The History of Scotch-Presbytery, Preface (1 of 2)

The History of Scotch-Presbytery · Preface (1 of 2)

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; **M. A…rel. A…tonin.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.…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. 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? 'Tis 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. 'Tis 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,Read the Preface to Dr. Hooker's Polity. 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,Pretended Answer to the Ir…nicum. 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,I cannot el…e the Page, having no Books by me. 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. 'Tis 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…

p. 1An 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 p. 2is 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 p. 3it, 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 p. 4Citizens 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.

p. 5After 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.

p. 6The 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 p. 7of 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 p. 8measure 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.

p. 9But 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 p. 10and 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, p. 11thus, 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.

p. 12In 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 p. 13regret 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 p. 14Credit (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 p. 15his 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 p. 16Sectarian 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 p. 17meant 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 p. 18be 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.