The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland, Religious history (2 of 4)

The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland · Religious history (2 of 4)

p. 49Thereafter, in the Treaty enſuing the Pacification, it is agreed that the Acts paſt in the laſt Parliament, with theſe to be made in the next Seſſion thereof, shall be published in the King's Name, and have the ſtrength of Laws in all time coming: Which Treaty being cloſed, and the laſt Seſſion of the above-mentioned Parliament ſitting in the MonethMonth of Iune 1641. the King in perſon being preſent among them, and the Oath of Parliament (for maintenance of Religion in purity as then eſtablished, and of the King's Authority, and the Peoples Liberties according to the Covenant; and for endeavouring by all juſt and humble meanes, of Union and Peace betwixt the three Kingdomes) appointed to be taken by that, & all ſucceeding Parliaments, being taken; by the ſecond Act thereof, ſuperſcribed by the King and ſubſcribed by the Preſident, the foreſaid Treaty is amply and perpetually confirmed, and the whole Articles thereof are ratifyed and recorded.

Thus, by all the Security, that either Sacred Oaths; or Acts of Lawful & Authorized Aſſemblies; Ordinances of King and Council; doubled and re-iterated Pacifications and Treaties; Acts of Parliament Enacted & Re-enacted; the Kings Authority and Conſent being often and ſolemnly interpoſed, both by promiſe and hand-writ; And all that either Religion, Truth, p. 50Faith, Honour or Honeſty could deviſe or grant, theſe Wicked Prelats are caſt out of this Church and Kingdom, Presbyterial Government fully eſtablished, the pure Worship of God, with His pure and powerful Ordinances and Miniſtry reſtored, and in the maintenance and purſuance of all theſe great Bleſsings, the whole Land, by many Oaths & moſt Solemn tyes, engaged unto the Lord for ever.

By all which Bleſſings, and the reſtoring of the Lord's own Ordinances amongſt us, as the Work of the Goſpel and the Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus, in the Converſion of many thouſands, were greatly advanced, and the Glory of God, in the abounding of true Piety and flourishing of Righteouſneſs, did eminently shine amongſt us; (as the memory of theſe times in all ſuch as fear God and love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt doth ſweetly teſtify) ſo all theſe great things were tranſacted, to the perpetual shame and confuſion of all our calumnious Adverſaries, without any diminution of his Majeſty's juſt Authority and Greatneſs.

As the Power and Glory of the Lord was great in this Land; ſo the ſplendor and fame thereof reaching unto other Nations, it pleaſed the Lord thereby to provoke His People in England, at that time grievouſly groaning under the Tyrannous yoke of Prelacy, and juſtly alarmed by the imminent fears of prevailing Popery, to ſet about and intend the like bleſſed Reformation.

It doth not concern us, to reflect on the Cauſes and beginnings of that War betwixt the King and Parliament there, nor what were the tranſactions betwixt the two Kingdoms in order to that Aid and Aſſiſtance given by Scotland, and how the ſame was mannaged: But this is certain, that, upon the Repreſentation of p. 51the moſt juſt and important grounds, of the maintenance of Religion and Liberty, againſt the prevailing power of Popery, Prelacy and Tyranny in that Kingdom of England; and their moſt inſtant and earneſt deſires for our help and Aſſiſtance; and rhe moſt rational & clear motives of our own Security, (the hazard and loſs whereof had undoubtedly been the conſequence of the Prelats Victory there) this Kingdom was induced in the Year 1643. to enter into that Sacred Bond of the Solemne League and Covenant, never to be forgotten, containing no other Articles then every one's Sincere and conſtant endeavours, in their ſeveral places & callings, for the preſervation of the Reformed Religion in this Church, in Doctrine, VVorship, Diſcipline and Government; the Reformation of the ſame in England and Ireland, according to the VVord of God, and the example of the beſt Reformed Churches; and the neareſt Conjunction and Vniformity of all the three in Truth, Faith, and Love; the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Error and Profanity; the preſervation of the rights and Liberties of the People, and of the Kings perſon and Authority in defence of the true Religion, and the Kingdom's Liberties; the Diſcovery and the puniſhment of Incendiaries; the retaining of the Peace and Vnion of the Kingdomes; the mutual aſsiſtance and defence of all entering into this League; and the performing of all duties we owe to God, in the amendment of our lives, and in walking exemplarly one before another: And all theſe in order to no other end, then the Glory of God, the advancement of the Kingdom of p. 52Ieſus Chriſt; the Honor and Happineſs of the King and his Poſterity; and the true Liberty, Safety and Peace of the Kingdom.

This is that Covenant, which in all the controverſies it hath occaſioned, did never receave a greater confirmation, then from the malice and oppoſition of it's adverſaries; who in the ſame Spirit & with the ſame Spite, have alwayes perſecuted and reproached it, with the ſame Calumnies of Rebellion, Sedition and Blood, which from the beginning, the Devill hath ever been moſt active to raiſe and ſtir up againſt the Lord Jeſus, his Goſpel, Kingdom and Followers. But ſeing ſuch only as are bleſſed, do evite the offence of Truth; and all who truely ſeek Gods Glory or Love the Lord Jeſus, did and ſtill do heartily approve and embrace this Covenant: though it had brought the Sword not only into Britain, but with the Truth into all the Earth; though it were reproached as unfriend not only to our King, but with our Lord Jeſus to Caeſar and all the Kings of the Earth; though it had divided and diſturbed not only Realms and States, but with the Goſpel, families and neareſt relations; and had with Paul moved Sedition throughout the whole World, we ought not thereby to be either shaken or offended. We know alſo, that all the ſubtilty and malice of Hell have been ſet on work, and ſpared no calumny or cavillation, by which either it's Words, Matter or Manner might be impugned: But theſe are ſo often and fully anſwered, and, without the aſſiſtance of any man's Patrociny, by the obvious plainneſs of it's Phraſe, the Holineſs & Importance of it's Purpoſe, and the Juſtice and Neceſſity of it's way and Manner, ſo clearly confuted, that nothing can be added. Only p. 53ſeing the Conſtancy of Truth, ought not to cede to the Confidence of prevailing Powers, as we have aſſerted and do hold, the ſubject matter of this League and Covenant to be in it ſelf Holy, Juſt and True; ſo we cannot but diſprove the dangerous Method of ſome, who the better to enforce the obligation of the Oath of God, do ſuppoſe the Matter thereof, eſpecially as to that article againſt Prelacy, to be antecedently Indifferent, and not determined either by the Word of God or any other Moral Precept: Juſtly apprehending how eaſily in this light and backſliding time, ſuch ſuppoſitions may become poſitions; and that the obligation of the Oath of God, now ſo much violated and little regarded, may be found too weak to ſecure mens ſtedfaſtneſs. As we are therefore perſuaded, and would have all to conſider and fix it in their hearts, that this wicked Prelacy and it's Hierarchy, are not only contrary to the Word of God, to the Practice of the Holy Apoſtles, to ſound Doctrine and the Power of Godlineſs; (under which expreſs conſideration we are alſo ſworn to endeavour it's extirpation,) but by the ſad experience of all Ages in the Chriſtian Church, eſpecially in theſe our later times, had been found moſt pernicious to all Truth and Righteouſneſs, and the main Engine and Device, whereby the Devil hath alwayes laboured, to advance his Kingdom of Darkneſs; and therefore hath been the great butt and aime, for the overthrow whereof, the great Work of God in this Land, hath been ſo Powerfully and Gloriouſly manifeſted: ſo do we moſt conſtantly hold, that as wel this Article againſt Prelacy, as all the reſt contained in this Holy Covenant, were and are antecedently oblidging both to King and People, without the ſupervention of either Oath or Promiſe; and that the rooting out of p. 54Prelacy, & the wicked Hierarchy therein ſo obviouſly deſcribed, is the main duty, in the endeavour whereof, (as moſt advantageous unto all theſe great and holy Ends propoſed by the Covenant) all the Zeal of the faithful ought to be concentred.

As for ſuch profane Jugglers, who neither conſidering this Oath and Covenant as a ſpecial Ordinance and bleſſing of God, whereby we are more effectually ſtirred up and enabled, to the performance of all the duties of Religion and Righteouſneſs therein contained; nor knowing that this Covenant made with God, and accepted by Him, is alſo the Lords Covenant with us, for the ſecuring and eſtablishing unto us, all the great Bleſſings and Priviledges therein expreſſed, & that, as we therein do avouch the Lord to be our God, ſo doth He avouch us to be His People, Do from the Righteouſneſs and Neceſſity of it's matter, vainly argue the ſuperfluity of any acceſſory Obligation, and would thence infer, that the ſame may be the more eaſily diſpenſed with or renounced: We de only remit them to that Solemn Covenant Deut. 29.10. &c. made there betwixt the Lord and His People, and thereafter ſo often renewed, only for their greater Engagement to the moſt neceſſary duties of God's expreſs commands.

We come in the next place, unto the Manner and Form of this League and Covenant; wherein, not purpoſing to reſume the many debates that have been raiſed anent it, we shall only take notice, that theſe old Acts and Laws viz. Act. 43. Parl. 6. of Mary 1555. and Act. 12. Parl. 10. Iam. 6.1585. made againſt Leagues and Bands contracted without the Kings conſent, are now obtruded with the force and luſtre of a new Act. cap. 4. of the laſt Parliament, to condemn the p. 55Covenant, as from the beginning Unlawfull and Rebellious: But as theſe old Acts, at the time of the entering into this League and Covenant, did then ſtand explained by the 29. Act. Parl. 2. Charl. 1. ratifyed and authorized by the King himſelf, in a ſenſe moſt conſiſtent with the Covenant, and could no wayes render the ſame from the beginning unlawful, much leſs could the revival thereof in their greateſt rigour, or the ſuperveniency of any other Act thereanent, diſſolve the Sacred Obligation of this Oath once lawfully contracted; ſo the reaſon of the former anſwer made ro this objection, and the Juſtice and Equity of that Act. 29. P. 2. C. 1. whereby the ſame was declared, remaineth in ful force, viz. that no League nor Bond made by the Subjects for maintenance of Religion, Liberty, and the Publick good of Church or State, was or can be underſtood, to be prohibited by theſe old Acts and Laws objected. Becauſe, as the makers of ſuch Bonds, cannot be reputed to be movers of Sedition, to the breach of the publick peace, (which is the expreſs reaſon and certification of theſe old Acts objected) ſo both the King and his Government, being appointed for the preſervation of theſe great ends and Intereſts, and He himſelf principally oblidged, both by the Command and Oath of God upon him, to authorize all ſuch bonds. Covenants, and other means which may advance the ſame; It were a groſs Paradox both in Reaſon and Religion, that the King's neglect of his duty and perverting of his Office, to the overthrow of theſe ends for which he is ordained, should therefore oblige the People to a ſinful Complyance and ſtupid connivance, to the high Dishonour of the Great God and King of Kings, and the utter p. 56ruine of the ſouls, bodies, and fortuns of themſelves and their Poſterity. It's true, it may be and is replyed, that this anſwer and reaſoning, doth proceed from an unjuſt jealouſy of Kings, and is founded upon an intollerable preſumption in the Subject to cenſure and judge their actings: But ſeeing the entering into this Covenant, and into all others which we allow, was ſo far from proceeding upon an unjuſt jealouſy, that on the contrary, it was in a manner extorted, by the force of the moſt palpable and rational neceſſity that can be imagined; and ſeeing the feeling and diſcerning thereof, is ſo far from that criminal preſumption alleadged, that to diſprove it, is in effect to deny both ſenſe and reaſon, unleſs our adverſaries can prove that notwithſtanding thereof, the King is by God the Lord, veſted with ſuch an uncontrollable Dominion and Soveraignty, that whatever Violence, Outrage, or Cruelty he commit, the People are obliged by a patience, or rather ſtupidity greater then that of Beaſts, to endure without gain ſaying, it is impoſſible for them to eſtablish the Tyranny that they contend for. But that the World may ſee, that ſuch objections are only the wicked flattery of ſelfish men, and how little they do therein either uſe or regard Reaſon, in the late Act abovementioned made againſt Leagues and Conventions, it is declared, that the explication contained in the Act 1640. viz. That ſuch Leagues and Conventions as are made by Subjects, for the preſervation of the King, Religion and the Laws, are not prohibited by theſe old Acts, is falſe and diſloyall, and contrary to the true and genuine meaning thereof: which Declaration is not only a naked Aſſertion, and contrary to the expreſs reaſon and certification of theſe old Acts, p. 57which is before ſett down; but ſo blind and irrational, that in caſe of an Interregnum, or the incapacity of the King to give His conſent to any Bond, Meeting or Convention, which in ſuch a caſe may be abſolutely neceſſary, it leaves no iſſue or expedient.

It is not needful here to clear the neceſſity and advantages, which may induce Subjects to the making of Leagues and Conventions in certain caſes, without the conſent of the Prince; nor the exigence of theſe Times for the Covenant we plead for: Theſe things are cleared by undenyable Records, which, all the Wars, Blood and Confuſions that thereafter enſued, (flowing either from the perverſe and obſtinate oppoſition, violence, and Perſecution of the enemies of Truth, or being the effect of Gods Righteous Judgement upon ſuch whoſe hearts were falſe, and proved unſtedfaſt in His Covenant,) notwithſtanding all the preſent inſulting of the Adverſaries, doth nothing diſprove. Neither do we here reſume the above mentioned practices of our firſt Reformers, for juſtifying the caſe in hand, and the explication of theſe old Acts here obtruded; who, by all their neceſſary Leagues, Bands and Conventions, never conceaved the ſame to be contraveened: Only we cannot but regret, that, as the Act made in the laſt Parliament againſt Conventions and Bonds, was a fearful ſtep of the preſent great Apoſtacy, and directly levelled againſt the ſame Covenant, by which the Authors of the Acts themſelves were and are indiſſolubly obliged; ſo that old Act Parliament 10. Ja. 6. cap. 12. 1585. which is thereby ratifyed and revived, was alſo one of the woful Acts and effects of the wickedneſs that then prevailed in the Land, and doth relate to and is expreſly founded upon the 43. Act. Queen Mary, Parliament 6. 1555. which, under the colour p. 58of diſcharging Bonds of Man-rent, was by the Queen Regent, then raging in Perſecution againſt the Profeſſors of the Truth, directly intended for the overthrow of the Goſpel and Congregation.

We have hitherto only juſtifyed the lawfulneſs, or rather the neceſſity of the Covenant; as a League amongſt Subjects without the Princes conſent, and have not ſpoken thereto as a League with England, and the Subjects of an other Kingdom: Becauſe, as the firſt point is mainly denied by the Adverſary; ſo the ſame being proven, upon in the ſame grounds (firſt, of Juſt & Neceſſary Defence of our Selves, Religion and Libertyes; Secondly, of the aſſiſtance that we owe and do expect in caſe of Perſecution for Truth, from all Chriſtians in the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, the obedience of his new and ſpeciall command of Love, and the remembrance of that great and laſt Judgement, wherein by this Law, all men shall be judged, without reſpect to the difference of Nations and Kingdoms; and thirdly, upon the ground of the Glory of God, which is the great end of all things, and to which all inferiour duties of Submiſſion and Obedience ought to cede) the Juſtice and Neceſſity of the Covenant and League with England may be certainly concluded. O! that men, who weighing all things in the ballance of their own ſelfish Intereſts and deſignes, do make the vain & airy enjoyment of Court-favour, and the evanishing poſſeſſion of ſuch advantages, as may be acquired thereby, preponderate and caſt the ſcales, in prejudice of theſe great and important concernments of the Glory of God, and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus, Might yet be awakened by the terror of that dreadful and glorious Judgement of the laſt day, to an impartial conſideration p. 59of that duty, which we owe to all theſe that ſuffer and are perſecuted for Truth. Surely if not viſiting, not relieving and ſupporting (when it is in our power,) of the afflicted members of Jeſus Chriſt, shall then be the condemnation of the Reprobat, (againſt which the exception of a contrary command of any King or Prince, or that the afflicted were by men for Truths ſake declared Rebells and Traitors, or were of an other Kingdome, shall furnish no defence) Can we in conſcience think, that the refuſal of Aſſiſtance to the perſecuted for Chriſt's ſake, when inſtantly thereto required, shall be, upon any of theſe pretended grounds, excuſed in that day?

We do not here mention the ſupervenient conſent and Authority of the King, by which the alleaged defects, to the acknowledgement of all our adverſaries, were clearly purged: becauſe (though the ſame will afterwards fall in, as a great acceſſion to the conviction of all Apoſtats, yet) we bleſs the Lord who hath bottomed our Faith and Conſciences upon more ſure and fixed foundations; and who gave His People more evident and gracious teſtimonies of His Favour, Power and Preſence, while they ſincerely walked conform to the grounds mentioned, before the King's aſſent was obtained, then ever ſince.

The entering into and taking of this Covenant, was ſo much the more neceſſary and Praiſe-worthy in us in Scotland, for ſeveral reaſons, 1. becauſe it contains no other then the ſame Duties and obligations, which were before by us ſo ſolemnly Covenanted to, in our Nationall Covenant: neither is the reſtriction of our Alleageance, ſuppoſed to be made therein, any other then the true and righteous qualification of all ſuch engagements, moſt conſonant unto and approven p. 60by our firſt Large Confeſſion of Faith Chap. 25. Anent the Civil Magiſtrate; the Kings Coronation-Oath recorded, Ia. 6. p. 1. cap. 8. and the Nationall Covenant, as it was taken and ſubſcribed both firſt and laſt: And though our Adverſaries have inſulted upon the later Confeſſion of Faith, as if both our former principles and practiſes were thereby diſproved; yet let the words be conſidered. Viz. Infidelity or difference in Religion doth not make void the Magiſtrat's Iuſt and Legal Authority, nor free the People from due obedience, And we are confident, that no ſober man will think the acknowledgement of juſt and legal Authority and due obedience, a rational ground, to infer that Tyranny over either Conſciences or Perſons, is thereby either allowed or priviledged; which is all that by us is contended for.

2. Becauſe the ſame National Covenant did powerfully oblige us thereunto: not only upon the account of that obſtinate oppoſition, which the perfidious Prelats in England, both by raiſing Wars and breach of Pacification, had plainly teſtifyed; the revival whereof, in caſe of any probable Capacity, we had juſt reaſon to apprehend, and by a poſterior League, (at that time, a moſt neceſſary and probable remedy,) in purſuance of our former engagement, to provide againſt; but alſo in reſpect of that expreſs ground of oppoſition to the bloody bond of Trent, and of the deteſtation of all the enemies of Gods Church, who thereby conjured themſelves againſt it, contained in the National Covenant: which could not but be a very fair perſuaſion and ſtrong inductive, to engage in that ſacred Bond of the ſolemn League & Covenant, againſt that ſame accurſed conjuratiō, which at that time appeared ſo active

3. Becauſe the Oath of Parliament, firſt taken in p. 61the Parliament 1641. the King being preſent, obliging us to endeavour the preſervation of the Peace and Vnion of the three Kingdoms, did indiſpenſibly oblige us to enter in this Covenant, as a moſt neceſſary expedient thereto.

Having thus ſummarily reviewed, both the Matter and Manner of this Solemn and important League and Covenant, we cannot but wonder at the poor Sophiſt…y of ſuch, (eſpecially that more Temporizing then Seaſonable Caſuiſt,) who delude themſelves in ſo great matters unto ſuch an Indifferency, as to aſſert, that this Covenant doth as neceſſarily depend upon the King's conſent for it's eſtablishment, as the private vow of a Daughter in her Father's houſe, or of an Wife under her Husband's power, in things free and arbitrary, though not abſolutely in their own diſpoſal, did according to the Judicial Law of the Jewes, fall under the Father and Husband's power of ratifying or annulling: But the ſimple propoſal of theſe caſes, doth hold out ſuch a diſparity both as to the Perſons, (being only women under power,) the Things in themſelves, being free, but at another's diſpoſal, and many other Circumſtances tedious to inſiſt on, and even as to Law it ſelf by which the caſe is determined, being meerly Judicial, that none who fear the Lord, or mind His Glory in any meaſure of Sobriety, will daigne it with an anſwer. And ſuch indeed are the reſt of the Cavils and Calumnies, wherewith the Adverſaries of Truth have endeavoured to impugn and aſperſe this Holy Covenant; and are ſo fully and often anſwered already, that to account them worthy the reſuming and refuting, were in ſome ſort after Vowes to make inquiry.

There is one thing that our Adverſaries have frequently objected, which we cannot ommit, viz. that p. 62the Covenants, both National and Solemn League were urged and preſſed, both by Church Cenſures and Civill Sanctions, of loſs of goods, ſequeſtration and other arbitrary pains, which hath been heavily complained of, as a great violence done to Conſcience: But as it was then too evident,▪ that this Priviledge of Conſcience, was for the moſt part only pretended by ſuch, as had litle or no feeling thereof; ſo the Practice of the preſent times, doth now fully diſcover, that what is now ſo inſolently retorted, was never before really ſcrupled at. But the lawfullneſs of the courſe and practice then uſed, and the iniquity of this retortion will eaſily be cleared, if it be conſidered, 1. that the Nationall Covenant, being a ſtanding, & binding Oath upon the whole Land, and in the Year 1638. only renewed with ſuch an agreeable explanation, as none could or did quarrel, but ſuch as thereby intended, to palliate and perſiſt in their proceeding manifeſt violations, was according to the example of good Joſiah, (who brought back the People, and CAUSED them ſtand to the Covenant of their Fathers, 2 Chron. 34.32.) moſt juſtly commanded, and under the pains due to the breach therof, ordained to be re-taken. 2. That the ſolemn League and Covenant, containing no other obligements, then what the National doth import, and being a moſt conducible expedient, both for the ſecuring and proſecuting the ends thereof, and whereunto, the National Covenant upon this ground did clearly oblige, The preſſing of the ſame League, is warranted not only by the former ground; but from the very bond of the National, became an indiſpenſible Duty: By which reaſons, as the former proceedings are clearly juſtifyed, ſo the preſent practice, (as being a direct and violent p. 63ranverſing of theſe things, which were once ſo righteously and rationally eſtablished) is the more condemned. But whatever be the diſparity of theſe caſes in the point of Reaſon, we are ſure that light and darkneſs do not more differ, then the Lenity of theſe former times, from the Rigour and violence now practized; & that where one then ſuffered for obſtinacy againſt the Covenant, hundreths do now ſuffer for their ſtedfaſtneſs therein.

As for theſe Wars and great commotions, that enſued upon this great Tranſaction of the Solemn League, we will not thereon inſiſt: Only we are confident, that nothwitſtanding all the Calumnious conſtructions of our Adverſaries, al ſuch as ſeek out and have pleaſure in the Works of the Lord, will applaud unto the Glory and Righteouſneſs thereof; who, as by the ſword of Apoſtats in the Years 1644, and 1645. He did punish in his Juſtice, the Hypocriſy and Self-ſeeking of ſuch in this Land, whoſe hearts were not upright in His Covenant, and thereafter in the Year 1648. did by a prevailing Sectarian Party, reſtrain and crush the groſs and Generall Apoſtaſy then intended, under an Hypocritical pretext of purſuing the ends of the Covenant, at that time ſo palpably perverted and abuſed; ſo, for the manifeſtation of his own Glory, and of His Mercy to them that fear him and did not forget his Covenant, He did intermix ſeveral gracious Intervals of His aboundant Compaſſion; and at length did give unto His Work and People, a full and abſolute Victory over that malignant Spirit and Party, that had ſo long prevailed in the Land, and cauſed the wickedneſs of the wicked to ceaſe, and all iniquity to ſtop it's mouth.

Thus in the Years 1649, and 1650. & thereafter, the p. 64Lord was with us while we were with Him, and while we ſought Him, He was found of us; but as we did forſake Him, ſo did He alſo forſake us: by which poſition, all the mixture and varieties, both of our Actings and Gods Providences in theſe times, may clearly be reſolved.

There was indeed at that time in the Land, not only a party Faithful unto God, and zealous for His Name; but alſo a great Zeal of God, from clear knowledge and ſad experience, generally and ſolemnly profeſſed before God and all men in our Publick Acknowledgement Anno 1649: In conſequence whereof, the League and Covenant was alſo by the whole Kingdom renewed that ſame Year. And in answer thereunto, the Lord did mightily both ſave and defend us from all our Adverſaries: and as He ſoon ſubdued our Enemies at Stirling, and turned His Hand againſt our Adverſaries in the North, and cauſed the haters of the Lord faign ſubmiſſion unto Him; ſo, for His own Glory, the eſtablishment of His People, and the utter confuſion of His Adverſaries, He did highly advance His bleſſed Work, by the acceſſion of all theſe Advantages, with the Defect whereof, it had been formerly calumniated.

The Advantages we here mention are (beſides that Publick Acknowledgement then made, and in the deep ſenſe thereof, the League and Covenant ſolemnly again renewed and taken, whereby our Engagements were not only doubled, but ſtrongly confirmed) 1. Theſe many neceſſary and righteous Lawes enacted in the then Parliaments, both for the ratifying the later large Confeſſion of faith, and the larger and shorther Catechiſms, agreed unto by both Kingdoms, and for the reſtraining and coercing of Impiety p. 65and Blaſphemy, the encouragement of the Miniſtry, and for the promoving of Godlineſs. Amongſt which Acts, that abolishing Patronages, deſerveth a more ſpecial and commendable remembrance: Not only becauſe of the many woful Effects & Abuſes of Patronage, as it then was (& now is) exerciſed, whereby frequently, Godly men and in ſome meaſure qualified for the Work of the Miniſtry were (& are) unjuſtly reſtrained from labouring therein; Many Congregations needleſly continued deſolate, without afixed Miniſtry; Many Naughty men and utterly inſufficient, at the ſole arbitrement of Patrons, violently obtruded upon the People, without and againſt their own conſent; Presbyteries conſtrained (contrary to the Rule of the Holy Scriptures) to ordaine men, whom the People neither choiſed, nor could cheerfully receave; Foundations of prejudice & ſtrife, betwixt Paſtor and People laid, whereby the one cannot preach nor the other hear with profit; Symoniacal Pactions often baſely made betwixt Patrons & the perſon preſented, to the diſgrace of the Holy Calling as-wel as to the ſin and shame of the Perſons; And the Miniſtry of too many, in diſpencing of Word, Sacraments & Cenſures, made to depend too much upon the Will and pleaſure of Man: But alſo becauſe, it hath no Precept in the Word of God, nor Example in the old Jewish, nor new primitive and pure Chriſtian Church, to warrant it; becauſe, Intentionally and Natively it ſpoileth the People of that Right and Priviledge, in Electing their own Paſtors, which Scripture and Reaſon alloweth; And becauſe, being the Patron's (pretended) Heritage, and therefore, by him vendible to whom he pleaſeth, the whole and ſole Power of Preſenting of Miniſters, Planting of p. 66Churches, Preaching of the Goſpel, & ſettling Maintenance, may be turned over unto, & put in the hands of men, not only Profa…e & Strangers to both Church & Common-wealth, but alſo pro…eſ…ed Enemies of the Truth, yea, even Papiſts or Pagans. And therefore, (being in itſelf a grievous and unwarrantable Burthen; deſtructive of the Church and Peoples Liberties; obſtructive of the free courſe of the Goſpel; the Freedom, Power & Plainneſs of the Miniſtry; and occaſional of much baſe Flattery & Partiality, under which, from the very times of Superſtition which introduced it, the Church did heavily groan) it muſt needs be ſo much the greater Bleſſing to be delivered from it.

The ſecond Advantage which the Lord's work receaved, was by that great and long Tranſaction with the King in order to His return, and Admiſſion to the Government; which at length, after repeated Addreſſes, many Treaties, and the interpoſing of Forraign States and Princes, produced the King's Approbation and Allowance of the Nationall and Solemn League and Covenant: Which both by his great Oath unto the Moſt High God, and his hand-writ and Subſcription, he moſt amply aſſured, promiſing in the ſame manner to advance & proſecute their Ends, and to ſeek and procure the eſtablishment thereof, and of Presbyterial Government, and of the whole work of God in all his Dominions. We know our Adverſaries, perſiſting in their old malice, diſown and exclaim upon this Tranſaction as moſt diſloyal and inſolent, for Subjects (whoſe part is only to ſurrender & ſubmit,) to require and enter into Treaties with their Prince: But 1. as theſe reproaches are from the ſame wicked Spirit, falſe grounds, and baſe and carnall ends, which from the very times of popery, have reſiſted, p. 67and been objected againſt the Work of Reformation in this Land; ſo do wee thereto oppoſe, (in full aſſurance before God and all the World,) theſe ſolid and evident reaſons and warrants, whereby not only theſe Treaties and Tranſactions with the late King, but all theſe old Contracts and Agreements betwixt the then Powers and People, (which in ſome ſort, are the very foundation of the Proteſtant Religion in this Realm) are juſtifyed and approven: wherein if there be any diſparity, the difference of a King upon His Throne actually Exercing, from a Prince only aſcending thereto, muſt caſt the advantage on our ſide. 2. Seing there is no Voluntary Kingdom, which is not both erected, ſuſtained, and continued by a Fundamental Contract, and no Right thereto ſo good (though even that of Divid himſelf and His Poſterity, who held the Kingdom, both by inmediate grant, and interpoſed Oath of the Moſt High,) which is not ſetled and confirmed by this agreement, 2 Sam. 5.3. 2 Kings. 11.17. can any rationall man diſprove or condemn Treaties ſo naturally antecedent and previous thereto. 3. The reaſon and neceſſity of this Treaty is ſo dependent upon the preceeding War with the laſt King, in which (as-well as in his Kingdomes) this King did ſucceed him, that, ſeing it can have no oppoſers, but ſuch as therein were enemies, we willingly refer hoth the caſes to the determinations of the ſame reaſons. And as for ſuch who aſſerting the Covenant, and the Juſtice of the long Parliaments War, do nevertheleſs diſprove our procedure in this Treaty, as their mis-information doth not prejudge the Truth; ſo neither are we anſwerable for their inconſequence.

The third Advantage which the Lord gave His Work, was by what the King did after his arrival in p. 68Scotland, both before and at his Coronation, for the greater confirmation of the Covenant and Work of God, and the more ſtrong engaging of himſelf and this whole Land unto the Lord. Before his Coronation, he emitteth that Declaration at Dumfermling ſufficiently known by this deſignation, wherein Profeſsing, and appearing in the full perſuaſion and love of the Truth, he repenteth (as having to do with & in the ſight of God) His Fathers oppoſition to the Covenant and VVork, of God, and his own reluctancies againſt the ſame, hoping for mercy through the blood of Ieſus Chriſt, and obteſting the Prayers of the faithful to God, for his ſtedfastneſs: and then proteſteth his truth and ſincerity in entering into the Oath of God, reſolving to proſecute the ends of the Covenant to his utmost, and to have with it the ſame common friends and enemies, exhorting all to lay down their enmity against the Cauſe of God, and not to prefer Man's Intereſt to God's, which will prove an Idole of Iealouſy to provoke the Lord, and he himſelf accounteth to be but ſelfiſh flattery, & ſo-forth proceedeth in the moſt cordial, ſincere & aſſuring terms, to teſtify his love and zealous reſolutions for God, his People and Covenant, and on the other hand his great diſlike and deteſtation of all Perſons, courſes and Intereſts contrary thereto. A Declaration, ſo full of heart-profeſſions, and high atteſtations of the Great God, that none ſeriouſly conſidering the preſent times, can reflect thereon without horror and trembling from the Holy Jealouſy of the Lord, either for the then deep Diſſimulation, or the preſent unparalelled Apoſtacy. However ſeeing the p. 69ſame is ſo aſſertive, that no words could adde to it's aſſurance, nor no argument leſs then the preſent Apoſtacy, render it to any neutral perſon ſuſpect of the leaſt diſſimulation; ſure we are, that the generality of the Kingdom, did thereby obtain all the warrant of the King's moſt full and clear aſſent to, and allowance of the Covenant, that either Law or Reaſon could require. Thereafter at his Coronation, how the King did again confirm the Covenant, and both He and his People thereby again engage themſelves unto the Lord, the order thereof printed and published to the World doth fully declare. In which, theſe paſſages are very obſervable. 1. That the King is deſired in Name of the People, jointly to accept the Crown and maintain Religion ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL & SOLEMN LEAGUE & COVENANT, to which he declareth his cordial aſſent, wiſhing no longer to live, then he might ſee Religion & this Kingdō flourish in all happineſs. 2. After a Sermon moſt pertinently, plainly and powerfully preached upon that 2 Kings 11. v. 12, & 17. (wherein amongſt other things, the binding power & force of the Oath of God, and the hazards of the breach thereof are fully repreſented) the Action commenceth with the King's moſt Solemn Renewing of the National and Solemn League and Covenant, which was in this manner. The King kneeling and lifting up his right hand before the three Eſtats of the Kingdom, the Commiſſioners of the General Aſſembly, and the whole People and Congregation, by his great Oath in preſence of the Almighty God, the Searcher of hearts, he aſſureth & declareth his allowance of the NATIONAL COVENANT, & SOLENN LEAGUE & COVENANT, promiſing p. 70faithfully to proſecute the Ends thereof, and to eſtablish the ſame with the Presbyterial Government and the whole VVork of God, in all his Dominions. 3. That, having thus taken the Covenants, the King is preſented to the People, and their willingneſs, to have him for their King, demanded; which they accordingly declare. 4. That he did alſo ſwear and take the Coronation-Oath appointed and recorded Parl. 1. Iac. 6. cap. 8. to which both the Covenants are moſt conſonant, Promiſing by the Eternal & Almighty God, who liveth and reigneth for ever, to obſerve and keep the ſame. 5. That when he Sword was put in his hand, he is deſired to receave the ſame For the Defence of the Faith of Ieſus Chriſt, & of the true Religion ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL & SOLEMN LEAGUE & COVENANT, & for the Miniſtration of Iuſtice; which he accordingly accepteth. 6. After the Crown is ſet upon his head, the Peoples Obligatory Oath is proclaimed, whereby they all ſwear by the Eternal & Almighty God who liveth & reigneth for ever, to be true & faithful to the King, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL & SOLEMN LEAGUE & COVENANT. 7. Being inſtalled and ſet upon the Throne, he is exhorted by the Miniſter to remember, That his Throne is the Lord's Throne, 1 Chron. 29. ver. 23. And being a Covenanted King ſet thereon, he ought under God to rule for God, and eſpecially to beware that he made not the Lord's Throne, a Throne of Iniquity, to frame miſchief by a Law, even ſuch miſchievous Laws as have been enacted by his Predeceſſors, deſtructive to Religion, p. 71and grievous to the Lord's People. 8. The Nobles of the Land▪ being called one by one, and kneeling before the King on the Throne, and holding their hands betwixt his hands, did Swear by the Eternal and Almighty God who liveth and reigneth for ever, to be true and faithful to the King, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL AND SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT. 9. The action is cloſed by a moſt ſolid and weighty exhortation, both to King and People to keep the Covenant, and beware of the breach of it; which is enforced by theſe fearful threatenings and inſtances recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, againſt Covenant-breakers, particularly theſe, Nehem. 5. ver. 13. where Nehemiah did shake his lap. ſaying, So God shake out every man from his houſe, & from his labour, that performeth not this promiſe, even thus be he shaken out and emptied, and all the Congregation ſaid, Amen. Ier. 34. v. 18, 19, 20, & 21. And 2 Chron. 24.23, 24, & 25. With this Pathetick application, That if they should break the Covenant, God would shake off the King's Crown, and turn him from the Throne; that he would shake the Nobles out of their poſſeſsions, and empty them of their Glory; and would deliver both to the hands of their enemies who ſeek their life; That breach of Covenant and Rebellion againſt God was an old and continued Sin in the King's houſe, which God had already ſeverely punished: if therefore the King should not acknowledge Ieſus Christ King of Zion, who is above him, but break this Covenant, God's controverſy against the King's Family would be carried on unto the p. 72weakning if not the overthrow of it. And laſtly, both the King and Nobles are certifyed, that if the King and they who are engaged to ſupport his Crown, shall conſpire together against the Kingdom of Ieſus Christ, both the ſupporters and the ſupported will fall together. This is that great Action, wherein almoſt all the Solemnities are ſo twiſted with that ſacred Bond, that the World muſt acknowledge, that never King and People under the Sun, became ſo expreſly and ſtrictly obliged both unto God, one to another, & amongſt themſelves, as we were and are by theſe moſt Sacred Oaths of the Holy Covenants, moſt indiſſolubly engaged.

The fourth and laſt Advantage, was that plenary and laſt Complement of all Securities whatſoever amongſt men, viz. the Ratification of all theſe preceeding Treaties, Tranſactions, Engagements and Actions, concluded and enacted by the King, then having attained the Age of 21 Years compleat, and the Parliament fully and freely conveened in the MonethMonth of Iune 1651. whereby the ſame did paſs into a perpetual Law: And this Covenant which from the beginning was and is the moſt firm and Indiſpenſible Oath of God, became at length the very Fundamental Law of the Kingdom, whereon all the Rights and Priviledges either of King or People, are principally bottomed and ſecured.

This is the fair ſide of the Tranſactions and providences of thesſe times, and the effects of the Lord's favourable preſence, and the conſequence of that Zeal which we have mentioned. O! that we had ſincerely minded and walked agreeably to all theſe Engagements, ſurely our times should have endured for p. 73ever: but ſeing both our own backſlidings, and the Lord's withdrawing from us do evidently teſtify againſt us, let us aſcribe Righteouſneſs unto our God, that in the remembrance of all theſe Judgements wherewith he hath punished us leſs then our inquities deſerve, we may not only take unto our ſelves shame and Confuſion of face, becauſe we have ſinned againſt Him, and thereby ſtop the mouth of all theſe blaſphemies and boaſtings of the Adverſaries of the Lord, and His Holy Covenant, which our Backſlidings have ſo widely opened; but in the thoughts of His faithfulneſs be encouraged to hope in His Mercy, and for the return of our Departed Glory, although we have rebelled againſt Him.

The Principal Step of our Defection, and the only Riſe and Cauſe of all our Sin and Calamity, we acknowledge to have been no other, then that which is the condemnation of the World, that Light indeed came unto us, but we loved Darkneſs better then Light, becauſe our deeds were evil. For the Lord did cauſe His Goſpel to shine amongſt us, in as great Power and Purity as ever any Nation enjoyed, and by the Advantages of his own Holy Miniſtry and Government, & the acceſſion of our many fold Covenants and Engadgements, did beautify and ſecure the ſame unto us; And though that after a long continuance of all theſe bleſſings, the Lord by the Aſcendent Power of His own Spirit and Glorious Preſence, did bring the whole Land under theſe great convictions, mentioned in the concluſion of the League and Covenant, of our not valueing the ineſtimable Benefit of the Goſpel, nor endeauouring to receave Chriſt in our hearts, and walk worthy of Him in our lives, the only. Duty and p. 74end of all our Covenants and Engagements, which is in effect God's greateſt Delight and Glory in the World, and all our Felicity; And unto theſe unfained reſolutions there annexed, of Repentance and Amendment; And laſtly though the Lord from Heaven had both plagued us for, and purged us from theſe fearful Apoſtacies and Defections, whereby men of corrupt minds, not holding the Head and End of all things, even our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, were both in the Years 1645. and 1648. ſoon turned aſide from their ſtedfaſtneſs in the Covenant, and became Enemies unto God's own Work and Cauſe, and had therefore ſtirred us up to the Renewing of our Covenant with God in the Year 1648, with and after a moſt Solemn Acknowledgement both of the Cauſes and Evills of theſe Defections, and a moſt ſerious deteſtation of, and reſolution againſt both; Notwithſtanding, we ſay, of all theſe things, Yet the great Sin and Evil of not valueing, receaving, and walking worthy of our Lord Jeſus. and the not directing and improving the great Bleſſings of His Goſpel, Ordinances, Covenants, Victories, and all other Benefits and Enjoyments beſtowed on us for the promoving of the Pleaſure of our Lord, and the Eſtablishing of His Kingdom, for the Salvation of Sinners, did ſtill remain. Thence was it, that the generall and great Zeall which then appeared, was ſo ſuddenly contracted to a very few, and much remitted in all: And that mens corruptions, turning former Profeſſions into feigned pretenſions, and cauſing many, (in place of the great and only end propoſed) to minde Selfish Deſignes, and Worldly advantages, the Lord was provoked to give up ſome to the proſecution of theſe baſe deſires, … which they had ſo quickly backſliden; And to p. 75abandon others to the deluſion of an over-credulous Charity: which two Evills did ſo far prevail in all the Tranſactions of theſe Times, that though the Over-ruling Providence of the Moſt High, did bring forth thereof the Advantages which we have al-ready, mentioned; yet were Men thereby acted to purſue Treaties, over the belly of moſt ſignal Warnings and moſt pregnant Diſswaſives to the contrary, and to conclude Agreements, and accept of Securities in the great Matters of God, and of His Work ſo long contended for, and far advanced, which no rational man not preferring airy words and profeſſions, and Ink-ſubſcriptions, to plain refuſal, viſible reluctancies, manifeſt reſilings, open counter-actings, and ſtrong and continued prejudices, would be ſatisfyed with, in his own private matters of almoſt the meaneſt concernment. But though the Lord from heaven did at Dumbar, teſtify againſt both this evil and ſinful courſe, and the great Sin and wickedneſs that had procured it, and thereafter by many of His faithful Servants did give expreſs Teſtimony & Warning againſt the ſame▪ yet it is ſtil perſiſted in: And notwithſtanding that by a new diſcovery, after all the aſſurance contained in the Declaration at Dumfermling that could be imagined, the Lord did make it evident at Clova, that all theſe condeſcenſions were only the conſtraints of Policy, the Backſliding and Deluſion of theſe times did proceed, until, that under a pretence of Neceſſity, preferring the Arm of Flesh to the Almighty Power and Favour of the Moſt High, and through the perſwaſion of a Mock-Repentance, only agreable unto that Mock-Treaty whereon it depended, we were induced again, to break the Lord's Commandement and our own Engagement, in joyning with the People of theſe Abominations; to p. 76provoke the Lord to be angry, until He should conſume us utterly without a remnant or eſcaping; and by partaking of their Sins, became apt and ready to partake of their judgements, which the Lord, by the hand of the TREACHEROUS, did ſuddenly inflict upon us for all our treachery: And thereby, according to His Righteouſneſs and Great Faithfulneſs, as he had brought upon us the bleſſing; ſo He alſo brought upon us the curſe of His Holy Covenant, and the fears of our own Acknowledgement.

Theſe were our Forſakings & Backſlidings, which provoked the Lord alſo to forſake us, and at length to give us over unto, and leave us in the hands of our enemies; and to lay on our necks that long and heavy yoke of forraign Uſurpation, under which, from the Year 1651. unto the Year 1660. we did ſo grevouſly groan. The remembrance of which things, doth neceſſarily oblidge us to the Declaration of theſe things.

1. That as we deſire heartily to reſume theſe profeſſions of unfeigned Humiliation (for the undervaluing of the Precious Goſpel and ſlighting of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt) contained in our Holy Covenant, wherein all the Land without exception are and were ſo deeply concerned; ſo (although in the Narration of the procedure of our ſinful and Wofull Defection, the particular paſſages of Self-ſeeking and Over-credulous Deluſion, may import a narrower reſtricton, Yet) the Lord is our witneſs, that the pure motive of His Glory, and the Honor and Truth of His Work and Covenant, without prejudice to the perſons of any, far leſs of ſuch, whom we are perſwaded the Lord both did, and yet doth honor, to be inſtrumental in His Work, and faithfull in His Covenant, (though neither in the former practice, or this preſent perſwaſion, p. 77we do agree) have induced us to this reflection: which we earneſtly obteſt, may be looked upon by all, rather as the matter of our mourning then of our cenſure.

2. That whatever love and ſincere reſpect we retain for ſuch of the Faithful, who (through the Holy and Wiſe Permiſſion of the Soveraign Lord, by the influence of particular temptations, or of that general and powerful ſnare of an Evil Time) were carried on to a Sinful Complyance with the Evil Courſes thereof: Yet we are perſwaded, that the remitting of that Zeal, ſincerity and ſtedfaſtneſs, whereunto, in our Solemn Acknowledgement, upon the moſt powerful motives, we had then lately ſo ſeriouſly engaged our ſelves; and the more Politick then Pious management of theſe Treaties and Tranſactions; (wherein the advancement of the Work of God, and proſecution of the Ends of the Covenant ſo highly pretended, could not ſincerely and zealouſly be intended, by any imaginary ſecurity or ſinful aſſiſtance thereby obtained) but eſpecially the relapſing unto that moſt ſinful Conjunction with the People of theſe Abominations, ſo ſolemnly and lately repented for, and reſolved againſt, (which, in ſtead of being ſalved, was, by the Conſtrained, Politick, Diſſembled, and Formall Repentance then uſed, to the mocking of the God of Truth, and ſcorn of all our Holy Engagements, on all hands moſtly aggravated and exaggerated) theſe evils, we ſay, were the very foundations of this preſent Apoſtacy, and the grounds of the Lords controverſy, which hath ſo long, and yet doth ſo greivouſly purſue this Poor Church and Nation. O! that all men would yet at length, after all the evils and warnings which God hath ſent amongſt us, ſeriouſly conſider their p. 78wayes, take unto themſelves shame, and give unto God the Glory, before the decree bring forth our utter deſtruction and deſolation. Who knoweth but the Lord would repent Himſelf for His ſervants, when He ſeeth our power is gone, and return on high for His own Glory, and the Congregation of the poor that compaſs Him about, and render vengeance unto all his adverſaries?

3. That neither failing nor backſliding of many of the faithful, nor the wicked Hypocriſy and Diſſimulation practized on the other hand, in the carrying on, and concluding of theſe Treaties, whereby the King was brought under the bond of the Holy Covenant, doth leſſen or annul His Obligation thereto; far leſs the Security, which the People, eſpecially ſuch who know not theſe depths of Sathan, did obtain thereby, for their warrant and confirmation: Surely the greateſt Aggravation of Perjury, cannot annul the Sacred Obligation of an Oath; nor an intended Falshood, looſe the bond of Truth; nor will vile Diſſimulation, and the moſt fearful mocking of God and the whole World, deliver from His Holy Juſtice and Jealouſy, who is a terrible and ſwift witneſs againſt, and avenger of all ſuch abominations. Did the wicked diſſimulation and rebellious heart of the Children of Iſrael, wherewith they entered in Covenant with the Lord, Deu. 29.10. to 28. liberate them from the ſin of Apoſtacy, and all theſe fearful plagues threatened againſt it? Did not that Diſſimulate promiſe and engagement of the remnant of the Jewes, made to Ieremiah chap. 42.20. rather haſten and aggravat the punishment of their diſobedience, v. 21, and 22? All who love Truth or fear an Oath, do no doubt abhor ſuch wickedneſs. But the main objection is, that all theſe condeſcenſions p. 79were extorted by Force and Fear, which doth excuſe the Diſſimulation, and annul the Oath. We shall not here inſiſt to clear and refute this cavillation, which others have ſo fully anſwered: For as to the poſition, that neither force nor fear, do cauſe to ceaſe the obligation of an Oath in a matter meerly Indifferent; much leſs, Holy, Righteous and true (as the matter of the Covenant is) all yeeld. But that neither Force, Fear, nor any other indirect way can be alleadged for the annulling of theſe engagements, both the preceeding Treaties, the juſt and neceſſary Reaſons, and all other cicumſtances do moſt evidently confirm; So that the whole World may juſtly wonder, that theſe men, who both in profeſſion and practice, do plainly evidence their profane Indifferency, and regardleſs violation of all Oaths, wherein Intereſt doth not concurre, should by the manifeſt Patronizing of all Perfidy (whereof no inſtance can be adduced in the breach of any treaty, wherein the ſtronger & weaker did ever compoſe any matter of Right, which is not more juſtifyable) & the shamefull diſgracing of the King himſelf, (whom neither Conſcience, Honor, Honeſty, nor the example of his Father could teach the conſtancy of the moſt mean and abject of his Subjects,) should plead & pretend to rational pretext for the preſent Apoſtacy, and not rather content themſelves, to ſay with the King in one of his Declarations, emitted shortly after his return to England, that it is well known by what abuſive meanes His Majeſty was adduced to make and publish that Declaration at Dumfermling, without any more ſpecial condeſcendence, which is impoſſible. But oh! that the World did alſo know and conſider all the re-iterated Oaths and Subſcriptions, High and p. 80Solemn Atteſtations, Free and unrequired Profeſſions, Fearfull Execrations, made before God, Angels and Men, both in Publick, upon the Throne, under the Crown, in plain Parliament, and alſo in Private Conferences, which many yet alive can ſufficiently atteſt; by which this poor Church and Nation was inſnared, and precipitated into all the Sin and Miſery, that ſince the Year 1650. unto this day, hath afflicted us. However the Lord, who ſeeth and heareth, doth alſo conſider, to require it, and the violence done to Himſelf in many of his ſuffering members, who partly even in the conſcience of the very things, which they that are moſtly therein concerned, do mockat, dare not proſtitute their Conſciences in an ambulatory Complyance, with the wicked Apoſtacy in theſe times.

4. We cannot but obſerve, that after the prevailing, and during the time of the English uſurpation, theſe only, for the moſt part, remained mindful of, and faithful to the King, who were faithful and ſtedfaſt in the Covenant; when as theſe, who formerly did, and at preſent do pretend ſo highly, for the King, in prejudice both of Jeſus Chriſt, and the Holy Covenant, did in their ſlavish complyance, abandon all Alleagance and Honeſty, to complement the then Powers, for the promoving of their own ſelfish deſignes, which is the only bond of all their Engagements, and rule and aim of all their Actions. And though many of them do now pretend to have been ſufferers, yet it is well known, that if they had had the half of theſe temptations, which the Faithful upon the account of their alleageance did conſtantly reſiſt, the Kings Intereſt for their part, had been for ever forgotten, as it was by many of them openly renounced and abjured; And that the main reaſon of their then ſeeming and pretended p. 81Loyalty, was the improbability of credit with, and acceptance from the Uſurpers, becauſe of their known Naughtineſs.

Having thus declared the Lords great Work and Glorious Preſence amongſt us, in all theſe Mercies and Judgements which he shewed upon us, and theſe ſtrange Viciſſitudes & Alternations, ſometimes of His Grace & Power, engageing us with heart & hand unto Himſelf, ſometimes of our own hearts Wickedneſs and Unſtedfaſtneſs, again cauſing us to apoſtatize and backſlide from His Holy Command and Covenant, which, daring the ſpace of an hundred years from the Year 1560, have in the Holy and Wiſe Providence of God paſſed over us; that by all theſe great Temptations, which our eyes have ſeen, and the Signs and wonders which he hath wrought, we might know, that the Lord is our God, and Jeſus Chriſt our King; and that by all theſe things, He only went about to eſtablish us for a peculiar People unto Himſelf, in the Glorious Light of His Truth, and Beauty of His Holineſs, far exalted above many other Nations. We are now come to the Year 1660, wherein though the Lord was pleaſed according to His Glorious Soveraignity, by His own immediate hand, to break the yoke of our Oppreſſors, reſtore our Covenanted King, Lawes and Liberties, and to make all Factions, Parties and Intereſts, not only to cede unto, but unanimouſly to conſpire for this Bleſſed Reſtitution; yet how evidently hath it ſince appeared, that the Lord had not given unto us an heart to perceave, eyes to ſee, nor ears to hear, unto that very day.

We need not here reſume the King's moſt Solemn and Indiſſoluble Engagements, which we have ſo lately mentioned, nor add that after Worceſter fight, p. 82and from beyond Sea, he did confirm by private letters to perſons of unqueſtionable credit, that he was, and through the Grace of God would continue, the ſame man that he had declared Himſelf to be in Scotland; nor that it was the conſcience of that clauſe of the Covenant, relating to the maintenance of His Perſon and Authority, which during the times of Uſurpation, did retain the ſence and love of his Intereſt, ſo fresh and deeply rooted in mens hearts; Nor that the publick owning, publishing and reprinting thereof by the then Parliament in England in March 1660. was the firſt Public Act that durſt or did appear in his favours; Nor laſtly need we remember that Letter written and directed by the King, after his return to the Presbytery of Edinburgh and this whole Church, wherein he declares Himſelf reſolued, by the Grace of God to protect and preſerve the Government of the Church of Scotland as it is ſetled by Law without violation; Seing that though according to it's then State and poſture, ſuch a Solemn and Publick Aſſurance might have been reputed a perpetual Security; yet the whole ſtrain of the Letter, is ſuch as tendeth only to divide the whole Miniſtery, and to abuſe the greater part of them: And particularly, the altering and ſuppreſſing of that moſt fixed and certain ground of his Engagement, even the Word of God and the Holy Covenant, for that of Law, which is but frail and moveable, did even then diſcover to many, that latent Diſſimulation and Inſtability, whereby others were either weakly or willingly deluded. The thing we obſerve is, that both King and Peoples Obligations were not then greater, then the oportunity appeared to be moſt happy, for the accomplishing p. 83of the Lord's Work, the making of his Name Great & One in all theſe Nations, & the Nations happy & high above all Nations in Name & in Praiſe, & the eſtablishing of the King and his poſterity upon the Throne in Glory & proſperity, & that the owning of, & adhering unto the Solemn League and Covenant, our Magna Charta of Religion and Righteouſneſs, had both in the perſwaſion of all ſober men, and even in the conviction of the greateſt part of our Adverſaries, infallibly produced, and effectuated all theſe bleſſings.

But Oh! how ſuddenly and ſtrangely was this bleſſed appearance overclouded, the expectation of all the Godly diſappointed, the joy and peace of all corrupted and marred, and this Land reduced unto this preſent ſo woful deſolation and ſore diſtreſs, which though the groans, tears, and the Blood of the Perſecuted, the cry of Violence and Oppreſſion, the Deſolation and Profanation of Gods Sanctuary, the reigning power of Darkneſs, the Pride, Rage and Blaſphemy of Perjury and all Profanity, which hath filled the Land, and the dreadful Wrath of the moſt Holy and Great God, which both burneth round about, and hangeth over it, do ſufficiently make manifeſt, yet for our greater upſtirring to conſider and lay to heart, that all theſe evils are come upon us becauſe our God is not amongſt us, and what the heat of this great Anger meaneth, & alſo for the clearing of the Innocency & Teſtimony of the Lords ſufferers, we do shortly exhibite the violent courſe of this precipitant Defection.

The King being returned and re-eſtablished in May 1660. the Antichriſtian Spirit of Prelacy, ever enemy to the Goſpel and Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus, p. 84and the Holy Covenant whereby the ſame are promoted, taking occaſion from theſe many troubles and confuſions, which the oppoſition and falſe-heartedneſs of many in the ſame Covenant, did principally provoke the Lord to inflict upon thir Lands, and advantage from the proneneſs of mens Power to decline unto Tyranny, and their corruptions to all licentiouſneſs, did firſt moſt falſely and atrociouſly ſlander the Covenant as the Bond of all Iniquity, Rebellion and Confuſion, which prejudice being enforced which many apparent advantages that then did attend it, did ſo ſuddenly and ſtrongly ſpread and root it ſelf in the hearts of our Nobles, Rulers, and the generality of the Land, that, without ſo much as ſeriouſly reflecting upon their former ſo Solemn Engagements, Sacred Oaths, Publick Profeſſions, Vigorous Actings and Appearances for the Cauſe and Covenant of the Lord, with any conſideration of Conſcience, Honeſty, or Honor, which ſo great and ſudden a mutation from their former wayes, though they had been as wicked, as in effect they are true and righteous, did certainly call for in ſober and earneſt Repentance, they with the concurrence of ſuch vile Sycophants and treacherous perſons in the Church and Miniſtry, as the worldly wealth and Power of Prelacy had wickedly debauched, ſet themſelves in a moſt determined and reſolute Fury, whereinto all their former zeal for God is by the malice of Satan ſuddenly corrupted, by the plain force of Power, and colour of Authority, whereunto they had now attained, to deface and overturn the whole Work of God, raze it's fundations, annul His Covenants, repeal all Acts made in their favors, incapacitate and perſecute all oppoſers, and laſtly to efface and diſſolve all ſenſe and bond of Conſcience, p. 85by which this fearful courſe of Apoſtacy, might be in the leaſt, checked or controlled.

We shall not here premiſe any thing, for clearing of the Unlawfulneſs of the ſucceeding Acts and Deeds, whereby this Apoſtacy was carried on, and for the looſing and freeing of us from all obligation of Obedience thereto, or Complyance therewith: Any who can but ſuppoſe, that not only a whole Parliament but alſo all men are, and have often been found liars, and compare impartially the things preſent with the things that are paſt, muſt neceſſarily conclude, that all theſe Acts and Deeds of Defection were and are Groſs Perjury and Wickedneſs, and that ſo long as that maxim shal hold, that we ought rather to obey God then Man, they can never be binding either in Conſcience or Reaſon.

Seing therefore that the only Rule of theſe Counteractings and overturnings, was to deſtroy that which the Lord had ſo gloriouſly planted, and to looſe that whereunto we were and are indiſſolubly obliged, referring our ſelves to what is already ſaid, for vindicating the Lords Work and our Holy Covenants, we proceed to lay forth the Sinfulneſs and Wofulneſs of this Defection, as follows.

1. In July 1660. by immediate clandeſtine warrants, without any cauſe ſignifyed or citation given, the Lord Marqueſs of Argile and ſome other Gentlemen, (who were conceaved to have been inſtrumental in the former Work of God, and that they might be of influence for obſtructing of the then deſigned overthrow thereof) were attached and committed cloſe Priſoners.

2. In August 1660. the Committee of Eſtates appointed by the Parliament 1651. being again ſet down, p. 86the very firſt day of their meeting, do violently ſeiſe upon ſeveral faithful Miniſters, peaceably and quietly aſſembled together, and imployed in the drawing up of a monitory Letter to the King, in the moſt rational and dutiful manner, and for the moſt important and neceſſary Ends, of Gods Glory, and the Kings ſervice, that can be imagined, as the Letter it ſelf ſet down at large in the Apologetick Narration doth teſtify. And though this duty and employment was no other, then what the meaneſt ſubject in the moſt private capacity might, and all were indiſpenſibly obliged to have done; yet thoſe Miniſters and one Gentleman with them, are therefore, inſtantly without hearing, committed Priſoners.

3. This Committee proceeding to prepare for the ſucceeding Parliament, (which was all it's work and deſign) the Parliament ſiteth down the 1 day of January. Where, having taken the Oath of Supremacy, without reſpect to it's due limitation contained in the 114. Act. Ia. 6. Parl. 12. 1592. then ſtanding unrepealed; and exalting the Kings prerogative, upon the alleaged Warrand of the VVord of God and Laws of the Land (but in effect directly contrary to both) above all Offices, Parliaments, Laws, Leagues, Conventions, Peace and War; and likwiſe upon meer aſſertions & alleageances in place of declaring upon known and certain grounds (which is all that any Parliament can lawfully do) directly Innovating the Fundamental Law & Conſtitution of the Kingdom, & thereby making the Kings Throne, the foundation of all the ſucceeding Perjury and Apoſtacy; They ſpoil and diveſt, firſt, the Solemn League and Covenant, and then the National Covenant, Presbyterial Government, & p. 87the whole Work of God, of all legal warrand and Authority; Declaring all Acts and Practiſes made and ſtanding in favours thereof, to be void and null: And by the ſame great Act reſciſsory, they revive and reinforce all the corruptions and Superſtitions of Croſſing, Kneeling and the like, introduced by any Parliament ſince the Reformation. As the Acts of the firſt Seſſion of the laſt Parliament do clearly teſtify.

Although that theſe Acts have been and are, both in themſelves & in their effects, juſt cauſe of great aſtonishment and mourning to all the Faithful in the Land; yet when we remember that height of Wickedneſs and Profanity that then abounded, and the falſe, flattering, & perjurious Sermons & practiſes, by which the Parliament was thereunto inſtigated, but moſt of all that Act that then paſſed for an Anniverſary▪ Thankſgiving; wherein, as if we had been delivered to commit all this great Wickedneſs, the Spirit and Work of the Lord are heinouſly blaſphemed and calumniated, as the only Author and Cauſe of all the Blood, Bondage, Uſurpation, Rebellion, Rapine, Violence and other Evils, that either the malice and wickedneſs of men had cauſed, or God in his Righteous Judgement had therefore permitted or inflicted; and the Ranverſing of our Bleſſed Reformation, Holy Covenants, and the Righteous Laws whereby they were eſtablished, accounted the Reſtitution of Religion, Righteouſneſs, and Liberties; And the 29 of May, as moſt Auſpicious, appointed for the yearly ſolemn commemoration thereof. (A day, the profane Inſtitution whereof cannot be better demonſtrated, then by it's more profane obſervance and celebration ever ſince p. 88practiſed) Theſe things, we ſay, being conſidered, do juſtly adde horror to our aſtonishment & trembling unto our mourning. But that their practiſe might be alſo conſonant to their Acts and Statutes, and, by cutting off or laying aſide it's moſt eminent Oppoſers, the return of Prelacy might be more effectually promoted, in the ſame Seſſion of Parliament, not only was that Innocent and Faithful one, Mr Cut…ry, (ſingled out and ſignally honoured by God, to bear teſtimony to the Kingdom of His Son Jeſus Chriſt, His Cauſe and Covenant, (for no other fault then his faithfulneſs therein, and his Declining the King's uſurped Authority in prejudice of the Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus, and the priviledges of His Church, clearly warranded by 114 Act Parl. 12. la. 6. then ſtanding unrepeal'd, and by a great cloud of faithful Witneſſes, who in like manner did teſtify againſt this Uſurpation) cruelly ſlain and put to death; But alſo, under the colour of certain Epidemick crimes, wherein the Soveraignity of Divine Providence, more then any man's malice, had involved the whole Land, others who had been eminent in the Work of God, particularly the Marqueſs of Argyle, were condemned to death, and forfeited: and ſeveral other Faithful Miniſters, beſides theſe who were at firſt impriſoned by the Committee of Eſtates, were without any cauſe ſignifyed, impriſoned, confined, or otherwiſe vexed and incapacitated.

4. The riſe and re-eſtablishment of this Antichriſtian Prelacy being thus prepared, in the interval after this firſt Seſſion of Parliament, the King nominateth and preſenteth Bishops; and four of them being called to Court, are there Re-ordained and Conſecrated: and that in ſuch a manner as doth clearly infer their diſowning and renouncing their former Minſtery, p. 89and their Warrand & Miſſion thereunto. In conſequence whereof, all the Ordinary meetings of Presbyteries and Synods are diſcharged, until they should of new be licenced & Authorized thereto by the Bishops now nominated and appointed, and, to the effect that matters might the better ſucceed, ſeveral of our Faithful Miniſters, upon groundleſs ſuſpitions, and for refuſing of the Oath of Supremacy arbitrarly and rigorouſly impoſed, without ſo much as admitting ſuch qualifications, as no Chriſtian ought or can deny, are ſome of them Banished and others confined.

5. The ſecond Seſſion of this laſt Parliament ſitting in May 1662. by their firſt Act, they reſtore and reeſtablish Prelacy in all it's pretended Rights, Dignities and Priviledges, but in effect, in it's real Uſurpations and Corruptions. And for the better ſetling thereof, and evident declaring to the World, how Eraſtian and Antichriſtian this Woful Government is, both in it's Riſe, Deſigns and Effects, as by this Act, the Reſtitution thereof is expreſly founded upon the King's Supremacy, as being an inherent Right in the Crown for the diſpoſal of the external Government of the Church, So it is alſo declared, that whatever the King shall determine with advice of the Bishops and ſuch of the Clergy as he shall nominate, in the externall Government of the Church, shall be valid and effectual, without any other Proviſo then that the ſame be conſiſtent with the Laws of the Realm. But the Abſolute Complement of all Wickedneſs and the Hight of Uſurpation, above all that ever the Papacy it ſelf aſpired unto, is that which followeth, whereby the King and Parliament, for clearing all ſcruples p. 90which may occurre from former Acts and Practices, do reſcind all former Acts, by which, the ſole and only power of Juriſdiction within this Church, doth ſtand in the Church, and in the Meetings and Aſſemblies thereof; and all Acts of Parliament and Council, which may be interpreted to have given any Church-power, Juriſdiction, or Government to the Office-bearers of the Church, their reſpective meetings, other then that which acknowledgeth a dependence upon, and ſubordination to the Soveraign Power of the King as ſupream, and is to be regulated and authorized in the exerciſe thereof by the Bishops, who are to put order to Eccleſiaſtick matters, and to be accountable to the King for their Adminiſtration; And the foreſaid 114 Act Parl. 12. la. 6. whereby the Priviledges, Power and other eſſentiall Cenſures given by God to the ſpirituall Office-bearers in His Church, and warranded by His Word are ratifyed, is even in ſo far and totally caſſed and reſcinded. And that the World may know how preſumptuous and abſurd this Uſurpation is, which cannot be juſtly conceaved without an inſtance of it's effects, we here ſubjoyn that 4 Act. Seſſ. 3. of the ſame Parliament for the conſtitution of a National Synod, wherein the King is made ſoveraignly and properly to conſtitute this Aſſembly, both as to the Appointment of it's Members Conſtituent, and of it's conſtant Preſident; the abſolute regulation of things there to be propoſed (which are declared to be only ſuch as He shall pleaſe to ſignify,) the determination and limitation of it's Deciſions, which are to be agreed to by the Preſident as well as the major part, and providing that they be not contrary to the Prerogative or the Laws of the Realm, And laſtly, as to the neceſſity p. 91of the King's preſence in perſon or by his Commiſsioner, and of his Ratification and Approbation, without which no Act or Deed is to be of any force. Now let the World conſider, what he could have done more in the conſtitution and regulation of his own Court of Exchequer: And if he hath not done all, as to the conſtitution of this Court, (immediatly depending upon our Lord Jeſus Chriſt and his ſole Authority) which He Himſelf hath done or poſſibly could do; by what warrand or rule, He who is King of Kings will require. We shal not here ſtand to examine theſe Acts according to former Laws, Oaths and Engagements, hereby moſt fearfully violated and contemned; This is a ſtrain of wickedneſs above all that former times could imagine. O! that God would ſpeak to the Authors, but not in his wrath, and as he hath ſet His only Son upon his holy Hill of Zicn; ſo he would cauſe them to fear His diſpleaſure, that they may yet be wiſe and inſtructed to kiſs the Son, left he be angry, and they perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a litle. Surely to define, that the ſole Power and Juriſdiction of this Church, doth not ſtand within the ſame, but in ſome thing without beſide our Lord Jeſus; and that the ſame is fountain'd in, and derived from the King; and that all Church-Officers in all Church matters, are accountable to him, who is neither thereto Gifted nor Called, is to ſet the King upon our Lord Jeſus his Throne, and a high derogation from, and reflection upon him, who hes builded the Temple of the Lord & bears the Glory, & ſits and rules both as King & Prieſt upon His Throne; Who, more worthy then Moſes, was faithful and perfect as a Son over His own Houſe; and therefore did p. 92not leave His Church deſtitute, of any ſuch neceſſary and proper Officer or Aſſiſter, when neither King nor Prince was ſo much as members thereof; And laſtly, it's a plain Perverſion in ſtead of Performance of that Promiſe made to the Church, Iſai. 49. ver. 23. That Kings should be it's Nurſing Fathers, where in place of Dominion, there Submiſſion is expreſly injoyned, they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the Earth. We know that this empty Notion of External Policy, is vainly pretended to colour the matter: But ſeeing whatſoever can be meaned by external Policy, even as to outward decency and Order, is either particularly determined by our Lord Himſelf and His bleſſed Apoſtles, or under the definition of General and Evident Rules left unto the Churches arbitriment, whereby the King (being no Church-Officer) upon a double account is clearly excluded; and ſeing that under the pretence of this External Policy, the greateſt & moſt ſuperſtitious Novations in the pure Worship of God, and the greateſt Corruptions and Abuſes both by the appointment of new Officers in the Church of Chriſt without His own warrand, and the uſurping and perverting of the Power of Spiritual Cenſures in the Government of Gods Houſe, may be and have been introduced, we doubt not, but all rational men do ſee the deluſions of ſuch vain pretences. And certainly ſince the Act it ſelf doth proceed, to grant the King all the Power in & over both Eccleſiaſtick Cauſes & Perſons that can be imagined, it would be but ordinary ingenuity in our Adverſaries, plainly to aſſert, that the King is the Great Apoſtle and Vicegerent of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in and over His Houſe: Although they should not only appear herein deſtitute of p. 93any better warrand, then this preſent Act of Parliament; But moſt plainly to juſtify al the Uſurpation, that ever the Pope or Antichriſt, can be charged with.

6. Bishops being thus reſtored and admitted to ſit and give voice in Parliament, this Mixture and the Power of their Antichriſtian Spirit doth quickly exert it ſelf: And without regard to the nature of Parliamentary and all Civil Powers (which are no wayes converſant about things and perſwaſions only Internal, and meerly appertaining to conſcience or to the Word of God, which is the ground and warrant, upon which all Power whatſoever being only Declarative, in matters of this kind, ought certainly and expreſly to proceed,) They procure a Dogmatick Act declaring theſe Poſitions, That it is lawful to Subjects for Reformation or neceſſary Self-defence to enter into Leagues, or take up Arms againſt the King, and ſuch like, to be Rebellious and treaſonable; and particularly that the National Covenant as it was explained in the Year 1638, 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 Law and Liberties thereof. (Which neither they nor all the invention of Hell, is able to condeſcend upon or inſtruct) And therefore, out of the plenitude of their power, (as much as ever any Pope pretended to) they looſe the Obligation of Conſcience, and free the Subjects of their Engagements: And further, to compleat this their Wickedneſs, they appoint a Declaration of this p. 94High Impiety, to be ſigned by all in Publick Truſt, that none may be admitted to, or exerce the ſame, except they receave in their right hand or in their foreheads this their accurſed mark. O! Lord our God, thow art of purer eyes then to behold Evil, and canſt not look on Iniquity: VVherefore lookſt thou on them that deal treacherouſly, and holds thy tongue when the wicked devour the man that is more righteous then he? Yet ſurely O Lord thou haſt ordained them for judgement, and O mighty God, thou haſt eſtabished them for correction. Can the World beleeve, that a whole Nation in it's moſt National Capacity, including King, Parliament and the body of the People, should after moſt clear and evident convictions, and ſignal Manifeſtations of the Glory and preſence of God, in the moſt important and holy Concernments of all Truth and Righteouſneſs, moſt ſolemnly (as it were) to day engage themſelves by Oath unto the Lord, and to morrow, without ſo much as ſeriouſly remembring Gods Holineſs and terrible Jealouſy, either againſt theſe that break His Holy Covenant, or wickedly profane His Name by taking it in vain, at once without any reaſon or probable motive rendered therefore, deſpiſe, contemn and trample the ſame Holy and Great Engagements under foot, and urge others to the like Wickedneſs and Impiety? If this tend unto, or shall prove effectuall for the preſervation of his Majeſty's Perſon, Authority & Government, as this Act and ſtatute is entituled, then ſurely he may break the Covenant and proſper. But this is not all, for theſe men ſuppoſing by this Act, that the Work of God was utterly ſubverted and overthrown, they p. 95provide alſo againſt the fears of it's revival, by declaring all ſuch Gatherings and Petitions that were uſed in the beginning of the late Troubles, though the ſame be no other then that common priviledge of all men, which Slavery it ſelf (much leſs Subjection) doth not take away, to be unlawful and ſeditious: And furder do ſtatute and enact that no perſon by VVriting, Printing, Praying, Preaching, or malicious and adviſed ſpeaking, expreſs or publish any words or ſentences to ſtirre up the People to the diſlike of the Kings Prerogative and Supremacy, or of the Government of the Church by Bishops, or juſtify any of the deeds, Actings or things declared against by this preſent Act. By all which, not only the Security of Religion and the Liberty of the Subject is utterly ſubverted, by prohibiting of the lawful, moſt neceſſary and only means of aſſerting thereof, in caſe the ſame should be invaded; but we are alſo denyed and prohibited the licenſe, ſo much as to mourn and pour out our prayer unto God, either apart or one with another, for all this Horrid Apoſtacy, or our heavy perſecutions for non-complyance therewith; So that the moſt innocent of all remedies, Petitioning and Prayer, and alſo the meaneſt and laſt of all comforts, even the Tears and Complaints of the afflicted, (which God and Nature hath hitherto placed beyond the reach of all cruelty) are now ſeverely forbidden.

7. By the third Act of the ſame Seſsion of Parliament, under the pretence that Patronages, being the juſt & proper right of theſe concerned, were unjuſtly abolished in the Year 1649. notwithſtanding that the ſame p. 96were only, in ſo far as they were burthenſome to the Church of God, and obſtructive to the Work of the Goſpel, then abrogated; and in lieu thereof the civil Intereſt and benefit of Patrons more amply extended and ſecured; yet on purpoſe that they might caſt out and remove ſuch faithful Miniſters, as notwithſtanding all the wicked Acts and Practiſes then made for the overthrow of the Work of God and Presbyterial Government, might have by their ſtedfaſtneſs (at leaſt) put ſome demur to this impetuous Defection, they ſtatute and ordain, that all Miniſters who entered to the Cure of any Parish, in or ſince the Year 1649. have no right unto, nor shall poſſeſs any benefice or ſtipend for that ſame current Year 1662. or any Year following, but decern their Kirks and Benefices Ipſo Jure vacant: And then under pretext of favour, they clearly diſcover the deſign and ſnare intended, in declaring that every ſuch Miniſter who shall obtain the Patron's Preſentation and Bishop's Collation, betwixt and the twenty of September then nixt following, shall have right to his Church and Benefice, as if at his entry he had been lawfully preſented, otherwiſe the Act to ſtand in force against him. By which means this ſame Parliament in their firſt Seſſion having enacted, that no Patron should preſent, or Miniſter Preſented have right, except they should firſt take the Oath of Supremacy, the very body and ſtrength of the Miniſtry of this Church were reduced to this ſore Dilemma, either to take that Oath of Supremacy, which both by expreſs Acts and clear Practiſes, was now declared and interpreted to be the very height of Papacy, and root of Prelacy, and by accepting of Collation, to p. 97acknowledge theſe perfidious and uſurping Prelates, or to loſe and be caſt out of the Miniſtry, likeas, de facto 300. and upwards of the faithful Miniſters, were by vertue of this Act shortly thereafter outed and violented from the Exerciſe of their Miniſtry.