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

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

p. 19When 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 29th 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 p. 20could 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 reestablish 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, p. 21and 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, p. 22were 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, p. 23as 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 p. 24Imposition 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 p. 25Unfree, 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 p. 26bounds 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.

p. 27In 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 p. 28stumbled, 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 29th 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 p. 29Plenty, 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, p. 30he 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 overawed 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 p. 31being 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 p. 32sate its delay, after Ten Years respite. For upon the 3d 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 p. 33of 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 p. 34to 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 p. 35by 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 p. 36to 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 p. 37Hall, 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. VponUpon 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 p. 38standing 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 22th 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; p. 39or 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, p. 40Tyranny 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 p. 41their 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 p. 42rationally 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 p. 43themselves 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 p. 44date 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 p. 45Popery 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 p. 46take 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; p. 47but 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 p. 48and 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.