The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland, Religious history (3 of 4)

The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland · Religious history (3 of 4)

p. 978. The Prelates not having attained their full intent by this laſt Act, do further proſecut their deſign of caſting out, and incapacitating all ſuch as either remained or might riſe up to oppoſe their wickedneſs, and therefore they procure, 1. an Act of Parliament without either Citation or Reaſon alleaged or rendered, againſt the faithful Miniſters of Edinburgh, (who, being eminent lights, were alſo from the advantage of the place apprehended as more eminent oppoſers,) diſcharging them of their, Miniſtry, and ordaining them to remove themſelves and families out of the City, after the 8 of September then next to come. 2. By the fourth Act of the ſame ſecond Seſſion of Parliament, to the effect that not one faithful Miniſter might remain to witneſs againſt their Defection, they ſtatut and enact, that all Miniſters, for Teſtifying their acknowledgement of, and complyance with the preſent Government by Prelates, keep and obſerve the Bishops Viſitations and Dioceſian Aſsemblies, and be aſsiſtant to them in all Acts of Church Diſcipline as they shall be required, under the pain for the firſt fault of Suſpenſion from Office and Benefice, and of Depoſition if they should not amend. We are not here to redargue ſuch lukewarm Newters, as, by the ſubtilty of a vain diſtinction deceaving & being deceaved, under the pretence of innocent ſubmiſſion, do actually Aſſiſt, Partake, p. 98and Comply with that wicked Prelacy, which they are ſworn to Extirpat; and at beſt, can only pretend to keep the Covenant by that deteſtable Neutrality, which, they have therein abjured; Their growing Backſliding will quickly declare and free them of this imputation of Neutrality. Our regrate is for the faithfull, who are thus by the Perjury and violence of ſuch who of all men ought moſt to patronize them, not only outed of the Miniſtry by Deprivation from Benefice or ſtipend, but declared by a Parliament, a Civil Court, depoſable from their Spiritual Office, as inconſiſtently and abſurdly as if the ſame Secular perſons, who were authors thereof, had by the ſame Act ſtept into their pulpits. 3. By the ſame laſt Act, in imitation of Julian the Apoſtat, who found not a more effectual and Devillish invention for ſuppreſſing & deſtroying Chriſtianity then the shutting up of their Schools and Colledges for learning, they ordain for the poyſoning of all the ſprings and fountains thereof, that none teach or rule in an Univerſity or Colledge, except they both take the Oath of Supremacy, and ſubmit to, & own the Government of Prelacy, & that none be permitted to teach any School, or to be a Paedagogue to Children without the Prelates licence. 4. By the ſame Act, they not only prohibit any to Preach in publick or in families without the Prelats licence; but advancing & purſuing their malice & perſecution unto theſe very Sanctuaries of reſt & refuge, which even in former times, (when the proud were called happy, & ſuch as wrought wickedneſs were ſet up, yea they that tempted God. were delivered,) the Lord did provide and reſerve for his Own, wherein they that feared him, and thought upon his Name, ſpoke often one to another, and p. 99the Lord hearkened and heard it; they under the pretence, leſt the People should thereby be alienat from their Lawful Pastors (as they call them) who in effect are Wolves and Thieves, diſcharge all Private Meetings in houſes for Religious Exerciſes, which might tend to the prejudice of the publick Worship in Churches: Under which qualification, all Chriſtian Fellowship and Society, amongſt ſuch who cannot overcome their juſt averſion from theſe Churches and publick Meetings, which theſe Apoſtat Prelats have prophaned and polluted, and whereunto they have wickedly intruded, are prohibited and reproached.

9. By a Proclamation emitted this ſecond Seſſion of Parliament, they again enjoin the obſervance of that Anniverſary Holy Day, the 29 of May, even the MonethMonth and Day which they had deviſed of their own heart for a feast unto the People: And to the effect they might the more infallibly attain their purpoſe of Outing all faithfull Miniſters, they ſubjoin the certification of Deprivation of Benefice, or Stipend, againſt all ſuch who should not, (becauſe in conſcience could not) obſerve it, like as de facto, ſeveralls, who could not in conſcience ſatisfy themſelves either as to the Authority or Reaſon of the appointment, are therefore without Citation or hearing, Outed of their Benefices and Stipends for that Year; and the ſame either immediatly ingathered by the common Collector, or gifted to ſome other.

10. In the ſame Seſſion of Parliament, pretending that the whole Land, (a few only excepted,) were notourly and heinouſly involved in the crimes of Treaſon and Leſe-Majeſty, through no other cauſe nor occaſion, p. 100then our moſt Neceſſary, Righteous, and Lawful entering into the Solemn League & Covenant, and proſecuting the holy ends theirof, once ſo ſignally owned and countenanced by the Lord, and ſo fully Authorized by all the Law & Security that can be imagined (for, as for the English Uſurpation, few were guilty of Complyance therewith, who were not alſo moſt forward in this Apoſtacy, and the very vileſt and worſt of ſuch had been declared an honeſt man by an expreſs and particular Act of the ſame Parliament) they appoint a packed cloſe Committee, wherein the generality of the faithfull to the number of about 800, (not adding a hundred more who by private reſentment or upon ſome other prejudice were liſted in this roll) without citation or any cauſe ſignifyed, or any manner of tryal taken, were moſt arbitrarily Fined, and for the moſt part in ſuch pecuniary mulcts and ſumms as it pleaſed the malicious ſuggeſtions of the delators to impoſe, and in many particulars ſo abſurdly, the ſometimes the ſame perſon was found twice fined under divers ſtiles in diverſe Shires, and others were left blanck either in the Name or Surname, who might be filled up either for one perſon or another, as the beſt conjecture should determine; and others were fined, who were dead long before, or were Infants, and Minors under age, and others who to this day could never be found. If this be the righteous judgement which the Lord doth require, let the world declare. Surely this Act is ſuch as hath no precedent nor fellow, except that other Act of Billeting, whereof, as the Power and Intereſt of ſome perſons againſt whom it was intended have by an after Act ſufficiently diſcovered it's Irregularity and abſurdity; ſo until the like diſcovery as to other Acts may be obtained, it may evidently p. 101enough declare what manner of Power and Reaſon did over-rule this Parliament: But theſe two Acts being paſt, the Parliament proceed to declare by their Act of Indemnity the Kings ſpecial Grace and Goodneſs, in pardoning ſuch whom only the Parliaments own Apoſtacy, and unparalelled Rebellion againſt the God or Heaven, made criminal, excepting for the moſt part only ſuch who were moſt Innocent.

11. This Seſſion of Parliament being ended, the Council go about the execution of the Acts therein concluded, eſpecially againſt the Miniſters not obtaining Preſentations, and by their Act and Proclamation at …laſgow emitted, the 1. day of October 1662. they command all ſuch Miniſters to remove themſelves forth of their reſpective Parishes, betwixt and the — day of November then nixt enſueing, diſcharging them thereafter to exerciſe any part of their Miniſterial Function within the ſame: what and how great the iniquity and rigor of this Act is, we will not ſtand to declare. Certainly, he who commanded his Apoſtles to pray that their flight might not be in the Winter, did regard and doth remember the great diſtreſs which many poor families then ſuſtained, who, being deprived of livelyhood, turned out of doors, indigent and very numerous, might according to the cruelty of their adverſaries have ſtarved and perished. We need not here inſiſt upon the particular ſteps, whereby the reſtleſs jealouſies of theſe wicked Prelats, did urge forward and advance this Preſecution, by their impetrating of reiterate Acts and Proclamations, until they obtained that laſt Act and Proclamation, concluding and adjudging all theſe Miniſters unto ſuch a nice and impoſſible Confinement, which not only the neceſſity p. 102of humane frailty, and it's dependance upon many indiſpenſible conveniences, do render more rigid & intollerable, then the moſt ſtrict impriſonment, and the moſt barbarous banishment; but alſo the moſt curious skill of the moſt exact Geographer can ſcarce make practicable: It is enough for us to note, that having, by a poſterior Proclamation, extended the ſame pains unto all Miniſters outed upon whatſoever ground of non conformity to this preſent courſe of Apoſtacy, (in which condition all the faithfull Miniſters in Scotland a very few excepted, are included,) there were never ſo many Innocent and Faithful Miniſters, in any Chriſtian Church at once and for ſuch a cauſe reduced to ſuch hardships, fears, and uncertainties, and that by ſuch perſons, who not only are as deeply & ſolemnly ſworn and engaged as they are, in the ſame Cauſe and Covenant, for which they ſuffer, but by ſuch who once (ſome of them at leaſt) appeared to have had the zeal of God, ſo that if it had been poſſible they would have pluckt out their own eyes, and have given them to ſuch, whoſe Enemies they now are, only becauſe they tell them the truth: Such is the fearful ſnare & prevailing Power of Apoſtacy; but God ſeeth & telleth their wanderings, and putteth all their tears into his bottle. Having, becauſe of the neceſſary connection of theſe things, thus repreſented them together, we return to the third Seſſion of the ſame Parliament, and its Acts, Where

12. By the firſt Act thereof, they ratify the former Act anent Miniſters, who entered in, and ſince the year 1649, and ſuch who keep not the Dioceſian meetings, and do recommend to the privy Council the effectual execution theirof, and to call all ſuch Miniſters, who dare to preach in contempt of that Act to be p. 103punished as Seditious perſons, and alſo to be careful to remove and diſpoſſeſs ſuch who should be Suſpended or Deprived for non-conforming, declaring that if they thereafter preſume to exerciſe their Miniſtry, they should be punished as Seditious perſons. Thus, in the height of Perfidy and Violence, men under the pretext of abuſed and perverted Authority, proceed to dare and preſume againſt God, their own Conſcienc… & all their Sacred & Indiſſoluble Oaths and Engagements, and to perſecut ſuch for preaching, who, ſtanding ſtedfaſt therein, and having a diſpenſation of the Goſpel committed unto them, by him who is King in Zion & higher then the Kings of the Earth, may & out to contemn the menaces of vain Man, in regard of that heavy and ſevere woe ſounding in their ears, if they preach not the Goſpel; But the Act doth furder proceed, to require of all, a due Acknowledgement of, and hearty Complyance with the Kings Government Eccleſiaſtical and Civil, and therefore to ordain and declare, that who ever shal ordinarily and wilfully withdraw and abſent themſelves, from the ordinary Meetings for divine VVorship in their own Churches on the Lords day, whether upon the account of Popery or other diſſaffection, shall incurre, each Heritor the loſs of a fourth of that years rent, each Yeoman the loſs of a fourth (or under) of his moveables, each Burgeſs the loſs of his Liberty and Burgeſhip with the fourth of his moveables, and concludes with a reference to the Council for further puniſhment, & more effectual execution, likeas in order hereunto the Council by ſeveral p. 104Proclamations ſince, have ſo much intended the ſeverity of this Act, that every Parish in ſtead of having a Lawfull Paſtor, is now inſlaved to a Graceleſs, Violent Hireling as it's Lord and Maſter, and to the extortion of Souldiours appointed for his Executioners and Exactors.

We shall not here debate the Lawfulneſs or Unlawfulneſs of the Obedience here required, only for the vindication of many thouſands of the Faithful, who by their ſufferings have born Teſtimony againſt this Act; we add, 1. that waving the ordinary & captious maner of propoſing the queſtion in the terms of Hearing or nor Hearing, which ſtrickly taken, are not the ſubject thereof, we are aſſured that none ſeriouſly pondering the obligation of the Oath of God, ſincerely, really & conſtantly all the dayes of our life to endeavour the extirpation of Prelats and their dependants, but they will acknowledge, that the owning of, and ſubmitting to the Apoſtat Curats according to this Act as our Miniſters, is moſt diametrally oppoſit thereto: Can we Lawfully Own ſuch whom we are bound to abhorre? Or Submit to ſuch whom we are bound to extirpate? Surely this were to rebuild what we have deſtroyed. 2. That though ſome nimble Sophiſters, who fear not after vowes to make inquiry, can and have ſwallowed both Owning and Submitting as not repugnant to the duty of Extirpation, yet, ſeing the direct contrary thereof, is by the terms themſelves very ſignificantly imported, and that theſe terms were for this expreſs cauſe and deſign particularly elected and made choice of by the Parliament, for ranverſing of the Obligation of the holy Covenant, no ſober man will be tempted by their deluſion to think, either that Owning and p. 105Submitting ſignify no more then Simple Submitting, or that that Active Aſſenting and Complying Submiſſion here mean'd, is no more then that Stil and Paſſive Submiſſion, unto which men by the force of inevitable neceſſity, and againſt their wills are oftentimes conſtrained. 3. That whoever pretending to enter into the Miniſtery, doth preſumptuouſly contemn and deſpiſe the ſacred Rule and Order of Entry appointed by the great Shepherd, cannot be reputed to enter by the Door, nor to be ſo much as Externally by him Sent or Called: But ſuch as do enter by groſs and palpable Perjury and wicked Violence and Intruſion, do without queſtion contemn the ſacred Rule and Order of Gods Word, ſo that to admit ſuch to be ſo much as Externally Called were to make the God of Order the Author of Confuſion, and him who is the Truth, the favourer of Perjury. We know that this notion of an External Call is conceited by many, to be no other thing, then the performance of ſuch Rites and Solemnities, as are preſcribed to the Admiſſion of a Miniſter, done by ſuch a Perſon or Perſons, on whom the like hath been performed; but ſeing that by many inſtances of groſs Diſorder and Violence, (which are obvious for any man to ſuppoſe,) many abſurdities might be hence inferred, and that to be Externally Called according both to the meaning of Truth, and the import of the words is, to have ſuch a Viſible Evidence of the Call of Ieſus Chriſt, as in Reaſon and Charity doth oblige all men to receave the perſon ſo called, as truely ſent; Certainly if any Perſon force his own Entry into the Miniſtry by open and profane Contempt of the Rule and Order given by our Lord Jeſus, he doth in like maner as palpably diſprove any Evidence of a Lawful p. 106Call, which he can pretend to, & no man is obliged either to Beleeve him to be Called or to Receave him as Sent. Which things are ſo evident in themſelves, that whoever denyeth them, is obliged by the ſame conſequence to affirm, that if Simon Magus had in his horrid wickedneſs purchaſed the Apoſtleship by money, the Chriſtian World had been bound to Receave him as an Apoſtle. 4. Though we are not to lanch out into theſe depths, how the Soveraignity of Divine Providence hath ſuffered Churches to fall away into Apoſtacy, and again recovered them, and if during theſe times of Apoſtacy a ſtanding Miniſtry ſtill continued, or how long it did; if not, what way it was revived and raiſed up, in which caſes true Faith in Jeſus Chriſt which is the ſubſtance of all, and a conſcientious walking according to the meaſure of the times, doth certainly purge and ſuſtain many things otherwiſe chargeable with Informality; Yet of this weare confident, that it hath alwayes been both the ſin and miſery of all Apoſtatizing Churches, that they have not reſiſted the beginnings of Defection, and when the Authors theirof did prove incorrigible, though formerly Miniſters, that they did not ſeparate from them, and account them as Heathens and Publicans, which courſe, if duely and zealouſly obſerved, had undoubtedly put a great ſtop and hinderance to the riſe and wicked Uſurpation of Antichriſt, all whoſe malice and violence without the deluſion and complyance of ſuch who ought to have reſiſted them, had never proven ſo effectual. 5. That a man may be a Miniſter, and yet not a Miniſter unto all, ſo as to oblige them to receave him as ſent to them, which may be intuitively underſtood beyond the light and power of any demonſtration, if we but ſuppoſe the caſe of a p. 107particular Congregation, living under, and acknowledging their own lawful Paſtor, & that amongſt ſuch, a few violent perſons ariſing, bring in another Miniſter by plain force, and caſt out their lawful Paſtor, and if it be ſincerely reſolved what the faithful in that Church are then obliged to do, ſurely none will think that they ought inſtantly to relinquish their true Paſtor, & own & ſubmit to this Intruder, but on the contrare all muſt grant that they ought to adhere to their lawful Miniſter & not only diſcountenance & withdraw from the Uſurper, but by all lawful means endeavour his Ejection; which caſe, if but tranſlated to the preſent condition of this oppreſſed Church under uſurping Prelates, will with the ſame evidence reſolve the queſtion. 6. That whatever conſtruction or interpretation many to whom it is given to believe but not to ſuffer, may put upon their hearing of the Curates, as to the inferring or not inferring their owning of, and ſubmiſſion to their Miniſtry, yet this is certain, that as it is the moſt probable argument and preſumption of owning that can be alleadged, ſo is it that which this Act requires for to teſtify both a due acknowledgement of, and hearty complyance with the preſent Government by Prelates, and as an undoubted evidence of the peoples giving their cheerful Concurrence, Countenance and Aſſiſtance to the Curates. 7. That ſeing hearing of the Curates by the acknowledgement of all the more ingenuous is not a duty to which they are moved by conſcience, but rather uſed by them as a thing though lawful yet arbitrary, for the eviting a greater inconvenience, & ſeing that this Act and every article theirof is undoubtedly groſs and wicked Perfidy againſt God and his holy Covenant, commanding the diſowning and relinquishing the Lords Miniſtry whom we are bound to p. 108maintain, and the owning and encouraging by hearing ſuch vile Intruders as we are bound to extirpate, thereby deſigning expreſly to involve all as much as is poſſible in the ſame Perfidy, and to looſe the former obligation of the Oath of God; whatever may be ſaid in the caſe abſtractly conſidered, yet we are perſwaded that being thus ſtated, not hearing becomes a caſe of Teſtimony, and an indiſpenſible duty. 8. That as it is the ſin and miſery of all declining times that the zeall of God is at the beſt rather wished for as a Bleſsing, then minded as a Duty; ſo we are confident that the true and right zeall of God should, and would not only inſpire all with an unanimous Averſion againſt the the profane intruding Curates, but animate us as one man to drive away theſe Wolves and Thieves, and to eradicate theſe plants which our heavenly Father never planted. 9. That though the Curates could inſtruct and juſtify their External Call, yet ſuch are their lies & lightneſs by which they cauſe the people to erre, & the viſible truth of their vile Perjury and Prophanity, which they preach and practiſe, that all ſerious obſervers may eaſily diſcover them to be inwardly ravening Wolves under the sheeps cloathing of an pretended external call, of whom in conſcience of our Lords command all ought and should beware. 10. That whatever may be the difference in theſe things even amongſt the faithful, yet all muſt aggree and acknowledge that the violent preſſing of ſuch to hear, who upon ſuch probable grounds from a tender ſenſe of conſcience do only plead that Chriſtian, innocent, & moſt ſafe priviledge of a peaceable forbearance, is not only contrare to that ample promiſe of Indulgence to tender conſciences made and declared by the King from Breda before his return 1660. but is in effect to violent all conſcience, and p. 109the hight of oppreſſion and rigor. 11. That as the grounds laid down may and do ſufficiently anſwer all objections, ſo therefrom may be shortly cleared, firſt, that common and ordinary Sophiſm, that hearing and obſerving the Ordinances is an indiſpenſible Duty from which neither the wickedneſs nor frailty of the Miniſter doth looſe: But as it may be eaſily anſwered, that this when acknowledged doth rather ſuppoſe then inferre the complexed lawfulneſs of hearing Curates as Miniſters, and that their Miniſtry is the Lords Ordinance, which is plainly denyed; ſo we are alſo to conſider, that ſuch duties and performances are only acceptable unto the Lord, ſpecially in the matters of his Worship which are intirely ſound and wholly agreeable unto his will, truely done, in ſpirit, and altogether performed in truth, Nam bo…um est ex omni cauſa, hence it is that the prophanity and wickedneſs even of the Lords lawful Prieſts, let be the Perjury and Profanity of wicked Intruders, have not only cauſed the People to abhorre the offering of the Lord to the Prieſts heavy charge, but evē the Lord himſelfe to abhorre his ſanctuary, & to account incenſe an abomination, ſo that he cannot away with the calling of aſſemblies, it is iniquity even the ſolemn meeting; shall it then be accounted iniquity for to hate that which the Lord hates, and withdraw from that which he hath forſaken? Ought we not rather to diſtinguish a holy abhorring from a profane contempt, though both of them proceed from the Curats ſin, and in the ſenſe thereof rather wish for, and withdraw with Jeremiah unto a cottage in the wilderneſs, that there we may mourn for all theſe abominations; ſurely were there no more in this matter but that Holines becomes the houſe of God for ever, and p. 110men of clean hands and a pure lip ought to draw near and turn unto him, it were ſufficient to juſtify the Lords People, who in drawing near to God, cannot in conſcience either regard or make uſe of the mouths and hands of theſe Apoſtates which are continually filled with lyes and violence, as either ſent by the Lord to them-ward, or to be imployed by them to God-ward, 2. From theſe grounds may be cleared that grand objection from our Lords command to the People of the Jewes, Matth. 23. ver. 2, 3. ſaying, The Scribes and Phariſees ſit in Moſes ſeat, therefore whatſoever they bid yow obſerve, that obſerve and do. Whence ſome inferre that even ſuch as without a title do uſurp the office of teachers ought notwithſtanding to be both heard and obſerved; but it is anſwered, 1. That it neither appeareth from the words nor yet from any other Record, that the Scribes and Phariſees did by intruſion poſſeſs themſelves of Moſes chair, but on the contrare, as by Moſes chair is only underſtood the Office of teaching, reſolving and judging according to Moſes law, to which although the Levites were appropriate, yet is there is no ſuch determination thereanent in the Word of God, as can by any manner of inference reject the Scribes & Phariſees as intruders, ſo it is more preſumable (that, ſeeing our Lord in that long Legend of evils & woes pronounced againſt them, doth not in the leaſt charge them with Intruſion, but rather acknowledge their Vocation by calling them the Builders) they had thereto lawfully attained. 2. As our Lords Words bear no command for the People to hear, but only to obſerve and do what they heard, rather ſuppoſing then allowing that, which though for the time he endeavoured to improve to the beſt advantage, yet afterwards he intended not only to reform but utterly to abolish, & therefore p. 111cannot in reaſon infer a command & duty to hear the Curates; ſo neither our Lords tolerance in this caſe can ſo much as infer it's lawfulneſs, except the caſes were duely ſtated & compared, which if any will rationally do, by firſt ſuppoſing that the Scribes and Phariſees had then lately by groſs Perjury and Violence thruſt out the Lords Teachers & intruded themſelves into the Office, we are bold to affirm that our greateſt adverſaries dare not in this caſe aſſert, that our Lord would ſo much as in the like words here uſed have inſinuat a ſimple toleratiō

13. Hitherto we have only obſerved the progreſs of theſe Acts that directly tend to the overthrow of Presbytery, and the erecting of Prelacy, but as by the vileſt of Flatteries and moſt preſumptuous of Uſurpations, Soveraignity is puffed up and exalted to that Supremacy, which is the neceſſary & only foundation of Prelacy; So it is no wonder if both in the righteous Judgement of God, and through the influence of this wicked Prelacy, the ſtay of lawful Authority become a yoke of Tyranny, and that theſe Prelates, who make an abſolute ſurrender of Religion, Conſcience & all Sacred Concernments, for the gratifying, and to the arbitriment of theſe Powers whoſe Creatures they have often Atheiſtically acknowledged themſelves to be, do with the ſame and greater profuſion ſubject both Laws, Liberties and the Fortunes of others, to the luſt of the ſame Powers, which they may ſo eaſily pervert unto their own eſtablishment and advancement: And this indeed is and hath alwayes been that great aggravation of our later Prelacy, rendring the ſame worſe and more intolerable: then the Romish Hierarchy, which being wholly dependent upon the Pope, another and diſtinct head, and not upon the Civil Power, whoſe intereſts are oftentimes not only p. 112diſtinct but directly oppoſite, it hath neither that acceſs, nor influence to abuſe Princes; Whereas our Prelates deriving all their Power and Being from the Kings Supremacy by endeavouring for their own better eſtablishment to render him incontrollably abſolute over and in all things, they being otherwiſe mean and abject perſons, having the leaſt and almoſt no share nor intereſt in the Commonwealth, and by reaſon of their ill Right and worſe Conſcience in what they do poſſeſs, being alwayes cruelly jealous, have by ſad experience ever inclined the Government unto Tyranny; and as in this late and worſt Cataſtrophe they have more prevailed then ever formerly they did, ſo the following inſtances do more clearly demonſtrate this aſſertion.

We shall not here repeat theſe Acts whereby for the better and more eaſy eſtablishment of Prelacy then deſigned, this Parliament for it's firſt work under pretence of vindicating & declaring the Kings Juſt Right and Prerogative, did in effect wholly corrupt and innovate the well tempered and firm conſtitution of our Ancient Government, which both all our Ancient Hiſtories and Records, the only evidence whereby fundamental Laws are verifiable, do ſufficiently declare, and the long continuance and endurance thereof, excellently commend. The firſt thing that thereafter occurs, is that Act and offer of fourty thouſand pounds Sterling to the King yearly during his life, whereby in place of that relaxation from theſe burdens which the iniquity of Uſurpers had only from time to time impoſed, a laſting and perpetual Impoſition, by it's continuance fully exequating the exceſs of the former, is entaild upon us, and that for no other end then the complementing of a few Favourites of Prelacy, and p. 113the maintaining of a Military Force over us, for their & the Prelates ſecurity, & the perſecution & ſlavery of the body of the people oppoſite thereto. The 2. thing is that rigid, irregular & exorbitant Fining which we have already mentioned, clearly & unqueſtionably carried on & executed, by the ſame Authors & for the ſame Deſign. The 3. thing is that humble tender made to the King of our duty and loyalty, wherby in recognizance of the Kings prerogative, and in a further acknowledgement of our duty, the Parliament by the 25. Act, Seſsion 3. do ſubject the Perſons, Fortunes and whole ſtrength of the Kingdom to the Kings pleaſure and arbitrement, in that humble (indeed, but alſo blind and inconſiderat) offer of 20000 foot Men, and 2000 Horſmen ſufficiently armed with 40 dayes Proviſion, to be ready upon the Kings call to march to any part of his Dominions for oppoſing whatſoever Invaſion or Inſurrection or for any other ſervice: Which offer, though poſſibly many do account it but a voluntary and cheerful expreſſion of that readineſs, which our Anceſtors have often witneſſed for the defence of King and Country; yet in effect, if duely conſidered as concluded under the force of a Statute & Act of Parliament, in place of that willingneſs and readineſs alleadged, whereunto our Anceſtors were from time to time determined, by theſe viſible and apparent exigencies of the common concernment which did require it, it will be found no other thing, then an implicite and ſlavish Emancipation of our lives and libertyes, to the arbitrement of the Powers, coloured with the pretext of loyall devotion to lawful Authority. But whatever is herein exorbitant, is without queſtion the proper effect and product of the jealouſy of theſe Apoſtate Prelates, whom the inward diſquiet of an evill conſcience, cauſeth to apprehend terror round p. 114about. The 4. thing, wherein this wicked prelacy hath perverted the Ancient and well conſtitute Government of this Realm, is their procuring, erecting, and exercing the High Commiſſion Court, (without ſo much as the approbation of that Parliament wherein nothing would have been refuſed them, wherein not only Eccleſiaſtick and Civil Juriſdiction are abſurdly confounded, in impowering ſecular perſons to ſuſpend and depoſe, and pretended Church-men and Miniſters to fine, confine and incarcerate, but the Act. 131. Parl. 8. Iac. 6. diſcharging all New Courts not approven in Parliament, directly thereby contraveened; neither will the Catholicon of the Kings omnipotent Prerogative ſalve this breach, in reſpect the ſame Prerogative, now in ſo great vigour, was by the 129 Act of this ſame 8 Parl Iae. 6. and almoſt immediatly preceeding the Act alleadged, then alſo recently enacted. But who can conſider the Arbitrary form of Inquiſition and ſummar procedour without any shaddow of Legal Proceſs, uſed in the ſame Commiſſion, it's tyranny and unwarrantable exacting of Oaths and ſubſcriptions, with it's new invented, inſolent and affronting punishments more cruell to ingenuous Spirits then death it ſelf, and not be convinced of the groſs and wicked corruption of this State-novelty, or rather monſter? The 5. thing which offers, is the accumulation and in effect the ſuppreſſion of the ordinary Offices of State (the very ſtay and props of regular Government, and the conduits and channells whereby it's refreshing influences are diffuſed) with, and by an extraordinar and ſuperlative power and Office in the ſingle perſon of the Kings Commiſſioner. Certainly as in the multitude of Councellers there is ſafety, ſo on the other hand no King on earth can rule by ſuch an deputation, who may not as p. 115lawfully alienate his Crown: Which devices are all the inventions of theſe wicked Prelates, who knowing that if the King should either hear, ſee or act, but by ſuch ears, eyes, & hands as they do aſſigne unto him, their affairs could not long proſper, do by ſuch exorbitancies endeavour the eſtablishment of their own Tyranny. The 6. thing that occurs is not only the keeping up of a Military Force to the intolerable burden and ſlavery of this free Nation, in ſo far as the ordinary and civil manner of Legal Execution, ſpecially for Fines and Eccleſiaſtical Delinquencies is now committed to, and managed by Military Force and Violence, and thereby the manner of exacting often times rendered more hard and inſupportable then the exaction it ſelf; but alſo that for ſatisfying the reſtleſs jealouſies and endleſs fears of the evil conſciences of theſe Apoſtate Prelates, more and greater forces under the vain pretence of Forraign fears, which both the then condition and poſture of theſe Wars, the dis-proportion of the Forces themſelves, and the diſpoſal of ſuch as before were leavyed did clearly redargue, have been leavyed, and are kept on foot, for maintaining whereof the Publick Revenues are mis-applyed, the Fines, when by the Kings favour long delayed, at length exacted and expended, new Taxations impoſed, far exceeding the quantity of any formerly required, and at length the old Aſſeſsment the great grievance of the late Uſurpation of new ſuperadded, and the poor Country and body of the Land in it's greateſt poverty ſubjected unto, oppreſſed and harraſſed by more injurious extortions then ever the Conquering ſword of an Forraign Enemy did heretofore, or can probably licenſe: And all theſe things clearly intended and carryed on for no other end then the ſupport of this wicked p. 116Prelacy, and it's cruel Bondage and Spiritual Tyranny. We need not mention for an aggravation of theſe violences, that theſe Forces were leavyed by the immediate procurement of the Perfidious Prelates, without the advice of the King's Council, (ever from the beginning, what ever may be the preſent exaltation of Prerogative, reputed to be one with the King, and who both by Place and Intereſt are therein indiſpenſibly concerned) ſeing it is not the leaſt of the iniquities and calamities of theſe times, that the poor Nation and it's greateſt Concernments are by them ſo baſely abandoned. But this we muſt take notice of, that though our Adverſaries, by reaſon of the diſaſtrous Events that lately have happened, do now boaſt of a moſt ſpecial Providence and fore-ſight in all theſe oppreſſions; yet it would be more juſt and rational on their part, to acknowledge that as oppreſſion doth even make a wiſe man mad, ſo to ſee a free Nation, by the Perfidy and Inſolent Domineering of a few up-ſtart Prelates, and the violence of their wicked and ſlavish Favourites, reduced to the condition of a moſt inſupportable and unnatural Conqueſt, both was, is, and ever will be a moſt juſt cauſe and provocation to all ingenuous Spirits and true Patriots, to undertake the aſſerting of their own Liberty, upon the greateſt hazard.

Having thus truly and fully repreſented the exaltation of Prerogative and Prelacy, over and above all things Divine and Humane, Sacred or Profane, we shall briefly adde the bitter and cruel fruits and effects of this ſinful and woful Conſpiracy.

1. As the Laws above mentioned, enacted for the overthrow of Presbytery and the Reſtauration of this accurſed Prelacy, ſpecially in ſo far as concerns the p. 117Miniſtry, were and are ſuch as did inevitably infer, either a ſinfull complyance with that Perjury and Apoſtacy whereby they were framed, or the endurance of the pains and ſufferings thereto ſubjoyned; ſo almoſt the whole faithful Miniſters, are thereby firſt and laſt not only deprived of their benefices and livelyhood, ejected out of their reſpective Parishes, and by imminent & viſible force incapacitated from the exerciſe of their Miniſtry, but ſome of them are Banished, others Confined, and the remnant reduced to ſuch ſtraits, fears and uncertainties as we have before repreſented. Then might we have ſeen the shepherds ſmitten, and their flocks ſcattered, our teachers removed into corners, and the Lords Vineyard and Sanctuary laid moſt deſolate: ſo that in ſome whole Countreyes and Provinces no preaching was to be heard; nor could the Lords day be otherwiſe known, then by the ſorrowfull remembrance of theſe bleſſed enjoyments whereof now we are deprived. Oh! though we had not the zeal & courage of our Anceſtors, to have ſet our ſelves for the defence of the Goſpel, and the maintenance of the Lords Miniſters and Ordinances, of which we were ſo perfidiouſly and violently ſpoiled, yet that at leaſt we had remembered, by Prayer and Supplication to God, in the dayes of our afflictions and of our miſeries, all the pleaſant things that we had in the dayes of old.

2. As this Antichriſtian ſpirit did at the firſt diſcover it ſelfe, in that height and rage of Prophanity and all Exceſs, which ſuddenly overſpread the Land, and did very powerfully and evidently usher in the Reſtitution of Prelats; ſo the ſame hath been ever ſince by them not only tolerated, but greatly countenanced and encouraged. We do not here mention their groſs and p. 118wicked Toleration of Popery, whereby in thir few years it hath increaſed to a greater hight then ever it attained at any time in this Land ſince the Reformation, & that though it hath, & doth appear in that daring confidence, as in its avowed idolatrous Maſſes and ſeminary Prieſts amongſt us, to contemn and deſpiſe theſe ancient and ſtanding Laws whereby ſuch things are often and ſeverely prohibited under the pain of death, yet to this day never one hath been publickly queſtioned and charged upon that account. The thing moſtly to be noticed is, that the only grievance and eyeſore of Prelates is Conſcience and any meaſure of Tenderneſs therein; Thence is it that the moſt innocent and peaceable Forbearance in not bearing Curates and the like, have been perſecute with all rigor, whereas Adulteries, Blaſphemies, Swearing and Drunkenneſs are ſo far from being punished or reſtrained, that the Committers thereof are now only the perſons moſt in fashion and favour; yea it hath been known and can be inſtanced that perſons conveened, and queſtioned, as diſaffected, have either upon the diſcovery or information of their Profanity and diſſoluteneſs, been inſtantly and freely diſmiſſed. Oh that men and Chriſtians do ſo litle remember our Lords own rule to judge and diſcern falſe prophets by their fruits, whereby he hath expreſly ſaid that we shall know them, and that men are ſo far blinded and bewitched, as not to ſee the mighty working of Sathan in this Myſtery of Iniquity, endeavouring under a meer shaddow and pretence of Formality, to root out the Power and Life of Religion and Conſcience, and to reduce this poor Church unto that Laodicean luke-warmneſs more deſperate and incurable then coldneſs and death it ſelf.

p. 1193. The faithful Miniſters being outed, and the hedge of Presbyterian Government removed, as prophanity and wickedneſs doth yet more abound, ſo there came out of this ſmoak, Locuſts upon our Church, even a crue of Curates for Inſufficiency, Vanity, Lies, and Prophanity, the very Scorn of Reformation & Scandal of Religion. We need not here adduce particular inſtances, there is none who in the leaſt obſerve their doctrine and maner of converſation but will eaſily acknowledge it: And the certainty of what we here affirm is ſo obvious unto all, that a particular condeſcendence would either prove an infinite labour, or too much abridge the extent of ſo ſad a truth. Its true there are ſome who being convinced, and others who ſuppoſing the truth of what is here alleadged, do either doubt or deny theſe; things to be the proper effects of Prelacy, but rather of the licentiouſneſs of men, and ſuch accidents which may be incident to the beſt conſtitutions: But if it be conſidered, 1. That that thing which inſeparably and infallibly attends another, may with more then ordinary probability be concluded to depend thereon by a certain influence: 2. That that which is no Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, but the viſible product of the Devils malice and mens pride and luſt, can never be effectual for the eſtablishing of Truth, or promoting of Holineſs. 3. That ſuch who not only diſcover in themſelves the foreſaid evils, but by open and moſt notorious Perjury do uſurp and invade and hold the Offices they pretend to, muſt of neceſſity hate the light becauſe their deeds are evil; it will be very eaſily granted that Prelacy, Prelates, and their dependants, to whom all theſe things are clearly applicable, are not only the proper cauſes and authors of all the Prophanity and Wickedneſs under p. 120which this poor Land now perisheth; but moſt naturally introductive unto all theſe Superſtitions and Abominations, wherein the Devill by the ſame means did, and hath involved the Chriſtian World under the Roman Papacy.

4. The Prelates and Curates being thus eſtablished, from the ground and warrant of the Acts mentioned, ſeveral Proclamations and Edicts, for the more effectual execution thereof and preſſing conformity thereunto, & for the ſuppreſſing conſcientious adherence to, or (ſo much as is poſſible) the very remembrance of our former Engagements and Covenants, and the holy Miniſtry and Government therein contained, are emitted and published. We have already mentioned that at Glaſgow, and theſe others to the ſame purpoſe which did enſue upon it. The firſt what we here note is, that the Prelates conceaving that their perſecutions already practized and to be practized, might excite the compaſſion of ſome to a charitable ſupply of the afflicted; more to expreſs their cruel malice then really to hinder that, which at beſt is not worth the noticing, under the pretext of Diſ…rder, they procure a diſcharge of charitable Collections. And now let it be here obſerved once for all, that ſuch is the cruelty, not only of the malice but of the very Acts, procured by the Prelates againſt conſcientious Non-conformiſts, that if they were followed with a ſutable & compleat execution, there should remain no comfort to any abiding ſtedfaſt, other then that of Arcadius mercy to the children of Traitors, that life should be their grief, and death their relief. There was another Proclamation emitted, at the time of the firſt planting of the Curates, that all perſons should keep their own Parish Churches, and should not repair to any other except p. 121in caſe of vacancy, under pain of twenty Shillings Scots toti…s quo…ies, to the effect that ſuch as could not in conſcience attend the Curats Conventicles, might be alſo deprived of any mean of edification, which the opportunity and neighbourhood of a faithful Miniſtry might afford. Then thereafter there is another Edict published againſt unwarrantable Preaching, Praying, or Hearing, whereby even ſuch Exerciſes, without which the Communion of Saints can hardly be intertained, are reſtrained & diſcharged; in ſo much, that if a faithful outed Miniſter should repair to any private family, or two or three moe then the Domeſticks of one Houſe be found together, though only imployed in the moſt Chriſtian & edifying Exerciſes of Praying, Lecturing or Godly Conference, their meeting is declared an unlawfull Conventicle, and all ſuch as are acceſſory, punishable accordingly. By a fourth Proclamation, men are required to be aſsiſtent to, and concur with the Curates in the exerciſe of Diſcipline, as they shall be thereto called, though they be not told either by what warrant, or in what capacity they are to meddle in the Matters of God; for our Adverſaries do both diſown Elders, & allow Deacons no rule. There is a fifth Proclamation diſcharging all Conventions & meetings whatſoever under the pretence of Religion, which are not allowed by Authority, certifying all perſons acceſſory, that they shall be looked upon and punished by pecuniary and corporall pains, as ſeditions perſons, at the arbitrement of the Council, and eſpecially that the Miniſters exerciſing therein, and their reſetters or countenancers in any ſort, shall be liable unto the higheſt pains due to ſeditious Perſons. And laſtly, there is a ſixt, commanding p. 122all Maſters of Families to cauſe their Servants and all their dependents, and all Heritors and Landlords to cauſe their Tennants and Tax-men to obey all Acts of Parliament or Council enjoyning Conformity, and particularly to frequent their Parish Churches, and to ſubmit and conform to the Curates their Miniſtry, or elſe to remove them ſummarly from their ſervice, and eject them out of their Poſſeſsions: And alſo that Heritors take bond and ſecurity of their intrant Tennants in time coming, that they and their Cottars and Servants, shall give obedience as ſaid is; and laſtly, that all Magiſtrates of Burghs cauſe their Inhabitants give Bond for the like obedience; for which effects, theſe Heritors and Magiſtrates are warranded to charge them under the pain of Rebellion: And whoſoever shall contraveen this Edict is certified and declared lyable to the ſame pains due to the Non-conformiſts themſelves, for whom he hereby is made answerable. This is the laſt Act & Proclamation for Conformity not only in courſe, but even in the utmoſt of extremity and rigor, whereby, as many perſons having a freedom as to their own practiſe, are further urged, contrare to all the rules of charity and moderation, to compel others towards whom they may rather deſire a Chriſtian Forbearance and Indulgence to be uſed; ſo the generality of the Land without any exception whatſoever, are reached, and obliged to all the Complyance with, and Conformity to this wicked Apoſtaſy, and accurſed and abjured Prelacy, whereof they are capable, and that under ſuch Pains, as if p. 123generally incur'd and execute, should infallibly reduce the Land to utter Deſolation and confuſion. But the Lord heareth and regardeth, and Oh that men would alſo hear the voice of this poor Church, that bewaileth her ſelf and ſpreadeth out her hands, ſaying, VVoe is me now, for my ſoul is weary becauſe of Murtherers.

5. As we have obſerved the Tyranny and Illegali… of the High Commiſſion granted for executing theſe Eccleſiaſtick Acts and Edicts, both in it's Conſtitution and Procedor, ſo we do furder obſerve that whatever Novelties and Extravagancies the Commſſion it ſelf contain, yet the Practiſes of the Court, having no other Precedent in the Chriſtian World, ſave that of the Spanish Inquiſition, do far exceed them. For 1. as perſons are brought before them, either by Seiſure or ſummar Citation without any cauſe ſignified, but to anſwer ſuper inquirendis, contrary to an expreſs ſtanding Law Iac. 6. Parl. 10. cap. 13. 1585. which was alſo enacted when the Kings Prerogative was fresh and in full vigor; ſo at their Compearance, they have neither Libel nor Accuſer, but are conſtrained inſtantly to make anſwer to whatſoever queſtion the arbitriment of the Archprelat pleaſeth to demand. 2. As there is no time for advice permitted, ſo neither are lawful Defences receaved or admitted; but if any perſon do offer to propone any matter of that kind, he is required firſt to take the Oath of Supremacy, or ſome ſuch Engagement or Subſcription which they are aſſured he wil refuſe. Thus a Gentleman of the Name of Porte…field, being conveened before them, and queſtioned for not owning the Curate, he anſwers, that his not hearing the Curate, could import no diſaffection, nor bring p. 124him under the compaſs of the Law, becauſe the Curate had calumniated him by ſuch vile opprobries & reproaches, as were both ſcandalous in a Miniſter, and juſt ground of reſentment to any ingenuous Spirit, as he was able to prove by ſufficient witneſſes: This the Court having ſuſtained as relevant, and the Gentleman having adduced his witneſſes, and one of them being examined and clearly proving, all further procedor is ſtopped, and he required to take the Oath of Supremacy, which he having refuſed, they ſentence him in a great Pecuniary Fine, and confine his perſon far North, to the Town of …lgin. 3. If any perſon conveened do clearly anſwer all their Queſtions & Demands, ſo that he cannot be in that manner reached, then they require him in a moſt Arbitrary way. either to take the Oath of Supremacy or ſome other ſubſcription for obedience to Eccleſiaſtick Lawes, or any other bond or ſecurity they pleaſe to require: In which their Tyranny they are ſo inconſequent, that they neither remember that Lawes are made to be Obeyed and not ſubſcribed, and that Obedience is ſecured by their own ſanction, and not by the Peoples handwriting, nor that the main objection by which they thēſelves do impugn the Covenant, & whereon the Declaration againſt it, is expreſly founded, is that the ſame was taken by, & impoſed upon the Subjects of this Kingdō againſt the ſundamental laws & liberties of the ſame which is not more fals if applied to theſe holy Covenants, (which were expreſly founded, both upon the Word of God, & the free conſent of the body of the People, & moſt neceſſarly intended for the glory of God & the defence of Religion & Liberty, which are the foundations of all foundamentals, beſides the acceſſion of both Law & Authority by which they were warranted) then true and evident in p. 125order to the caſe in hand, it being moſt certain, that whatever may be the extent of the Peoples Surrender under any Conſtitution; for the enforcing of their Obedience or Submiſſion, yet the liberty of Perſuaſion is ſo undoubtedly underſtood to be reſerved, that it cannot be abridged by any impoſed Oath or Subſcription, without their own conſent. We know the Council hath both the power, and is in uſe to take Bond for keeping the Peace, but this is a practice ſo clearly warranted by Law, and ſo antecedently ſounded in reaſon and humanity, upon juſt and probable preſumptions, to ſecure the Peace by bond, which they might do by the perſons impriſonment, that the parity is alleaged with as litle reaſon, as the practice controverted is voyd of equity: Notwithſtanding of all which, there is but one courſe before that Commiſſion-Court, without mitigation either to Banish, or Fine, or Confine (or both) the perſons refuſing. 4. If any do in his anſwers or demeanor offend, or be diſcovered thereby in the leaſt to be guilty, they proceed to ſentence without any breathing or intermiſſion, wherein they ſo litle obſerve the Warrant of their Power and Commiſſion, that they oftentimes exceed all the proportion either of Law or Reaſon: For verifying whereof, let but the inſtances ſubjoined be conſidered, where we shall find perſons 1. Stigmatized and Banished for not conforming, which neither their firſt nor ſecond Commiſſion, bearing only Power to …ine, Confine and Impriſon, nor the Laws whereupon they could proceed, give warrant to do. We know the firſt Commiſſion that was printed, was afterwards renewed with ſome ex…enſion & not printed, but though ſome copies thereof in write were ſpread abroad with power to ſtigmatize and banish, yet p. 126neither doth the Principal contain any ſuch warrant, nor can the extenſion therein made, infer the ſame in any ſort, without admitting that the ſame Court conſiſting of many members conſtituent of the Secret Council, might Proteus-like transfigure themſelves into this form in a moment. 2. We shal find men ſentenced not only to Banishment, but to Deportation and Slavery, viz. to be carried to Barbadoes, where, being poor men and not able to redeem their Liberty, they muſt undoubtedly be ſold; a punishment, which not only the diſproportion of their delinquencies, but the whole tenor of our Laws, and the undoubted Priviledge of Chriſtianity, doth reprobate and condemn. Theſe things duely conſidered and compared, it will be more then evident, that our Oppreſſions and Grievances by reaſon of this Court alone, do far exceed all the preſſures and injuries of that Spanish Inquiſition, whereupon the United Provinces have juſtified and approved their revolt from under the King of Spain, to all Proteſtant States and Churches.

6. As theſe Acts and Proclamations are very Wickedneſs; ſo their Execution hath been only Rigor and Cruelty, It were endleſs to enumerate all the diſtreſſes that have hereupon enſued upon particular perſons and Families, unto the impriſonment of many, confinement of ſome, deportation of others to remote Iſlands, chaſing of others to ſore and anxious wanderings, & ſcattering of Families unto beggery. Any who can conceave the Wickedneſs and Violence that did prompt the Prelats to the making of theſe Acts and Statutes, the arbitrary Power of the High Commiſſion by which they were enforced, and the rage, violence and rapine that attends Military Force by which they were and are executed, may poſſibly conceave ſome part of p. 127theſe evils; which, leſt the ſtrangeneſs thereof do render altogether improbable to men unacquainted, we shall here ſubjoin a few inſtances of many, of the Procedors of the High Commiſſion Court, leaving theſe of Military Force unto a more proper place. The Parish of An…rum had been in former times under the bleſſing of Mr John L…vingſ…on his Miniſtry, who being banished the Kingdom for no other cauſe then his eminency and ſtedfaſtneſs in the Work of God, and refuſing the Oath of Supremacy, there is obtruded by the Bishop upon them in his place, one Scot, an old excommunicate …urate, continuing under that ſentence and in his wickedneſs that procured the ſame, for which cauſe mainly, he is now complemented and rewarded with the acceſſion of this Kirk and Benefice, to two others, which he ſtill brooks & enjoyes, though very far diſtant from this place. This man coming amongſt them, ſuch as feared the Lord, and remembered his Work and Covenant, are ſtirred up in the Zeal of God to teſtify againſt his Intruſion, whom, being a Perſon excommunicate, entering by groſs Perjury, without their conſent, and only ſeeking after the fleece and Benefice, all that love our Lord Jeſus and the proſpering of his pleaſure, were bound to abhor and deteſt: We do not juſtify any exceſs of human paſſion that might here have been admixed with the ſincere zeal of God, which we are certain in it's worſt appearance all men ought rather to excuſe, then therefore condemn that duty, to which not only the People of that Parish, but the whole Church of Scotland were and are in a higher meaſure indiſpenſibly obliged in oppoſition to the preſent courſe of Apoſtacy, and for extirpation of the Apoſtat Prelates. However four men of the Parish are conveened before the High p. 128Commiſſion, where being examined they acknowledge, that Mr Scot being to preach at Ancrum as their Miniſter, they found themſelves preſſed in conſcience to declare to him their dis-ſatisfaction with his entry, and that they were preſent with the reſt of the People which were there at that time. This the Commiſſion, contrary the opinion of the more ſober & moſt knowing amongſt them, take for a confeſſion of guilt, and immediatly proceed to ſentence them, as c…ntemners of the Ordinances, to be ſcourged through the Town, ſugmatized with the …tter T at the Croſs of Edinburgh, and thereafter impriſoned, and with the firſt Ship to be carried to the Barb…oes Iſlands. All which was accordingly performed upon them. Thus judgement is turned into gail, and the fruit of righteouſneſs into hemlock. But God who ſuſtained his ſervants with that conſtancy & courage, that neither the ſhame nor pain of ſcourging and burning, hindered them openly and audibly to rejoice in the Lord, who counted them wo…thy to ſuffer for his Name, beholdeth alſo miſchief and ſpite to requite it with his hand. For the ſame alleaged crime, shortly thereafter they ſentence two Brothers, married men, to be carried to Barbadoes, and their ſiſte…, a young woman, to be ſcourged through the Town of Jedburgh. As for alleaged conventi…ling, there is one Mr Smit…, a Miniſter ſeiſed upon and impriſoned, for no other c…ime then preaching to, and praying with a few ſecretly aſſembled for fear of the P…elates, in the Name of the Lord, without the leaſt offence objected from any thing there ſpoken; who being brought before the Commiſſion, and in his examination and anſwers to the Bishop of St Andrewes, calling him only Sir, without Lord or Grace, he is therefore taxed by the Commiſſioner, to whom he anſwered very reſpectfully, p. 129(giving him his accuſtomed titles) that he knew he was ſpeaking to Mr James Sharp once a Miniſter as he himſelf is. Whereupon there is ſo great offence conceaved, that the Commiſſioner did immediatly ordain him to be carried by the Town-Hangman to the Thieves Hole and there laid in the Irons, in company with a Fu…ious Fatuous perſon, who was there looſe: An Indignity ſo great, unuſual and inſolent, that although He had behaved himſelf not only rudely in his demeanor, (which is the worſt that his Adverſaries can charge him with) but had been moſt flagitious in his life; yet nothing but that Spirit of Spite and Rebellion that rageth Apoſtats, could prompt Chriſtians to inflict upon one, who had ever carried ſo much as the Title of a Miniſter. But becauſe the open Iron-grate, whereby this Hole is shut, gave too great acceſs to the charity and compaſſion of many perſons who came to viſit him, he is therefore upon the third day thereafter carried up to the Iron-houſe within the T…lbooth, & continued in his irons and fetters, and thereafter in cloſe Priſon, until by ſentence of the ſame Commiſſion, he was banished and confined to Shetland, the coldeſt and wildeſt of all the Scots Iſlands; where he was to expect no other comfort, then the company of ſome other faithful men, who for not owning and ſubmitting to the Curats, had been carried there by ſentence of the ſame Court. And as they did thus ſentence a Miniſter for Exerciſing, ſo the ſame Court having conveened before them an honeſt private man . . . Black, for being preſent at an alleaged Conventicle, but in effect, at the meeting of a few Chriſtians for praying and hearing the Lord's Word, without ſo much as any other offence pretended; becauſe, according to the example and warrant of the Primitive Chriſtians, he refuſed to p. 130give His Oath, & thereupon to delate the names of ſuch as he knew to have been preſent, and becauſe he was not liberall in giving St Andrewes his titles, the Commiſſioner ordaineth him to be ſcourged thorow the Town; although it was well known to the Court, that his information could give very ſmall evidence, and they were convinced, that his refuſal did not flow from contempt of the King's Authority, but meerly and purely from ſcruple of Conſcience. Theſe are a few inſtances of many particulars of this kind which might be alleaged, whereof there is no corner in the whole Countrey, nor Parish almoſt in the Weſt, which cannot give evidence; and therefore we do remitt any more ample confirmation of theſe things, until we have noted a few moe particulars for clearing thereof.

7. As we have obſerved the Wickedneſs of theſe Eccleſiaſtick Laws, and the iniquity and irregularity of the Act of Fining, and the introducing of Execution by Military Force; (a ſervitude unheard of and intolerable in any free Nation) ſo the evils and oppreſſions thereof can ſcarcely be numbered. For 1. Upon pretence of that Proclamation, commanding People to keep their Parish-Churches, and prohibiting the repairing to any other, except in caſe of vacancy under the pain of 20 shillings Scots toties quoties, the ſouldiours being diſpoſed upon, to ſuch places which are known to be moſt averſe from this courſe of Apoſtacy, lying at catch for their own advantage, have often taken the opportunity, where there was but one Church in the bounds ſtill enjoying a faithfull Miniſter, and many vacancies about, to go and beſet that Church in the time of Divine Worship to the profane diſturbance thereof: And thereafter either to cauſe call ſome old roll of the Parishioners, and exact the Fine of twenty p. 131shillings Scots of all others without exception, or reſpect even to the licence contained in the Proclamation it ſelf in caſe of vacancy, or to require an Oath of every perſon to know to what Parish they belong, and that at the Church door without permitting them to come forth, until they either give their Oath or pay the Fine, not only with ſuch curſing, ſwearing and confuſion, as would make Infidels amazed to ſee the Lords day ſo profaned, by Chriſtians profeſſing the ſame common Faith; but with ſuch rigor, by taking by force the Bibles or garments from ſome poor perſons, who have not wherewith to pay, and inſolent beating and wounding of others to the effuſion of blood, as may juſtify the greateſt Barbarity. We need not inſtance particulars in a truth ſo univerſally known. We proceed to another kind of this ſame violence, practiſed in other places where Curates are planted; who, to force and compel the people to that complyance with their Miniſtry, which in conſcience they are bound to abhor, cauſe form liſts or rolls of ſuch as keep not the Church, and calling them after ſermon, both Men and Women by Name and Surname, they amerciate the abſents in ſuch ſumms and Fines as they pleaſe, & for the moſt part, far exceeding the pains contained in the Act of Parliament; whereupon the Souldiours are immediatly warranted to go and exact the ſame by quartering. Which Practice is not more unjuſt in it's illegal and ſummar procedor, then rigid and exorbitant; both as to the quantity and the maner of exacting it, by reaſon of their riding and quartering - money (which is therewith exacted) and the other inconveniences which inſeparably attend the rapine and violence of profane ſouldiours. 3. In many places, not contented thus to Fine and Exact, the ſouldiours, on the Lords day, go to p. 132private houſes, and by plain force compel and drive to the Church all ſuch as they find, and oftentimes do inſolently beat and abuſe perſons who by reaſon of infirmity or ſickneſs are really unable: A practiſe ſo cruel and abſurd, that ſome of themſelves have ſaid, it was our Lord's way to drive buyers and ſellers out of the Temple, but not to drive them into it. 4. As to the exacting and levying of the Parliaments Fines, the ſame was done (by a reference of the Councill to the Commiſſioner, and his orders thereon) in ſuch an oppreſſive and exorbitant manner as cannot be paralelled. For 1. Parties of horſe being directed to ſeveral Shires, when a party arrived in any Shire, they direct their order to all the perſons therein Fined, intimating to them and every one of them to pay their reſpective Fines, with three shillings ſterling per diem for every horſe-man in the party, from the day and date of their Order until the Fine be payed, and the payment ſignified to the commander of the Party: By which extortions, many have been compelled to pay more for Quartering then the ſumme and quantity of their Fine; and during the time of theſe oppreſſions, many have computed that the Sherifdoms of Air & Re…frew, were compelled to pay upon the accompt of Quarterings, over and above the Fines, betwixt two and three thouſand merks Scots per diem. 2. There was no defence nor exemption allowed againſt theſe Quarterings; for whether the perſon fined did liberat himſelf by taking the Declaration, or that it was alleaged that he was Minor, or an Infant, or never Charged, or that his Predeceſſor charged was ſince Deceaſed, or that his predeceſſor was never Charged, yea Died before he was fined, or that the perſon quartered on was only Relict of the perſon fined (a poor Widow living upon a mean p. 133Joincture) or that the perſon quartered on had no Relation to the perſon fined, ſave that he lived in the houſe and place which once pertained to him, and which this perſon lawfully Purchaſed, even before the other was fined; Yet all was repelled, and no complaint of this rigor and violence could be heard or receaved; but on the contrary the complainer (eſpecially if he refuſed to take the Declaration) was rejected with moſt inſolent reproaches and menaces. 3. That both in the up-lifting of the Fine and exacting of the Qwarterings, the extremity of rigor was uſed, by dragging ſome to priſon, who either were known altogether indigent and inſolvent, or did offer to renounce the Benefit of the Act of Indemnity (the forfaulture whereof was the alternative and utmoſt certification for not payment of the Fine, contained in the Act of Fining) or by Plundering, Beating, and Spoiling others without poſſibility of redreſs. We need not adduce Particular Inſtances for the verification of theſe things, ſeing they were not done in a corner: But the cry of this violence as it filled the whole Land; ſo no doubt it alſo reached unto the very Heavens, and is entered in to the ears of Him who hateth violence and loveth righteouſneſs, who ſaith unto Princes, remove violence and ſpoil, and execute judgement and juſtice, take away your exactions from my people. One thing mainly to be conſidered is, that as Prelacy is the great cauſe of all the Sin and Miſery that afflicteth us; ſo was it by the inſtigation of the ſame wicked Apoſtats, that theſe Fines ſo long delayed were thus at length rigorouſly exacted: And that for no other purpoſe, then the leavying of moe Forces for their ſecurity and ſupport, and the better ſtrengthening of their Tyranny. Certainly were it not of the Lord, who, becauſe of our p. 134contempt of his glorious Goſpel, and bleſſed Miniſtry, hath plagued us with ſtupidity, and ſmitten us with madneſs, blindneſs and aſtonishment of heart, to give unto us the reward of our own hands, and to cauſe us to eat the fruit of our doings, it were impoſſible that rational men after the feeling of ſo ſore grievances, and the teaching of ſo many and ſad experiences, should ſtill couch under the burthen and ſubmitt themſelves to the yoke of a few inſignificant Apoſtate Upſtarts, and not rather acquit themſelves like men, by pulling off theſe vizards of Religion, under which they mask their villanies, and plucking them out of that Sanctuary and great refuge of Loyalty, which they do not more pretend then profane by all their horrid Rebellion againſt God, and their cruell Perſecutions of His faithfull Servants and the Kings true Subjects, which they palliat under this pretext; to the effect that in the righteous and deſerved Punishment of theſe wicked men, both the ſin and Backſliding of the Land might be ſiſted, and the fierce anger of the Lord averted.

This is the wickedneſs and violence of accurſed Prelacy, which though it hath diffuſed it ſelf over the whole Land, and left no corner thereof untouched, yet as the Weſt hath been more grievouſly thereby oppreſſed and afflicted, ſo poor Galloway in a manner hath been the point in which all it's malice and Tyranny hath been concentred. We need not here ſearch after Particulars, or be curious for the verification thereof; the cries and groans of that afflicted Countrey have filled all mens ears, and the deſolations thereof are obvious to every ones eyes: Nor need we inſiſt to purge their innocency or clear the cauſes of their ſufferings, which were no other then their adherence to their faithfull p. 135Miniſters (though caſten out and rejected by men, yet continuing through the grace of God, to preach amongſt them) and their deteſtation of a crue of unworthy Curates (ſcatterers and devourers, not Paſtors of the flock) thruſt in amongſt them more violently then upon any other part of the Countrey. The thing we have here to obſerve is, that the manner of their perſecution was firſt and laſt by plain Hoſtile Invaſion. After which maner Sir Iames Turner with his Forces (having twice before been amongſt them) in March 1666, with greater power and fury then ever formerly, marcheth againſt them: where being arrived, what exactions, oppreſſions and inſolencies, he and his forces committed by arbitrary fining, plundering, quartering, impriſoning, beating, wounding, binding men like beaſts, chaſing to moors and mountains, and by haraſſing and laying both Parishes and Countrey-ſides almoſt wholly deſolate; the ruine and beggery of ſeveral hundreds of families, and the impoveverishing and great diſtreſs of many others do abundantly teſtify: And yet after all theſe atrocious injuries, by the contrivance and authority of the Bishop of Galloway, (who ſometimes appeared ſo zealous for the Covenant and Work of God, that, frequently in his adminiſtration of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to the People of his own Parish, while he was a private Miniſter, when they were ſett at Table and ready to Participate, he cauſed them to renew the Oath of the Covenant, ſubjoining thereto both that ſolemnity and theſe words uſed by Nehemia, Chap. 5.13. when in the like caſe he did shake his lap, and ſaid, ſo God ſhake out every man from his houſe and from his labor, that performeth not this promiſe, even thus be he ſhaken p. 136out and emptied) by the preſcription, we ſay, of the ſame Bishop and his Synod, theſe poor oppreſſed people, after all theſe exactions, are urged and compelled to ſubſcribe an acknowledgement that Sir Iames had uſed them civilly and diſcreetly; whereby they were forced not only to deny common ſenſe, and lay aſide their juſt reſentments, but by this their Subſcription (which might be oppoſed to all their complaints) they were virtually excluded from all hope of redreſs. All which things are not only confirmed by the notoriety of the matter of fact, but are alſo by that grievous and mournfull Paper of their ſufferings, moſt amply cleared and inſtructed. To which though Sir Iames hath made an anſwer for his own vindication, yet ſeeing the ſame doth for the moſt part reſolve in a ſimple denyall (which it was eaſy for him to make, having neither accuſer nor contradicter) and he at moſt giveth only an account of, & vindicateth his orders, without ſo much as denying the exceſs, that might have enſued in that military way of execution, (expreſsly waving to anſwer the extortions of theſe parties, which were commiſſionated for civill Fines) any further reply were ſuperfluous.

This poor people having continued and lyen under all theſe miſeries, for the ſpace of ſeven moneths and upward after Sir Iames his third Invaſion, and thereby witneſſed not only their very firm & Chriſtian Patience towards God; but alſo given a greater teſtimony of their loyally and ſubmiſſion to the King's commands, then all the flattering and flaunting profeſſions of theſe their adverſaries (who rather then to ſuffer the hundred part of theſe hardships, would curſe both God and their King) will amount to: And knowing by ſad p. 137experience, that both Separat Petitioning had been by Sir Iames inſolently rejected, & that Joint Petitioning was by Act of Parliament condemned, and conſequently all hope this way being cut off, upon an very Accidental & Indeliberat Occaſion, they were ſtirred up and gave the riſe to the actions and commotions following; which was thus.

Sir Iames ſtill breathing forth perſecutions, upon the 13 of November laſt, ordereth four ſouldiours, from Dumfreis to the Parish of Dalray in Galloway, to poind a poor old man's goods; and in caſe they should find none, to ſeiſe and apprehend his perſon, and bring him priſoner to Dumfries. The ſouldiours in proſecution of this order, apprehending the old innocent man, bind him hand and foot like a beaſt, and lay him bound upon the ground, ready to be carried along. When two or three of his neighbours, commoyed with ſo great an indignity, come and deſire the ſouldiours to looſe him, they, in ſtead of ſatisfying their deſire, ſuddenly aſſault the Countrey-men with their ſwords drawn, and neceſſitat them to their own defence: Whereupon one of the ſouldiours being wounded, the other three throw down their Arms, and the poor man is relieved, The Countreymen, having thus accquited themſelves againſt theſe firſt aggreſſors, in proſecution of their own neceſſary defence, againſt the violence of 10 or 12 more ſouldiours, who were oppreſſing in the ſame Parish, (whom now they had greater cauſe to fear then before) upon the morrow thereafter, with the aſſiſtance of 6 or 7 whom they joined to themſelves, they quietly ſeiſe upon and ſecure them, all of them rendering their Arms, except one who was killed in his reſiſtance. After this, the Countrey being a little hereby alarmed, but moſt of all determined by their p. 138former ſad experience, that Sir James would certainly avenge himſelf of this affront, upon the whole Countrey without diſtinction of free and unfree, and that in fury and rage, as far exceeding his former perſecutions, as the cauſe was different, they gather to the number 54 Horſemen with ſome few Footmen, and inſtantly reſolving upon it, they march towards Dumfreis; where upon the 15 of November they take Sir James priſoner, and diſarm the Souldiours that were with him without harm or violence to any, except the wounding of one man who made more obſtinate reſiſtance. Being thus by the over-ruling hand of Divine Providence, and the force of irreſiſtible neceſſity, more then by any human contrivance, engaged in a buſineſs of this importance beyond all hope of retreat; and conſidering how many in the Weſt and els-where, did groan under the yoke of this wicked Prelacy, and did ſuffer by their Tyranny, whom the juſt apprehenſion of that rigour and cruelty, to which the report of what had hapned would enrage the adverſaries againſt all without diſtinction, might perſuade yea neceſſitat to a conjunction, they from Dumfreis move towards the Weſt. In the mean time, the report being brought to the Council, the Arch-bishop Preſiding and over-ruling in it, Lieut. General Dalzel is immediatly ordered to march with all the Forces toward Glaſgow; which accordingly was done, with more haſt, rage and fury, then if 10000 Infidels had with fire and ſword invaded the Land: And a Proclamation is emitted againſt the Rebels (as they called them) riſen in Arms in Galloway, Air, and other Places of the Weſt, (when as at this time there were not 40 Men in the Sherifdom of Air, who had joyned with p. 139them) declaring this Inſurrection to be manifeſt and horrid Rebellion, and therefore charging the perſons acceſſary, to lay down Arms within 24 hours after publication, without any aſſurance of Indemnity offered, and laſtly, commanding the whole Subjects to be aſsiſting to the Lieutenant General, and being required by him or others in Authority, to riſe in Arms, and aſsiſt with all their Power, under the Pain of Rebellion. A Proclamation ſo full of fury and madneſs, not only rendering ſuch as were in Arms deſperate without hope, except in the cruel mercy of the wicked Prelates; But alſo engaging all without diſtinction, either Actively to concur to the deſtroying of theſe poor, innocent and afflicted People, or els to prepare themſelves for ſuffering the ſame pains and punishment, that it may juſtly be wondered at, that even the ſingle motive of this Proclamation, did not procure, to theſe Galloway-men, a greater concourſe. But that poor hand-full being come towards the Weſt, and ſome hundreds there, (whom partly the like preſſures and fears of worſe, but moſt of all, the ſenſe and remembrance of the indiſpenſible obligation of the Holy Covenant, for mutual ſympathy and defence, and our uttermoſt endeavours all the dayes of our lives to proſecute the great and bleſſed Ends therof, did thereto determine) having, in the ſincerity and ſimplicity of their hearts, joined themſelves to that company, moſt harmleſly and inoffenſively, without the leaſt violence or exaction done to any, they march through the Countrey until they come to Lanerk. Where, upon the conſideration of the Lord's wrath, imminent upon the whole Land by reaſon of breach of Covenant, p. 140and the many horrid Sins thereon enſuing, and the apprehenſion of His holy diſpleaſure yet continuing, (whereof, by many viſible and afflicting ſigns and tokens, they were moſt ſadly convinced) as men reduced to the laſt extremity and in great diſtreſs (after the example of Nehemiah and the Iewes, Neh. chap. 9, & 10. in the like caſe) they reſolve and do renew the Solemn League and Covenant: That (at leaſt) by this Action they might bear Teſtimony both to the oppreſſed Cauſe and Truth of God and their own innocency. From Lanerk upon the 26 of November they march to Bathga…e, and the morrow thereafter to Colington, a place about two miles diſtant from Edinburgh. That ſame night Lieut. Gen. Dalzel coming to Calder, there is a Ceſſation agreed to betwixt them for that night, and until, upon the morrow, their grievances and Petition might be preſented to the Council; which they for that effect ſend to Dalzel to be by him tranſmitted. But as, notwithſtanding of this Ceſſation, (and though the ſame was timouſly ſignified to the Bishop as Preſident of the Council, yet) the Countrey-troops leavyed about Edinburgh, were not reſtrained from making an in-fall upon their Quarters, where they reſted ſecurely upon the truſt of the Ceſſation; ſo upon the morrow, before almoſt they were aware, and without giving up the Ceſſation agreed to, Dalzel finding a nearer way doth almoſt ſurprize them: Whereupon they endeavour to march off, but finding the Enemy ſo near, they are conſtrained to ſtand to & prepare for that Conflict upon the South of Pentland-hils: Wherein the Lient General's forces and theirs being engaged, the very time and hour that the Gentle-man ſent by Dalzel to the Council, was preſenting his letters and the p. 141Weſt-land mens Grievances, theſe poor men not exceeding eight or nine hundreds, and extremly weakened and ſpent by ſore travail and watching, and moſtly by their faſting and great abſtinence, are (according to the Holy, Wiſe and determinate Counſel of God) a litle after ſun-ſet routed and diſſipated. The number of the ſlain on both ſides were reckoned, about 40 and upwards of the Weſtland men, and 4 or 5 of the Generals Forces. The number of the priſoners was greater, amounting in all to 130 and upward: But, becauſe the threed of this ſtory hath precipitated our Narration to this fatal period, the obſervations following will ſupply what is ommitted.

1. That theſe men who roſe in the Weſt, were not only (for the moſt part) perſons of known and very exemplar integrity, piety and zeal for God▪ and all of them (ſeverally and jointly) ſo far from baſe and turbulent deſignes, that they cannot be ſupponed by any who know them, to have been Ambitious of either Rule or Riches▪ but alſo did with the ſame ſtraightneſs and ſincerity, in all parts declare, that their only Motives were the rigor of extreme Neceſſity, which conſtrained them to the defence of Religion and Liberty, and the Conſcience of that indiſpenſible duty, vve all owe to God & one to another, in the bond of the Holy Covenant; and in the innocency of a moſt harmleſs deportment, did fully conform themſelves to theſe profeſſions: ſo that it may truly be affirmed, that a company of more ſincere, upright and harmleſs men, did never in any age appear in ſuch a poſture. Which as it doth eminently appear, in their ſparing and civil uſage of Sir Iames Turner, and their great abſtinence and p. 142moderation in all places, not only from Plunder and ſuch inſolencies, but even from the neceſſary means of Subſiſtence; ſo it is a truth ſo certain, that all their enemies (ſave a few profane Curates, who ſpare no lies whereby they may vent their malice) muſt and do acknowledge it.

2. That as in many places, there were many found who joined themſelves to the Lieut. General's Forces, to aſſiſt againſt and ſuppreſs that faithfull afflicted company; ſo the Militia of Edinburgh (by order from the Secret Council to the Town-Council, and from the Town-Council to the ſeveral Captains, who did adminiſtrate it to their reſpective Companies) did, in oppoſition to the ſame perſons, take the following Oath, viz. I ſhal be true and faithfull to the King, and ſhall defend his Authority and maintain the ſame, againſt this Inſurrection and Rebellion, and any other that ſhall happen, with the hazard of my life and fortune; And the two Shires of Middle and Eaſt Lauthians did arm very readily againſt them: But whether this Inſurrection was in Rebellion againſt the King, or whether this Conjuration and theſe Practices, were not a manifeſt Conſpiracy and horrid Rebellion againſt the great God, a few reflections on what we have premiſed shall hereafter clear.

3. That as only the force of Neceſſity, from the rigor of their perſecutions, and the cutting off of all liberty to Petition or hope of Redreſs, did compel the Weſt-land men to this courſe; ſo upon the firſt appearance and moſt ſlender inſinuation of liberty to Repreſent Grievances to theſe in Authority, they very wilingly and readily embraced the opportunity, and ſignified p. 143to the Council, that the only evill under which the Land perisheth, is the Erecting of this wicked and tyrannous Prelacy contrary to the Holy Covenant, and the cruel oppreſſion, both in Body & Conſcience of all that deſire to continue Faithfull therein: but how they were abuſed in this offer and Tranſaction, we have before related.

4. That though the wicked Prelats (for the greater exaltation of their pride and triumph, both over God and his Cauſe) have boldly affirmed, that theſe men were by certain Faithfull Miniſters perſuaded and brought out, in the full aſſurance of moſt certain Victory, and that their Cauſe was ſuch, that upon the Event they could venture their ſalvation; yet the contrary is moſt certainly known, & that they came out, for the moſt part, moſt voluntarly and of their own accord; thinking it their duty (as one of them in his Teſtimony doth declare) to appear for and help the Lord againſt the mighty: And that, though they had and ſtill retain a moſt firm perſuaſion of the juſtice of the Lord's Cauſe and Covenant, and a very confident aſſurance that the Lord will ariſe and own it, to the utter confuſion of His adverſaries; Yet, knowing that Times and Seaſons are in the Lord's hand, and that the time hath already been, when ſuch who had indignation, and whoſe heart was againſt the holy Covenant did proſper, and by Arms pollute the Sanctuary of ſtrength, and place the Abomination that maketh deſolate, wherein, though the people that did know their God were ſtrong and did exploits, yet did they fall by the ſword, and by flame, and by captivity, and by ſpoil many dayes; Theſe men did neither limit the Holy One, nor ballance p. 144their reſolution upon the aſſurance of future Events: Yea the fear and apprehenſion of theſe many viſible ſigns attending this Action, whereby the Lord's ſtanding controverſie and continuing diſpleaſure againſt the Land, for fearfull breach of Covenant, and the many horrible ſins that have enſued (which then more then ever were diſcovered, both in the actuall oppoſition of many, and faint withdrawing of others, of whom better things were looked for) did juſtly make them conceave, that as the Lord, who hath ever glorified His own Name, would alſo now glorify it, both in their active and paſſive Teſtimony (a ſeal which His Work and Cauſe, hath not hitherto ſo viſibly had) And that they were rather thereto called, then to be the Lands Deliverers; for which, all that fear the Lord may think with trembling, greater judgments are yet ordained.