourfelves;  or  from  our  own  former 
 vifitations,  and  namely  the  fword,  threatened  and 
 drawrn  againft  us,  both  at  home,  and  from  abroad  $ 
 but  at  that  time  through  the  forbearance  of  God,  put 
 up  in  the  (heath  again,  we  might  have  prevented  the 
 miferies  under  which  we  now  groan.  But  the  cup 
 of  trembling  before  taken  out  of  our  hands,  is  again 
 come  about  to  us,  that  we  may  drink  deeper  of  it. 
 And  although,  when  thefe  bloody  monfters  the  Irilh 
 rebels,  together  with  fome  degenerate,  unnatural  and 
 
 perfidious 
 
(    379    ) 
 
 perfidious  countrymen  of  our  own,  did  firft  lift  up 
 their  heads,  and  enter  this  kingdom  in  an  hoftile  way, 
 it  was  looked  upon  as  a  light  matter,  and  the  great 
 judgment  which  hath  fince  appeared  in  it,  not  appre- 
 hended :  yet  now  we  are  made  more  fenfible,  that 
 they  are  the  rod  of  God's  wrath,  and  the  Jlaff  in  their" 
 handy  which  hath  Uricken  us  thefe  three  times  in  his 
 indignation.  He  hath  /hewed  his  people  hard  things^ 
 and  made  us  to  drink  the  -wine  of  aftomjhment.  Take 
 we  notice  therefore  of  the  hand  that  fmiteth  us  ;  for 
 affliction  CofHeth  not  forth  of  the  dujl,  neither  doth  trouble 
 fpring  out  of  >he  ground.  There  is  no  evil  in  the  city,  nor 
 the  country,  which  the  Lord  hatb  not  done  He  it  is, 
 that  formeth  the  lights  and  createth  datknep ,*  ~wha  mak- 
 eth  peace,  and  createth  evil.  He  it  is  that  giveth  charge 
 to  the /word  fo  that  it  tanned  be  ft  ill.  He  it  is  that  bath 
 his  other  arrows  ready  upon  the  firing  to  /hoot  at  us,  the 
 pefilence  and  fain  we. 
 
 In  the  next  place  let  us  apply  our  hearts  to  know 
 and  to  fearch,  and  to  fcek  out  wifdom,  and  the  rea- 
 fon  of  things,  and  to  underftand  the  language  of  this 
 prefent  judgement,  and  God's  meaning  in  it,  for 
 though  the  almighty  giveth  not  an  account  of  any  of 
 his  matters,  and  hath  his  way  in  the  fea,  and  his  path 
 in  the  deep  waters,  which  cannot  be  traced ;  yet  he  is 
 pleafed  by  the  light  of  his  word  and  Spirit,  by  the 
 voice  of  our  own  conferences,  and  by  that  which  is 
 written  and  engraven  upon  our  judgment,  as  with  the 
 point  of  a  diamond,  and  a  pen  of  iron,  to  make  known 
 in  fome  meafure  his  meaning  unto  his  fervants..  God 
 h  th  fpoken  oncex  yea,  twice,  yet  man  ptrceiveth  net, 
 therefore  hath  he  made  this  rod  to  fpeak  aloud  the 
 third  rime,  that  we  may  hear  the  voice  of  the  rod  and 
 ivhe  hath  appointed  it.  That  which  the  rod  pointeth 
 zx,  is  not  any  guilt  of  rebeUion  or  difloyalty  in  us, 
 as  the  fons  of  Belial  do  flanker  and  belie  the  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant  of  the  three  kingdoms,  which 
 wc  are  fo  far  from  repenting  of,  that  we  cannot  re- 
 member or  mention  without  great  joy  and  thankful- 
 
 nefs 
 
(     38o     ) 
 
 nefs  to  God,  as  that  which  hath  drawn  many  blef- 
 fings  after  it,  and  unto  which  God  hath  given  mani- 
 fold and  evident  teftimonies,  for  no  fooner  was  the 
 covenant  begun  to  be  taken  in  England  ;  but  fenfibly 
 the  condition  of  affairs  there  was  changed  to  the  bet- 
 ter,  and  though  a  little  before  the  enemy  was  com- 
 ing in  like  a  flood,  yet  as  foon  as  the  fpirit  of  the 
 Lord  did  lift  up  the  ftandard  againft  him,  from  that 
 day  forward,  the  waters  of  their  deluge  did  decreafe. 
 And  for  our  part,  our  forces  fent  into  that  king- 
 dom, in  purfuance  of  that  covenant,  have  been  fo 
 mercifully  and   manifeftly  affifted,  and  bleffed  from 
 heaven,  (though  in  the  midft  of  many  dangers  and 
 diftreffes,  and  much  want  and  hardfhip)  and  have  been 
 fo  far  inftrument3l  to  the  foiling  and  Scattering  of  two 
 principal  armies;  firft,  the  Marquis   of  Newcaftle's 
 army,  and  afterwards  prince  Rupert's  and  his  toge- 
 ther \  and  to  the  reducing  of  two  ftrong  cities,  York 
 and  Newcaftle,  that  we  have  what  to  anfwer  the  ene- 
 my that  reproacheth  us  concerning  that  bufinefs,  and 
 that  which  may  make  iniquity  herfelf  ftop  her  mouth. 
 But  which  is  more  unto  us  than  all  vi&ories,  or  what- 
 focver  temporal  bleffing,  the  reformation  of  religion  in 
 England;  and  uniformity  therein  between  both  king- 
 doms, (a  principal  end  of  that  covenant)  is  fo  far  advan- 
 ced, that  the  Englifli  fervice  book,  with  the  holidays, 
 and  many  other  ceremonies  contained  in  it,  together 
 with  prelacy,  the  fountain  of  all  thefe,  are  abolifhed 
 and  taken  ?-way  by  ordinances  ot  parliament;  and  a 
 dire&ory  for  the  worthip  of  God  in  all  the  three  king- 
 doms, agreed  upon  in  the  aflemblies,  and  in  the  par- 
 liaments of  both  kingdoms,  without  a  con: rary  voice 
 in  either;  the  government  of  the  kirk  by  congrega- 
 tional elderfhips,  claffical  prefbyteries,  provincial  and 
 rational  afT-mblies,  is  agreed  upon  by  the  aflembiy  of 
 divines  at  Wcftminfter,  which  is  a!fo  voted  and  con- 
 duced in  both  houfes  of  the  parliament  of  England. 
 And  what  is  yet  remaning  of  the  intended  uniformi- 
 ty is  in  a  good  way  -9  fo  that  let  your  lot  fall  in  other 
 
 things 
 
(     3»f     ) 
 
 ■things  as  it  may,  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done,  in  this 
 we  rejoice,  and  will  rejoice,  that  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift 
 is  no  lofer,  but  a  conqueror,  that  his  ordinances  take 
 place,  that  his  caufe  prevaileth,  and  the  work  of  pur- 
 ing  and  building  his  temple,  goeth  forward  and 
 not  backward.  Neither  yet  are  we  fo  to  underftand 
 the  voice  of  the  rod,  which  lieth  heavy  upon  us,  as  if 
 the  Lord's  meaning  were  to  pluck  up  what  he  hath 
 planted,  and  to  pull  down  wrhat  he  hath  builded  in  this 
 kingdom,  to  have  no  pleafure  in  us,  to  remove  our  can- 
 dle/tick, and  to  take  his  kingdom  from  us.  Nay,  before 
 that  cur  God  caft  us  off  and  the  gory  depart  from  Ifraely 
 let  him  rather  confume  us  by  the  fword,  and  famine, 
 and  the  peftilence<  fo  that  he  will  but  keep  his  own 
 great  name  from  reproach  and  blafphemy,  and  own 
 us  as  his  peop!e  in  covenant  with  him.  But  now 
 there  is  hope  in  Ifrael  concerning  this  thing  :  we  will 
 believe  that  we  fhall  yet /ce  the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord  in  the 
 land  of  the  living.  We  will  not  caft  away  our  confi- 
 dence of  a  b'effed  peace,  and  of  the  removing  of  the 
 fcourge  and  calling  it  in  the  fire,  when  the  Lord  hath 
 by  it  performed  his  whole  wrork  upon  mount  Zion 
 and  Jerufalem,  much  more  will  we  be  confident  of 
 the  continuance  of  the  blefiings  of  the  gofpel,  4<  that 
 glory  may  d  well  in  our  land.  This  is  the  day  of  Jacob's 
 trouble,  but  he  (hall  be  faved  out  of  it."  And  the 
 time  is  coming,  when  a  new  fong  fhall  be  put  into 
 our  mouths,  and  we  fhall  fay,  "  this  is  our  God,  we 
 have  waited  for  him,  and  he  hath  faved  us."  Though 
 the  Lord  fmite  us,  it  is  the  hand  of  a  father,  not  of  an 
 enemy,  he  is  not  confuming  us,  but  refining  us,  that 
 we  may  come  forth  as  gold  out  of  the  fire.  4<  We 
 are  troubled  on  every  fide,  yet  not  diftreffed  ;  we  are 
 perplexed,  but  not  in  difpair;  perfecuted,  but  notfor- 
 faken ;  caft  down,  but  not  deftroyed  "  We  know 
 afluredly  there  is  more  mercy  in  emptying  us  from 
 vefiel  to  veffcl,  than  in  fufFering  us  to  fettle  on  our 
 lees,  whereby  our  tafte  fhould  remain  in  us,  and  our 
 fcent  not  be  changed. 
 
 Thefc 
 
(     3«2     ) 
 
 Thefe  things  premifed,  we  come  to  the  true  lan- 
 guage of  this  heavy  judgment,  and  to  the  real  procur- 
 ing caufts  thereof  *'  For  the  tranfgreffion  of  Jacob 
 is  all  this,  and  for  the  fins  of  the  hotife  of  IfraeL"  God 
 is  hereby  ihewing  to  great  and  fmall  in  this  land,  their 
 work  and  their  tranfgreffion,  that  they  have  exceeded. 
 <;  He  openetb  alfo  their  ear  to  difcipline,  and  com- 
 mandeth  that  they  return  from  iniquity  ?  We  leave 
 every  congregation  in  the  land,  every  family  in  etery 
 congregation,  and  every  perfon  in  every  family,  to  ex- 
 amine their  own  hearts  and  ways,  r*nd  to  mourn  for 
 congregational,  domeftical,  and  perianal  fins :  curfed 
 fhall  they  be,  who  have  added  fusl  to  the  fire,  and 
 now  bring  no  water  to  extinguish  it,  who  had  a  great 
 hand  in  the  provocation,  and  bear  no  part  in  the  hu- 
 miliation. 
 
 Let  every  one  commune  with  his  own  conference, 
 and  repent  of  his  wickednefs,  and  fay,  what  have  I 
 done?  We  {hall  here  touch  only  the  nationa'  fins,  or 
 at  lead  more  public  ones,  than  thofe  of  a  family  or 
 congregation,  which  we  alfo  intend  for  chief  caufes 
 of  a  public  fad  and  humiliation.  If  among  our 
 nooks,  gentry,  and  barons,  there  have  been  fiudy- 
 ;ng  their  own  private  interefts  more  than  the  public, 
 zwAfeeking  their  own  things  more  than  the  thi?2gs  of 
 Chri/t,  or  oppr effing  the  poor  Jort  and  the  '.eedy,  becanfe 
 it  was  in  the  power  of  their  hand.  And  if  among  our 
 miniftry  there  have  been  divers  time  fervers,  who 
 have  not  renounced  the  hidden  things  of  dijbonejly ,  whofe 
 hearts  have  not  been  right  before  God.  norjlcdfft  in  his 
 covenant  \  who  have  been  fecret  haters  of  the  power 
 of  godtinefsy  and  of  mortification:  Shall  not  God 
 fearch  all  this  out  ?  Who  will  hring  to  light  the  hidden 
 things  of  darknefs  \  and  will  make  manifeft  the  councils 
 of  the  hearts.  In  thefe  alfo,  leaving  all  men  to  a 
 a  judging  and  fearching  of  themfelves  ;  there  are 
 many  other  provocations,  which  are  apparent  in  all, 
 or  many  of  this  nation  from  which,  though  they 
 wafh  with  nitre,  and  take  much  foap,  yet  they  can- 
 not 
 
(     3*3     ) 
 not  make  themfelves  clean  :  becaufe  of  thefe  the  land 
 mourneth    and  at  'hefe  the  fwor.i  it-  ^ktth 
 
 As  fuft,  the  contempt,  negl*  &,  and  difefleem  of 
 the  glorious  gofpel ;  our  unh.iief,  Uiiiruittu  nels, 
 lukewaimnefs,  formality,  and  hardtie's  or  heart,  un  itr 
 all  the  means  of  grace ;  our  n^>t  receiving  Chnlt  in 
 our  hearts,  nor  feeking  to  know  him,  and  glonfy 
 him  in  all  his  offices.  The  po'.ver  of  godtinefs  is 
 hated  and  mocked  by  many  to  this  oiy,  a  "d  by  the 
 better  fort  too  much  negleft^d,  and  nanv  Chnltian 
 duties  are  not  minted;  as,  the  not  f peaking  of  our  awn 
 words  y  nor  finding  of our  own  pleafure  upon  the  Lord's 
 day  :  holy  and  ediiying  conference  both  on  tna:  clay, 
 and  at  other  occafions  \  the  inftru&ing,  admonilhing, 
 comforting,  and  rebuking  one  another,  as  Divine 
 Providence  miniftereth  occafion  :  in  many  families 
 almoft  no  knowledge  nor  worth -p  of  God  to  be 
 found :  yea,  there  are  among  the  minilters*  who 
 have  ftrengthened  the  hearts  and  hands  of  the  pro- 
 fane more  than  the  godly,  and  have  not  taken  heed 
 to  the  miniftry  which  they  have  received  of  the  Lord 
 to  fulfil  ir. 
 
 Next,  God  hath  fent  the  fword  to  avenge  the  quarrel 
 of  his  broken  covenant :  for,  befides  the  defe£hun 
 of  many  of  this  nation,  under  the  prelates,  from  our 
 firft  national  covenant,  a  fin  not  forgotten  by  Godf 
 if  not  repented  by  men,  as  well  as  forfaken.  Our 
 latter  vows  and  covenants  have  been  alfo  foully  vio- 
 lated, by  not  contributing  our  uttermoft  affiftance  to 
 this  caufe,  with  our  eftates  and  iives,  by  not  endea- 
 vouring with  a'l  faithfulnefs,  the  difcovery,  trial,  and 
 condign  punifhmtnt  of  malignants,  and  evil  inftru- 
 iiients  ;  yea,  by  complying  too  much  with  thofe,  who 
 have  not  only  borne  arms,  and  given  their  perfonal  pre- 
 fence  and  affiftance,  but  alfo  drawn  and  led  on  others 
 after  them  in  the  fheddirig  of  our  brethren's  biood  : 
 therefore  is  our  fin  our  punifhment,  and  we  are  fil- 
 led with  tlv  fruit  of  our  own  ways.  Thefe  horns 
 pufti  the  fides  of  Judah  and  Jerufalem,  becaufe  the 
 
 carpenters 
 
(  3*4  ) 
 carpenters,  when  they  ought  and  might,  did  not 
 cut  them  off  And  y^t  to  this  rlav  the  cou  fe  of  juf- 
 tice  is  obftru&ed :  the  Lord  himfeli  will  ex^cut-*  juf- 
 tice  if  men  will  not.  But  above  all,  let  it  be  deeply 
 an  i  ferioufly  thought  of,  that  our  covenant  is  brok  n 
 by  the  negkd  of  a  real  reformation  of  ourfeives  and 
 others  under  our  power  :  let  every  one  afk  his  own 
 heart,  what  luft  is  mortified  in  him,  or  what  change 
 wrought  in  his  life  fince,  more  than  before  th?  co- 
 venant ?  curfing,  fwearing,  profanation  of  the  Lord's 
 day,  fornication  and  other  uncleannefs,  drunkennrfs, 
 injuftice,  lying,  oppreffion,  murmuring,  repkiing,  and 
 other  forts  of  profanenefs  ftill  abound  too  much  both 
 in  the  country,  and  in  our  armies  :  yea,  there  is  no 
 reformation  of  fome  members  of  public  judicatories, 
 which  is  a  great  dilhocour  to  God,  and  foul  fcandal 
 to  the  whole  nation. 
 
 Thirdly,  we  have  not  glorified  God  according  to 
 the  great  things  which  he  hath  done  for  us,  nor 
 made  the  right  ufe  of  former  mercies  :  fince  he  lov- 
 ed us  (a  nation  not  worthy  to  be  beloved)  he  hath 
 made  us  precious  and  honourable,  but  we  have  not 
 walked  worthy  of  this  love  :  ive  waxed  fat  and  kicked, 
 forfakmg  God  who  made  us,  and  lightly  efteeming  the 
 Rock  of  our  falvation.  And  this  unthankfulnefsfiileth 
 up  our  cup. 
 
 Fourthly,  Not withftanding  of  fo  much  guiltinefs, 
 we  did  fend  forth  our  armies,  and  undertake  great 
 fervices  prefumptuoufly,  without  repentance,  and 
 making  our  peace  with  God,  iike  the  children  of  If- 
 rael,  who  trufting  to  the  goodnefs  of  their  caufe,  mind- 
 ed no  more,  but  which  of  us  (hall  go  up  firft. 
 
 It  is  now  high  time,  under  the  feeling  of  fo  gre^t 
 a  burden  both  of  fin  and  wrath  to  humble  our  uricir- 
 cumcifed  hearts,  to  put  our  mouths  in  the  duft,  if  fo 
 there  may  be  hope,  or  wallow  ourfeives  in  aflies,  to 
 clothe  ourfeives  with  cur  (hamc  as  with  a  garment, 
 to  juftify  God's  righteous  judgments,  to  acknowledge 
 our  iniquity,  ^to  make  our  fupplication  to  our  judge, 
 
 and 
 
(    3«5     ) 
 
 and  to  feek  his  face,  that  he  may  pardon  cur  fin,  and 
 heal  our  land.     The   Lord  roareth,   and  (hall  not  his 
 children    tremble  ?  The   God   of  glory    thundereth, 
 and  the  Higheft  uttcreth  his  voice,  hail /tones  and  coals 
 tffire,  who  will  not  fall  down  and  fear  before  him  ? 
 the  tire   waxeth    hot,   and    burnetii    round   about  us, 
 and  fhall  any  fit  (till  and  be  fecure  ?  the  ftorm  blow- 
 tth  hard,  and  (hall  any  fluggard  be  dill  afleep  ?  This 
 is  a  day  of  trouble,  and  of  iebuke,  raid  of  blafphemy  \ 
 who  will  not  take  a  lamentation  ?  Let  the  watchmen 
 roufe  up   themfeives  and  others,  and   ftrive  to   get 
 their  own  and  the  people's  hearts  deeply  affe£ted,  and 
 even    mehed   before   the  Lord :  let    every   one  turn 
 from  the  evil   of  his  way,  and  cry  mightily  to  God, 
 and  give   him  no  left  till   he  repent   of  the  evil,  and 
 fmell  a  favour  of  reft,  and  fay  it  is  enough.     He  hath 
 not  faid   to  the  feed  of  Jacobr,  Seek  ye  me  in  vain. 
 "We  do  not  mourn  as  they  that   have  no  hope:  but 
 we  will  bt:ar  the  indignation   of  the  Lord,  becaufe 
 we  have  finned  againit  him,  until  he  plead  our  caufe, 
 and  execute  judgment  for  us.     And  what  though  our 
 candle    be  put  out  fo   that  our  funfhine  not?    what 
 though  our  honour  be  laid   in  the  duft,  fo  that  God 
 work  out  his  own  honour,  yea,  our  happinefs  out  of 
 our  lhame  ?  In  vain  have  we  trufted  to  the  arm  of 
 flefh  ;  in  the  Lord  our  God  is  the  falvation  ot  Ifracl, 
 no  flefh  muft  glory  before   him,  bat  he  that glorieth% 
 muft  glory  in  the  L>rd. 
 
 ihefe  duties  of  humiliation,  repentance,  faith,  a- 
 mendment  of  life,  and  fervent  prayer,  though  the 
 principal,  yet  are  not  all  which  are  required  at  the 
 hands  of  this  nation,  but  men  of  all  forts  and  de- 
 grees mult  timely  apply  themfeives  to  fuch  other  re- 
 solutions and  aftions  as  are  mod  fuirable  and  neceffarv 
 at  this  tine  which  that  ail  may  the  better  under- 
 ftand,  and  be  excited  and  encouraged  to  aft  accord- 
 ingly, let  it  be  well  obferved^  that  the  prefent  ftatc 
 of  the  controverfy  and  caufe,  is  no  other  but  what 
 hath  been  formerly  profefled  before  God  and  the 
 K  k  world  f 
 
(     385     )       ' 
 
 •Id,  that  is,  the  reformation  and  prefervation  of 
 religion,  defence  of  the  honour  and  happinefs  of  the 
 king,  and  cf  the  authority  of  the  parliament*  together 
 with  the  maintenance  of  our  Jaws,  liberties,  lives,  and 
 xtlates.  We  are  not  changed  from  our  former  prin- 
 ciples and  intentions,  but  theie  who  did  fall  off  from 
 us  to  the  contrary  party,  have  now  made  it  manifeft, 
 that  thefe  were  not  their  ends  when  they  feemed  to 
 join  with  us  :  therefore  are  they  gone  out  from  us, 
 becaufe  they  were  not  of  us..  And  as  our  caufe  is  the 
 fame,  fo  the  danger  thereof  is  not  lefs,  but  greater 
 than  before,  and  that  from  two  forts  of  enemies,  Firft, 
 from  open  enemies,  we  mean  thofe  of  the  popifh,  pre- 
 latical,  and  malignant  faflion,  who  have  difplayed  a 
 banner  againft  the  Lord,  againft  his  Chrift,  in  all 
 the  three  kingdoms,  being  fet  on  fire  of  hell,  and  by 
 the  fpecial  infpiration  of  Satan,  who  is  full  of  fury  \ 
 becaufe  he  knows  he  hath  but  a  fhort  time  to  reign. 
 The  cockatrice  before  hatched,  is  now  broken  forth 
 into  a  vfper.  The  danger  wras  before  feared,  now  it  is 
 felt,  before  imminent,  now  incumbent  before  our 
 divifion,  now  cur  deftru£tion  is  endeavoured,  be- 
 fore the  fword  was  furbiPned  and  mace  ready,  now 
 the  fword  is  made  fat  with  fle(h,  and  drunk  with 
 •blood  ;  and  yet  it  hungereth  and  thirtieth  for  more. 
 The  queen  is  mod  a£live  abroad,  ufing  all  me2ns  for 
 '•■ftrengthening  the  Popifh,  and  fupprefiing  the  Protec- 
 tant party  ;  in  fo  much  that  malignants  have  iRfo- 
 lently  exprefled  their  confidence,  that  her  journey  to 
 France  (hall  prove  a  fuccefsful  council,  and  that  this 
 ifland,  and  particularly  this  kingdom  fhall  have  a 
 greater  power  to  grapple  with,  before  the  next  fum- 
 mer  than  any  which  yet  we  have  encountered  with. 
 The  Irifii  rebels  have  offered  to  the  king  to  fend  over 
 a  great  number  into  both  the  kingdoms-  the  hoftile 
 intentions  of  the  king  of  Denmark,  if  God  be  not 
 pleafed  ftill  to  divert  and  difable  him,  do  plainly 
 enough  appear 'from  his  own  letters  fent  not  long 
 .fince  to  the  eftates  of  this  kingdom.     In  the  mean 
 
 time 
 
(     S'-7     ) 
 t!/ne,  the  herifh  crew,  under  the  conducl  cf  uieex1 
 communicate   and  fo:  faulted  earl  of  Montrofe,   and 
 and  of  Alafler  M'Donald,  a  Papiit,  and  now  an  out- 
 law, doth  exercife  uich  barbarous,  unnatural,  ho; 
 and  unheaidof  cvvc'tv,  as  is   above  exprefkd  3 
 (if  not   repreiiecl)   what   batter  ttfagc   can  cshefs,  no* 
 yet  touched,  expect  from  them,  bring  now  hardened 
 and   animated  by  the  fuccefs  which  God  hath  for  our 
 humiliation   and   correction,    permitted  unto  them  : 
 and  if  they  (had)  no*  ger  leave  to  fecure  the  highlancs 
 for  themfeive-s,  tney  wi  I  not  o  •  v  from  thence  infeft 
 the  reit  of  this  coun-fry,  but  endeavour  a  diverfion  of 
 our  forces  into  England,  from  the  prcfecution  of  the 
 ends  exp- 1  fled  in  the  covenant  of  the  three  kingdoms, 
 toward  which  ends,  as  their  fervice  hath  been  already 
 advantageous,  fo  their  continuance  is  moll  rreceffary»- 
 "i'he  fecond  fort  of  enemies  from  which  our  pre- 
 fent  dangers  arife,  are  fecret  ma  ignants,  and  dif-co- 
 venanters,  who  may  be  known  by  thefe  and  the  like 
 characters  :  their  flighting  and  cenfuring  of  the  pu- 
 b  ic  reiclutions  of  this  kirk  and  ftate,  their  confulting 
 and  iabouringto  raife  jealcufies  and  divifions^  to  retard 
 .inder  the  execution  of  what  is  ordered    by  the 
 public  judicatories,  their  {laddering  of  the  co?enaiH 
 cf  the  thr^e  kingdoms  and  expedition  into  England, 
 as  not  neceflary  for  the  good  of  religion3  or  fafety  of 
 this  kingdom,  or  af  tending  to  the  diminution  of  the 
 king's  juft  pover  and   greatnefs  :   their  confounding 
 ie   king's  honour  and   authority,   with    the  abufe 
 pretence    thereof,  and  with   commiS?ons,  war* 
 rftRtl,  an:i  letters  procured  from  the  king,  by  theene- 
 rides  of  this  caufe   and  covenant,  as  if  we  could  not 
 oppofe  the  latteF,  without  encroaching  upon  the  for- 
 mer,  thiir  whe    :n^  of  their  tongues,  to  cenfure  and 
 fender  thofe  whom   God  hath  honoured  as  his  chief 
 inftrumems  in    his  work:  their  commending,  jufti- 
 fving,  or  excuhng    he  proceedings  of  James  Granarfr, 
 e   Earl   of    Montrofe,    and   his  accomplices, 
 ?bc;r  convert  ng  or  kit&e   ^muning  by  word  or  write 
 K  k  2  with 
 
(     383     ) 
 
 with  him,  or  other  excommunicated  lords,  contrary 
 to  the  nature  of  that  ordinance  of  Chrift,  and  to  the 
 old  ads  of  general  affemblies,  their  making  merry, 
 and  their  infolent  carriage,  at  the  news  of  any  prof- 
 perous  fuccefs  cf  the  popifh  and  malignant  armies 
 in  any  of  thefe  kingdoms,  their  drawing  of  parties 
 and  faftions,  to  the  weakening  of  the.  common  union, 
 their  fpreading  of  informations,  that  uniformity  in 
 religion,  and  the  prtfbyterial  government,  is  not  in- 
 tended by  the  parliament  of  England,  their  endea- 
 vours, informations,*  and  folicitations,  tending  to 
 weaken  the  hearts  and  hands  of  others,  and  to  make 
 them  withhold  their  affiftance  from  this  work 
 
 Let  this  fort  of  holom  enemies,  and  difaffcfted, 
 be  well  marked,  timely  difcovered,  and  carefully  a- 
 voided,  lead  they  infufe  the  poifon  of  their  feducing 
 counfels  into  the  minds  of  others:  wherein  let  mini- 
 fters  be  faithful,  and  prefbyteries  vigilant  and  impar- 
 tial, -as  they  will  anfwer  the  contrary  to  God,  and  to 
 the  general  aflemb'y,  or  their  cqmmiffioners. 
 
 The  caufe  and  the  dangers  thereof  being  thus  evi- 
 denced, unlefs  men  will  blot  out  of  their  hearts  the 
 love  of  religion  and  the  caufe  of  God,  and  call  off  all 
 ^the  care  of  their  country,  laws,  liberties,  and  eftates, 
 yea,  all  natural  afflction  to  the  preservation  of  them- 
 feives,  their  wives,  children,  and  friends,  and  what- 
 foever  is  deartft  unto  them  under  the  fun  (all  thefe 
 being  in  the  vifible  danger  of  a  prefent  ruin  and  de- 
 itruftion)  they  muft  now  or  never  appear  a&ively, 
 each  one  ftretching  himfelf  to,  yea,  beyond  his 
 power.  It  is  no  time  to  dally  or  go  about  the  bufl- 
 nefs,  not  by  halfs,  nor  by  almoft,  but  altogether  zea- 
 lous. Curfed  be  he  that  doth  the  work  of  the  Lord  ne- 
 gligently ,  or  dealeth  jalfely  in  the  covenant  of  God.  If  we 
 have  been  fo  forward  to  affift:  our  neighbour  king- 
 doms, (hail  we  negle£t  to  defend  our  own,  or  (hall 
 the  enemies  of  God  b^  more  active  againft  his  caufe, 
 than  his  people  for  it  ?  God  forbid.  If  the  work  be- 
 ing fo  far  carried  on,  nhall  now  mifcarry  and  fail  ia 
 
 our 
 
(     3*9     ) 
 
 our  hare1,?,  c::r  cwn    corfciences  fl  us, 
 
 and  po^rri:  y  fltell  Cttrft  us  :  but  if  we  ftand  itomly 
 and  fte-.ifaftly  to  if,  th  of  the  Lor d 'f: mil  pro- 
 
 per in  our  hands  j  and  all  generations  jhall  call  us  i/effein 
 Let    minifters    flir  up   others  and  faithful 
 
 preaching,  and  by  admoniihinrj  every  one  cf  his  duty 
 as  there  thai!  be  occafion  :  and  if  it  fha;l  be  the  lot  of 
 any  of  them  to  fall  under  the  power  of  the  enemy, 
 let  them  through  the  rir^n^th  of  Chnft  perfevere  in 
 thrir  integrity,  choofin^  aftliclion  rather  than  fin,  glo- 
 rifying Gcd,  and  not  fearing  what  ilcfh  can  do  unto 
 them- 
 
 Let  our  armies  beware  of  ungodlinefs  and  worM'y 
 Iu:ls.  living  godly,  foberly,  and  righ'eoiifly,  avoiding 
 all  fcandalous  carriage,  which  may  give  occafion  to 
 others  to  think  the  ^orfe  of  then*  caufe  and  covenants 
 an  J  remembering  that  the.  eyes  of  Go.-,  angels  atfd 
 tnen  are  upon  them 
 
 Finally,  renouncing  all  confidence  in  their  own 
 ftrength,  (kill,  valour,  and  number,  and  tiufting  only 
 to  the  God  of  ihe  armies  of  liraei,  who  hath  fought, 
 an  i  will  rn>ht  for  them 
 
 Let. all  forte  both  of  high  and  low  degree  in  t 
 kingdom,  call  to  mind  their  fclemn  covenants,  and 
 pay  their  vows  to  the  moil  High,  and  namely,"  that 
 srtic!e  of  our  firft  covenant,  which  obligeth  us  nc* 
 to  fray  nor  hinder  any  fuch  refo'ution,  as  by  corn- 
 men  confent  ft&ll  be  found  to  conduce  for  the  ends 
 cf  the  covenant,  but  by  all  lawful  meant?  to  further 
 and  promo'e  the  fame,  which  lieth  as  a  bond  upon 
 !  confeitnees,  readily  to  obey  fuch  orders,  arid 
 willing  to  undergo  fuch-  burdens,  as  by  the  public  and 
 common  ref  lution  of  the  eftates  of  parlVnent,  are 
 found  neceiTary  for  the  profrcu^icn  of  the  war,  con- 
 ning that  the  enemy  cannot  be  fuppreffei  v/nl. 
 a  competent  number  of  forces,  and  forces  cannot  bz 
 kept  together  without  maintenance,  and  maintenance 
 cannot  be  had  without  fach  public  burdens;  w: 
 however  for  the  prefent,  not  joyous,  but  grievous. 
 
(  39°  ) 
 it  (hall  be  no  grief  of  heart  afterwards,  even  unto  the 
 common  fort,  that  they  have  given  tome  part  of  their 
 neceflary  livelihood,  for  afliding  fo  good  a  work  ;  it  is 
 far  from  our  thoughtg,  that  the  pinching  of  fome, 
 {hould  make  others  fuperflu  ufly  to  abound  :  it  is  ra- 
 ther to  be  expected  of  the  richer  fort,  that  they  will 
 fpare  aid  defaulk,  not  only  the  pride  and  fuperfluity, 
 boch  of  apparel  and  diet,  but  alio  a  part  of  their  law- 
 ful allowance  in  thefe  things,  to  contribute  the  fame 
 as  a  free  will-offering,  b  fide  what  they  are  obliged  to, 
 by  law  or  public  order,  after  the  example  cf  godly 
 JNehemiah,  who  for  the  fpace  of  twelve  years,  while 
 the  .wails  of  Jerufalem  were  a~ burl  ding,  did  not  eat 
 the  bread  of  the  governor,  that  he  might  eafe  by  fo 
 much  the  peoples  burdens  and  bondage. 
 
 In  our  iaft  covenant,  there  is  another  article,  which 
 (without  the  oblivion  or   negleCl  of  any  of  the  reft) 
 we  wiin  may  be  well  remembered  at  this  time,  name- 
 ly, That  we  (hall  afliU  and  defend  all  that  enter  into 
 this  league  and  covenant,  in  the  maintaining  and  pur- 
 fuing  thereof,  and  (hall  not  fufFer  ourfeives,  dire&ly 
 or  indirectly,  by  whatever  combination,   perfuaGon, 
 or  terror,  to  be  divided  and  withdrawn  from  this  blef- 
 fed  union  and  conjunction,  whether  to  make  defec- 
 tion to  the  contrary  part,  or  to  give  ourfeives  to  a  de* 
 tellable  indifferency  or  neutrality  in  this  caufe.     Ac- 
 cording to  that  article,  men's  reality  and  integrity  in 
 the  covenant,  will   be  manifeft  and  demonftrable,  as 
 well  by  their  omiflions,  as  by  their  commiffions ;  as 
 we'd  by  their  not  doing  good,   a>   by  their  doing  of 
 evil       He  that  is  not  with  us  is  againji  its  ;  and  he  that 
 gather eth  not  with  us,fcattereth.      Whoever  he  be  that 
 will  not,  according  to  public  order  and  appointment* 
 adventure  his  perfon,  or  fend  out  thofe  that  are  under 
 his  power,  01  pay  the  contributions  impofed  for  the 
 maintenance  of  ;he  forces,  muft  be  taken  for  an  ene- 
 my, malignant,  and  covenant-breaker ;  and  fo  involv- 
 ed both  into  the  difpleafure  of  God,  and  cenfures  of 
 
 the 
 
(     39*     ) 
 the  kirk,  and  no  doubt  into  civil  puniftiments  a!fo,  t© 
 be  inflicied  by  the  ftare 
 
 And  if  any  (hall  prove  fo  untoward  and  perfidious, 
 their  iniquity  Ihall  be  upon  themfelves,  and  they  (hall 
 bear  their  puniihments.  Deliverance  and  good  fuo 
 cefs  fliall  follow  thofe,  who  with  purpofe  of  heart, 
 cleave  unto  the  Lord,  and  whofe  he  arts  are  upright 
 towards  his  glory  Whtn  we  look  back  upon  the 
 great  things  which  God  hath  done  for  us,  and  our 
 former  deliverances  out  of  feveral  dangers  and  diffi- 
 culties, which  appeared  to  us  tiofuperable,  experience 
 breeds  hope  And  when  we  co-  fider  h»w  in  the 
 midftofail  our  forrows  and  preffures,  the  Lot d  our 
 God  hath  given  us  a  nail  in  his  holy  place^  and  hath  ligh- 
 tened our  eyes  witn  the  dehrabie  and  beauriful  fight 
 of  his  own  glory  in  his  own  ten  pie;  we  take  it  for 
 an  argument,  that  he  hath  yet  thoughts  of  peace,  and 
 a  purpofe  of  mercy  towards  us ;  though  for  a  fmall 
 moment  he  hath  forfak-n  us.  yet  witn  great  mercies 
 be  will  gather  us ;  he  hath  lifted  up  our  enemies,  that 
 their  fa  1  may  be  the  greater,  and  that  he  may  caft 
 them  down  into  defolation  for  ever.  Arife  and  let  us 
 be  doings  the  Lord  of  Hojfs  is  with  usy  the  God  of  Jacob 
 is  our  refuge. 
 
 The  General  AflVmbly,  1646. 
 
 Enormities  and  corruptions  obferved  to  be  in  the  mini/try* 
 ivitb  the  remedies  thereof. 
 
 4  Silence  in  the  public  caufe,  not  tabounng  to 
 cure  the  dildireftion  of  peop  e,  nor  urging  them  to 
 conitancy  ard  patience  in  bearing  of  public  burdens 
 nor  to  forwardnt-ib  in  the  public  caufe,  whereby  ma- 
 lignants  are  multiplied,  yea,  fome  are  fo  grofs  herein, 
 that  even  in  public  faits,  little  or  nothing  is  to  be 
 beard  from  them  founding  this  wav 
 
 5.  Some  account  it  a  point  of  wifdom  to  fpeak  am- 
 biguouily,  fome  incline  to  juftify  the  wicked  caufe, 
 
 uttering 
 
(     39*     ) 
 
 uttering  words  which  favour  cf  difafFeftion  :  and  all 
 their  complaining  of  the  times,  rs  in  fuch  a  way  as 
 .may  ftea}  the  hearts  cf  people  from  liking  of  good  in- 
 inuments  in  this  work,  and  confequently  from  God's 
 caufe;  yea,  forne  reading  public  orders,  are  ready  to 
 fpeak  againft  them  in  their  private  conference. 
 
 Remedies. 
 
 5.  That  every  minifter  be  humbled  for  his  former 
 failings,  and  make  his  peace  with  God,  that  the  more 
 effc£lua*iy  he  rmy  preach  repentance,  and  may  ftand 
 ir*  the  gap>  to  turn  away  the  Lord's  wrath  :  running 
 between  the  porch  and  the,  alrar,  fighing  and  crying 
 for  ail  the  abominations  of  the  land. 
 
 6  Special  care  would  be  had,  that  all  mimfters 
 have  their  converfation  in  heaven,  mainly  mmding 
 the  things  of  God,  and  exercifi::g  faith  tor  drawing 
 life  out  of  Jefus  Chriit  the  fountain  of  life  arming 
 themfelves  thereby  with  power  againft  the  contagion 
 and  wiekednefs  of  the  world. 
 
 12  All  miniftcrs  would  be  careful  to  cherifh  the 
 fmoking  fl  jx  cf  weak  beginnings  in  the  ways  of  God, 
 and  ought  couragioufly  to  oppofc  ail  mockers  and  re- 
 viiers  of  the  godly 
 
 13*  As  at  ail  tiir.es,  fo  fpeciallynow,  when  the  Lcrd 
 is  calling  us  all  to  an  account,  it  becomes  the  mini- 
 sters of  Chrift,  with  all  diligence  and  faithfumefs-,  to 
 improve  their  miniftry  to  the  utmeft,  to  be  inftant 
 in  feafon,  and  out  of  feafon,  &c 
 
 15.  lhat  befide  all  other  fcandals,  filence,  or  am- 
 biguous fpeaking  in  the  public  caufe,  much  more  dc* 
 m&mg  and  difc:ffc£ed  fpeec'  es  be  feafonab  y  cen- 
 fured  and  to  this  eff .:&,  all  honrft  hearted  brethren 
 would  firmly  unite  themfelv.-s  in  tht  Lurd,  flit  young- 
 er honouring  the  elder,  and  the  elder  not  defpifing 
 the  younger- 
 
(    391    ) 
 
 Junii  17,   1646,  Poflmeridem.  Seflion  13. 
 
 ASl  for  cenfuring  compilers  ivlth  the  public  enemies  of 
 this  kirk  and  kingdom. 
 
 The  General  Affembly  taking  to  their  ferious  con- 
 sideration, the  great  and  fcanrialous  provocation  and 
 grievous  defe&ion  from  the  public  caufe,  which  fome 
 have  been  guilty  of,  by  complying  with  the  rebels, 
 the  public  enemies  of  this  kirk  and  kingdom  :  and 
 judging  it  a  duty  incumbent  on  them  to  bring  fuch 
 notorious  offenders  to  public  fatisfaftion,  that  the 
 wrath  of  God  may  be  averted;  and  the  public  fcan- 
 dal  removed:  do  tht  re  fore  require,  difcern*  and  or- 
 dain that  fuch  as  after  lawful  trial  (hall  be  found  to 
 have  been  in  aftual  rebellion,  and  to  have  carried 
 charge  with  the  rebels,  to  have  accepted  commiflions 
 for  raifing  horfe  or  foot  unto  them,  to  have  been  fe- 
 ducers  of  others  to  join  in  that  rebellion,  to  be  the 
 pennerg  or  contrivers  cf  James  Graham's  proclama- 
 tion for  indicting  a  pretended  parliament,  or  of  any 
 other  bis  proclamations  or  declarations,  to  have  beea 
 prime  inftruments  in  caufing  publifh  the  faid  procla- 
 mations and  declarations  \  that  ail  and  every  one  of 
 fuch  offenders  (hall  humbly  acknowledge  their  of- 
 fence upon  their  knees,  fir  ft  before  the  prefbytery, 
 and  thereafter  before  the  congregations  \  upon  a  Sab- 
 bath, in  fome  place  before  the  pulpit  \  and  irxthe 
 mean  time  that  they  be  fufpended  from  the  Lord'g 
 Supper:  and  in  cafe  they  do  not  fatisfy  in  manner 
 aforefaid,  that  they  be  proceffd  with  excommunica- 
 tion And  likewife,  ordains  that  fuch  as  (hall  be 
 found  to  have  procured  protection  from  the  rebels* 
 to  have  executed  their  orders,  to  have  invited  them- 
 felves  to  their  houfes*  to  have  given  them  intelli- 
 gence, to  have  drunk  James  Graham's  health,  or  to 
 be  guilty  of  any  other  fuch  grofs  degrees  of  compli- 
 ance, {hall  acknowledge  their  offences  publicly  be- 
 fore 
 
(     394     ) 
 
 fore  the  congregation,  and  be  fufpended  from  the 
 communion,  aye  and  while^they.do  the  fame  And 
 further  difcerns  and  ordains,  that  all  perfons  in  any 
 ecciefiaftical  office,  guilty  of  any  degrees  of  compli- 
 ance before  mentioned,  (hall  be  fu-pended  from  their 
 office,  and  all  exercife  thereof,  for  fuch  time  as  the 
 quality  of  the  offence  and  condition  cf  the  offenders 
 fhah  be  found  to  defer ve  ;  and  the  affembiy  hereby 
 ti?clarts,  that  prefoyteries  have  a  latitude  and  li- 
 berty to  aggreage  the  cenfures  above  fpecined,  ac- 
 cording to  the  degrees  znd  circumftances  of  the  of- 
 fences, and  gives  in  like  manner  the  fame  latitude 
 and  liberty  to  the  commiffioiiers  of  the  aiTembiy  for 
 public  affairs,  who  have  alfo  power  to  try  and  cenfure 
 the  offenders  in  manner  above  expreft,  and  to  take  ac- 
 count of  the  diligence  of  prefbytcries  thereuntil. 
 
 A8  concerning  James  Grahams  proclamation. 
 
 The  Genera!  Affi-mbly  having  confidered  a  copy 
 cf  a  proclamation  published  by  order  of  that exco* 
 municated  traitor  James  Graham,  for  indi&ing  of  a 
 pretended  parliament;  and  finding  the  fame  to  be 
 *ull  erf  b?afphemies  aaainft  the  folemn  league  and  ^o- 
 \er,ant  cf  the  three  kingdoms,  and  of  vile  afperfi^ns 
 cf  treafor,  rebellion,  2nd  fedition,  moft  falfely  and  im- 
 imputed  to  the  eftates,  and  molt  faitbrtil, 
 and  loyal  fttbjeda  of  this  kingdom  :  do  therefore  de-# 
 clare  that  fuch  as  have  been  prime  inftruments  of 
 ihe  pubiifh'nL:  cf  tfat  or  the  like  procla  nation  and 
 declaration,  d  e  hi.;heft  c^nfur  s  of  the  kirk  ; 
 
 ualefs  ticv  rrake  harr^ble  confeffion  of  their  offence 
 pfehlieiy,  in  fuel*  manner  as  is  pf-fenb^d  by  this  af- 
 le-wb;y  ,  and  humbly  recommend  to  the  committee 
 lj  to  take  fame  courfe-*  for  their  exemplary 
 civil  nr,  andth.it  feme  public  note  of  igno- 
 
 f  be  put  u-j  proclamation,  as  their  honours 
 
 fiull  think  meet. 
 
 u/t. 
 
(     395     ) 
 
 nit.  Auguft  1647,  Antemeridiem.     Seflicn  27. 
 
 Act  for  debarring  of  compilers  in  thefrjl  clafs  from  ec- 
 cltfiajlic  office. 
 
 The  General  AfTembly  declares  and  ordains,  that 
 no  perfon  who  is  guilty  of  compliance  in  the  firft 
 clafs  mentioned  in  the  a<£i  of  the  preceding  af- 
 fembly,  (hall  be  received  in  any  ecclefiaftical  charge, 
 until  the  evidence  of  his  repentance  before  the  pref- 
 bytery  and  congregation,  be  reported  to  the  fynod  to 
 which  he  belongs,  and  to  the  General  Aff-mbly, 
 and  their  confent  obtained  for  his  bearing  office. 
 And  if  any  fuch  perfon  be  already  received  into  the 
 elderfhip  of  any  particular  congregation,  yet  he  fhall 
 not  be  admitted  to  be  a  member  of  an>  prtfb-tery, 
 fynod,  or  general  affeinb'y,  until  (upon  the  evidence 
 of  his  repentance)  the  confent  and  approbation  of 
 thefe  judicatories  rtfpe£tively  be  obtained  thereto. 
 
 July  z$,  1648,  Antemeridiem-     Seffion  18. 
 
 A cl  and  declaration  againft  the  acl  of  parliament  and 
 committee  of  ejtates  ordained  to  bejubferibedthe  tenth 
 and  twelfth  of  June  a- id  again  (I  all  new  oaths  or  bonds 
 in  the  common  caufe,  impofed  /without  cmfent  of  the 
 Church. 
 
 The  general  afferobiy  taking  to  confideration  a  de- 
 claration and  att  of  parliament,  of  the  date  of  the  10th 
 of  June  1647,  highly  concerning  religion,  and  the 
 consciences  of  the  people  of  God  in  the  land,  and  one 
 a£l  of  the  committee  of  the  elates,  of  the  date  the 
 12th  of  June  1648*  both  publifhed  in  print,  whereby 
 all  fubjedls  by  fubfeription  are  ordained  to  acknow- 
 ledge as  juft,  and  oblige  themfeives  to  adhere  unto  the 
 (aid  acl  and  declaration,  containing  an  obligation  up- 
 on their  honours  andciedits,  and  as  they  defire  to  be, 
 
 and 
 
(    3y<5    ) 
 
 and  to  be  holden  as  lovers  of  tlnir  country,  religion, 
 laws  and  liberties,  to  join  and  cone  »r  with  truir  per- 
 fonsand  eftates  in  the  afliftance  of  iru  execution,  and 
 ©bfervation  of  the  afts  and  conftitutions  of  this  par- 
 liament, as  the  mod  fit  and  neccflary  remedies  oi  the 
 bygone  and  prefent  evils  and  dilirattions  of  this  kirk 
 and  kingdom,  and  for  the  preservation  of  religion, 
 laws  and  liberties,  and  of  his  majefty's  authority,  wuh 
 certification  that  fuch  as  refufe  or  delay  to  fubfenoe 
 the  fame,  fhall  be  holden  as  enemies  and  oppofues  to 
 the  common  caufe  confifting  in  the  maintenance  of 
 the  true  reformed  religion  of  the  laws  and  liberties  of 
 the  kingdom,  and  of  his  maj^fty's  authority,  which 
 fubfeription  the  aflembly  cannot  other *ife  Ibok  upon, 
 than  as  a  fnare  for  the  people  of  God  to  involve  them 
 in  guiltinefs,  and  to  draw  them  from  their  former 
 principles  and  vows  in  the  bolemn  League  and  Co- 
 venant :  for  that  fubfeription  w«re  an  approving  of 
 fome  a&s  of  parliament,  which  they  have  never  yet 
 feen  nor  known,  they  being  not  all  pub  iihed,  were 
 an  agreeing  to  a&s  of  parliament,  high  y  concerning 
 religion  and  the  covenant,  made  not  only  without, 
 but  exprefsly  againft  the  advice  of  the  kirk,  were 
 an  acknowledging  of  this  prefent  engagement  in 
 war,  in  all  the  means  and  ways  far  promoting 
 -the  fame,  to  be  the  mod  fit  and  neccflary  re- 
 medies of  the  bygone  and  prefent  evils,  whereas 
 fo  many  petitions  to  the  parliament,  from  commit- 
 tees of  war,  fynods,  prefbyteries,  and  parifhes,  have 
 made  it  appear  th<*t  they  are  no  way  fatisfied  there- 
 with in  point  of  conscience,  were  an  afcribing  of  a 
 power  to  the  parliament,  to  declare  thefe  to  be  ene- 
 mies to  the  true  religion,  whom  the  kirk  hath  not 
 declared  to  be  fuch,  but  rather  friends,  were  an  ap- 
 proving of  an  act  made  for  the  restraining  the  liberty 
 .of  printing  from  the  kirk,  yea,  and  of  all  the  afts  of 
 the  committee  of  eftates  to  be  made  in  time  coming, 
 till  March  1650,  which  by  a£t  of  parliament  are 
 ordained  to  be  obeyed  j  were  an  allowing  of  a&s  for 
 
 fecuring 
 
 • 
 
(  3'-<7  ) 
 i.curing  of  the  perfons,  and  inrromitdng  with  the 
 eftates  of  fuch  as  themfelves  (hall  not  oK-y  or  per- 
 fuade  others  not  to  obey  rcfolu:ioiiS  concerning  this 
 engagement,  and  for  protecting  perfons  under  kirk 
 cenfirres,  and  fo  an  infringing  arid  violating  of  the 
 liberties  and  difcipline  of  tf;e  kirk,  eitab  ih\ed  by 
 the  laws  of  the  land,  and  fworn  to  in  the  national 
 covenant  to  be  defended  under  the  pains  contained 
 in  the  law  of  God  :  and  in  all  thefe,  fuch  as  do  fub- 
 fcribe,  do  bind  themfelves,  not  only  to  a£tive  obedi- 
 ence in  their  own  perfons,  but  to  the  urging  of  ac- 
 tive obedience  upon  all  others,  and  fo  draw,  upon 
 themfelves  all  the  guiltiness  and  fad  coufequenc  s  of 
 the  prefent  engagement-,  yea,  fuch  as  are  members 
 orparliament,  and  have,  in  the  oath  of  .parliament 
 fworn,  not  to  vote  or  confent  to  any  thing,  but  what 
 to  their  belt  knowledge  is  moft  expedient  for  religion, 
 kirk, '  and  kingdom,  and  accordingly  have  reafoned 
 againft,  and  diffented  from  divers  atis  of  this  parli- 
 jnent,  they  by  the  fubftription  of  this  a£t,  cannot  ef- 
 chew  the  danger  of  perjury,  in  obliging  themfelves 
 to  active  obedience  to  thefe  acts,  which  according  to 
 ,their  oath,  they  did  judge  unlawful.  Neither  can 
 the  38th  a£t  of  the  parliament  1640,  wherein  fuch  a 
 kind  of  bend  was  enacted  to  be  fubferibed  be  any 
 precedent  or  warrant  for  fubferibing  of  this  a£t,  for  it 
 plainly  appears  by  the  narrative  of  that  a£t,  omitted 
 in  this  bond,  how  great  a  difference  there  is  between 
 the  condition  of  affairs  then  and  now.  The  com- 
 mkflioner  had  left  and  difcharged  the  fitting  of  the 
 parliament,  then  the  parliament  for  fitting,  was  de- 
 clared traitors,  and  armies  in  England  and  Ireland 
 prepared  againft  them,  then  not  Oiily  the  ads,  but 
 the  very  authority  of  parliament  was  called  in  quef- 
 tion  ;  then  kirk  and  ft  ate  were  united  in  the  caui'e  a- 
 gainft  the  malignant  party,  then  nothing  was  de- 
 termined in  parliament  in  matters  of  religion,  much 
 lefs  againft  the  advice  of  the  kirk,  but  befide,  that 
 it  was  not  thought  expedient  by  the  ftate,  that  that 
 L  1  bond 
 
(    393     ) 
 
 bond  fhouM  be  praTed  through  the  kingdom  ;  the  cafe 
 now  not  only  differs  from  what  was  then,  but  is  in 
 many  things  juft  contrary,  as  is  evident  to  all  who 
 compare  the  two  together. 
 
 And  therefore  the  General  Afiembly  profeffing  in 
 all  tender  refpect  to  the  high  and  honourable  court  of 
 parliament,  and  committee  of  the  tftates,  but  find- 
 ing a  ftraiter  tie  of  God  lying  upon  their  confeiences, 
 that  they  be  not  found  unfaithful  watchmen,  and  be- 
 trayers of  the  fouls  of  thofe  committed  to  their 
 charge,  do  unanimoufly  declare  the  fcrefaid  fubferip- 
 tion  to  be  unlawful  and  finful,  and  do  warn,  and  in 
 the  name  of  the  Lord  charge  all  the  members  of  this 
 kirk,  to  forbear  the  fubferibing  of  the  faid  aft  and 
 declaration,  much  more  the  urging  of  the  fubferip- 
 tion  thereof,  as  they  would  not  incur  the  wrath  of 
 Gcd,  and  the  cenfures  of  the  kirk.  And  confider- 
 ing  how  neceflary  it  is,  that  according  to  the  eighth 
 defire  of  the  ccmmliTioners  of  the  aiTtmbly  to  the  par- 
 liament, the  kirk  might  have  the  fame  intereft  in  any 
 new  oaths  in  this  canfe,  as  they  had  in  the  folemn 
 league  and  covenant;  and  what  damgers  of  contra-' 
 d*ctory  o&ths,  perjuries,  and  fnares  to  men's  con- 
 ferences may  fail  out  otherwife  :  therefore  they  like- 
 wise enjoin  ail  the  members  of  this  kirk,  to  forbesr 
 the  fwearing,  fubferibing,  or  prefling  of  any  new 
 caths  or  bonds,  in  this  caufe,  without  the  advice  ami 
 concurrence  of  the  kirk;  efpecially  any  negative 
 oaths  or  bonds,  which  may  any  way  limit  or  reftraih 
 them  in  the  duties,  whereunto  they  are  obliged  by 
 national  or  folemn  league  and  covenant,  and  that 
 with  certification  as  aforefaid.  And  fuch  as  have 
 already  prefiVd  or  fubferibed  the  forefaid  a£t  and  de- 
 claration, the  General  Aflembly  doth  hereby  exhort 
 them  mod  earneftly,  in  the  bowels  of  Chrifr,  to  re- 
 pent of  that  their  defection,  and  ordains  that  prefby- 
 teries,  or  in  cafe  of  their  negligence  or  being  over- 
 awed, the  provincial  fynods,  or  the  commiflion  of 
 the  aflerr.bfji  which  of  them  (hall  firft  concur,  and 
 
 ia- 
 
(  399  ) 
 in  cafe  of  the  fynods  negligence,  that  the  faid  com- 
 mjffiop  be  careful  to  proceed  againft,  and  cenfure  the 
 contraveners  of  the  act  according  to  the  quality  and 
 degree  of  their  offences,  as  they  will  be  anfwerabJe 
 to  the  General  Affembly  :  and  that  therefore  this  a£t 
 be  fent  to  prefbyteries  to  be  published  in  the  feveral 
 khks  of  their  bounds. 
 
 Auguft  3,  1648,    Antewerldiem*     Seff.  26. 
 
 Ac!  for  cenfuring  miniftzrs  fir  their filence  and  not  fpeak* 
 ing  to  the  corruption  of  the  times. 
 
 The  General  Afftmbiy,  taking  to  their  ferious  con- 
 fider3tion  the  great  fcandals  which  have  lately  in- 
 creafed,  partly  through  fome  minifters,  their  referv- 
 ing  and  not  declaring  themfelves  againft  prevalent 
 fins  of  the  times,  partly  through  the  fpite,  malignity* 
 and  infoiency  of  others  againft  fuch  minifters  as  have 
 faithfully  and  freely  reproved  the  fms  of  the  times 
 without  refpedt  of  perfons,  do  therefore,  for  prevent- 
 ing and  removing  fuch  fcandals  hereafter,  appoint  and 
 ordain  that  every  minifter  co  by  the  word  of  wifdom 
 apply  his  doctrine  faithfully  againft  the  public  fins 
 and  corruptions  of  thefe  times,  and  particularly  a- 
 gainft  the  fins  and  fcandals  in  that  congregation 
 wherein  he  lives,  according  to  the  act  of  the  General 
 Affembly  1596,  revived  by  the  affembly  at  Glafgow 
 1638,  appointing  that  fuch  as  (hall  be  found  not  ap- 
 plying their  doftrine  to  corruptions,  which  is  the  paf- 
 tcral  gift,  cold,  and  wanting  of  fpiritual  zeal,  flatter- 
 ers, and  diffembling  of  public  fins,  and  efpeciady  of 
 great  perfonages  in  their  congregations,  that  ali  fuch 
 per  fens  be  cenfured  according  to  the  degree  of  their 
 faults,  and  continuing  therein  b-  deprived  ;  and  ac- 
 cording to  the  adt  of  the  General  Affembly  1646- 
 f.ff  10.  That  befide  all  other  fcandals,  filence,  or  am- 
 biguous fpeaking  in  the  public  caufe,  much  more  de- 
 tracting and  difaffe&ed  fpeeches,  feafonably  cenfsr- 
 L 1  z  ed : 
 
(     40°     ) 
 
 cd  :  as  therefore  the  errors  and  exorbitances  of  fee- 
 taries  in  England  are  not  to  be  palled  in  fiience,  but 
 plain  warning  to  be  given  of  the  danger  of  fo  near  a' 
 contagion,  that  people  may  beware  of  it,  and  fuch  as 
 neglect  this  duty  to  be  cenfured  by  their  prefbyteries. 
 So  it  is  thought  fit  and  appointed  by  the  aflembly, 
 conform  to  the  forefaid  a£ls,  and  that  the  main  cur- 
 rent of  applications  in  fermons  may  run  along  againft 
 the  evils  that  prevail  at  home,  and,  namely,  againft 
 the  contempt  of  the  word,  againft  all  profane- 
 nefs,  againft  the  prefent  defection  from  the  league 
 and  covenant,  againft  the  unlawful  engagement  in 
 war,  againft  the  unlawful  bond  and  declaration  of 
 the  date  of  the  10th  of  June,  ordained  to  be  fubferih- 
 ed  by  all  the  fubjects,  and  other  unjuft  decrees  efta- 
 blifhed  by  law  againft  the  plots  and  practices  of  ma- 
 lignants  ;  and  againft  the  principles  and  tenets  of 
 Erafiianifm,  which  fpread  among  divers  in  this 
 kingdom  ;  for  the  better  confutation  whereof  it  is 
 hereby  recommended  to  the  miniftry  to  ftudy  that 
 point  of  controverfy  well,  that  they  may  be  the  more 
 able  to  ftopthe  mouths  ofgainfayers :  'tis  alfo  hereby 
 recommended  to  the  feveral  prefbyteries,  and  pro- 
 vincial fynods,  that  they  make  fpecial  inquiry  and 
 trial  concerning  all  the  minifters  in  their  bounds  : 
 and  if  any  be  found  too  fparing,  general,  or  ambi- 
 guous in  the  forefaid  applications  and  reproofs,  that 
 they  be  fharply  rebuked,  dealt  with,  and  warned  to 
 amend,  under  the  pain  of  fufpenfion  from  their  mi- 
 niftry ;  and  if  after  fuch  warning  given,  they  amend 
 not ;  that  fuch  be  fufpended  by  prefbyteries,  and  in 
 cafe  of  their  negligence,  by  the  fynods  till  the  next 
 General  Affembly.  But  if  there  be  any,  who  do 
 negledt  and  omit  fuch  applications  and  reproofs  and 
 continue  in  fuch  neglgence  after  admonition,  and 
 dealing  wkh  them,  they  are  to  be  cited,  and  after  due 
 trial  of  the  offence  to  be  depofed,  for  being  pleafers 
 of  men,  rather  than  fervants  of  Chrift  •,  forgiving 
 themfelves  to  a  deteftable  indifferencey  or  neutrality 
 In  the  caufe  cf  God,  and  for  defrauding  the  fouls  of 
 
 people 
 
(     4°*      ) 
 
 pe<5plc»  yea,  and  for  being  highly  guilty  of  the  blood 
 of  fouls  in  not  giving  them  warning:  much  more 
 arefuch  miniftcrs  to  be  cenfured  with  depefnation 
 from  their  miniftry  who  preach  for  the  lawfu'neO,  or 
 pray  for  the  fuccefs  of  the  prefent  unlawful  engage- 
 ment, or  that  go  along  with  the  army  themfelves ; 
 or  who  fubferibe  any  bonds,. or  take  any  oaths  n^t  ap- 
 proved by  the  general  afiembly  or  their  commiflion- 
 ers,  or  by  their  counfel,  countenance,  or  approbation, 
 make  thc-mfdves  accefiary  to  the  taking  of  fuch  bonds 
 and  oaths  by  others  :  it  is  to  be  underftood,  that  if 
 any  miniftcr  preach  in  defence  of,  or  pray  for  the 
 fuccef-  of  the  feflari -s  in  Lng'and,  he  is  liken  :fe  to 
 be  cenfured  by  depofitlon.  And  this  we  i.dd  as  a  ;  - 
 neral  rule  to  be  obferved  on  both  hands,  but  not  a^  -f 
 we  had  found  any  of  the  ministry  of  this  kingdom  to 
 be  followers  of  feftaries  in  England. 
 
 And  in  cafe  any  mjnifte*  fcr  his  free  iom  in  preach- 
 ing, and  faithful  dilcbarge  of  his  confeience  (Kail  be 
 in  the  face  of  the  congr elation ,  or  elfe where  upbraid- 
 ed, railed  at,  mocked  or  threatened,  or  if  any  injury 
 or  vio'ence  be  done  to  h;s  perfcn,  or  any  flop  and  dis- 
 turbance made  to  him  in  the  excrcHc  of  the  mitwf- 
 tenal  calling,  th*  prtfbytery  of  the  bounds  fha'l  f  rth- 
 with  enter  in  procefi'with  the  offender,  and  whofo- 
 ev~r  he  be,, charge  him  to  fa'  isfy  the  discipline  cf  (hi 
 kirk  by  public  repentance,  which  if  any  do  not,  or  re- 
 fufe  to  do,  th'ttrrn  the  p  tfhytcrv  proceed  to  ex- 
 communication 3ga£nft  bif0,  in  all  which,  prefbvte- 
 rics  and  fyr.ocis  are  to  give  ^x\  account  of  their  oili- 
 gence.  And  the  aifembly  appoints  this  ?.0t  to  be  Ixi- 
 ifl  the  ieveral  congregations  of  this  kirk. 
 
 1*1  £  Au?uft 
 
(      4°2       ) 
 
 Auguft  7,  16.48. 
 
 AB  for  taking  the  covenant  at  the  firfl  receiving  of  tie 
 
 facr anient  of  the  Lord's  f upper,  and  for  the  receiving 
 of  it  alfo  by  ailfludents  at  their  fir  ft  entry  to  colleges. 
 
 The  G°neral  Affembly,  according  to  former  re- 
 commendations, doth  ordain,  that  all  young  itudents 
 take  the  covenant  at  their  firft  entry  to  colleges ;  and 
 that  hereafter  all  perfons  whofoever  take  the  cove- 
 nant at  their  firft  receiving  the  facrament  of  the 
 Lord's  fupper:  requiring  hereby  provincial  aiTcm- 
 blies,  prelhyteries  and  univerfities  to  be  careful  that 
 this  act  be  obferved,  and  account  thereof  taken  in  the 
 vifi'ation  of  univerfities,  and  particular  kiiks,  and 
 Prefbyteries. 
 
 July  20,  1649.   AnUmeriiiem.  '  S-ffjon  19. 
 
 A3  concerning  receiving  of  engagers  in  the  late  unlawful 
 ivar  againji  England,  to  public  fuisfatlion^  together 
 nvith  the  declaration  and  acknowledgment ,  to  be  fuh- 
 Jcribed  by  them. 
 
 The    General    Affembly  confriering,    what  great 
 offence   againft  God,    and   fcandal    to  his   people  at 
 home  and  abroad,  hath   arifen  from  the  late  unlaw- 
 ful   engagement   in   war  againft  England,    whereby, 
 ccntraiy  to  the  Law  of  God  and  nations,  contrary  to 
 the  foiemn  league  and  covenant,  contrary,  to  the  pe- 
 titions of  almoft  the  whole  kingdom,  contrary  te  the 
 declarations  of  the  judicatories  of  this  kirk  contrary  to 
 the  protections  of  a  considerable  part  of  the  parlia- 
 ment, contrary  to  the  frequent  and  clear  warnings  of 
 thefervantsofGod  in  his  name:  not  only  an  affociation 
 in  councils  and  arms  was  made  with  malignant   per- 
 fons, who  had  formerly  (hewn  their  difaffedtion  to 
 the    covenant     and  caufe,    but   an     invafion  of  the 
 neighbour  nation  was  profecuted,  from  whence  flow- 
 ed 
 
(    4<*3    5 
 
 ed  the  opprefilon  of  the  perfons,  efht;S  and  ccr> 
 fciences  of  many  of  the  people  of  God  in  this  land, 
 the  fhedding  of  the  blood  of  fome,  the  lofs  and  difho- 
 nour  of  this  nation,  and  fcveral  oth^r  inconveniences; 
 and  confidering,  that  the  commifli'ners  of  the  late 
 general  aflembly  have  acquit  themfelves  faithfully,  in 
 ordaining  to  be  fufpended  fiom  the  renewing  of  the 
 covenant,  and  from  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
 per, fuch  as  aredefigned  in  their  a£tt>,  of  the  date  the 
 6th  October  and  4th  of  December  laft,  referring  the 
 further  consideration  and  cenfure  of  the  perfons  fore- 
 faid  to  this  prefent  general  aflembly  for  removing  of 
 fuch  offences,  and  for  prevention  of  the  like  in  time 
 coming,  and  for  reftoring  of  fuch  as  are  truly  hum- 
 bled, do  declare  and  appoint, 
 
 1. That  ail  thofe  who  have  been  guilty  and  cenfured 
 as  aforefaid,  and  withal,  do  not  by  their  addrefles  to 
 kirk  judicatories  teftify  their  diflike  of,  and  give  evi- 
 dences of  their  repentance  thereof,  that  thefe  bd  pro- 
 cefled,  and  continuing  obftinate,  be  excommunicated, 
 but  withal  if  they  gc  on  in  promoting  malignant  de- 
 6gns,  that  they  be  forthwith  excommunicated  :  as 
 alfo,  that  all  fuch  perfons  guilty  as  aforefaid,  who  af- 
 ter profefRon  of  their  repentance  fhall  yet  again  here- 
 after relapfe  to  the  promoting  any  malignant  defignf 
 that  thefe  be  likewife  forthwith  excommunicated 
 
 2  That  all  thefe  who  have  been  guilty  and  cenfured 
 as  aforefaid,  and  defire  to  teftify  their  repentance,  and 
 to  be  admitted  to  the  covenant  2nd  communion,  fhall 
 befides  any  confc  (lion  in  public  before  the  congrega- 
 tion, fubferibe  the  declaration  hereto  fubjoined  of  their 
 unfeigned  detefbtion  and  renunciation  of  that  en- 
 gagement and  all  other  malignant  courfes  contrary 
 to  the  covenant  and  caufe,  promifing  to  keep  them* 
 felves  from  fuch  ways  in  time  coming  ;  and  acknow- 
 ledging that  if  they  fhall  again  fall  into  fuch  defection 
 thereafter,  they  mayjufily  be  accounted  perfidious 
 backfliders,  and  breakers  of  the  covenant  and  oath  of 
 
 God, 
 
(     404     ) 
 
 God,  and  proceeded  againft  with  the  higheft  cenfure 
 of  the  kirk 
 
 3.  That  of  thefe  who  have  been  guilty  and  cenfured 
 as  aforelaid,  and  defire  now  to  teftify  their  repentance, 
 whoever  were  formerly  joined  in  arms  or  council 
 with  James  Graham  in  his  rebellion,  or  who  were  ge- 
 neral perfons,  or  colonels  in  the  late  unlawful  en- 
 gagement, or  who  went  to  Ireland  to  bring  over  forces 
 for  that  efFeft,  or  who  have  been  eminenty  a&ive  in 
 contriving  of,  or  feducing  unto  the  fain  engagement, 
 or  whofcever  above  the  degree  of  a  lieutenant  com- 
 manded thefe  parties,  that  m  promoting  the  ends  of 
 the  faid  engagement  (bed  blood  within  the  kingdom, 
 either  before  that  army  of  engagers  went  to  ilngland, 
 or  after  their  return,  or  who  above  the  degrees  fore- 
 faid  commanded  in  the  la'e  rrbel'ion  in  the  north, 
 that  none  ot  thefe  be  admitted  or  received  to  give  fa- 
 tisia&ion,  but  by  the  general  afiembiy  or  their  com* 
 miffioners 
 
 4.  That  all  the  reft  of  thefe  who  have  b?en  guilty 
 or  ctnfured  as  aforefaid,  may  be  received  by  the  pref- 
 byunef  where  they  ref.de. 
 
 5.  That  all  who  hare  been  gui'ty  as  aforefaid  before 
 their  receiving  to  the  covenant,  fhal'  make  a  folemn 
 public  acknowledgment  in  fuch  a  matter,  and  before 
 fuch  congregations  as  the  con.mdion  of  the  general 
 affembly  or  pnfbyteries  refpe&ije,  ftiall  prefcribe,  ac- 
 cording to  the  degree  of  their  offence  and  fcandai 
 given. 
 
 6.  That  none  of  the  forefaid  perfons  be  admitted 
 or  received  as  elders  in  any  judicatories  of  the  kirk, 
 but  according  to  the  aft  of  the  general  afiembly  of 
 the  laft  of  Auguft  1647,  againft  compilers  of  the  firtl 
 daft. 
 
 And  becaufe  many  have  heretofore  made  fhew  and 
 profefSon  of  tbtir  repentance,  who  were  not  convin- 
 ces of  their  guiltinefa,  nor  humbled  for  the  fame,  but 
 did  thereafter  return  with  the  dog  to  the  vomit,  and 
 with  the  fow  to  the  puddle,  unto  the  mocking  of  Gcd„ 
 
 and 
 
(     4^5     ) 
 
 and  the  exceeding  great  reproach  and  detriment  of 
 his  caufe.  Therefore,  for  the  better  determining  the 
 truth  and  fincerity  of  the  repentance  of  thofe  who  de- 
 fire  to  be  admitted  to  the  covenant  and  communion  : 
 it  is  appointed  and  ordained,  that  none  of  thofe  per- 
 fons  who  are  debarred  from  the  covenant  and  com- 
 munion, fhall  be  admitted  and  received  thereto, 
 but  fuch  as  after  exaft  trial,  fhait  be  found  for  fome 
 competent  time  before  or  after  the  offer  of  their  re- 
 pentance, according  to  the  difcretion  of  the  refp  c- 
 tive  judicatories,  to  have  in  their  ordinary  cenverfa- 
 tiens  given  real  teftimony  of  their  diilike  of  the  late 
 unlawful  engagement,  and  of  the  courfes  and  ways  of 
 maiignants,  and  of  their  farrow  for  their  acceffion  to 
 the  fame  ;  ?>nd  to  live  foherly,  righteoufly  and  godly  ; 
 and  if  any  {hall  be  found,  who  after  the  defeating  the 
 engagers  have  uttered  any  malignant  fpeeches,  tending 
 to  the  approbation  of  the  late  unlawful  engagement, 
 or  the  bloodihed  within  the  kingdom,  for  promoting 
 of  the  ends  of  the  faid  engagement,  or*:iy  other  pro- 
 jects or  pra£lices,  within  or  without  the  kingdom, 
 prejudicial  to  religion  and  the  covenant,  or  t-nc»ing 
 to  the  reproach  of  the  mi  iftry,  or  the  civil  govern- 
 ment of  the  kingdom,  or  who  have  unneceflarily,  or 
 ordinarily  converted  with  malignant  and  difafie&ed 
 perfons,  or  who  have  had  hand  in,  or  acceflion  to  our  t 
 compliance  with,  or  have  any  ways  countenanced  or 
 promoted  any  ;v.  align  ant  defign,  prejudicial  to  reli- 
 gion and  the  covenant,  that  thefe,  notwithstanding 
 their  profeffion  of  repentance  be  not  fudden'y  receiv- 
 ed, but  a  competent  time,  according  to  the  difcretion 
 of  the  judicatory  be  aiTi.nei  to  them  for  trial  of  the 
 evidence  of  their  repentance,  according  to  the  qualifi- 
 cations above-mentioned,  and  the  general  affeqnbly  or- 
 dains prefbyteries  to  make  intimation  of  this  act  in 
 the  feveral  kirks  of  their  bounds  fo  foan  as  they  can, 
 after  the  rifing  of  the  general  afiembly,  that  none  pre- 
 tend ignorance  ;  and  tl  ries  make  account 
 
 of 
 
(    4°6    ) 
 of  their  diligence  in  profccuting  of  this  a&,  to  the 
 quarterly  meetings  of  the  commiffion  of  this  affembly. 
 
 The  declaration  and  acknowledgment  before  mentioned* 
 
 I  after  due  con- 
 
 fideration  of  the  late  war  ag3inft  the  kingdom  of  Lng- 
 land;  and  having  a-fo  coniidered  the  courfe  purfued 
 and  promoted  by  the  Lan  of  Lanark,  Gorge  Monro, 
 and  their  adherents,  in  and  about  S  -rling;  and  by 
 others  in  the  late  rebellion  in  the  north  :  againft  all 
 which,  not  only  eminent  trilimonies  of  God's  wrath, 
 have  been  in  defeating  of  them  ;  but  they  were  in 
 themfelves  finfu'  breaches  of  the  covenant,  and  pre- 
 ferring the  imereft.  of  man  unto  .God.  I  do  there- 
 fore, in  God's  fight,  profefs,  that  I  am  convinced  of 
 the  unlawfulnefs  of  all  thefe  ways,  as  contrary  to  the 
 word  of  God,  and  to  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant, not  only  in  regard  of  the  mifcarriages  of  thefe 
 that  were  employed  therein  j  but  alfo  in  refpe£l  of 
 the  nature  of  thefe  courfes  themfelves  :  and  there- 
 fore prof  effing  my  unfeigned  farrow  for  my  guiltinefs, 
 by  my  aeceffiori  to  the  lame,  do  renounce  and  dif- 
 claim  the  forefaid  engagement*,  and  all  the  courfes  that 
 were  ufed  for  carrying  on  the  fame,  either  before  or 
 after  the  defeat  of  the  engagers  \  as  contrary  to  the 
 word  of  God,  ard  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  and 
 deftru&ive  to  religion,  and  the  work  of  reformation. _ 
 And  I  do  promife,  in  the  power  of  the  Lord's  ftrength, 
 never  again  to  own  any  of  thefe  or  the  like  courfes. 
 And  if  hereafter  at  any  time,  I.  (hall  be  found  to  pro- 
 mote any  malignant  defign  Or  courfe,  that  I  (balljuft- 
 ly  be  accounted  a  perfidious  covenant  breaker,  and 
 defpifer  of  the  oath  of  God,  and  be  proceeded  againft 
 with  the  higheft  cenfures  of  the  kirk.  Likeas,  I  do 
 hereby  promife  to  adhere  to  the  national  covenant  of 
 this  kingdom,  and  to  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant betwixt  the  kingdoms;  and  to  be  honeft  and 
 zealous  for  promoting  ail  the  ends  thereof,  as  I  fhall 
 
 be 
 
(     407    ) 
 
 be  called  thereunto  of  God  ;  and  to  flee  all  occafions 
 and  temptations  that  may  lead  me  into  any  of  the  like 
 fnares,  againft  the  fame,     Subfcribed 
 
 at  the  day  of 
 
 Auguft  1649. 
 
 Directory  for  election  of  mirnfters    Paragraph  5 1 h. 
 It  is  to  be  under  food,  that  no  pvrfon  under  the  cenfure  tf 
 the  kirk,  becaufe  of  any  ft  and  >i  us  offence >  is  to  be  ad* 
 mittcd  to  have  hand  in  the  eieclion  of  a  minjler. 
 
 Enormities. 
 
 Difcountenancing  of  the  godly ;  fpeaking  ill  of  them, 
 becaufe  of  fome  that  are  unanfwerabieto  their  profef- 
 fion.  And  helping  in,  and  holding  in  of  ipfufficient 
 and  fufpir&^d  men,  who  favour  the  things  of  this  life, 
 and  keeping  the  door  ftraiter  on  them,  whom  God 
 hath  fealed,  than  upon  thefe  who  have  lefs  evidence 
 .  of  the  power  of  grace  and  holinefs. 
 
 So  felf-fecking  in  preaching  ;  and  a  venting  rather 
 cf  their  wit  and  (kill,  than  a  {hewing  forth  of  the  wif- 
 dom  and  power  of  God. 
 
 Lifelefsnefs  in  preaching,  not  ftudying  to  be  fur- 
 niftied  by  Ch rift  with  power;  and  fo  the  ordinance  of 
 God  reacheth  not  to  the  confeience,  and  hereto  be- 
 longeth  the  not  applying  of  the  do&rine  unto  the 
 auditory  and  times. 
 
 Ult.  July  1648.     .Po/tmeridierri)  Seflion  21. 
 
 A  declaration  of  the  General  Affembly  concerning  the  pre* 
 fent  dangers  of  religion  and  especially  tbe  un lawful  en* 
 gagemer.t  in  war,  againft  the  kingdom  of  England ; 
 together ,  with  many  neceffary  exhortations  and  direc~ 
 tio?:s  to  all  the  members  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland* 
 
 It  cannot  Teem  itrange  to  any  that  confidereth  the 
 great  truft  that  lieth  on  us,  comparing  the  lame  with 
 
 the 
 
(     4c8     ) 
 
 the  imminent  dangers  wherewith  the  caufeof  God  is 
 invironed  in  this  land,  if  at  this  time  we  declare  our 
 fenfe  thereof,  and  warn  the  people  of  God  from  this 
 watch-tower  of  the  prefent  duties  incumbent  to  them ; 
 our  witneL  is  in  heaven,  and  our  record  on  high,  that 
 we  do  not  this  from  any  difrefpeft  to  the  parliament 
 whom  we  have  honoured  and  will  ever  honour  and 
 alfo  obey  in  all  things  which  are  agreeable  to  the  word 
 of  God,  to  our  folemn  covenants :  and  to  the  duties 
 of  our  callings,  not  from  any  difloyalty  or  undutiful- 
 nefs  to  the  king's  majefty  to  whom  we  heartily  wifh, 
 and  to  his  posterity  after  him,  a  happy  reign  over  thefe 
 dominions,  nor  from  any  factious  difpofition  or  Tiding 
 with  this  or  that  party  whatfoever,  nor  from  any  con- 
 tentious humour  about  light  or  fmall  matters,  nor 
 from  any  favour  to  or  compliance  with  feftaries,  a- 
 gainft  whofe  curfed  opinions  and  ungodly  practices, 
 we  have  heretofore  given  ample  teftimony,  and  are 
 ftill  obliged  by  folemn  covenant  to  endeavour  the  ex-' 
 tirpation  of  hercfy  and  fchifm ;  but  from  the  con- 
 ference of  our  duty  when  the  glory  of  God,  the  king- 
 dom of  his  Son.  his  word,  ordinances,  government^ 
 covenant,  miniitry,  confeiences  of  people,  peace  and 
 liberties  of  the  kirk  are  incempaffed  and  almoft  over- 
 whelmed with  great  and  growing  dangers. 
 
 How  freely  and  faithfully  the  fervants  of  God  of 
 old  have  rebuked  fin  in  perfous  of  all  ranks,  not  fpar- 
 ing  kings,  ftates  nor  kingdoms,  the  fenpture  rr.aketh 
 it  moft  plain  to  a-1  that  looks  thereon  ;  neither  want 
 we  dorrcftic  examples,  if  we  look  back  a  little  upon 
 the  behaviour  of  our  zealous  anceftors  in  this  kirk, 
 who  not  only  in  their  fermons  feveraliy  with  gre^t 
 gravity  and  freedom  reproved  the  fins  of  the  time, 
 but  more  efpeciaily  in  the  kirk  judicatories  plain  and 
 downright  dealing  was  mod:  tr-quent  and  familiar,  as 
 appears  in  the  aflemblies  held  in  June  and  in  Oct  be  r 
 1582,  in  October  1583,  in  May  1592,  and  1594*  and  in 
 March  1  595.  And  not^only  the  general  aflembly  by 
 therrfeives,  but  alfo  by  their  commiffioners  faithfully 
 
 and 
 
(    4°9    ) 
 
 and  free 'y  laboured  to  "oppofe  all  the  fteps  of  defc£tion; 
 as  at  oibf^r  times,  fo  in  the  year  1596,  wherein  lour 
 or  five  foveral  times  they  gave  molt  free  admonitions 
 to  the  king,  parliament,  and  counci  ,  with  a  protefta- 
 tion  at  the  laft  before  God,  that  they  were  free  of  their 
 blood,  aud  of  whatfoever  judgment  fhould  fail  upon 
 the  realm,  and  that  they  durft  not  for  fear  of  com- 
 mitting high  treafon  againft  jefus  Chrift  the  only  mo- 
 '  narch  of  his  kirk,  abftain  any  ionger  from  fighting  a- 
 gainft  their  proceedings  with  the  fpifitual  armour 
 granted  to  them  of  God,  and  mighty  in  him  for  o- 
 verthrowing  all  thefe  bulwarks  fet  up  againft  his  king- 
 dom :  and  in  their  declaration  then  emitted  to  the 
 kingdom,  they  (hew  that  it  was  a  main  defign  to  have 
 the  freedom  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  the  rebuke  cf  Gn 
 by  the  mouth  of  his  fervants  reftrained,  and  therefore 
 they  warn  all  pafiors  of  their  duty  in  applying  doctrine 
 and  free  preaching.  Likeas  the  aflfembly,  24th  March, 
 1596-5  reckons  up,  amongft  the  corruptions  of  the 
 miniftry  to  be  cenfurec!  with  deprivation,  if  continued 
 in,  the  not  applying  their  doftrine  againft  the  cor- 
 ruptions of  the  time4  which  was  renewed  in  ou/  late 
 aflembly  at  Glafgow,  1638.  What  hath  been  done 
 Gnce  that  aflembly  is  in  recent  memory  -9  and  the  pa- 
 pers to  that  purpofe  have  been  publifhed  in  print,  and 
 are  in  the  hands  of  all,  therefore  being  warranted  by 
 the  word  of  God,  and  encouraged  by  the  foremention- 
 ed  exampjes,  as  after  ex<i£t  examination,  we  have  ap- 
 proven  the  proceedings  of  the  commiffioners  of  the 
 lad  general  aflembly,  and  fpecially  their  declarations, 
 defires,  reprefentations,  remonftrances,  fupp!ications, 
 vindication,  and  other  papers  relating  to  the  prefent  en- 
 gagement in  war,  wherein  they  have  given  good  proof 
 of  their  fidelity,  wifdom,  and  zeal  in  the  caufe  of  God, 
 fo  we  find  ourfelves  neceffitated  to  make  known  unto 
 all  the  people  of  God  in  this  nation  our  fenfe  concern- 
 ing the  dangers  and  duties  of  this  prefent  time. 
 
 The  cry  of  the  infolenciesof  this  prefent  army  from 
 
 almoft  all  the  parts  of  this  kingdom,  hath  been  fo  great 
 
 M  ni  that 
 
(  4Jo  ) 
 that  It  hath  gone  up  to -heaven,  and  if  we  fhould  be 
 fi'ent,  we  could  not  be  reputed  faithful  in  the  per- 
 formance of  our  duty.  We  acknowledge  that  it  is 
 incident  unto  all  armies  to  be  fubjeft  unto  fome  dif- 
 orders,  and  the  minifters  of  the  kingdom  have  not 
 been  deficient  in  former  times  to  reprefent  the  fane 
 as  they  come  unto  their  knowledge,  calling  for  the 
 redrefs  of  them  at  their  hands  who  had  power  :  but 
 ihe  commiffioners  of  this  prefent  aflembly  from  the  fe- 
 veral  provinces  have  exhibited  great  variety  of  abomi- 
 nable icandals  and  heinous  impieties  and  infolencies 
 committed  by  perfons,  employed  in  this  fervice,  where- 
 of we  think  fitting  here  to  give  you  a  touch. 
 
 As  if  liberty  had  been  proclaimed  to  the  lufts  of 
 lewd  men*  that  nave  been  employed  in  very  many 
 places  of  the  land,  they  have  ufed  horrible  extortion  of 
 monies  at  their  pleafure,  and  befide  the  taking  of  vic- 
 tuals as  they  would  for  their  own  ufe,  they  have  in 
 fcveral  places  wilfully  deftroyed  the  fame,  and  have 
 plundered  many  houfts,  taking  all  away  they  could, 
 and  deftroying  what  they  could  not  carry  *3way;  in 
 this  great  opprefiion  and  fpoil  of  goods,  as  the  fuffer- 
 crs  were  many,  fo  choice  hath  been  made  of  thofe 
 ,who  petitioned  the  high  and  honourable  court  of  par- 
 liament for  fatisfa&ion  to  their  confciences  before  the 
 .engagement,  or  who  were  known  to  make  conscience 
 of  the  worfliip  of  God  in  their  families,  on  whom 
 they  might  exercife  their  raging  wrath  and  infatiable 
 covetoufnefs  ;  nor  (laid  their  rage  here,  but  as  though 
 the  war  had  been  againft  God,  public  fails  have  not 
 only  been  negle&ed,  but  profaned  by  riotous  friend- 
 ing and  making  merry,  divine  worfhip  have  been  in 
 many  parts  difturbed,  fome  minifters  and  people  im- 
 peded from  coming  together,  others  Scattered  when 
 they  were  met,  fome  taken  out  of  kirks  in  time  of 
 worfnip,  others  apprehended  at  their  coming  out  at  the 
 kirk  doors  and  carried  away;  befides  thefe,  minifters 
 in  performing  the  worfliip  of  God  have  been  menaced, 
 conuadi^ed,'  not  without   blasphemous  oaths,  yea, 
 
 their 
 
(     4H     ) 
 
 their  nerfons  in  pulpit  afTau'ted,  not  to  fpeak  of  the 
 fpoiling  of  their  goods,  taking,  beating,  carrying  away 
 their  perfons  and  detaining  them  for  a  time.  Arid  fi- 
 nally, that  which  exceeds  all  the  reft,  and  is  more  im- 
 mediately and  direftly  againft  God,  there  hath  alio 
 b£en  many  cruel  mockings  of  his  worfhip,  and  horrid 
 b!afphemies  ;  and  it  is  not  to  be  marvelled  that  fuch 
 infolencies  have  been  committed,  fince  there  hath 
 been  admitted  upon  this  fervice  fome  papifts,  Tome 
 bloody  Irifh  rebels,  fome  non-covenanters,  and  very 
 many  fugitives  from  kirk  difcipline,  finally,  even  thofe 
 who  have  been  upon  the  late  rebellion,  and  thefe  not 
 only  common  foldiers  but  commanders,  befide  many 
 volunteers  who  have  no  fpecial  command  and  truft. 
 
 Befidesall  thefe,  the  liberties  of  the  kirk  have  been 
 grievoufly  encroached  upon:  i.  By  emitting  declara- 
 tions from  the  parliament  and  committee  of  eftates, 
 containing  feveral  things  highly  concerning  religion, 
 without  the  advice  or  confcrit  of  the  General  Af- 
 fembly,  or  their  commiffioners,  which  was  a  ground 
 of  protection  to  divers  members  of  parliament  who 
 have  been  moft  zealous  and  aftive  in  the  caufe.  2, 
 The  article  of  religion  as  e:;prefTed  in  the  declaration 
 of  parliament  hath  in  it  many  dangerous  exnrdnons, 
 which  are  particularly  inftanced  in  the  reprefentation 
 of  the  commiffioners  of  the  General  Aflembly;  and 
 the  fame  article  of  religion  in  the  late  declaration  of 
 the  committee  of  eftates  to  England  is  more  unfetif- 
 factory  than  the  former:  like  as  in  the  faid  late  de* 
 daration  there  is  a  total  omiffien  of  fome  moft  ma:v- 
 rial  things  pretended  to  in  the  declaration  ofpalia- 
 ment  as  fatiofadtory  in  point  of  (tearing  religion,  viz, 
 the  chufe  concerning  fecurity  to  be  had  from  his 
 majefty  by  his  folemn  oath,  under  his  hand  and  Tea!, 
 that  he  (hall  for  himfelf  and  his  fucceflors  give  his 
 foyaiaflent,  and  agree  to  fuch  a<5l  or  a£ts  of  parlia- 
 ment, and  bills,  as  mall  be  prefented  to  him  by  his 
 parliaments  of  both  and  either  kingdom  reflectively, 
 for  enjoying  prefbyterial  government,  directory  of 
 M  m  2  worfliip, 
 
(  4»*  ) 
 worftiip,  and  confeffion  of  faith  in  all  his  majefty's 
 dominions,  and  that  his  majefty  (hall  never  make  op- 
 pofition  to  any  of  thofe,  nor  endeavour  any  change 
 thereof;  alfo  the  claufe  againft  aflbciation  with  any 
 that  refute  to  take  the  covenant  is  omitted  :  from  all 
 which  it  may  appear  in  how  great  danger  the  liber- 
 ties of  the  kirk  and  even  religion  itfelf  are  left.  3.  In 
 the  clcfe  of  the  declaration  of  parliament,  there  is  a 
 new  and  unfound  glofs  put  upon  the  covenant  and 
 a£ts  of  General  Aflembly,  contrary  to  the  fenfe  of 
 the  General  AfTembly  irfelf,  as  is  more  fully  exprefltd 
 in  the  reprefentation  of  the  late  comrnifiion.  4.  No 
 redrefs  by  the  parliament  of  certain  ii  juries  com- 
 plained of  to  their  lordfhips  by  the  commiflioners  of 
 the  preceding  General  Aflembly,  5*  Endeavoura  to 
 weaken  and  fruftrate  kirk-cenfures  by  making  provi- 
 sions for  fecuring  the  ftipends  of  fuch  as  fhail  be  cen- 
 fured  for  their  concurring  in,  or  preaching  for  this 
 prefent  engagement.  6.  A  mifreprefentation  of  the 
 proceedings  of  the  comrnifiion  of  the  General  Af- 
 lembly by  the  parliament's  letter  of  May  it,  to  the 
 feveral  prefbyteries,  endeavouring  to  incenfe  them 
 againft  the  comrnifiion  of  the  late  aflembly,  and  to 
 pre-occupy  their  commiflioners  to  this  aflembly.  7. 
 Whereas  there  were  many  petitions  prefented  to  the 
 high  and  honourable  court  of  parliament  from  the 
 commiflioners  of  the  General  Aflembly,  fynods,  and 
 prefbyteries  againft  the  prefent  engagement,  as  dated 
 in  the  parliament's  declaration,  yet  notwithstanding 
 of  the  faid  petition,  3nd  notwithftanding  'of  many 
 free  and  frequent  warnings  given  by  faithful  mini- 
 flers  in  their  fermons,  notwithftanding  alfo  that 
 it  was  not  unknown  how  much  the  generality  of  the 
 well-affected  in  the  kingdom  were  unfatisfied  in  their 
 confeiences  with  the  grounds  and  way  of  the  faid  en- 
 gagement, yet  good  people  are  not  only  left  unfatif- 
 tisfied  in  their  and  our  defires,  but  compelled  and 
 forced  either  to  fin  againft  their  confeiences,  or  to  be 
 under  heavy  preflures  and  burdens  8  Yea,  in  the 
 late  bond  enjoined   to   be  fubferibed  by  all  the  fub- 
 
 je&s 
 
(      413     ) 
 
 je&s   of  this  kingdom,  men  are  put  to  it  to  jom  Wkl 
 concur  with  their  perfons  and  eftates  in  the  advance- 
 ment, furtherance,  and  afliftance  of  the  execution,  o- 
 bedience  and  obfervation  of  the  a£b  and^  conftiru- 
 tions  of  the  late  parliament,  and  confequently  as  many 
 as  think  the  engagement  unlawful  fhall  bind  them- 
 felves  not  only  for  their  own  part  againft  their  con- 
 fciehces,  hut  to  enforce    the  fame  upon  others  who 
 refufe,  and  fo  not  on^y  be  opprefTed,  but  turn  oppref- 
 fors  of  others,     g.  This  all  the  fubjefts  are  required 
 by  the  ?.£t  and  declaration  of  parliament^©  fubicribe, 
 as  they  defire  to  bz  holden  true  lovers  of  religion ;  it 
 being  further  affirmed  in  the  faid  aft  and  declaration, 
 that  the  a£is  and  constitutions  cf  the  late  parliament, 
 are  the  mod  fit  and  neceflary  remedies  for  preferva- 
 tion   of  religion  ;  where  the  parliament    affume   to 
 themfelves,  without  the  advice  and  confent  of  the  af- 
 femblies  of  the  kiik,  to  judge    and   determine   fucli 
 things  wherein  (if  any  thing)  the  ecclefiaftical  aflim- 
 blies  have  undoubtedly  a  fpecial  intereft,  viz  who  are 
 to  be  holden  lovers  of  religion,  and  what  are  the  moft 
 fit  and  neceflary  remedies    for  prefervation   of  reli- 
 gion :  yea,  it  is  ordained  by  the  fourth  aft  of  parlia- 
 ment 1640,  that  for  prefervation  of  religion,  General 
 AflVrobiies  rightly  cqnftitute,  as  the  proper  and  com- 
 petent judge  of  all  matters  ecclefiaftical,  be  kept  year- 
 ly and  oftencr  pro  renata.    I  he  coronation  oath  doth 
 alio  fuppofe  th<!  antecedent  judgment  of  the  kirk,  as 
 the  proper  and  competent  jud^e  who  are   enemies  to 
 true  religion  and  who  are;  not  for  his  majefty  obliged 
 himfelf  by  that  oath,  that  he  fhould  be  carefu1  to  root 
 out  all  heretics  and  enemies  to  the  true  worfhip  of 
 God,  who  -fhall  be  convicted  bv  the  true  kirk  of  God, 
 of  the  afore  faid  crimes.   10.  The  General  Aflembly 
 and  their  ccmmiifioners  are  now  deprived  of  their  li- 
 berty of  printing,  confirmed  and   ratified  by  act  of 
 parliament,  there  being  an  inhibition  to  the  contrary 
 upon  the  Printer,  under  the  pain    of  death  by  the 
 committee  of  eftates. 
 
 Whereas 
 
(     4T4     ) 
 
 Whereas  the  defines  of  the  commiflioners  of  the 
 iaft  dfembly,  for  the  fafety  and  fecurity  of  religion, 
 and  the  right  manner  of  proceeding  to  war,  together 
 with  the  fupplications  of  provincial  aflemblies  and 
 prefbyteries,  all  tending  to  the  compofing  of  the  pre- 
 sent unhappy  differences,  and  to  the  begetting  of  a 
 right  underftanding,  have  not  produced  the  defired 
 and  wifhec-for  efFedl ;  but  on  the  contrary  our  juft 
 grievances  being  ftill  more  and  more  heightened, 
 iniquity  eftablifhed  by  a  law,  and  that  law  put  in  exe- 
 cution :  we  cannot  chufe  but  declare  and  give  warn- 
 ing to  all  the  pecple  of  God  in  this  land,  concerning 
 the  finfulnefs  and  unlawfulnefs  of  the  prefent  en- 
 gagement :  which  may  be  demenftrated  by  many  rea- 
 fpns,  as  namely, 
 
 t.  The  wars  of  God's  people,  are  called  the  wars 
 of  the  Lord,  Numb.  xxi.  14  2  Chron  xx  15.  and  if 
 our  eating  and  drinking,  much  more  our  engaging  in 
 war  muft  be  for  God,  and  for  his  glory,  1  Cor.  x. 
 31.  whatfoever  we  do  in  word  or  deed,  we  are  com- 
 manded to  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jcfus,  and 
 fo  for  his  glory,  Col  iii.  17.  The  kingdom  of  God 
 and  the  righteoufnefs  thereof  is  to  be  fought  in  the 
 firft  place  and  before  ail  other  things,  Matth  vi  33. 
 Jt  was  the  belt  flower  and  garland  in  the  former  ex- 
 peditions of  this  nation,  that  they  were  for  God  and 
 ior  religion  principally  and  mainly  But  if  the  prin- 
 cipal end  of  chis  prefent  engagement  were  for  the  glo- 
 ry of  God,  how  comes  it  to  pafs  that  not  fo  much 
 as  one  of  the  defires  of  the  kirk,  for  the  fafety  and  fe- 
 curity of  religion  in  the  faid  engagements,  is  to  thip 
 day  fatisfied  or  granted  ;  but  on  the  contrary  fuch 
 CDurfes  taken  as  are  deftruftive  to  religion.  And  if 
 God's  glory  be  intended,  what  meaneth  the  employ- 
 ing and  prote&Lng  in  this  army  fo  many  blafphem- 
 ers,  persecutors  of  piety,  difturbers  of  divine  wormip, 
 and  others  guilty  of  notorious  and  crying  fins.  Again, 
 how  can  it  be  pretended  that  the  good  of  religion  is 
 principally  aimed  at,  when  it  is  propofed  and  declar- 
 ed 
 
ed  that  the  King's  majefty  fhall  be  brought  to  fome 
 of  Ivs  houfes  in  or  near  London,  with  honour,  free- 
 dom, and  fafety,  before  ever  there  be  any  fecurity 
 had  from  him,  or  fo  much  as  any  application  made 
 to  him  for  the  gcod  of  religion.  What  is  this  but  to 
 poftpone  the  honour  of  God,  the  liberties  of  the  gof- 
 pel,  the  fafety  of  God's  people  to  an  human  intereft, 
 and  to  leave  religion  in  a  condition  of  uncertainty, 
 unfettlednefs  and  hazard,  while  it  is  ftrongly  endea- 
 voured to  fettle  and  make  fure  fomewhat  elfe. 
 
 3.  Suppofe  the  ends  of  this  engagement  to  be  good 
 (which  they  are  not)  yet  the  means  and  ways  of  pro- 
 fecution  are  unlawful,  becaufe  there  is  not  an  equal 
 avoiding  of  rocks  on  both  hands,  but  a  joining  with 
 malignants  to  fupprefs  fe&aries,  a  joining  hands  with 
 a  black  devil  to  beat  a  whire  devil :  they  are  bad  phy- 
 ficians  who  would  fo  cure  one  difeafe  as  to  breed  an- 
 other as  evil  or  worfe.  That  there  is  in  the  prefent 
 engagement  a  confederacy  and  afibciation  in  war  with 
 fuch  of  the  Eng  ifh,  who  according  to  the  folemn 
 league  and  covenant  and  declarations  of  both  king- 
 doms, 1643,  can  be  no  otherwife  looked  upon  but 
 as  malignants  and  enemies  of  reformation  and  the 
 caufe  of  God,  is  now  made  fo  manifeft  before  fun  and 
 moon,  that  we  fuppofe  none  will  deny  it ;  and  it  is 
 no  lefs  undeniable,  that  not  only  many  known  ma- 
 lignants, but  divers  who  joined  in  the  late  rebellion 
 within  this  kingdom  are  employed,  yea,  put  into 
 places  of  truft;  ail  which,  how  contrary  it  is  to  the 
 word  of  God,  no  man  can  be  ignorant  who  will  at- 
 tentively fearch  the  fcriptures,  for  we  find  therein 
 condemned  confederacies  and  affociations  with  the 
 enemies  of  -rue  religion,  whether  Cc-naanites,  Exod. 
 x*Hi.  ;2,  and  xxiv.  1  .«,  15  Deut.  vii.  2  or  other 
 Heathens,  1  Kings  xi.  1,  2  fuch  was  A  fa's  cove- 
 nant with  Benhadad,  2  Chiron  xvi.  to  ver.  jo  A- 
 baz?s  confederacy  with  the  king  of  AlTyria,  2  Kings 
 xvi.  7,  10.  2  Chron  xxviii.  i6> — 23  or  whether  the 
 aflcciation  was  with  wicked  men  of  the  feed  of  Abra- 
 ham, 
 
'       (     41*     ) 
 
 ham,  as  Jehofhaphat's  with  Ahab,  2  Chron.  xviil.  1. 
 compared  with  chap,  xix  2.  alfo  his  afiociation  with 
 Aluziah,  2  Chron.  xx  35.  and  Amaziah's  affoeiat- 
 ing  to  himfelf  100,000  of  the  ten  tribes  when  God 
 was  not  w.th  them,  2  Chron  xxv.  7,  8,  9,  10  The 
 fin  and  danger  of  fuch  aflbciations  may  further  ap- 
 pear from  h?.hh  viii.  12,  15.  Jer.  ii.  18.  Pfal  cvi. 
 35  Hoi',  v  13  and  vii  8  ii  Cor  vi  14,  15.  and 
 if  we  fhould  cfteem  God's  enemies  to  be  our  enemies, 
 and  hate  them  with  perfrft  hatred,  Pfal  cxxxix.  21, 
 how  can  we  then  join  with  them  as  confederates  and 
 aflbciHte3  tfpecia  ly  in  a  caufe  where  religion  is  fo 
 highly  concerned  ;  and  feeing  they  have  bten  for- 
 merly in  actual  opposition  to  the  'ame  caufe 
 
 3-  We  are  com  man  ed  if  it  be  pofliole  and  as 
 much  as  lieth  in  us  to  have  peace  with  all  men,  Rom, 
 xii.  18  to  feek  peace  and  purfue  it,  Pfal.  xxxiv.  14. 
 war  and  bloodmed  is  the  ;aft  remedy  after  all  the 
 ways  and  means  of  peace  have  been  ufed  in  vain. 
 The  intended  war  of  the  nine  tribes  and  a  half  againft 
 the  two  tribes  and  a  half  was  prevented  by  a  meffcige 
 and  treaty  of  peace,  Jcfii.  xxii  The  like  means 
 was  ufed  by  T • phthah  ^though  not  with  the.  like 
 fuccefs)  for  the  preventing  of  war  with  the  king 
 of  Arr.mon,  Judges  xi.  I  he  vtry  li^ht  of  naturehath 
 taught  Heathens  not  to  make  war  till  firft  all  ami- 
 cable ways  of  preventing  bloodfiied  were  tried  ;  yet 
 this  war  hath  been  driven  on  without  obferving  any 
 fuch  method  of  proceeding, except  by  a  m<  iTa^e  wiiere- 
 in  not  fo  much  as  one  breach  was  reprefented.  Yea, 
 though  thefe  two  kingdoms  are  flraitly  united  in  co- 
 venant, yet  thefe  who  have  carried  on  this  war  did 
 not  only  negleft  to  defire  a  treaty,  but  alfo  flight  an 
 offer  cf  a  treaty  made  from  the  parliament  of  Eng- 
 land upon  rhe  proportions  of  both  kingdoms. 
 
 4.  There  are  many  clear  and  full  uftimonies  of 
 fcriptures  againft  the  breach  and  violation  of  cove- 
 nants, although  but  between  man  and  man.  Pfal.  lv. 
 20.  Rom  i.  31.  2  Tim.  iii  3  EfpecivJly  where  the 
 name  of  God  was  inierpefed  in  covenants  by  any  of 
 
 his 
 
(  417  ) 
 people,  Jer.  xxxiu.  8,  io,,if,  18.  Ezek.  xvii.  ]8, 
 19.  How  much  more  the  violation  of  a  folemn  cove- 
 nant between  God  and  his  people.  Lev.  xxvi.  15, 
 25.  Deut.  xvii.  2.  and  xxix  21,  24,  25.  Jer  xxii  8, 
 9.  1  Kings  xix.  10.  Dan.  xi.  32.  Hof.  vi.  7.  If 
 therefore  the  prefent  engagement  be  a  breach  of  our 
 folemn  league  and  covenant,  then  tiny  who  have  be- 
 fore taken  the  covenant,  and  have  now  joined  in  this 
 engagement,  muft  grant  by  neceffary  and  infallible 
 confequence,  either  that  the  covenant  itfclf  which 
 they  took  was  unlawful,  and  fuch  as  they  cannot  per- 
 form without  fin  (whi-ch  yet  they  cannot  profefs)  or 
 otherwifr,  that  the  engagement  is  unlawful  and  fin- 
 ful,  as  being  a  breach  of  covenant,  and  fo  contrary  to 
 the  word  of  God  \  that  the  prefent  engagement  is  a 
 breach  of  covenant  may  appear  by  comparing  it  with 
 each  of  the  articles,  fcr  it  is  againft  all  the  fix.  ar- 
 ticles of  the  covenant. 
 
 Againft  the  firft,  becaufe  ir  ftead  of  the  preferva* 
 ticn  of  the  dc&rine,  worfhip,  difcipline,  and  govern- 
 ment of  this  kirk  ;  there  is  not  only  a  great  quar- 
 relling by  thofe  t^at  do  engage,  at  the  prefent  coc- 
 trine,  and  free  preaching,  a  difturb:*ng  of  and  with- 
 drawing from  the  worfhip  and  namely  from  the  late 
 folemn  humiliation  :  but  alfo  a  refufal  of  fuch  things 
 as  were  defired  by  the  commiilion  of  the  late  aflembly 
 and  provincial  fynods;  as  necefiary  to  the  prefervation 
 of  the  true  reformed  religion  a:*i  have  juft  caufe  of 
 fear  th  t  the  reformation  of  religion  in  docfrrine,  wor- 
 fhip, discipline,  and  government  is  not  intended  to  be 
 fuffieiently  maintained  and  preferved,  when  we  find 
 fuch  a  limitation  ?.nd  rertnfticn  in  the  late  decla- 
 ration of  the  committee  of  rftates  to  the  parliament 
 and  kingdom  of  England,  u  That  they  wiil  maintain 
 and  preferve  the  reformation  of  religion,  do£lrine, 
 worfhip,  difcipiin  -,  and  government,  as  is  by  the 
 mercy  of  God,  and  his  majefty's  gooJnefs  eftabhfhed 
 by  law  among  us  ;  but  as  there  is  no  fuch  limitation 
 in  the  covenant,  fo  we  have  not  had  fuch  proof  of  his 
 
 majefly'9 
 
(    4i8     ) 
 
 majefty's  goodnefs  as  to  eftablifh  by  law  all  that  hath 
 been  by  the  mercies  of  God  ena&ed  in  general  af- 
 femblies.  As  to  the  ieft  of  the  firft  article,  concern- 
 ing the  reformation  of  England  and  Ireland,  and  the 
 uniformity,  as  there  was  fame  hopeful  beginnings 
 thereof,  and  a  good  foundation  laid,  during  the  late 
 war  againft  the  popifh,  prelatic,  and  malignant  party, 
 fo  the  flateand  ground  of  the  war  being  now  altered, 
 and  thefe  chofen  for  confederates,  and  aflbciates  in 
 war,  who  are  known  enemies  to  that  reformation, 
 and  uniformity,  how  can  the  covenant  be  kept  in  that 
 point  as  long  as  fuch  a  war  is  carried  on. 
 
 The  fecond  article  is  violated,  becaufe  inftead  of 
 endeavouring  to  extirpate  popery  and  fuperftition  with- 
 out refpeti  of  perfons  (as  is  expreft  in  the  covenant) 
 there  is  in  the  late  decoration  of  the  committee  of 
 eflates  a  defire  of  the  queen's. return  without  any 
 condition  tending  to  the  reftraint  of  her  mafs  or 
 exercife  of  popery  \  we  do  a'fo  conceive  there  is 
 a  tacit  condefcending  to  the  toleration  of  fuper- 
 ftition  and  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  in  hi*  ma- 
 jefty's  family,  becaufe  as  it  was  referved  by  himfelf 
 in  his  conceflion,  brought  home  by  the  commiffion- 
 ers  of  this  kingdom,  fo  thefe  concefiions  were  never 
 plainly  declared  by  the  parliament  to  be  unfatisfac- 
 tory  to  their  lordfhips,  howbeit  it  hath  been  often 
 and  eameftly  defired:  neither  can  we  conceive  how" 
 the  claufe  concerning  the  extirpation  of  prelacy  can 
 confift  with  endeavouring  to  bring  his  majefty  with 
 honour,  freedom,  and  fafety  to  one  of  his  houfes  in  or 
 about  London,  without  any  fecurity  had  from  him* 
 for  the  abolition  of  prelacy  ;  it  being  his  known  prin- 
 ciple (and  publicly  declared  by  himfelf  fhortly  after 
 he  went  to  the  Ifle  of  Wight)  that  he  holds  himfelf 
 obliged  in  confeience,  and  by  his  coronation- oath  to 
 maintain  archbifhops,  bifhops,  &c.  Can  it  be  faid 
 that  they  are  endeavouring  to  extirpate  prelacy,  who 
 after  fuch  a  declaration  would  put  in  his  majefty's 
 hand  an  opportunity  to  reftore  it  ? 
 
 As 
 
(     4^9     ) 
 
 As  for  the  third  article  we  cannot  conceive  how 
 the  preferving  the  privileges  of  pnrliam^nt,  and  af- 
 ferting  the  king's  negative  voice  can  confift ;  and  we 
 are  forrowful  that  under  the  colour  of  the  privi- 
 leges of  parliament,  the  liberties  of  the  fubje&s  are 
 overthrown,  and  the  perfons  and  eftates  of  fuch  as 
 have  been  bed  affe£ted  to  the  caufr  anJ  covenant  are 
 expofed  to  moft  grievous  ii  juries,  crying  oppreflions  : 
 ami  whereas  the  duty  in  preferving  and  defending  his 
 mnjefty's  perfon  and  authority,  if  by  th-  third  article 
 of  the  covc-nanr  qualified  with,  and  fubordinate  unto 
 the  preservation  and  defence  of  the  true  religion  and 
 liberties  of  the  kingdoms,  there  is  no  fuch  qualifica- 
 tion, nor  fubordiiunon  obferved  in  the  prefent  en- 
 gagement, but  on  the  contrary  it  is  fo  carried  on,  as 
 to  make  duties  to  God  and  religion  conditional  qua- 
 lified, limited  \  aad  duties  to  the  kirig  abfolute  and 
 Uu  imlted 
 
 Ih  fourth  article  of  the  covenant  is  fo  fully  bro- 
 ken, that  they  who  were  by  that  article  declared  e- 
 nemies*  incendiaries,  malignants,  and  therefore  to 
 be  brought  to  condign  trial  and  punifnment,  are  now 
 looked  upon  as  friends  and  aflbciates,  and  are  the  men 
 who  get  moil  favour  and  protection,  and  fundry  of 
 them  employed  in  places  of  trull,  in  the  army  and 
 committees. 
 
 For  the  fifth  article,  inftead  of  endeavouring  to  pre- 
 serve peace  and  union,  a  breach  is  endeavoured  be- 
 tween the  kingdoms,  not  on!y  by  taking  in  and  garri- 
 foiling  their  frontier  towns,  but  alfo  entering  the  king- 
 dom of  England  with  an  army,  and  joining  with  the 
 common  enemies  of  both  kingdoms,  not  with  (landing 
 of  an  offer  of  a  treaty  upon  the  propofitions  of  both 
 kingdoms  made  by  the  parliament  of  England  to  the 
 ^parliament  of  this  kingdom.  And  whether  the  way 
 of  this  engagement  can  confift  with  the  large  treaty 
 between  the  kingdoms,  we  (hall  wifhthe  honourable 
 committee  of  eftates  may  yet  take  it  into  their  fed:  us 
 fecond  thoughts. 
 
 The 
 
(     4^o     ) 
 
 The  (ixth  is  alfo  manifeftly  broken,  for  we  are 
 thereby  obliged  to  aflift  and  defend  all  thofe  that  en- 
 tered  into  this  league  and  covenant,  in  maintaining 
 and  purfuing  thereof:  whereas  the  army  now  entered 
 into  England,  is  to  affift  and  defend  many  who  have 
 not  entered  into  that  league  and  covenant:  and  for 
 thofe  who  took  the  covenant  in  that  nation,  and  con- 
 tinue faithful  in  it,  what  they  may  cxpeft  from  this 
 army,  may  be  colle&ed  not  only  from  their  carriage 
 towards  their  brethren  at  home*  but  alfo  from  that 
 claufe  toward  the  ciofe  of  the  late  declaration  of  the 
 committee  of  eftates  And  that  we  will  do  prejudice 
 or  ufe  violence  to  none  (as  far  as  we  are  able)  but  to 
 fuch  as  oppofe  u  ,  or  fuch  ends  abovementioned.  It 
 cannot  be  unknown  that  many  of  the  Englifli  nation 
 who  are  firm  and  faithful  to  the  covenant,  and  pref- 
 byterian  government  c?o,  and  will  according  to  their 
 places  and  callings  oppofe  fome  of  thofe  ends  above- 
 mentioned  in  that  declaration,  as  namely,  the  reftor- 
 ing  both  of  king  and  queen  without  any  condition 
 or  fecurity  fir  ft  had  from  them:  and  fo  by  that  rule 
 in  the  declaration  they  rnuft  expeft  to  be  ufed  as  e- 
 nemies,  not  as  friends.  That  ilxth  article  is  aifo 
 broken  by  a  departing  from  the  firft  principles  and  re- 
 Llutions :  and  by  dividing,  and  withdrawing  from 
 thofe  that  adhere  thereunto,  which  hath  been  before 
 "cleared  by  the  commlffion  of  the  late  general  aflembly 
 in  their  declaration  in  March,  reprefentation,  and  o- 
 ther  papers  pubiifhed  in  print. 
 
 5.  We  leave  it  to  be  ferioufly  pondered  by  every 
 one  who  is  truly  confeientious,  whether  it  be  any 
 ways  credible  or  probable,  or  agreeable  to  fcripture 
 rules,  that  the  generality  of  all  that  have  been  moft 
 faithful  and  cordial  to  the  covenant  and  the  caufe  of 
 God  ihould  be  deceived,  deluded  and  darkened  in  thifc 
 bufinefs,  and  that  they  who  for  the  moft  part  were 
 enemies  to  the  work  of  God  in  the  beginning,  and 
 have  never  brought  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance, 
 (hould  now  find  cut  the  will  of  God  more  than  his 
 
 moft 
 
(  4-  > 
 mod  faithful  fervants  in  the  land,  and  who,  that  fears 
 God,  will  believe  that  malignants  are  for  the  ends  of 
 the  covenant,  and  that  they  who  are  mod  inftrumental 
 in  this  reformation,  are  againit  the  ends  of  the  cove- 
 nant. 
 
 All  which  confidered,  as  we  could  not,  without  in- 
 volving ourfelves  in  the  guiltinefs  of  fo  unlawful  an 
 engagement,  yield  to  the  defireof  the  army  for  mini- 
 Iters  to  be  fent  by  us  to  attend  them  \  fo  we  do  earneft- 
 ly  exhort,  and  in  the  name  and  authority  of  Jefus 
 Chrift,  charge  and  require  all  and  every  one  of  the 
 members  of  this  reformed  kirk  of  Scotland, 
 
 I.  That  they  fearch   narrowly  into  the  fins  which 
 have  procured  fo  great  judgments  and  fo  fad  an  inter- 
 ruption of  the  work  of  God,  that  they  examine  them- 
 felves,  confider  their  ways,  be  much  in  humiliation 
 and  prayer,  itudy  a  real  and  practical  Reformation, 
 that  they  alfo  mourn  and  figh  for  the  abominations  of 
 the  land,  and  (land  in  the  gap  to  turn  away  the  wrath. 
 Among  all  thefe  fearful  fins,  the  violation  of  the  So- 
 lemn League  and  Covenant,  would  not  be  forgotten 
 but  ferioufly  laid  to  heart,  as  that  which  eminently 
 provoketh  the  Lord,  and  procureth  his  judgments  to 
 be  poured  forth  not  only  upon  perfons  and  families, 
 but  alfo  upon  ftates  and  kingdoms.    Covenant-break- 
 ers though  in  common  things,  are  reckoned  by  the  a- 
 pcftle  in  that  catalogue  of  the  abominations  of  the 
 Gentiles  :  But  among  the  people  of  God,  where  his 
 great  name  is  interpofed,  the  breach  of  covenant  even 
 in  meaner  matters,  fuch  as  the  fetting  of  fervants  at 
 liberty,  provoketh  the  Lord  to  fay,  Behold  I  proclaim 
 a  liberty  fcr  you   (faith  the  Lord)  to  the  fivord,  to  the 
 pejlilence^  and  to  the  famine ,  and  I  will  give  the  men  that 
 hath  tranfgreffed  my  covenant,  and  (not  excepting,  but 
 exprefdy  mentioning  princes)   he  adds,  /  ivill  give 
 thev  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies*  The  hiftory  of  the 
 Gibtonites,  who  furreptitioufly  procured  the  covenant 
 made  to  fpare  them,  and  whom  Saul  fome  ages  thereaf- 
 oteyn  his  zeslto  the  children  of  Ifrael  and  Judah,  fought 
 N 11  to 
 
(  Alt  ) 
 to  flay,  as  being  curfed  Canaanites,  evidenceth  with 
 what  vengeance,  the  Lord  followeth  covenant-break- 
 ers, whereof  there  wants  not  in  profane  hiftory  alfo 
 both  foreign  and  domeftic  examples  :  therefore,  Jet 
 all  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  of  whatsoever  rank,  fe- 
 rioufly  ponder  how  terrible  judgments  the  violation 
 of  a  covenant  fo  recently,  fo  advifedly,  fo  fclemnly 
 made,  and  in  fo  weighty  matters,  may  draw  on,  it 
 not  timeoufly  prevented  by  fpeedy  repentance. 
 
 II.  That  they  fo  refpe£t  and  honour  authority,  as 
 that  they  be  not  the  Servants  of  men,  nor  give  obedi- 
 ence to  the  will  and  authority  of  rulers  in  any  thing 
 which  may  not  confift  with  the  word  of  God,  but 
 (land  fad  in  the  liberty  wherewith  jChrift  hath  made 
 them  free,  and  obey  God  rather  than  men. 
 
 III.  That  they  carefully  avoid  the  dangerous  rocks 
 and  fnaresof  this  time,  whereby  fo  many  are  taken  and 
 broken.  Upon  the  one  hand  the  four  leaven  of  malig- 
 nancy wherever  it  enters,  fpoileth  and  corrupteth  the 
 "whole  lump,  poftponing  religion,  and  the  caufe  of 
 God  to  human  intereft,  whatever  be  pretended  to  the 
 contrary,  and  obftructing  the  work  of  reformation, 
 and  propagation  of  religion  out  of  falfe  refpecls  and 
 creature  intereft.  As  this  hath  formerly  abounded  in 
 the  land,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  caufe  and  work  of 
 God,  fo  of  late  it  is  revived,  fpreading  with  fpecicus 
 pretences  of  vindicating  wrongs  done  to  his  Majefty. 
 We  defire  not  to  be  miftaken,  as  if  refpe£t  and  love 
 to  his  majefty  were  branded  with  the  infamous  mark 
 cf  malignancy  j  but.  hereby  we  warn  all  who  wouM 
 not  come  under  this  foul  (lain,  not  only  in  their  fpeech 
 and  profcfiion,  but  really  and  in  their  whole  carriage 
 not  to  prefer  their  own,  and  the  intereft  of  any  crea- 
 ture whatsoever,  before  the  intereft  of  Chrift  and  re- 
 ligion^  The  characters  of  thefe  have  been  fully  giv- 
 en in  farmer  declarations,  efpecially  in  the  declaration 
 of  the  commilTioners  of  the  general  aflernbly  in  March 
 laft,  which  we  hold  as  here  repeated;  only  adding 
 this,  that  they  ordinarily  traduce  kirk  judicatures,  as 
 
(    4*3 
 
 meddling  with  civil  affairs,  which  as  it  is  no  new  ca- 
 lumny,  but  fuch  as  hath  been  caft  upon  the  ftrnnts 
 of  God  in   former   times  ;    fo  the  whole  courfe 
 proceedings  doth  manifeftly  confute  the  fcme. 
 
 Upon  the  other  hand,  fectarifm  hath  no  lefl  hinder- 
 ed the  blefled  and  g'orious  work  of  reformation  in  our 
 neighbour  kingdom,  againft  the  venom  whereof,  left 
 it  approach  and  infect  this  kirk,  we  have  need  to 
 watch  diligently  to  avoid  all  the  beginnings  and  dan- 
 gerous appearances  thereof.  The  many  faithful  tes- 
 timonies from  godly  miniiters  in  feveral  parts  of  Eng- 
 land, againft  the  vile  errors,  and  abominable  blafphe- 
 mies  abounding  there,  as  they  are  to  us  matter  of  re- 
 joicing before  the  Lord  ;  fo  they  ought  to  be  looked 
 on  as  warnings  to  all  forts  of  people,  efpecially  that 
 regard  religion,  to  beware  of  Satan's  fnares,  craftily 
 fet  to  catch  their  fouls.  And  becaufe  fuch  gangrenes 
 creep  in  infenfibly,  all  that  love  the  honour  of  God, 
 and  welfare  of  religion,  would  feriouflyconfider  the  fol- 
 lowing points,  both  by  way  of  marks  to  difcern,  and 
 means  to  efcape  the  danger  of  this  iine&inn. 
 
 i.  Whofoever  are  mifprizers  of  the  blefled  work  of 
 reformation  eftabliflied  within  this  land,  and  do  not 
 fnew  themfelves  grieved  for  the  impediments  and  ob- 
 ftru£iions  it  hath  met  with  in  our  neighbour  king- 
 dom, thefe  are  even  on  the  brink  of  this  precipice, 
 ready  to  tumble  dowrn  in  this  gulf  whensoever  occa- 
 sion is  offered  :  all  therefore  that  love  the  Lord  Jefus 
 would  ftir  up  their  hearts  in  the  light  and  (trength 
 of  the  Lord  highly  to  prize,  and  thankfully  to  acknow- 
 ledge what  the  right  hand  of  the  Moft  High  hath 
 done  amongft  us,  as  alio  to  thirft  fervently  after  the 
 advancing  and  perfe&ing  of  the  Lord's  work  among 
 our  neighbours. 
 
 2.  Difrefpect  to  the  public  miniftry  and  ordinances, 
 
 is  a  fymptom  of  a  dangerous  inclination  to  thatdifeafe: 
 
 And  therefore  as  all  Chrift's  miniiters  ought  to  ilir 
 
 up  themfelves  to  walk  ao  hecometh  their  high  and  ho- 
 
 , filing,  left  they  be  (tumbling  blocks  to  the  people 
 
 N  n  2  of 
 
(  4^4  ) 
 of  Gcu  ;  fo  all  the  people  of  God  ought  moll  care- 
 fully to  ftir  up  themfelves  into  a  precious  eftimation 
 of  the  ordinances  of  God,  and  highly  to  efteem  the 
 ftewards  thereof  for  their  work's  fake.  A  duty  at 
 all  times  needful,  but  now  efpecially,  when  Satan  by 
 all  means  endeavours  the  contrary. 
 
 3.  Indifferency  in  points  of  religion,  and  pleading 
 for  toleration  to  themfelves  or  others  how  far  foever 
 different  among  themfelves,  is  not  to  be  forgotten  a- 
 mong  the  characters  of  fe&aries,  and  therefore  ought 
 the  more  carefully  to  be  avoided  and  oppofed  by  all 
 who  defire  to  hold  fail  the  profeflion  of  their  faith 
 without  wavering. 
 
 4.  They  who  are  glorying  in,  and  feeking  after 
 trew-lights,  or  under  the  pretext  of. them  3re  felf-con- 
 ceited  in  lingular  opinions,  or  who  afFeft  new  and 
 ilrange  expreffions,  are  entering  into  the  fnare  ready 
 to  be  carried  about  with  every  wind  of  do&rine. 
 And  therefore,  albeit,  we  ought  always  as  difciples 
 of  the  Lord  to  fet  ourfelves  as  in  his  fight  to  be  taught 
 by  his  Spirit  according  to  his  word,  yet  in  this  time 
 fo  fertile  of  errors,  it  becometh  all  the  lovers  of  truth 
 to  hold  faft  what  they  have  received,  that  no  man 
 take  their  crown. 
 
 5.  Whofcever  brings  in  any  opinion  or  practice  in 
 this  kirk  contrary  the  Confeflion  of  Faith,  Directory* 
 of  Worfhip,  or  Prefbyterian  government  may  be  juft- 
 ly  efteemed  to  be  opening  the  door  to  fchifm  and  fefts : 
 and  therefore,  all  depravers  or  mifconftru£ters  of  the 
 proceedings  of  kirk  judicatories,  efpecially  the  Gene- 
 ral Affembly  would  take  heed  left  by  making  a  breach 
 upon  the  walls  of  Jerufaiem  they  make  a  patent  way 
 for  fe&aries  to  enter. 
 
 6.  They  who  feparate  the  Spirit  from  the  word, 
 and  pretend  the  Spirit,  when  they  have  no  ground  or 
 warrant  from  the  word,  are  already  taken  in  an  evil 
 fnare,  and  therefore  'tis  neceflary  to  try  the  fpirits 
 whether  they  are  of  God,  for  many  falfe  prophets  are 
 gone  out  into  the  world,  if  they  fpeak  not  according 
 to  the  word,  it  is  becaufe  there  is  no  light  in  them. 
 
 Befides 
 
(      225      ) 
 
 Befides  the  former,  thefe  are  alfo  marks  of  a  f 
 if  any  commend,  and  recommend  to  other?,  or  fpr< 
 and  divulge  the  erroneous  books  of  fectaries,  it  any 
 allow,  avow,  or  ufe  conventicles  or  private  meetiti 
 forbidden  by  the  a£ts  of  the  general  aflembly  16  }i  f 
 and  1647,  'a^  Pa^  :  if  3Iiy  De  unwilling,  and  decline 
 to  reckon  feCVaries  among  the  enemies  of  the  cove- 
 nant, from  whom  danger  is  to  be  apprehended,  and 
 (though    we  difallow  the    abufing    and  idolizing  of 
 learning  to  the  patiocine   of  error  or  prejudice  of 
 piety)  if  any  contemn  literature  as  needlefs  at  beft, 
 if  not  alfo  hurtful  to  a  minifter. 
 
 When  we  thus  expreiTed  ourfelves  for  preventing 
 the  dangers  of  fetts  and  fchifms  •,  it  is  far  from  our 
 intention  to  difcourage  any  from  the  duties  of  piety, 
 and  mutual  edification,  according  to  the  directions  of 
 the  laft  aflembly  publifhed  in  printT  and  fericufly  re- 
 commended by  them,  or  to  give  any  advantage  to  ma- 
 lignantsand  profane  perfons/with  whom  it  is  frequent 
 to  caft  upon  all  tbofc  who  adhere  to  former  princip'es, 
 and  -cannot  approve  the  prefer,  t  engagement,  the  o- 
 dious  nick-names  of  fertaries  an-d  Independents.  For 
 the  better  difcovery  of  fuch  profane  mockers,  we  give 
 thefe  marks  and  characters.  1.  They  do  profanely 
 and  tauntingly  abufe  the  name  of  the  Spirit,  under 
 that  name  deriding  the  workof  grace  and  fanclification. 
 2.  They  efteem  and  fpeak  of  exercifes  of  confcience, 
 as  fancies,  or  fits  of  melancholy.  3.  They  mock  at 
 family  woifliip  and  the  means  of  mutual  edification* 
 fo  much  recommended  by  the  laft  aflembly  in  their 
 directions.  4.  They  do  ufually  calumniate  godly  mi- 
 l ifters,  and  piofelTors  who  follow  holinefs,  with  the 
 names  of  feCtaries,  or  the  like  odious  names,  without 
 any  juft  cauie  :  as  we  account  all  fuch  to  be  enemies" 
 to  the  pradtice  and  powf  r  of  godiinefs ;  fo  we  do  ex- 
 tort all  the  lovers  of  truth  to  hold  on  the  way  of  ho- 
 linefs through  good  report  and  ill  repoit,  being  fted- 
 fafl,  immovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
 N  c  3  Lctdf 
 
(     4^     ) 
 
 LcrJ,  forafmuch  as  they  know  their  labour  is  not  in 
 vain  in  the  Lord 
 
 IV.  That  they  do  not  concur  in,  nor  any  way  aflift 
 this  prefent  engagement,  as  they  would  not  partake 
 in  other  mens  Gns,  and  fo  receive  of  their  plagues, 
 but  that  by  the  grace  and  afMance  of  Chrift  they 
 ftedfaftly  refolve  to  fuffer  the  rod  of  the  wicked,  and 
 the  utmoft  which  wicked  mens  malice  can  afflitt  them 
 with,  rather  than  to  put  forth  their  hand  to  iniquity. 
 
 V.  That  they  fuffer  not  themfelves  to  be  abufed 
 with  fair  pretences  and  profefiionsufual  in  the  mouths 
 of  thofe  that  carry  on  this  defign,  and  often  publifhed 
 in  their  papers  :  but  remember,  that  the  fouled  ac- 
 tions have  not  wranted  fpecious  pretences;  and  if 
 they  who  killed  the  apodlet,  did  both  pretend  and  in- 
 tend to  do  God  good  fervice,  what  marvel  that  they 
 who  engage  againd  the  covenant,  pretend  to  engage 
 fdr  it.  Neither  is  it  to  be  forgotten,  that  after  the 
 firft  iubicription  of  our  national  covenant,  thefe  who 
 
 the  chief  hand  in  managing  public  affairs,  and  had 
 fubfevibed  the  covenant,  efpecially  the  Duke  of  Le- 
 ;,  and  captain  Tones,  then  Earl  of  Arran,  in  the 
 the  years  15811  1582,  1583,  1584,  when  their  defign 
 was  to  fubvertboth  the  doftrine  and  discipline  pf  this 
 kirk,  yet  gave  great  affurances  by  promifes  and  oaths 
 to  the  contrary.  At  the  aflemblics  1598,  1599^  1600, 
 it  was  declared  with  many  vows  and  attentions  by 
 the  king,  datefmen,  and  thefe  minifters  who  were  a- 
 ipiring  to  prelacy,  that  they  intended  no  fuch  thing  as 
 a  change  of  the  government  of  the  kirk,  or  an  intro- 
 ducing of  epifcopacy,  yet  they  were  really  doing  vs 
 they  difclalmed  and  profeiled  no:   to  do.     And  fup- 
 pcfe  that  fome  who  have  an  active  hand  in  carrying 
 oti  the  prefent  public  affairs,  have  no  deh'gn  either  to 
 deftroy  religion,  or  utterly  to  flight  it:  yet  the  way 
 •    ry  are  on,  and  the  work  they  are  about,  as  it  is  con- 
 fed*  doth  of  itfeif,  and  in  its  dwn  nature  lend  to  the 
 .angering,  if  not  to  the  utter  lubverilon  of  reiig: 
 a    it  canixot  be  denifr  be  very  undertaking  of 
 
 \\ 
 
(   w   ) 
 
 this  war,  fets  the  once  fuppreiTed  malignants  on  work 
 again,  and  fuccefs  therein  puts  them  in  a  capacity  to 
 fet  up  according  to  their  principles  abolilhed  and  ab- 
 jured corruptions ;  which  will  be  the  more  hardly 
 hindered,  confidering  his  majefty's  propenfion,  and 
 profefled  refolution  that  way,efpecially  feeing  his  ma- 
 jefty's  concefiions  (though  it  hath  been  often  defired) 
 have  never  been  plainly  declared  unfatisfattory  by  the 
 parliament.  And  who  in  reafon  can  think  that  any 
 more  than  his  majefty's  concefiions  fent  from  the  Me 
 of  Wight  will  be  required  of  him,  by  them  who  there- 
 upon have  proceeded  to  this  engagement.  The  king's 
 negative  voice  (aflerted  in  the  papers  of  the  commif* 
 fioners  of  this  kingdom  unto  England,  which  are  own- 
 ed in  the  late  declaration  to  the  kingdom  of  England, 
 as  the  fenfeof  this  kingdom)  confidered  in  relation  to 
 religion  makes  the  danger  yet  the  greater  and  more 
 palpable,  yea,  may  reach  farther  to  fhake  and  unfettle 
 religion,  eftablifhed  in  this  land ;  if  to  the  premi- 
 ses this  be  added,  which  is  not  only  often  declar- 
 ed, but  alio  demanded,  that  his  majefty  be  brought 
 to  one  of  his  hcufes  hi  honour,  freedom  and  fafety, 
 which  may  infer  the  admitting  of  his  majefty  to  the 
 free  exercife  of  his  royal  power  before  fecurity  had 
 from  him  fcr  religion,  or  application  made  to  him  for 
 the  fame,  who  fees  not  now  what  hazard  religion  runs, 
 certainly  greater  than  a  good  intention  can  falve. 
 
 VI.  That  they  do  not  miftake,  or  mifunderftand 
 the  nature  of  the  true  reformed  religion,  and  of  the 
 government  of  Jefas  Chrift,  as  if  thereby  either  the 
 ,  prerogative  of  kings,  privileges  of  parliaments,  or  li- 
 berties of  burghs,  and  other  corporations,  were  any 
 ways  hurt  or  weakened  :  whereas,  indeed  religion  is 
 the  main  pillar  and  upholder  of  civil  authority,  or  ma- 
 giftracy,  and  it  is  the  refilling,  and  not  the  receiving 
 of  the  government  of  Chrift,  which  hath  overturned 
 civil  powers.  If  the  throne  be  eftablifned  by  righte- 
 oufnefs  tas  we  are  plainly  taught  by  the  word  of  God) 
 the*  it  is  overthrown  by  unrighteoufnefs  and  iniquity. 
 
 VII. 
 
(     423     ) 
 
 VII.  That  they  beware  of  all  things  which  may  efT- 
 fnare  their  confidences,  as  evil  counfel,  evil  company, 
 falfe  informations,  rafh  promifes,  and  efpecially  that 
 they  beware  of  taking  any  oiths,  fubfcribing  any 
 bonds,  which  may  relate  to  the  covenant  and  caufe  of 
 God,  unlefs  fuch  oaths  or  bonds  be  approved  by  the 
 general  aflembly  or  their  commiffioners  for  the  public 
 affairs  of  the  kirk. 
 
 VIII.  That  they  do  not  caft  away  their  confidence 
 nor  fink  into  defpair,  becaufe  of  the  prefent  dangers 
 and  difficulties,  but  live  by  faith,  wait  for  better  times, 
 and  continue  ftedfaft  as  feeing  him  who  is  invifible, 
 firmly  believing  that  fuch  a  courfe  as  is  not  of  God 
 but  againft  him,  will  come  to  nought. 
 
 IX.  To  remember,  that  as  the  violation  of  the  co- 
 venant by  fome  in  England  doth  not  fet  us  free  from 
 the  obfervation  thereof,  and  as  no  laws  nor  authority 
 on  earth  can  abfolve  us  from  fo  folemn  an  obligation 
 to  the  mod  High  God  (which  not  only  hath  been  pro- 
 filled  by  this  kirk,  but  in  a  petition  of  the  city  of 
 London,  and  in  public  teftimonies  of  many  of  the 
 miniftry  of  England)  fo  we  are  not  acquitted  and  af- 
 foiled  from  the  obligation  of  our  folemn  covenant,  be- 
 caufe of  the  troubles  and  confufions  of  the  times  ;  but 
 that  in  the  worft  of  times  all  thofe  duties,  whereunto 
 by  covenant  we  oblige  ourfelves,  do  ftill  lie  upon  us, 
 for  we  have  fworn  (and  rauft  perform  it)  concerning 
 that  caufe  and  covenant  wherein  we  folemnly  enga- 
 ged, "  That  we  fhall  all  the  days  of  our  lives  zeal- 
 M  oufiy  2nd  conftantiy  continue  therein  againft  all  op- 
 M  pcfition,  and  promote  the  fame  according  to  our 
 *  power,  againft  all  lets  and  impediments  whatfo- 
 **  ever."  And  if  againft  ail  lets  and  impediments 
 whatfoever,  then  the  altering  of  the  way  of  cppoS- 
 tion,  or  cf  the  kind  of  impediments  doth  not  alter 
 the  nature,  cr  tie  of  the  covenant,  but  we  are  oblig- 
 ed to  all  the  duties  therein  contained* 
 
 We  do  alfo  exhort  and  charge  in  Chrift's  name, 
 
 the  prince  cf  rafters,  all  the  minifters  within  this 
 
 -  *  kirk, 
 
4^9     ) 
 
 kirk,  that  in  no  ways  they  be  acceflbry  to  this  finful 
 engagement,  but  in  all  their  conferences  and  reafon- 
 ing,  efpecially,  in  their  public  doclrine,  they  declare 
 themfeives  freely,  and  faithfully,  as  they  would  efchew 
 the  wrath  of  God,  due  for  a  violated  covenant,  and 
 as  they  v/ould  efcape  the  cenfures  of  the  kirk;  and 
 let  all  prefbyteries  be  watchful  within  their  bounds, 
 and  carefully,  wifely,  and  zealoufly  to  infli£t  ecclefi- 
 aflic  cenfures. 
 
 Finally,  we  exhort  all  civil  judicatories,  and  every 
 one  intruded  with  power  to  manage  the  -prefent  af- 
 fairs, that  they  would  ferioufly  remember  the  ftr>c~t 
 account  they  are  to  give  before  the  judge  of  the  quick 
 and  the  dead  ;  confide  ring  deeply  how  fearful  a  thing 
 it  is  to  opprefs  the  ccnfciences  of  their  brethren,  ei- 
 ther by  preffing  them  to  a£t  where  they  find  no  fatie- 
 faftory  warrant,  or  by  putting  heavy  preflures  upon 
 them,  for  not  acting  according  to  their  injunctions, 
 and  efpecially  that  they  offer  not  to  enfnare  by  new 
 oaths,  or  bonds, thofe  that  make  confcience  of  the  great 
 oath  of  their  folemn  covenant,  and  hitherto  have  pro- 
 ven faithful  and  conftant  in  promoting  jointly  all  the 
 ends  thereof. 
 
 If  this  our  faithful  warning  find  favourable  accept- 
 ance, fo  that  the  grievous  things  already  ena£led,  be 
 no  more  profecuted  and  preffed,  we  (hall  blefs  God 
 who  reigns  in  the  kingdoms  and  councils  of  men : 
 but  if  it  fall  out  otherwife  (as  God  forbid)  we  have 
 liberate  our  fouls  of  the  guilrinefs  of  this  finful  way  of 
 engagement,  and  of  all  the  miferies  that  fhall  enfue 
 thereby  upon  this  kirk  and  kingdom,  and  fhall  lament 
 before  the  Lord  that  our  labours  have  not  as  yet  had 
 the  defired  fuccefs  In  the  mean  time,  we  dare  not 
 caft  away  our  confidence,  but  trufting  in  the  name  of 
 the  Lord,  and  flaying  r^on  our  God,  (hall  by  his 
 grace  and  afiiftance  continue  fledfaft  in  our  folemn 
 covenants,  and  faithful  in  all  the  duties  of  our  calling. 
 
 27/i 
 
(     43°     ) 
 
 i'Jti  July*  1649.     Antemeridiem.     Seff.   27. 
 
 A  feafonable  a:id  neceffary  Warning  and  Declaration^ 
 czncerningbrefent  and  imminent  dangers ,  and  concerning 
 duties  relating  thereto,  from  the  General  AJfanbiy  of 
 this  kirk)  unto  all  the  members  there  f 
 
 T^HE  Lord,  who  choofes  Jerufalem  in  a  furnace  of 
 ..on,  hath  been  pleafed  fmce  the  begin- 
 ning of  the  work  of  reformation  in  this  land,  to  exer- 
 cife  his  people  with  many  trials  \  ?11  that  defired  to 
 keep  a  good  conference,  were  not  long  ago  under  ma- 
 ny heavy  and  fad  pireffures  from  the  infc  Jency  and  op- 
 prefBoi)  of  a  prevailing  party  of  difaffecled  and  malig- 
 nan:  men,  wHo  under  a  pretext  of  bringing  the  king  ^ 
 to  a  condition  of  honour,  freedom  and  fafety,  did  car- 
 ry on  an  unlawful  engagement  againft  the  kingdom* 
 of  England  ;  and  if  the  Lord  had  net  been  merciful 
 unto  his  people,  they  were  like  either  to  have  been* 
 haniihed  cue  of  the  land,  or  to  have  been  kept  in  a 
 perpetual  bondage  in  their  confeiences,  perfons,  and- 
 eftates:  but  he  whofe  meffengers  thofe  men  had  mock- 
 ed, and  whofe  word  they  had  defplfed,  did  bring 
 them  down  fuidenly  in  a  day,  and  reltored  liberty  and 
 peace  unto  his  people  :  a  mercy  and  deliverance, 
 which  as  it  ought  to  be  remembered  with  thankful- 
 nefs  and  praife,  fo  may  it  engage  our  hearts  not  to 
 faint  in  troubles  and  ilraits  that  do  yet  abide  us,  but 
 to  -trull  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  both  can  and 
 will  deliver  us  full  out  of  a-1  our  afflictions. 
 
 Albeit,  we  do  now  erjoy  many  rich  and  precious 
 bleflings,  wherein  we  have  reafon  to  be  comforted, 
 and  to  rejoice  \  yet  it  were  to  (hut  our  own  eyes  if  we 
 fhould  not  fee  ourfelves  involved  in,  and  threatened 
 with  many  and  great  dangers  at  home  and  from  a- 
 broad.  It  is  matter  of  exceeding  great  forrow  to  think 
 upon  the  ignorance  and  profanity,  the  impenitency 
 A  fecurity  that  abounds  ftili  in  the  land,  notwith- 
 
 ftanding 
 
(     43i     ) 
 
 ftandin-g  all  the  gracious  difpenfations  of  the  gofpel, 
 and  means  of  grace  in  fuch  purity  and  plenty,  that 
 none  of  the  nations  round  about  us  can  boaft  of  the 
 like,  and  of  all  his  (harp  rods  wherewith  he  hath  af- 
 fiicled  us  from  year  to  year,  and  of  all  the  mercies  and 
 deliverances  wherewith  he  hath  vifited  us,  and  of  our 
 late  folemn  confeflion  of  fins,  and  engagement  unto 
 duties,  fealed  with  the  renewing  of  the  covenant  and 
 the  oath  of  God  \  which  fome  men  have  fo  far  already 
 forgotten,  as  to  return  with  the  dog  to  the  vomit,  and 
 with  the  fow  to  the  puddle;  and  many  figns  of  in- 
 constancy and  levity  do  appear  among  all  forts  and 
 ranks  cf  perfons,  who  feem  to  want  nothing  but  a 
 fuitabie  temptation  to  draw  them  away  from  their  fted- 
 faitnefs  ;  our  army  is  not  yet  Sufficiently  purged,  but 
 there  are  itil!  in  it  malignant  and  fcandalous  men, 
 whofe  fidelity  and  conftancy,as  it  is  much  to  be  doubt- 
 ed, fo  is  the  wrath  of  the  Lojd  to  be  feared,  upon 
 their  proceedings  and  undertakings,  without  a  fpeedy 
 and  effectual  remedy. 
 
 That  prevailing  party  of  fechries  in  England,  who 
 have  broken  the  covenant,  and  defpifed  the  oath  of 
 God,  corrupted  the  truth,  fubverted  the  fundamental 
 government,  and  taken  away  the  king's  life,  look  up- 
 on us  with  an  evil  eye,  as  upon  thefe  who  ftand  in 
 the  way  of  their  monftrous  and  new-fangled  devices 
 in  religion  and  government;  and  though  there  were 
 no  caufe  to  fear  any  thing  from  that  party  but  the  gan- 
 grene and  infe&ion  of  thofe  many  damnable  and  abo- 
 minable errors  which  have  taken  hold  on  them,  yet, 
 our  vicinity  unto,and  daily  commerce  with  that  nation, 
 may  jufiiy  make  us  afraid  that  the  Lord  may  give  up 
 many  in  this  land  unto  a  fpirit  of  delufion  to  believe 
 lies,  becaufe  they  have  not  received  the  love  of  the 
 truth 
 
 Neither  is  the  malignant  party  fo  far  broken  and 
 brought  low,  as  that  they  have  abandoned  all  hopes  of 
 carrying  on  their  former  deiigns  againft  the  covenant 
 and  work  of  reformation  :  befide  many  of  them  in 
 
 this 
 
this  kingdom,  who  are  as  foxes  tied  in  chains,  keep- 
 ing their  evil  nature,  and  waiting  an  opportunity  to 
 break  their  cords,  and  again  to  prey  upon  the  Lord's 
 people,  there  be  (landing  armies  in  Ireland  under  the 
 command  of  the  Marquis  of  Ormond,  the  Lord  Inch- 
 queen,  the  Lord  of  Airds,  and  George  Munro,  who 
 forgetting  all  the  horrible  cruelty  that  was  exer- 
 cifed  by  the  Irifli  rebels,  upon  many  thoufands  of  the 
 Englifh  and  Scottifb  nations  in  that  land,  have  entered 
 into  a  peace  and  aflbciation  with  them,  that  they  may 
 the  more  eafily  carry  on  the  old  defigns  of  the  popifti, 
 prelatical  and  malignant  party,  and  the  Lord  of  Airds, 
 and  George  Monro,  have  by  treachery  and  oppreflion 
 brought  the  province  of  Ulfter,  and  garrifons  therein, 
 under  their  power  and  command,  and  have  redacted 
 our  country-men,  and  fuch  as  adhere  unto  the  cove- 
 nant, and  caufe  of  God  in  that  province,  unto  many 
 miferies  and  (traits,  and  are  like  to  banifh  the  mini- 
 fters  of  the  gofpel,  and  to  overturn  thefe  fair  begin- 
 nings of  the  work  of  God,  which  were  unto  many 
 a  branch  of  hope,  that  the  Lord  meant  to  make  Ireland 
 a  pleafant  land. 
 
 But  which  is  more  grievous  unto  us  than  all  thefe, 
 our  king  notwithstanding  of  the  Lord's  hand  againft 
 his  father's  oppofition  to  the  work  of  God,  and  of  jhe 
 many  fad  and  doleful  confequences  followed  thereup- 
 on, in  reference  to  religion  and  his  fubje&s,  and  to  his 
 perfon  and  government,  doth  hearken  unto  the  coun- 
 fels  of  thefe  who  were  authors  of  thefe  miferies  to  his 
 royal  father  and  his  kingdoms  \  by  which  it  hath  come 
 to  pafs,  that  his  majefty  hath  hitherto  refufed  to  grant 
 the  juft  and  neceffary  defires  of  this  kirk  and  king- 
 dom, which  were  tendered  unto  him  from  the  com 
 mifiioners  of  both  for  fecuring  of  religion,  the  liberties 
 of  the  fubject,  his  majtfly's  government,  and  the 
 peace;  of  the  kingdom  \  and  it  is  much  to  be  feared 
 that  thofe  wicked  counfellors  may  fo  far  prevail  upon 
 him  In  his  tender  years,  as  to  engage  him  in  a  war, 
 for  overturning  (if  it  be  poflible)  of  the  work  of  God, 
 
 and 
 
(  433  ) 
 and  bearing  down  all  thcfe  in  the  three  kingdoms  th$t 
 adhere  thereto :  which  if  he  fhall  do,  cannot  but 
 bring  great  wrath  from  the  Lord  upon  himfelf  and 
 his  throne,  and  muft  be  the  caufe  of  many  new,  and 
 great  miferies,  and  calamities  to  thefe  lands. 
 
 It  concerns  a  nation  thus  finful  and  loaden  with  i- 
 niqnity,  and  involved  in  fo  many  difficulties  and  dan* 
 gers,  by  timeous  repentance  and  unfeigned  humilia- 
 tion to  draw  near  to  God,  and  to  wreftle  with  him  in 
 prayer  and  fupplication,  that  our  fin  may  be  pardon- 
 ed, and  our  iniquity  done  away,  and  that  he  would 
 eftablifli  the  land  in  the  love  of  the  truth,  and  enable 
 every  one  in  their  ftation  to  do  their  duty  boldly 
 and  without  fear  and  in  humble  dependence  upon 
 the  Lord,  in  whom  alone  is  the  falvation  of  his  people ; 
 every  man  ought  with  all  faithfulnefs  and  diligence, 
 to  make  ufe  of  all  thefe  means  that  are  approven  and 
 allowed  of  God,  for  preferving  and  carrying  on  of  his 
 work,  and  forfecuring  and  guarding  the  land  againft 
 all  enemies  whatfoever,  both  upon  the  right  hand  and 
 upon  the  left. 
 
 The  fpirit  of  error  and  delufion  in  our  neighbour 
 land,  in  the  police  of  Satan  hath  veiled  itfelf  in  ma- 
 ny, under  the  mafk  of  holinefs,  and  is  in  the  righte- 
 ous and  wife  difpenfation  of  God,  armed  with  power, 
 and  attended  with  fuccefs  :  therefore  all  the  inhabi- 
 tants of  this  land  would  labour  for  more  knowledge, 
 and  more  love  of  the  truth,  without  which  they  may 
 eafily  be  deceived,  and  led  into  temptation,  and  would 
 learn  to  diftinguifh  betwixt  the  (hew  and  power  of 
 godlinefs.  We  know  that  there  bs^  majiy  in  Eng- 
 land who  be  truly  godly,  and  mourn  with  us  for  all 
 the  errors  and  abominatipns  that  are  in  that  land,  bui; 
 it  is  without  controverfy,  that  that  fpirit  which  hath 
 a£ted  in  the  courfes  and  counfels  of  thefe  who  have 
 retarded  and  obftru£ted  the  work  of  God,  defpifed 
 the  covenant,  forced  the  parliament,  murdered  the 
 king,  changed  the  civil  government,  and  eftabliflied 
 fo  vaft  a  toleration  in  religion,  cannot  be  the  fpirit  of 
 O  o  righteouinef: 
 
(     434     ) 
 
 rig  hteoufnefs  and  holfnefs,  becaufe  it  teaches  not  men: 
 to  live  godly  and  righteoufly,  but  draws  them  afide  in- 
 to error,  and  makes  them  to  bring  forth  the  bitter  fruits 
 of  impiety  and  iniquity,  and  therefore  ought  to  be  a- 
 voidcd.  And  not  only  are  fuch  of  our  nation  as  tra- 
 vail in  our  neighbour-land,  to  take  heed  unto  them- 
 felves  that  they  receive  not  infettion  from  fuch  as  are 
 leavened  with  error,  but  thefe  alfo  who  live  at  home, 
 efpecially  in  thofe  places  where  feftaries,  upon  pre- 
 text of  merchandize,  and  other  civil  employments, 
 ordinarily  traffic  and  converfe.  Neither  needs  any 
 man  to  be  afraid  of  the  power  and  fuccefs  of  that 
 party,  they  who  have  gadded  abcut  to  much  to 
 change  their  way,  {hall  ere  long  be  afhamed  ;  the 
 Lord  hath  rejected  their  confidences,  and  they  (hail 
 jiot  proiper  in  them ;  how  far  they  may  proceed 
 in  their  refolutions  and  actings  againft  this  kingdom, 
 is  in  the  hand  of  the  Moll  High ;  if  the  Lord  (hall 
 fuffer  that  party  to  invade  this  land,  it  may  be  the 
 comfort  and  encouragement  of  all  the  inhabitants 
 thereof,  that  not  only  hath  that  unlawful  engagement 
 againft  the  kingdom  of  England  been  declared  againft, 
 and  condemned  both  by  ktrk  and  ftate  ;  but  alfo  that 
 thefe  men  can  pretend  no  quarrel  againft  us,  unlefsit 
 be,  that  we  have  adhered  unto  the  Solemn  League 
 and  Covenant,  from  which  they  have  fo  foully  revolt- 
 ed and  backllidden  ;  and  that  we  have  born  teftimony 
 againft  toleration,  and  their  proceedings  in  reference 
 to  religion  and  government,  and  the  taking  away  of 
 the  king's  life  :  and  therefore  we  truft  that  in  fuch  a 
 cafe  none  will  be  fo  far  deficient  in  their  duty  as  not 
 to  defend  themfelves  againft  fuch  unjuft  violence,  and 
 in  the  ftrength  of  the  Lord  to  adhere  unto  their  for- 
 mer principles,  with  much  boldnefs  of  fpirit,  and  wii- 
 lingnefs  of  heart ;  in  this  certainly  we  fhali  have  a 
 good  confcience,  and  the  Lord  fhall  be  with  us. 
 We  are  not  fo,  to  have  the  one  of  our  eyes  upon  the 
 arie&j  as  not  to  ha!d  the  other  upon  the  xnalig- 
 
 nants> 
 
(     435     ) 
 
 nants,  they  being  an  enemy  more  numerous,  and  no 
 lefs  fubtile  and  powerful  than  the  other,  and  at  this 
 time  more  dangerous  unto  uSi  not  only  becaufe  expe- 
 rience hath  proven  that  there  is  a  greater  aptitude  and 
 inclination  in  thefe  or  our  land,  to  comply  with  ma- 
 lignants  than  fedlaries,  in  that  they  carry  on  their 
 wicked  dcfigns  under  a  pretext  of  being  for  the  king  ; 
 but  alfo  becaufe  there  be  many  of  them  in  our  own 
 bowels,  and  for  that  they  do  pretend  to  be  for  main- 
 tenance of  the  king's  perfon  and  authority,  and  (which 
 is  the  matter  of  our  grief)  becaufe  the  king  owns  their 
 principles  and  ways  ;  which  if  it  be  not  taken  heed 
 unto,  may  prove  a  great  inare,  and  dangerous  tempta- 
 tion to  many  to  fide  with  them  again  ft  the  Lord's 
 people,  aad  his  caufe.  The  conftant  tenor  of  the 
 carriage  of  thefe  in  this  land,  who  ftand  for  the  caufe 
 of  God  ;  are  undeniable  arguments  of  their  affection 
 to  monarchy,  and  to  that  royal  family  and  line  which 
 hath  fwayed  the  fcepter  of  this  kingdom  for  many 
 hundreds  of  years  paft  Albeit,  his  majefty  who  late- 
 ly reigned,  refufed  to  hearken  to  their  juft  defires,  yet 
 did  they  with  much  patience  and  moderation  of  mind 
 fupplicate  and  folicit  his  majefty  for  fatisfa£Hon  in 
 thefe  things  that  concern  religion  and  the  covenant, 
 and  were  ftill  willing,  that  upon  fatisfaftion  given, 
 he  fhould  be  admitted  to  the  exercife  of  his  power  ; 
 and  whatfoever  envy  and  malice  objedts  to#the  contra- 
 ry, were  careful  to  get  aflurance  coucerning  the  fafety 
 of  his  majefty's  perfcn,  when  they  brought  their  army 
 out  of  England  ;  and  when  notwithftandjng  cf  than 
 aflurance,  the  prevailing  party  of  fecWies  were  a£Hng 
 for  his  life  ;  did  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power,  endea- 
 vour by  their  commiiTiouers  that  there  might  have 
 been  no  fuch  proceeding,  and  when  their  defires  and 
 enceavours  were  not  fuccefsfu),  did  proteft  and  bear 
 teftmiony  againft  the' fame.  And  as  both  kirk  and 
 (late  had  teftified  their  tender  refpeft  to  his  majefty 
 who  now  reigns,  by  their  letters  written  to  him  whiif? 
 his  father  was  yet  living,  fo  no  fooner  did  the  paiij*- 
 Oo  2  me 
 
(  43«  ) 
 ment  hear  of  his  fathers  death,  but  they  did  with  all 
 folemnity  proclaim  him  king  of  thefe  kingdoms  ;  and 
 after  they  had  acquainted  his  majefty  by  meflages  with 
 their  proceedings  herein,  commiffioners  were  fent 
 both  from  ftate  and  kirk,  inftru£ted  with  power  and 
 commifiion  to  exprefs  the  affettiori  of  this  kingdom 
 to  monarchy,  and  his  majefty's  perfon  and  govern- 
 ment, together  with  their  defires  concerning  the  fecu- 
 rity  of  religion,  and  the  peace  of  thofe  kingdoms. 
 And  albeit  the  defires  of  both,  which  are  now  publifli- 
 ed  to  the  world,  with  his  majefty's  anfwers  thereto, 
 are  fuch  as  are  moft  juft  and  neceflary  -,  yet  the  coun- 
 fels  of  the  malignant  party  had  fo  great  influence  up- 
 on his  majefty  that  his  anfwers  are  not  only  not  fatis- 
 faftory,  but  fhort  of  that  which  was  many  times  grant- 
 ed by  his  royal  father,  and  cannot  be  tcquiefced  unto, 
 unlefs  we  would  abandon  the  League  and  Covenant, 
 and  betray  religion,  and  the  caufe  of  God. 
 
 We  hold  it  the  duty  of  all  who  live  in  this  land,  to 
 wreftle  with  God  io  the  behalf  of  the  king,  that  he 
 maybe  recovered  out  of  the  fnareof  evil  counfel,  and 
 brought  to  give  fatisfa&ion  to  the  public  defires  of 
 kirk  and  ftate*,  and  in  their  places  and  ftations  to  ufe 
 'all  endeavours  with  himfelf  and  others  for  that  effect, 
 and  to  be  willing,  upon  fatisfa&ion  given,  to  admit 
 him  to  the  exercife  of  his  power,  and  cheerfully  to  o- 
 bey  him  in  all  things  according  to  the  will  of  God, 
 and  the  laws  of  the  kingdom,  and  to  do  every  thing 
 that  tends  to  the  preformation  of  his  majefty's  perfon, 
 and  juft  greatnefs  and  authority,  in  the  defence  and 
 prefervation  of  the  true  religion  and  liberties  of  the 
 kingdoms 
 
 But  if  his  majefty,  or  any  having,  or  pretending 
 power  and  commiflion  from  him,  (hall  invade  this 
 kingdom,  upon  pretext  of  eftablifhing  him  in  the  ex* 
 wcife  of  his  royal  power,  as  it  will  be  an  high  provo- 
 cation againft  God  to  be  accefibry  or  aflifting  thereto, 
 fo  will  it  be  a  neceflary  duty  to  refift  and  oppofe  the 
 fame.     We  know  that  many  are  fo  forgetful  of  the 
 
 oath 
 
(  437  ) 
 oath  of  God,  and  ignorant  and  carelefs  of  the  interefl: 
 of  Jefus  Chrift  and  the  gofpel,  and  do  fo  little  tender 
 that  which  concerns  his  kingdom  and  the  privileges 
 thereof,  and  do  fo  much  dote  upon  abfolute  and  arbi- 
 trary government  for  gaining  their  own  ends,  and  fo 
 much  malign  the  instruments  of  the  work  of  re- 
 formation, that  they  would  admit  his  majefty  to  the 
 exercife  of  his  royal  power,  upon  any  terms  whatfo- 
 ever,  though  with  never  fo  much  prejudice  to  reli- 
 gion, end  the  liberties  of  thefe  kingdoms,  and  would 
 think  it  quarrel  enough  to  make  war  upon  all  thefe 
 who  for  confcience  fake  cannot  condefcend  thereto. 
 But  we  defire  all  thefe  who  fear  the  Lord,  and  mind 
 to  keep  their  covenant  impartially,  to  confidex  thefe 
 things  which  follows. 
 
 i.  That  as  magiftrates  and  their  power  is  ordained 
 of  God,  fo  are  they  in  the  exercife  thereof,  not  to 
 walk  according  to  their  own  will,  but  according  to 
 the  law  of  equity  and  rightecufnefa,  as  being  the  mi- 
 nifters  of  God  for  the  fafety  of  his  people  ;  therefore  a 
 boundlefs  and  illimited  power  is  to  be  acknowledged 
 in  no  king  nor  magiftrate  ;  neither  is  our  king  to  be 
 admitted  to  the  exercife  of  his  power  as  long  as  he  re- 
 fufes  to  walk  in  the  adminiftration  of  the  fame  ac- 
 cording to  this  rule,  and  the  eftablifhed  laws  of  the 
 kingdom,  that  his  fubje£ls  may  live  under  him  a  quiet 
 and  peaceable  life  in  all  godlinefs  and  honefty. 
 
 2.  There  is  one  mutual  obligation  and  ftipulation 
 betwixt  the  king  and  his  people  ;  as  both  of  them  are 
 tied  to  God,  io  each  of  them  are  tied  one  to  another  for 
 the  performance  of  mutual  and  reciprocal  duties :  ac- 
 cording to  this,  it  is  ftatute  and  ordained  in  the  8th 
 aft  of  the  firlt  parliament  of  King  James  VI.  "  That 
 alt  kings,  princes  or  magiftrates  whatfoever,  holding 
 their  place,  which  hereafter  fhall  happen  in  any  time 
 to  reign  and  bear  ru!e  over  this  realm,  at  the  time  of 
 their  coronation,  and  receipt  of  thiir  princely  autho- 
 rity, make  their  faithful  promife  by  oath  in  the  pre- 
 fence  of  the  eternal    God,  that  during*  the  whole 
 
 courfe 
 
(     433     ) 
 
 courfe  of  their  lives,  they  (hall  ferve  the  fame  eternal 
 God  to  the  utmoft  of  their  power,  according  as  he 
 hath  required  in  his  moft  holy  word  contained  in  the 
 Old  and  New  Teftamenj;,  and  according  to  the  fame 
 word,  (hail  maintain  the  trua  religion  of  Chrift  Jefus, 
 the  preaching  of  his  moft  holy  word,  and  due  and  right 
 miniftration  of  Kis  facramems  now  received  and 
 preached  within  this  realm,  and  (hall  abolifh  all 
 falfe  religion  contrary  to  the  fame,  and  (hall  rule 
 the  people  committed  to  their  charge  according  to 
 the  will  and  command  of  God  revealed  in  his  word, 
 and  according  to  the  laudable  laws  and  conftitu- 
 tions  received  within  this  realm,  and  (hail  procure 
 to  the  utmoft  of  their  power  to  the  kirk  of  God  and 
 the  whole  Chriftian  people,  true  and  perfect  peace  in 
 all  time  coming.  And  that  juftice  and  equity  be  kept 
 to  all  creatures  without  exception."  Which  oath 
 was  fworn,  firft  by  King  James  VI  and  afterwards  by 
 King  Chailes  at  his  coronation,  and  is  inferted  in  our 
 National  Covenant,  which  was  <^pproven  by  the  king 
 who  lately  reigned.  As  long  therefore  as  his  majefty 
 who  now  reigns,  refufes  to  hearken  to  thejuft  and 
 neceflary  defires  of  ftate  and  kirk,  propounded  to  his 
 majefty  for  the  fecurity  of  religion,  and  fafety  of  his 
 people,  and  to  engage  and  oblige  himfelf  for  the  per- 
 formance of  his  duty  to  his  people*  it  is  confonant  to 
 fcripture  and  reafon,  and  the  laws  of  the  kingdom, 
 that  they  fhould  refufe  to  admit  him  to  the  exercife 
 of  his  government,  until  he  give  fatisfadtion  in  thefe 
 things. 
 
 3.  In  the  League  and  Covenant  which  hath  been  fo 
 folemnly  fworn  and  renewed  bv  this  kingdom,  .the 
 duty  of  defending  and  preferving  the  king's  majefty 
 perfon  and  authority  is  joined  with,  and  fubordinate 
 unto  the  duty  of  preferving  and  defending  the  true 
 religion  and  liberties  of  the  kingdoms  :  and  therefore 
 his  majefty  Handing  in  opposition  to  the  juft  and  ne- 
 ceflary public  defires  concerning  religion  and  liberties 
 of  the  kingdoms  :  it  were  a  manifeft  breach  of  cove- 
 nant, 
 
(  439  ) 
 nant,  and  preferring  of  the  king's  irnereft  to  the  in- 
 tereft  of  Jeius  Chriib,  to  bring  him  to  the  exercife  of 
 his  royal  power,  which  he,  walking. in  a  contrary  way, 
 and  being  compaiied  about  with  malignant  counfcls, 
 cannot  but  employ  unto  the  prejudice  and  ruin  of 
 both. 
 
 4.  Was  not  an  arbitrary  government  and  unlimited 
 power,  the  fountain  of  molt  of  all  the  corruptions 
 both  in  kirk  and  ltate  ?  And  \r<u  it  not  for  reitraint 
 of  this,  and  for  their  own  jufi  defence  againit  tyranny 
 and  unjuit  violence,  which  ordinarily  is  the  fruit  and 
 effect  of  fuch  a  power,  that  the  Lord's  people  did  join 
 in  covenant,  and  have  been  at  the  expence  of  fo 
 much  blood,  pains  and  treaiure  thefe  years  paft  ?  And 
 if  his  majefty  fhould  be  admitted  to  the  exercife  of 
 his  government  before  fatisfaclion  given,  were  it  not 
 to  put  in  his  land  that  arbitrary  power,  which  we 
 hajve  upon  juft  and  necefiary  grounds  been  fo  long 
 withftanding,  and  fo  to  abandon  our  former  principles, 
 and  betray  our  caufe. 
 
 5.  The  king  being  averfe  from  the  work  of  refor- 
 mation and  the  inflruments  thereof,  and  compaiTed  a- 
 bout  with  malignant  and  difaffecYed  mea,  whom  he 
 hearkens  unto  as  his  molt  faithful  counfeiiors,  and 
 looks  upon  as  his  belt  and  moil  ioyal  fubjetts,  we 
 leave  it  to  all  indifferent  men  to  judge,  whether  his 
 majefty,  being  admitted  to  the  exercife  of  his  power 
 before  fatisfaciion  given,  would  not  by  fuch  counfels 
 endeavour  an  overturning  of  the  things  which  God 
 hath  wrought  amongil  us,  and  labour  to  draw  public 
 adminiftratiens  concerning  religion  and  the  liberties 
 of  the  fubjeel,  untj  that  courfe  and  channel  in  which 
 they  did  run  under  prelacy,  and  before  the  work  of 
 reformation  :  which  we  have  the  "more  caufe  to  fear, 
 becaufe  his  royai  father  did  fo  often  declare,  that  he 
 conceived  himfelf  bound  to  employ  all  the  power  that 
 God  fhould  put  in  his  hands  to  the  utmofl  fcr  thefe 
 ends  \  and  that  he  adheres  as  yet  to  his  father's  prin- 
 ciples, znd  walks  in  his  way,  and  hath  made  a  peace 
 
 vitSai 
 
(     440     ) 
 
 with  the  Irifh  rebels,  by  which  is  granted  unto  them 
 the  full  liberty  of  Popery. 
 
 6.  It  is  no  ftrange  nor  new  thing  for  kingdoms  to 
 preferve  religion  of  tbemfelves'  from  ruin,  by  putting 
 reftraint  upon  the  exercife  of  the  power  and  govern- 
 ment of  thofe  who  have  refufed  to  grant  thofe  things 
 that  were  neceffary  for  the  good  of  religion,  and  the 
 peoples  iafety  ;  there  have  been  many  precedents  of  it 
 in  this  and  other  nations  of  old,  and  of  late.  Upon 
 thefe  and  other  important  considerations,  it  (hall  be  the 
 wifdom  of  every  one  who  dwells  in  the  land,  to  take 
 heed  of  fuch  a  temptation  and  fnare,  that  they  be  not 
 accefibry  to  any  fuch  defigns  or  endeavours,  as  they 
 would  not  bring  upon  tbemfelves,  and  upon  their  fa- 
 milies, the  guilt  of  all  the  detriment  that  will  undoubt- 
 edly follow  thereupon  to  religion  and  the  covenant, 
 and  of  all  the  miferies  and  calamities  that  it  will  bring 
 upon  his  majefty's  perfon  and  throne,  and  upon  thefe 
 kingdoms  •,  fuch  a  thing  would  in  all  appearance  be 
 the  undermining  and  (baking,  if  not  the  overthrowing 
 and  deftroying  of  the  work  of  reformation  :  and  there- 
 fore, whofoever  attempt  the  fame,  oppofe  themfelves 
 to  the  caufe  of  God,  and  will  at  lad  dafh  againft  the 
 rock  of  the  Lord's  power,  which  hath  broken  in 
 pieces  many  high  and  lofty  ones  fince  the  beginning 
 of  this  work  in  thefe  kingdoms  :  and  it  is  unto  us  a 
 fure  word  of  promife,  that  whofoever  fhall  aflbciate 
 themfelves,  or  take  counfel  together,  or.  gird  them- 
 felves againft  God  and  his  work,  fhall  be  broken  in 
 pieces. 
 
 It  is  not  only  joining  in  arms  with  the  malignant 
 party,  that  all  thefe  who  would  keep  their  integrity, 
 hath  need  to  beware  of,  but  a!fo  fubtle  devices  and  de- 
 figns, that  are  promoted  by  fair  pretexts  and  perfua- 
 fions  to  draw  men  to  difpenfe  at  leaft  with  fome  part 
 of  thefe  neceffary  defires,  that  are  propounded  to  his 
 majeft y  for  fecuring  of  religion,  after  many  turnings  and 
 devices  the  foundation  of  the  unlawful  engagement 
 was  at  laft  laid  by  his  majefty's  concsffions  in  the  yea? 
 
 1648. 
 
(     44i     ) 
 
 1648.  Wherein  though  many  things  feemed  to  be 
 granted,  yet  that  was  denied,  without  which  religion 
 and  the  union  betwixt  the  kingdoms  could  not  have 
 been  fecured  :  And  it  is  probable,  that  fuch  a  way 
 may  be  eildyed  again,  and  profecuted  with  very  much 
 cunning  and  (kill  to  deceive  and  enfnare  the  fimple. 
 It  doth  therefore  concern  all  ranks  and  conditions  of 
 perfons  to  be  the  more  wary  and  circumfpe£t,  efpe- 
 cially  in  that  which  concerns  the  National  Covenant, 
 and  the  Soiemn  League  and  Covenant,  that  before  his 
 majefty  be  admitted  to  the  exercife  of  his  royal  power, 
 that  by  and  attour  the  oath  of  coronation,  he  (hall  af- 
 fure  and  declare  by  his  folemn  oath  under  his  hand 
 and  feal,  his  allowance  of  the  National  Covenant,  and 
 of  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  and  obligation 
 toprofecute  the  ends  thereof  in  his  ftatbn  and  calling, 
 and  that  he  (hall  for  himfelf  and  fucceffors  confent  and 
 agree  to  a£ts  of  parliament,  enjoining  the  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant,  and  fully  eftabliftiing  Prefby- 
 terian  government,  the  Directory  of  Worfhip,'  the 
 Confcffion  of  Faith  and  Catechifms,  as  they  are  appio- 
 ven  by  the  general  afiembJy  of  this  kirk,  and  parlia- 
 ment of  this  kingdom,  in  all  his  majefty's  dominions, 
 and  that  he  (hall  obferve  thefe  in  his  own  practice  and 
 family,  and  that  he  (hall  never  make  oppofition  to  a- 
 ny  of  thefe,  nor  endeavour  any-change  thereof.  Al- 
 beit the  League  and  Covenant  be  defpiied  by  that  pre- 
 vailing party-in  England,  and  the  work  of  uniformity, 
 through  the  retardments  and  obftructions  that  have 
 come  in  the  way,  be  almoft  forgotten  by  thefe  king- 
 doms, yet  the  obligation  of  that  Covenant  is  perpe- 
 tual, and  all  the  duties  contained  therein  are  conftant- 
 ]y  to  be  minded,  and  profecute  by  every  one  of  us  and 
 our  pofterity,  according  to  their  place  and  ftntions  : 
 and  therefore  we  are  no  lefs  zeajoufly  to  endeavour, 
 that  his  majefty  may  eftablifh,  and  fwear,  and  fubferibe 
 the  fame,  than  if  it  were  unanimoufly  regarded  and 
 ituck  unto  by  all  the  kingdom  of  England,  for  his 
 majefty  fwearing  and  fubferibing  the  League  and  Co- 
 P  p  venant, 
 
(     44*     ) 
 
 venant,  will  much  contribute  for  the  fecurity  of  reli- 
 gion, his  majefty's  happinefs,  and  the  peace  of  his 
 kingdoms. 
 
 As  it  is  incumbent  to  all,  who  live  in  this  kirk  and 
 kingdom,  to  be  watchful  and  circumfpect,  fo  it  con- 
 cerns thtfe  of  the  high  and  honourable  court  of  par- 
 liament and  their  committees,  in  a  fpecial  way  to  fee 
 to  their  duty,  and  to  b^  ftraight  and  refolute  in  the  per- 
 iormance  of  the  fame ;  their  former  proceedings  is 
 unto  us  a  fufficient  evidence  and  ground  of  hope,  that 
 they  will  not  b^  wanting  in  any  necefiary  teftimony 
 of  duty  and  loyalty  that  they  owe  to  the  king,  by  ufing 
 a»j  jult  and  feafonable  endeavours  for  obtaining  fatis- 
 ia£\ion  of  his  majeity,  that  io  he  may  be  eftabliihed 
 upon  his  thrones  *,  and  we  truft,  that  upon  the  other 
 hand,  the  fenfe  of  their  obligation  to  God,  and  his 
 oath  that  is  upon  them,  will  make  them  conftantly  to 
 adhere  to  their  former  principles,  refolutions,  and  de- 
 fires  concerning  religion  and  the  Covenant,  that  real 
 fatisfaftion  may  be  had  thereanem,  before  the  king  be 
 put  in  the  cxercife  of  his  power  ;  and  that  they  will 
 carefully  provide  for  the  fafety  of  the  kingdom,  both 
 in  regard  of  the  inteftine  dangers,  and  in  regard  of 
 invafion  without  \  it  is  not  long  fmce  they,  together 
 with  the  reft  of  the  land,  made  folemn  public  confef- 
 i:on  of  compliance  with  rnaliguants,  carnal  confidence, 
 following  of  f#if-interefts,  and  hearkening  to  the 
 counftls  of  fkfh  and  blood,  and  did  in  a  fpecial  way 
 engage  themfelves  to  comply,  and  feek  themfelves  and 
 their  own  things  no  mere,  to  abandon  the  counfels  of 
 their  own  hearts,  and  not  to  rely  upon  the  arm  of 
 flefh,  and  to  purge  judicatories  and  armies  from  pro- 
 fane and  fcandalous  perfons  :  and  God  forbid  that 
 they  fhoujd  fo  foon  forget,  or  negle£t  fo  neceflary  du- 
 ties and  fall  again  unto  fo  great  and  grievous  tranf- 
 :.:ons.  We  trull  that  they  will  feek  the  things  of 
 Chnit,  and  not  their  own  things,  that  they  will  heark- 
 en to  his  word,  and  not  walk  in  the  imaginations  of 
 their  own  hearts,  that  they  will  rely  upon  the  arm  of 
 
 the 
 
 , 
 
(     443     ) 
 
 the  Lord,  and  not  upon  the  arm  of  flefh,  that  they 
 will  be  wary  and  circumfpect  in  discerning  the  difpo- 
 fitions  and  affections  of  thofe  whom  they  put  in  truft, 
 and  that,  feeing  this  kingdom  hath  fo  much  fmarted, 
 and  been  fo  often  deceived  by  compliance  with  ma- 
 lignants,  they  wili  carefully  avoid  this  inare,  in  re- 
 gard of  thofe  who  were  upon  the  former  unlawful  en- 
 gagement, and  be  tender  in  bringing  in  of  fuch  ;  and 
 we  cannot  but  exhort  them  in  the  name  of  the  Laid, 
 to  take  notice  of  the  opprcflions  of  the  people  and 
 Commons  in  the  land,  by  the  lawlefs  exactions  of 
 landlords,  collectors  and  loldiers.  We  do  not  jufti- 
 fy  the  murmurings  and  grudgings  of  thofe,  who,  pre- 
 ferring  the  things  of  the  world  to  the  gofpel  and 
 things  of  Jefus  Chrift,  repine  at  neceffary  burdens, 
 without  which  it  is  not  poffible  that  the  land  can 
 be  fecured  from  invafion  without,  and  infurrectioa 
 within;  or  the  caufe  and  people  of  God  be  de- 
 fended from  enemies  :  It  is  the  duty  of  every  one 
 who  hath  taken  the  covenant,  wiiliugiy  and  with 
 a  chearfui  mind  to  beftow  their  means  and  their 
 pains  as  they  (hail  be  called  thereunto,  iu  an  or- 
 derly way  :  Yet  fhould  thefe  to  whom  God  hath 
 committed  the  government,  take  care  that  they 
 be  not  needlefsiy  burdened  ;  and  that  none  grind 
 their  faces  by  oppreffion,  not  only  by  making  of  laws 
 2gainft  the  fame,  but  by  fearching%out  the  caufe  of 
 the  poor,  and  by  executing  thefe  laws  timeoufly  upon 
 thefe  that  opprefs  them,  that  they  may  find  real  re- 
 drefs  of  their  jttft  grievances  and  complaints,  and  be 
 encouraged  to  bear  thofe  burdens  which  cannot  be  a- 
 voided. 
 
 As  the  Parliament  have  begun,  fo  we  hope  they 
 will  continue,  to  purge  out  all  thofe  from  truft,  that 
 zre  not  of  known  integrity  and  affection  to  the  caufe 
 of  God,  and  ofabiamlefs  and  Chrift  tan  cenverfation* 
 and  that  they  and  the  officers  of  the  army  in  their  re- 
 fpective  places,  will  ferioufly  mind,  and  fpeedily  and 
 refolutely  go  about  the  removing  from  the  army  all 
 P  p  2  malignant 
 
(     444     ) 
 
 malignant  fcan Jalous  perfons,  and  alfo  the  removing 
 of  fedtaries  when  they  (hall  be  found  therein,  that 
 they  may  give  real  evidence  that  they  did  not  deal 
 deceitfully  with  God,  in  the  day  that  they  engaged 
 themfelves  thereto. 
 
 Albeit  we  hope  and  pray  that  thofe  who  bear  charge 
 in  our  army,  will,  from  the  remembrance  of  the  Lord's 
 goodnefs  to  them,  and  the  honour  that  he  hath  put 
 upon  them,  endeavour  to  carry  themfelves  faithful- 
 ly, and  ftraightly,  yet  it  cannot  be  unfeafonable  to 
 warn  them  to  take  heed  of  temptations,  and  to  beware 
 of  fnares  that  they  be  not  drawn  to  indifferency  or 
 neutrality  in  the  caufe  of  God,  much  lefs  unto  con- 
 nivance at,  or  compliance  with  the  courfes  and  de- 
 figns  of  malignants  or  fedlaries,  but  to  flick  cipfely 
 by  the  fame,  and  to  be  zealous  againft  all  the  enemies 
 and  adverfaries  thereof :  and  it  concerns  foldiers  to  be 
 content  with  their  wages,  and  to  do  violence  to  no 
 man,  but  as  they  are  called  unto  the  defence  of  the 
 caufe  and  people  of  God,  fo  to  behave  themfelves  in 
 fuch  a  blamelefs  and  Chriftian  way,  that  their  carriage 
 may  be^a  testimony  to  his  caufe,  and  a  comfort  to  his 
 people  ;  fo  fhall  our  armies  profper,  and  the  Lord  fhall 
 go  out  with  them. 
 
 But  mod  of  all  it  concerns  the  minifters  of  the  gof- 
 pel  whom  God  hath  called  to  give  warning  to  his 
 people  to  look  to  their  duty;  it  is  undeniably  true, 
 that  many  of  the  evils  wherewith  this  kirk  and  king- 
 dom hath  been  afflicted  in  our  age,  have  come  to  pafs, 
 becaufc  of  the  negligence  of  fome,  and  corruptions  of 
 others  of  the  miniftry,  whilft  fome  fell  afleep,  and 
 were  carelefs,  and  others  were  covetous  and  ambi- 
 tious, the  evil  man  brought  in  prelacy,  and  the  cere- 
 monies, and  had  far  promoted  the  fervice-book,  and 
 the  book  of  Canons  -,  and  the  courfe  of  backfliding 
 and  revolting  was  carried  on,  until  it  pleafed  God  to 
 ftir  up  the  fpirits  of  thefe  few,  who  ftood  in  the  gap 
 to  oppofe  and  refill  the  fame,  and  to  begin  the  work  of 
 reformation  in  the  land  \  fince  which  time,  the  filence 
 
 .■.-«*-     •#  of 
 
(     445     ) 
 of  fome  minifters,  and  compliance  of  others,  hath  had 
 great  influence  upon  thebackfliding  of  many  amongit 
 the  people,  who  upon  the  difcovery  of  the  evil  of  their 
 way,  complain  that  they  got  not  warning  ;  or  that  if 
 they  were  warned  by  fome,   others  held  their  peace, 
 or  did  juftify  them  in  the  courfe  of  their  backfliding  ; 
 we  can  lock  upon  fuch  minifters  no  otherwife  than 
 upon  thofe  that  are  guilty  of  the  blood  of  the  Lord's 
 people,  and   wi.h  whom  the  Lord  will  reckon  for  all 
 the  breach  of  covenant,  and  defe£tion  that  hath  been 
 in  the  land.     The  pried*  s  lips  fhould  preferve  know*, 
 ledge,  and  they  mould  feek  the  law  at  his  mouth,  for 
 he  is  the  meffenger  of  the  Lord  of  Hoits  ;  but  fuch 
 are  departed  out  of  the  way,  and  hath  caufed  many 
 to  ftumble  at  the  law,  therefore  hath  the  Lord  made 
 them  contemptible  and  bafe  before  all  the  people  : 
 according  as  they  have   not  kept  his  ways,  but  have 
 been  partial  in  his  law  ;  becaufe  they  have  loft  their 
 favour,  he  hath  caft  out  many  of  them  as  unfavoury 
 fait ;  but  fuch  as  have  been  faithful,  as  he  hath   pre- 
 ferved  from  the  violence  and  fury  of  men,  fo  hath  he 
 verified  his   word  in  their  mouths,   both   againft  his 
 enemies,  and  concerning  his  people  and  his  woik; 
 and  makes  them  fee,  though  not  all  their  defires  con- 
 cerning the  gofpel,  and  the  work  of  God  in  the  land, 
 yet  very  much  of  the  fruit  of  their  labour,  by  preferv- 
 ing  the  doctrine  and  all  the  ordinances  of  Jefus  Chrifl 
 in  their  purity,  and  adding  in  fome  meafure  thereto 
 the  power  and  life  thereof.     We  do  therefore  charge 
 all  the  minifters  of  the  land,  before  God  and  the  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrilt,  who  (hall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead 
 at  his  appearing  in  his  kingdom,  as  in  every  thing  to 
 be  enfamplesof  a  good  converfation,  and  to  walk  with- 
 out offence,   that  the  miniftry  be  not  blamed  ;  fo  to 
 take  heed  unto  the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghoft 
 hath  made  them  overfeers,  to  declare  unto  them  all 
 the  counfel  of  God,  and  to  give  them  timeous  warn- 
 ing concerning  every  danger  and  duty,  and  to  hold 
 forth  unto  them  the  lolid  grounds  of  real  confolation, 
 
 by 
 
(     446     ) 
 
 by  which  they  may  be  encouraged  and  comforted  in 
 all  their  trials  and  afflictions  ;  that  they  may  be  free 
 of  the  blood  of  all  men,  and  have  this  as  a  ground  of 
 rejoicing,  even  the  teftirnony  of  their  confciences,  that 
 in  fimplicity  and  godly  purenefs,  not  with  flefhly  wi(- 
 dom,  but  by  the  grace  of  God  they  have  had  their 
 converfation  in  the  world,  and  have  exhorted  and 
 comforted  and  charged  every  one  committed  unto 
 them  as  a  father  doth  his  children.  Efpecially,  mini- 
 fies are  to  be  careful  to  be  much  in  difcovering  the 
 temptations,  and  preffing  the  duties  of  the  times,  that 
 thefe  who  are  under  their  charge  may  know  what  to 
 avoid,  and  what  to  embrace  and  purfue  :  if  all  the 
 watchmen  in  the  land  (hall  give  warning,  and  blow 
 the  trumpet  at  once,  it  (hall  not  be  eafy  for  enemies 
 to  prey  upon  the  people  of  God.  We  know  nocaufe 
 why  any  whom  God  hath  called  to  preach  the  gofpel, 
 fhould  be  afraid  to  fpeak  boldly  in  the  name  of  the 
 Lord  -,  fince  God  hath  given  fo  manifeft  a  teftirnony 
 of  his  care  and  protection,  in  preserving  them  thefe 
 years  paft,  who  have  ftriven  to  be  faithful  to  him  who 
 hath  called  them  from  ail  the  fury  and  malice  of  ha- 
 ters of  the  work  of  God  and  of  the  kingdom  of  his 
 Son  Jefus  Chrift,  who  hath  promifed  to  be  with  his 
 fcrvants  unto  the  end  of  the  world. 
 
 Albeit  the  land  be  involved  in  many  difficulties,  and 
 cornpafied  about  with  great  and  imminent  dangers,  yet 
 there  is  hope  and  ground  of  confolation  concerning 
 this  thing.  The  Lord  is  in  the  midft  of  us,  and  we 
 are  called  by  his  name,  our  ears  hear  the  joyful  found 
 of  the  gofpel,  and  our  eyes  fee  our  teachers  ;  we  be- 
 hold the  arms  of  the  Lord  ftretched  out  daily  in  work- 
 ing falvation  for  his  people,  and  anfwering  their  de- 
 fifes  upon  their  enemies  by  terrible  things  in  righte- 
 oufnefs  ;  although  we  be  but  few  in  number,  yet  the 
 Lord  of  Hofts  is  with  us,  and  in  the  power  of  his 
 ftrength  we  fhall  be  able  to  prevail  \  although  our 
 land  be  defiled  with  fin,  yet  we  have  not  been  forfa- 
 ken  of  the  Lord  our  God,  but  he  hath  always  had  com- 
 
 jlf!  paflion 
 
(     447     ) 
 
 paflion  upon  us,  and  delivered  us  in  all  our  diftrefles  ; 
 although  fome  of  underftanding  fall,  it  is  but  to  try, 
 and  to  purge  and  to  make  white  even  to  the  end,  be- 
 caufe  it  is  yet  for  a  time  appointed  -,  although  many 
 cleave  to  us  by  flatteries,  yec  there  be  a  remnant  who 
 keep  their  integrity,  and  the  Lord  fhall  do  good  to 
 thefe  that  be  good,  but  fuch  as  turn  afide  to  crooked 
 ways,  (hall  be  led  forth  with  the  workers  of  iniquity. 
 
 I  he  Lord's  people  in  England  and  Ireland,  who 
 adhere  to  the  caufe  and  covenant,  may  be  perplexed, 
 but  (hall  not  defpair  •,  they  may  be  perfecuted,  but 
 .fhall  not  be  forfaken  ;  they  may  be  cart  down,  but 
 fhall  not  be  deftsoyed  :  and  although  uniformity,  and 
 the  work  of  reformation  in  thefe  lands,  feem  not  only 
 to  be  retarded,  but  almoft  plucked  up  by  the  roots, 
 and  the  foundation  thereof  razed  j  yet  the  feed  which 
 the  Lord  hath  fown  there,  (hall  again  take  root  down- 
 ward, and  bear  fruit  upward,  the  zeal  of  tht  Lord  of 
 Hofts  ihall  perform  this. 
 
 An  AH  of  the  JVe/i-kirk,  Augujl^  1650. 
 
 The  commiflion  of  the  general  aflembly,  confider- 
 ing  that  there  may  be  j u ft  ground  of  {tumbling,  from 
 the  K.  Majefty's  refufmg  to  fubferibe  and  emit  the 
 declaration  offered  to  him  by  the  committee  of  eftates, 
 and  the  commiflion  of  the  general  aflembly,  concern- 
 ing his  former  carriage  and  refolution6  for  the  future, 
 in  reference  to  the  caufe  of  God,  and  the  enemies 
 and  friends  thereof;  doth  therefore  declare,  that  this 
 kirk  and  kingdom  doth  not  own  or  efpoufe  any  ma- 
 lignant party,  or  quarrel,  or  intereft,  but  that  they 
 fight  merely  upon  their  former  grounds  and  princi- 
 ples, and  in  the  defence  of  the  caufe  of  God,  and  of 
 the  kingdom,  as  they  have  done  thefe  twelve  years 
 pad;  and  therefore,  as  they  difclaim  ail  the  fin  and 
 guilt  of  the  king,  and  of  his  houfe,  fo  they  will  not 
 own  him  nor  his  intereft,  otherwife  than  with  a  fub- 
 ordination  tp  God,  and  fo  far  as  he  owns  and  profe- 
 
 cutes 
 
(     443     ) 
 
 cutes  the  caufe  of  God,  and  difclaims  his  and  his  Fa- 
 ther's oppofition  to  the  work  of  God,  and  to  the  co- 
 venant, and  likewife  all  the  enemies  thereof :  and  that 
 they  will,  with  convenient  fpeed,  take  into  confeder- 
 ation the  papers  lately  fent  unto  them  by  Oliver  Crom- 
 wel,  and  vindicate  themfelves  from  all  the  faifehoods 
 contained  therein ;  efpecially  in  thefe  things,  where- 
 in the  quarrel  betwixt  us  and  that  party  is  miftated, 
 as  if  we  owned  the  late  king's  proceedings,  and  were 
 refolved  to  profecute  and  maintain  his  Majefty's  in- 
 tereft,  before  and  without  acknowledgement  of  the 
 fin  of  his  houfe  and  former  ways,  and  fatisfaftion  to 
 God's  people  in  both  kingdoms. 
 
 ALEX.    KER. 
 
 7 "he  form  and  order  of  the  Coronatkn  of  Charles  the 
 Second,  King  of  Scotland^  England^  France  and  Ire- 
 land)  as  it  was  acled  and  done  at  Scoon,  the  fir  ft  day 
 cf January ,  1652.  4 
 
 Pajftngfor  brevity' s  caufe ,  the  mofi  faithful  and  pertinent 
 
 fermen  for  the  /aid  work  then  preached  thereat,  men- 
 
 iioning  thereof y  only  the  two  lajl  examples  laid  before 
 
 the  hingyfo  relative  to  his  J aid  Coronation ,  in  thofe  ex- 
 
 prefs  ivords* 
 
 BEFORE  I  clofe,  I  (hall  fefck  leave  to  lay  before 
 our  young  king,  two  examples  to  beware  of,  and 
 one  to  follow.  The  two  warning  examples,  one  of 
 them  is  in  the  text,  another  is  in  our  own  hiftory. 
 
 The  firit  example  is  of  Joafh.  He  began  well,  and 
 went  on  in  a  godly  reformation  all  the  days  of  Jeho- 
 iada,  but  it  is  obferved,  2  Chron.  xxiv.  17.  that  after 
 the  days  of  Jehoiada,  the  princes  of  Judah  came  and 
 did  obedience  to  the  king,  and  he  hearkened  unto 
 them,  ver.  18.  It  appeareth  that  they  had  been  lying 
 in  wait,  till  the  death  of  Jehoiada,  and  took  that  op- 
 portunity to  deftroy  the  true  worfhip  of  God,  and'fet 
 up  falfe  worfhip,  flattering  the  king  for  that  effect. 
 
 jtik  For 
 
(  449  ) 
 For  it  is  faid,  They  left  the  hoiife  of  the  Lord>  andferved 
 groves  and  idols,  and  were  fo  far  from  being  reclaimed 
 by  the  prophet  of  the  Lord,  that  was  fent  unto  them, 
 that  they  confpired  againft  Zechariah  the  fon  of Jeho- 
 iadah,  who  reproved  them  mildly  for  their  idolatry, 
 and  (toned  him  with  ftones,  and  flew  him  at  the  king's 
 commandment.  And  ver,  22.  it  is  faid,  J oajh  remem- 
 bered not  the  kindnefs  that  Jehoiada  his  father  had  done 
 to  h'wiy  but  few  his  fon. 
 
 Sir,  take  this  example  for  a  warning,  you  are  o- 
 bliged  by  the  covenant,  to  go  on  in  the  work  of  refor- 
 mation. It  may  be,  fome  great  ones  are  waiting  their 
 j  time,  not  having  opportunity  to  work  for  the  prefent^ 
 till  afterward  they  may  make  obcifance,  and  perfuade 
 you  to  deitroy  all  that,  hath  been  done  in  the  work  of 
 God  thefe  divers  years.  Beware  of  it,  let  no  allure- 
 ment or  perfuafion  prevail  with  you,  to  fall  from  that 
 which  this  day  you  bind  yourfelf  to  maintain. 
 
 Another  example  I  give  you  yet  in  recent  memory, 
 of  your  grandfather  King  James.  He  fell  to  be  very 
 young,  in  a  time  full  of  difficulties,  yet  there  was  a 
 godly  party  in  the  land,  who  did  put  the  crown  upon 
 his  head  :  and  when  he  came  to  fome  years,  he  and 
 his  people  entered  in  a  covenant  with  God.  He  was 
 much  commended  by  godly  and  faithful  men,  com- 
 paring him  to  young  Jofiah  {landing  at  the  altar,  re- 
 newing a  covenant  with  God ;  and  he  hirnfelf  did 
 thank  God,  that  he  was  born  in  a  reformed  kirk,  bet- 
 ter reformed  than  England,  for  they  retained  many 
 popifh  ceremonies  ;  yea,  better  reformed  than  Gene- 
 va, for  they  kept  fome  holidays  ;  charging  his  people 
 to  be  conftant,  and  promifed  hirnfelf  to  continue  in 
 that  reformation,  and  to  maintain  tire  fame.  Not* 
 withftandjng  of  all  this,  he  made  a  foul  defection  : 
 he  remembered  not  the  kindnefs  of  them  who  had 
 held  the  crown  upon  his  head  \  yea,  he  perfecuted 
 faithful  minifters  for  oppofing  that  courfe  of  defection. 
 He  never  refted  until  he  had  undone  Prefbyterian  go- 
 vernment, and  kirk  afiemblies,  fetting  up  bifhops,  and 
 bringing  Ln  ceremonies,  againft  which  formerly  he  had 
 QLq  given 
 
(     450     ) 
 
 given  in  large  teftimony.  In  a  word,  he  laid  the  foun- 
 dation, whereupon  his  fon,  our  late  king,  did  build 
 much  mifchief  to  religion,  all  the  days  of  his  life. 
 
 Sir,  I  lay  this  example  before  you  the  rather,  be- 
 caufe  it  is  fo  near  you,  that  the  guiltinefs  of  the  tranf- 
 greflion  lieth  upon  the  throne  and  family,  and  it  is 
 one  of  the  fins,  for  which  you  have  profefled  humilia- 
 tion very  lately :  let  it  be  laid  to  heart,  take  warning  : 
 requite  not  faithful  men's  kindnefs  with  perfecution  : 
 yea,  requite  not  the  Lord  fo,  who  hath  preferved  you 
 to  this  time,  and  is  fetting  a  crown  upon  your  head : 
 requite  rot  the  Lord  with  apoftacy  and  defe£Uon,  from 
 a  fworn  covenant,  but  be  ftedfaft  in  the  covenant,  as 
 you  would  give  teftimony  of  your  true  humiliation 
 for  the  defection  of  thefe  that  went  before  you. 
 
 I  have  fet  up  thefe  two  examples  before  you  as 
 beacons  to  warn  you  to  keep  eff  fuch  dangerous 
 courfes,  and  fhall  add  one  for  imitation,  which  if 
 followed,  may  happily  bring  with  it  the  blefling  of 
 that  godly  man's  adherence  to  God.  The  example 
 is  of  Hezekiah,  who  did  that  'which  was  right  in  the 
 fight  of  the  Lordy  2  Kings  xviii.  5,  6.  It  is  faid  of 
 him,  He  trufted  in  the  Lord  God  of  Ifrael%  and  he  clave 
 iinto  the  Lordy  and  departed  not  from  following  him,  but 
 kept  his  commandments.  And  ver.  7.  The  Lord  was 
 with  bims  and  he  profpered  whitherfiever  he  went  forth. 
 
 Sir,  follow  this  example,  cleave  unto  the  Lord,  and 
 depart  not  from  following  him,  and  the  Lord  will  be 
 with  you,  and  profper  you,  whitherfoever  you  go.  To 
 this  Lord,  from  whom  we  expe£t  a  blefling  upon  this 
 day's  work,  be  glory  and  praife  for  ever.     Amen. 
 
 Sermon  being  ended,  prayer  was  made,  for  a  blef- 
 fing  upon  the  doftrine  delivered. 
 
 The  king  being  to  renew  the  Covenants,  firft  the 
 National  Covenant,  then  the  Solemn  League  and  Co- 
 venant, were  diftin&ly  read. 
 
 After  the  reading  of  thefe  Covenants,  the  minifter 
 prayed  for  grace  to  perform  the  contents  of  the  cove- 
 nants, and  for  faithful  ftedfaflnefs  in  the  oath  of  God, 
 and  then  (the  minifters  commiflioners  of  the  general 
 
 afl'emblv, 
 
(    45t     ). 
 
 afi~embly,defired  to'be prefent  (landing  before  the  pul- 
 pit) he  miniftered  the  oath  unto  the  king  ;  who  kneel- 
 ing, and  lifting  up  his  right  hand,  did  fwear  in  the 
 words  following. 
 
 "  I  CHARLES,  King  of  Great  Britain,  France 
 11  and  Ireland,  do  aflure  and  declare  by  my  folemn 
 u  oath,  in  the  prefence  of  Almighty  God,  the  fearch- 
 cc  er  of  hearts,  my  allowance  and  approbation  of  the 
 11  National  Covenant,  and  of  the  Solemn  League  and 
 €i  Covenant  above-written,  and  faithfully  oblige  my- 
 <c  felf,  to  profecute  the  ends  thereof,  in  my  ftation 
 <c  and  calling;  and  that  I  for  myfelf  and  fucceflbrs, 
 u  (hall  confent  and  agree,  to  all  a£fcs  of  parliament 
 u  enjoining  the  National  Covenant,  and  the  Solemn 
 ?  League  and  Covenant,  and  fully  eftablilhing  Pref- 
 €i  byterian  government.  The  Directory  of  Worfhip, 
 c<  Confeffion  of  Faith,  and  Catechifms,  in  the  king- 
 ic  dom  of  Scotland,  as  they  are  approven  by  the  ge- 
 u  neral  afiernblies  of  the  kirk  and  parliament  of  this 
 €i  kingdom,  and  that  I  fhali  give  my  royal  aifent  to 
 *c  a£ts  and  ordinances  of  parliament,  palled  or  to  be 
 u  pafled,  enjoining  the  fame  in  my  other  dominions. 
 M  And  that  I  (hall  obferve  thefe  in  my  own  practice 
 <c  and  family,  and  {hail  never  make  oppofition  to  any 
 i€  of  thefe,  or  endeavour  any  change  thereof. ' 
 
 After  the  king  had  thus  folemniy  fworn  the  Na- 
 tional Covenant,  the  League  and  Covenant,  and  the 
 king's  oath  fubjoined  unto  both,  being  drawn  up  in  a 
 fair  parchment ;  the  king  did  fubfcribe  the  fame,  in 
 prefence  of  all. 
 
 Thereafter  the  king  afcending  the  ftage,  and  fitteth 
 down  in  the  chair  of  date. 
 
 Then  the  Lords,  Great  Ccnftable,  and  Marfhal, 
 went  to  the  four  corners  of  the  ftage,  with  the  Lion 
 going  before  them,  who  fpoke  to  the  people  thefe 
 words.  "  Sirs,  I  do  prefent  unto  you  the  king, 
 H  CHARLES,  the  rightful  and  undoubted  heir  of 
 "  the  crown  and  dignity  of  this  realm  ;  this  day,  is  by 
 "  the  parliament  of  this  kingdom  appointed  for  his 
 Qjj  2  "  Coronation, 
 
(    45*    ) 
 **  Coronation,  and  are  you  not  willing  to  have  him 
 "  for  your  king,  and  become  fubjecS   to  his  com- 
 **  mandments  ?" 
 
 [n  which  aftion,  the  King's  Majefty  ftood  up, 
 (hewing  himfelf  to  the  people,  in  each  corner ;  and 
 the  people  exprefied  their  willingnefs,  by  chearful  ac- 
 clamations, hi  thefe  words,  Godfave  the  king,  Charles 
 the  Second. 
 
 Thereafter  the  king'6  majefty,  fupported  b\  the 
 Conftable,  and  Marftial,  cometh  down  from  the  ftage, 
 and  fitteth  down  in  the  chair,  wrhere  he  heard  the 
 fermon. 
 
 The  minifter,  accompanied  with  the  minifters  be- 
 fore-mentioned, cometh  from  the  pulpit  toward  the 
 king;  and  requireth  if  he  was  willing  to  take  the 
 oath,  appointed  to  be  taken  at  the  coronation. 
 
 The  king  anfwered,  he  was  moft  willing. 
 
 Then  the  Oath  of  Coronation,  as  it  is  contained  in 
 the  eighth  aft  of  the  firft  parliament  of  King  James, 
 being  read  by  the  Lion,  the  tenor  whereof  followeth, 
 
 '*  Became  that  the  increafe  of  virtue*  and  fup- 
 <{  preffing  of  idolatry,  craveth,  that  the  prince  and 
 "  the  people  be  of  one  perfe£t  religion,  which  of 
 u  God's  mercy  is  now  prefently  prof^fled  within  this 
 M  realm  ;  therefore  it  L  ftatuted  and  ordained,  by  our 
 <<  fovereign  Lord,  my  Lord  R.egentr,  and  three  eftates 
 li  of  this  prefent  parliament,  that  all  kings,  princes 
 ff  and  magiftrates  whatfoever,  holding  their  place, 
 t*  which  hereafter  at  any  time  (hall  happen  to  reign, 
 €(  and  bear  rule  over  this  realm  at  the  time  of  their 
 
 V  coronation,  and  receipt  of  their  princely  authority, 
 «*  make  their  faithful  promiferin  prefence  of  the  e- 
 '*  teinal  God,  that  enduring  the  whole  courfe  of  their 
 u  lives,  they  (ball  ferve  the  fame  eternal  God,  to  the 
 44  urmoft  of  their  power,  according  as  he  hath  requir- 
 cc  ed  in  his  moft  holy  word,  revealed  and  contained. 
 
 V  in  the  Old  and  New  4Teftaments  ;  and  according 
 :o  the  fame  word,  (hall  maintain  the  true  religion 
 
 f  Chrift  Jefus,  the  preaching  of  his  holy  word,  and 
 
 "  due 
 
(  453  ) 
 "  due  and  right  miniftration  of  the  facraments,  now 
 u  received  arrd  preached  within  this  realm  :  and  (hall 
 u  abolifh  and  gainftand  all  falfe  religions,  contrary  to 
 11  the  fame.  And  (hall  rule  the  people  committed  ro 
 Cl  their  charge,  according  to  the  will  and  command 
 11  of  God,  revealed  in  his  forefaid  word,  and  accord- 
 u  ing  to  the  loveable  laws,  and  conftitutions  received 
 c<  in  this  realm,  no  ways  repugnant  to  the  faid  word 
 11  of  the  eternal  God  ;  and  (hall  procure  to  the  utmoft 
 u  of-  their  power,  to  the  kirk  of  God  and  the  whole 
 u  Chriftian  people,  true  and  perfe£t  peace,  in  time 
 u  coming.  The  rights  and  rents,  with  all  juft  privi- 
 u  leges  of  the  crown  of  Scotland  to  preferve  and  keep 
 c<  inviolated,  neither  (hall  they  transfer  nor  alienate 
 **  the  fame.  They  (hall  forbid  and  reprefs  in  all  eftates 
 M  and  degrees,  ceafe  pppreffion,andall  kind  of  wrong. 
 t{  In  all  judgments  they  (hall  command  and  procure, 
 u  that  juftice  and  equity  be  kept  to  all  creatures 
 u  without  exception,  as  the  Lord  and  Father  of  Mer- 
 H  cies  be  merciful  unto  them.  And  out  of  their  lands 
 "  and  empire  they  (hall  be  careful  to  root  out  all  he- 
 u  retics,  and  enemies  to  the  true  worfhip  of  God,  that 
 €<  (hall  be  convifted  by  the  true  kirk  of  God,  of  the 
 ic  forefaid  crimes,  and  that  they  {hall  faithfully  affirm 
 "  the  things  above-written,  by  their  folemn  oath." 
 
 The  minifter  tendereth  the  oath  unto  the  king,  who 
 kneeling,  and  holding  up  his  right  hand,  fware  in 
 thefe  words :  <€  By  the  eternal  and  Almighty  God, 
 who  liveth  and  reigneth  for  ever,  1  (hall  obferve  and 
 keep  all  that  is  contained  in  this  oath." 
 
 This  done,  the  king's  Majefty  fitteth  down  in  his 
 chair,  and  repofeth  himielf  a  little. 
 
 Then,  the  king  arifeth  from  his  chair,  and  is  difrob- 
 ed,  by  the  Great  Lord  Chamberlain>  of  the  princely 
 robe,  wherewith  he  entered  the  kirk,  and  is  inverted 
 by  the  faid  chamberlain  in  his  royal  robes. 
 
 Thereafter,  the  king  being  brought  to  the  chair 
 on  the  north  fide  of  the  kirk,  fupported  as  formerly, 
 the  fword  was  brought  by  Sir  William  Ccckburn  of 
 
 Langtown, 
 
(    454     ) 
 
 Langtown,  Gentleman  Ufher,  from  the  table,  and 
 delivered  to  Lion  king  at  arms  ;  who  giveth  it  to 
 the  Lord  Great  Conftable,  who  putteth  the  fame  in 
 the  king's  hand,  faying,  f*  bir,  receive  this  kingly 
 fword,  for  the  defence  of  the  faith  of  Chrift,  and  pro- 
 tection of  his  kirk,  and  of  the  true  religion,  as  it  is  pre- 
 fentiy  profefled  within  this  kingdom,  and  according  to 
 the  National  Covenant,  and  League  and  Covenant, 
 and  for  executing  equity  and  juftice,  and  for  punjlh- 
 rnentof  all  iniquity  and  injuftice." 
 
 This  done,  the  Great  Conftable  receiveth  the  fword 
 from  the  king,  and  girdeth  the  fame  about  his  fide. 
 
 Thereafter  the  king  fitting  down  in  his  chair,  and 
 then  the  fpurs  were  put  on  him  by  the  Earl  Marfhal. 
 
 Thereafter,  Archibald,  Marquis  of  Argyle,  having 
 taken  the  crown  in  his  hands,  the  minifter  prayed  to 
 this  purpofe. 
 
 u  That  the  Lord  will  purge  the  crown  from  the  fins 
 and  tranfgreffionsof  them  that  did  reign  before  him; 
 that  it  might  be  a  pure  crown,  that  God  would  fettle 
 the  crown  upon  the  king's  head  :  and  fince  men,  that 
 fet  it  on,  were  not  able  to  fettle  it,  that  the  Lord 
 would  put  it  on,  and  preferve  it."  And  then  the  faid 
 Marquis,  put  the  crown  on  the  king's  head. 
 
 Which  done,  the  Lion  King  at  Arms,  the  Great 
 Conftable  {landing  by  him,  cauftd  an  herald  to  call 
 the  whole  noblemen,  one  by  one,  according  to  their 
 ranks;  who  coming  before  the  king,  kneeling,  and 
 with  their  hand  touching  the  crown  on  the  king's 
 head,  fwore  thefe  words,  "  By  the  eternal  and  Al- 
 mighty God,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  for  ever,  1  (hall 
 fupport  thee  to  my  utmoft."  And  when  they  had 
 done,  then  all  the  nobility  held  up  their  hands,  and 
 "  fware  to  be  loyal  and  true  fubje&s,  and  faithful  to 
 the  crown." 
 
 The  Earl  Marflial,  with  the  Lion,  going  to  the  four 
 corners  of  the  ftage,  the  Lion  proclaimeth  the  obli- 
 gatory oath  of  the  people  :  and  the  people  holding  up 
 their  hands  all  the 'time,  did  fwear.  "  By  the  eternal 
 and  Almighty  God,  who  liverh  and  reigneth  for  ever, 
 
 \\< 
 
(  457  ) 
 the  king  of  Judah,  and  fay,  "  Hear  the  word  of  the 
 Lord,  O  king  of  Judah,  that  fitteit  uponthethrone,  and 
 thy  fervants,  and  thy  people  :  execute  you  judgment 
 and  righteoufnefs,  and  deliver  the  fpoiled  out  of  the 
 hand  of  the  oppreflbg  and  do  no  wrong,  do  no  vio- 
 lence, to  the  ftranger,  the  fatherlefs,  nor  the  widow, 
 neither  fhed  innocent  blood  in  this  place.  If  ye  do 
 this  thing  indeed,  then  {hall  there  enter  by  the  gates 
 of  this  houfe,  kings  fitting  upon  the  throne  of  David. 
 But  if  ye  will  not  hear  thefe  words,  I  fwear  by  myfelf, 
 faith  the  Lord,  this  houfe  (hall  become  a  defolation. 
 '  And  ver.  7.  "  1  will  prepare  deftroyers  againft  thee." 
 
 Sir,  deftroyers  are  prepared  fcf  the  injuftice  of 
 the  throne,  I  intreat  you,  execute  righteous  judgment  \ 
 if  you  do  it  not,  your  houfe  will  be  a  defolation :  but 
 if  you  do  that  which  is  right,  God  fhall  remove  the 
 deftrcyer  -,  and  you  fhall  be  eftablifhed  on  your  throne, 
 and  there  fhall  yet  be  dignity  in  your  houfe,  for  .your 
 fervants,  and  for  your  people. 
 
 Laltly,  If  your  throne  be  the  throne  of  the  Lord,  tak>: 
 a  word  of  encouragement  againft  throne-adverfraie.-. 
 Your  enemies  are  the  enemies  of  the  Lord's  throne  : 
 make  your  peace  with  God  in  Chrift,  and  the  Lord 
 fhall  fcatter  your  enerries  from  the  throne  ;  and  he 
 (hall  magnify  you  yet  in  the  fight  of  thefe  nations,  and 
 make  the  milled  people  fubmit  themfelves  willingly 
 to  your  government. 
 
 Sir,  if  you  ufe  well  the  Lord's  throne,  on  which 
 you  are  fet,  then  the  two  words  in  the  place  cited, 
 1  Chron.  xxix.  23.  fpoken  of  Solomon  fitting  on  tfye 
 throne  of  the  Lord,  •'  He  profpered,  and  Ifrael  obey- 
 ed him,"  ilnil  belong  unto  you,  "  your  people  fl.vili 
 profper  in  the  fight  of  the  nations  round  about." 
 
 Then  the  Lord  Chancellor  went  to  the  four  cor- 
 ners of  the  ftage,  the  Lyon  King  of  Arms  going  be- 
 fore him,  and  proclaimed  his  majefty's  free  pardon, 
 to  all  breakers  of  penal  ftatutes,  and  made  offer  there- 
 of, whereupon  the  people  cried,  God  fave  the  King. 
 
 Then  the  King,  fupported  by  the  Great  Conftable 
 TV  r  *nd 
 
(  43S  ) 
 and  Marlha!,  and  accompanied  with  the  Chancellor* 
 arofe  from  the  throne*  and  went  out  at  a  door  prepar- 
 ed for  the  purpofe,  to  a  ftage,  and  (hewed  himfelf  to 
 the  people  without,  who  clapped  with  their  hands, 
 and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  a  long  time,  God  fave 
 the'King. 
 
 Then  the  king  returning,  and  fitting  down  upon 
 the  thro:  r,  delivered  the  fcepter  to  the  Earl  of  Craw- 
 ford ana  Lindsay  to  be  carried  before.  Thereafter  the 
 Lion  King  of  Arms,  rehearfed  the  royal  line  of  the 
 kings  upward  to  Fergus  I. 
 
 Then  the  Lion  called  the  lords  one  by  one,  who 
 kneeling  and  holding  their  hands  betwixt  the  king's 
 hands,  did  fwear  thefe  words.:  <c  By  the  Eternal  and 
 <f  Almighty  God,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  for  ever,  I 
 *  «*  do  become  your  leigeman,  and  truth  and  faith  fhall 
 61  bear  unto  you,  and  die  with  you  againft  all  manner 
 u  of  folks  wha- ioever  in  your  fervice,  according  to 
 * f  the  National  Covenant,  and  Solemn  League  and 
 "  Covenant.'' 
 
 And  ereiy  one  of  them  kified  the  king's  left  cheek, 
 When  thefe  folemnities  were  ended,  the  minifter 
 ftandiog  before  the  king  on  his  throne,  pronounced 
 this  bleffing. 
 
 <<  The  Lord  blefs  thee,  and  fave  thee.  The  Lord 
 "  hear  thee  in  the  day  of  trouble.  The  name  of  the 
 "  God  of  Jacob  defend  thee.  Lord  fend  thee  help 
 €C  trom  the  fan£hiary,  and  ftrengthen  thee  out  of  Si- 
 €i  on."     Amen 
 
 After  bleffing  pronounced,  the  minifter  went  to  the 
 pulpit,  and  had  the  following  exhortation,  the  king 
 faring  upon  the  throne  Ye  have  this  day  a  king 
 crowned,  and  entered  into  covenant  with  God  and  his 
 people.  Look,  both  king  and  people,  that  ye  keep 
 this  covenant,  and  beware  of  the  breach  of  it.  That 
 ye  may  be  the  more  careful  to  keep  it,  1  wili  lay  a  few 
 things  before  you. 
 
 I  remember  when  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant was  entered  into  by  both  natiqns,  the  commif- 
 
 fioners/ 
 
I     459     ) 
 
 fioners  from  England  being  prefent  in  the  Eaft  Kirk  of 
 Edinburgh,  a  paiTage  was  cited  out  of  Neh.  v.  13. 
 v/hich  I  fhall  now  again  cite.  Nehemiah  requireth  an 
 oath  of  the  nobles  and  people,  to  reftore  the  mortgaged 
 lands,  which  they  promifed  to  do.  After  the  oath  was 
 tendered,  in  the  13th  verfe,  he  did  (hake  his  lap  and 
 faid,  So  God /hake  out  every  man  from  his  houfe9  and 
 from  his  labour  that  per/crmeth  not  his  promife,  even 
 thus  be  he/ljaken  out  and  emptied;  and  ail  the  congrega- 
 tion faid }  Amen, 
 
 Since  that  time,  many  of  thefe  who  were  in  cove- 
 nant are  fliaken  out  of  it,  yea,  they  have  (haken  off 
 the  covenant  and  laid  it  afide.  It  is  true,  they  are 
 profpering  this  day,  and  think  that  they  profper,  by 
 laying  afide  the  covenant ;  but  they  will  be  deceived. 
 That  word  then  fpoken  fhall  not  fall  to  the  ground. 
 God  (hall  (hake  them  out  of  their  poflfeffions.  and  emp- 
 ty them  for  their  perfidious  breach  of  the  covenant. 
 
 The  fame  I  fay  to  king  and  nobles,  and  all  that 
 are  in  covenant,  if  you  break  that  covenant,  being  fo 
 folemnly  fworn,  all  thefe  who  have  touched  your 
 crown  and  fworn  to  fupport  it,  (hall  not  be  able  to 
 hold  it  on  ;  but  God  will  (hake  it  off,  and  turn  you 
 from  the  throne.  And  ye  noblemen,  who  are  affift- 
 ant  to  the  putting  on  of  the  crown,  and  fetting  the 
 king  upon  the  throne,  if  ye  (hall  either  aflift,  or  ad- 
 vife  the  king  to  break  the  covenant,  and  overturn  the 
 work  of  God,  he  fhall  (hake  you  out  of  your  poffelli- 
 ons,  and  empty  you  of  a:l  your  glory. 
 
 Another  paflage  I  offer  to  your  ferious  confidera- 
 tion,  Jer.  xxxiv.  3.  After  that  Zedekiah  had  promifed 
 to  proclaim  liberty  to  all  the  Lord's  people,  who  were 
 fervanis,  and  entered  in  a  covenant  he  and  his  prin- 
 ces to  let  them  go  free,  and  according  to  the  oath  had 
 let  them  go  •,. afterwards  they  caufed  the  fervants  to 
 return,  and  brought  them  into  iubjefkion,  verfe  11. 
 What  folio weth  upon  this  breach,  verfe  15,  16.  Te 
 were  now  turned?  and  Jmd  done  right  in  my  fight  to  pro- 
 claim liberty  ;  but  ye  turned*  and  made  them  fervants  a- 
 R  r  2.  vain*' 
 
(     46o     ) 
 
 gain.  And  therefore,  verfe  18,  19,  20,  21.  I will 
 give  the  men  who  have  tranfgreffed  my  covenant,  who 
 have  not  performed  the  words  of  the  c, tenant \  which 
 they  made  before  me  tuhen  they  cut  the  calf  in  twain ,  and 
 paffed  between  the  parts  thereof  1  I  will  even  give  them 
 into  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  into  the  hand  of  them  that 
 jeek  their  life,  even  Zedehiah  and  his  princes. 
 
 If  the  breach  of  the  covenant  made  for  the  liberty 
 of  fervants  was  fo  punifhed,  what  (hall  be  the  punifh- 
 ment  of  the  breach  of  a  covenant  for  religion,  and 
 the  liberty  of  the  people  of  God  ?  There  is  nothing 
 more  terrible  to  kings  and  princes,  than  to  be  given 
 into  the  hand  of  enemies,  th3t  feek  their  life.  If  you 
 would  efcape  this  judgment,  let  king  and  princes  keep 
 their  covenant  made  with  God.  Your  enemies  who 
 feek  your  life,  are  in  the  land,  if  ye  break  the  cove- 
 nant, it  may  be  feared  God  will  give  you  over  unto 
 them  as  a  prey.  But,  if  ye  keep  covenant,  it  may  be 
 expected,  God  will  keep  you  out  of  their  hands. 
 
 Let  not  the  place  ye  heard  opened,  be  forgotten, 
 for  in  it  ye  have  an  example  of  divine  juftice  agamft 
 Joafh  and  the  princes,  for  breaking  that  covenant,  2 
 Chron.  xxiv.  23.  The  princes  who  enticed  to  that 
 "breach,  are  dcftroyed  ;  and  in  the  24th  verfe,  it  is 
 fa  id,  The  army  of  the  Syrians  came  with  a  Jm all  compa- 
 ny of  men  y  and  the  Lord  delivered  a  very  great  hofl  into 
 their  hand,  hecaufe  they  hadforfaken  the  Lord  God  of 
 their  fathers  :  So  they' executed  judgement  againft  Joafh. 
 Ar\<\  verfe  25.  His  own  fervants  con fpircd  againjl  him  % 
 ahdjl&w  him  on  his  bed,   &c. 
 
 The  confprr?xy  of  fervants  or  fubjefts,  againft  their 
 king  is  a  wicked  courfe ;  but  God  in  his  righteous 
 judgment  fuftereth  fubjefts  to  confpire  and  rebel  a- 
 gaihft  their  princes,  becaufe  they  re5el  againft  God: 
 and  he  fuftereth  fub]e£ts  to  break  the  covenant  made 
 with  a  king  ;  becaule  he  breaketh  the  covenant  made 
 with  God.  I  may  fay  freely,  that  a  chief  caufe  of  the 
 judgment  upon  the  king's  houfe,  hath  been  the  grand 
 father's  breach  of  the  covenant  with  God,  and  the  fa- 
 ther's 
 
(  461  ) 
 
 ther's  following  his  fteps  in  oppofing  the  work  of  God 
 and  his  kirk  within  thefe  kingdoms.  They  brake  co- 
 venant with  God,  and  men  have  broken  the  covenant 
 with  them  :  yea,  moft  cruelly  and  perfidiouily  have 
 invaded  the  royal  family,  and  trodden  upon  all  prince- 
 ly dignity. 
 
 Be  wife  by  their  example  ;  you  are  now  fitting  up- 
 on the  throne  of  the  kingdom,  and  your  nobles  about 
 you,  there* is  one  above  vcu,  even  Jefus  the  King  of 
 Sion  :  and  I,  as  his  fervant,  care  not  but  be  free  with 
 you.  I  charge  you,  Sir,  in  his  name,  that  you  keep 
 this  covenant  in  all  poin's.  If  you  (hall  break  this  co- 
 venant, and  come  againft  his  caufe  ;  I  aflure  you,  the 
 controverfy  is  not  ended  between  God  and  your  fa- 
 mily :  but  will  be  carried  on  to  the  further  weakening, 
 if  not  the  overthrow  thereof.  But  if  you  fhall  keep 
 this  covenant,  and  befriend  the  kingdom  of  Chrift,  it 
 maybe  from  this  day,  God  fhall  begin  to  do  you  good, 
 Although  your  eflate  be  very  weak,  God  is  able  to  raife 
 you,  and  make  you  reign,  maugre  in  oppofitien  of  all 
 your  enemies  :  And  howfoever  it  fhall  pleafe  the  Lord 
 to  difpofe,  vou  fhall  have  peace  toward  God,  through 
 Chrift  the  Mediator. 
 
 As  for  you  who- are  nobles  and  peers  of  the  land, 
 your  fhare  is  greater  in  this  day  of  Coronation,  you 
 have  come  and  touched  the  crown,  and  fworn  to  Sup- 
 port it ;  ye  have  handled  the  fword  and  fcepter,  and 
 have  fet  down  the  king  upon  his  throne. 
 
 1  c<  I  charge  you  to  keep  your  covenant  with  God, 
 "  and  fee  that  ye  never  be  moved  yourfelves  to  come 
 ix  againftit  in  any  head  or  articles  thereof ;  and  that 
 "  ye  give  no  council  to  the  king  to  come  againft  .the 
 cc  deftrine,  worfrrp.  government  and  difcipline  of  the 
 4<  kirk,  eftablifhed  in  this  land,  as  ye  would  efchew 
 u  the  judgement  of  covenant  breakers,  if  the  king  and 
 <c  ye  who  are  engaged  to  fupport  the  crown,  confpire 
 li  together  againft  the  kingdom  of  Chrift,  bath  ye  that 
 u  do  fupport,  and  him  that  is  fupported,  will  fall  to* 
 
 <c  gether. 
 
(     4<S2     ) 
 
 iS  gether.  I  prefs  this  the  more,  becaufe  it  is  a  rare 
 <c  thing  to  fee  a  king  and  great  men  for  Chriit.  In 
 "  the  long  catalogue  of  kings,  which  ye  have  heard 
 u  recited  this  day,  they  will  be  found  few  who  have 
 €i  been  for  Chrift !  - 
 
 2.  "  I  charge  you  alfo,  becaufe  of  your  many  oaths 
 "  to  the  king,  that  you  keep  them  inviolable.  Be  faith- 
 "  ful  to  him  according  to  your  covenant.  The  oaths 
 11  of  God  are  upon  you,  if  directly  or  indire&ly,  ye 
 "  do  any  thing  againft  his  (landing,  God,  by  whom 
 cf  ye  have  fworn,  will  be  avenged  upon  you,  for  the 
 €<  breach  of  his  oath." 
 
 And  now  I  will  fhut  up  all  with  one  word  more  to 
 you.  ts  Sir,  you  are  the  only  covenanted  king  with 
 iS  God,  and  his  people,  in  the  world  :  many  have  ob- 
 u  ftrufted  your  entry  into  it :  now  feeing  the  Lord 
 u  hath  brought  you  in  over  all  thefe  obftrucUofis,  on- 
 IC  ly  obferve  to  do  what  is  contained  therein  ;  and  it 
 U  fliali  prove  a  happy  time  for  you,  and  your  houfe. 
 "  And  becaufe  you  are  entered  in  times  of  great  dif- 
 *  ficulty,  wherein  fmall  ftrength  feemeth  to  remain 
 4C  with" you,  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  for  recovering 
 <£  your  juft  power  and  greatnefs;  therefore  take  the 
 Ci  counfel  which  David  when  he  was  a  dying,  gave  to 
 "  his  fon  Solomon,  i  Kings  ii.  2,3  Be  Jlrong,  and 
 4<  Jhew  thyfelfa  man,  and  keep  the  charge  of  the  Lord  thy 
 4<  Gcdy  to  walk  in  his  ways,  and  keep  his  commandments, 
 u  that  thou  may  eft  pro/per  in  all  that  thou  doeji,  and  whi- 
 11  therfeever  thou  turncji  thyfelf" 
 
 Then  did  the  king's  majefty  defcend  from  the  ftage 
 with  the  crown  upon  his^hea<J,  and  receiving  again 
 the  fceptre  in  his  hand,  returned  with  his  whole  train 
 in  folemn  manner  to  his  palace,  the  fwprd  being  car- 
 ried  before  him. 
 
 This  fo  fair  and  joyful-like  appearance  was  a  taking 
 engagement  to  the  fpefhtors  of  this  folemnity,  who 
 with  no  fmall  alacrity  and  acclamation,  praying  for, 
 engaged  by  their  oath  (To  qualified  as  before  faici)  to 
 
 the 
 
(     4^3     ) 
 
 the  king,  whofe  gracious  and  tender-like  love  to,  and 
 care  for,  his  ingenuous  fubjetts,  then  further  appear- 
 ing in  the  ani'wer  to  the  chancellor's  humbly  present- 
 ing their  defire,  which  was  to  this  purpofe  : 
 
 •<  Sir,  your  good  fubjefts  defire  you  may  be  crown- 
 <c  ed,  as  the  righteous  and  lawful  heir  of  the  crown 
 u  of  this  kingdom-,  that  you  may  maintain  religion, 
 11  as  it  is  prefently  profeffed  and  ciHbiifhed,  conform 
 w  to  the  National  Covenant,  League  and  Covenant, 
 4i  and  according  to  youi  declaration  at  Dunfermline, 
 u  in  Auguftlaft  :  Aifo,  that  you  would  be  gr'acioufly 
 "  pleafed  to  receive  them  under  your  highnefs's  pro- 
 u  te&ion,  to  govern  them  by  the  laws  of  the  king- 
 •*  dom,  and  to  defend  them  in  their  rights  and  liber- 
 "  ties,  by  your  royal  power,  offering  themfelves  in 
 i€  mod  humble  manner  to  your  majefty,  with  their 
 M  vows  to  bellow  lands,  life,  and  what  eife  is  in  their 
 f<  power,  for  the  maintenance  of  religion  ;  the  fafe- 
 €f  ty  cf  your  msjefty's  facred  perfon,  and  mainte- 
 11  nance  of  your  crown,  which  they  entreat  your 
 m-ijefty  to  accept,  and  pray  Almighty  God,  that 
 for  many  years  you  may  happily  enjoy  the  fame." 
 
 it 
 
 The  King  made  this  anfvver ;  4<  I  do  efteern  the 
 i(  affections  of  my  good  people,  more  than  the  crowns 
 11  of  many  kingdoms,  and  fhall  be  ready,  by  God's 
 i€  affiftance,  to  beftow  my  life  in  their  defence,  wifh- 
 11  ing  to  live  no  longer,  than  I  may  fee  religion,  and 
 "  this  kingdom  flouriih,  in  all  happinefs." 
 
 What  could  be  more  alluring  for  engaging  thefe 
 faithfully  affectionate,  and  honeft  hearted  fubje&s  to 
 this  duty,  and  for  fully  affunng  them  of  an  happy, 
 and  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  religion,  laws  and 
 liberties  fo  folemnly  agreed  upon  :  when  yet  for  fur- 
 ther fecurity  to  all,  confulering  his  majefty'smoft  de- 
 liberate and  voluntary  declaration  at  Dumfermline,  as 
 is  fore  mentioned  by  the  chancellor  to  the  king,  the 
 y  furo 
 
(   464   ) 
 
 fum  whereof,  [profeffing  and  appearing  in  the  full 
 perfuafion  and  love  of  the  truth,  he  repenteth  (as  ha- 
 ving to  do  with  and  in  the  fight  of  God)  his  father^ 
 pppofitioR  to  the  covenant  and  work  of  God,  and  his 
 reiuctancies  againil  tfce  fame,  hoping  for  mercy  thro' 
 the  blood  of  Jcfus  Ohriit,  and  obtcfting  the  prayers  of 
 the  faithful  to  God  for  his  itedfaftnefs.]  And  then 
 protefted  his  truth  and  his  iincerity  to  enter  into  the 
 oath  of  God,  refoiving  to  profecute  the  end  of  the  co- 
 venant to  his  utmoit,  and  co  have  with  it  the  fame 
 common  friends  and  enemies,  exhorting  ail  to  lay 
 down  their  enmity  againft  the  caufe  of  God,  and  not 
 to  prefer  man's  intereft  to  God's,  which  will  prove  an 
 idol  of  jealoufy  to  provoke  the  Lord,  and  he  himfelf 
 accounteth  to  be  but  ieiiifh  flattery. 
 
 But  ah  !  how  the  king,  nobles,  and  others  ia  power, 
 have  kept ^ the  Covenants,  whether  as  to  the  Lord 
 or  his  people,  in  order  to  religion,  laws,  and  liberties, 
 their  many  dolelul  deeds,  with  the  moll  cruel  and 
 crying  effects  (that  hath  abounded  fince,  and  ftill 
 growing,)  can  belt  thow.  4i  Arife  O  Lord,  and 
 *<  plead  the  caufe  that  is  thine  own — let  not  man  pre- 
 it  vail — when  thou  feeft  our  power  is  gone,  and  there 
 *«  is  none  ihut  up  or  left :  for  thine  is  the  crown, 
 "  government,  kingdom,  power  and  glory  for  now 
 "  and  ever.     Amen." 
 
 F    I    N    I 
 
 //  is  hoped,  that  the  Suhfcribers  will  excufe  the  delay  of  this 
 Publication,  when  they  are  informed,  that  it  was  not 
 owing  to  the  negligence  of  the  Publtjhers  ;  but  file  ly  to  the 
 Printer's  running  out  of  Paper,  owing  to  an  increafe  in 
 the  number ■,   and  the  tbrongriefs  of  the  Prefs. 
 
 N.  B.  The  Covenants  being  bound  up  with  every  ordinary 
 Copy  of  cur  Wefminfter  ConfgJp$n  of  Faith,  are  not  here 
 infer  ted. 
 
LIST  of  SUBSCRIBERS    NAMES, 
 
 Given  in  by  John  Glen,  Port-glafgow. 
 
 PoRT-GLASGOW. 
 
 JAMES  Erlkine,  dyer 
 William  Brown, gardener 
 William  Wilfon,  flaxdreffer 
 John  M*Luckie,  clerk 
 J3mes  Millar,  jun.  wright 
 James  M'Leod,  cooper 
 Thomas  Craig,  grocer 
 Daniel  Ramfay,  failor 
 William  Allardice,  porter 
 James  Glen,  copperfmith 
 James  King,  innkeeper 
 Patrick  Crawford,  cooper 
 James  Ryce,  do, 
 Archibald  Davie,  do. 
 James  Gardiner,  porter 
 Robert  Hattridge,  do. 
 David  Borthwick,  do. 
 William  Scott, copperfmith 
 Daniel  Henderfon,  fawer 
 John  Eafton,  do. 
 Hugh  Wallace,  baker 
 John  Thorn fon,  carpenter 
 Alexander  Barnhiil 
 wiiliam  Holms,  fnoemaktr 
 Neil  M'Bride,  weaver 
 Andrew  Graham,  fawer 
 
 ,    Greenccx. 
 
 Patrick  Morris,  wright 
 John  Crawford,  j an.  cooper 
 
 Duncan  M'Auflan,  farmer 
 James  Shaw,  do. 
 Archibald  Graham,  cooper 
 James  Gillies,  fawer 
 Renton  M'Cara,  tailor 
 Daniel  M'Gowan,  merchant 
 Archibald  Shearer,  cabinet- 
 maker 
 William  Chalmers,  carter 
 John  Shearer,  (hoemaker 
 Walter  Graham,  do. 
 George  Niven,  do. 
 John  Hepburn,  do. 
 Robert  Fultarton,  do. 
 John  Parker,  do.  - 
 Peter  Millar,  do. 
 John  Fleming,  fm'uh 
 John  Biggar 
 
 Robert  Dale,  bridle -cuttf 
 Dougal  M'Callum,  hatter 
 Peter  Johnfton,  weaver 
 John  Warden,  farmer 
 Daniel  Crawford,  fmith 
 James  Chifholm,  merely 
 Gideon  Warden,  cooper 
 John  Wilfon,  mafon 
 Robert  Arthur,  wright 
 Robert  Sinclair,  cabinet-mr* 
 
 ker 
 Alexander  Allifon,  fawer 
 William  Marfhal,  do. 
 Dougal  M'Phadan,  cooj 
 
 S  f 
 
4  66  Subfcribers 
 
 Alex.  Campbell,  wright 
 William  Ruffe!,  mafon 
 John  M'Alafter,  merchant 
 James  Harvey,  dyer, 
 John  Gordon,  do* 
 John  Ait  ken,  weaver 
 Andrew  Main 
 Archibald  M'Gibbon,  tailor 
 Archibald  M'Ewen,  wright 
 Mr  Archibald  Ritchie,  mate 
 
 of  the   Royal    George, 
 
 Cumbray 
 
 Inkerkip. 
 
 Robert  Crawford,  farmer 
 Robert  Warden,  do. 
 John  Wilfon,  weaver 
 John  Archibald,  farmer 
 William  Watfon,  mafon 
 Bryce  Kerr,  farmer 
 James  Cochtsn,  (hoemaker 
 Archibald  Millar,  weaver 
 Jarceo  Muir,  fhip  carpenter 
 Archibald  Colquhoun 
 John  Houticn 
 Alex.  M'Pherfon,  farmer 
 Francis  Barclay,  do. 
 William  Millar,  do. 
 Peter  Buchanan,  wright 
 Jame3  Allan,  farmer 
 Robert  Houfton,  failor 
 
 Largs. 
 
 Hugh  Morris,  weaver 
 William  Paton,  Routerburn 
 John  Wilfon,  Walerfide 
 James  Black 
 Alexander  Blair,  mafon 
 William  M' Naught  wright 
 James  Wilfoii,  Ihoemaker 
 Tame*  M'Queen,  do. 
 in  Morris,  weaver 
 lames  Glen,  farmer 
 
 Names. 
 
 Archibald  Wilfon,  (hoera. 
 
 West  Kilbride, 
 
 John  Fleck,  farmer 
 
 James  Galbreath,  do. 
 
 William  Dun,  do. 
 
 John  Kyle,  do. 
 
 Robert  Hunter,  do. 
 
 John    Muir,    portioner,  ia 
 
 Drumiliing 
 John  Boyd,  weaver 
 Robert  Wilfon,  do. 
 John  Paton,  do 
 John  Gray,  fmith 
 Robert  Gemmel,  weaver 
 William  Fullarton 
 
 Saltcoats. 
 
 James  Morris,  jun. 
 William  Fleck,  coal  grieve 
 Thomas  Hunter,  jun.  mer- 
 chant • 
 Daniel  M'Gee,  weaver 
 Fergus  Kennedy,  mafon 
 Robert  Gait,  failor 
 Hugh  Campbell,  do. 
 William  Crawford,  farmer 
 Thomas  Barber,  do. 
 Hugh  Piewright,  failor 
 james  Malcolm,  weaver 
 
 Kilwinning. 
 
 William  Millar  Efq;  Monk- 
 cattle 
 James  Whyte,  Woodfide 
 Samuel  Muir,  innkeeper 
 William  Rankin,  dyer 
 William  Somerviile,  miller 
 James  Reid,  merchant 
 Robert  Boyd,  farmer 
 William  Bicket 
 Hugh  Ram  fay,  weaver 
 William  King,  do. 
 
Subfcribers  Names. 
 
 Alexander   Ramfay,    mer-       John  Whyte,  farmer 
 chant,  Beith 
 
 467 
 
 Dalry. 
 
 Hugh  Riley,  Hiiles 
 Hugh  Brown,  merchant 
 John  Kerr,  weaver 
 David  Paton,  do* 
 John  Richard,  do. 
 John  Robinfon,  do, 
 John  Pdlock,  do. 
 Hugh  Wilfon,  do. 
 John  Muir,  do. 
 James  Brown 
 John  Boyd,  dyke  builder 
 Robert  Brown,  farmer 
 James  Brown,  do. 
 James  Harvey,  do. 
 David  Stirrat,  cotton  manu- 
 facturer 
 jame3  Miller,  carter 
 Allan  Boyle,  farmer 
 William  Crawford,  mafon 
 
 KlLEIRNIE. 
 
 James  Orr,  merchant 
 George  Allan,  wright 
 David  Logan,  farmer 
 James  Barclay,  wright 
 William  Dickie,  wright 
 
 Kilmalcolm 
 
 John  Lang,  farmer 
 
 Margaret  Lang 
 
 Thomas  M'Millan,  cotton- 
 
 fpinner 
 John  Park,  Achendoors 
 James  Crawford,  wright* 
 
 Park 
 
 LOCHWINNIOCH. 
 
 Matthew  Mackie,  Carfe 
 Matthew  Crawford 
 
 William  Brodie,  farmer 
 Matthew  Mackie,  farmer 
 
 Erskink. 
 
 William  Hutchifon,  farmer 
 Robert  Lee,  cotton  fpinner 
 James  Blackwood,  wright 
 Matthew  whyte,  do. 
 Alexander  Jack,  farmer 
 william  Heattie 
 James  Allifon,  weaver 
 James  Cowan,  wright 
 Thomas  Stewart 
 Maxwell  Edgar,  fhoemaker 
 John  Kerr,  gardiner 
 James  Broadwood,  fervant 
 John  M'Keilar,  iivery-man 
 Matthew  SLiaw,  former 
 Matthew  Crawford,  do. 
 John  Lindfay,  do. 
 Archibald  Neiifon,  do. 
 Thomas    Whyte,    fmitk, 
 
 Houfton 
 Robert  Currie,  do.  do. 
 
 Inchinan. 
 
 Abraham  whitehill,  farmer 
 
 James -whitehill,  do. 
 
 John  whitehill,  do. 
 
 Alexander  Holm 
 
 John  M'Kay,  ftone  cutter 
 
 Patrick  Barr,  dyke  builder 
 
 John  Algie,  fmith 
 
 John  Bryce,  do. 
 
 Puncan  M'Naughtan,  do, 
 
 John  Stewart*  wrijght 
 
 James  Holm,  do. 
 
 John  Naefmith,  gardener 
 
 william  Bell,  coachman 
 
 Alexander  Forfyth,  gardiner 
 
 Robert -Graig,  weaver 
 
468 
 
 Suhfcribers  Names. 
 
 KlLPATHlCK 
 
 John  M'Morrich,  wright 
 
 Duncan  Graham 
 
 John  M'Kean 
 
 john  Paul 
 
 Peter  Br y fori 
 
 john  Young 
 
 james  Brock 
 
 Dumbarton. 
 Alex;  Brown,  wright 
 john  Denny,  do 
 Peter  walker,  do. 
 william  wilion,  do* 
 Robert  Lang,  do. 
 Peter  jarden,  do. 
 james  Chapman,  merchant 
 john  Lang,  do. 
 jamee  M*Kean,do. 
 Alexander  Stewart,  mafon 
 Andrew  Mair,  do. 
 james  M'Kinlay,  tailor 
 Robert  M'llroy,  fhoemaker 
 james  watfon,  do. 
 Archibaid  Buchanan,  do. 
 jsmcs  Steven,  fawer 
 james  Happie,  do. 
 william  Lang*  cooper 
 william  Craig,  milier 
 William  Gien,jun.  boatman 
 jean  walker 
 David  Glen,  farmer 
 Alex,  M'Phcrfon,  wright 
 william  M'^lhfter,  do. 
 AJcx.  williamfon,  do. 
 
 BoNHlLL. 
 
 j^me^  M'Allafter,  wright 
 Archibald  Buchanan,  do. 
 j^oi^a  M'Allafter,  merchant 
 Daniel  walker,  fmith 
 Donfral  M'Greeor  flaxdreff. 
 
 to  o 
 
 james  Henderfon,  manfe 
 jamea  Eweu 
 
 Mofes  Buchanan 
 Alexander  Dykes 
 Donald  Frazer,  engraver 
 Alexander  Bryce,  do, 
 william  Lindfay,  do. 
 Alexander  Brown,  do. 
 william  Philips,  do. 
 john  Gray,  cutter 
 james  M'Auflan,  do. 
 Archibald  Duff,  do. 
 Lewis  Guthrie,  do. 
 David  M'Indoe,  do. 
 james  Gardiner,  do. 
 D.  M'Ccnnochy 
 james    Blair,     copperplate- 
 printer 
 john  Ferguffon,  do. 
 Allan  Roger,  printer, 
 john  M«Farlane,  do. 
 john  Faulds,  do. 
 jame3  Thomfon,  do. 
 Robert  Glafs,  do. 
 john  M'Kinlay,  do. 
 Mungo  M'lutyre,  do. 
 john  Stevenfon,  do. 
 william  Hothonngton,  dp. 
 william  Muir,  do. 
 john  M'Aulay,  do. 
 Alexander  Morrifon,  do. 
 john  Barr,  do. 
 Alexander  M'Intofli,  do. 
 john  Nicol,  do. 
 james  Brodie,  do. 
 Archibald  M'Cailie,  do. 
 wiiiiam  M*Lintockr  do. 
 john  Lindfay,  do. 
 Archibaid  Stevenfon,  do. 
 Robert  jardan,  do. 
 john  Davie,  do. 
 Andrew  Hamilton,  do. 
 william  Paterfon,  do. 
 Lewis  Gardiner,  do. 
 john  M4Kechnie,  do. 
 james  M'Lintock,  do. 
 
Subfcrihers  Names. 
 
 tf9 
 
 George  M'Farlane,  do. 
 james  Morrifon,  do. 
 john  Buchanan,  do. 
 Alexander  M'Farlane,  do. 
 Robert  Connel,  do. 
 waiter  M'Kimay,  do. 
 Thomas  M'Farlane,  do. 
 Peter  M'Farlane,  do. 
 john  M'Murnch,  do. 
 Archibald  M'wattie,  do. 
 Thomas  Maltm3n,  do. 
 james  Colquhoun,  do. 
 Peter  Lindfay,  do. 
 waiter  M'Indoe,  do. 
 john  M'Cullocb,  do. 
 Alex.  M'Alafter   farmer 
 james  M'Ala(ter,jun.  wright 
 james  Barr,  do. 
 james  Bryfon,  do. 
 Philip  Thomfon,  mafon, 
 Robert  wood,  do. 
 Duncan    M'wattie,    fhoem. 
 john  Robertfon,china-blew- 
 
 man 
 William  Buchanan,  do. 
 john  Paul,  do. 
 Peter  Gray,  wright 
 james  Bryfon,  cutter 
 David  Scott,  do. 
 Alexander  Lindfay,  carter 
 William  M'Kinlay,  wright 
 
 Cardross. 
 
 Gavio  Hamilton,  preacher 
 
 of  the  gofpel 
 waiter  Gien,  miller 
 Robert  Bilart,  wright 
 John  Bain,  weaver 
 Peter  Roger,  fmith 
 Robert  Hunter,  farmer 
 William  Menzies 
 john  Barr,  feriitr 
 william  M'Farlane,  (hoem. 
 
 john  FergufTon,  do. 
 
 Robert  Roger,  farmer 
 
 william  Ferrier,  mallter 
 
 Archibald  M'Auflan,  farmer 
 
 john  Barton,  do. 
 
 james  Davie,  do. 
 
 james  Davie,  Sea  .bank 
 
 john  M'Farlane,  farmer 
 
 james  Smith,  fmith 
 
 james  M'Auflan,  fhoemaker, 
 Rantoun 
 
 Alexander    McAu!ey  mer- 
 chant, do. 
 
 william  Davie,  farmer 
 
 David  whyte,  printer 
 
 jarms  Barclay,  do. 
 
 john  Perry,  do. 
 
 john  Rattray,  do. 
 
 john  Buntain,  do. 
 
 john  M'Indoe,  do. 
 
 john  M'Kean,  do. 
 
 Francis  Mitchel,  do. 
 
 Michael  Deikman, 
 
 Robert  Ewen,  do. 
 
 john  M'Nicol,  do. 
 
 Robert  Lawfon,  do. 
 
 john  Lindfay,  do. 
 
 james  Dun fm ore,  do* 
 
 john  M'Ktnzie,  do. 
 
 David  Foriyth,  tailor,  Ren- 
 ton 
 
 David  M'Indoe,  printer 
 
 william  Chalmers,  do. 
 
 james  M'Kenz:c,  bleacher 
 
 Rew. 
 
 william  Muir,  fmith 
 Thomas  Beattie,  weaver 
 william  Bruce,  baker 
 MalcoJm  Taylor,  weaver 
 james  M'wattie 
 Charles  Colquhoun 
 Duncan  Miiier,  coiller 
 
47° 
 
 X)avid  Robertfon,  plowman 
 willium  M'Farlane, labourer 
 George  M'Kinnfe, 
 william  Thorn  fon,  gardener 
 John  Smith,  farmer 
 Robert  M'Kiniay,  do. 
 
 Rothsay. 
 
 james  Muir,  Bargei 
 
 william  waddle 
 
 james  M'Alafter,  Burgea 
 
 johu  Leitch 
 
 john  M'Kinlay,  fchoolmafter 
 
 john  Taylor,  merchant 
 
 james  Duncan,  do, 
 
 john  Taylor,  weaver 
 
 Neil  m 'Cowan,  do. 
 
 John  M'Dougal,  do. 
 
 james  Frazer,  do. 
 
 Robert  M'Fee,  do. 
 
 Robert  Fifher,  do. 
 
 james   Sharp,  brewer 
 
 Archibald  Duncan,  w right 
 
 Robert  Moody,  do, 
 
 joha  M'Kinlay,  do. 
 
 Robert  M'Neil,  do. 
 
 Robert  Bannatyne 
 
 Ifabel  Duncan 
 
 janet  Latiey  fchool-miitref* 
 
 jean   w  right 
 
 wary  M'Phcrfon 
 
 jaue*  Carley 
 
 Mary  M'Alaiter 
 
 John  M'Nure,  gardiner 
 
 Roskeath. 
 
 Archibald  M'Neiladge  mil- 
 ler 
 
 Duncan  Turner,   fmith,   2 
 copies 
 
 john  M'lver,  fhoemaker 
 
 Matthew  Bell,  wright 
 
 Peter  Stratbep*  do. 
 
 Subfcrilers  Namts. 
 
 Bell  Campbell 
 Peter  Wilfon,  Parkhead 
 George  Strathon 
 Archibald  Campbell,  tailor 
 Alexander  Mitchel,  farmer 
 Archibald  Marquis,  do* 
 Robert  Hall,  do. 
 John  M'Kenzie,  do. 
 DoDald  Brody,  do. 
 Archibald  Leitch,  do. 
 Peter  Chalmers,  do. 
 David  Chalmers,  do. 
 William  Chalmers,  do. 
 John  Chalmer34  do, 
 James  Chalmers,  do» 
 John  Ritchie,  do. 
 Archibald  Hall,  do. 
 John  Hunter,  do. 
 Robert  Hunter,  do. 
 William  Chalmers,  do. 
 Colin  FergufTon,  do. 
 Archibald' Hall,  do. 
 Colin  Campbell,  tailor 
 Finlay  Kenh 
 Grizel  M'Kiddum 
 James  Niven,  maliier 
 
 KlLMARONOCK. 
 
 James  Grrdiner,  Mearks 
 Andrew  Gardiner,  Biarfho* 
 
 merie 
 John  M 'Unlock,  flioemaker 
 John  Cockburn,  fawer 
 James  M'Farlane,  farmer 
 Thomas  Gardiner,  do, 
 Robert  Gow,  wright 
 George  Gardiner,  farmer 
 John  Buchanan,  do. 
 William  M'Fai  lane,  do. 
 Margaret  Rofs 
 Agne3  Thomas 
 Htlen  Galloway 
 Elifabeth  Forbes 
 
Subfcribers  Names, 
 
 Given   in  by  Samuel  Grier, 
 
 Minnyhi-oe* 
 
 James    M'Whir,    Glencairn 
 
 parifh 
 William  Haftings,  there 
 James  Haftings,  there 
 Robert  Ferguflbn,   there,  2 
 
 copies 
 Adam  Clark,  there,  do. 
 John  Renwick,  there 
 David  Haftings,  Penpont 
 John  Haftings,  DendufF 
 John  Hannah,  Farthingrufh 
 William   Corfon,   St.  John's 
 
 Clachan 
 William  Clark,  Keroch 
 William  Roan,  Strompatrick 
 Efther  Matherfon,  there 
 John  Park,  merchant,  Min- 
 
 nyhive 
 John  Haftings,  there 
 Robert  Haftings,  there 
 Walter  Clark,  there 
 Ann  John  Ron,  there 
 Elifabeth  M'Moring*  there 
 Agnes  Corfon,  there 
 William  Coats,  Bntterhole 
 James  Haftings,  Colmark 
 Thomas  Smith,  Wanlochead 
 
 Given  in  by  Tho7?i*s  Milchsl^ 
 Penpont. 
 
 Janet  Houfton,  Crinon 
 William    Dal-zid,    holm  of 
 
 Dumlanrige 
 Alexander  Blackley,  there 
 James  Williamfoa,  Tyeriron 
 
 kirk 
 John  Stir,  Dufdear,  there 
 Nicholas  Ken,  Penpont 
 John  fanning,  Foggy  hall 
 
 47* 
 James  Brownridge,  there 
 Alexander  Penpont,  there 
 Adam  Good,  there 
 John  Hunter,  there 
 George  Daizid,  there 
 Robert  Dalzicl,  there 
 Robert  Kerr,  there 
 David  Hairftons,  there 
 James  Wilfon,  Dudfdear 
 William  Hamilton,  there 
 John  Black,  Penpont 
 Alexander    Kerr,    weaver, 
 
 Burrdide 
 John  Lorimer,  there 
 Mary  Gracey,  Foggy -hall 
 Mary  Slimen,  Penpont 
 John  Grierfon,  there 
 Robert  Cummin,  there 
 William  Cowan,  there 
 James  Rorifort,  Kerr 
 
 Given  in  by  Robert  Forfyth^ 
 Kirk-Connel  Parifh. 
 
 David  Young,  farmer  there 
 John  Crichton,  miner  there 
 William  Crofbie  there 
 Robert  Forfyth,  merchant 
 
 there 
 Jo  ha  Forfyth  there 
 AdamLaidlaw,mafon  there 
 Robert  M'Kindlay  there 
 Robert  Kennedy,  flaxdrtffer 
 
 there 
 Thoma3    Lorimer,    dyer, 
 
 Clofeburn  pa^fn 
 William  Wallace,  Penpont 
 James  Dalzitl,  farmer  there 
 William  Kennedy,   joiner 
 
 there 
 Adam  M'CalK  weaver  there 
 Alexander    Hunter,  farmer 
 
 there 
 
47 1  Suhfcrihcrs  Names 
 
 jamea  M'Ewen  there  Walter  M'Latchie,  there 
 
 AJkerk  M'Who  there 
 
 Alexander  Halliday,  weaver, 
 
 Rathwell  parifh 
 Thomas  Halliday  there 
 Robert  Murray,  Lochruth- 
 
 en,  Sanquhar  pariJh 
 John  Gricfon, labourer  there 
 JohnH3(Hng8,ihepherd.there 
 He*ry   Dougan,   4   copies, 
 
 Kii  kovvan  pa  vim 
 Gilbert   Gordon,  Colmonell 
 John  Gait,  2  copie3,  there 
 John  Milroy  there 
 David  M'Qualkcr  there 
 William  Gordon  there 
 "William  M'Garragh  there 
 Janet  M'Garragh  there 
 Mr.  James  Borland,  Undent 
 
 of  divinity  in  Kilmarnock 
 
 parifh 
 John  Lauder,  Irvine 
 john  ~Rae,  farmer,  Stratown 
 jame3  Hodge,  mafon,  Dun- 
 
 donald 
 Robert  Stevenfon  there 
 john  Smith  there 
 William  Reid,  fmith,  Irvine 
 Alexander  Douglas  there 
 Thomas  Tait,  Symington 
 Wiiliam  Steel  there 
 john  Muir,  coal  grieve,  Dtin- 
 
 donald 
 Thomas  Lcrmond,  fstrner 
 
 there 
 William  Gibfon  there 
 William  Steel  there 
 john  Paton,  farmer,  Syming- 
 ton 
 john  Kay,  baker,  St.  Qui- 
 
 vox  parifh 
 Andrew  Lamb,  wright  there 
 john  Smith,  juo«  there 
 
 james  Dunlop  there 
 john  Neil,  mafon  there 
 Andrew  Kay,  quarrier  there 
 Thomas  Logan, wright  there 
 RobertWaliace,  maion  there 
 Hugh  Weir,  mafon  there 
 james   Mitchcl,  mafoQ  there 
 Hugh  Houilon,  Ayr 
 john  Wiifon  there 
 Gilbert  M'Kerty 
 I  eitr  Murdoch  there 
 Gavin  Harbercony  there 
 john  Keach  there 
 Tbomaa  David  there 
 Patrick  Paterfon  there 
 Thomas  Ford  there 
 james  Kirkland,  Cumnock 
 john  Hewchan,  Auchenleck 
 james  Duff  there 
 Andrew  M'Lanachan 
 William  Ofborne,  Ayr 
 William    Wilfon,   parifh  of 
 
 Kilbride 
 William  Hamilton  there 
 Ann  Fleming  there 
 jame6  Craig  these 
 john  Wiifon,  tenant  there 
 William  Montgomery  there 
 jamts  Craig  there 
 john    Cochran,    parifh  of 
 
 Carnduff 
 Andrew  Craig,  Fialand 
 John  Carnduff,  Tor  foot 
 
 Given  in  hy  Robert  Ramfay* 
 
 Rev.  Mr.  john  Ueid,  Lau- 
 
 netton,  parifh  of  Falkirk 
 William  Tinker  there 
 Daniel  Monro  there 
 Ifahel  Martha)  there 
 ilobcr;  Robertfon  there 
 
Subfcrlbers  Names* 
 
 John  Bryce,  there 
 William  Dobbie,   Bo-nefa 
 
 parifh 
 John  Calvin,  there 
 David  Binnie,  Mooravenfide 
 
 parffh 
 David  Marfhal,  there 
 William  Kay,  Denny  parifh 
 Peter  Donaldfon,  there 
 John    Gardiner,*  Bathgate 
 
 parifh 
 Thomas  Walker,  there 
 Andrew  Henchie,  Torphen 
 
 parifh 
 William  Naiper,  mafon,  E- 
 
 dio  burgh 
 James  Marfhal,  there 
 David  Tennant,  there 
 Samuel  Purdie,  there 
 Peter  Marfhal,  there 
 Thomas  Neil,  there 
 William  Neil,  there 
 John  Jeffrey,  there 
 Thomas  Hodge*  weav.  there 
 James  Neilfon,  fhoem.  there 
 John  Brown,  wright,  there 
 James  Hay,  there 
 William  Wright,  12  copies, 
 
 Buchlyvie  parifh 
 John  Blair,  merchant,  there 
 John  Rifk  there 
 John  M'Farlane,  there 
 Jame*  Stewart,  miller  there 
 William  Lefly,  turner  there 
 William  Graham,  workman, 
 
 Balfron 
 Walter  Pattifon,  weav.  there 
 James  'Rifle,  jun.   maltreat], 
 
 Cafnley 
 James  Carrick  there 
 James  Barr,  Wright,  Gartm. 
 
 Kilmalcolm  parifh 
 John  Semple  there 
 
 473 
 
 John  Holm,  Wright,  there 
 Ifabel  Lang,  grocer  there 
 Matthew  Park,  farmer  there 
 John  Lang  there 
 William  Holm  there 
 Hugh  M'Ewan  there 
 William  Galbreath,  there 
 JohnGalbreath,  horner,there 
 James     Paik,    clock  maker 
 
 there 
 John  Orr  there 
 John  Buntan,  fmith  there 
 Thomas    Kerr,     fhoemaker 
 Andrew  Mungal  there 
 Dougal  M'Ewan  there 
 John  Holms  there 
 Archibald  Caldwell,  farmer, 
 
 Kilbarchan  parifh 
 James  Eweo,tay lor, Renfrew 
 Anthony  Reid,  weav  Paifley 
 William  Mitchel,  do.  do. 
 John  Chriftie,  do.  do. 
 Wiiliam  Brown,  do.  do. 
 George  Stewart,  do.  do, 
 Wiiliam   Roberifon,  do   do* 
 John  Dick,'  do.  do. 
 William  Smith,  do.  do. 
 John  Smithrj  do. 
 Archibald  M^Allum,  do.  do* 
 John  Lochead;  do.  do. 
 Mrs,  Robert  Lochead  there 
 Janet  Cochran  there 
 David  Bain  there 
 JohtiStewartrmerchant  there 
 Robert  Robin fon  there 
 Henry  Duncan  there 
 William  Foot  there 
 William  Cummin  there 
 John.  King  there  ^ 
 
 William    Brown,    flocking- 
 
 maker  there 
 Hugh  Anderfon, grocer  ther: 
 James  Parlane,  Johnion 
 1  t 
 
474 
 
 Subfcribers  Names. 
 
 James  Mitchel 
 
 Walter  Burnfide 
 
 Malcolm  Burnfide 
 
 John  M'Nair 
 
 John  Douglas 
 
 James  Pattifon 
 
 Graham  Sinclair 
 
 Walter  Buchanan 
 
 William  Crichton 
 
 Thoma3  Provan 
 
 John  Cameron, 
 
 Robert  Craig,  Paifley 
 
 William  Dickie 
 
 John  Caldwell 
 
 Humphry  Calder 
 
 John  King*  bleacher,  Paifley 
 
 John  Pattifon  there 
 
 Duncan  McGregor  there 
 
 Jamen  Neilfon 
 
 John  Steel,  Elderflie 
 
 Thomas  Adam 
 
 Colin  Caflila,  flocking  ma- 
 ker, Sclats 
 
 John  M 'Neil,  gardener,  El- 
 derflie 
 
 Thomas  Andrew 
 
 john  Sclater,wright, Newton 
 
 John  Armour,  Kilbarchan 
 parifh 
 
 John  Neilfon  there 
 
 Gwen  in  by  James  Begg9 
 merchant,  Paifley* 
 
 James  Begg,merchantPaifley 
 John  Kirkwood,  do.  there 
 James  Smith,  do.  there 
 Ebenezer  Picken,  do.  there 
 Thoma3  Fulton, do.  Maxwel- 
 
 ton 
 John  Bulloch,  do.  there 
 William  Hamilton,  School- 
 
 raafter  there 
 
 Robert  Sproul,  farmer,  Paif- 
 ley parifh 
 Thomas   Fergufon,    miner, 
 
 Quarrelton,  there 
 Arch.  Higgen3,  wright  there 
 Alex   MerryJee3,  Hurlet 
 John  Machan,  weaver 
 Archibald  Gardner,  do. 
 James  Shaw,  do.  Leefland 
 James  Goun,  do.  Kilbarchan 
 Hugh  Kilpatrick,  do.  there 
 Wm.  Barr,  ofCartfide,  there 
 Andrew    B3rr,    flax-drefTer, 
 
 there 
 John   Orr,    of  Midhoufe, 
 
 Lochwinnoch  parifh 
 William  Armour,    3  copies, 
 
 there  * 
 
 John  Armour,  farmer,  Tan- 
 
 dlemuir,  there 
 Andrew    Carnduff,    fmitb, 
 
 Gleohead,  there 
 John   Hendrie  of  Auchen- 
 
 gown,  there 
 
 William  Orr,  Kilburny  Place 
 
 John  Balfour,  FernJze 
 
 Malm.  Colquhoun") 
 
 William  Vaffie         \  a   a     > 
 rx     •  1  x^.kt       l.      ftudents 
 Daniel  M'Naught  \         c 
 
 Willia™Th°rafofr|  divinity 
 James  Douglas       I  .  * 
 
 James  Begg  J 
 
 Thomas  Mann^   weaver, 
 
 Mearns  parifh 
 
 Andrew  Strang,  do.  there 
 
 Thomas  Young,  do.  there 
 
 Given  in  by  William  Brown, 
 merchant,   Stirling. 
 
 John    M'Ewen,    Kilbryde, 
 
 Dumblane  parifh 
 Daniel  Morifon,  there 
 
Sub/cribers  Names. 
 
 Peter  M'Nie,  there 
 James  Hutchifon,  there 
 John  Jaffray,  Stirling 
 William  Jaffray,  there 
 Thomas  Jaffray,   Milton  of 
 
 Ba-Burn 
 Peter  Jaffray,  Throfk 
 John  Fifher,  there 
 John  Thomfon,    Broomhill, 
 
 Dunipace  parifh 
 Peter  Baxter,  ftockingmak- 
 
 er,  Alloa 
 Malcom Wright,  weav.  there 
 William  Morifon,  do  triers* 
 Walter  M'Gowan,    nurfery 
 gardener,     Blair   Drum- 
 mond,  Kincardine  parifh 
 John  Brown,  there,  2  copies 
 John  Fcrgufon,  there 
 Alexander    M'Gregor,    la- 
 bourer there 
 David  Biffet,  gardener  there 
 George  M'Gowan,  plough- 
 man there 
 Alexander  M'Donald,  there 
 John  M'Donald,  there 
 David  Stewart,     labourer 
 
 there 
 Hugh  Paterfon,    Down  pa- 
 rifh 
 
 Given  in  by  James  Conning^ 
 ljle  of  tt'hitehorn. 
 
 John  Carfan,  miller,  Ifle 
 John  Stevenfon,  labourer 
 Alexander  M'Gilchrift,  do. 
 Alexander  Douglas,    miller 
 
 in  Dinnance 
 William  Hannah,  farmer  in 
 
 Balfmith 
 john  GourJay  in  Balnab 
 Mr.    Fortay,    mate   of  the 
 
 Prince  Edward  Cutter 
 
 475 
 
 Alexander  Dunce,  farmer  in 
 Chipperharn 
 
 Glaserton  Parish. 
 
 James  Andrew,  gardener 
 Peter  Clelland 
 William  Conning,  Sclathagh 
 James  Gilchrift,  fhoemaker, 
 
 Craiglemine  \ 
 Alexander   Bell,   labourer 
 
 there 
 Grisel  M'Culloch,  there 
 William   M'Kie,    farmer   in 
 
 Craichdow 
 Efther  Caul,  fervant,  Cardon 
 Sarah  Culloch,  Monrith 
 
 Stranraer  &  Gallowav. 
 
 Peter  M'Mafter,  weaver 
 James  Laurie,  do. 
 Arthur  Cardy,  do. 
 John  M'Cans,  do. 
 Thomas  Logan,  do. 
 Hugh  Rennie,  do. 
 Alexander  Auld,  do. 
 Thomas  M'Morland,  Wright 
 William  Douglas,  mafon 
 Samuel  Harper,  tanner 
 Hugh  Henderfon 
 Eliiabeth  M<Mafter,mantua- 
 
 maker 
 Daniel  Kelly,  fhoemaker 
 Hugh  M'Gill  plaifterer 
 John  Rennie,  fhoemaker 
 
 New  Glenlvce  Parish, 
 
 Charles  Neilfon,  farmer 
 John  M'Whinnie,  do. 
 James  M*Bryce,  do. 
 William  M'Muken,  doe 
 Peter  Douglas,  do. 
 Thomas  Wallace,  des 
 
?7<S 
 
 John  M'Muken,  farmer 
 Andrew  M'Geoch,  do. 
 Hugh  Wales,  dyer 
 Robert  M'Culloch,  flioero; 
 Thoma9  M'Quaker,  taylor 
 James  M'Gill,  dyker 
 George  M'Kean,  fervant 
 Anthony  M'Whinnie,  farm. 
 Margaret  Kennedy,  fervant 
 John  M'Kerly,  malon,   Old 
 
 Gienluce  parifh 
 James  M'Muldroch,  farmer 
 
 there 
 Hugh  Hannah, weaver,  Inch 
 
 parifh 
 Agnes  Parker,  threadmaker 
 
 there 
 John  M'Cobmg  there 
 Alexander     Edgar,     Kirk- 
 
 cowan  pari  fh 
 
 Kirkcolm  Parish. 
 
 Andrew  Campbell,  fhoem. 
 James  Kennedy,  farmer 
 David  Murdoch,  Aires 
 Alexander  M'Gill,  do. 
 Agnes  Rors,  do. 
 Margaret  Auid,  do. 
 John  Frazer,  do. 
 Alexander  Caven,  Du'och 
 Hugh  Frazer,  Ervie 
 James  M'Credy,  Belfaroch 
 John  M'Neillie,   little   Gal- 
 
 donoch,  Ladfwalt  parish 
 James  Rofs,  Knockrain 
 johnDonaldfon,ThreeMark, 
 
 Stoniekirk  parifh 
 Patrick  Kie  there 
 Patrick  Wither,  Carnwill 
 
 Kirkmaiden  Parish. 
 
 John  M'Colm,  Cordrairs 
 
 Subfcribers  Names. 
 
 Ifabel  Jamiefon,  High  Dro- 
 
 more 
 John  M'Comb  High  Kildo- 
 
 fan 
 James  M'Gomb,    Carngawn 
 Alexander    M'Kiee,     Port- 
 
 nefTock 
 James  Hannah,  do. 
 John  MCargo,  do. 
 James  M'Crae,  Auenes 
 William  Carnochan,  Logan 
 Thomas  Adair,  do. 
 Janet  Sloan,  do, 
 Wiiliam  Roddie,  windmill 
 JohnGordon,  bleacher,coun- 
 
 ty  of  Antrim,  near  Learn, 
 
 l  copies 
 David  Haiknay,  Coldftream 
 Andrew  Newton,  merchant, 
 
 •Dunce 
 John    Weir,    fchoolmafter, 
 
 Kelfo 
 Alexander  Henderfon  there 
 John  Hoops  there 
 James  Reid,    Kelfo 
 James  Renton,  there 
 George  Tuly  there 
 John  furnbull  there 
 bnrnon  '\A  ilfon  there 
 Charles  Robenfon  there 
 Andrew  Dickfon,  there. 
 Robert  Hutchifon,  there 
 John  Duncan  there 
 Thomas  Bures  there 
 Thomas  Lockie  there 
 David  Biair  there 
 Jofiah  Bell  there 
 William  Reid,  Paifley 
 William  Goold,  weav.  there 
 Jamts  Lawfon,  do  there 
 jamesCunningham,do.  there 
 Matthew  Adam,  do.  there 
 
Subfcribers  Names* 
 
 John  Jackfon,  do,  there 
 Wiiliam  Brown,  do,  there 
 Nelly  Sym  there 
 Ann  Crawford  there 
 Christian  Findlay  there 
 Mary  Borland  there 
 Lilly  Goold  there 
 Hugh  Goold  there 
 john  Laurie  there 
 John  Aitken,  cotton  fpinncr 
 
 there 
 john  Hart,  do.  there 
 William  Rae,  do. 
 john  Anderfon,  do. 
 Angus  M'Lardy,  do. 
 Matthew  Clerk,  do. 
 jane  Tait 
 
 jamea  Dolbin,  wrlght 
 Hugh  Thomfon,  fhoemaker 
 Robert  Henderfon 
 johnBanksjjun.  cotton-fpin- 
 
 ner,  Glafgow 
 john  Moma'ch,  do.  there 
 Richard  Moffat,  do.  there 
 ThomasM'Farlane^o.  there 
 Thomas  Leitch,  do.  there 
 William  Gordon,weav.  there 
 james  johnfton,  weaver 
 james  Cunningham,  (hoem. 
 john  M'Gilchriit,  tanner 
 Angus  Fauld3 
 Matthew  Robertfon,  wright, 
 
 Paifley 
 Grizel  M'Kfnlay,  do. 
 William    Tympany,   fawer 
 
 thera 
 William  Matthie,weav.  there 
 Alexander  Thomfon,  taylor 
 
 there 
 Andrew   jamiefon,    weaver 
 
 there 
 Claud  Finnie,    cotton- fjp in- 
 ner, pari(h  of  Sorn 
 
 477 
 james    Ferguflon,     wright 
 
 there 
 john  Tait,  do.  there 
 William  Brown,  do.  there 
 Peter  Stewart  there 
 Robert  Hood  there 
 Neil  Kennedy  there 
 William  Stewart  there 
 johnfton  M'Uvein  there 
 William  Tannahill,  there 
 Thorrra8  Henry,  fmith, there 
 jamea  Taylor,  do.  there 
 Robert  Robert  ion  there 
 john  Hamilton  there 
 Alexander  Maxwell  there 
 George  Grant  there 
 Adam  Ewart  there 
 Andrew  Torrance  there 
 john  Semple  there 
 jame3    Ballantyne,    taylor* 
 
 there 
 
 Lanerk. 
 
 Peter  Goold 
 William  Young 
 john  Main 
 Thomas  Dickfon 
 Alexander  Carrick 
 john  Miln 
 William  Paul 
 john  Ktrr 
 
 Robert  Crom'e,  flioemalv 
 john  Wood,  do. 
 David  Cowan,  weaver 
 john  Adam,  do 
 james  Steel,  moemaker 
 
 Given  in  by  J-ndrew  Syimng* 
 ton, 
 
 Mr.  john  Fairley,  ftudent  of 
 
 divinity,  Douglas 
 William  Goold  there 
 james  Goold  there 
 
47» 
 
 Subfcribers  Names. 
 
 james  Goold,  jun.  there 
 Thoni3s  Goold  there 
 janet  Liddle,  Goat 
 Hugh  Goold  there 
 George  Reid,  Biinkbony 
 Ifrbel  Giichrift  there 
 JBetty  Veitch  there 
 Sufannah  Lawfon  there 
 John  wilfon,  Sidce 
 john  Gray  there 
 Andrew  waddel,  Boberton 
 Thomas  M'Math,  Penpont 
 john  Doff,  Thornhill 
 Samuel  M'Maring  there 
 john  Killoch  there 
 james  Kerr  there 
 james  Smith  there 
 Alexander  Wallace,  Holm 
 john  jardan  there 
 john  Muir,  Thornhill 
 Alexander  Potts  there 
 james  Brydon  there 
 Thomas  jamiefon  there 
 George  Corfon 
 Archibald  Gall,  Thornhill, 
 
 i  2  copies 
 Rev.  Mr.  Archibald   Mafon, 
 
 minifter,  wifhaw  town 
 william  Roger 
 Matthew  Miller 
 Robert  Lawrie 
 william  Paterfon 
 wiliiam  Ralton 
 john  Roger 
 janet  Allan 
 james  Fleming 
 Alexander  Roger 
 John  Lawrie 
 Thomas  Rifaf 
 james  Paterfon,  2  copies 
 jaYnes  Some r veil 
 Thomas  Muirhead 
 Ebenezer  Nacfmith 
 
 william  Brownlee 
 Andrew  Giichrift 
 james  Lawrie 
 william  Lindfay 
 james  Young 
 james  Law,  wanlockhead 
 Thomas  Robertfon  there 
 john  whyte  there 
 Archibi]:'  wtlci;  there 
 james  Ramage  there 
 john  Ruffei  there 
 David  williamfon,  Leadhilla 
 james  Dickfon 
 james  Hiflop 
 william  Carmichael 
 james    Matthifon,   parifli  of 
 Morton,  12  copies 
 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 Thomas  Grieve 
 
 Thomas  wright 
 
 john  Greenhill 
 
 George  Hopkins 
 
 Robert  wright 
 
 David  Millie 
 
 john  willifon 
 
 Charles  Mather 
 
 james  Crichton 
 
 Robert  whyte 
 
 Alexander  Scouler 
 
 Thomas  RufTcl 
 
 john  Burns 
 
 john  weir 
 
 George  Vinter 
 
 john  Newlands 
 
 john    johnlion,    merchant, 
 
 Donaghadee,  6  copies 
 Robert  Milroy,  dyer,  Kir- 
 
 kowan 
 Samuel  M'Kenna  there 
 Henry  M-Call,  taylor  there 
 P.obert  M(Neil)y,  labourer 
 
 there 
 
Sub/crib ers 
 
 john  M'Nai'rne,  farmer  there 
 john  Strayer,  weaver  there 
 Duncan  Cook,  do.  there 
 Richard  Graham,  do.  there 
 Alexander  Morrifon,fhoema- 
 
 ker  there 
 Alexander   Paterfon,   Barn- 
 fhaloch,  parifh  of  Stonie- 
 kik 
 james  Milroy,  Caldon3 
 john  Kay,  Cornpate 
 Alexander  M'Dowal,    mill- 
 man  there 
 john  Kelly,  (hoemaker  there 
 john  m 'Matter,  weav.  there 
 john  M'Nifh  there 
 Daniel  Kelly,  fhoem    there 
 john  M'Sill,  Cornwell 
 john  M'whinnie,  fmith  there 
 Andrew  M'Morland,  Float 
 Thomas    Thorburn,    mill- 
 wright, there 
 Alexander  Mora  there 
 Mr.  Thomas   Gibfon,  ftore- 
 
 raailer,  Overiingland 
 john  johntion,Crookedftone 
 james    Renwick,    fhepherd, 
 
 Beddis 
 Archibald  Ewart,do.Hook- 
 
 law 
 wriliam  Broadfoot,  do.  Ring. 
 Ninian  Holliday,  do.  Over- 
 
 newton 
 john  French,  fervant  there 
 Thomas  Struthers,  (hoema- 
 ker, Paifley,  12  copies 
 Mr.     m'NciJ,     Pentla&d,    6 
 copies 
 
 Given  in  by  Hugh  Skidds. 
 
 •  john  Boyd,  Finwick  parifh 
 john  Calderwood,  there 
 George  Graham,    there 
 
 Names.  479 
 
 Hugh  Calderwood,  there 
 james  Clark,  weaver,  there 
 Hugh  Shields,    Kilmarnock 
 
 parifh 
 william  Shields 
 john  Shields,  there 
 William  Brown,  there 
 Alexander  Mitchell,   there 
 Thomas  Aiton,  fchoolmafter 
 
 Grougar,  there 
 Hugh  Woodburn,   Loudon 
 
 parifh 
 Archibald  Nifbet,  there 
 james  Craig,  weaver,    New- 
 mills 
 Wm.  Crooks,  wheelwright, 
 
 there 
 john  Wilfon,  Mofide,   Cra» 
 gi^  parifh 
 
 Givsn  in  by   John  ffoivie, 
 
 Lochgcin. 
 
 john  Howie,  farmer  in  Crag- 
 
 endunton 
 Hugh  Steel,  do.   in  Laigh 
 
 Chinch 
 Thomas  Lindfay,  there 
 jam.  Lindfay,  High  Clunch 
 Robert  Carrie,  farmer,  Field 
 
 Houfe 
 john  Gemmil,  junior,   ditto, 
 
 Drumbuy 
 james  Young 
 Stephen  Young 
 
 Eaglesham  Parish. 
 
 john  Mather,  farmer 
 Robert  Young,  do. 
 Robert  Hamilton,  do. 
 Michael  Young,  do. 
 Andrew  Brown,  do. 
 Andrew  Hamilton,  dc, 
 john   Young 
 
***': 
 
 wood,  mafqx 
 Youn 
 /Her,  ft* 
 a' 
 
 fstai  f 
 
 *I<?bi^3SP!    ffit&ver 
 
 ^fPpRw  Young,  do. 
 
 ^jflobert  Wilfon,  inn-keeper^ 
 twm.lls  parifh 
 
 ^jljM^Wiiion,  weayfcr. 
 .George  Bro^f*!^ 
 Wy^^tjraig,  flax  -drdfcr 
 
 t^WVrt  WoodbiBh,  l^ins 
 John  Mulr,  GaHton  parifh 
 jol\n  Steel,  Carnfaigh 
 
 f^fj  NamtSo 
 
 Given  in  bynames    McDo- 
 nald, TO 
 
 fyjge*w. 
 
 ^     james  Blackwood,    Sttnaj* 
 Thomas  Milkr*  Know 
 Wilfc*2^&j&  Holma 
 j  amJ8j|Ej^|^  verhoufe 
 jdWpfr o3a if  15 o r n  parifh 
 joha^Machan,  Paifley 
 johh  Kennedy,  there 
 Daniel  liawth 
 William  W 
 Thomas  Tro 
 
 canDouglaa 
 Walter  Buchanan,  Lochwin- 
 
 noch  parifh 
 -rphn  Dunfmore  in  Mordikes      Duncan    M'Kay,   there 
 
 '  m  Craigj-Bowfield  john  m 
 
 Tames  Stuart  there  Charles  M'Kay    ther 
 
 Robert  jamiefon,  Yearlfhili 
 Wnv  Lamb  Paifley  parifh 
 james  Wilion,  weaver  there 
 johqMontgomry,do.i2  cop 
 Margaret  Anderfon 
 jamca  Patrick,  Kilfyth  par 
 
 krriSBfWfftocking:- 
 Vfr   CjJaigow 
 K    M'SJarlane,  fhopkeeper 
 William  Drummond,  porter 
 .Walter  Graham,  cooper 
 Duncan  M'Farlabe 
 Thorn     M'Giichritl,    flax- 
 
 drefTer,   Gaftmore 
 Duncan  M'Fafrlane,  weaver 
 Parlane  MlFarlane,(hoemak. 
 john  Drummond,  taylor 
 William  Wood,  flax  dreffer, 
 
 Kiljearn  parifh 
 Alex.  M'Gregor,  Arnprier 
 Walttr  Drummond,  farmer, 
 **_  5,v^Blackboriand 
 
 Tbomas  M'Farlane,  there 
 K  -Walter  M'Lukie,   Buchlyvfc 
 
 Dh#man  Parish. 
 
 Par.  M'Farlane  Backborland 
 
 Duncan  M4L.3ren,   there 
 
 Dan.  Blair,  WtfterKepnoch 
 
 Murray,  Blarnabord, 
 
 im  Stev  art  Balchnoich 
 
 *  {jfafresS te wa rry  there 
 
 ond,  Gartfarand 
 william  Druffimond,  there 
 writer  Stewart,  miller  there 
 Alex*;  Wood,  there 
 
 wal.  Murray,  wtderborland 
 Agnes  Gray,  t^Mfffc  . t  f t4 
 john  M'Natr,  Gareric 
 waiter  M'Farlant ' 
 john  McDonald, 
 DoUg^i*Alpf 
 
waiter  M'Feat 
 johQ  Murray 
 jofin  Buth,.  wright 
 '^williara  Gray,  OfFerance 
 john  Drummond,  Garcoch. 
 es  M'Kay,  Gartmore 
 M'Lean,  there 
 'Arthur  there 
 uncan  M'Farlane,  there 
 james  M'Farlane,  there 
 win.  Black,  gardener  there 
 william  Bruce,  cook  there 
 Mary  Miller  there 
 janet  Brand  there 
 james  Barr,  wright  there 
 john  Fergufon,  imith  there 
 ^joha  Grab ajn,  ditto  there 
 Archibald  Graham,  Cambu8 
 
 Given  in  by  Thomas  T*weer 
 dale,   Caltouny   Glafgow. 
 
 jbuncan  M'Douga!,   12  cop. 
 william  Martin,  weaver 
 Matthew  Dunlop,  wright 
 David  Dougal,  nailer 
 Daniel  Keith,  fhoemaker 
 tjohn  Wilfon,  wright 
 zVrchibald  Wilfon,  weaver 
 Agnes  Kerr 
 
 Archibald  M'Arthur,  dyer 
 John  IvTDermond,  Undent , 
 Hugh  Innie9,  fmith 
 Hugh  Millar,  weaver 
 William  Leitch,  fhoemaker 
 James  Cobie,  cooper 
 Thomas  Davidfon,  taylor 
 Alexander  Telford 
 Archibald  M<  Donald,  (lock- 
 
 ingmaker 
 William  Gordon,  weaver 
 fohn  Wingate,  do 
 ohn  Clarkfon,  wright 
 ilex.  Cunningham,  malon 
 
 Subfcribers  Itatnes.  48 1 
 
 John  Thomfon,  weaver 
 Peter  M'Farlane,  do, 
 John  Pettygrew 
 James  M'Hee 
 Peter  M'Farlane 
 John  Smith 
 John  Wilfon 
 Robert  Campbell 
 Matthew  Turnbuil,  weaver 
 
 Given  in  by  John   Parlane-, 
 Baldarnock. 
 
 William  Logan 
 David  M'Vey 
 Walte-  Blair 
 John  Morrifon 
 Robert  Spittle 
 James  -Buchanan 
 John  Bulloch 
 John  Smith 
 'John  Winning 
 
 Kilton  Parish. 
 
 Robert  Cunningham,   mer- 
 chant, Carlingwork,  I  2  C 
 Nathaniel  Walker,  mafon 
 ^Aillm.  Alexander,  labourer 
 Robert  M* Bride 
 Samuel  M'Guffoch 
 
 Kirkcudbright. 
 
 Thomas  Pauley  teacher,    2 
 
 copies 
 William  M"Candli(h,  Carfe 
 James  Donaldfon  there 
 William  Paterfon  there 
 William  M'Millan  there 
 Patrick  Millan  there 
 Samuel  Douglas  there 
 David  M'Caw,  Tongland 
 Thomas  M'Adani  there 
 Mrs  Lccke  Parton  kirk,  I Z 
 copies 
 U-u 
 
482  Subfcribers  Names. 
 
 John  Stewart,  Mid  Laggan      Andrew  Hill 
 William  Cunningham,  Bor 
 land, 
 
 2  copies 
 James  Caner,  gardener,  Mol- 
 
 Jance,  Crofsmichael 
 William  Rae,  labourer 
 Alexander  Callender 
 Morrifon  Gonchie 
 William  Muat 
 Samuel  Davidfon 
 Robert  Hinghan 
 John    Heron,    merchant, 
 
 Wigton 
 Andrew  McCredy  there 
 John  Rae,  flaxdrtfTer  there 
 John  M'Clemondjbookfeller 
 
 there 
 Margaret  M'Lellan  there 
 James   M'Lauchlan,    fmitb, 
 
 Monigaff,  1  2  copies 
 Hugh  Good,  miner,  Craig 
 
 town 
 John  Ranken,  do. 
 Ifabel  Riddick 
 Walter  Buchanan,  weaver 
 Malcom  Turner,  Paifley 
 James  Peden 
 
 Archibald  Campbell,  gardr. 
 Agnes  Stevenfon 
 Robert  M<Farlane 
 John  Hunter 
 Elifabeth  Smith 
 Alex,    M'Farlane,    Drum- 
 fade,  parifh  of  Rue 
 Marion  Parker 
 Andrew     Sproul,    farmer, 
 
 Thornly,  near  Paifley 
 Colin  Finnie,  12  copies 
 A.  M'Gregor,  2  do. 
 James  Turnbull,  baker 
 John  Scott 
 
 jartrea  Hudgen,  Kilbarchaa 
 John  Speir  there 
 
 John  Waddel 
 James  Shaw,  wright 
 
 Paisley.         0 
 
 Robert  Gardener,  fhocmaker 
 
 John  Milton,  weaver 
 
 Alexander  Wingate,  teacher 
 
 Donald  Munro,  labourer 
 
 Andrew  Arthur,  weaver 
 
 James  Baird,  manufacturer 
 
 Andrew  Dunlop,  do. 
 
 Marion  Hair 
 
 Peggy  M'lndoe 
 
 Peggy  Mornfon 
 
 Marion  M<Math 
 
 Archibald  Moody 
 
 Alexander  Moor 
 
 Samuel  M'Gill 
 
 Mary  Houfton 
 
 John  Clerk,  gardener 
 
 Robert  Young 
 
 John  Gilmour,  fhoemaker 
 
 Ann  Semple 
 
 John  Jackfon,  ftaymaker 
 
 William  Shirlaw,  barber 
 
 John  M'Gibbon,  wright,Ga- 
 
 vin 
 PeggyMaryMoody.Graham 
 
 Given  in  by   Samuel    Steel, 
 Bankend,  Car  lour  ok  parijb. 
 
 Samuel  Steel,  joiner 
 James  Carr,  merchant 
 Jofeph  Anderfon,  fhocmaker 
 John  Cuthbertfon,  miller 
 John  Grindlay,  labourer 
 Thomas  Stobo,  mafon 
 James  Lorimer,  labourer 
 Alexander  Geddes,  weaver 
 James  Poot,  fervant 
 William  Edgar,  farmer 
 Hugh  Montgomery,  joiner 
 
Subfc fibers  Names. 
 
 Tory  M'Kloon,  labourer 
 John  Carlell,  joiner 
 Thomas  Edgar,  blackfmith 
 Wiiliam  Carfon,  do.  MuiTal 
 
 paridi 
 William  Bell,  joiner 
 Tory  Adams,  farmer 
 
 4S3 
 
 Given  in  by  William  Nlven* 
 Nc-jj  Abbey  farifb. 
 
 Will i3 m   Niven,  weaver,    6 
 
 copies 
 William  Millar,  farmer 
 Alexander  Harris,  farmer 
 James  Douglas,  farmer 
 Jofeph  Kirk,  farmer 
 William  Graham,  weaver 
 William  M'Knefs 
 James  Dalzicl,  weaver 
 William  Wilfon,  farmer 
 John  M'Knoah,  weaver 
 John  Sturgeon,  weaver 
 James  Tait,  biackfrnith 
 Margaret  Smith 
 James  Maxwell,  ftrvant 
 John  Dickfon,  blackfmith 
 William  M'Millao,  do. 
 James  Millicain 
 James  Paterfon  farmer 
 John  Houiton,  weaver 
 James  Wilfon 
 
 Given  in  by  Willi  am  Holliday% 
 Bridge  end  of  Dumfries* 
 Traquair  PariJJ?', 
 
 Alexander  M'Cali 
 Samuel  Callan 
 William  Holliday 
 Rober<  Maxwell 
 Andrew^Gricve 
 John  Breadfcot 
 John  Moffat 
 William  Brown 
 
 Jamea  Brown 
 John  M'Call 
 John  M'Millan 
 EHfabeth  Wallace 
 John  M'Mehaa 
 Joha  Bell 
 Alexander  Wright 
 Ann  Mebaa 
 Mr.  John  Maxwell 
 Eberiezer  Edgar 
 
 Chen  in  by  Jatnts  Millar* 
 Clofehurn 
 
 James  Miller,  Clofeburn 
 James  Crockat,  weaver 
 John  Tennant 
 U  iiliam  Braick 
 William  Brown 
 James  Kerr 
 Andrew  Kennedy- 
 John  Smith 
 Ebenezer  Welch 
 Alexander  Kirkpatnck 
 William  Breden 
 Allan  Coulter 
 Margaret  Watfon 
 Agnes  Hyflop 
 James  Huddlefton 
 
 Given  in  by   William   Beck? 
 Auckencaim. 
 
 William  Smith, weaver,Dal- 
 
 fibble 
 Thomas  Ralfton,(hoemaker? 
 
 Parkgate 
 William  Laidlaw,    weaver, 
 
 Hightae 
 John  Johnfton,    farmer,    in 
 
 Acchcnane 
 William  Beck,farmer,  Auch- 
 
 encairo,  7  copies 
 
•  Siibfcribefs  Names. 
 
 John  Coifed  do. 
 
 ray,  lay  lor,  Parijp  of  l/rr. 
 
 James  Copland, 'jo^r'   V, 
 >n  Blacklock',    fhoemaker 
 
 Andrew  Col v in,  fervant 
 j  Hugh  M'George,  feuer 
 
 Mary  Bred  an 
 
 Elifabeth  Paterfon 
 John  Horn  a! 
 Mr.  John  Hair*  farmer 
 Mr  Alexander  B»oadfoot,do 
 Mr.  Hugh  Lindfay,  dyer     - 
 Mr.  Thomas  M'.Wdliaai,  do. 
 John  Murray,  weaver 
 John  Harris^rVant 
 Matthew  Wood 
 William  M'CJeland. 
 John  Fergu/Ton,  weaver 
 
 Andrew  Thomfon,  farmer, 
 
 Xvirkgunzen  parifh 
 James  Harris,  do. 
 John  Heuchan,  do. 
 Robert  Thomfon,  do. 
 John  Grier,  do. 
 John  Grier,  weaver 
 Hobert  Ferguffon,  joiner 
 
 JamesMdligan^orthAleby 
 pariih  * 
 
 WiJJb*  Wilfon,  farmer,  Col- 
 
 vend 
 
 Jane  JLowdon 
 
 William  Henderfon,  farmer, 
 ouittle 
 
 James  M'Muriay,  taylor,  2 
 copies 
 
BKH 
 
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 liliHr  i  IT     ■ffnr 
 
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 BBifl 
 
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