a J. Ci u Q --.-* SC5 ^i^ol Ctf-pT^A^^' .^ A 'll&tx Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://archive.org/details/truecodeclarOOrefo T H E Zq-'j-fSfr TRUE COPY OF THE DECLARATION. **%*» Fubliflied at Auchenfcwgh nigh Dowglas, Upon the Twenty Fourth Day oi July 1718, Ifaiah 1. 2(5. And 1 will refiore thy Judges, as at the fitft, and thy Cowfellors, as at the Beginning-, Afterward thou {halt be called the • City of Ritfrteouj'nefsy The faithful City, BUCHANANUS 7/Z Pfill . X I I. Peflifera de Gente Hominum nos, uptime Cvfios^ AJJere perpttuo : Nam late Impietas grajfatur ltbera> paffim Omnia plena malts \ Qi.um pene\ Lijuftos Jus eft, et Juffa Malorum Sum metuenda Bonis. Printed in the Year MDCCXIX. r ?7f z n Ctnd & 7 C . C-7,1-0 if C^VtA^^^ The PREFACE. THE Wife Solomon hath obferved in his Divine Proverbs,' That every Thing is beautiful in its Szafoa. And hence it is not to be doubted, but many when they fhall fee the following Pr^nt, will be ready to fay, That it hath not this Requifite Piece or Beauty, as being fo long after the J uft and proper Sea fon. We carmen buc own, That the true Seaion of making thefe our Senriments known to the World was, either in the Interreign before the prefent Occupant entered upon the Government, or at leaft at fome convenient Time after: But fome of us apprehending, That fuch a Declaration of our Prin- ciples as this, was materially made before, both by our Testimo- ny againfl: the Incorporating Union of Scotland and England, in its finful Nature and Tendency, wherein there is contained an exprefs Claufe againft the Succeflion in the Family of Hanover, not indeed as againit a Presbyterian Proteftant Succeflion ; for it would be the Joy of our Hearts to fee a right Proteftant Succeflion oi Princes o Itabliflied in thefe Kingdoms; but, as was there hinted, upon Ac- count of thefmful Terms upon which that Succeflion was to be eftablifhed. And likewife, we had declared the Senie of cur Hearts about the fame Matter, in that Explanatory Acknowledgement of PublickSins, and Ingagementto Duties, which w^s pubhckly read at our Renewing of our Na tional and Solemn League and Covenants, near Dowglas A<:nd 171 2. Both which being lo recent and tuil Dj- clarations or our Minds in that Matter, tome were of Opinion, it was but attum agere, and fo fuperflaous. Another Tiling th»re was likewife, which had more Influence, to retard this Declaration than the former; namely, That form: prehending it to have been our Duty, in Imitation of our worthy Anccftors, firR, To make a Representation o our principal Grie- vances, and or the Conditions upon which we could own Subjecti- on to Magiftrates, Supream and fubordinatc, in cheic Covenanted A 2 Lauds C 4 ) Lands, before .their flhould be a total Reje&io«i of their Govern- ment, and Refufal of Obedience to them; did thereupan i Q p (jr _ ■ of this View, in an occafional Meeting, form a Representa- tion ot G .v'.nces, to be, laid before the Elector of Brunfwick, e're he fhould actually enrer into the Government of thefe Kindoms,' wherein- they deiigned, both to warn him of the Sin and Danger ireringmto thofe fintul Oaths, that the' Laws of England it- qOired, and of accepting the Government under fuch unlawful Li- mitations, as that Prelamal Parliament thought fit to impofc : And?' alfo to exoner their Consciences in the Sight of the World, and ren- der him the more i^excufa.hle v if he fho.ild no:wi>hftahdin^.ijnrier«. take the Adminiftration ot puolick, Affairs, on that linful Foot- ing. This Defign however plaufible it did then appear, to fome of us, not Only was of no real Advantage to the Caufe, byroSflSiv of feveral M (managements ; but alio in its very Nature and Ten- dency afforded Ground of ftumbling, to fuch as came to the Know- ledge of ir, while they judged thereby, That" we hai relinqutfhed the former Faithful Teftimony we held ; And we cannot men- tion this without Regrate, -that we fhould any Way have given Um- brage, and Occafion to the World, to intettain fuch Thoughts of us, at a Time when a general Defection, and profound Satista&ion therein, called for more than ordinary Zeal, Faithfulnefs and ex- phcite Boldnefs, *at the Hands of Truth's profefled Witnehes. And finally y which is the principal Reafon of Mentioning it cm this Oc-- cafion, This Representation of Grievances having been rafhly hur- ried on, without that common Content, which in fn'ch weighty and momentuous Cafes, hath always been judged neceflary amongft the Societies of the faithful Remnant, it proved fuch a Bone of Con* tention amongft our felves, that the beautiful Seafon of a Teftimony was almoft utterly loft, before we could attain to that Harmony, Unanimity and mutual Confidence, that Teemed neceflary to fuch a Declaration. JUitfS. Singprefled.in Mind, with a Senfe of ag£ Deficiency in fuck C .5 ) fuch a neceflary called for Duty, the Omiflion; or Delay whereof we looked upon, to be prejudicial to the Glory of GOD, the Peace of our own Conferences, Warning of others, and Information of . Pofterity, we refoived to publifh this *&ur Teftimony to the World, as a Witnefs of our Adherence unto former Principles, Covenanted and fwotn unto, which Publication, tho* it was not in that Martial Poflure, at a publick Market Crofs, as had been fui- table in the proper Seaion of the Duty, and was the nfual Form of making fuch Teftimonies publick to the World ; yet was it done in fuch a publick folemn Manner, as was> then judged fufKcient to make it publickly known, being audibly read in Prefenceof a very numerous Congregation, after Sermons upon a Day of folemn Hu- miliation, not far from Dewgfas, nigh the Place where the Cove- nant had been renewed by us, nx Years before; that at the fame Xinte we might both bewail our Failures in, and Breachs of thofe our folemn Engadgements, and tefMe our unfeigned Refolution, to abide more ftedfaft and Faithful in our Teftimony for the Future. Itmaypoflibly be that forrte ilUdifpofed Malicious Per fons will calumniate, that the appearing hereof in Print at this Time, of threatned Invafion by a Popifi Pretender, and his Complices, is with a Defign to blacken the Government of a Proteflant King, and make Way for favourable Thoughts of a Papift amongil the Pcopk ; But as there was no Appearance of any fuch invafi- on, but a moft profound Security, when this was publifhed ; Jo we arc perfwaded, That if our Explicite Declaring againft the Popijh Pretender, contained in this enfuing Print, be duly weighed, even Malice it felf (hall find no Colour for this Calumny: And we judged it fo much the more neceflary, to have this in Print at this Time, that not only we might make all Jacobites fen- fible, how much we abhore their Bloody and Barbarous Methods, or bringing in Forreigners into their Native Country, to root out any Face oi Prate ft antijm y that remains in the Land, and mart her the- Innocent in Favours of that Idol of thcir's: But alfo, that *9 all fuch -as Adhere to, and fupport a Prelatkk King and Parlia-** inent may be ferfible, That it is their manifc/t Breach of Core- tiant, and Detection from our Ancient Laudable Conftitutions in Church and State, that is tire Hindcrance, why we dare not -join Cur fclvcs into any Corporations with them, in Cities and Armies, for mutual Defence ot our Religion, Lives and Liberties, againft Bloody Papifts and PrelatiJIs; which is no imall Affliction to us, whole Conference beat us Witnefs, that wc would be as chear- lully ready, as any Men in the Nation, to adventure our Lives and Fortunes, in io juft and neceflary a Caufe, and to caft in our Mite with others, who profefs a Love for the true Reformed Froteftant Religion, if they would but be perfwaded to return to their Covenanted Duty, .contefs their Sin and Eaekfliding, and (late the Cauie and Quarrel aright againft. Popery, Prelacy, Ere- ^fiianifniy Super ftition, Herefa, and whatsoever is contrary "to found .Doctrine, and the Power of Godlinefs, as our worthy i rogeni- tors ftated it, and were triumphant and fuccelsful, io long as they abode ftedfaft in GOD's Covenant. That the foilo-ving Teitimony, which fpeaks forth nothing but the Words of Truth and Sobernefs, may have this bleifed Effect upon all the Fearers ot GOD within the Land, to awajken and incline them to tins Duty, is and fhall be our hearty Prayer; Or, if nothing, that fuch a poor defpifed and iniignificant Handful .can fay, may have fuch a blefled and deferable Effect, We earneitly beg, That the LORD himfelf would, by the Voice of his threatned Rod, o- pen the Ears of many, and incline their Hearts to this Duty.; that fo no Flefh may glory in his Sight, as Jn^ruments thereor, but that the LORD alone may be exalted m JuU^mcnt, while he purges and reforms his Land by the Sou it or Judgment, and by the Spirit of Burning, Rtitonng unto us Juuges as at the jfirft, and Counfellors as at the Beginning: Tnacour Zton may a- gain be called the City of Rightcoufn fs, the Faithfui City, and rhat the Work of Righteoufnefs may be Peace, and the Em& ot Righteoufnefs, Quietnefs, and Afiurance ior ever. Tbt wssKK^aaw The: DECLARATION, " TESTIMONY and PRO- TESTATION of the mtwjjing Remnant of 'the Anti-Popifh, Anti-Lutheran^ Anti-Prelatick, Anti-Eraftian, Anti-Sc&arian, T,ue Presbyterian Church of CHRIST in Scotland, united toge- ther in a General Correfpsndence. Pullijbed at Auchenfaugh nigh Dov^glsfs 1718, E, being look'd upon as a fmall and defpifed Remnant of the true, Reformed, Covenanted, Presbyterian Church of CHRIST in Scotland, lying under manyTies and Obligations, to ad- here to the Caufe of our lovely LORD & Sa- viour Jefus Chrift,who gave himfelf for us,thac he might redeem us from Death, and purchafs us a peculiar People to himfelf, zealous of good Works • being defirous in fome Mca- fure, tho* weakly, to adhere to him And maintain his Caufe and Intereft, as the lame has bcerr tranfmitted down to us, by our wor- thy and zealous Anceflors, who cntrcd into Covenant for thera- ( 8 • ) (eWc$i and us their Poflerity, to W2lk m his Ways, kee£ firs Statutes and Judgments, cleave to his Ordinances, maintain the Purity of the true Religion, in this, and the neighbouring' King- doms, in all its eiTential Pares of Dodrine, Wor(bip,Difcipline and Government, and tranfmit it down uncorrupt to lateft Poflerity ; Do, tor kveral Reafons, look upon-our ltlvts as bound, at this Jun- .jSture, to publiih to thcAVorfd a Testimony of our Adherence there- unto, and fmcere Difrke and Abhorrence of the* prefent Courfes of publick Defection, which tend to overturn the fame : And, it in his holy and wife Providence, we mall be calk-d thereunto, to aflcr: . and defend this our Tdtimony, with the Hazard oi whatfoever i$ dear to us, even of Life it telf. We are fenfible, That this will be look'd upon, by a great Peal of People, as a Thing both unnectffary and unreafonable, as our formerjuft Endeavours of'like Nature have been; but^tis not io much the Approbation of Men, as the Command and Warrant of GOD, the Yeftimony of a good Contcience, and a folid Peace in the Day of the LORD Jeius, that we have been in fome Mea- fure oi Sincerity, tho' with much vVeakncfs, labouring to be found in the Exercife of our Duty, that muft influence us in this Mat- ter. It v hasbeen by this Way, of publick Proteftation and Teftimony .againft National Corruptions and Defections, that the LORD has helped his Followers, Servants and Wrtheflcs in Scotland, to ap- prove themfelvcsto him, in the Maintaining his Caufe andlnrereil, When other more humble and fubmimVe Ways of proceeding pro- ved ineffectual, or were by unjuft Laws become in^cceiliblc, or im- proper and impracticable. Neither do we i=ee any other Means for us, confidering our mean Circumftances c as to the Outward, to .bear our Teftimony to the Cauie and Intercii: of our LORD and Mailer, whofe Prerogative is this Day invaded, and his Caufe de- fpifed, and trampled upon by Men, but this of publick Protefta- tion againft thofe, who do fo, and Declaration of our Adherence thereto, in Opposition unto them ; And this we judge the moft -clcanfy ( 9 ) efcanly, fafe and honourable Footing, to ft ate our "Sufferings- for him upon, in Cafe of our being irr his holy Wifdom called thereto, and digniBcd therewith. It is true, we have formerly declared agairrft the Accefljon of Perfons of unfound and heterodox Principles, to bear Charge over the LORD's Covenanted People, in and about, and fince the late Revolution, by our Proteftations publickly emitted at the Crofs of Satnquhair, and more lately by our folemn Renovation of the Cove- nants at Douglas, July 2jftb. 171 2. 3To all which we full adhere: Wherejjuwe did cxprefly mention, as a Caufe of Humiliation, and publick Step of Defection, the Settlement of the Succeflion upon a Family of xhzijuthsrm Perfwafion, and that upon fuch Terms, and under fuch»Limitations, as oblige them to be of the Communion of the Church tit England, as at* prefent by Law eftablifhed. But yet, we think, The Obligation we are under, to' aiTert the Caufe and Quarrel of the Covenanted Intereft reaches further, and makes it neceflary, now after Hanover's actual Acceflion, to repeat and renew our Teftimony ; that all may perceive we are ftill the lame, and that our Thoughts are not altered, concerning our Du- ty of teftifying againft fuch as unjuftly invade, and overturn r^c fundamental Constitutions of our Church and Nation .Therefore we do in the Fr.fl I^lace, Protest, Declare and Enter our Teftimony a'gainft the Efeates of Parliament & Reprefentatives of the Nation, Viz,. Noblemen, Barons and Bo;ows, their lo gro-fly be- traying that Truft committed to them by Divine Providence, by Vertue of their Birth, Place and Station to -be the Guardians and Defenders of the true Reiormed Religion, and Liberty, Peace and Welfare of thefe Kingdoms; which they ha\ c been fo far from doing, that on the contrary, they have under the Notion of Laws and Parliamentary Statutes, enacted many Things having a direct Ten- dency. againR the true Reformed Religion, which they are b- by the Covenants of their Anceftors to maintain ; againft the So\ • ty, Liberty and Honour of their Native Country -, againft the Pri- .vjlvgcsaiid Property of their fellow Subjects; and in (tort, a] B M f ro ) every Thing, that is valuable in the Eyes of Men and Chriftiatls, as cannot be doubted ot by any, w-ho ferioufly reflects upon the late woful Treaty of incorporating Union with England* wherein, be- fides the many other unhappy Erfc&s thereof, we already feel, and do further juftly fear, the Succeffion to our Crown and Regal Go- vernment was placed upon the Luther an Family ot Hanover : \Vhich Choice is clearly contrary to our Covenants, and our many ancient fundamental 'Laws and Acls of Parliament, enjoining ( in a - plain Conformity with the holy Scriptures) that fuch only ffrall he chofen, to be entrufled in that h>gh Dignity and Atuj^jty, as being educate in the found Orthodox Principles of the Chriftiaiv Religion, as reformed from Popery, and oppofed to all SeEJs 'and Herejies, had lignalized themfelves for their Integrity, Zeal and Affection to the Caufe of GOD, and blamelefs .CMfrian.. Conver- sation, fearing GOD, hating Covetoufnefs,- and dealing truly, a- gainft whom there could be no juft Exception, or Caufe of Jealou- fie; And, which is worfe, befides their confenting to the Choice England had made of a Perfon, by our Law uncapable, by Rea- son of his Education in the Lutheran Perfwafion, as at prefent profeffed and maintained, have moreover conferred to the EngJtfi Regulations and Limitations of Government, which, morally fpeaking, cuts off all Hope from us for the Future, of obtaining our Sovereigns to be ot the fame true Religion with our felves, which the Pre- amble to our Coronation Oath, ratified by many fubfequent Acls o Parliaments, exprefly declares to be neceflary, for the Increafe and Prefervation of Piety and true Religion. How fad is it! after we have had fo much wotul Experience of the Hurt, done to the Work of GOD by Charles firft, and fecond ; proceeding from their malignant Dilafteftion to the Caufe of CHRIST, and their Affection to Prelacy, that our Reformed Covenanted Nation, fhould not on- ly have at the Revolution, accepted the Prime of Orange to be King, while he joined with and fware to fupport Prelacy, and alter him Princefs Anne of Denmark> treading the fame Steps ; but that now they fkould have explicitly, and formally conferred to the EngliJk . ■^EZr J V i ( n ) Li?nhations y obliging them Lr er fo to continue; And that not only MemjjPs or Parliament in ratifying the Treaty of Union; OT^^^IWne Generality of thefe, who are iaany.piiolick Office, in Church and State, by f wearing and fufc , gift Oath of Abjuration, wherein thefe Limitations are evidently contained : If this be not a vifible abandoning our Covenanted la- tereft, and a plain corroborating of Prelacy ', and its appenduu Ce- remonies, we know not what can be called fo. Upon the Account of which, and other the like Betrayings of their J raft, we do judge the Perfons chiefly active in thefe Cour- fes, have by the Laws of GOD, and this Realm Forfeited all juft Right, to enact Laws, binding upon us, or any ot the true Sub- jects of this Kingdom ; And proteft, That we Refolvc thtough, Grace, fftft^to conform, with any oi thefe their finful Ads, or Or- dinances, they have enacted, or may further enact and ifliic forth. Next, we judge it our* Duty,, to renew our Teflimony againft the Unfaithiulnefs of the Bulk and Body of the Mimfters of this Church, as tor their many former unworthy, and unbecoming Complyances with, and Yieldings to, the Enemies ot our LOllD's Work, Crown and Dignity, ( lome whereof we have teliiry'd againft in our former Declarations, and bewailed in our late Publick Acknowledgement of Sins; ) fo particularly for the Hand they have had in the Choice, Admiilion, Proclamation and Co- ronation of the Elector of Brunfwick, to be King over thefe Nati- ons; Many of them ( we doubt not ) did Counfel and Ad vile the Nobles, and others in Power and Authority to compfy with England, in making Choice of him -, without warning them of their Duty, that they ought to make Choice of fuch an one, as the Law of GOD> and ConfHtution of this Reformed Covenanted Nation doth require, namely a true Presbyterian ; Others were Went, and if they did not actively adviie them to this Choice, did at lead confent by Connivance, not declaring plainly to Per- fons concerned, how dangerous a Thing it is to uuruftthe moil B 2 ..iu- valuable Concerns of Religion, to fach as vnre-by Ecfucatior^ and ! would be by Obligation and Pra&ic: ngaped in a cinerary Courfe. Tnt: (p^oir Pretence that's 0:u.< palliatev this Neglect of fcrindifpenfible a Duty, an. i doing tl^jujce or>po- • fue, will not bear our. the Minifters of this Church guiltlefs. - They fay, it was the only Courfe-, which in. any tolierabie Pro- bability, could be fubfervicnt to prevent the Inundation of Po- pery and-AtbLtrary Government, with a Popijh Pretender -, And- accordingly they glory, and rejoice in the fuccefs thereof, as a De- fign viiibly owned ot GOD, with fuch a happy Even|f* and z -- > Mercy not of the ordinary Rank .- And we do indeed own, That fuch a View, might influence many ot them to that Politick, and that in fo far their Delign was very good, ^ad tnty..not' taken unlawful Means of accompiifliing it; and advaiKeoMSfcwy to. > bear down Popery. We do likewife, with all 'Gratitude, acknow- . ledge the good 1 Hand of our gracious and merciful GOD, in breaking hitherto the Attempts and Defigns of a PopijI) &&& Malig- nant- Faction at Home and. Abroad, who -were, and are gaping- for the utter Overthrow of our holy Region, and thirfiing for our Blood, and not ours only, but that of all true Protectants through Europe : And i£ we be not fuitably affected with this Mercy, that the LORD has fruflrate the Advancement of. a Popifh. \ Pretender, to tyrannize over thefe Kingdoms, ? Wc own we may ■ juftly be reputed the mofl Unthankful- Wretches imaginable. But yet we clare not afcribe this Deliverance, or rather.Sufpenfion of. deierved judgments, to the Policy and Prudence of, Man, or think, j that fuch a iinful Combination with PrektHls, and other Ene- mies of the Truth, is the procuring Caufe thereof e For how-, evcr the LORD in foveraign Wifdom, who many Times makes the Sins of Men fubfervient to his good and holy Ends, may or- der it fo fot the Gooe^of his People ; yet he gives no Difpenfati- " onto his, to do evil that good may come of it: For Prelacyhzs a. real Tendency to introduce Popery , and is engaged againft in the Covenant equally with Popery j and fo a Joining therewith, andr doing doing what has a ' and perpetuate it, muft needs be (inful, and provod Sight of the f A'd as^pB^f ~re ( o'js; ) r op chargeable with the C it fel£ To with the Contributing to the Means of its being car- ried on and eftablifhed; Which, ( if no; worfe ) were at lead rro better Chan the Choice it ktf\ We mean the leti fiiiful and ] LT«/«a wit\? Engiaiid, for in this is founded Tfaxover's Tide to the Cro wn of Scot/and : This was the Plan laid by the Court, for eftablifhing and (ecunng the Succeffion, in the Fan mow ; And what a Part Minifters acled there Confenf and Advice, partly by Silence, or a faint G ro, is abundantly known, and has been witnefled againft • nor thofe who (hewed themfelves heartily againft it to their u Power, fave only tor their joining with others, attei chey knew their Treachery in that Matter.. In this alfo Minifters are juftly chargeable, Tnat in Prof on of this Plan for maintains the Succefllon in the Family of Hanover, and to exclude the Saint Germans Pretender, they did not ufe that Freedom and Pfainnefs that became them, when Perions in Civil Truil, were laid obnoxious to that Snare c^ Oath of Abjuration, nor warned them or the' danger, therein contained , And all becaufe it was calculate for the Sap- port of the forefaid Succeiron : Yea, many of them, to i ver their Firmnefs thereto, did ("wear and fu'ofcribe the faiAOath, tho' evidently"' againft their own acknowledged PrincipIesjPI in* volving therein a Security to the Church ci England, as firm ai and Oaths can make it,' which they did, notwithstanding of the plain Prolpecl: of the lad Confluences it was like to pr among themfelves and their Hearers. Had that Oath a fwearing againft a Papifl as (uch, or to fnpport a S a Petfon, or Family rightly qualified, it had bee;. to our Covenants; But being loaded with fuch (hocking ClaufeS, 25 the Reference to the Enghjh Settlement lays on ic 3 ruins ruins the Interefl of CHRIST, and fuppofts tha^^^y peiftit*ous Worfhip, and Lordly Government, hatful to hi a Falfe Su- him. Nor is this, all they have done, to exprefs #icir Erm andfteady Adherence to that Succeflion, but they have ^l^d^fce its Set- tlement, twilled that Interefl into their molt folemn Devroc^^both of Prayer and Tbankfgiving ; and rhat even in Conformity to the exprefs Ad of Parliament enjoining iv y unckr considerable Penalties,, in Cafe they fhould neglect it, and to ffiew their Ghearfulneis here- in, have enackd the fame in their Ailemblies; and have made it their Bu finds, both in Preaching and Converfaticn,to perfwade the People, that the fupporting of the Succedlon wa.s the only Meau^v for preferving the true Religion in Britain, thereby leading the People into the fame Guilt of concurring with Prelacy znd itrength- ning it. This alfo was the Defign and Tendency of that Paper of the Commiflion of their General Aflembly, intituled A feafenam* Warning of the Danger cf Popery, &c. All to fuppcrt the Interefl: of Htnover among the People ; Whereas it was their Duty to have warned the People, not only of the Danger pf Popery, in the Advancement of the Pretender, but alio of Prelacy and other Er- rors, in the Advancement of Hanwer. . In the Time when GOD. blcfled this Land with Faithful Watchmen, our Aflemblks and Ccmmiffions warned the Nation, as well of the Danger like to flow from Prelacy, as from Popery; But fuch is not the- prelent Practice. The Regard that Mmiiters had- to promote, Hanover's IntertjL made them filcnt as to the Danger of Prelacy, becaufe. they kfieto' he behoved to be of that Communion, ir ever he fhould come *t6 reign in Britain. Further Inflances hereof did appear, from their exceflive Demon- firatiens of Joy at his Proclamation, and Coronation-Solemnities, putting on Bonefires, drinking Healths, and the like, and aflifting and encouraging the People thcreto.The CommifEon hkeways,to ex- prefs their Loyalty, Complementing him with their flattering Ad- dreiles, and Congratulatory Speeches, wherein never one Word cf the heavy Grievances of the Church of CHRIST, nor of the Hurt l uyj J&Zrm*** ( is ) Hurt and Hazard, that would arife thereunto from his Counte- nancing.. Encouj|ging and Supporting Prelacy, and other Herefies; ^P^^^^HHpmbly ha? of late drawn' up a Memorial of foniTW^^Wvances to be laid before him, yet how excee faint and lame is it, as to the moil Material Grievances, ought --to have been reprefented. Their keeping a Day ot \ and folemn T& g for his peaceable Acceflion to the T and that in. an Erafttan Comply rice with hh Command y enjovning it by his fole Authority, thereby encouraging him to Jjke Encroachments through the whole Courfe of his Re:. Their admitting to the. LORD's Table, and. employing clcfiaftical Offices to fit, as Ruling Elder?, in Aflemblies and Com- minions, fuch Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others as have \,the Sacramental 7V/?, and do occasionally communicate wil Church of England; whereby they practically declare, That they look not upon that as any Scandal or Offence: As Complying with Patronage, that Popifi Encroachment upon tic Liberties of the Chriftian People, and that in many | only in a violent Manner, over the Bellies of the whole, or I fected Part ot the People, but even in Oppofition to the Cci ings of feveral of their Brethren. And alio as another faflT^on- fequence of thefe above fpeciiied Evils, a great many Mi and Elders have fo far favoured the fpreading cf m ous Doctrinal Errors, taught by Mr. Simfon s a Publick Projtfbr qx Divinity, tharnotwithlianding of his being lybelled there^ft, and his Tenets oppofed by feverals more Zealous for Purify of Do ctrine, yet he is fufFercd to teach, without any Promile of quifiiing thefe Errors. And how faint and ambiguous dw tended Condemnation of them was, is evident to every o reads that Ad, wherein they are not fo much as ftjgm the Name of Errors. From all which, and many other the like Indances or their I ducr, it evidently appears, they have contributed as m Set of Men in the Nation, to the carrying cm -this prefent Comic oi of Dcfcfiicn, and Apoftacy frcm the fworn Principles of tfcc -Church of Scotland, to the Overthrow of our Ancient Glorious Fabrick, of a lovely Civil and ' EccJefiafiick Conflitiuion.: For all which we do bear Teftirr.ony kgainft them, and their. Unfaithful Eetrayings of the LORD's C "aufe and Concerns. In the next Place ( that none may think it is partiality or Ha- tred againft the Perfons of any, or againft. the .Ordinances oS Wagiftracy and JViimLry, that influences us, to. .bear 'Witnefs a- gainff the< Sins, aid Backflidings of thole, who this Day occupy "theie Flaces ) We do a!fo bear Teflimony againft. the Bulk ancl Body of Profefiors in theie Lands,, and chiefly in this covenanted -Kingdom, for their active Concurrence in thefe finful Ways, whereby they have, to their Power, contributed to the Burying or the LGRD's Work, and betraying his In.tcrelt, willingly walk- ing after the Commandment or the great Ones, fubmitting tcr' their Laws and Ordinances: tho' they cannot but fee. that theie are plainly contrary to out Ancient Fundamental Conflifutions, which are the People^ great Charter . for fecuring Jpoth Reli- gion and Liberty; their implicite believing of .their Teachers, and following ot them in this Courie of Defection, and fitting down in a pioturd Security, and rejoicing in a prefent outward Peace, as it all were made right by the Acceffian . of this Man to the •Government ; Whereas not one of our Grievances is removed thereby, but rather more perpetuated and corroborated j So that inileae^of Jucli DemcnflratSons ofjoy^as were every where fbown at his Acceffiorij there was rather great Cauk oi Humiliation and Sorrow to fee thefe Plagues continued and wreathed about cur Necks, under which we kerned formerly to groan. We cannot but be lorry, that our iellow Chriilians,. bound in •the Obligations of the fame-Covenant, fliould.be fo regardltfs and tnrr.ir.ciii.lcttl.efe facred Bonds, as wholly to neglect, forget and icriakc the Prckcution of the. Ends thereof; and "therefore, we do not.crly Lear Witnefs againii thefe their Backflidings, Fainting^ Foi iiibngs -of their fuft.fcove, Ccmplyanccs with Brtlaufts and ( r 7 ; Wahgntnts, Concurring with, (lengthening the Hands of, and ticlping the Ungodly and them chat bate the LORD; But fike- w.ife in th^ Bowels of our common LORD and SAVIOUR, we befeech, Warn, Obteft and increat them of all Ranks, who have any Tendcrnefs for GOD's Glory, Love to JESUS CHRIST, Concern for their own Souls, or Care for the Good or Poller ity to bethink themfelves of the Hazard and Danger they are in, while continuing in fuch a Courfe, and to return to the LORD by Repentance, and labour to revive in their Breaits that Z.al and Concern for the L©RD's buried and broken down Work and Intereft, that becomes Perfons profeffing an Adherence to Scot- land's covenanted Reformation, and to labour after fuch Rulers Supreme and Subordinate, to bear Charge over us, as the vVord ot GOD, and our laudable Laws do require. In the laft Place, We do for the Glory of GOD, Exoneration of our Confciences, and Prefervation of Truth, and that we may -tranfmit a Teftimony to Pofterity, Remonftrate and declare our "Diflike of the Inveftiture ot the Elector oi'Brunfwick, with the Royal Dignity and Supreme Authority of thefe Realms; And ' that for many ( as we conceive ) valid and fufficient Grounds and Reafons : But for Brevity we fhall reduce them to three prin- cipal Heads. Firft, His Perfonal Qualifications. Secondly, The Limitations under which he hath accepted the Crown of Englahd. Ihirdly, The Unjuftice and Invalidity ot his Claim and PreteriG- ons to our Crown. Fir ft, In Reference to his Perfonal Qualifications, they are fuch, as cannot confilt with our Laws and Covenants,, with the Safety of bur Religion, Liberty and Property. Our Laws made in oar bell and happieft Times of Reformation are exprefs and clear, that we mould, in any ways, fet fuch over us, as are noui\fli.d"up in the • Doctrine which is according to Godlinefs, iw the Ortho- dox Principles of the true Reformed Chriftian Religion, and fuch as are of Ability for Government, Fearers ot GOj, Lovers ot good Men, Encouragers of Venue and Piety, and Diicoiiragtrs C of '( i8 ) of the Wicked and Ungodlv, Punifliers of Vice, Immorality, He- retic and falfe Religions. 'Our Covenants both National and So- lemn League, are clear to this Purpofc ( the' bafej* det.rtcd into a contrary meaning by Men of corrupt .Mind?. ) The. Na- tional contains the Coronation Oath, wherein for the Security, Advancement and Propagation ot the true Religion, the Supreme Mieiftrate is bound, To feme the Eternal GOD, according to kii w£~Holy Word, and accord, „g to the Confeffon oj Faith « Mri* ml Ctwnant, t» maintain the true Religion, as then truly frefejfed, unbraced and eft 'ablified in this Realm mnd to root out alllierefas, contrail thereujtto, and pnvjh the Spreaders of the fame The So- lemn League alfo is clear, in qualifying our Duty, of prefcrying, and defending the Perfon and Government of the Supreme Ma- . exjftrate with the Condition of defending, maintaining and pre- ying' the true Religion,- And that th.s Condition is to be extended, not only to their defending of if in feme Part or their Dominions, but in the whole and fetting it up m their own Practice and Family, is clear from the Oath ol Coronation ten- dered to" and taken by Charles 2d. at Scoon, where he Promifes and (Wears, for himfelf , and Succegm, to conform Ins cv>n Praiitce, and Fam-ly to the Me Reformed Religion exfrefl m the Covenant, as ZH as to maintain and dejend it in his Dominions And as tne(e Laws and Covenants clearly prove, that fuch ought to be the Qua- lifications of our Sovtraigns, fo the Reafon thereof is evident to ' everv confiderine Perfon.- What more reafonable, than that he, who has mod Influence upon the Thriving and Security, of the true Religion, be thereof himfelf ? What more congruous, than that a People in Covenant with GOD, chufe a King fo too ? What more juft, than that he, to whofe Care the valuable Con- cernments of Religion and Liberty are entrufted, be a cordial, Eriend thereunto ? Now it cannot be denied, that the Elector of BrmCwck is not fuch, he being by Education and pubhek. Pro- fcflion of the Lutheran Perfwafon, while in Ins own Principality* havina swen no Documents of his rehnouifiung thereof, and em- ■ b s • brae*. ( 19 ) L bracing Orthodox Sentiments; but on the contrary, upon his com- ing over* joining himfeit to the Church of England in her preknt corrupt EftablHhment ; From whence it appears, that he is nor only a Stranger to our Reformation, but one that has noc a due Regard thereto, as to the true Religion. inftituted by CHR^T and .his Apoftles, and embraced, proteifed, practifed and fwora unto in thefe Nations ; but that he practifeth contrary thereunto. And tho* for State Reafons, he bears with any Thing that remain* of th^Form of Presbyterian Government in thefe Kingdoms, yet he gives no Initance of his Approbation thereof, in his Practice and Fa- mily^ our Kings ought to do.And befides his falfe Principles and cor- rupt Practice in Reference to Religion ( which is the main Thing in hisPerfonal Qualifications we infill upon, as the Ground oi our Proteff, not excluding any other Immoralities, that may be juftly charged upon him ) It is alfo Matter of Grievance, that being a Stran- ger to our Nation, he cannot be fo acquainted with our Laws and Conititutions, upon which the Security of our Civil Liberty and Property depends, as is requifite in one, to whom fo great and comprehensive a Trufl and Office is comitted. Plis being confe- derate with Potiff) Princes and States abroad, is another very material Confideration of his pcrfonal Orcumitances, which inca- pacitates him for our Government : For feing we, who are a Covenanted People, devoted to GOD to ferve him, trufl in huk» and walk before him in a feparate Courfe from all thefe, that give their Power to the Beaft, and are joined with AntichriR, are bound •not to make any League and Confederacy with the People of thefe Abominations, it is hkewife unlawful for us to fet one up over us, who is in League and Confederacy with them, left that derive to us af j Wrath from the LORD, if we hereby contribute to the Help of the Ungodly, and Support of the Kingdom of Satan , and this we cannot avoid, it joined to him in the iinCteft Rda.ionot* Subjects, while he by our Aid and Afliftance, performs fuch I ,gad'gments to them as thefe Confederacies bring him under. &s,Gndty, The Limitations and Conditions, upon which he hath C 2 bra- ( zo ) embraced the Crown and Imperial Dignity of England, arefach ad, tio incapacitate him for being our King : For ( to omit the Hurt done to our Civil Affairs, by his being confined, as it were, among them, fo as that he cannot adminifter Juftice to, or rule us' here in Perfon ) his being engaged, to be of the Communion of that Church, in his own Pradice and Family, and his fwearing, To' mamtain to the Bijhcps, and 'Clergy thereof y all ftich Priviledges y ashy their (unjufl) Ltiiv deth, or (hall appertain to them: And thereby to encourage, countenance, defend and, maintain that abjtrred^Hie- rarchy, and unindituted Ceremonies, is ju ft Ground for us,To call' in Queftion the Lawfulnefs ot his Invefiirure, feing we are bound 1 by the Oath of GOD ( the Juftice whereof we do not, nor dare we queftion) to do our utmoft Endeavour to extirpate Prelacy and Stiperftiticn, and that without Reject of Perions (Kings not" excepted) we think our owning him as our King, and carrying towards him as fuch, while he is declaredly complving. with, and upholding both thefe, together with many other Herefies and Er«* rors, is a Thing altogether irreconcilable with fuch an Endeavour as is there folcmnly covenanted ; and therefore without Breach of Corenant, we cannot acknowledge him for our rightful and lawful Sovereign. ' Ihirdly, The Injuftice and Invalidity of any Fretenflons he hath to* the Crown and Imperial Dignity o\Scbtl*nd> is another main Caufe of our difowning him from- being our King. It is well known, That his only Elective Right he can claim to the Govern- ment of Scotland, is founded in the late Incorporating Union with En* glands the Sinfulness and Mifchiefs, whereof we have largely dif* covered and protefted again!!: in our laft Declaration, publifhed at Sanquhair y Otlober id. 1707, to which we refer. And (ring, that Union was iuch an illegal and unjufl Overthrowing all our National and facrcd Privileges, we can never admit of any of the Parts, Articles or Claufes thereof, as jufl and legal, far le's of that Act oi Settlement, devolving the Crown upon the Family of Hanover, which was not only a chief Part; but, for what wt caa under-* v /° y f 21 ) urrderftand, the principal procuring Caufe, that mrived the AAor$i toeonfent to the Treaty. And as the* Choice, tho' it w^rc or the whole People, can never make a juft Title to the Government, if it be of a Perfon not qualified, according to the good and juft Laws' of the Kingdom; So, far lefs, is that a juft Claim, which did not arife from theConfent of thePeople,bur was done by a fewPc- r on?i who by couatera&ing their Truft and Commitfion, had no Right to reprefent the People in Parliament. And feing his only Right flbw^from that Union, we judge, That fhould we upon that Fbbffig own him, for our Lawful King, we fhould intcrprctatively and confequently approve the Treaty it (elf, which, through Grace, we refolrenoc to do. It is alfo a very material and weighty Ground of Objection,' That we have not that ancient Security for Religion and Liberty, that our Lavs did provide for us, at the Coronation of our So- vereigns, namely, their Declaring and off tiring, by fokmn Oath, at the Reception of their Princely Authority, that they {ball feme the Eternal GOD, according to his mofl h$ly Word, maintain the true Religion, as fvafeffed in this Realm, and the due and right Adminiflration of the Sa- craments, ahd root out allHereticks, and Herefies that {ball be convitl by the true Kirk of GOD, according to the "Tenor of our excellent Core nation Oath; and that they {hall teflifie their Approbation^ of the Na- tional Covenant, and Solemn League and Covenant, and whole Work of Reformation, and Uniformity in the three Kingdoms, and maintam tbi fame in their Pratlice and Family, and defend it in their Dominions ; According to the Coronation Oath adminiftred to Charles id, In- (lead of all which Tyes and Obligations, fo excellently contrived for the Defence df ourReligion,& fo neceflary for its Security,all that he has done, or has been required or him, is, Inviolably to ma andprefewe the Settlement of the Church of Scotland, as eftall: the Claim of Right and Treaty of Union; which, how far it falls fhort of our former Coronation Oaths, may eafily appear to every unbayf- fed Perfon. Befides thefe principal Rcafons already affigncd, we might add the Confideratioa ; ( 22 ) 'deration of his corrupt Councillors .and Mmifters of State, with when 1 - he is ^urroundedjand ferved, who* being Malignants and Emmies to our Reformation, ou^ht to bt .imp'oyed in no pi blick Trull Place or Office. His early invadmg our LOKD's Crown and Prerogative,- and by ihe evil Couniels of thefe wic- ked Councilors, arrogating, contorm to the Laws of England* the Title oi Head of the Church ; and imposing by his foie Authority a Day of Pubhck Thank [giving, which in a conftitute Church, was proper only to Church OfficetS to have done ; and in all his Managements, tracing the Steps or thefe that went betoflKiim, againft whom we have juftly protefted and teftiHed. Upon all which Gaules, 'we declare, as we cannot in a Confiftency with Faithfulntfs to GOD, in his Covenanted Intereft, own and ac- . knowledge him, the faid EhElor or Brunfwick, for our Lawful King • So we proteft againfl his demanding of us any Tefts of Loyalty or Obedience, as of his rightful Subjects- and refolre, through t he LORD's Afllftance, not to ftrengthen his Hands, by ailbciat^ng with fuch, eiiher Popijh, Prclatick or Malignmt^ with whom he may be imbarked, or any of thefe Perftvafions whatfbever, whether (or him or againft him, nor yet by Paying him fuch Taxations, Sub- fid ies and Supplies, as are impojed upon the Nation for that Effect. And to prevent a NecefHty of further protefting againfl his Son, in Cafe of his fucceeding on the like Footing, We do upon the fame Account, and for the fame Caufes, proteft againft the Succeflion of any others after him, in the Way* and Manner that he has come to the Crown, viz-. Under the like Incapacities and Limitations, and - having the like Claim thereto, whether they be of his Pofierity,or any other Branch of the Royal Family near or remote ; and more efpecially againft all fuch as are 6f Pofijb Education or ProrefTion ; particulaily, the prefent Poptjh Pretender , and all others of that Stamp ; io that none have Reafon to fay, when they consider the Grounds of this our Declaration, That it is from any Affection to him,, or to gratiiie any of his Faction that we have protefted a- gainft gainft the EPeVtr'of- Brttnfwick ; biit^ti^^f frorr* Conference of Burr, witrra Defftn ot tcftifyins onr Adhcr-^rcc to oiif Cove- Rc'brmation, which is proportionally oppose to I Prelacy, Y^a, it is nor amangft the fmalleft of our G;o;mds, at this Time, that we appear in this Manner, to vindicate our felves from the Calumnies and Reproaches caft upon us, of our bein<* for a Popifi Pretender; which Calumnies arc fomented and induflri- oufly (bread by fevetal MinUters aad their Complices, which we cai concew, for no other End, than that their Wickedncfs m;:y v.ox be difcovered, and their Treachery .made nwniftn\ in this Age, ami that we may be reputed fuch Abatidoiers of Principles with themfelrcs, as might defervedly bring us tfnder the Punifli* ment of the Law both of GOD and Man. To condude,Seing it is fuch a King, and fuch inferior giftrates, judges and t)flicers,to rule over us, as are ccfenbedin GODs Word, and prefenbed by our ancient laudable Laws, who would by their Example, Practice and Authority ad- vance, maintain and defend the true Reformed Pro( Doftrine- and Prefbyterian Church C .t , Worfhip and Difcipline, and fuppreis all contrary and Herefies, that we are longing for, and chearfully rea^! to perform all the Duties of Lawful Obedience none has Caufe , from this our Proteft , to I us w 7 ith Faction, Sedition or' Rebellion, or to reckon us a People of ungovernable Principles, and Capricious, wild Dif- pofitions; Our Teftimony having no fuch Defigir or Ten- dency; but only in the Words of Truth andSobernei give an Account of the true Caules of our ^ ( 94 > f relent Gdv^mflieippRJfSovernours, as. now fiatetf, in Op* the Thnving'and Piofpenty of cor once glorious Covenanted Reformation Let KING JESUS reign. and let all his Enemies be fcattcred a /■ 7 • //// 1 & // M it/» /v//A , jtfafs :♦ *reten Le ■Jff- t