The history of Scotch-presbytery being an epitome of The hind let loose / by Mr. Shields ; with a preface by a presbyter of the Church of Scotland. Shields, Alexander, 1660?-1700. 1692 Approx. 191 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 33 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A59964 Wing S3432 ESTC R3536 12311209 ocm 12311209 59361 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A59964) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 59361) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 823:14) The history of Scotch-presbytery being an epitome of The hind let loose / by Mr. Shields ; with a preface by a presbyter of the Church of Scotland. Shields, Alexander, 1660?-1700. Shields, Alexander, 1660?-1700. Hind let loose. [8], 55, [2] p. Printed for J. Hindmarsh ..., London : 1692. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Caption title: "The Kings letter to the Presbyterians in his ancient kingdom of Scotland": p. 51-55. Advertisement: p. [1] at end. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Church of Scotland -- History. 2003-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-10 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2003-10 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE HISTORY OF SCOTCH-PRESBYTERY : BEING AN EPITOME OF The Hind let Loose , By Mr. SHIELDS . With a Preface by a Presbyter of the Church of Scotland . Juven . — Vitia ultima fictos Contemnunt scauros & Castigata remordent . LONDON , Printed for I. Hindmarsh , at the Golden-Ball in Cornhill . MDCXCII . The PREFACE . THE following Treatise ( being but a short Compend of a larger Book ) appears at this time to give the World a just Account of the Principles , Practices , and Behaviour of the Scotch ●resbyterians ; it was written some Years ago by ●ne of that Fraternity . It is sad to consider , how ●uch the Spirits of Men are soured and imbit●ered by Faction and Interest , it shuts their Eyes ●gainst the clearest light . The Dictates of Huma●ity , and the Genius of the Christian Religion ●eeten our Passions , but when we are enflamed ●y the Interests of a Party , we forget the ex●ress Laws of God , and if they look us broad in 〈◊〉 Face ( when we offer violence to our Convi●ions ) we bow and bend them by metaphysical ●ricks and Evasions to serve our Design , contra●y to their original Bias and Sanctity ; and this ●as never so visible , as in that turbulent and fiery ●●ct that frequently disturbed , and now at last ●ath almost over-●un the Church of Scotland , in 〈◊〉 they have Ruined and Oppressed a Learned , ●rave , and Orthodox Clergy , especially in the ●outhern Shires . They have a Systeme of Opini●ns peculiar to themselves , which they call Their ●rinciples ; for though a thing in it self is just and ●easonable , yet if it be not agreeable to Their ●rinciples ( that 's to say , the Opinions that are ●ore immediately , properly , and originally Cal●ulated to serve the Designs of their Society ) they ●eject it with Indignation and Disdain , they pity ●ll Mankind that have not the same Thoughts that ●hey have , and they continue by the Authority of their Guides , under the slavery of implicite Faith ●ore than any other Sett of Men in the World The Christian Religion above all things design●d to alienate our Thoughts and Affections from ●he Pageantry and Vain-glories of the World , ●nd to moderate our Passions , that they might not ●rove troublesome to Society , nor extravagant in ●heir Violence , nor precipitate in their Actings ; ●he Spirit of Faction opposes the Gospel in these great Ends , for it covets nothing so much as outward Glory and Empire , and it prosecutes these Desires with restless and implacable Ardours , and ●ll under the Visor of Religion . When our perverse Inclinations ( which God commanded to be ●ortified ) are made more head-strong by the ●otions we have of Religion , then our Appetites ●ecome as wild as they are unreasonable . We find this clearly exemplified in the Phari●ees of old . Our Saviour came that he might de●troy the Works of the Devil , and enliven the World by a reasonable Religion , to turn Men from Darkness to Light , and from the Power of Satan to the living God , to inspire Mankind with the Principles of the best and wisest Philosophy , most useful in all the Changes and Vicissitudes of this Life , and that which did certainly prepare them for a better , he taught his Disciples to be most assiduous in those Duties of Religion that made no Noise abroad , and fell not easily under the Observation of Men ; that advanced solid and substantial Piety , to love God and our Neighbour , to approve our selves unto him that seeth in secret , to despise the Censures and Applause of a perverse Generation , and to live upon the invisible Supports of a good Conscience , to exercise Patience , and Fortitude , and Magnanimity ; because by our Religion we were engaged to Combat with the World , and with all its cross Accidents , under the Banner of a crucified Saviour . Yet when we read the History of the New Testament , we find that the most zealous Sect of the Pharisees , opposed this blessed Design of our Saviour in all its principal Branches . They took great care to be seen by the People , in all their odd and extraordinary Performances ; they were mighty forward to propagate their own Traditions ; the private Doctrines of their Schools were much dearer to them than the Commandments of God , Mark 7. 3. As for Simplicity of Intention , Innocence , and the Love of God ; they thought such Vertues not so convenient for them who were in the Government , and thought it necessary to have the People blindly to obey their Dictates : That Religion that penetrates to the Center of our Spirits , and changes the whole Bias of our Souls , crosses the Desires of our degenerate Nature , and leads every Thought captive to the Obedience of Christ , and is supported by the Faith of distant and invisible Rewards ; they thought such a Religion yielded no nourishment for Vain-glory , and therefore they despised it , and ordered the matter ●o that amidst all their long Prayers , disfigured Faces , and theatrical Fasts , they might leave their insatiable Passions of Pride , Vain-glory , Covetousness , Malice and Revenge , untouched , and unsubdued . Hence it is , that they were very careful in little things , Mat. 23 , 24 what●ever drew after it the applause of the People , who always admired the most empty and the most transient things . Their Bat●ologies were mistaken for Zeal and Devotion , and their outward Austerities , for true Mortific●tion . They did all things to be seen of Men , Mat. 23. 5. and if the Law of God did expresly contradict their beloved Scheme ; the Law it self must needs bow to their Principle . There is nothing in Humane Nature that we feel more tenderly , nor is there any thing more deeply engraven on our Souls , than the Gratitude we owe to our Parents , when their Infirmities and Disasters require our Assistance ; yet by their Do●●rine of the Corban , they evacuated this Fundamental Piety ; Justice , Compassion , and Natural Affection were in their Eyes but mean and despicable things , they only understood the abstruse Mysteries of Religion , and nothing provoked their indignation so much , as to be thought ignorant ; wherefore they so huffingly tell the poor Man restored to his sight by our Saviour , dost thou teach us , Ioh. 9. 34. tho by the most evident Arguments , he had just before exposed both their shameful Ignorance and Vanity ; and when St. Paul himself was tinctur'd with this leaven ; his brisk and generous Spirit was sadly employed in persecuting the Church . There is nothing more opposite to the pure and undefiled Religion , than Pharisaical Pride and Hypocrisy ; nor no kind of Pharisees persecute with greater Violence and Spite , than that sullen and demure Tribe that affect Domination and Tyranny , by a counterfeit and disguised Humility . The sad Effects of such an insolent Humor , are too sadly felt by the Clergy of Scotland . The Presbyterian Courts and Judicatories are as void of the common Forms of Justice , as of Tenderness and Humanity , the late Erection of it being in its Frame more properly Calculated to advance Tyranny , and tho their Agents propagate many Stories to lessen and extenuate , and sometimes to excuse their unaccountable Proceedings ; yet as long as they confess the shameful rabbling of the Clergy , they acknowledge more Barbarity and Cruelty , more Reproach to our Nation than can easily be named : Certainly it cannot be imagined that the Episcopal Clergy left their Houses , their Livings , and some of them their Relations , and their Countrey , for no other Design than to tell Stories of the Presbyterian Persecution ; any Man that believes this , needs not refuse the most monstrous Improbabilities : Men are not so fond of Crosses and Afflictions , the Bias of Humane Nature is on the other side , they generally prefer the Law of Self-preservation to the Law of Self-denial , and the Doctrine of the Cross has but few to follow it if they can avoid it . There is no Weapon so proper against the Assaults of a restless and ungovernable Party , as Christian Patience : This is the Time of our Sufferings , God in his Anger ▪ hath let loose our Enemies to chastise us ; and when we are duly humbled , he will again mercifully visit us , and employ us in the Attendance and Service of the Sanctuary . If we have preached unto others Fortitude and Christian Magnanimity , under the sa●● dest Calamities , from the Pulpl● , why should no● we do it by our Courage and Constancy ? Th● Providence of God , that superintends the mea●●est Creatures , will not desert them that are ma●● after his own Image . It was to let us feel th● Mutability of all Earthly Conditions , that we are surrounded thus with Difficulties , on the Right and on the Left Hand . When I read the He●roick Flights of a Pagan Soul ; * and how little the Glory of the Roman Empire appeared to him that sat upon the Throne , in the midst of Guards Divertisements , and Flatterers , I cannot but acknowledge how shameful it is for the Disciples 〈◊〉 Christianity to be so soon and so easily shake● with Changes and Disasters : If the Contempla●tion of Philosophy and Natural Religion raise his Spirit so far above ordinary Thoughts , wha● may not be expected from us , who have bee● taught the most infallible Proofs , the Doctrine 〈◊〉 Immortality , and the Glories of the World 〈◊〉 come ? Seneca tells us , that a good Man wrestling with Disasters , and not yielding to 〈◊〉 Meannesses of Vice , is a Spectacle worthy o● Iupiter himself . The Ears of God are always open 〈◊〉 the Prayers of the Oppressed ; their Petition● proceed from Feeling , more than from Art●Form , or Custom . Let us look into the Error● of our Lives ▪ and judge our selves , ●●st 〈◊〉 shoul● be judged more severely by our God , whom w● have offended . Let us wash out our Blemishe● by true Contrition , and return unto our Father who does not willingly grieve the Children 〈◊〉 Men ; but for great and wise Ends suffers , for ● while , the Rod of the Wicked to l●e on the Lo●● of the Righteous , that his Children may be pre●pared for that Glory which is to be revealed ▪ The Graces that are most essential to the Chri●stian Religion , cannot be exercised but under th● Cross : All things work together for good , to the● that love God. We are told by our Saviour , tha● an House built upon a Rock stands 〈◊〉 against a● the Violence of Rains , Storms and Tempests . The Party with whom good Men struggle at pre●sent in Scotland , have neither Unity amongst them●selves , nor any true Christian Princi●●● to buil● upon : And When I say thus , I do ●ot compr●●hend all that may go under the name of Presby●terians , but such as give up themselves , witho●● Reserve , to follow their pernicious Ten●rs , a●● such as have all their Paces ; for God judges 〈◊〉 according to our new and factious Discrimin●●tions . It is not by our Names , but by our N●●ture , that we are separated at the Day of Jud●●ment ; and therefore let no man mista●e me , ● if I thought this or the other Denomination , th●● Church or Society , could secure a Man from hazard : I mean no such thing . But it 's undeniable , that the Faction that lately pulled down the Beauty and Order of our Church , spend their Zeal in lesser things , of very bad , or of no Consequence at all ; and their new and upstart Government eats out the Life and Primi●ive Innocence of Religion , and promotes Pride and Singularity , and those other Vices that are most opposite to the pure and spiritual Tendency of the Gospel . They are the Men I intend the Ring leaders of that waspish Gang , who by their Principles are obliged to trample upon all ●arthly Powers , unless they truckle under the Edicts of Presbytery , and recommend no other Doctrines with Affection and Zeal , but such Opinions as enslave the Consciences of Men to their Tyranny and Government , and many of the poor People are so infatuated , that they calmly bow under the heaviest Burdens , if they are laid on by their Spiritual Task-masters . It is very sad to consider the present Decays of true Christianity : What 's become of that un●ffecte● Simplicity , that Truth and Purity , Heavenly mindedness and Charity , that adorns the Profession of the Gospel ? What 's become of that ●teady and regular Devotion , that taught Men frequently to lift up holy Hands , without Wrath or ●oubting , unto Heaven ; by which they were made to love God above all things , and their ●rethren for God's sake , to relieve their Neces●ities , to assist them in their Troubles , to rejoyce with them that do rejoyce , and to weep with them ●hat weep ▪ nay , to endeavour the Good of all Mankind , as far as is possible ? If Men were affe●tionately zealous to propagate this Religion , ●hen it would appear like it self in all its beauti●ul Colours , pure , peaceable , gentle , and easie to be ●●treate● , full of Mercy and good Fruits , without ●artiality , and without Hypocrisie , Jam. 3. 17. But ●here Envying and Strife is , there is Consusion ●nd every evil Work. Shall they who proudly ●●all themselves the special Ambassfdors of Christ , ●●ve so much in Animosities and Contentions , and ●ot tremble before the Searcher of all Hearts , ●ho sees into the first Motives and Springs of all ●ur Actions ? If the Purity of Religion be in●●nded , why so much Noise and Clamour , so ma●y Arts and mean Tricks , so many insidious Ac●●sations , so many bold and impudent Lies , so ●any pragmatick and restless Methods to over●●row their Antagonists ? Can the Gospel of Peace 〈◊〉 propagated by the Stratagems of War ? Or ●●ve they such mean Opinions of their Opposites , that they will suffer their People to be deluded with Giddiness and Enthusiasm ▪ and themselv●s so tamely beat off the Stage ? 'T is true , many of our Ministers are now made uncapable to serve the Publick ; yet by their sacred Character , they are still obliged to serve the People , and to recover the Souls , for whom Christ died , from the Enchantment and Enthusiasm of Seducers : I hope they will defend the Gospel without fear , upon all Occasions , in Season , and out of Season . It is not a Question of Discipline , or Ecclesiastical Government only , ( though that be of great Consequence in it self , ) that is now debated : But the Question is , Whether such Methods must be followed , as expose Christian Religion ? Whether the People shall be taught from the Pulpit to burlesque the holy Scriptures , to lampoon Revelation , and to ridicule the most grave and serious things ? Mankind , indeed , is liable to many Vanities and Follies , and yet no Follies debase Humane Nature so much as those that put on the Garb of Religion . 'T is lamentable when Men avouch the Authority of God for their own Dreams , and plead a Divine Right for all their new and fancied Opinions . The first Presbyterians thought it enough to say , that their Model was allowable ; and therefore they levelled their Arguments to prove such a Scheme of Government was not altogether forbidden ; and it was never heard , that the Foreign Presbyterians would have refused the Communion of the Church , because the ancient Government of Episcopacy was retained in it : So we see all the French Protestants , who have fled to Germany or England , serve in either Church as Ministers , according to the Rites and Ecclesiastical Canons of the place where they live : It is only the Covenanted Presbyteriaus ( for any thing I know ) plead a Divine Right for their new Model , and their latter Disciples are forward and daring on this Head. Their Government must be founded on the express Institution of our Saviour , and therefore the Exercise of their Discipline must be nothing less than the Administrations of his Kingdom and Royal Scep●re : To contradict or despise them , is an Affront to God himself ; and to be sure , the Baggage of their Lay-Elders , and Commissioners from Burghs , are all of them by Divine Right . And yet all this is not so bold or ridiculous , as when they endeavour to prove their Scheme by particular Texts of Scripture . There is one that calls himself the Vindicator of their Ki●k , he wrote a Book some Years ago , to prove that Presbytery was the only Government instituted by our Saviour ; and all he brings for it , over all his Book , which I had the patience to read over ) is , Mat. 20. 25. compared with Luk. 22. 25 He tells us in another Book , of himself , that his Way is Argumentative ; that is to say he writes nothing but pure Reason and Demonstration . Now let us calmly examine what Foundation there is for Presbytery in the Texts lately mentioned , for our Saviour supposes Degrees of Sub●ordination amongst his Disciples , as well as in all other Societies ; and therefore he directs such as would climb to the highest Places , to take other Methods than those that are most usual in Worldly Preferments ; 〈◊〉 he that deserved Preferment in the Church , was to be the Servant of all ; and ●e that would be great among his Brethren , should in the first place appear full of Humility , Condescention and Charity ; And this T●xt refers to the Method of their Promotion , not to the Extirpation of their Iu isdiction . He supposes one would be great among them ; and the true way to attain ●hat Greatness , was not to aspire to it ambitiously , by Force and Violence , as the Lords of the Gentiles did ; but by all the Acts of Modesty , Humility and Self-denial . But let me ask whether the Apostles understood this Precept of our Saviour , in the Sense of the Presbyterians , or not ? If they did , how came they to exercise Jurisdiction over all inferior Ecclesiasticks , during all their Life-time , in all the Churches they had planted ? Did they ( who could not but understand his meaning ) go quite cross to the Institution of our Saviour ? The plain Truth is , there is no Text in the Scripture can be alledged more absurdly for the Presbyterian Parity , than this Text , since our Saviour tells them , He did that himself amongst them , which they were to do to one another ; and therefore the doing of it towards one another , could not infer Parity amongst them , unless they blasphemously infer , that Christ and his Apostles are equal ; for our Saviour recommends what he enjoyns from his own Practice , that he who was their Lord , was their Servant ; and therefore the greatest among them were to be modest , calm , and humble towards all their subordinate Brethren ; and this qualified them for Ecclesiastical Promotions . Is it not very unlucky , that a Man shall write a Book to prove the Divine Right of Presbytery , and yet bring no other Proof for it than this Text , which ( if understood in the Presbyterian Sense ) degrades our blessed Saviour to the Degree of one of his Disciples ; for what he commanded the Apostles , he practised among them himself : And this is the strong Motive to engage their Obedience , that they should not exercise their Jurisdiction as the Lords of the Gentiles , by a Spirit of Pride ▪ Van●ty and Domination ● but by the more amiable a●d enraging Behaviour of Modesty , Meekness , Charity and Humility ● for he that was to be the greatest among them , was to be their Servant : And certainly the Bishops of the Church , by their Character , Dignity and Station , by their publick Cares , Fears and daily Labour , feel that they are more Servants than Masters . When one was promoted among the Iews , to higher Dignities , there was another appointed to tell him , that upon that Day he began to serve . And did not St. Paul think so of himself , though in nothing behind the chiefest Apostles , when the Care of all the Churches lay upon him ? And all the Fathers of the Church , from the first Plantations of Christianity , had this Notion of their Dignity , that they were the Servants of all . Now when this one Text is answered , I think his Book is answered , nor had this part of that Pamphlet been touched here , if it had not been commonly insisted on by others as well as by ●his Author . Now if I should yield that there was any foundation for Ecclesiastical Parity in this Text , it cannot be stretched so far , as to prove the National and Classical Presbytery , it rather favours the Congregrational Model , which always appeared to me much more innocent and allowable , than this new and unaccountable Platform of Presbytery . If this Author would be entreated to single out of all his Scriblings , an ●rgument one or two that he himself judges most proper to advance Presbytery , we would thank him , and return ou● Answer very easily and speedily , and this Overture is so much the more reasonable , in that 〈◊〉 may be done in a sheet or two ; but to go throug● all his Shufflings , and childish Tergiversation● and unmanly Calumnies with 〈◊〉 his defamato●ry Libels are stuffed , is as unpleasant as it is un●●difying , and the Publick is not at all concerned 〈◊〉 read such particular Stories ; yet something mu●● hereafter be said to convince him of his id●ene●● were it no more than to let him see his Books de●serve no particular Answer . I have no more to trouble the Reader with but to give him a short account of the followin● Epitome . It is the true Compend of Mr ▪ Ale●●ander Shields Book , entituled , The Hind 〈…〉 He is the most accurate and diligent of al● the● Writers , there is none among them 〈…〉 understands the Genius of Presbytery 〈…〉 none more consequential to their Principles , an● must acknowledge , that none writes for Presb●●tery with greater Zeal and Vigour ; and 〈…〉 Principles are inconsistent with Civil Gover●●ment and Christianity , yet his Superstructure builds upon them is consequential ; and the●●●fore I heartily invite all Men ( who at any time think of the things of this Nature ) to read the following Abridgment of his Book , and next let me ●ntreat them to use their Reason exactly and impartially , and then tell me whether a Civil Government of what ever Form or Denomination ●an subsist , where such Principles are heartily entertained by a considerable number of the Sub●ects ; and whether the Severity of Laws against ●uch Enthusiasts , ●e not the most Christian com●assion towards the State rather than Cruelty , Tyranny , or Oppression , with which those restless Incendiaries did asperse the Government of ●h . 2. Our Nobility who understood the Government and Constitution of our Nation , did ●a●ely demonstrate , that our Scotch Presbytery ●ad nothing to match it all over the World ; whether you consider the Novelty of their Pre●ences , their restless Clashings with the Civil Au●hority , or their shameful Confusions and Divi●●ons among themselves , and this needs no other ●roof , than to read their own Books , The Acts of ●heir Assemblies , and their most Authentick Papers , we know what Morals they are taught by their Guides , when we remember their tumultuous ●●bbling of the Clergy in the West of Scotland ●rom their Houses , Livings and Preferments , we ●eed not rake into that Puddle any more . In ●he beginning of the late Revolution , those Furies ●●oke loose upon the House of God , and barba●ously drove from it the immediate Servants of ●he Sanctuary . It is not the Guildings and Pallia●●ons of their Vindicators can wash off the blem●●sh of this shameful Tragedy ; if the Foundations be destroyed , What can the Righteous do ? ●et in the following Epitome , such violent Proceedings are justified ; nay , the Murther of the Archbishop of St Andrews , and such like religious ●eats of their Zeal . Therefore let me once again ●ntreat the Reader to read over this little Book ●arefully , since Mr. Shields was at the pains to ga●her together and justifie in one Book the Histo●y of his Party , their Strugglings against Autho●●ty , their Declarations and Testimonies against ●he State , and all their Commotions from their ●●rst beginning in Scotland till the Year 1687. And ●●cause the Book it self is not easily got . Two Objections I foresee will be managed by 〈◊〉 Agents against this Book , the first is that ● is not owned by the whole Party , but written 〈◊〉 a single Minister . To this , I answer , that Mr. 〈◊〉 Book is rather the History of their pro●●edings , than a private Systeme of his own O●nions ; and since it is supported by their publick 〈◊〉 , Declarations and Testimonies of their Society , ● is rather the common Apology than the Senti●ents of one of their Number : And therefore I challenge any Man to let me see any one Article , wherein he is inconsequential either to himself , or to the received Doctrine of the Party ; for as long as the Solemn League and Covenant , is the original Standard of their Sect , the Dictates of Natural Reason , and Texts of Scripture , must be interpreted , as they may best promote the ends of the Covenant ; and therefore unless you let me see something in the Book not allowed by the Covenant , it is very impertinent to say ▪ that it contains not the Presbyterians Doctrine , for I know nothing distinguishes the Presbyterians of Scotland from other Dissenters ; but the bloody Principles of the Covenant by which they over-turned the ancient Monarchy , Sacrificed the best of Kings , and changed a prosperous Nation into a field of Blood. The next thing I foresee their Agents will propagate is , that tho they were guilty of many extravagant Tricks formerly , yet now ( that they are re-established ) they will act with great Modesty for the future : But can the Aethiopian change his Skin , or the Leopard his Spots ? Must not they assert their Classical Authority and Discipline ? Will they so shamefully desert their Colours ? Must they not give their Testimony as their Predecessours have done ? Don't we see that they have Male-versed more in three Years time , than can well be repaired for twenty ? Will their Agents oblige their Meetings and Assemblies to declare against this Systeme solemnly and judicially ? No , they 'll keep those Opinions , and practice them upon all Occasions ; for they are obliged to do all they can to support the Covenant when they may co●veniently : Nay , I durst say , that the late pretended Assembly would justifie the Murder of the Arch Bishop of St. Andrews without ten contradicting Votes ; nor is there any thing asserted in this Book , that is peculiar to Mr. Shields . read The Apologetical relation of the Church of Scotland , Naphthali , jus popu●i vindicatum , The Cup of cold Water , The Banders disbanded , and several other little Pamphlets , whose Titles I have forgot ; and you shall find that this is the common Strain by which they are distinguished from the Presbyterians abroad , as well as from all other Christian Churches . If Episcopacy had been a grievance to the Nation , as was tumultuously alledged , it had been enough to remove those venerable Persons from the Hel●n of Ecclesiastical Government , and then the Affairs of the Church ( by the acknowledged Principles of Presbytery ) should be managed Communi Presbyterorum consilio . All the Presbyters by their Delegates from all Corners of the Nation had an equal Right in this Government : But instead of this we have a new Model set up and the ●cclestastic Government is lodged in the hands of a few Peevish and Tyrannical Persons , who never sleep quietly until all the Clergy be extirpate , who do not hold their Mission from the Conventicle . When this is objected as an extraordinary Solecism in Justice as well as in Government , they answer , That tho every Presbyter has a right to govern which he cannot part with yet pro praesenti ecclesiae statu , the Government should be thus modell'd ; and this in plain Scotch is no more , than that the Heads of the Faction judged it convenient , that none should be allowed any share in the Government , but the sworn I●nizaries of the Covenant ▪ and therefore tho the Presbyters all over the National Church had an equal right to govern , yet they should be restrained from the Exercise of Government , until the Faction got intirely uppermost . But let me ask peaceably and calmly , By whom are they are restrained ? Either by the remainders of the Presbyterian Preachers , or by the Secular Power : If the first , how can threescore Suspend a thousand Ministers from the Exercise of Government ? Before whom are they cited ? By what Authority is this done ? Is this done by the acknowledged Principles of Presbytery ? But if this be done by the Secular Power , then it seems the Presbyterians now think and teach that the Secular Power can intrust some few Ministers with the Ecclesiastical Government , when others are restrained , and which is still more absurd . they allow them in the Exercise of the more Spiritual part of their Ministry , the Administration of Sacraments and Preaching of the Gospel ; but they must not meddle with the Discipline of the Church : As if the one had not been originally intended to shelter and defend the other . However , it is easie to observe , that the Presbyterians love Government ( by which they secure the Interest of this World ) much better than Preaching of the Gospel , which more immediately prepares Men for another . But if they think Presbyters may be thus restrained from the Exercise of Ecclesiastical Discipline , why might not the former Government restrain Presbyterians , as well as the present Powers restrain the Episcopal Clergy from that part of their Ministry ? It is very ●ad that Men are driven to such Shifts as cannot be maintained , neither by the Principles of true Reason , nor by the peculiar Hypothesis of the Party . They have one Answer to all this , that the Episcopal Clergy would endeavour the Overthrow of Presbytery : But what they might do as to that , I know not , I believe there are but few of them that are very zealous to cont●●nue the present Scheme ; and perhaps the Contrivances of Presbyterians to exclude them from the Government , is as proper a Mean to overturn Presbytery , as the Admission of them int● the full Exercise of their Function might hav● been . For my part , I do not see how such ▪ Syncritism betwixt these contending Parties ca● be obtained , after all the political Daublings about it . The Clergy should stand their Ground and let the World see that they value their Integrity and Principles , at least , as much as they do their Conveniencies ; for nothing less tha● the Essentials of Morality and Christianity are a●stake . The following Treatise cannot but be chearfully received of both Parties , because it con●tains the distinguishing Doctrines , Principles and Practices of the Presbyterians ; for I assure you it is most faithfully copied by a Friend of mine in the Author 's own Words , from the Origina● Book . 'T is true , he did not transcribe th● whole Treatise , for that is Voluminous , and con●tains so many Steps of their Rebellion , that 〈◊〉 you desire a particular Account of them , you must have recourse to the Book it self , rather than to this Epitome ; but he hath , in a fe● Sheets , contained the Strength of the Author●Reasonings , and all his Flourishes : So that yo● have a just Notion , as well as a true Account of the special Tenets of Scotch Presbyterian● with all the natural Consequences that they yield : And if Strangers will not believe the E●piscopal Clergy , let them read their Opinions 〈◊〉 their own Books . If one would know the Do●ctrines of Epicurus , he must go to Lucretius ; 〈◊〉 that of Socrates , he must read Plato ; if the Mo●rals of the Stoicks , he must read Marcus Aure●lies , and Seneca : So it were very unjust to say that Mr. Shields did not give a true Account 〈◊〉 the Doctrines of the Scotch Presbyterians , bein● not only a Leading Man of the Kirk , as now e●stablished , but also a Man of good Parts , inde●fatigable Zeal , and great Industry ; and this 〈◊〉 the Reason why his Book is compendized , because he drove their Principles to their ju●● Consequences ; and though I have no Kindnes● for his Opinions , yet I cannot but love his I●●genuity and Skill ; and if any Man tell me 〈◊〉 mistook the Doctrines of Presbytery , I mus● ask him Pardon to think otherwise , and th●● none of them dare tell him so when he is pre●sent . I ●id you heartily farewe● An Account of the true Scottish Presbytery , from the Year 1570. to the Year 1687. by Mr. Alexander Sheilds , a Presbyterian Minister of the Kirk of Scotland , as it is now Established by Law. FROM the year 1570 and downward , the Testimony is stated and gradually prosecuted , for the Rights , Priviledges , and Prerogatives of Christ's Kingly Office , which hath been the peculiar Glory of the Church of Scotland , above all the Churches in the Earth , that this hath been given to her as the word of her Testimony ; and not only consequentially and reductively , as all other Churches may challenge a part of this dignity , but formally and explicitely to contend for this very head , The Headship and Kingship of Iesus Christ , the Prince of the Kings of the Earth , and his mediatory Supremacy over his own Kingdom of Grace , both visible and invisible . This is Christ's Supremacy , a special radiant Jewel of his Imperial Crown : which , as it hath been as explicitely incroached upon in Scotland , by his insolent Enemies , as ever by any that entered in opposition to him , so it hath been more explicitely witnessed and wrestled for , by his Suffering Servants in that Land , than in any place of the World. This was in a particular manner , the Testimony of that Period , during the Reign of King Iames the Sixth ; as it hath been in a great measure in our day , since the Year 1660. Which , as it is the most important Cause , of the greatest Consequence that Mortals can contend for ; so it hath this Peculiar Glory in it , that it is not only for a Truth of Christ , of greater value than the standing of Heaven and Earth , but also it is the very Truth for which Christ himself Dyed , considered as a Martyr ; And which concerns him to vindicate and maintain as a Monarch . The Witnesses of that day made such an high account of it , that they encouraged one another to suffer for it , as the greatest Concern ; Being a Witness for Christ's Glorious and free Monarchy , which as it is the end of the other two Offices , so the Testimony is more Glorious to God , more Honourable to his Son , and more Comfortable to them , than the Testimony either for his Prophetical Office , or for his Priest-hood , because his Kingdom was specially impugned at the time ; as Mr. Forbess and Mr. Welsh writ in a Letter to the Ministers at Court. The Corruptions and Usurpations wronging this Truth , that they contended against , were Prelacy and the King's Supremacy in Ecclesiastical Matters : Which will be useful to hint a little , how they prosecuted the Conflict . When Sathan by several Instruments and Means , both by force and frauds did endeavour to put a stop to the Reformation , by re-introducing the Antichristian Hierarchy of Pre●●y , when he could not reestablish the Antichristian Doctrine of Popery ; he left no means unessayed to effectuate it . And first he began to bring the name of Bishop in request , that was now growing obsolete and odious . And indeed his first Essay reached little further than the bare Name , for they were to be Subject to , and tried by Assemblies , and hardly had so much power as Superintendents before . But it was a fine Court-juggle for Noblemen to get the Church Revenues into their hand , by restoring the Ecclesiastical Titles , and obtaining from the Titulars either Temporal Lands , or Pensions to their Dependers . The faithful Servants of Christ did zealously oppose it . Mr. Knox denounced Anathema to the Giver , and Anathema to the Receiver . And the following Assembly condemned the Office it self , as having no sure Warrant , Authority , nor Ground in the Book of God ; and ordained all that brooked the Office , to demit Simpliciter , and to desist and cease from Preaching , while they received de novo admission from the General Assembly , under the Pain of Excommunication . In pursuance whereof , the Assemblies from that time until the Year 1681. did with much painfulness and faithfulness attend the work ; until by perfecting of the second Book of Discipline , they compleated their work , in the exact Model of Presbyterial Government . Which was confirmed , and covenanted to be kept inviolate , in the National Covenant , Subscribed that Year by the King , his Court , and Council ; and afterwards by all Ranks of People in the Land. Whence it may be doubted , whether the Impudence of the succeeding Prelates that denyed this , or their Perjury in breaking of it , be greater . This was but the first brush : A brisker Assault follows . Wherein , for the better establishment of Prelacy , and not only Diocesan but also Erastian Prelacy might be set up , the Earl of Arran , and his wicked Complices , move the King , contrary both to the Word and Oath of God , to usurp the Prerogative of Jesus Christ , and assume to himself , a Blasphemous Monster of Supremacy , over all Persons , and in all Causes , as well Ecclesiastical as Civil . But this also the Faithful Servants of God did worthily and valiantly resist : And at the very first appearance of it , gave in a Grievance to the King , Anno 1582. That he had taken upon him a Spiritual Power , which properly belongs to Christ , as only King and Head of the Church ; the Ministry and Execution whereof , is only given to such as bear Office in the Ecclesiastical Government in the same : So that in the King's Person , some Men press to erect a new Popedome , as though he would not be full King of this Common-wealth , unless as well the Spiritual as Temporal Sword be put in his hand , unless Christ be rest of his Authority , and the two Iurisdictions confounded , which God hath divided , which directly tendeth to the Wrack of all true Religion . Which being presented by the Commissioners of the General Assembly ; the Earl of Arran asked , with a Frowning Countenance , who dare Subscribe these Treasonable Articles ? Mr. Andrew Melvil answered , we dare , and will Subscribe , and render our Lives in the Cause . And afterward , that same Assembly presented Articles , shewing , that seeing the Spiritual Iurisdiction of the Church is granted by Christ , and given only to them , that by Preaching , Teaching , and Overseeing , bear Office within the same , to be exercised , not by the Injunctions of Men , but by the only Rule of God's Word , hereafter , no other of whatsoever degree , or under whatsoever pretence , have any colour to ascribe , or to take upon them any part thereof , either in placing or displacing of Ministers , without the Churches admission , or in stopping the Mouths of Preachers , or putting them to silence , or take upon them the Iudgement of Tryal of Doctrine , &c. But in contempt and Contradiction to this , and to Prosecute and Exert this new usurped Power , Mr. Andrew Melvil was sommoned before the Secret Council , for a Sermon of his , applying his Doctrine to the Times Corruptions : Whereupon he gave in his Declinature against them as incompetent Judges ; and told them They were too bold , in a Constitute Christian Church , to pass by the Pastors , Prophets , and Doctors , and to take upon them to judge the Doctrine , and to controul the Ambassadours of a greater than was there , which they neither ought nor can do . There are ( saith he , loosing a little Hebrew Bible from his Girdle ) my Instructions and Warrant ; see if any of you can controul me , that I have past my Injunctions . For this he was decerned to be warded in the Castle of Edinburgh : But he conveyed himself secretly out of the Countrey . When as also a Convention in Faulkand was consulting to call home the Papist Lords ; Mr. Andrew Melvil went thither uncalled ; and when found fault with by the King for his Boldness , he answered , Sir , I have a Call to come here from Christ and his Church , who have special Interest in this Turn , and against whom this Convention is Assembled directly : I charge you , and your Estates , in the Name of Christ and his Church , that ye favour not his Enemies , whom he hateth , nor go about to call home nor make Citizens of these , &c. And further challenged them of Treason against Christ , his Church and Countrey , in that purpose they were about . About the same time in a private Conference with the King , he called the King , Gods silly Vassal ; and taking him by the Sleeve , told him ; Sir , I must tell you , there are two Kings , and two Kingdoms ; There is Christ , and his Kingdom whose Subject King James the 6th is , and of whose Kingdom he is not a King , nor a Head , nor a Lord , but a Member ; And they whom Christ hath called to Watch over and Govern his Church , have sufficient Authority , and Power from him , which no Christian King should controul , but assist ; otherwise they are not Faithful Subjects to Christ. Sir , when you were in your Swadling-Clouts , Christ Reigned freely in this Land , in spight of all his Enemies ; but now the Wisdom of your Council , is Devilish and Pernicious , &c. To the like effect , Mr. Robert Bruce , in a Sermon upon Psal. 51. gives faithful warning of the Danger of the Times . It is not we ( sayes he ) that are Partie in this Cause ; no , the Quarrel is betwixt a greater Prince and them . What are we , but silly Men ? Yet it has pleased him to set us in this Office , that we should oppone to the manifest Vsurpations that is made upon his Spiritual Kingdom . Is there a more forcible means to draw down the Wrath of God , than to let Barrabas that nobilitate Malefactour pass free , and to begin the War against Christ and his Ministry ? It putteth on the Copestone , that so many of our Brethren should not be so faithful , as their calling and this Cause craveth . Fie upon false Brethren , to see them dumb , so faint hearted , when it comes to the Chock : not only are they as ashamed to speak the thing they think which is a shame in a Pastor , but speak directly against their former Doctrine . They will speak the Truth a while , till they be put at , but incontinent they will turn and make their Gifts Weapons to fight against Christ , &c. Hereafter when the Parliament 1584. had Enacted this Supremacy , and Submission to Prelacy , to be Subscribed by all Ministers ; the faithful first directed Mr. David Lindsay to the King , desiring that nothing be done in Parliament prejudicial to the Churches Liberty : Who got the Prison of Blackness for his pains . And then when they could not get access for shut doors to Protest before the Parliament ; yet , when the Acts were Proclaimed at the Cross of Edinburgh , they took publick Documents , in name of the Church of Scotland , ( tho' they were but two ) that they protested against the said Acts : And fled to England , leaving behind them Reasons that moved them to do so . And Mr Iames Melvil , wrote against the Subscribers at that time , proving , That they had not only set up a new Pope , and so become Traitours to Christ , and condescended to that chief Error of Papistry , whereupon all the rest depend ; but further , in so doing they had granted more to the King , than ever the Popes of Rome peaceably obtained , &c. After this it is known what bickerings the faithful Witnesses of Christ had , in their Conflicts with this Supremacy upon the account of Mr. David Blacks Declinature , which they both advised him to , and approved when he gave it in , against the King and Council , as Judges of his Doctrine . And the Commissioners of the General Assembly ordained all , to deal mightily with the power of the Word , against the Councils Excroachments : For which they were charged to depart forth of Edinburgh . After which he added a second Declinature : Declaring , There are two Iurisdictions in this Realm , the one Spiritual , the other Civil ; the one respecting the Conscience , the other Externals : Therefore , in so far as he was one of the Spiritual Office-bearers , and had discharged his Spiritual calling in some measure of Grace and Sincerity , should not nor could not be Lawfully judged , for Preaching and applying the Word , by any Civil Power ; he being an Ambassadour and Messenger of the Lord Iesus , having his Commission from the King of Kings , and all his Instructions set down and limited in the Book of God , that cannot be extended , abridged , or altered by any mortal Wight , King or Emperor ; And seeing he was sent to all sorts , his Commission and Discharge of it should not nor cannot be Lawfully judged , by them to whom he was sent ; they being Sheep and not Pastours , to be judged by the Word , and not to be judges thereof in a judicial way . The Interloquutor being past against him for this ; the Brethren thought it Duty , that the Doctrine of the Preachers should be directed against the said Interloquutor , as against a strong hold set up against the Lord Jesus , and the freedom of the Gospel ; and Praised God for the Force and Unity of the Spirit , that was among themselves . And being charged to depart out of Town , they leave a faithful Declaration at large ; shewing , how the Liberties of the Church were invaded and robbed : And when the Ministers were troubled upon Mr. Blacks business , and there was an intention to pull them out of their Pulpits , the General Assembly advised them to stand to the Discharge of their Calling , if their Flocks would save them from Violence ; and yet this Violence was expected from the King and his Emissaries . And when Mr. Black had a Remission offered to him , refus'd it altogether , lest so doing he should condemn himself and approve the Courts Proceedings : And the Brethren conferring with the Counsellors , craving that some penalty should be condescended unto for satisfying his Majesty in his Honour , would not condescend to any how light soever ; lest thereby they should seem to approve the Judicatory and their proceeding . The imprisoned Ministers , for declining the Council , had it in their offer , that if they would without any confession of offence only submit themselves to his Majesty , pro scandalo accepto , non dato , they should be restored to their places : But they could not do it without betraying the Cause of Christ. The Ministers of Edinburgh were committed to Ward , for refusing to pray for the Queen , before her Execution in Fothringam Castle 1586. they refused not simply to pray for her , but for the Preservation of her Life , as if she had been innocent of the Crimes laid to her charge , which had imported a Condemnation of the Proceedings against her . Afterwards in the Year 1600. the Ministers of Edinburgh would not Praise God for the Delivery of the King , from a Conspiracy of the Earl of Gowrie at that time , of which they had no Credit , nor assurance ; and would not crave Pardon for it neither . For this Mr. Robert Bruce , was deprived of the Exercise of his Ministry , and never obtained it again at Edinburgh . But all this was nothing , in Comparison of their wrestlings for the Royalties of their Princely Master , and Priviledges of his Kingdome , against that Tyrants Insolencies , after he obtained the Crown of England . For then he would not suffer the Church to indict her own Assemblies . And when the faithful thought themselves obliged to counteract his Encroachments , and therefore convened in an Assembly at Aberdeen , Anno 1605. they were forced to dissolve : And thereafter the most eminent of the Ministers there Assembled , were Transported Prisoners to Blackness . Whence being cited before the Council , they decline their Judicatory . And one of their Brethren , Mr. Robert Youngson , who had formerly succumbed , being mov'd in Conscience , returned : And , when the rest were standing before the Council , desired to be heard ; and acknowledged his Fault , and Subscribed the Declinature with the rest . And for this they were Arraigned , and Condemned , as Guilty of Treason , and Banished . Before the Execution of which Sentence , Mr. Welsh wrote to the Lady Fleeming , to this effect ; What am I , that he should first have called me , and then Constituted me a Minister of glad things , of the Gospel of Salvation , these fifteen Years already , and now last of all to be a sufferer for his Cause and Kingdom ? To witness that good Confession , that Iesus Christ is the King of Saints , and that his Church is a most free Kingdom , yea as free as any Kingdom under Heaven , not only to Convocate , Hold , and keep her Meetings , Conventions and Assemblies : But also to judge of all her Affairs in all her Meetings and Conventions , among his Members and Subjects . These two points , ( 1 ) That Christ is the Head of his Church , ( 2 ) That she is free in her Government from all other Iurisdiction , except Christ's , are the special Cause of our Imprisonment , being now convict as Traytors , for maintaining thereof . We have now been waiting with joyfulness to give the last Testimony of our Blood in Confirmation thereof . If it would please our God to be so favourable , as to Honour us with that Dignity . After this , the King resolving by Parliament to advance the Estate of Bishops again , as in the time of Popery , without Cautions , as before ; and further to establish not only that Antichristian Hierarchy , but an Erastian Supremacy ; The faithful Ministers of Christ , thought themselves bound in Conscience to protest . And accordingly they offered a faithful Protestation to the Parliament Iuly 1606. obtesting , That they would reserve into the Lords own hands , that Glory which he will communicate neither with Man nor Angel ; to wit , to prescribe from his Holy Mountain a lively Pattern , according to which his own Tabernacle should be formed : Remembring always , that there is no absolute and undoubted Authority in this World , except the Soveraign Authority of Christ the King ; to whom it belongeth as properly to rule the Church , according to the good Pleasure of his own Will , as it belongeth to save his Church by the Merit of his own Sufferings : All other Authority is so entrenched within the Marches of Divine Command , that the least overpassing of the Bounds set by God himself , bring Men under the fearful expectation of Temporal and Eternal Iudgements , &c. Yet notwithstanding of all opposition , Prelacy was again restored in Parliament . And , to bring all to a complyance with the same , Presbyteries and Synods universally charged , under highest pains , to admit a Constant Moderator without change : which many refused resolutely , as being the first step of Prelacy . Upon this followed a great Persecution of the faithful , for their Nonconformity , managed by that Mongrel and Monstrous kind of Court , made up of Clergy-men , and States-men , called the High Commission Court , erected anno 1570. whereby many honest Men were put violently from their Charges and Habitations ; the Generality were involved in a great and fearful Defection . But the Copestone of the wickedness of that Period , was the Ratification of the five Articles of Perth ; kneeling at the Communion , private Communion to be given to the Sick , private Baptism , and Confirmation of Children by the Bishop , and Observation of Festival Days . Which were much opposed and testified against by the faithful , from their first hatching Anno 1618. to the Year 1621. when they were ratified in Parliament . And against this the Testimony of the faithful continued , till the Revolution Anno 1638. The following Period , from the Year 1638 to 1660 ▪ continues and advances the Testimony , to the greatest heighth of purity and power , that either this Church , or any other did ever arrive unto . We shall give a short deduction of the rise , progress , and end of the Contendings of that Period . In the midst of the forementioned Miseries and Mischiefs , that the Pride of Prelacy and Tyrannical Supremacy had multiplied beyond measure upon this Church and Nation , and at the heighth of all their haughtiness , when they were setting up their Dagon , and erecting Altars for him , imposing the Service Book , and Book of Cannons , &c. The Lords People were surprized with a sudden unexpected Deliverance , by very despicable means ; even the opposition of a few weak Women ; which afterwards was followed out with more Masculine fervor , accosting King and Council with Pititions , Remonstrances , Protestations , and Testimonies against the Innovations , and resolving upon a mutual Conjunction , to defend Religion , Lives , and Liberties , against all that would innovate or invade them . To fortifie which , all the Friends to the Liberty of the Nation , did solemnly renew the National Covenant ; which though in it self obligeing to the Condemnation of Prelatical Hierarchy , and clearly enough confirming Presbyterial Government , yet they engaged unto it with an enlargement to suspend the Practice of Novations already introduced , and the approbation of the Corruptions of the present Government , with the late places and Power of Church Men , till they be tryed in a free General Assembly . Which was obtained that same Year , and indicted at Glasgow : And there , notwithstanding all the opposition that the King's Commissioner could make , by Protestations and Proclamations to dissolve it , the six preceding Assemblies establishing Prelacy were annulled , the Service Book , and High Commission were condemned ; all the Bishops were deposed , and their Government declared to be abjured in that National Covenant ; tho' many had , through the Commissioners perswasions , subscribed it in another Sense without that application : As also the five Articles of Perth were there discovered to have been inconsistent with that Covenant and Confession , and the Civil places and power of Church Men were disproved and rejected : On the other hand , Presbyterial Government was justified and approved , and an Act was passed , for keeping Yearly General Assemblies . This was a bold beginning ; out-braving all difficulties . Which in the following Year were much encreased , by the Prelates and their partakers , Rendezvouzing their Forces under the Kings personal Standard , and menacing nothing but Misery to the zealous Covenanters : Yet when they found them prepared to resist , were forced to yield to a Ratification , concluding that an Assembly and Parliament should be held for healing all Grievances of Church and State. In which Assembly at Edinburgh , the Covenant is ratified and subscribed by the Earl of Traquaire Commissioner , and enjoyned to be subscribed by the Body of the whole Land , with an explication expresly concerning the five Articles of Perth , the Government of Bishops , the Civil places and power of Church Men. But the Year following , King and Prelates , with their Abettors , go to Arms again ; but were fain to accommodate the matter by a new Pacification , whereby all Civil and Religious Rights were ratified . And in the following Year 1641 , by Laws , Oaths , Promises , Subscriptions of King and Parliament , fully confirmed ; the King , Charles the First , being present , and consenting to all . But the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus being thus advanced , the Glory of the Lord did shine upon us with such Splendor , that it awaked England , and animated the Lords People there to aspire to the like Reformation . For advice in which , because , tho' all agreed to cast off Prelacy , yet sundry Forms of Church Government were projected to be set up in the room thereof , chiefly the Independent Order : Therefore the Brethren in England wrote to the Assembly then sitting at Edinburgh , who gave them answer in behalf of the Presbyterial Government . So from henceforth the Assembly did incessantly urge Vniformity in Reformation , with their Brethren in England , as the chiefest of their Desires , Prayers and Cares . And in the Year 1643 prevailed so far , that the English Parliament did first desire that the two Nations might be strictly united for their mutual defence against the Prelatical Faction and their Adherents in both Kingdoms ; and not to lay down Arms , till these implacable Enemies should be brought in Subjection ; and did instantly urge for help and assistance from Scotland . Which being sent , did return with an Olive-branch of Peace , and not without some beginning of a Reformation in England . And afterwards a Bloody War beginning between the King and Parliament , with great success on the Kings side , Commissioners were sent from both Houses to Scotland , earnestly inviting to a nearer Union of the Kingdoms , and desiring assistance from this Nation to their Brethren in that their great distress . And this produced the Solemn League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms , first drawn up in Scotland , and approved in the Assembly at Edinburgh , and afterward embraced in England . This is that Covenant comprehending the purpose of all Prior , and the Pattern of all Posterior Covenants ; which the Representative of Church and State in the three Nations did solemnly Subscribe and Swear , for themselves and Posterity ; and of which the Obligation cannot be Disannull'd , Disabled , or Dispensed , by any Power on Earth . And this Covenant was rigorously imposed upon all Recusants ; who were wicked Enemies to God , and Church , and Nation , and for their Malignancy were then to be Prosecuted , not for their Scrupling at a Covenant , but for their contumacious contempt of a Law. This was no violence done to their Conscience ; for as they had none , and could not pretend to any , so they were never troubled for that , but for their opposition and conspiracy against the common Cause . However it went through at that time . And that the Covenanted Reformation , in a nearer Conjunction betwixt the united Churches , might be promoted , the Parliament of England called an Assembly of Divines at Westminster : And desired the Assembly of Scotland to send thither their Commissioners ; and they accordingly nominated and elected , Mr. Alexander Henderson , Mr. Robert Douglas , Mr. Samuel Rutherford , Mr. Robert Baille , Mr. George Gillespie Ministers ; and Iohn Earl of Capils , Iohn Lord Maitland , and Sir Archbald Iohnstone of Warristown , Ruling Elder● ; to Propone , Consult , Treat , and Conclude in all such things as might conduce to the extirpation of Prelacy , &c. and for the settling of the so much desired Union of the whole Island , in one Form of Church Government , one Confession of Faith , one common Catechism , and one Directory for the Worship of God. Forces were also sent to assist the Parliament of England : Which were favoured with great success in their Enterprizes , till that War was ended by the total overthrow of the King , and all his upholders . But that Prelatical and Malignant Faction being brought much under in England , attempted to try the Fortune of War in Scotland , under the Conduct of Montrose : Who , tho' he prevailed for a time , yet at length was defeat at Philliphaugh , in the Year 1645. yet certain it is that they had Commission and Warrant from the King ; as the Assembly that Year , Feb. 13. remonstrates it to himself : Warning him in the Name of their Master , the Lord Iesus Christ , that the Guilt which cleaved to his Throne was such , as if not timely repented , could not but involve himself , and his Posterity , under the Wrath of the Everliving God , for his being Guilty of the shedding of the Blood of many Thousands of his best Subjects , &c. At the same time also the Assembly did zealously incite the Parliament to a speedy Course of Justice against these Incendiaries and Murderers , as the only mean of cleansing the Land from that deluge of Blood then Current , and of appeasing the Wrath of God : And solemnly and seasonably warned all Ranks to search to understand the Language of that Dispensation ; wherein many publick Sins and Breaches of Covenant are pointed at ; and the Covenant it self is there very Encomiastically vindicated : We are so far from repenting of it ( say they ) that we cannot mention it without great joy ; for no sooner was the Covenant begun to be taken in England , but sensibly the condition of affairs there was changed to the better ; and our Forces sent into that Kingdom , in pursuance of that Covenant , have been so manifestly and mercifully assisted from Heaven , that we have what to answer the Enemy that reproacheth us concerning that business . These following Acts were made , thus , Feb. 14. 1645. Sess. 18. Vnless Men will blot out of their Hearts the fear of Religion and Cause of God , they must now or never appear actively , each one stretching himself to , yea beyond his power . It is no time to dally , or to go about the business by halves , nor be almost but altogether zealous : Cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently . If we have been forward to assist our Neighbour Kingdoms , shall we neglect to defend our own ? Or shall the Enemies of God be more active against his Cause , than his People for it ? God forbid . ( And among the Enormities and Corruptions of the Ministry in their Callings , this is one , § . 4. 5. Silence in the publick Cause ; some accounting it a point of Wisdom to speak ambiguously , whereof the remedy is , § . 15. That beside all other scandals , silence and ambiguous speaking , in the publick Cause , be seasonably Censured . Gen. Ass. Edin . June , 13. 1646. ) Act for Censuring the Complyers with the publick Enemies of this Church and Kingdom , Gen. Ass. Edin . Jun. 17. 1646. Sess. 4. Where they judge it a great and scandalous Provocation , and grievous defection from the publick Cause , to comply with these Malignants , in any degree , even to procure Protections from them , or to have invited them to their Houses , or to be Guilty of any such Gross degrees of Complyance ; Censured to be suspended from the Communion , and while they acknowledge their Offence . And Gen. Ass. Aug. 24. 1647. Sess. 19. Ministers are charged , us they have occasion from the Text of Scripture , to reprove the Sins and Errors , and press the Duties of the Time , and in all these to observe the Rules prescribed by the Acts of Assembly , wherein if they be negligent , they are to be Censured . And July ult . 1648. Sess. 2. in their Declaration concerning the unlawful Engagement , they say : Suppose the Ends of that Engagement be good ( as they are not ) yet the means and ways of Prosecution are unlawful ; because there is not an equal avoiding of Rocks on both hands , but a joyning with Malignants to suppress Sectaries , a joining hands with a black Devil to beat a white Devil . And Aug. 3. 1648. All Ministers that do not apply their Doctrine to the Corruptions of the Time , which is the Pastoral Gift , and that are cold or wanting of Spiritual zeal , Dissembling of Publick Sins , are appointed to be Censured even to Deprivation ; for forbearing or passing in silence the Errors and Exorbitances of Sectaries in England , or the Defections current at home , the Plots and Practices of Malignants , the Principles and Tenets of Erastianism ; And if they be found too sparing , General or Ambiguous in their Applications or Reproofs , they are to be deposed , for being pleasers of Men rather than servers of Christ , for giving themselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in the Cause of God , for defrauding the South of People , yea for being Gu●lty of the Blood of Souls , in not giving them warning . See also their seasonable and necessary Warning Iuly . 27. 1649. Thus did these famous Fathers give us a perfect Pattern of purity and strictness , in opposition to all degrees of Co●formity and Complyance with the Corruptions of the Time. In the mean while , the Malignants in England being crushed in all their Projects , the King renders himself to the Scots in Newcastle : By whom ( because by Covenant they were not obliged to defend him , but only in defence of Religion and Liberty , which he had been destroying , and they defending ; because in this War he did directly oppose and oppugn these Conditions , under which they were only to defend him , and therefore they had all along carried towards him as an Enemy , as he to them ; And because by the same Covenant they were obliged to discover , and render to condign Punishment all Malignants of whom he was the chief , and to assist mutually all entred into that Covenant ) he was delivered up unto the English , and kept under restraint in the Isle of Wight , until he was Condemned and Executed , Ian , 30 , 164●● . Which Fact , tho' it was protested against both before and after by the Assembly of the Church of Scotland , out of zeal against the Sectarians , the Executioners of that extraordinary Act of Justice ; yet it was more for the Manner , than for the matter , and more for the Motives and Ends of it , than for the Grounds of it , that they opposed themselves to it , and resented it . For they acknowledged and remonstrated to himself , the Truth of all these things upon which that Sentence and Execution of Justice was founded . And when the unlawful Engagement was on foot to Rescue him , they opposed it with all their might : Shewing , in their Answers to the Estates that Year , 1648 , and Declarations and Remonstrances , the sinfulness and destructiveness of that Engagement ; that it was a breach of the Commandments of God , and of all the Articles of the Covenant : Declaring with all ( Iuly ult . ) they would never consent to the King's Restitution to the exercise of his Power , till security should be had , By Solemn Oath under his Hand and Seal , that he shall for himself and Successors , give his assent to all Acts and Bills for enjoyning Presbyterial Government , and never make opposition to it , nor endeavour any change thereof . July ult . 1648. Sess. 21. By which it appears , they were not so stupidly loyal , as some would make them . Yet there was too much of this Plague of the Kings-evil even among good Men : For after the Death of Charles the First , in the Year 1649. they began to think of joyning once more with the Malignants , and taking into their Bosoms these Serpents which had formerly stung them to Death . There was indeed at that time a Party faithful for God , who considering the many Breaches of the Solemn League and Covenant , and particularly by the late Engagement against England , did so Travel , that they procured the Covenant to be renewed , with the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins , and Engagement to Duties , which was universally Subscribed and sworn through all the Land ; wherein also they regret this tampering with Malignants . Whereupon they subdued their Adversaries at Sterling , and in the North they did also give Warning concerning the Young King , that notwithstanding of the Lords Hand against his Father , yet he hearkens to the Councils of those , who were Authors of these Miseries to his Father ; by which it hath co●e to pass , that he hath hitherto refused to grant the just and necessary desires of the Church and Kingdom , for securing of Religion and Liberty : And it is much to be feared , that these wicked Counsellors , may so far prevail upon him , as to engage him in a War , for overturning the Work of God , and bearing down all those in the three Kingdoms that adhere thereto . Which if he shall do , cannot but bring great Wrath from the Lord upon himself and Th●one , and must be the cause of many new and great Miseries and Calamities to these Lands . And , whereas many would have admitted his Majesty to the Exercise of his Royal Power , upon any Terms whatsoever , the Assembly declares , That in the League and Covenant the duty of defending and preserving the King is subordinate to the duty of preserving Religion and Liberty : And therefore , he standing in opposition to the publick desires of the People for their security , it were a manifest breach of Covenant , and a preferring the Kings Interest to the Interest of Iesus Christ , to bring him to the Exercise of his Power . And therefore , if his Majesty , or any having or pretending Power and Commission from him , shall invade this Kingdom , upon pretext of establishing him in the Exercise of his Royal Power ; as it will be an high Provocation against God , to be accessary or assisting thereto , so it will be a necessary Duty to resist and oppose the same . July 27. 1649. Sess. 27. And when the bringing home of the King came to be voted in the Assembly , there was one faithful Witness , Mr. Adam Kae Minister , in Gallaway , protested against it . But notwithstanding of these Convictions , Warning , yea and Discoveries of the Kings Malignancy ; They sent Commissioners , and concluded a Treaty with him at Breda . During which Treaty , the Commissions which he had sent to Montrose , and his Complices , were brought to the Committee of Estates , discovering what sort of King they were treating with . Whereupon the Estates concluded to break off the Treaty , and recal their Commissioners . To which intent , they sent an Express with Letters to Breda ; which falling into the hands of Libbertone , was by him , without the knowledge of the other Commissioners , delivered unto the King : Who then sound it his interest to dissemble . And so sending for the Commissioners , he made ● flattering Speech to them , shewing that now after serious deliberation he was resolved to comply with all their Proposals . Whereupon the Commissioners dispatch the Post back with Letters , full of praise and joy , for the satisfaction they had received . The Estates , being over-swayed more with respect to their own Credit ( which they thought should be impeached , if they should retract their own Plenipotentiary Instructions , to conclude the Treaty upon the Kings assent to their Conditions ) than to their reclamant Consciences , they resolved to bring home the King. Yet they thought to mend the matter , by binding him with all Cords , and putting him to all most explicite Engagements , before he should receive the Imperial Crown . Well , upon these Terms home he comes : And before he set his Foot on British Ground , he takes the Covenant . And the Commission of the General Assembly precluded his Admittance to the Crown , if he should refuse the then required satisfaction , before his Coronation , by their Act at the West-Kirk , Aug. 13. 1650. Which is this , The Commission of the General Assembly , considering that there may be just Ground of stumbling , from the Kings Majesties refusing to subscribe and excite the Declaration offered to him by the Committee of Estates , and the Commission of the General Assembly concerning his former Carriage and Resolutions for the future , in Reference to the Cause of God , and the Enemies and Friends thereof ; doth therefore declare , That this Kirk and Kingdom doth not own or espouse any Malignant Party , or Quarrel , or Interest , but that they fight meerly upon their former Grounds and Principles , and in the defence of the Cause of God , and of the Kingdom , as they have done these twelve Years past : And therefore , as they disclaim all the Sin and Guilt of the King and of his House , so they will not own him not his Interest , otherwise than with a Subordination to God , and so far as he owns and Prosecutes the Cause of God , and disclaims his and his Fathers Opposition to the Work of God , and to the Covenant , and likewise all the Enemies thereof● And that they will with convenient speed take into Consideration the Papers lately sent unto them by Oliver Cromwell , and vindicate themselves from all the falshoods contained therein ; especially in these things wherein the quarrel betwixt us and that Party is mis-stated , as if we owned the late Kings Proceedings , and were resolved to Prosecute and Maintain His Present Majesties Interest , before and without acknowledging of the Sin of his House and former ways , and satisfaction to Gods People in both Kingdoms . A. Ker. And that same day , The Committee of Estates , having seen and considered a Declaration of the Commission of the General Assembly , anent the stating the Quarrel wherein the Army is to fight , do approve the same , and heartily concur therein . Tho. Henderson . Whereupon thereafter , he encites that Declaration at Drumfermling , Wherein , Professing and appearing in the full perswasion and Love of the Truth , he repenteth ( as having to do with and in the sight of God ) his Fathers opposition to the Covenant and Work of God , and his own Reluctances against the same , hoping for Mercy through the Blood of Iesus Christ , and obtesting the Prayers of the Faithful to God , for his stedfastness ; and then Protesting his Truth and Sincerity in entring into the Oath of God , resolving to prosecute the Ends of the Covenant to his utmost , and to have with it the same common Friends and Enemies , exhorting all to lay down their Enmity against the Cause of God , and not to prefer Mans Interest to Gods , which will prove an Idol of Iealousie to Provoke the Lord , and he himself accounteth to be but selfish Flatteries . Then at his Coronation , the Action commenceth with his most solemn renewing of the National and Solemn League and Covenant . Thereafter in the Year 1651. followed the Ratification of all these preceding Treaties , Transactions , and Engagements , concluded and enacted by the King , and the Parliament ; whereby the same did Pass into a Perpetual Law. And this Covenant , which from the beginning was and is the most sure and indispensible Oath of God , became at length the very Fundamental Law of the Kingdom , whereon all the Rights or Priviledges , either of King or People , are principally bottomed and secured . After this it came to pass , that zeal for the cause rightly stated was suddenly contracted to a few ; whereby a plain defection was violently carried on by the Publick Resolutioners , who relapsing into that most Sinful Conjunction with the Malignants , did bring them into places of Power and Trust , in Judicatories and Armies , in a more Politick than Pious way , requiring of them a constrained and dissembled Repentance , which Reflection did cause the first Division of that kind , and most permanent of any that ever was in the Church of Scotland ; by reason of the surcease of General Assemblies , stopped and hindered by the Yoke of the Sectarian Usurpers : And it has been the spring and source of all our Reflections since . Upon this our Land was invaded by Oliver Cromwell , who defeated our Army at Dunbar . Next , an Army being raised , according to these unhallowed Resolutions , was totally routed at Worcester ; And the King forced to hide himself in the Oak , and thence to transport himself beyond Sea , where he continued in Exile , till the Year 1660. Yet there was still a faithful Remnant of Ministers and Professors , zealous for the Cause , keeping their Integrity ; who in their Remonstrances and Testimonies witnessed against both their Malignant Enemies , and their backsliding Brethren the Resolutioners : And also against the Sectarians their Invaders ; whose vast Toleration and Liberty of Conscience , which they brought in to invade our Religion as they invaded our Land , and infect it with their Multifarious Errors , was particularly by the Synod of Fife , and other Brethren in the Ministry that joyned themselves to them , testified against , and demonstrated to be wicked and intollerable . But in the mean time , the Sectarian Army here prevailed , till after the Usurper Cromwell his Death ; Monk then General , with a Combination of Malignants and publick Resolutioners , did bring home the King to England from his Banishment . Now comes the last Catastrophe of the Deformation of the Church of Scotland ; which in a retrograde motion hath gradually been growing these 27 Years , going back through all the steps by which the Reformation ascended , till now she is reduced to the very Border of that Babilon , from whence she took her departure . Through all which steps notwithstanding , to this day , Scotland hath never wanted a Witness for Christ , against all the various steps of the Enemies advancings , and of professed Friends declinings . Though the Testimony hath had some Singularities , in that it hath been attended with more disadvantages , by reason of the Enemies greater prevalency , and Friends deficiency , and greater want of significant Assertors , than any formerly , in that it hath been intangled in more multifarious Intricacies of questions and debates , and Divisions among the Assertors themselves : In that it hath been intended and extended to a greater measure , both as to matter and manner of contendings against the Adversaries , and stated upon nicer points , more earnestly Prosecuted and tenaciously maintain'd , than any formerly ; to that it hath had more opposition and contradiction , and less Countenance from professed Friends to the Reformation , either at home or abroad , than any formerly . And yet it hath been both Active and Passive , both against Enemies and Friends ; and in Cumulo stated against Atheism , Popery , Prelacy , and Erastian Supremacy , and extended in a particular manner against Tyranny . And not only against the substance and essence of these in the Abstract , but against Substance and Circumstance , Abstract and Concrete , Root and Branch , Head and Tail of them , and all complying with them , conforming to them , or countenancing of them , or any thing conductive for them , or deduced from them , any manner of way , directly or indirectly , formally or interpretatively . This is that extensive and very comprehensive Testimony , which in all its parts , points , and particles is most directly relative , and dilucidly reducible , to a complex Witness for the Declarative Glory of Christs Kingship and Headship over All , as he is God , and as he is Mediator . The management of this Testimony was thus . King Charles the Second upon his Return directed a Letter to the Presbytery of Edinburgh , declaring he was resolved to protect and preserve the Government of the Church of Scotland , as it is settled by Law , without Violation . Wherein it was observed he spake never 8 word of the Covenant , our Magna Charta of Religion and Righteousness , but only of Law ; by which he meant the Prelatical Church , as it was settled by the Law of his Father , since which time he reckoned there was no Law , but Rebellion . This was a piece and prelude of our base Defection , that we were so far from withstanding , that we did not so much as witness against the Readmission and Restauration of the Head and Tail of Malignants , but let them come in peaceably to the Throne , without any Security to the Covenanted Cause , and by piece-meal , at their own ease , leisure , and pleasure , to overturn all the Work of God , and reintroduce the Old Antichristian Yoke of abjured Prelacy , and Blasphemous Sacrilegious Supremacy , and absolute Arbitrary Tyranny , with all their abominations : Which he , and with him the Generality of our Nobility , Gentry , Clergy , and Commonality , did promote and propagate , untill the Nation was involved in the greatest Revolt from , and Rebellion against God , that ever could be recorded in any Age or Generation : Nay , attended with greater and grosser Aggravations , than ever any could be capable of before us , who have had the greatest Priviledges that ever any Church had , since the National Church of the Iews , the greatest light , the greatest effects of matchless magnified Love , the greatest Convictions of Sin , the greatest Resolutions and Solemn Engagements against it , and the greatest Reformation from it , that ever any had to abuse and affront : O Heavens ! Be Astonished at this , and Horribly afraid ! For Scotland hath changed her Glory , and the Crown hath faln from off her Head , by an unparallelled Apostacy , a free and voluntary , wilful and deliberate Apostacy , an avowed and declared and authorized Apostacy , a most universal and every way unprecedented Apostacy . These Enemies of God , having once got footing again , with the favour and fawnings of the Foolish Nation , went on fervently to further and promote their foolish Design : And meeting with no opposition at first did encourage themselves to begin boldly . Wherefore , hearing of some Ministers peaceably Assembled , to draw up a Monitory Letter to the King , minding him of his Covenant , Engagements and Promises ( which was tho' weak , yet the first Witness and Warning against that Heaven-daring Wickedness then begun ) they Cruelly incarcerate them ; Having hereby much daunted the Ministry from their Duty in that day , for fear of the like unusual and outragious usage . The Parliament convenes Ian. 1. 1661. without so much as a Protestation for Religion and Liberty given in to them . And there , in the first place , they frame and take the Oath of Supremacy , Examtorating Christ , and investing his usurping Enemy with the spoils of his robbed Prerogative , acknowledging the King only Supreme Governour over all Persons and in all Causes , and that his Power and Iurisdiction must not be declined . Whereby under all Persons and Causes , all Church-concerns of Christ , are comprehended : And if the King shall take upon him to judge their Doctrine , Worship , Discipline or Government , he must not be declined as an Incompetent Judge . Which laid the Foundation for all this Bable they have built since , and of all this War that hath been waged against the Son of God , and did introduce all this Tyranny and absolute Power which hath been since carried to its Complement , and made the Kings Throne the Foundation of all the succeeding Perjury and Apostacy . Yet , tho' then our Synods and Presbyteries were not discharged , but might have had access in some Concurrence to witness against this horrid Invasion upon Christs Prerogative and the Churches Priviledge , no join● Testimony was given against it , except that some were found Witnessing against it in their Singular Capacity by themselves . As faithful Mr. Iames Gushire , who had been Honoured of God to be zealous and singularly faithful in carrying on the Work of Reformation , and for declining this usurped Authority in prejudice of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus , and asserting the Kingly Authority of Christ in opposition to the Erastian Supremacy encroaching thereupon , suffered Death , and got the Martyrs Crown upon his Head ; which being placed upon one of the Ports of Edinburgh , Preacheth , not only against the Enemies Rebellion against God , but against the defection of many Ministers since , who have Practically denyed that great Truth for which he suffered , viz. His Testimony against the Supremacy , and for declining the usurped Authority of him who Arrogated it . And some others , for refusing that Oath Arbi●rarily imposed , were Banished or Confin'd . At the same time , there was a Proclamation , which they caused to be Read at all the Church-Doors , discharging Ministers to speak against them or their Proceedings , whereby Prophane and Malicious Persons were encouraged to witness against their Ministers . By which means ( tho' many were in no hazard , thinking it commendable Prudence , commended indeed by the World , but hateful Unfaithfulness before God , to be silent at such a time ) some faithful Ministers giving faithful and free warning and Protesting against the present Defection , were condemned of Treason , and Banished out of the three Dominions . Others were Sentenced with Banishment , and furder were compelled to Subscribe a Bond , under pain of Death , to remove out of all the Dominions betwixt that and such a day . This was the Lot , and also the Blot of these Famous and Faithful Ministers , Mr. Iohn Eivingstoun , M● . Robert Machward , Mr. Iohn Brown , &c. who spent the rest of their days in Holland . When they had gained this Bulwark of Christs Kingdom , then they waxed more insolent , and set up their Ensigns for Signs , and broke down the Carved Work of Reformation with Axes and Hammers . In this Parliament 1661. they pass'd an Act Rescissory , whereby they annulled and declared void the National Covenant , the Solemn League and Covenant , Presbyterial Government , and all Laws made in favour of the work of Reformation , since the Year 1638. O horrid Wickedness ! To condemn and rescind what God did so signally Seal as his own Work , to the Conviction of the World. But O Holy and Astonishing Justice , thus to Recompence our way upon our own Head ! to suffer this work and cause to be ruined under our unhappy hands , who suffered this Destroyer to come in before it was so effectually secured , as it should not have been in the power of his hand ( whatever had been in his Heart , swelled with enmity against Christ ) to have raised and ruined that work as now he most wickedly did , and drew so many in to the Guilt of the same deed , that almost the whole Land not only consented unto it , but Applauded it ; by approving and countenancing another wicked Act framed at the same time , by that same per●idious Parliament , for an Anniversary Thanksgiving , commemorating every 29 th of May , that Blasphemy against the Spirit and Work of God ; and celebrating tha● unhappy Restauration of the Rescinder of the Reformation , which had not only the Concurrence of the Universality of the Nation , but ( alas for shame that it should be told in Gath , &c. ) even of some Ministers , who afterwards accepted the Indulgence ( one of which , a Pillar among them , was seen scandalously dancing about the Bonfires . ) And others , who should have allarmed the whole Nation Quasi pro Aris & Focis , to rise for Religion and Liberty , to resist such Wickedness , did wink at it . Yet albeit , neither in this day , when the Covenant was not only broken , but Cassed and declared of no Obligation , nor afterward when it was Burnt ( for which Turks and Pagans would have been ashamed , and afraid at such a terrible sight , and for which the Lords Anger is burning against these bold Burners , and against them who suffered it , and did not witness against it ) was there any publick Testimony by Protestation , or Remonstrance , or any publick Witness ? Tho' the Lord had some then , and some who came out afterwards with the Trumpet at their Mouth , whose Heart then sorrowed at the sight : And some suffered for the Sense they shewed of that Anniversary Abomination , for not keeping which they lost both Church and Liberty . It 's true , the ordinary Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods were about that time discharged , to make way for the Exercise of the new power conferred on the four Prelates who were at Court. But this could not give a discharge from a necessary Testimony , then called from faithful Watchmen . However the Reformation being thus rescinded and razed , and the House of the Lord pulled down , then they begin to build their Bable . In the Parliament Anno 1662. by their first Act they restore and re-establish Prelacy , upon such a Foundation as they might by the same Law bring in Popery ; and setled its Harbinger , Diocesan and Erastian Prelacy , by fuller enlargement of the Supremacy , The very Act beginning thus : Forasmuch as the ordering and disposal of the external Government of the Church , doth properly belong to his Majesty as an inherent Right of the Crown , by Virtue of his Royal Prerogative and Supremacy in Causes Ecclesiastick , whatever shall be determined by his Majesty with advice of the Archbishops , and such of the Clergy as he shall nominate , in the External Government of the Church ( the same consisting with the standing Laws of the Kingdom ) shall be valid and effectual . And in the same Act all Laws are rescinded , by which the sole Power and Jurisdiction within the Church doth stand in the Church-Assemblies , and all which may be interpreted , to have given any Church-power , Jurisdiction or Government to the Office-Bearers of the Church , other than that which acknowledgeth a dependence upon , and Subordination to the Soveraign Power of the King as Supream . By which Prelates are redintegrated ●o all their Priviledges and Preheminences that they possessed Anno 1687. And all their Church-Power ( robbed from the Officers of Christ ) is made to be derived from , to depend upon , and to be Subordinate to ●he Crown-Prerogative of the King : Whereby the King is made the only Fountain of Church-Power , and that exclusive even of Christ , of whom there is no mentioned Exception : And his Vassals the Bishops , as his Clerks in Ecclesiasticks , are accountable to him for all their Administrations ; a greater Usurpation upon the Kingdom of Christ , than ever the Papacy it self aspired unto . Yet , albeit here was another display of a Banner of defiance against Christ , in altering the Church-Government of Christs Institution into the humane Invention of Lordly Prelacy , there was no publick , Ministerial , at least united Testimony against this neither . Therefore the Lord punished this sinful and shameful silence of Ministers ; when by another wicked Act of the Council at Glasgow , above 300 Ministers were put from their Charges ; and afterwards for their Non-conformity in not countenancing their Diocesan Meeting , and not keeping the Anniversary Day , May 29. the rest were violen●ly thrust from their Labours in the Lords Vineyard , and Banished from their Parishes , and adjudged unto a strange and nice Confinement , twenty Miles from their own Parishes , six Miles from a Cathedral Church , as they called it , and three Miles from a Burgh . Yet in this fatal Convulsion of the Church , generally all were struck with Blindness and Baseness , that a Paper-Proclamation made them all run from their Posts , and obey the Kings Orders for their ejection . Thus were they given up , because of their forbearing to sound an Allarm , charging the People of God , in point of Loyalty to Christ , and under the pain of the Curse of the Covenant , to awake and acquit themselves like Men , and not to suffer the Enemy to rob them of that Treasure of Reformation , which they were put in possession of , by the Tears , Prayers , and Blood of such as went before them ; instead of those prudential fumblings , and fistlings then and since so much followed . Wherefore the Lord in his Holy Righteousness , left that Enemy to cast them out of the House of the Lord , and dissolve their Assemblies , and deprive them of their Priviledges , because of their not being so valiant for the Truth , as that a full and faithful Testimony against that Encroachment might be found upon Record . Nevertheless some were found faithful in that Hour and Power of Darkness , who kept the Word of the Lords Patience , and who therefore were kept in and from Tentation ( which carried away many into sad and shameful Defections ) tho' not from suffering hard things from the hands of Men ; and only these who felt most of their violence , found Grace helping them to acquit themselves suitably to that days Testimony , being thereby prevented from an active yeilding to their impositions , when they were made passively to suffer force . However that season of a publick Testimony was lost , and as to the most part never recovered to this day . The Prelates being setled , and readmitted to voice in Parliament , they procure an Act , Dogmatically condemning several Material parts and points of our Covenanted Reformation , to wit , these Positions , That it was Lawful for Subjects , for Reformation or necessary self-defence , to enter into Leagues , or take up Arms against the King : And particularly declaring that the National Covenant , as explained in the Year 1688. and the solemn League and Covenant , were and are in themselves unlawful Oaths , and were taken by , and imposed upon the Subjects of this Kingdom , against the Fundamental Laws and Liberties thereof ; That all such Gatherings and Petitions , that were used in the beginning of the late Troubles , were unlawful and seditious : And whereas People were then led into these things , by having disseminated among them such Principles as these , That it was lawful for People to come with Petitions and Representations to the King , That it was lawful for People to restrict their Allegiance under such and such Limitations , and suspend it until he should give security for Religion , &c. It was therefore enacted , that all such Positions and Practices founded thereupon , were Treasonable — And furder did enact , that no Person , by Writing , Praying , Preaching , or malicious or advised speaking , express or publish any Words or Sentences , to stir up the People to the dislike of the Kings Prerogative and Supremacy , or of the Government of the Church by Bishops , or justifie any of the Deeds , Actings or things declared against by that Act. Yet notwithstanding of all this Subversion of Religion and Liberty , and restraint of asserting these Truths here trampled upon , either before Men by Testimony , or before God in Mourning over these Indignities done unto him , in everting these , and all the parts of Reformation , even when it came to Daniel's Case of conf●ssion , Preaching and Praying Truths interdicted by Law , few had their Eyes open ( let be their Windows in an open avouching them ) to see the duty of the day calling for a Testimony . Tho' afterwards the Lord spirited some to assert and demonstrate the Glory of these Truths and Duties to the World. As that judicious Author of the Apologetical Relation . But this is not all : For these Men , having now , as they thought , subverted the Work of God , they provided also against the fears of its revival ; making Acts , declaring , that if outed Ministers dare to continue to Preach , and presume to exercise their Ministry , they should be punished as Seditious Persons ; requiring of all a due acknowledgment of , and hearty complyance with the King's Government , Ecclesiastical and Civil ; and that whosoever shall ordinarily and wilfully withdraw and absent from the ordinary Meetings for Divine Worship in their own Churches , on the Lord's Day , shall incur the Penalties there inserted . And thus none are allowed by Law to administer the Ordinances , but either Apostate Curates , who by their Perjury and Apostatize forfaulted their Ministry , or other Hir●lings , and Prelates Journey-men , who ran without a Mission , except from them who had none to give , ac●ording to Christ's Institution , the Seal of whose Ministry could never yet be shewn in the Conversion of any Sinner to Christ ; but if the Tree may be known by its Fruits , we may know whose Ministers they are ; by their Conversions of Reformation into Deformation ; of the Work and Cause of God , into the similitude of the Roman Beast ; of Ministers into ●●i●elings ; of the Power of Godliness into Formality ; of Preaching Christ , into Orations of Morality ; of the Purity of Christ's Ordinances , into the vanity of Men's Inventions ; of the Beautiful Government of the House of God for Edification , to a Lordly Preeminence and Domination over Consciences : In a word , of Church and State , Constitutions for Religion and Liberty , all upside down into Wickedness and Slavery . But now this astonishing Blow to the Gospel of the Kingdom , introducing such a swarm of Locusts into the Church , and in forcing a compliance of the People with this defection , and that so violently and rigorously , as even simple withdrawing was so severely punished by severe Edicts of Fining , and other Arbitrary Punishments at first ( for at first they did not Imprison any for simple absenting themselves from the Curates , and only imprisoned those who at any time shewed more than ordinary Zeal against the Curate's Intrusion ) what did it produce ? The generality of Ministers and Professors both went and Conformed so far as to hear the Curates , contrary to many Points of the Reformation formerly attained , contrary to their Covenant-Engagements , and contrary to their own Principles and Practices at that same time ; scrupling and refusing to keep the Bishops Visitations , and to countenance their Discipline and Power of Iurisdiction , because it was required as a Testification of their acknowledgment of , and Compliance with the present Government ; and yet not scrupling to Countenance their Doctrine , and usurped Power of Order , required also by the same Law , as the same Test of the same compliance and submission . Other Ministers lay altogether by in their retired recesses , waiting to see what things would turn to ; others were hopeless , turned Farmers , and Doctors ; others wylie staid at home , and Preached quietly in Ladies Chambers . But the Faithful found themselves under an indispensable necessity to Preach the Gospel , and witness for the freedom of their Ministry , and make full proof of it , in Preaching in Season , and out of Season ; and thereupon as occasion offered , Preached to all such as were willing to hear ; but at first , only in private Houses , and that for the most part , at such times when Sermons in publick surceased ( a Superplus of Caution . ) But afterwards , finding so great Difficulties and Persecutions for their House-Meetings , where they were so easily at●rapped , were constrained at last to keep their Meetings in the Fields : Where testifying both practically , and particularly against these Usurpations on their Master's Prerogatives , and witnessing for their Mi●isterial freedom , contrary to all Law-Interdictions , without any Licenses or Indulgence from the Usurper , but holding their Ministry from Jesus Christ alone , both as to the Office and Exercise thereof ; they had so much of their Master's Countenance , and success in their Labours , that they valued neither hazards or hardships , neither the contempt of pretended Friends , nor the Laws nor threatnings of Enemies , adjudging the Penalty of Death it self to Preachers at Field-Conventicles , a● they called them . Now having thus overturned the Church-Government , by introducing P●elacy , to advance ane absolute Supremacy , the King proceeds in his Design , to pervert and evert the well modelled and moderated Constitution of the State-Government also , by introducing and advancing ane A●bitrary Tyranny . For effectuating which , he first procures a lasting Imposition of intollerable Subsidies and Taxations ; next a further recognisance of his Prerogative , in a Subjection of Persons , Fortunes , and whole strength of the Kingdom to his absolute Arbitriment , in a Levy of Militia of 20000 Footmen , and 2000 Horsemen , sufficiently armed , with Forty days Provision , to be ready upon the King 's call to march to any part of his Dominions , for opposing whatsoever Invasion , or Insurrection , or for any other Service . The first sproutings of Tyranny were cherished , by the cheerful and stupid Submission generally yeilded to these Exorbitancies ; so that generally People did not so much as scruple sending out , or going out as Militia-men . After the fundamental Constitutions of both Church and State are thus razed and rooted up , he contrived to frame all Inferior Magistrates according to his Mould : And for this end appointed , that all Persons in any Publick Trust or Office whatsoever , should subscribe a Declaration , renouncing and abjuring the Covenant . But finding this not yet sufficient security for this unsettled Settlement ; because he well understood , the People stood no ways obliged to acknowledge him , but only according to the Solemn Covenants , being the fundamental Conditions whereupon their Allegiance was founded ; and well knowing , that he and his Associates , by violating these Conditions , had loosed the People from all Subjection to him , or deriving any Power from him , whereby the People might justly plead , That since he had kept no Condition , they were not now obliged to him ; he therefore contriv'd a new Oath of Allegiance to be impos'd upon all in publick Trust , both in Church and State. Strange ! can Presbyterians swear that Allegiance , which is substitute in the place of the broken and burnt Covenant ? Or could they swear it to such a Person , who having buried the Covenant , that he might have another Right and another Allegiance than that of the Covenant , had then remitted to us all Allegiance founded upon the Covenant ? However , having prepared and furnished himself with Tools so qualified for his purpose , in Church and State , he prosecutes his Persecution with such fervor and fury , that at length , in the Year 1666 , a small Party were compelled to go to defensive Arms ; which was occasioned thus . Sir Iames Turner pursuing his Cruel Orders in Galloway , sent some Souldiers to apprehend a poor old Man ; whom his Neighbours Compassionating , intreated the Souldiers to loose him as he lay bound ; but were answered with drawn Swords , and necessitated to their own defence : In which they relieve the Man , and disarm the Souldiers ; and further attacked some others oppressing that Country , disarming Ten or Twelve more , and killing one that made resistance . Whereupon the Country being allarm'd , and fearing Sir Iames would certainly avenge this Affront upon the whole Country , without distinction of Free and Unfree , they gather about Fifty four Horsemen , march to Dumfre●● , take Sir Iames Turner Prisoner , and disarm the Souldiers , without any more violence . Being thus by Providence engag'd , without any hope of retreat , and getting some Concurrence of their Brethren in the same condition , they come to Lanerk , where they renew the Covenant ; and thence to Pentland-Hills , where , by the Holy disposal of God , they were routed , many killed , and 130 taken Prisoners , of which 35 were afterwards hanged , who had much of the Lords Presence at their deaths , and assurance of his Love , strengthening them to Seal a noble Testimony . After this conflict many were forefaulted of their Estates , and Intercommuned ; Souldiers are permitted to take free Quarter in the Country ; to Examine Men by Tortures ; to strip them who did so much as resist the Fugitives , and thrust them into Prisons , &c. Hence we may see the Righteousness of God , how justly at that time he left us in such a damp , that like Asses we couched under all Burdens , and few came out to the help of the Lord against the Mighty , drawing on them Meroz's Curse , and the Blood of their butchered Brethren . But the King having now brought his only opposites , the few Faithful Witnesses of Christ , to a low pass , he went on by Craft as well as Cruelty , to advance his own in promoting Antichrist's Interest . And therefore having gotten the Supremacy devolved upon him by Law , he would now exert that usurped Power , and work by insnaring Policy to effe●tuate the End which he could not do by other means . Therefore seeing he was not able to suppress the Meetings of the Lord's People for Gospel-Ordinances , in Houses and Fields , but that the more he laboured by violent courses , the greater and more frequent they grew ; h● fell upon a more crafty Device , not only to overthrow the Gospel , and suppress the Meetings , but to break the Faithful , and to divide between the Mad-cap and the Moderate Fanaticks ( as they phrased it ) that he might the more easily destroy both , to confirm the Usurpation , and to settle People in a sinful silence , and stupid submission to all the Incroachments made on Christ's Prerogatives , and more effectually to overturn what remained of the work of God. And knowing that nothing could more fortifie the Supremacy than Ministers their homologating and acknowledging it : Therefore he offered the first Indulgence Anno 1669 , signifying in a Letter , dated that Year Iune 7. His gracious Pleasure was , To appoint so many of the outed Ministers , as have lived peaceably and orderly , to return to Preach and exercise other Functions of the Ministry , in the Parish-Churches where they formerly served ( provided they be vacant ) to allow Patrons to present to other vacant Churches , such others of them as the Council should approve : That all who are so indulged , be enjoyned to keep Presbyteries , and the Refusers to be confined within the bounds of their Parishes ; and that they be enjoyned not to admit any of their neighbour Parishes unto their Communions , nor Baptize their Children , nor marry any of them , without the allowance of the Minister of the Parish ; and if they Countenance the People deserting their own Parishes , they are to be silenced for shorter and longer time , or altogether turned out , as the Council shall see cause● And upon complaint made and verified , of any Seditious Discourse , or Expressions in the Pulpit , uttered by any of the Ministers , they are immediately to be turned out , and further punished according to Law : And seeing by these Orders , all pretences for Conventicles were taken away ; if any should be found hereafter to preach without Authority , or keep Conventicles , His Pleasure is , to proceed with all severity against them , as Seditious Persons , and Contemners of Auhtority . To salve this in point of Law , and to make the Kings Letter the Supreme Law afterwards , and a valid ground in Law , whereupon the Council might proceed , and enact , and execute what the King pleased in matters Ecclesiastick ; He therefore caused frame a formal Statutory Act of Supremacy of this Tenor , That his Majesty hath the Supreme Authority and Supremacy over all Persons and in all Causes Ecclesiastick , within his Dominions ; and that by vertue thereof , the ordering and disposal of the External Government of the Church did properly belong to him and his Successors , as an inherent right to the Crown ; and that he may Settle , Enact , and Emit such Constitutions , Acts and Orders , concerning the Administrating thereof , and Persons employed in the same , and concerning all Ecclesiastical Meetings and Matters , to be proposed and determined therein , as He in His Royal Wisdom shall think fit ; which Acts , Orders , and Constitutions , are to be observed and obeyed by all His Majesties Subjects , any Law , Act , or Custom to the Contrary notwithstanding . Whereupon , accordingly the Council , in their Act Iuly 27. 1669 , do nominate several Ministers , and appoint them to Preach , and exercise the other Functions of the Ministry , at their respective Churches there specified , with consent of the Patrons . The same day also , they Conclude and Enact the forementioned Restrictions , conform to the King's Letter , and ordain them to be intimate to every person , who is by Authority foresaid allowed the exercise of the Ministry . These indulged Ministers having that Indulgence given only upon these terms , that they should accept these Injunctions , and having received it up these terms also ( as ane Essential part of the Bargain and Condition , on which the Indulgence was granted and accepted , as many following Proclamations did expresly declare ) do appoint Mr. Hutcheson one of the number , to declare so much ; In acknowledging His Majesties Favour and Cleme●cy , in granting that Liberty , after so long a restraint ; and howev●● they had received their Ministry from Iesus Christ , with full Pre●●●● from him for regulating them therein , yet nothing could be more ref●eshing on Earth to them , th●● to have free liberty for the exercise of their M●nistry , under the Protection of Lawful Authority . In the mean time , tho cruel Acts and Edicts were made against the meeting of the Lord's People , in Houses and the Fields , after all these Midianitish Wiles to suppress them ; such was the Presence of the Lord in these Meetings , and so powerful was his Countenance and Concurrence with the Labours of a few , who laid out themselves to hold up the Standard of Christ , that the number of Converts multiplied daily , to the great encouragement of the few Hands that wrestled in that work , through all humane discouragement . Therefore King and Council was put to a new shift , which they supposed would prove more effectual ; to wit , Because there was a great number of Nonconformed Ministers not yet Indulged , who either did or might hereafter hold Conventicles , therefore , to remede or prevent this in time coming , they appoint and ordain them to such places where Indulged Ministers were settled , there to be confined with Allowance , to Preach as the Indulged should employ them ; thinking by this means to incapacitate many to hold Meetings there or elsewhere : And to these also they give Injunctions and Restrictions to regulate them in the exercise of their Ministry . And to the end that all the outed Ministers might be brought under restraint , and the Word of God be kept under Bonds , by another Act of Council they Command , that all other Ministers ( not disposed of as is said ) were either to repair to the Parish-Church where they were , or to some other Parishes , where they may be ordinary hearers , and to declare and condescend upon the Parishes , where they intend to have their Residence . After this they assumed a Power , to dispose of these their Curates as they pleased , and transport them from place to place ; whereof the only ground was a simple Act of Council , the Instructions always going along with them , as the constant companion of the Indulgence : By all which it is apparent , whatever these Ministers Alledge , viz. That it was but the removal of the Civil Restraint , and that they entred into their places by the Call of the People ( a meer mock-pretence for a prelimited Imposition , whereby that Ordinance of Christ was basely prostituted and abused ) and that their Testimony and Protestation was a Salvo for their Consciences ( a meer Utopian fancy , that the Indulgers with whom they bargained , never heard of , otherwise , as they did with some who were faithful in notifying against their Encroachments , they would soon have given them a Bill of ease . ) It cannot be denied , that that doleful Indulgence , both in its Rise , Contrivance , Conveyance , Grant and Acceptance , End and Effects , was a grievous Encroachment upon the Princely Prer●gative of Jesus Christ , the only Head of the Church ; whereby the Usurpers Supremacy was Homologated , bowed to , complyed with , strengthened the Cause and Kingdom of Christ betrayed , his Churches Privileges Surrendred , his Enemies hardened , his Friends stumbled , and the Remnant rent and ruined . And yet a great part of the Ministers took that Indulgence ; and another part , did , instead of Remonstrating the Wickedness of that deed , Palliate , and Plaister , and Patronize it , in keeping up the Credit of the King and Councils Cur●tes . Yet the Lord had some Witnesses , who pretty early did give significations of their Resentment of this dishonour done to Christ ; as Mr. William W●er , who having got the Legal Call of the People , and discharging his Duty honestly , was turned out : And Mr. Iohn Burnet , who wrote a Testimony directed to the Council , shewing why he could not submit to that Indulgence , inserted at large in the History of Indulgence ; where also we have the Testimony of other Ten Ministers , who drew up their Reasons of Non-complyance with such a Snare : And Mr. Alex . Blaire , who , upon occasion of Citation before the Council for not observing the 29 th of May , told the Council , That he could receive no Instructions from them in the Exercise of his Ministry , otherwise he should not be Christ's ▪ Ambassador , but theirs . But afterwards the Lord raised up some more explicit Witnesses against that defection . While the King thought he had by that Device utterly suppressed the Gospel in House and Field-Meetings , he was so far disappointed , that these very Means and Machins , by which he thought to bury it , did chiefly contribute to its revival : For , when by Persecution , many Ministers had been chased away by illegal Law-Sentences , many had been banished away , and by their ensnaring Indulgences many had been drawn away from their Duty , and others were now Sentenced with Confinements and Restraints , if they should not choose and fix their Residence where they could not keep their Christ and Conscience both ; they were forced to wander and disperse through the Country ; by whose Endeavours the Word of God grew exceedingly , and went at least through the Southern Borders of the Kingdom , like Lightning . O! who can remember the Glory of that day , without a melting Heart ? A day of such Power , that it made the People willing to come out and venture upon the greatest of hardships , and the greatest of hazards , in pursuing after the Gospel ; even when they could not have a probable expectation of escaping the Sword of the Wilderness , and the barbarous fury of bloody Burrio's raging for their Prey , sent out with Orders to take and kill them , it being now made Criminal by Law , especially to the Preachers and Convocaters of these Meetings . I will make bold to say , I doubt if ever there were greater days of the Son of Man upon the Earth since the Apostolick times , than we enjoyed for the space of Seven Years at that time . Now when Christ is gaining ground by the Preached Gospel in Plenty , Purity and Power , the Usurpers Supremacy was like to stagger , and Prelacy came under contempt . Hence , to secure what he had possessed himself of by Law , and to prevent a dangerous Paroxism which he thought would ensue upon these Commotions , the King returned to exert his innate Tyranny , and to emit terrible Orders , and more terrible Executioners , and bloody Emissaries against all Field-Meetings ; which after long Patience , the People at length could not endure ; but being first chased to the Fields , where they would have been content to have the Gospel , with all the Inconveniencies of it ; and also expelled from the Fields , being resolute to maintain the Gospel , they resolved to defend it and themselves by Arms : To which , unavoidable necessity in unsupportable extremity did constrain them , as the only remaining Remedy . It is known , for several Years they met without any Arms , where frequently they were disturbed and dispersed with Souldiers ; some killed , others wounded , which they patiently endured withou Resistance : At length , the Ministers that were most in hazard , having a Price set upon their Heads to be brought in dead or alive , with some attending them in their wandrings , understanding they were thus appointed for death , judged it their duty to provide for the necessary defence of their Lives , from the Violence of their armed Assaulters . And as Meetings encreased , divers others came under the same hazard , which enforced them to endeavour the same Remedy , without the least intention of of prejudice to any . Thus the number of Sufferers increasing , as they joyned in the Ordinances at these persecuted Meetings , found themselves in some probable capacity to defend themselves , and these much endeared Gospel-Priviledges , and to preserve the Memory of the Lord 's great Work in the Land , which to transmit to Posterity was their great design . Wherefore in these Circumstances , being redacted to that strait , either to be deprived of the Gospel , or to defend themselves in their Meetings for it ; and thinking their turning their Backs upon it for hazard , was a cowardly deserting duty , and palpable breach of Covenant-Engagements , abandoning their greatest Interest , they thought it expedient , yea , necessary , to carry defensive Arms with them ; it being an indissoluble obligation in their Covenants , to maintain and defend the true Religion and one another in promoting the same . And hereunto they were encouraged by the constant experience of the Lord 's countenancing their Endeavours in that posture , which always proved successful for several Years , their Enemies either turning their backs without disturbance when they observed them resolve Defence , or in their Assaultings repulsed ; so that there was never a Meeting , which stood to their Defence , got any considerable harm thereby . Thus the Lord was with us while we were with him ; but when we forsook him , he forsook us , and left us in the hands of our Enemies . However , while Meetings for Gospel-Ordinances did continue , the Wicked Rulers did not cease from time to time to encrease their numerous Bands of Barbarous Souldiers , for suppressing the Gospel in these Field-meetings . But all this is nothing to what followed ; when , thinking these Blood-Hounds were too favourable , they brought down from the wild Highlands a Host of Salvages upon the Western Shires , more terrible than Turks , or Tartars ; Men who feared not God , nor regarded Man ; to wast and destroy a plentiful Country , which they resolved before they left it , to make as bare as their own . This Hellish Crew was adduced to work a Reformation , like the French Conversions , to press a Bond of Conformity , wherein every one Subscribed , was bound for himself , and all under him , Wife , Children , Servants , Tenants , to frequent their Parish Churches , and never to go to these Meetings , nor reset nor entertain any that went , but to Inform against , Pursue , and Deliver up all vagrant Preachers , as they called them , to Tryal , and Judgment . Then for the maintenance of the Souldiers , there were imposed new , wicked , and arbitrary Cesses and Taxations , professedly required for suppressing Religion and Liberty , banishing the Gospel out of the Land , and preserving and promoting the King's Absoluteness over all Matters and Persons Sacred and Civil ; which , under that tentation of great Sufferings threatned to Refusers , and under the disadvantage of the silence and unfaithfulness of many Ministers , who either did not condemn it , or pleaded for the peaceable payment of it ; many did comply with it then , and far more since . Yet at that time there were far more Recusants in some places ( especially in the Western shires ) than Complyers : And there were many of the Ministers that did faithfully declare to the People the Sin of it ; not only from the illegality of its Imposition , by a Convention of over-awed and prelimited States ; but from the nature of that imposed Compliance , that it was a sinful Transaction with Christ's declared Enemies ; a strengthning the hands of the wicked , an obedience to a wicked Law , a consenting to Christ's expulsion out of the Land ; and not only that , but ( far worse than the Sin of the Gadarens ) a formal Concurrence to assist his Expellers , by maintaining their force , a hiring our Oppressors to destroy Religion and Liberty ; and from the declared end of it , expressed in the very Narrative of the Act , viz. To Levy and Maintain Forces for suppressing and dispersing Meetings of the Lord's People , and to shew unanimous affections for maintaining the King's Supremacy , as now Established by Law ▪ Yet all this time Ministers and Professors were unite , and with one Soul and Shoulder followed the work of the Lord , 'till the Indulged being dissatisfied with the Meetings in the Fields , whose Glory was like to over-cloud and obscure their Beds of ease ; and especially , being offended at the freedom and faithfulness of some , who set the Trumpet to their Mouth , and shewed Iacob his Sins , and Israel his Transgressions , impartially , without Cloak , or Cover , they began to make a Faction among the Ministers , and to devise how to quench the fervour of their Zeal , who were faithful for God. But the more they sought to extinguish it , the more it brake out , and blazed into a flame . For several of Christ's Ambassadours , touched and affected with the affronts done to their Princely Master by the Supremacy , and the Indulgence of its Bastard-Brood and Brat , began after long silence to discover its iniquity , and to acquaint the People how the Usurper had invaded the Mediator's Chair , in taking upon him to Depose , Suspend , Silence , Plant , and Transplant his Ministers , where , and when , and how he pleased , &c. Yet others , and the greater number of Dissenting Ministers , were not only deficient herein , but defended them , joyned with them , and ( pretending Prudence , and prevention of Schism ) in effect homologated that deed , and the Practice of these Priests , Ezek 22. 26. teaching and advising the People to hear them , both by Precept , and going along with them in their Erastian Course : And not only so , but Condemned and Censured such who Preached against the sinfulness thereof ; especially in the first place , worthy Mr. Walwood , who was among the first Witnesses against that Defection , and Mr. Kid , Mr. King , Mr. Cameron , Mr. Donald Cargil , &c. who Sealed their Testimony afterwards by their blood ; yet then , even by their Brethren , were loaden with the reproachful Nick-names of Schismaticks , Blind Zealots , Jesuites , &c. But it was always observed , as long as Ministers were faithful in following the Lord in the way of their Duty , Professors were fervent , and under all their Conflicts with Persecutors , the Courage and Zeal of the Lovers of Christ was blazing , and never outbraved by all the Enemies boastings , to undertake brisk Exploits , which from time to time they were now and then essaying , 'till defection destroyed , and division diverted their Zeal against the Enemies of God , who before were always the Object against which they whetted the edge of their jus● indignation . Especially the Arch-Prelate Sharp was judged intollerable by ingenuous Spirits . Therefore in Iuly , 1668. Mr Iames Mitchel thought it his duty to save himself , deliver his Brethren , and attempted to cut him off ; which failing , he then escaped , but afterwards was Apprehended , Tortured , Condemned , and Executed . But Justice would not suffer the Arch-Prelate to escape Remarkable Punishment ; the severity whereof did sufficiently compensate sate its delay , after Ten Years respite . For upon the 3 d of May , 167 ) . several worthy Gentlemen , with some other Men of Courage and Zeal for the Cause of God , executed Righteous Judgment upon him in Magus Moore , near St. Andrews . And that same Month , on the Anniversary Day , May 29th . the Testimony at Rutherglen was Published against that Abomination , Celebrating an Anniversary-Day , kept every year for giving thanks for the setting up an Vsurped Power , destroying the interest of Christ in the Land , and against all sinful and unlawful Acts , emitted and executed , published , and prosecuted against our Covenanted Reformation . Where also they burn● the Acts of Supremacy , the Declaration , the Act Recissory , &c. in way of retalition for the burning of the Covenants . On the Sabbath following , Iune 1. A Field-Meeting near to Lowden-Hill , was assaulted by Claverhouse , and with him three Troops of Horse and Dragoons , who had that Morning taken an honest Minster , and about 14 Countrymen out of their Beds , and carried them along with them ; but they were repulsed at Drumclogg , and put to flight , the Prisoners relieved , about 30 of the Souldiers killed on the place , and three of the Meeting , and several wounded on both sides . Thereafter the People retreating from the pursuit , they judged it most safe in that extremity for some time not to separate . Which resolution coming abroad to the Ears of others of their Brethren , determined them incontinently to come to their assistance , considering their own liableness to the same common danger , upon the account of their endeavours of that nature to defend themselves , b●ing of the same judgment for maintaining of the same Cause , to which they were bound by the same Covenants . This was the Rise and Occasion of that appearance at Bothwel-Bridge , which the Lord did in his Holy Soveraignty confound , for former Defections by the means of Division , which broke that little Army among themselves , before they were broken by the Enemy . They continued together in amiable and amicable Peace , for the space of 8 or 9 days , while they endeavoured to put out and keep out every wicked thing from amongst them , and adhered to the Rutherglen Testimony , and that short Declaration at Glascow confirming it ; Representing their present Purposes and Endeavours were only in vindication and defence of the Reformed Religion , as they stood obliged thereto by the National and Solemn League and Covenant , and the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins , and Engagement to Duties , declaring against Popery , Prelacy , Erastianism , and all things depending thereupon . Intending hereby to comprehend the Defection of the Indulgence , to witness against which all unanimously agreed : Until the Army encreasing , the Defenders and Daubers of that Defection , some Ministers and others came in , who broke all . The occasion of the Breach , was first , when an Overture was offered , to set times apart for Humiliation for the Publick Sins of the Land ; and accordingly the complying with abjured Erastianism , by the acceptance of the ensnaring Indulgence , was condescended upon among the rest of the grounds of Fasting and Humiliation : The Sticklers for the Indulgence refused the Overture , upon Politick Considerations , for fear of offending the Indulged Ministers and Gentlemen , and provoking them to withdraw their Assistance . And next ; whereas the Cause was stated before , according to the Covenants , in the Rutherglen Testimony , and Glascow Declaration , wherein the King's Interest was waved ; These Dividers drew up another large Paper ( called the Hamiltown Declaration ) wherein they assert the Kings Interest , according to the Third Article of the Solemn League and Covenant . Against which , the best affected contended , and protested they could not in Conscience put in his interest into the state of the quarrel , being now in stated opposition to Christ's Interests , and inconsistent with the meaning of the Covenant , and the Practices of the Covenanters , and their own Testimonies ; while now he could not be declared for , as being in the defence of Religion and Liberty , when he had so palpably overturned and ruined the work of Reformation , and oppressed such as adhered thereunto , and had burnt the Covenant , &c. Whereby he had loosed the People from all obligation to him from it . Yet that contrary Faction prevailed , so far as to get it published in the name of all , whereby the Cause was perverted , and betrayed . And so in the Holy All-over-ruling Providence of God , that poor handful was signally discountenanced of God , deprived of all Conduct , divested of all Protection , and laid open to the Raging Sword , the just punishment of all such tamperings with the Enemies of God , and espousing their Interest . About 300 were killed in the Fields , and 1000 and upwards taken Prisoners , stripped , and carried to Edinburgh , and there sentenced with Banishment , and sent away for America , and by the way ( a few excepted ) perished in Shipwreck ; and two faithful and painful Ministers and Witnesses of Christ , Mr. Iohn Kidd , and Mr. Iohn King , received the Crown of Martyrdom , sealing their Testimony with their Blood , and many others after them for the same Cause . After this fearful and fatal stroak at Bothwell , the Universality of the Children of the Church of Scotland , which before espoused her Testimony , was partly drawn by Craft , and partly by Cruelty , from a Conjunction with their Brethren in prosecuting the same , either into an open defection to the contrary side , or into a detestable indifferency and neutrality in the Cause of God. For first of all , the Duke of Monmouth procured the emission of a pretended Indemnity , attended with a Bond of Peace for its Companion ; wherein that Insurrection was acknowledged to be Rebellion , and ane Obligation never to rise in Arms against the King , or any Commissionate by him , and to live peaceably , &c. Which were dreadful Snars fairded over with curious words and cozening names of living peaceably , &c. This course of defection carried away many at that time : And from that time , since the taking that Bond of peaceable living , there hath been an Universal preferring of Peace to Truth , and Ease to Duty . And the Generality have been left to swallow all Oaths and Bonds imposed since ; many Ministers refusing to give their advice when required and requested thereunto , and some not being ashamed to perswade the People to take them . But then they not only raised more Forces to exhaust the strength and substance of the already wasted Country , and laid on and continued from one Term to another that wicked Exaction and cruel Oppression of the Cess , for the same declared ends of suppressing and banishing what remained of the Gospel , and imposed Localites for maintaining the Souldiers imployed in those Designs ; for refusing which many Families were Pillaged , Plundered , and quite Impoverished , besides the beating and abusing them : But also they went on unweariedly with pressing the Bonds of Peace , and dragging them like Dogs to the Prisons that would not subscribe them , and for taking up in their Porteous Rolls the Names of all that were suspected to have been at Bothwell Insurrection ; which they gathered by the Informations of Sycophants , and reputed them Convict , if being summoned they did not appear , and forced others to Swear Super Inquirendis , and delate upon Oath whom they did either see or heard that they were in Arms , or went to Meetings ; and such as refused suffered Bonds of Banishment . Yea , having made it Criminal to reset , harbour , correspond or converse with those whom they declared Rebels , they thereupon imprisoned , fined , and ruined vast numbers , for having seen or spoken with some of them , or because they did not discover or apprehend them when they fancied they might , for which many Gentlemen and others were Indicted and imprisoned , and some Arraigned and Condemned to Death . For these Causes , the Country was Harrassed and destroyed by four extraordinary Circuit Courts , successively going about with their numerous Train , whereby many were grievously oppressed , and with their Oppressions tempted with many Impositions of Conscience-debauching Oaths , and Bonds to compear when called , and to keep the Church , and to refrain from going to Meetings , &c. and by these tentations involved in Complyances and Defections . And not only were they Condemned to Death , for being actually in Arms , or any overt Act of Transgressing their wicked Laws , but even for their extorted Opinion of things , or because they would not Condemn these necessitated risings in Arms to be Rebellion and a Sin against God , which they were forced to declare by terrible menacings of Death ; making their Arbitrary Laws to reach the Heart , Thoughts , and inward Sentiments of the Mind , as well as outward Actions . Whereupon this became a Criminal Question robbing many of their Lives , Was the rising at Bothwell-bridge Rebellion and a Sin against God ? And this , Was the killing of the Bishop of St Andrews horrid Murther ? Which if any answered negatively , or did not answer affirmatively , they were cruelly Condemned to Death . The Ministry then also were generally insnared with that Bonded Indulgence , the pretended benefit of that forementioned Indemnity . For , when a Proclamation was emitted , inveighing bitterly against Field-Meetings , and absolutely introducing all such for the future under highest pain , but granting Liberty to Preach in Houses upon the Terms of a Cautionany Bond given for their living peaceably : Yet excluding all these Ministers who were suspected to have been at the late Rebellion , and all those who shall afterwards be admitted by Non-Conform Ministers : And certifying , that if ever they shall be at any Field-Conventicle , the said Indemnity shall not be useful to such Transgressours any manner of way : And requiring security that none under the colour of this favour continue to Preach Rebellion . Though there seems to be enough in the Proclamation it self to have scared them from this scandalous snare ; Yet a Meeting of Ministers at Edinburgh made up of Indulged , avowed Applauders of the Indulgence , or underhand Approvers and favourers of the same , and some of them old Publick Resolutioners , assuming to themselves the name of a General Assembly , voted for the acceptance of it . And so formerly transacted and bargained upon base , dishonest and dishonourable Terms with the Usurper , by consenting and compacting with the People to give that Bond , wherein the People upon an humble Petition to the Counsel , obtaining their Indulged Minister , do bind and oblige that he shall live peaceably . And in order thereto to present him before his Majesty's Privy Council , when they shall be called so to do ; And in case of failure in not presenting him , to be liable to the Sum of 6000 Merks . Whereby they Condemned themselves of former unpeaceableness . Many embraced this new Bastard Indulgence that had not the benefit of the former Brat , of the same Mother the Supremacy , and far more consented to it without a Witness , and most of all did some way homolegate it , in Preaching under the Sconce of it : Declining the many reiterated and urgent Calls of the zealous Lovers of Christ , to come out and maintain the Testimony of the Gospel in the open Fields , for the honour of their Master and the freedom of their Ministry . Whereupon , as many poor People were tumbled and jumbled into many confusions , so that they were so bewildered and bemisted in doubts and debates , that they knew not what to do , and were tempted to question the Cause formerly so fervently contended for against all opposition , than so simply abandoned , by those that seemed sometimes valiant for it , when they saw them consulting more their onw ease than the Concerns of their Masters Glory , or the necessity of the poor People Hungering for the Gospel ; so the more zealous and faithful , after several Addresses , Calls and Invitations to Ministers , finding themselves deserted by them , judged themselves under a necessity to discountenance many of them , whom formerly they followed with pleasure ; and to resolve upon a persuit and prosecution of Duty of the Day without them , and to provide themselves with faithful Ministers , who would not shun for all hazards , to declare the whole Counsel of God. And accordingly , the Lord sent them first Mr. Richard Cameron , with whom after serious solicitation his Brethren denied their Concurrence , and then Mr. Donald Cargill , who , with a zeal and boldness becoming Christs Ambassadours , maintained and prosecuted the Testimony , against all the Indignities done to their Master and wrongs to the Cause , both by the encroachments of Adversaries , and Defections of their declining Brethren . And now the Lords Inheritance was again revived . But as Christ was then displaying his Beauty to his poor despised and persecuted People ; the Duke of York came to Scotland , who did receive him in great Pomp and Pride . Against which , the forementioned faithful Witnesses of Christ did find themselves obliged to testifie their just resentment , and to protest against his succeeding to the Crown , in their Declaration published at Sanquhair , Iune 22. 1680. Wherein also they disown Charles Stuart , as having any Right , Title , or Interest in the Crown of Scotland or Government thereof , because of his breath of Covenant , and Vsurpation on Christs Prerogatives , &c. And declare a War with him , and all the Men of these Practices , homologating the Testimony at Rutherglen , and disclaiming that Declaration at Hamiltown . This Action was generally Condemned by the Body of lurking Ministers ; both for the matter of it , and the unseasonableness of it , and its apparent unfeasiblness , being done by a handful so inconsiderable , for number , strength , or significancy . But tho' it is not the prudence of the management , but the justness of the Action , that I would have vindicated from Obloquies ; yet it wanted nothing but success to justifie both , in the Conviction of many that made much outcry against it . In these dangerous Circumstances their difficulties and discouragements dayly encreased , by their Enemies vigilancy , their enviers Treachery , and their own inadvertency , some of their number falling into the hands of them that sought their lives . For two of the most eminent and faithful Witnesses of Christ , Mr. Donald Cargill , and Henry Hall , were surprized at Queens Ferrie . Mr. Cargill escaped at that time , but the other endeavouring to resist the Enemies , was Murdered by them . And with him they got a draught of a Covenant , declaring their present purposes and future Resolutions . The Tenor whereof was an Engagement , To free the Church of God of the Corruption of Prelacy on the one hand , and the Thraldom of Erastianism on the other : To persevere in the Doctrin of the Reformed Churches , especially that of Scotland , and in the Presbyterian Government , exercised in Sessions , Presbyteries , Synods and General Assemblies , as a distinct Government from the Civil , and distinctly to be exercised , not after a Carnal manner , by plurality of Votes , or Authority of a single Person , but according to the word of God making and carrying the sentence : To execute Righteous Iudgement impartially , according to the Word , and degree of Offence , upon the Committers of these things , especially , to wit , Blasphemy , &c. Oppression and Malignancy , &c. To reject the present Rulers ; as the only speedy way of relaxation from the Wrath of God lying on the Land : Therefore easily solving the Objectious ( 1. ) of our Ancestors obliging the Nation to this Race and Line ; that they did not buy their Liberty with our Thraldom , nor could they bind their Children to any thing so much to their prejudice : They could only bind to that Government which they esteemed the best for common good , which reason ceasing , we are free to chuse another , if we find it more conducible for that end . ( 2 ) Of the Covenant binding to defend the King : That that Obligation is only in his maintenance of the true Covenanted Religion ; which Homage they cannot now require upon the account of the Covenant , which they have renounced and disclaimed ; and upon no other ground we are bound to them , the Crown not being an Inheritance , that passeth from Father to Son , without the consent of Tenants . ( 3 ) Of the hope of returning from these Courses : That suppose they should dissemble a repentance , yet the Land cannot be cleansed from their Guiltness , but by executing Gods Righteous Iudgments upon them . Vpon these accounts they reject that King , and those associate with him in the Government , and declare them henceforth no lawful Rulers , as they had declared them to be no lawful Subjects , they having destroyed the established Religion , taken away Christs Church Government , &c. And declare they shall , God giving power , set up Government and Governours according to the word of God , and the qualifications required , Exod. 18. v. 20. And shall not commit the Government to any single Person , or lineal succession . And moreover , that these Men set over them shall be engaged to govern Principally , by that Civil and judicial Law ( not that which is any way typical ) given by God to his People of Israel , especially in matters of Life and Death , and other things , so far as they reach , and are consistent with Christian Liberty , exempting Divorce and Poligamy . And seeing that the greatest part of Ministers , not only were defective in Preaching against the Acts of the Rulers for overthrowing Religion , &c. they declare they neither can nor will hear them . They are for a standing Gospel-Ministry , rightly chosen and rightly ordained , and that no● shall take upon them the Preaching of the Word , &c. unless called and ordained thereunto . And whereas separation might be imputed to them , they refell both the Malice , and the Ignorance of the Calumny : For if there be a Separation , it must be where the change is ; and that was not to be found in them , who were not separating from the Communion of the true Church , not setting up a new Ministry , but cleaving to the same Ministers and Ordinances , that formerly they followed , when others have fled to new ways , and a new Authority , which is like the new piece in the Old Garment . And that they shall defend themselves in their Civil , Natural and Divine Rights and Liberties ; And if any assault them , they shall took on it as a declaring a War , and take all advantages that one Enemy does of another , but trouble and injure none but those that injure them . This is the Compend of that Paper which the Enemies seized and published , while it was only in a rude Draught , and not polished , digested , nor consulted by the rest of the Community . That poor Party continued together in a posture of defence , without the Concurrence or countenance of their Covenanted Brethren , until the 22 th of Iuly , 1680. Upon the which day they were attacqued at Airsemoss , by a strong party of about 120 Horse well armed , while they were but 23 Horse and 40 foot at most : And so fighting valiantly , were at length routed . Several of Sions precious Mourners , and faithful Witnesses of Christ , were killed ; and among the rest , that faithful Minister of Christ , Mr. Richard Cameron sealed and fulfilled his Testimony with his Blood. And with others , the valiant and much Honoured Gentleman , David Hackston of Rathillet , was after many received Wounds apprehended , brought in to Edinburgh , and there , resolutely adhering to the Testimony , and disowning the Authority of King and Council , and all their Tyrannical Judicatories , head and tail , and for being accessory to executing judgment upon the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews , was tortured alive , with the cutting off of his hands , and then Hanged , and before he was Dead , Ripped up his Heart , taken our , carried about upon the point of a Knife , and thrown into a F●re , and afterwards his Body Quartered . Then , not only such as were with that little handful at Airsemoss were Cruelly Murdered , but others against whom they could charge no matter of Fact , were questioned if they owned the Kings Authority ; which if any did not answer affirmatively and positively , he was to look for nothing but exquisite Torments and Death . And if any declared their judgment , that they could not in Conscience own such Authority as was then exercised ; or if they declined to give their thoughts of it , as judging thoughts to be under no humane Jurisdiction ; or if they answered with such innocent Specifications as these , that they owned all Authority in the Lord , or for the Lord , or according to the word of God , or all just and lawful Authority , these underwent and suffered the Capital Punishment of Treason . And yet both declining and declaring their extorted Answers about this , they were Condemned as unsufferable . Maintainers of Principles inconsistent with Government . But chiefly they laboured to Murder the Soul , defile the Conscience , and only consult to cast a Man down from his excellency , which is his integrity ; either by Hectoring or Flattering from the Testimony : which they endeavoured by proposing many offers , with many threatnings in subtile Terms ; And pretending a great deal of tenderness , protesting they would be as tender of their Blood as of their own Soul , and purging themselves as Pilate did , and charging it upon their own Head. They would be very easie in their Accomodations , where they found the poor Man beginning to faint , and hearken to their overtures , wherein they would grant him his life , yeilding to him , as cunning Anglers do with Fishes : And to perswade him to some length in complying , they would offer Conference sometimes , or reasoning upon the Point , to satisfie and inform his Conscience , as they pretended , but really to catch him with their busked Hook. If they had any hope of prevailing , they would change a Mans Prison , and take him out from among the more strict and fervent in the Cause , that might sharpen and strengthen his Zeal , and put him among the more cool and remiss . Sometimes they would stage several together , whereof they knew some would Comply , to tantalize the rest with the sight of the others Liberty , and make them bite the more eagerly at their Bait , to catch the Conscience . But when they had done all they could , Christ had many Witnesses , who did retain the Crown of their Testimony in the smallest points , till they obtained the Crown of Martyrdom . But here , as in Egypt , the more they were afflicted , the more they grew : So that many were reclaimed from their Courses of Complyance , and others were daily more and more confirmed in the ways of the Lord , and so strengthned that they chose rather to endure all Torture , and embrace Death in its most terrible aspect , than to give the Tyrant and his Complices any acknowledgment : Yea , not so much as to say , God save the King , which was offered at the price of their Life ; but they would not accept Deliverance on these Terms . Now remained Mr. Donald Cargil , deprived of his faithful Collegue , destitute of his Brethrens Concurrence ; who prosecuted the Testimony against the Universal Apostasie of the Church and Nation , Tyranny of Enemies , Backsliding of Friends , and all the wrongs done to his Master on all hands : And considering , in the Zeal of God , and Sense of his holy Jealousie provoked , and threatning Wrath against the Land , for the Sins , especially of Rulers ; that notwithstanding of all their Testimonies given against them , by publick Preachings , Protestations and Declarations , remonstrating their Tyranny , and disowning their Authority ; yet not only did they persist in their Sins and Scandals , but were owned also by Professours , not only as Magistrates , but as Members of the Christian and Protestant Church ; and that however both the Defensive Arms of Men had been used against them , and the Christian Arms of Prayers , and the Ministerial Weapon of Preaching , yet that of Ecclesiastical Censure had not been Authoritatively exerted against them : Therefore that no Weapon which Christ allows his Servants under his Standard to manage against his Enemies might be wanting , tho' he could not obtain the Concurrence of his Brethren to strengthen the Solemnity and Formality of the Action ; yet he did not judge that Defect , in this broken Case of the Church , could disable his Authority , nor demur the Duty , but that he might and ought to proceed to Excommunication . And accordingly in Sept. 1680. at the Torwood , he Excommunicated some of the most scandalous and principal Promoters and Abettors of this Conspiracy against Christ , as formally as the present Case could admit : After Sermon upon Ezek 21. 25 , 26 , 27. And thou profane wicked Prince of Israel , whose Day is come , &c. The Persons Excommunicated , and the Sentence against them , was given forth as follows . I being a Minister of Iesus Christ , and having Authority and Power from him , do , in his Name and by his Spirit , Excommunicate , cast out of the Church , and deliver up to Satan , Charles the Second , King &c. The Sentence was founded on these Grounds ; For 〈◊〉 great Perjury in breaking and burning the Covenant ; for his rescinding all Laws ; for establishing the Reformation , end enacting Laws contrary thereunto ; For commanding of Arms to destroy the Lords People ; For his granting Remissions and Pardons for Murderers , which is in the power of no King to do , &c. Next by the same Authority , and in the same Name , he Excommunicated James Duke of York , for his Idolatry , and setting up in Scotland to defile the Land , and enticing and encouraging others to do 〈◊〉 With several other rotten Malignant Enemies . But about this time , when some in zeal for the Cause were endeavouring to keep up the Testimony of the day , in an abstraction from Complying Ministers ; others were left to fall into fearful extravagancies and delirious and damnable Delusions , being overdriven with ignorant and blind Zeal into untroden Paths , which led them into a Labyrinth of Darkness : When as they were stumbled at many Ministers their unfaithfulness , so they came to be offended at Mr Cargill his Faithfulness , who spared neither left-hand Declensions , nor-right hand Extreams , and left him and all the Ministers , not only disowning all Communion with those that were not of their way , but Execrating and Cursing them ; and kept themselves in desart places from all Company , where they persisted prodigiously in Fastings , and singing Psalms , pretending to wonderful Raptures and Enthusiasms : And in fine , Iohn Gib with 4 more of them came to that height of Blasphemy , that they burnt the Bible and Confession of Faith. These were the Sweet Singers , as they were called , led away into these Delusions by that Impostor and Sorcerer , Iohn Gib , of which destructive way the approached Remnant , adhering to the foresaid Testimony , had always an Abhorrence of . Wherefore that ignorant and impudent Calumny , of their Consortship with Gibs Followers , is only the vent of viperous Envy : For they were the first that discovered them , and reclaimed them , and were always so far from partaking with them , that to this day these that have come off from that way , and have offered the Confession of their Scandal , do still complain of their over-rigid Severity , in not admitting them to their select Fellowships . Shortly after this , Mr. Donald Cargill finished his Testimony , being apprehended with other two faithful and zealous Witnesses of Christ , Mr. William Smith , and Mr. Iames Beeg , who with two more were altogether at Edinburgh 27 , Iuly 1681. Crowned with the Glory of Martyrdom . Then came the Day of the Remnants vexation ; the Persecution vaxing on the one hand , and a violent Spirit of defection carrying down the most part of Ministers and Professours before it , driving them to Courses of sinful and scandalous Conformings with the Times Corruptions , Compearings before their Courts , Complyings with their Commands , paying of their Cesses and other Exactions , taking of their Oaths and Bonds , and countenancing their Prelatical Church-Services , which they were ashamed to do before : And thereupon on the other hand the Divisions and Confusions were augmented , and poor People that desired to cleave to the Testimony , were more and more offended and troubled at the Ministers , who either left the Land , or lurked in their own retirements . But the remaining Contenders fell upon the expedient of corresponding in General Meetings , to consult , inform and confirm one another , about common Duties in common Dangers ; Laying down this General Conclusion for a foundation of Order to be observed among them in incident doubtful Cases , and emergent Controversies , that nothing relative to the publick , and which concerns the whole of their Community , be done by any of them , without harmonious consent sought after , and rationally waited for , and sufficient deliberation about the best means and manner . In the mean time , the Duke of York , as Commissioner from his Brother , held a Parliament , in which he is declared legal and lineal Successour ; and a Test is framed for a Pest to Consciences , which turned out of all Places of Trust any that had any remaining measure of common Honesty . And to all the Cruel Acts then and before made against the People of God , there was one superadded , regulating the Execution of all the rest , whereby at one dash all Civil and Criminal Justice was overthrown , That the Right of Iurisdiction both in Civil and Criminal Matters is so inherent in the Crown , that his Majesty may judge all Causes by himself , or any other he thinks fit to Commissionate . Here was a Law for Commissionating Souldiers to take away the Lives of Innocents , as was frequently exemplified afterwards . Against which encroachments on Religion and Liberty , the faithful thought themselves obliged to emit a Testimony . And therefore published a Declaration at Lanerk , Ian. 12. 1682. Confirming the proceeding at Sanquhair , and adding reasons of their Revolt from the Government of Charles the Second : For his arrogantly arrogated Supremacy in all Causes Civil and Ecclesiastick , and oppressing the Godly for Conscience and Duty ; for installing a Successour , such an one ( if not worse ) as himself , and framing the Test ; &c. And in end offer to prove , they have only endeavoured in this to extricate themselves from under a Tyrannous Yoke , and to reduce Church and State to what they were in the Years 1648 and 1649. After which Declaration they were more Condemned by them that were at ease , than ever . For which Cause , in the next General Meeting , they resolved to delegate some of their number to Forreign Churches , on purpose to vindicate themselves from these Calumnies ; And withal to provide for a Succession of Witnesses . Therefore by that means having obtained access for the instruction of some young Men , at an University in the united Provinces , in process of time , Mr. Iames Renwick , received Ordination there , and came home to take up the Standard of his Master , upon the ground where it was left . Which undertaking , notwithstanding all the Rage of Enemies , and all the Scourge of Tongues of incensed Professours , he Prosecuted by many weary wandrings , Night and Day , Preaching , Conferring and Catechising , until , not only was the faithful Witnessing Remnant that joyned in the Testimony , further cleared , confirmed and encouraged , and their number much encreased by the coming in and joyning of many others to the Fellowship of their setled Societies ; but also many others , in other places of the Country were induced to the contracting themselves in the like , to the setling such Fellowships in most of the Southern Shires . But then the fury of Persecutors began to flame more flagrantly than ever ; not only in sending out Cruel Souldiers , Foot , Horse and Dragoons , to pursue after them , in the wildest and remotest recesses in the Wilderness ; but emitting Edicts allowing them to kill , slay , hang , drown , and destroy such as they could apprehend of them pro libitu ; and commanding the Country to assist them , &c. For which Cause , to preserve themselves from , and put a stop to that deluge of Blood , and demur and deter the Insolency of Intelligencers and Informers , they were necessitate to publish the Apologetick Declaration , and affix it upon several Mercat-Crosses , and Parish-Church Doors , Nov. 8. 1684. Wherein they declare their firm Resolution of constant adherence to their Covenants and Engagements , and to the Declarations disowning the Authority of Charles Stewart , and to testifie to the World , that they purpose not to injure or offend any whomsoever , but to pursue the ends of their Covenants , in standing to the defence of the Work of Reformation , and of their own Lives ; yet if any shall stretch forth their hand against them , by shedding their Blood actually , either by Authoritative commanding , or obeying such Commands , to search for them and deliver them up to the spilling of their Blood , to inform against them , to raise the Hue and Cry after them , and delate them before their Courts : All these shall be reputed by them Enemies to God and the Covenanted Reformation , and punished as such , according to their Power , and the degree of their offence , if they shall continue so malitiously to proceed against them : And declare , they abhor and condemn any personal attempts , upon any pretext whatsoever , without previous Deliberation , common or competent consent , without certain probation by sufficient Witnesses , the guilty Persons Confession , or the notoriousness of the deeds themselves : And in the end warn the bloody Doegs and flattering Ziphites informing against them , to be expect to be dealt with as they deal with them . This Declaration occasioned greater Tryals to them and trouble to the Country , by the pressing an Oath abjuring the same universaly up on all , as well Women as Men , and suffering none to Travel without a Pass , declaring they had taken that Oath ; and giving power to all Hostlers and Inn-keepers to impose Oaths upon all Passengers , Travellers , Gentlemen or Country-men , who were to Swear that their Passes were not forged . And Prisoners that would not take the Oath , were according to the foresaid Act , Condemned , and Executed . And after that , they gave Orders and Commands to the Souldiers to pursue the Chase after these Wanderers more violently , and shoot , or otherwise put them to Death wherever they could apprehend them . Hence followed such a slaughter and seizure of them , that common People usually date their common Occurrences since , from that beginning of killing time , as they call it . Yet that Declaration was so far effectual , as to scare many from their former diligence in informing against them , and to draw out some to joyn with the Wanderers more publickly , even when the danger was greatest of owning any respect to them . In the beginning of this killing time , the first Author and Authorizer of all these Mischiefs , Charles II. was removed by Death . And the Duke of York succeeding , immediately upon his mounting the Throne , the Executions and Acts prosecuting the Prosecution of the poor Wanderers , were more Cruel than ever . Now the Earl of Argyle having been Arraig●ed and Condemned for his Explanation of the Test , but escaped out of the Castle of Edinburgh ; and after him several Gentlemen being arbitrarily oppressed and troubled , upon the Act of Intercommuning with Rebels , and for a pretended Plot against the Government ( as they called it ; ) and many other Gentlemen having lost either their Lives or Fortunes , many did resort to the United Provinces . From whence , as soon as they had provided themselves with Arms , after the ascending of Iames Duke of York , they returned to Scotland , under the conduct of the Earl of Argyle , their chosen Captain . And Argyle's Party perceiving that their Enemies were above ten times their number , dispersed , every Man shifting for himself . The Enemies searching the Country , gleaned up the Earl of Argyle himself , Col. Rumbold , an English Man , Mr. Thomas Archer Minister , Gawin Russel , and David Law , who were all Condemned and Executed at Edinburgh ; and many others who were Banished to America : And about some 20 in the Highlands , who were Hanged at Ineravie . In the mean time , the Wanderers , tho' they did not associate with this Expedition , upon the account of the too promiscuous admittance of Persons to trust in that party , who were then , and since have discovered themselves to be Enemies to the Cause , and because they could not espouse their Declaration as the State of their Quarrel , being not concerted according to the constant plea of the Scots Covenanters : Yet against this Usurpation of a Papist , they published another Declaration at Sanquhair , May 28. 1685. Wherein , approving and adhering unto all their former Declarations , and considering that James Duke of York , a profest and Excommunicate Papist , was proclaimed ; to testifie their Resentment of that deed , and to make it appear unto the World , that they were free thereof , by Concurrence or Connivance ; they protest against the foresaid Proclamation of James Duke of York as King : In regard that is contrary to the Declaration of the General Assembly , July 27 , 1649. And they protest against the Validity and Constitution of that Parliament , approving and ratifying the foresaid Proclamation , &c. This was their Testimony against Popery in the Season thereof ? Which tho' it was not so much Condemned as any former Declarations , yet neither in this had they the Concurrence of any Ministers or Professours ; who as they had been silent , and omitted a seasonable Testimony against Prelacy and the Supremacy , when these were introduced , so now also they were left to let slip this opportunity of a Testimony against Popery , to the reproach of the declining and far degenerate Church of Scotland . Yea to their shame , the very Rabble of ignorant People may be brought as a Witness against the Body of Presbyterian Ministers in Scotland , in that they testified their detestation of the first Erection of the Idolatrous Mass , and some of the Souldiery , and such as had no Profession of Religion , suffered unto Death for speaking against Popery , and the designs of the King , while the Ministers were silent . And some of the Curats , and Members of the late Parliament , 1686. made some stickling against the taking away of the Penal Statutes against Papists ; while Presbyterians , from whom might have been expected greater opposition , were sleeping in a profound Submission . I cannot without confusion of Spirit touch these obvious and dolorous Reflections , and yet in Candour cannot forbear them . However the Persecution against the Wanderers went on ; there were more Butchered and Slaughtered in the Fields , than in all the former Tyrants Reign ; there have been more Banished to Forreign Plantations in this Mans time , than in the others ; and there have been more cruel Acts of Parliament enacted in this Tyrants time , than the former made all his Reign . For not only was there an Act making it Treason to refuse the Oath of Abjuration , confirming all their procedure hereupon before ; but an Act making it Criminal to own the Covenant , and another Act making it Criminal for any to be present at a Field-Meeting , which was only so to Preachers before . But a relenting abatement of severity was pretended against other Dissenters . At length what could not be obtained by Law at the late Parliament for taking off the Statutes against Papists , was effectuated by Prerogative , in a Proclamation dated Feb. 12 , 1687. But this was so gross , and grievously griping in its restrictions , as to Persons , as to the place , as to the matter allowed the Presbyterians in Preaching , that it was disdained of all ; and therefore he behoved to busk it better , and mend the matter , in a Letter to the Council , bearing date March 31. 1687. Of this Tenor , Whereas we did recommend to you to take care , that any of the Presbyterians should not be allowed to Preach , but such only as should have your allowance for the same , and that they at the receiving the Indulgence should take the Oath contained in the Proclamation ; these are therefore to let you know , that thereby we meant such of them as did not solemnly take the Test. But if nevertheless the Presbyterian Preachers do scruple to take the said Oath , or any other Oath what soever , and that you shall find it reasonable or fit to grant them or any of them our said Indulgence , so as they desire it upon these terms ; It is now our Will and Pleasure to grant them the said Indulgence ( during our Pleasure only ) or so long as you shall find they behave themselves regularly and peaceably , without giving any cause of offence to us , or any in Authority or Trust under us in our Government . But at length to take of all difformity and disparity of the Proclamation for the Toleration in Scotland , and the Declaration for Liberty of Conscience in England ; he added a third eke to the Liberty , in another Proclamation dated Iune 28 , 1687. And this is the Royal Charter for ●●curity of the Protestant Religion in lieu of all the Laws , Constitutions , and Oaths wherewith it was formerly confirmed . This is the only Patent which the Royal Dalilees , the Moderate Presbyterians have now received to ensure their enjoyment of it durante beneplacito . But as for the poor Wanderers , while others are rejoycing under the Bramble-shadow of it , they think it a cause of weeping and matter of mourning , not because they do not share of the benefit of it , but because they are afraid to share of the Curse of it . For which Cause , they do look upon it as a seasonable Testimony for the Cause of Christ , and the Interest of the Protestant Religion , and the Laws and Liberties of the Country , all overturned and subverted by this Toleration , to keep their Meetings as in former times ; thinking it sinful , scandalous and inconvenient to seem to homologate this Toleration , the wickedness whereof they are convinced of , from these Reasons ( besides those for which they rejected the former Indulgencies , Indemnities and Tolerations , and those which regard the Granter , as to his Principles and Religion . For considering the Fountain whence it flows , they cannot defile themselves with it , it being refounded on Absolute Power , proclaiming by sound of Trumpet a Power Paramount to all Law ; a Power to tolerate or restrain the Protestant Religion , according to his Royal Will or Pleasure . Now the acceptance of this Grant , would imply the recognizance of this power that the Granter claims in Granting it : Which utterly dissolves all Government , and all security for Religion and Liberty . ) Considering also the Channel in which it is conveyed , they cannot comply with it . Because it comes through such a Conveyance as Casses , annulls , stops , suspends and disables all Penal Laws against Papists , and thereby eve●ts all the Securities and legal Bulwarks that Protestants can have for the establishment of their Religion ; yea , in effect leaves no Laws in force against any that shall attempt the utter subversion of it ; but ratifies and leaves in full rigour all wicked Laws and Acts of Parliament , against such as would most avowedly assert it . Hence as he hath formerly by Absolute Power suspended all Laws made for the Protection of our Religion , so he may when he will dispense with all the Laws made for its establishment ; and those who approve the one by such an Acceptance , cannot disallow the other , but must recognosce a Power in the King to subvert all Laws , Rights and Liberties . Considering the Ends of its contrivance , they dare not have any accession to accomplish such wicked Projects , to which this Acceptance would be so natively subservient . Which Project was discovered in the English Declaration , viz. That he heartily wishes that all the People of these Dominions were Members of the Catholick Church . Considering the Effects already produced thereby , they cannot but abhor it . Seeing the Papists are thereby encouraged , all places filled with Priests and Jesuits ; yea , the executive Power of the Government put into the hands of the Romanists : And on the other hand a T●stimony against Antichrist is abandoned and laid aside as unseasonable , the edge of Zeal for the Interest of Christ is blunted , they that should stand in the Gap and upon the Watch-Tower are laid aside from all opposition to the invasions of the Enemy , and lulled asleep by this bewitching Charm and intoxicating Opium ; Ministers and Professours are generally settling on their Lees and languishing in a fatal security . Considering the Extent of it , they cannot class themselves among the number of them that are Indulged thereby . Whereby the Professours of Christ come in as Partners in the same Bargain with Antichrists Vassals ; and the Lords Ark hath a place with Dagon , and its Priests and Followers consent to it , and the Builders of Babel and Ierusalem are made to build together , under the same Protection ; and a Sluce is opened to let the Enemy come in like a Flood , which to oppose , the Accepters cannot stand in a Gap , nor lift up a Standard against them . All which is contrary to the Confession of Faith Ch. 20. § . 4. And therefore to accept of this Toleration is inconsistent with the Principles of the Church of Scotland , with the National and Solemn League and Covenant , and Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins , and Engagement to Duties ; in all which we are bound to extirpate Popery . With the whole Tract of Contendings between the years 1638 and 1660. and particularly by the Testimony of the Synod of Fife , and other Brethren in the Ministry , against Cromwels vast Toleration and Liberty of Conscience , above related . For it is plain , if it be not to be suffered , then it is not to be accepted . Considering the Terms wherein it is offered , they cannot make such a shameful bargain . For by it the Matter of Preaching is so restricted and limited , that nothing must be Preached or Taught , which may any way tend to alienate the Hearts of the People from him or his Government . Here is a Price at which they are to purchase their Freedom , which yet hardly can be so exactly paid , but he may find a pretence for retrenching it when he pleases : For if a Minister shall Preach against the Kings Religion as Idolatry , and the Church of Rome as Babylon , &c. This shall be interpreted to be an alienation of the Peoples Hearts from the King and his Government . But who can be faithful , and Preach in Season and out of Season now , but he must think it his Duty to endeavour thus to alienate the Hearts of the People ? Sure if any Preach the whole Counsel of God , he must Preach against Popery . And if he think that this Indulgence , granted and accepted on these Terms , can supersede him from this Faithfulness , then he is no more the Servant of Christ , but a pleaser of Men. Considering the Scandal of it , they dare not so offend the Generation of the Righteous by the Acceptance , and dishonour God , disgrace the Protestant Profession , wrong the Interest thereof , and betray their Native-Country , as thus to comply with the design of Antichrist . And it cannot but be very stumbling to see the Ministers of Scotland , whose Testimony used to be terrible to the Popish , and renowned through all the Protestant-Churches , purchasing a Liberty to themselves at the rate of burying and betraying the Cause into Bondage and restraint , and thus to be laid by from all active and open opposition to Antichrists Designs , in such a Season . The World will be tempted to think , they are not governed by Principles , but their own Interest in this Juncture , seeking their own things more than the things of Christ ; And that it was not the late Usurpation upon , and overturning of Religion and Liberty that offended them , so much as the Persecution they sustained thereby ; but that if Arbitrary Power had been exerted in their favours , tho' with the same prejudice of the Cause of Christ , they would have complyed with it , as they do now . Alas ! Sad and dolorous have been the Scandals given and taken , by and from the Declining Ministers of Scotland heretofore , but none so stumbling as this . Lastly , considering the Addresses made thereupon , with such a strain of fulsom and Blasphemous Flatteries , to the dishonour of God , the reproach of the Cause , the betraying of the Church , and detriment o● the Nation , and exposing themselves to the Contempt of all , the poor Persecuted Party dare not so much as seem to incorporate with them ▪ I shall set down the first of their Addresses , and let the Reader judge whether there be not Cause of standing also off from every appearance of being of their number . It is Dated at Edinburgh , Iuly 21 , 1687. Of this Tenor. To the King 's most Excellent Majesty , The Humble Address of the Presyterian Ministers of his Majesties Kingdom of Scotland . WE Your Majesties most Loyal Subjects , the Ministers of the Presbyterian Perswasion in your Ancient Kingdom of Scotland , from the due Sense we have of Your Majesties Gracious and surprising favour , in not only putting a stop to our long sad Sufferings for Non-Conformity , but granting the Liberty of the Publick and Peaceable Exercise of our Ministerial Function without any hazard : As we bless the Great God , who hath put this in your Royal Heart , we do withal find our selves bound in Duty to offer our most Humble and Hearty thanks to Your Sacred Majesty , the Favour bestowed being to us , and all the People of our Perswasion , valuable above all our Earthly comfort ; especially since we have ground from Your Majesty to believe that our Loyalty is not to be questioned upon the account of our being Presbyterians , who as we have amidst all former tentations endeavoured , so we are firmly resolved still to preserve an entire Loyalty in our Doctrin and Practice ( consonant to our known Principles , which according to the Holy Scriptures are contained in the Confession of Faith , generally owned by Presbyterians in all Your Majesties Dominions ) and by the help of God so to demean our selves , as Your Majesty may find Cause rather to enlarge than diminish your Favours towards us ; throughly perswading our selves from Your Majesties Iustice and Goodness , that if we shall at any time be otherwise represented , Your Majesty will not give credit to such Information , until you have due cognition thereof : And Humbly beseeching , that those who promote any Disloyal Principles and Practices ( as we disown them ) may be looked upon as none of ours , whatsoever name they assume to themselves . May it please Your most Excellent Majesty Gracio●sly to accept of this ou● most Humble Address , as proceeding from the plainness and sincerity of Loyal and Thankful Hearts , much engaged by Your Royal Favour ▪ to continue our Fervent Prayers to the King of King's , for Divine Illumination and Conduct , with all other Blessings Spiritual and Temporal , ever to attend Your Royal Person and Government , which is the greatest Duty can be rendred to Your Majesty by Your Majesties most Humble , most Faithful , and most Obedient Subjects . Subscribed in our Names , and in the Name of the rest of our Brethren of our Perswasion , at thei● Desire . The King's Letter to the Presbyterians in his Ancient Kingdom of Scotland . WE Love you well , and we heartily thank you for your Address : We resolve to protect you in your Liberty , Religion and Properties , all our Life : And we shall lay down such Methods as shall not be in the Power of any to alter hereafter . And in the mean time we desire you to pray for our Person and Government . To which may be added that kind Complement of the Chancellours . Gentlemen , My Master hath commanded me to tell you , that I am to serve you in all things within the compass of my Power . These Gentlemen needed not to have been sollicitous , that those who avouch an Adherence to the Covenanted Reformation , and avow an opposition to Antichristian Usurpers ( which they call promoting Disloyal Principles and Practices ) might not be looked upon as of their Confederacy : For all that abide in the Principles and Practices of the Church of Scotland ( which they have deserted ) would count it a Sin and Scandal , to be reckoned of their Association who have thus betrayed the Cause and the Country . These mutual Complements between the professed Servants of Christ and the Vassals of Antichrist , if they be Cordial , would seem to import that they are in a fair way of compounding their differences , and to accomodate their oppositions at length : But if they be only adulatory and flattering Complements , importing only a Conjunction of Tails , like Samsons Foxes , with a Disjunction of Heads and Hearts , tending towards distinct and opposite interests ; then , as they would suit far better the Dissimulations of Politicians , than the Simplicity of Gospel-Ministers , and do put upon them the Brand of being Men-pleasers rather than Servants of Christ , so for their Dissemblings with Dissemblers , who know their Complements , to be and take them for such , they may look to be paid home in good Measure , heaped up and running over , when such Methods shall be laid down as shall not be in the Power of any to alter , when such designs shall be obtained by this Liberty and these Addresses , that the afterbought Wit of the Addressers shall not be able to disappoint . However the Address is such , as makes the thing addressed for to be odious , and the Addressers to forfeit the respects and merit the indignation of all that are Friends to the Protestant and Presbyterian Cause ; as may appear from these obvious Reflections . 1. It was needful indeed they should have assumed the Name of Presbyterians , and call it the humble Address of Presbyterians Ministers : For otherwise it would never have been known to come from Men of the Presbyterian Perswasion ; seeing the Contents of this Address are so clearly contrary to their known Principles . It is contrary to Presbyterian Principles , to congratulate an Antichristian Usurper for undermining Religion , and overturning Laws and Liberties . It is contrary to Presbyterian Principles , to justifie the abrogation of the National-Covenant , in giving thanks for a Liberty whereby all the Laws are ●assed and disabled , therein confirmed . It is contrary to Presbyterian Principles , to thank the King for opening a door to bring in Popery , which they are engaged to ex●irpate in the Solemn League and Covenant . It is contrary to Presbyterian Principles to allow or accept of such a vast Toleration for Idolaters and Hereticks , as is evident above . It is contrary to Presbyterian Principles to consent to any Restrictions , Limitations , and Conditions , binding them up in the Exercise of the Ministerial function , whereby this Liberty is loaded and clogged : So that they cannot enjoy it without great hazard of Sin , and incurring the Guilt of the Blood of Souls , for not declaring the whole Council of God , which Addressers cannot declare , if they Preserve an en●ire Loyalty in their Doctrin , as here they promise . 2. There is nothing sounds here like the Old Presbyterian strain ; neither was there ever an Address of this stile seen before from Presbyterian Hands . It would have looked far more Presbyterian like , in stead of this Address , to have sent a Protestation against the new openly designed introduction of Popery , and subversion of all Laws and Liberties which they are Covenanted to maintain ; or at least to have given an Address in the usual Language of Presbyterians , who used always to speak of the Covenants , and Work of Reformation : But here never a word of these , but of Loyalty to his Excellent , to his Gracious , and to his Sacred Majesty , of Loyalty not to be questioned , an Entire Loyalty in Doctrin , a resolved Loyalty in Practice , and a fervent Loyalty in Prayers : And all that they are Sollicitous about , is not lest the Prerogatives of their Master be encroached upon , and the Liberties of the Church be supplanted , and Religion wronged ; but lest their Loyalty be question●d , and they be otherwise represented : And all that they beseech for is , not that the Cause of Christ be not wronged , nor Antichristian Idolatry introduced by this Liberty ; but that these who promove any disloyal Principles and Practices may be looked upon as none of theirs , wherein all their encouragement is , that they perswade themselves from his Majestys Iustice and Goodness , that he will not give Credit to any other information until he take due cognition thereof . Here is a Lawless unrestricted Loyalty to a Tyrant , claiming an Absolute Power to be obeyed without reserve , not only professed , but solicitously sought to be the Principle of Presbyterians ; whereas it is rather the Principle of Atheistical Hobbs exploded with indignation by all Rational Men. This is not the Presbyterian Loyalty to the King , in the defence of Christ his Evangel , Liberties of the Country , Ministration of Iustice , and punishment of iniquity , according to the National-Covenant ; and in the preservation and defence of the true Religion , and Liberties of the Kingdoms , according to the Solemn-League and Covenant : But an Erastian Loyalty to a Tyrant in his overturning Religion , Laws and Liberties . This Loyalty in Doctrin , will be found Disloyalty to Christ , in a sinful and shameful silence at the wrongs done to him , and not declaring against the Invasions of his open Enemies . This Loyalty in Practice is a plain betraying of Religion and Liberty , in lying by from all opposition to the open Destroyer of both . And this Loyalty in Prayers , for all Blessings ever to attend his Person and Government , will be neither conformed to Presbyterian Prayers in reference to Popish Tyrants , nor consistent with the Zeal of Christians , nor founded upon any Scripture Promises , to pray for Blessings to a Papists Tyranny , which cannot be of Faith , and therefore must be Sin. 3. This Address is so stuffed with sheaking Flatteries , that it would more become Sycophants and Court-Parasites , than Ministers of the Gospel ; and were more suitable to that Popish , Prelatical , and Malignant Faction to congratulate and rejoyce in their professed Patron and Head , and fill the Gazetts with their Adulatory Addresses , which heretofore used to be deservedly inveighed against by all Dissenters ; than for Presbyterians to take a Copy from them , and espouse the Practice which they had condemned before , and which was never commended in any good Government , nor never known in these British Nations , before Oliver's Usurpation ; Flattery being always counted base among ingenuous Men. But here is a Rhapsodie of Flatteries , from the deep Sense they have of his Majesties Gracious and surprizing favour ; finding themselves bound in Duty to offer their most humble and hearty thanks to his Sacred Majesty , the favour bestowed being to them valuable above all Earthly comforts . One would think it behoved to be a very great favour , from a very great Friend , for very gracious ends : But what is it ? In not only putting a stop to their long sad Sufferings ; which were some ground indeed , if the way were Honest : But this not only supposes an also ; what is that ? But also granting us the Liberty ; which is either a needless Tautology ( for if all Sufferings were stopped , then Liberty must needs follow , ) or it must respect the Qualifications of the Liberty ; flowing from such a Fountain , Absolute Power ; through such a conveyance , stopping all Penal Laws against Papists ; in such a Form as a Toleration ; for such Ends , as overturning the Reformation and introducing Popery . This is the Favour for which they offer most humble and hearty Thanks , more valuable to them than all Earthly Comforts . Sure , if they thank him for the Liberty , they must thank him for the Proclamation whereby he grants it , and justifie all his claim there to Absoluteness , being that upon which it is superstructed , and from which it emergeth ; and so become a listed Faction to abet and own him in all his attemptings , engaged now to demean themselves as that he may find Cause rather to enlarge than to diminish his favours , which can be no other way but in assisting him to destroy Religion and Liberty , at least in suffering him to do what he will without controll . O what an indeliberate reproach is this for Ministers , who pretend to be yet for the defence of the Gospel , thus to be found betraying Religion , through justifying and magnifying a Tyrant , for his suspension of so many Laws , whereby it was established and supported ! 4. It were more tolerable if they went no farther than Flatteries ; but I fear they come near the Border of Blasphemy , when they say , that the Great God hath put this in his Royal Heart ; which can bear no other Construction but this , that the Holy Lord hath put it in his Heart to assume to himself a Blasphemous and Absolute Power , whereby he stops and suspends all Penal Laws against Idolaters , and gives a Toleration for all Errors : If it be capable of any other Sense , it must be like that as the Lord is said to have moved David to number the People , or that Rev. 17. 17. God hath put it in their Hearts to fulfill his Will , and to agree and give their Kingdom to the Beast . But to bless God , and thank the Tyrant for this wicked Project , as deliberate and purposed by Men , I say is near unto Blasphemy . And again where they say , they are firmly resolved by the help of God so to demean themselves as his Majesty may find Cause rather to enlarge than to diminish his favours ; this in effect is as great Blasphemy , as if they had said , They resolved by the help of God to be as unfaithful Time-serving and silent Ministers as ever plagued the Church of God ; for no otherwise can they demean themselves so as he may find cause to enlarge his Favours towards them , it being no way supposable that his enlarging his Favours can consist with their faithfulness ; but if they discover any measure of Zeal against Antichrist , he will quickly diminish them . Thus far I have compendiously deduced the Account of the progress and Prosecution of the Testimony of this Church to the present State thereof . FINIS . A Catalogue of some Books Printed for Io. Hindmarsh at the Golden-Ball over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill . THE Antiquity of the Royal Line of Scotland farther Cleared and Defended , against the Exceptions lately offer'd by Dr. Stillingfleet , in his Vindication of the Bishop of St. Asaph . ●y Sir George Mackenzie , His Majesty's Advocate for the Kingdom of Scotland . The Moral History of Frugality with its opposite Vices , Covetousness , Niggardliness , Prodigality , and Luxury . Written by the Honourable Sir George Mackenzie , late Lord Advocate of Scotland . A Memorial for His Highness the Prince of Orange , in Relation to the Affairs of Scotland : Together with the Address of the Presbyterian-Party in that Kingdom to His Highness ; And some Observations on that Address . By two Persons of Quality . An Account of the Present Persecut●on of the Church in Scotland , in several Letters . The Case of the Present Afflicted Clergy in Scotland truly represented . To which is added for Probation , the attestation of many unexceptionable Witnesses to every Particular ; and all the Publick Acts and Proclamations of the Convention and Parliament relating to the Clergy . By a Lover of the Church and his Country . An Historical Relation o● the late Presbyterian Genera● Assembly , held at Edinburgh , from October 16 to November 13. In the Year 1690. In ● Letter from a Person in Edinburgh to his Friend in London . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A59964-e130 * M. A●rel . A●●tonin . ●ull . de Oct●e . ● . 1. 〈◊〉 si sibi ipse con●ntrat & non in ●erdum natura bo●itate vincatur ●t ut neque ami●itiam c●lem pos●t , nee justitian , ●es liberalitatem . Read the Preface to Dr. Hooker's Polity . Pretended Answer to the Ir●nicum . I cannot el●e the Page , having no Books by me .