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

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

p. 1445. That amongſt the many obſervable providences of God, whereby he brought this Action to it's period, their turning from Lanerk towards Edinburgh, and leaving the Weſt, ſpecially theſe parts where many faithful men were preparing for a Conjunction, doth bear the very eminent characters of the Lord's Work and Purpoſe, which he hath ſince made manifeſt; and was the occaſion of the proſcribing of ſeveral both Miniſters and Gentlemen, as we shall hereafter mention.

6. That as the Louthian-men were very active in appearing againſt this faithfull company; ſo after the Conflict, they were very vigilant and inhumane to take and ſpoil all ſuch flyers as they rencountred: A ſin which no doubt, by reaſon of it's greater aggravations, the Lord will require with greater ſeverity, p. 145then that of Edom, Obad. 12. &c. who rejoyced over the children of Iudah in the day of their deſtruction; and laid hands on their ſubſtance in the day of their calamity, who ſtood in the croſs way to cut off ſuch as did eſcape, and delivered up theſe that did remain in the day of diſtreſs; and therefore he is threatened by the Lord, that for his violence againſt his brother, ſhame ſhould cover him, and he ſhould be cut off for ever.

Thus we have ſeen the indignation of the Lord; in the moſt dreadful and aſtonishing of all judgements, even his ſuffering and cauſing the righteous to fall before the wicked, in delivering the ſoul of his turtle dove unto the multitude of the wicked; His Name unto reproach and blaſphemy, His Strength into captivity, and His Glory into the enemies hands: A providence that may juſtly move our aſtonishment to a greater height then that of Ioſuah chap 7. v. 9. Oh Lord, what wilt thou do unto thy great Name? And how terrible are the charge and ſucceeding Judgements which theſe things do denounce? But the Lord who in wrath remembers mercy, maketh both judgement and mercy his peoples ſong; and it is to his enemies alone, that a cup without mixture is poured out; as the things which follow will declare.

The Arcbishop of St. Andrews having cauſed celebrat the report of this Victory, with almoſt as many Guns from the Caſtle as there were men ſlain in the fields, and as if the 40 had been 40000 Infidels, the priſoners are brought in, and ſecured. We cannot but here mention the ready and charitable relief, which many good people in Edinburgh did then extend to them; p. 146certainly it is gone up for a Memorial before God, and shall have a return. But who can expreſs the malice of that Antichriſtian ſpirit, raging both in the Arch-Prelate and his dependents, which miſery it ſelf doth not ſatiate; and therefore they do ſo exclaim againſt this poor expreſſion of humanity, as prepoſterous and ſavouring of diſaffection, that even ſome of their own Complices did condemn them for it.

The Councill falling immediately to the examination of the Priſoners, they remitt firſt 10, thereafter 14 to the Iustices to be arraigned or rather condemned as Traitors, they having firſt determined and preſcribed the very maner of their execution: and about the ſame time the Commiſſioner going Weſt, with ſome others impowered for that effect, do likewiſe at Air and Glaſgow condemn other ſixteen. Theſe things we join together, becauſe both their Indictments, maner of Tryall, Doom and Execution were the ſame, except in ſo far as shall be noted. The Indictment and Charge of Treaſon exhibited againſt all, conſiſted of two heads and crimes, deduced from old and late Acts of Parliament, and aggravated by many circumſtances, viz. riſing and gathering in Arms, and renewing the Covenant without and againſt the Kings Authority and conſent: Every one's particular acceſſion was libelled from, and proven by his own confeſſion before the Council. This place might require a large digreſſion for anſwering the crimes objected, and clearing the innocency of the Lord's Witneſſes; but ſeing the preceeding Narration doth not only furnish all arguments thereto requiſite, but warranteth them by Precedents beyond contradiction, it shall ſuffice now to obſerve.

p. 1471. That God the Fountain of all Power, and Author of all Right, as, wherever he hath granted to any creature a Being, he hath alſo armed it with a love and power of Self-preſervation ſutable to it's capacity; ſo much more, where, unto a Being, He hath ſuperadded a Right, as in all rationall creatures, which cannot be violated but both by Force and Injury, hath He granted both the Power and Right of Self-defence, which is really one and the ſame thing with it, and in effect nothing elſe but that divine Impreſs and rational Inſtinct, whereby the very courſe of Nature is upholden, ſo inſeparable from the Being and Right of the creature, that it never ceaſeth, except where by the Soveraign Will and Law of God, the Right is firſt annulled and the Being may be deſtroyed. Which poſition, being the clear and true foundation of all Rule and Righteouſneſs, and even of the Being of all things, it may juſtly be wondered, that men should be found, who deny and would ſubvert it in it's firſt, principall and moſt immediate effects. But if according hereunto any will ſubſume and prove, that either by the Lord's ordaining of powers, or mens Surrendar and Submiſſion thereto, (made mainly for Self-preſervation,) the foreſaid Right and Power was or could be revoked or renounced, we shall moſt willingly quite the plea, and proſtitute our ſelves to all the violences that Tyranny can invent, ſince in that caſe there could be no Injury.

2. That as all Societies, Governments and Lawes are appointed in a due Subordination to God and His ſuperior Will and Law, for His Glory and the Common Good of the People, including the ſafety of every individual; ſo, if either this Subordination be notoriouſly infringed, or theſe Ends intollerably perverted, p. 148the common tie of both Society, Government and Law, is in ſo far diſſolved. Hence is it that a King or Rulers commanding things directly contrary to the Law of God, may be and have been juſtly diſobeyed, and by fury or folly deſtroying or alienating the Kingdome, may be and have been lawfully reſiſted. Theſe are concluſions which our greateſt Adverſaries cannot but admit, and are not deducible from any other premiſſes. Let us hear King Iames, whoſe loyalty none can doubt, in a ſpeech to the Parliament in the year 1609. he ſaith, a King degenerateth into a Tyrant when he leaveth to rule by Law, much more when he beginneth to invade his Subjects perſons, rights and liberties, to ſet up an arbitrary power, impoſe unlawful Taxes, raiſe forces, make war upon his Subjects, to pillage, plunder, waſt and ſpoil his Kingdomes. And leſt his inconſequence be ſuſpected, as if notwithſtanding all this, he would have a Tyrant incontrolable, it is upon the ſame grounds, that in his anſwer to Cardinal Perron, he juſtifyeth the Proteſtants in France their Defenſive Arms; Now how a diſcretive judgement in theſe caſes, both of unrighteous commands, and wicked violence, and ſpecially in the later, which is (by far) the more ſenſible, doth neceſſarily remain with the People, and in what maner the ſame is to be determined and cautioned, ſo as neither to licenſe diſobedience againſt Authority, nor create ſedition in the Common-wealth, is already fully cleared.

3. That though all Soveraign Powers, (upon the ſuppoſition of theſe true and great ends, and the preſumption of reaſon and charity, that the perſons intruſted do in like manner really intend them,) be conſtituted p. 149indefinitly and therefore in appearance univerſally without reſtriction; yet according to this known rule, that ſuch particulars, as if expreſſed, would not (far more if they cannot) be conſented to, are not underſtood to be compriſed under a generall condeſcendence, ſuch exceptions and limitations as are indiſpenſibly implyed and could not lawfully be expreſly renounced, do ſtand in full force. Whereupon alſo both the Righteouſneſs of God's judgements, and the Lawfullneſs of the Peoples Reſiſtance againſt mal-verſing Powers, are clearly and certainly founded.

4. That not only the light of Nature and undenyable Reaſon together with the agreeable Practice of all Nations, ſpecially of our Anceſtors, do evidently clear theſe Principles propoſed, but alſo our own expreſs Statutes declaring the reveal'd Word and Will of God to be the Superior Rule and Law, and repealing all Acts repugnant thereto. Iac. 6. Par. 1. chap. 3, 4, & 8. and explaining ſuch Acts as were generally made againſt unlawful Convocations and Leagues and Bonds among Subjects, to be underſtood with this due Subordination and limitation Car. 1. Par. 1. c. 29. together with the King and Peoples Oaths of faithful Adminiſtration and Alleadgeance: whereby the Coronation-Covenant and Contract, ſpecially that made with this King (the very bond of the Kingdom) is eſtablished and ſecured, do undoubtedly infer, beyond all contradiction, that both our Government and Lawes are conſtituted and to be interpreted with ſubordination to the Law and Will of God, and in order to theſe great Ends of their eſtablishment.

5. That though prevailing Factions have in all times endeavoured, by their moſt exceſſive and boundleſs flatteries, to exalt and extend the Powers to an equal p. 150degree of abſoluteneſs in all Cauſes and over all Perſons, meerly for their own baſe ends and private advantages; yet if any of theſe perſons would ſeriouſly conſider, and would ingenuouſly declare their opinion, in a particular application of the caſe to themſelves, what they would account lawfull for them to do either jointly or ſeparately, in caſe that they were injuriouſly and violently invaded to the deſtruction of their Lives or Fortunes, or the ſubverſion of their Families and deareſt and neareſt Concernments, their reſolution in this point would eaſily juſtify the practiſes of all ſuch, who, eſteeming the Glory of God and the maintenance of His Goſpel infinitely preferable to all other Intereſts whatſoever, do valiantly offer and expoſe themſelves for the vindication thereof, to the greateſt hazards.

6. That through the manifeſt and notorious Perverſion of the great Ends of Society and Government, the Bond thereof being diſſolved, the perſons, one or moe thus liberated therefrom, do relapſe into their primeve Liberty and Priviledge, and accordingly as the ſimilitude of their caſe and exigence of their cauſe doth require, may upon the very ſame principles again join and aſſociate for their better Defence & Preſervation, as they did at firſt enter into Societies.

7. That we being a Nation ſo ſolemnly and expreſly engaged by Covenant unto God, & one with another, for the advancing and promoving of theſe holy and important Ends therein contained, there lyeth upon all and every one of us an indiſpenſible duty, by all poſſible means to promove the ſame, not only in our own conſcientious and exemplary walking, and ſerious admonition and exhortation towards others; but alſo in endeavouring (in caſe of Defection) a National p. 151Reformation, and valiant vindication of the Glory of God, and His Work and Cauſe, againſt all incorrigible Apoſtates; as we would not not by conniving at their ſin be partakers of their Judgement, and as we would by deſtroying the accurſed from amongſt us, avert the imminent wrath of God from the whole Land and Nation. Which poſition as we clearly before aſſerted, both from the Profeſſion and Practiſe of our firſt Reformers; ſo, that qualification in the Covenant, of our endeavours in our places and callings, is moſt agreeable thereto: ſeeing the ſame doth plainly import, that as every one is to confine himſelf to his own place and move in his own ſphere, while all in their reſpective capacities do harmoniouſly concurre in the ſame work and duty; ſo if any in higher place and imployment, do not only become remiſs and forgetful of the Oath of God; but, according to the extent and influence of their power, would ſeduce and corrupt their inferiors unto their Apoſtaſy, it is both their place to reſiſt ſuch wickedneſs and violence, and their calling to endeavour either the Reformation or Removal of theſe who prove ſo contrary to, and obſtructive of the ends whereunto they are ordained. Neither can this inference appear unwarranted or hard unto any who will impartially conſider, that though the ſame qualification doth in the like maner affect and define all duties whatſoever, which we owe either to God or our Countrey; yet it were moſt abſurd thence to infer, that if theſe more eminently intruſted should either turn directly Apoſtates and enemies to the Chriſtian Faith, or adverſaries and deſtroyers of the Common-wealth, the people of an inferior degree might not ſtep forward to occupy the places, and aſſert the Intereſts, which theſe wicked men had ſo traiterouſly p. 152forfaulted and deſerted. All which muſt neceſſarily be granted, if it be but rightly conſidered, that as Order and the Obſervance thereof, is only a mean ſubordinate to, and intended for the Glory of God and the good of the people; ſo muſt all the Regulation and Determination thereof be only admitted, in ſo far as it is Conducible, and no wayes to render it Deſtructive or Repugnant to theſe great Ends of its appointment. From all which we clearly conclude that thir words in the Covenant of Places and Callings, are no more Reſtrictive in the caſes above mentioned, then a General's command to his ſouldiours entering in battel (being thus qualifyed) doth impede the neceſſity of Succeſſion (in caſe of the vacancy of any charge, either through death or deſertion) requiſit for the obtaining of the propoſed end of Victory; but that they are in effect (ſpecially the antecedent and ſubjoined words ſincerely, really and conſtantly, all the dayes of our life being conſidered) rather Exegetick and Ampliative.

8. That whatſoever Laws, Covenants and Engagements were ſtanding and binding unto us, before this late fearful Apoſtacy and Defection, they are ſtill in the ſight of God, and in the Conſciences of all that fear His Name and mind his Glory, the rather more ſtrong and obligeing then in the leaſt infringed or diſſolved: It being impoſſible that ſuch Sacred Oaths (ſo ſolemnly ſworn unto the moſt High) and ſuch Righteous Laws by vertue thereof ſtatuted and enacted, for the carrying on, and eſtablishment of the Work of God thereby intended, should be Ambulatory and Mutable at the pleaſure of men; ſpecially of ſuch, who, without regard of God, Conſcience, Honor or Honeſty, have, in the very pride and power p. 153of Wickedneſs, not only broken the Lords bands, caſten away His cords, and violently (under the pretext of abuſed Authority) overturned his whole Work; but done deſpite againſt the ſame, both by ignominious Burning and Blaſpheming of the Lords holy Covenant. And this Poſition Reſciſſory we oppoſe unto their great Act Reſciſsory, and to all Acts and practices of the like nature antecedent thereto, or dependent thereupon. Being fully perſwaded, that, though now they appear unequally ballanced, yet the Lord shall declare from heaven His Righteouſneſs, and laugh at His enemies Acts and Deviſes, and have them all in deriſion.

9. That though we do heartily approve their … veneration and juſt eſteem of lawfull Authority, (the great and excellent Ordinance of God) who to prevent all prejudice that it may incur, and inconvenience that may enſue thereon, do ſo far tranſmit this reſpect to the perſon therewith veſted, as to hold for a Maxime (but indeed equally againſt Religion, Reaſon and Experience) that the King doeth no wrong; And though we are perſwaded, that the true riſe and cauſe of the ſin and calamity under which we lye, is from the malice, perjury, flattery and violence of that Antichriſtian ſpirit ruling in the apoſtat Prelates; and therefore would willingly cloath our ſelves, even in the ſight of man, with that ample Allowance and full Authority, whereby the King did once approve the holy Covenant, and countenance the Lords Work, as if the ſame did yet ſtand (as it ought) not retracted or repeal'd. Yet ſeing our late Parliament by their ſecond Act, Seſſion ſecond, have reprobated and discharged all pretences of Authority in this kind, notwithſtanding that the ſame hath been and may be moſt neceſſary in many caſes, p. 154for the preſerving of the Kingdom, & ſalving of State-inconveniences; we do therefore rather ſubſiſt on the former grounds, and turn our complaint and prayer unto God, who is the great King over all, looking for His appearance, and waiting for His ſalvation.

10. That the Glory of God and of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Defence and Maintenance of the bleſſed Goſpel, and it's precious Miniſtry and Ordinances, are Duties & Concernments infinitly more important, then the defence and preſervation of our Lives, Liberties and the Common-wealth, againſt the moſt barbarous and horrid violences and injuries that can be imagined: Like-as, the violation and deſtruction of all theſe is ſo evidently deſigned, and wickedly practiſed, by this late and preſent Apoſtacy, that a clearer ground and cauſe of Self-defence and Reformation cannot poſſibly be ſuppoſed; ſo that to condeſcend to anſwer the peevish clamours of theſe Neutral and careleſs men, who ſay, what needeth all this noiſe for the extrinſick and arbitrary forms of Government and modes of VVorſhip, both with and without which, Religion and Righteouſneſſ have equally flourished and proſpered? where to shut our eyes from beholding the Glory and Grace of God, that in this Land hath ſo viſibly appeared in, and been advanced by this great Ordinance of PRESBYTERY, by Himſelf (for that end) appointed; and alſo from the obſerving of theſe deludges of Profanity, Wickedneſs, Superſtition and Violence, which the Devill, by his great engine of PRELACY, hath alwayes and in all Churches cauſed and procured.

11. That as ſuch was the State, Condition and Engagements of this Church and Kingdom, at the time p. 155of the King's return, and before the re-erecting of this Prelacy, that all and every one of the Nation were moſt ſtrictly obliged ſincerely, really and conſtantly to have reſiſted and oppoſed this wicked Defection to the laſt drop of their blood; ſo the ſinfull complyance of many, and wofull fainting and withdrawing of others, might indeed incapacitat ſuch as remain faithful from the beſt, but neither could nor can dis-engage them from their utmoſt endeavours.

From theſe grounds and what hath been formerly repreſented, the argument of the Indictment of Treaſon above-mentioned viz. That all Convocations and Riſings in Arms, or Subjects entering in Leagues, without or againſt the Kings Authority, are treaſonable: But ſuch was the late Riſing and renewing of the Covenant, Therefore &c. May be eaſily and clearly anſwered, that all ſuch Riſings and entering into Leagues, as are not warranded and commanded by the Superior Law and Authority of God (who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords) which by our own expreſs Acts and Statutes are acknowledged, and are not founded upon the Fundamental Right, and neceſſarily intended for the preſervation of Religion and Righteouſneſs, the great and principal End of all Laws and Governments, according whereunto our Laws have alſo by poſterior Statutes been expreſly interpreted, are indeed treaſonable: But ſuch the late Riſing was not; but on the contrary was more clearly approven by theſe grounds, then any other the like Inſtance which can be adduced or inſtructed, from the parallel of any other Age or Nation; Therefore it was altogether Lawful, Righteous and Neceſſary. Which anſwer, though the Lords faithful Witneſſes did ſufficiently inſinuat and propone, p. 156yet both the Conſtitution of the Court, and perſons of the Judges before whom they were arraigned, were ſuch, as the ſame was rather accounted an aggravation of their Crime and Treaſon.

But ſeeing this was not done, without the ſpecious pretexts, not only of iniquous Laws, but alſo of Religion and Scripture; We shall briefly conſider, firſt, that Queree often made to them, where they had read or how they could inſtruct, that, under the Pretence of Religion, it is lawful for Subjects to riſe in Rebellion againſt lawfull Authority? To which it is anſwered, that this Queree is a clear begging of the queſtion, by expreſly ſuppoſing that the late Riſing was only in pretence for Religion, but really in Rebellion, which ought firſt to have been proved, and is in effect an arrant calumny and falshood. 2. That even the Queree it ſelf ſeems to imply and grant, that for Subjects to riſe in Arms really for the defence of Religion, againſt the invaſions of the Powers under the pretence of Lawful Authority, is both lawful and laudable: Which being the true caſe and cauſe of this late Riſing, and ſo clearly warranted both by the Word and Covenant of God, and the practiſe of all Reformed Churches; we are content to refer theſe poor mens Innocency, unto the Conſciences and ſecret thoughts of their adverſaries.

Secondly, we shall conſider theſe texts of Scripture which were pretended againſt the Innocents: and 1. it was much urged that Rebellion is as the ſin of witch-craft; To which one of themſelves did roundly and clearly anſwer, that, the place having been ſpoken by the Prophet to a King, becauſe of his diſobedience and contempt of the command of God, and not to Subjects, would ſooner conclude his Accuſers then p. 157himſelf to be a Rebell. Secondly, it anſwered, that Riſing up againſt Authority it ſelf, the Ordinance of God, and diſobeying the Powers therewith veſted, ſtanding and acting in their right line of Subordination, is indeed Rebellion, and as the ſin of witchcraft; but to reſiſt and riſe up againſt perſons Abuſing ſacred Authority and rebelling againſt God the Supream, is rather to adhere to God as our Liege Lord, and to vindicate both our ſelves and his abuſed Ordinance, from man's wickedneſs and Tyranny.

The ſecond text objected was that, Math. 26.52. where even our Lord himſelf, when violently ſeiſed upon by wicked men, but who were then in Authority; did nevertheleſs reſtrain his diſciples from his own defence and reſcue, ſaying unto Peter, Put up again thy ſword into his place: for all they that take the ſword, ſhal periſh with the ſword; To which, as it was ſufficiently anſwered (without any reply) by one of theſe Impeached, (whom they accounted diſtracted, though without the leaſt appearance of impertinency) who thereto did oppone Luke 22.36. Where our Lord, ſpeaking at the ſame time and to the ſame purpoſe, ſaith, he that hath no ſword, let him ſell his garment, and buy one; Yet for further clearing, we ſay, 1. That from the place it ſelf in all the Evangeliſts, it is moſt evident, that that command was given, and theſe words ſpoken by our Lord, only for to teſtify his voluntar ſubmiſſion unto the Fathers will, by laying down of his life for fulfilling of the Scripture, as is clear from the ſame 26. of Matth. v. 54. & Iohn. 18.11. otherwiſe the context being conſidered (that not only in Luke 22.36. cited, He, forewarning his diſciples of hazards to come, adviſeth them to provide ſwords and weapons; and in the 26 of Matt., aſſerts his power to have called 12 legions of Angels p. 158to his aſſiſtance, which clearly implyes the lawfulneſs thereof) this Scripture objected doth more confirm then impugn the Lawfulneſs of Defenſive Arms. 2. Is it poſſible that men should be ſo much demented by flattery, as to think that it was unlawful for Jeſus Chriſt the Mighty God and Lord over all, to have defended himſelf by the aſſiſtance of his Diſciples, againſt the horrid Wickedneſs and Inſurrection of the vileſt of His creatures, had it not been, that it was neceſſary that the Scriptures concerning him should be accomplished. 3. Where our Lord ſaith in the place objected, all they that take the ſword, ſhal periſh with the ſword, as He thereby only condemneth Unjuſt and Offenſive war; ſo the Saying it ſelf, by its later part, doth tacitely imply the Lawfulneſs and Juſtice of both Defenſive and Vindictive Arms, the ſame being otherwiſe juſtly founded.

Though theſe Texts were only objected, yet to help our Adverſaries, who are known not to be much converſant in the Scripture, and to obviate the ſcruples that may thence ariſe to others, we ſubjoyn a third text Iohn. 18.36. where our Lord ſaith, if my Kingdom were of this world, then would my ſervants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Iews, whence ſome infer, that all Arms, even in Defence of Religion, are unlawfull and prohibited; But it is anſwered, as the intent and ſcope of our Lord's anſwer, was to clear himſelf of that calumny objected againſt Him by the Iews, that he made Himſelf a King in oppoſition to Caeſar; ſo the meaning of it is plain and obvious, to wit, that our Lord's Kingdom is not of the Nature and for the Ends, for which other Kingdoms of this world were inſtituted; but wholly ſpiritual for declaring p. 159the Truth, and thereby gaining ſouls unto glory: Whence as our Lord would there infer that he came not to conquer to himſelf Diſciples by outward force, and thereby to gain followers by the ſpoiling of Caeſar and other Princes; ſo it is without all shaddow of connexion thence to conclude, that a people having receaved the bleſſing of the Goſpel and Kingdom of Ieſus Chriſt, should without Reſiſtance ſuffer themſelves (to the manifeſt dishonor of God and the hazard of the eternal damnation of themſelves and their poſterity) to be impiouſly and ſacriledgiouſly ſpoiled and deprived thereof, when they are in a capacity to defend the ſame. The truth whereof, together with the hypocriſy of our Adverſaries, may ſoon be diſcovered, if the Queſtion be but ſtated in the terms of one Forraign & independent Prince's invading another, meerly upon the account of the Chriſtian Faith; and whatever ſolution or evaſion they shall herein make, will as exactly quadrat to the caſe in hand, it being almoſt ridiculous to conceave, that the greateſt aggravation of Invaſions of this Kind, to wit, that it is made by a Prince upon his own Subjects (whoſe Profeſſion he himſelf is principally bound to maintain) should import any ſpeciality and difference in the caſes. The laſt text is that of Math. 5.39. and remanent verſes to the end, where our Lord ſaith, reſiſt not evill, but whoſoever shall ſmite thee &c. with the other parallel places, ſpecially Rev. 13.10.. But it is anſwered, that as theſe places do injoyn either patience, when the clear call and diſpenſations of God do inevitably call unto ſuffering, without which patience were no patience but rather ſtupidity; or that bounty and debonairity which our Lord would have his diſciples to practiſe, in the remitting and diſpenſing with the utmoſt extenſions p. 160and points of Right, for the better reproving and condemning of the animoſities and rigid contentions of men, for matters of ſmall or no moment, and the more effectuall commending the grace and peace of the Goſpel; So thence to infer that men should give way to all Violence and Sacriledge (to the ſubverting of Religion and Righteouſneſs) is, after the manner of Sathan, to cheat and abuſe men by the holy Scriptures of Truth unto wickedneſs and error; and groſsly to exceed that ſignal rule mainly in theſe places intended, to wit, that we should be perfect even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect, who, though he filleth the earth with his goodneſs, and extendeth his bounty unto all, cauſing the ſun to riſe upon the evill and on the good, yet doth he love righteouſneſs, and helpeth and delivereth the oppreſſed; and commandeth the zeal of his own glory (wherein He himſelf doth often eminently appear) by the hand of His people, to take vengeance on His adverſaries. Let us therefore in the conſideration of what is ſaid Rev. 13.10. he that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the ſword, muſt be killed with the ſword, both poſſeſs our ſouls in patience under all the former ſufferings, and hope and rejoice in the faith of the ſucceeding delivery there ſubjoyned.

Theſe are the Defences which theſe Faithful men did ſummarily hint at, and being often interrupted, were ſcarcely permitted to propone: All which being rejected as unworthy to be heard, what wonder, if what their Advocats did plead in their defence, upon the point of Quarter given, to ſome of them in the field, was alſo repelled? We are not to dip in matters of this kind; but certainly it much diſcovereth the ſpirit p. 161of malice and violence that now prevaileth, that neither the Nature and Import of Quarter, which pertaineth nothing to Grace or Pardon (whereof theſe men were declared incapable) but is a paction of the Law of Nations, whereby the perſon worſted, by quitting of his arms, (the only and oftentimes the probable means either of his ſafety or vengeance) doth condition for, and redeem his immunity as to life; Nor yet the honor of the Granters, Perſons Commiſſionated by the King for the command of his Forces, with the common Priviledges and dignities belonging to ſuch Offices; Nor yet the Practice of all Nations about, even in the caſe of Inteſtine War; Nor the rational arguments of humanity and prudence, not to reduce men to utter deſpair in ſucceeding Inſurrections (from which no Kingdom is priviledged) Nor laſtly, the Paucity of theſe few innocents, not exceeding 5 or 6 who could have been thereby benefited (there being many other taken and not upon Quarter) could prevail againſt that Pedantick diſtinction inter bellum juſtum & injuſtum. But this being alleadged to have been bellum injuſtum, (as indeed it was in the juſteſt ſenſe) therefore no faith nor Quarter muſt be herein obſerved, quia, ſc. adverſus Hostes tantum eſt Bellum, at in Perduelles, judicium, as if from this, one should conclude, that though in War there may be faith and Quarter, yet in Iudgement there ought neither to be Truth nor Performance.

All defences therefore being repelled, theſe perſons accuſed were all condemned to be hanged to death as Traitors, and their Heads and right Hands to be cut off, to be diſpoſed on by the Council, and their Goods and p. 162Eſtates to be forfaulted to the Kings uſe. And accordingly upon ſeveral dayes, this Sentence was executed upon thirty five of theſe faithful men, and by Ordinance of Council, the heads of many of them were affixed upon the Ports of ſeveral Burghs; and the right hands of the firſt ten (to the high contempt of God and His holy Covenant, and to the provocation of His jealouſy) on the Tolbooth of Lanerk, where the Covenant was by them ſolemnly renewed and ſworn. As for the other five, they were and are reprived; One of them, who in all his Tryall, to the conviction of all appeared moſt conſtant in the Covenant, and bold and pertinent in his Teſtimony, upon the colour of a fit of diſtraction (by which he was once vexed) and through the interceſſion of many in his behalf; An other of them, for his vile and abject fainting to the very reproach of humanity, redeeming his life by becoming Hang-man to ſeven of his fellows, when two ordinary Executioners in the Burghs about had plainly refuſed, declaring they would have nothing to do with the blood of ſuch Righteous men, and one of them therefore impriſoned; The other three, partly becauſe of their fainting and condeſcendence to take the Declaration, and partly through the favour and interceſſion of friends.

We shall not, nor cannot enter upon the particular declaration of that Grace, Conſtancy and Courage, by which the Lords faithful Witneſſes were ſuſtained, and did bear Teſtimony to the Word of his Truth, the holy Covenant, and the Cauſe and Work of God. Only this is certain, that the Lord did not more deſert that vile abject perſon to the weakneſs of flesh and blood, whereby he was depreſſed below the very contempt of men, then by His Grace and Glory, evidently p. 163to manifeſt the power thereof, He was eminently preſent with ſuch as He honoured to be his Witneſſes, to cauſe them contemn and triumph over Principalities and Powers, hell and death, and all their terrours; as may be evident from theſe things following.

1. That the Council, pitching upon thoſe men without choiſe, for a Teſt of diſcrimination did require ſeveral of them, by taking the Declaration, to renounce the Covenant; which they conſtantly refuſed. And ſo were Martyred, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better reſurrection.

2. That Mr Hew Mackaile, a young man of 25 years of age, and an Expectant in the Miniſtery, being arraigned and accuſed through meer ſpite of the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrewes, (againſt whoſe Iudas-like Apoſtacy he had preached four years ago) for no greater acceſſion, then that he had been ſome few dayes with theſe that roſe, with a ſword (having been moſt uncircumſpectly taken, leaying them becauſe of his infirmity and weakneſs the day before the Conflict) did not only moſt patiently endure cruel Torture whereby he was examined, for the diſcovery of the contrivance of that Riſing, which all men knew and ſaw to be Indeliberat; but, notwithſtanding the promiſe of favour plainly made to him upon condition of ingenuity (which he ſincerely uſed) being alſo condemned, did utterly reject all inſinuations made unto him upon condition of the leaſt Retractation; and bitterly mourning for, and repenting of his apparent fainting and relinquishing, though; it really proceeded more from his infirmity, then fear or love of life, but rejoycing in his own folly, whereby the Lord did bring him to ſuch a manifeſtation of his Grace, and declaration of His p. 164Glory, he, to the admiration of all, in his moſt conſtant and Chriſtian ſuffering, by his blood ſealed the Truth and glorified God.

3. That others of them, though obſcure and illiterate men, upon the Scaffold hurried and interrupted in the declaring of their Teſtimony, by the Prelats Orders, and the rudeneſs and inhumanity of theſe that executed them; yet did bear witneſs to the cauſe of God, and of that grace and aſſurance, whereby the Lord upheld them, to the admiration and aſtonishment of all the beholders.

4. That though at Glaſgow and Air, where eleven of them were executed, (all mean Countrey-men, and ſome of them of decrepit age, and others of them very young, not exceeding 18 years) their enemies cauſed beat drums about the Scaffold that they might not be heard (a barbarity never practiſed in Scotland, and rarely heard of, except in the Duke of Alva's Martyring of the Proteſtants in the Low-countreyes) yet were they ſo litle thereby amazed, that both by words of of Praiſe and thankſgiving to God, that had honoured ſuch plough-men (as they termed themſelves) to be His witneſſes, and the conſtancy of their countenance and whole carriage, they did bear ſuch teſtimony to the Holy Covenant, as both many were thereby confirmed, and their Enemies ashamed.

5. That though ſome of them did appear weak and faint-hearted at firſt, yet ſo powerfully and abundantly was it given to them in that hour, that out of weakneſs they were made ſtrong; and declared that they had ſeen ſuch glimpſes of the Glory of God betwixt the priſon and the Scaffold, that all fear was clearly diſcuſſed; And particularly a young Countrey-boy, not much above ſixteen years of age, being condemned at Aix, p. 165moſtly becauſe he did refuſe to take the Declaration, which they told him, was the renouncing of that Covenant which he had taken at Lanerk; & though, both through fear and ignorance of the very grounds of Chriſtianity, he fell into great anxiety, neither daring to die, nor yet to redeem his life at the rate propoſed; Yet after the Prayers and Conference of ſome that had acceſs to him at Irwin two dayes before his death, on the morning that he ſuffered, he appeared ſo much changed, both from the depth of fear and perplexity unto great reſolution and joy, and ſo much enlightened with the knowledge of God in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and the hope of Salvation through His Name, that all that ſaw him, do bear teſtimony to the Grace and wonderfull Work of God, & of that joy of heart, that carried him to the Scaffold, leaping and praiſing God.

From all which particulars, and from the ſeverall Teſtimonies and Speaches, which theſe left behind them in writing, we muſt conclude and rejoyce, that God out of the dark cloud of ſuch a ſad and aſtonishing providence which lately overſpread us, hath brought forth ſo bleſſed and bright a cloud of Witneſſes, ſtrengthened and filled with ſo much grace and glory, to bear Teſtimony unto His Name, Covenant and Cauſe and for the confirmation of all that love and wait for His Salvation.

We have hitherto ommitted, to ſay any thing to that Oath of Conjuration taken by the Militia of Edinburgh, and the concurrence and aſſiſtance of many others, who did either Actually riſe in Arms for the ſuppreſſing of God's People and Cauſe, or ſince the Conflict did ſtop, apprehend, and ſpoil them in the croſs way, and have been aſſiſting and abetting to their deaths and perſecutions, either as Guarders of Priſons, p. 166Courts or Scaffolds, or as Iudges, Clerks, Advocats, Aſſizers, or Officers in the Dooms pronounced againſt them. If, after all the truth, equity and reaſon that have been repreſented, and the Power and Glory which God hath declared, men will not hear and fear, nor be converted, neither the tongues of men and Angels, nor of ſuch as should return from the dead, would be of any force or perſuaſion to prevail with them. Is it poſſible, that Edinburgh should think that the pretence of a new invented Oath of alleageance and fidelity to the King, and for the defence of his Authority againſt all Inſurrections and Rebellions, wherein the Prelates and the Up hold of their wickedneſs, and the Subjecting of all the Godly to their luſt and tyranny, were and are clearly intended and deſigned, shall warrand them in the great day of the Lord (who is terrible unto the Kings of the earth) for taking part with Rebels and Apoſtats againſt the God of heaven, and for oppoſing and oppreſſing of ſuch, as, continuing ſtedfaſt in the common Cauſe and Covenant (for which Edinburgh was once very honourable and eminent) did only endeavour to liberat themſelves from that intolerable Bondage both of Bodies and Conſciences (more grievous then death) under which they groaned? doth Edinburgh thus not only condemn the practice of Our Noble Anceſtors and Reformers, who accounted it neither Inſurrection nor Rebellion to ſet themſelves for the defence of the Goſpel againſt the then Powers, who did endeavour to oppreſs it; but by this Oath, abandon both Religion and Liberty, in this ſo perillous and backſliding a Generation, to the luſt and tyranny of abuſed Authority, and whatſoever it shall pleaſe to impoſe, without control or contradiction? Do they thus remember the National Covenant and the Solemn p. 167League and Covenant once ſo powerfully ſworn and owned amongſt them, and the mutuall defence and aſsiſtance, wherein every one of us is thereby bound to another, to the uttermoſt of our Power, againſt all ſorts of perſons whatſoever, and not to ſuffer our ſelves, by whatſoever Combination, Terror or Perſwaſion; to be divided and withdrawn from that bleſſed Vnion therein contained? While on the contrary, they conſpire and conjure themſelves againſt ſuch whom they are not only bound to aſſiſt, but alſo to relieve of all the perſecutions and oppreſſions which they ſuffer and ſuſtain, only for their adherence to the ſame holy Covenants. Surely theſe things being duly conſidered, this Oath, in ſtead of qualifying the Declaration (in lieu whereof, being more general, plauſible and inſnaring it was contrived and impoſed) will be found a practical application of all the Wickedneſs and unrighteouſneſs, which is therein only ſpeculatively declared; and may in the righteous judgement of God, by reaſon not only of the equality, but even of the exceſs hereof to London's ſin, bring upon Edinburgh, London's plagues and judgements. We need not here inſiſt to teſtify againſt the reſt, who in any ſort concurred or aſſiſted in the oppoſition and perſecution above-mentioned, the meaneſt part of whoſe acceſſion, doth far exceed Paul's keeping the clothes of ſuch as ſtoned Stephen. If we conſider that the ſuffering and not oppoſing, to the utmoſt of our power, the shedding of innocent blood, doth involve all under that certain denounciation made by Ieremiah unto the Princes of Iudah; and all the People, Ier. 26, 15. ſaying, Know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye ſhal ſurely bring p. 168innocent blood upon your ſelves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitant thereof; the moſt innocent amongſt us, will find himſelf more concerned to repent of his own, then cenſure others for their acceſſion. The ſerious thoughts whereof, may and ought juſtly to cauſe us tremble, left our Manaſſeh-like ſin in shedding of innocent blood, provoke the Lord to wrath in ſuch a meaſure as he will not pardon.

But when we do reflect upon the rage, cruelty and barbarity that have enſued, the things that we have mentioned, may juſtly appear to be but the Beginnings of evills. For firſt, immediatly after the Conflict, the Arch-prelat procureth a proclamation to be emitted Prohibiting the reſett and concealment of, or correſpondence with any of theſe poor men that had eſcaped, or had been acceſſary unto the late Riſing, and ordaining all to purſue them as the worſt of Traitors under the pain of being accounted guilty of the ſame Rebellion. In which Proclamation, after the Arch-Bishop had impudently and abſurdly laboured, that ſeveral perſons, againſt whom, not ſo much as any delation or ground of ſuſpicion could be alleaged, should, contrary to all reaſon, be inſert, he at length prevailed that about 57 Gentlemen, Miniſters and others, alleaged more eminently guilty, should be therein by Name expreſſed. Certainly if it be conſidered, that neither Reaſon nor Prudence do adviſe to ſeek Security only in Revenge, but rather by an attemperation of Clemency, in caſes of this nature, to bring things to a compoſure, we muſt conclude, that ſuch courſes are only the product of blind prelatick-fury. 2. After the firſt executions at Edinbugh, the Commiſsioner and Lieutenant p. 169General march unto the Weſt, and there having condemned and executed ſeveral perſons, as we have before mentioned, the Lieutenant General ſtaying behind, taketh up his Quarter at Kilmarnock; and there, and from thence doth practiſe and iſſue forth ſuch orders of cruelty, as the barbarity thereof may very probably render the Narration ſuſpected.

For. 1. The Countrey is burthened with ſuch Localities of Corn and Straw for Troop-horſes, (more then double the number of theſe that were amongſt them) that to redeem themſelves from the drudgery, they not only are content to quite the prices which the troopers ought to pay, but alſo to pay in to them ſuch ſumms of Money, as upon computation will equalize the valued rent of the Shire.

2. Notwithſtanding of all the Exciſe, Fines and Taxations impoſed and leavyed for the maintenance of theſe Forces; yet upon pretence of want of moneys and Pay, the ſouldiours are shortly thereafter permitted to take free Quarter; and conſequently are licenſed to all the abuſes, that either rapine or cruelty may ſuggeſt.

3. Dalzel, at and by his own hand, hath privately in his own chamber and Quarters, not only by words menaced ſuch, as after publick examination upon the account of Intelligence, had been acquitted; but alſo really (by fire and ſword, threatening to kill out-right, or roſt and burn alive, ſuch who being groundleſsly queſtioned, had upon the firſt examination declared all they knew) examined men by tortures.

4. Such perſons as he happeneth to apprehend, whether upon the ſuſpicion of their having been with theſe that roſe in Arms, or having reſet ſuch after the Conflict, are there-upon ordinarly ſtript naked to their p. 170shirts and breeches; and thruſt into Priſons, in cold, hunger. nakedneſs, and ſometimes in extreme ſtraitneſs; As in Kilmarnock into dark and obſcure little holes, which being deſtined for one man or two, and not capacious of more (though ſtanding upright) then ten or twelve, they are ſo pinched, that not one of them can poſſibly ſo much as relieve himſelf of the continual pain of ſtanding, by ſuffering his body to ſink unto the ground; and unto all the former miſeries have that of their own dung and excrements ſuperadded: ſo that the poor men would often chuſe death rather then life. Amongſt which cruelties and rigors, that practiſed upon a petty Heritor in or about the Parish of Vchilery, deſerveth to be remembered: Who, being apprehended upon a groundleſs ſuſpition of reſet of Traitors (as they tearm them) was brought to Kilmarnock-Tolbooth; where, being an old man full of obſtructions, he was ſo ſuffocated with the ſmoak, there occaſioned by a coal-fire, wanting a chimney-vent, that often-times a day the ſouldiours have in deriſion carried him out as dead, and after a litle recovery by reaſon of the free Aire, with cruell ſcorn ignominiouſly returned him unto his priſon. Which Barbarity they ſtill continued, until by extremity of ſuch uſage, he is reduced to ſuch weakneſs as there is litle hope of life.

5. There is one Act, ſo far beyond, and without all shew and pretence of Humanity and Juſtice, as ſcarce any preface or Teſtimony is ſufficient to perſwade the belief of it; which is thus. Dalzel having ordered a party to Newmills to ſeiſe and apprehend one Finlaw, living peacably in his own houſe, and they about the time of Dalzel's return from Air, returning and bringng with them the priſoner, he inſtantly calleth him to p. 171his chamber, and examineth him privately (without ſo much as any one witneſs preſent) whether or not he was with the Rebels at Lanerk; the man in answer declareth, that he was there when they came to the place, but upon the account of his own private affairs. The General asketh in the nixt place, whom he knew to have been there amongſt them, and becauſe the man (by declaring his ignorance) appeared unwilling to diſcover any, he inſtantly calleth the Lieutenant of the Guard, and giveth orders to carry the poor man to the Gallows and there to shoot him dead. The man being thus hurryed away, when he is brought to the place of execution, queſtioneth the Lieutenant, if the General was ſerious in what he had ordered: whereunto the Lieutenant replyeth that he knew nothing to the contrary; the poor man declaring his innocency, obteſteth him▪ both upon the grounds of Humanity and Chriſtianity, that he would at leaſt obtain him a reprival for that night, that he might prepare for Death and Eternity, and with ſome importunity prevaileth to move him to return to Dalzel for a grant of the licence deſired: but the Lieut. General, in place of relenting, doth moſt ſeverely threaten the Lieutenant himſelf, telling him that he would teach him to obey his orders preciſely without pleading for mitigation; whereupon the Lieutenant returning to the place, immediately ordereth the poor man to be shot, who was inſtantly ſtript naked and left dead upon the ground. A fact ſo Barbarous and Cruell, and in effect ſo plain a Murder, being deſtitute of the leaſt shaddow of either Ordinary or Martial Law to colour it, that the horror thereof may juſtly render it incredible.

6. As this laſt Act is ſuch as barbarity it ſelf would condemn, ſo its well known that this man Dalzel p. 172was therefore brought from Muſco, where it was ſuppoſed he had learned to comply with that Arbitrary Tyranny, and to exerciſe that Barbarous Cruelty, which there more then in any part of the Chriſtan World, is wickedly practiſed, as the only proper Executioner, agreeably & accurately to ſerve the rigor and violence of this, accurſed Prelacy. Which expectation he hath not at all fruſtrated: For both he and the Arch-Prelate of St Andrews, are ſo wickedly acted by the ſame ſpirit of ſpite, rage and wickedneſs, that they have often grieved and openly complained, that ſuch whom they have ſuppoſed, and would have inſtantly and utterly deſtroyed as criminals (according to the exceſs of their own luſt and malice, without reſpect to any meaſure or proportion of Juſtice) should either be proceeded againſt, or punished acording to the tenor of Law; accounting and impudently declaring, that theſe Formalities (as they are pleaſed to tearm the very ſubſtantials of Law, and the great ſecurity of all mens lives and fortunes) were, and are in their opinions moſtly obſtructive to the King's ſervice. It were endleſs to enumerat all the evils, extortions, cruelties and exactions that this Muscovia-beaſt hath acted and doth practiſe upon that poor countrey of the Weſt, where retaining ſome of his forces, both Horſe and Foot, the moſt ſlender ſuſpicions, or the ſmalleſt ſurmiſes, though never ſo falſe, are accounted crimes and convictions; and immediatly punished with ſuch rigorous impriſonment as we have already deſcribed; or by oppreſſive Quartering, not only on the perſon ſuſpected, but alſo on the whole bounds about: in which Quartering, the ſouldiours do behave themſelves with ſuch inſolency and rapine, that not only many hundreds of families p. 173are reduced to beggery, but in ſeveral Parishes, the countrey almoſt laid waſte and deſolate; So that now it is the common report and perſwaſion of all, that the West is appointed for ruine and deſtruction.

7. Seing this is the caſe of almoſt that whole Countrey, without reſpect to guilt or innocency, how hard and lamentable is the condition of ſuch who were in the late Riſing, and have hithertil eſcaped? it is impoſſible fully to repreſent all their ſore diſtreſs and great perplexity which they ſuſtain, wandering and hiding themſelves in woods, mountains and caves of the earth, afflicted with all the pain and miſery, that the extremity of cold, nakedneſs and hunger, with the continual uncertainty of their Lives, can lay upon them, and hunted more then Partridges, by the vigilant and cruell malice of their adverſaries. We know that ſome of our profane Apoſtate Preachers (who not only think the fiery tryall a ſtrange thing, and are offended at the croſs of Christ, but preferring this worlds eaſe to their everlaſting reſt, do neither hearken to the warning, nor believe the promiſed and often experienced conſolation of ſuffering) have wickedly judged theſe poor men and their cauſe by the event, and affirmed that curſe ſa. 8.21. to be on them accomplished: but as both the ſin of Sorcery and the ſting of this threatning, imbittered fretting to the curſing of God, the very worm of the damned here recorded, do clearly diſcover and confute this calumny; ſo are theſe Apoſtate calumniators plainly and directly therein concerned, who, having ſuch evident tokens of perdition, as are their vile Apoſtacy and cruell perſecution and reproach, may and ought to tremble in the pre-apprehenſions thereof, p. 174which, without ſerious repentance, they cannot eſcape, when the righteous God who upholdeth his own with ſtrength and joy in tribulation, shall hereafter give unto all of them, though now troubled, reſt with all ſaints.

But not only time, but heart and tongue would fail any Chriſtian, to relate all the violences, plunderings, extortions and inſolencies, that from the beginning of this Apoſtacy until this day have been and are committed by Military Force among us, firſt upon Galloway, then upon both Galloway and Nithiſdale, and now upon the whole Weſt: which as they have been Extended in bounds, ſo are they continually Intended in cruelty. Only this we shall ſay, if ſtobbing, wounding, beating, ſtripping and impriſoning mens perſons, violent breaking of their houſes both by day and night, and beating and wounding of wives and children, ravishing and deflowring of women, forcing wives and other perſons by fired matches and other tortures to diſcover their husbands and nearſt relations, although it be not within the compaſs of their knowledge, and driving and ſpoiling all their goods that can be carried away, without reſpect to guilt or innocency, in as cruell a manner as ever Scotland ſaw exerced amongſt them by a forrain enemy (as can be inſtanced from every corner of that Countrey) May repreſent our preſent ſlavery & bondage; certainly the ſame is ſo much the more miſerable and inſupportable, in that all this wickedneſs is moſt unnaturally perpetrated, both by our own Countrey-men and Sworn brethren, and ſo much the rather to be laid to heart by al, that, as al theſe things are only acted and allowed by the wicked malice and blind fury of this prevailing Prelatick party, and for ſatisfying their inſatiable hatred and revenge againſt p. 175all their oppoſers, ſo is the whole Kingdom thereby diſabled, and moſt obviouſly in theſe moſt dangerous times, expoſed to the Invaſion, of any Forrainer; As may be very evident from theſe conſiderations. 1. The Weſt, the ſtrength and better part of the Kingdom, is already diſabled, not only by the above-mentioned oppreſſions, but by generall diſarming, and taking of ſerviceable horſes, and likely very shortly to be totally waſted and ruined. 2. The North and High-Lands have been of late ſo much neglected and connived at, through the prevailing wickedneſs of the times, that they are wholly in diſorder, and all places about infeſted by moſt inſolent rapines and murthers: but ſince the Actors are void both of Religion & Conſcience, they cannot now be guilty of either Rebellion or Sedition, and ſince they are rather favourers of then enemies to Prelates, it is no matter how great enemies they be to Righteouſneſs. 3. The whole Kingdom is ſo exhauſted by exactions and impoſitions, ſo vexed by generall oppreſſion and diſorder, from which the wickedneſs of Prelatick Rulers, ſuffer no place to be exempted; & ſo diſguſted with the violence and inhumanity they ſee done to their brethren (their own flesh) for ſuch ſlight and unworthy cauſes and occaſions, as the worſt of men not intereſted, do juſtly apprehend Prelacy and Conformity to be; that all are either diſabled, disheartened, or diſobleiged from the ſervice of King and Countrey. 4. There remaineth no ſtrength nor force amongſt us, but theſe two regiments of foot and nine troops of horſes, which even with the addition of the five more intended, will not in all exceed 2000 foot and 1000 horſe, and yet are they all and more then the Countrey can wel bear, and theſe ſo debauched by licentiouſneſs, cruelty and rapine, that p. 176neither can their hearts endure, nor their hands be ſtrong againſt an enemy. Theſe are the fruits of our departing from the Lord, and again erecting and admitting this accurſed Prelacy. O! that God would cauſe us to know how evill and bitter they are; but the Prelats who fear not God, regard not the Commonwealth, let the Covenant & Conſcience be rooted out, then come on us what will: theſe are the only enemies of their uſurpations & wicked luſts, and therefore muſt be accounted ſo both to King and Countrey; againſt theſe are our forces leavyed and maintained, and unto this deſign their numbers muſt be modelled and our exactions proportioned: The arraying of the Countrey and eſtablishing of the Militia conform to our ancient Laws and Liberties may poſſibly arm the Prelats enemies; ſurely that courſe would not ſo violently preſs Conformity, and execute their cruelty, nor ſo largely gratify a few Nobles, who by the command of the troops muſt be made sharers of the ſpoil and booty, and ſo engaged for theſe vile Prelates againſt the poor Countrey. O blinded Nobles! are not the wealth and peace of the Countrey your riches and ſtability? O abject Scotland! how art thou abondoned?

This being the deſign, rage and jealouſy of the tyrannizing Prelats, in order thereunto there muſt be five troops more added to theſe already leavyed, and the Countrey yet more oppreſſed for the ſecuring and eſtablishing of their wickedneſs. 2, They are endeavouring by all means to have the Declaration againſt the Covenant generally preſſed, that either by violent ſtraining they may deſtroy all conſcience thereof, or may more fully diſcover, and more effectually reach all the faithful in the Land, whom by the teſt of a refuſal they purpoſe to ſtage and ſeverely punish as enemies to p. 177Authority. We shall not offer here to adde any thing againſt this Declaration. If all that the Lord hath done in this Land now by the ſpace of near an 100 years, all that his ſervants have formerly declared and teſtifyed, and now of late have witneſſed and ſealed with th…r blood, and all the tenor and purpoſe of this diſcourſe avail not to juſtify our holy Covenants, and condemn this horrid Apoſtacy and wicked Declaration, nothing certainly will be able to perſwade, and the mighty power of God can only convert. Only we have reaſon to fear that the ſame ſpirit of deceat, which, under the colour of due obedience to lawful Authority, enſnared wretched Edinburgh to a combination and conſpiracy againſt the Lord and his Anointed, may renew the ſame practiſe upon the whole Land, for the more eaſy involving of ſuch in this Apoſtacy, whom poſſibly the groſs and palpable wickedneſs of the Declaration might deterre: And to ſuch we give this warning, that as all Powers are ſubordinat to the moſt High, and appointed and limited by His holy will and commandment, for his own glory and the Peoples good; and as our Alleagiance was, and ſtandeth perpetually and expreſly thus qualifyed, viz. in defence of Religion and Liberty, according to our firſt and ſecond Covenants; and laſtly, ſeing all Alleagiance and obedience to any created Power whatſoever, (though in the conſtruction of charity apparently indefinite, yet) of it's own nature is indiſpenſibly thus reſtricted; To renew the ſame, or take any the like Oath of Alleagiance purely and ſimply, purpoſely omitting the former and due Reſtriction, eſpecially where the Powers are in moſt manifeſt and notorious Rebellion againſt the Lord, and oppoſition to his Cauſe and Covenant, is in effect equivalent to to an expreſs rejecting and diſ-owning of the ſame Limitation, p. 178and of the Soveraign Prerogative of the Great God and King over all, which is thereby reſerved; & as much as in plain terms to affirm, that whatever abuſed Authority shall command or do, either as to the overturning of the VVork of God, ſubverting of Religion, deſtroying of Rights & Liberties, or perſecuting of all the Faithful to the utmoſt extremity, we shall not only ſtupidly endure it, but actively concur with & aſsist in all this Tyranny. And if this be not more, yea double wickdneſs above all that the Declaration doth import, let all men conſider. O! all ye who deſire to behold the good that God will do for His People, beware of this High Rebellion againſt Him.

3. As all reſtraints of either Conſcience or Law are now wickedly taken off, and only a convenient oppurtunity waited for, to re-introduce that dead carcaſe of Formality, the Service-book, and the whole bulk of theſe corrupt Ceremonies and pernicious Superſtitions, that have been formerly, and alwayes found ſo deſtructive to the light & power of the Goſpell, & are ſo vain and ridiculous in themſelves, that nothing but the very, ſpirit of darkneſs and judiciall deluſion from the Lord, can induce men to ſuch fopperies; ſo may we certainly expect the re-impoſing of this heavy yoke, and all the Sin, Superſtition, Perſecution and Wrath which neceſſarily do attend it, except we abide ſtedfaſt in the Lord's Cauſe and Covenant, inſtantly intreating and patiently waiting for His Salvation, and glorious appearance again in this Land.

Thus we have repreſented in part both the Sin, Sufferings and Diſtreſſes that ly upon the whole Land; which though they be moſt heavy and greivous in p. 179themſelves, yet are they in their Tendency & Preſage more to be regarded. Can any man ſeriouſly look upon the hatred and ſcorn of that Light and Truth? wherein once we gloried, the ſpite againſt the Holy Covenant and all Conſcience, the Blaphemy and ſin againſt God, and the violence and perſecution againſt all ſuch as fear His Name, whereby the enemy rageth and their tumult continually increaſeth, and not be aſtonished? Is there any who believeth that God is, and that His Words are Truths and all His Wayes judgements, His Threatnings ſure and certain, His jealouſy as a conſuming fire, His wrath ſo dreadful and His indignation ſo terrible, that only the ſame Omnipotency which inflicteth the ſtrokes, can ſuſtain poor paſſive wretches from evanishing at it's ſmalleſt rebukes, and yet shall ſuſtain them eternally, and not tremble becauſe of the provocation of all theſe Abominations? O! that ſuch whom the Love of Chriſt hath not conſtrained, nor the tears and weeping of a departing Saviour moved, might be yet perſwaded by the Terror of the Lord, & that the dread of God might make their hearts ſoft. Surely abounding ſin is the greateſt Woe, and prevailing tranſgreſſion the greateſt cauſe of mourning; but above all ſins and tranſgreſſions, Chriſt deſpiſed in His Goſpell and Ordinances, and perſecuted in His members, is the moſt mournful and fearful: Which as it ſcattered and deſtroyed the Lord's peculiar People and Nation, dear to Him above all Nations, and hath overturned and ruined the faireſt part of the Chriſtian World, either in Barbarity or groſs Darkneſs; ſo is it the great condemnation of the whole World. This is the work and wickedneſs of accurſed Prelacy, moſt Perjurious in it's Riſe and ever Antichriſtian in it's Deſignes and Effects, as all who have hearts to underſtand p. 180what we have here declared, and eyes to ſee the preſent ſtate and condition of matters, muſt and will acknowledge. This is thy Sin, O Scotland, and, if mercy prevent it not, shall be thy ruine. This is the Voice, Teſtimony and Warning of all the ſufferings of the Lord's people; who though continually afflicted and perſecuted in their bodies, & though their ſouls be exceedingly filled with the contempt of the proud; yet have not nor dare not deny the Lord, His Work, nor His holy Covenant: whom though the Lord hath cauſed to turn back from the enemy, and given for a ſpoil to them that hate them, yea given them as sheep for meat, and made them a reproach, a ſcorn and a deriſion; yet have they nor forgotten the Lord nor dealt falſly in His Covenant. O! that men would! conſider this Grace of God, whereby as he conforteth and ſuſtaineth his ſervants in all their afflictions; ſo he warneth backſliders to return, and all to flee from the wrath that is to come, and to ſave themſelves from this wicked generation: Which Grace, as it allayeth to, the Faithful the ſmart, ſo ought it to remove from all the ſcandal of our Lord's croſs, and is indeed that ſtrength and preſence of the Captain of our ſalvation (who was made perfect by ſuffering) with all His ſufferers, giving for the preſent joy and peace, and afterwards aſſured victory.

Now, ſeing it is the Lord who hath ſo viſibly brought upon us theſe ſore Trialls, that ſuch as are approved may be made manifeſt, and ſo graciouſly delivereth them from the temptation thereof, yea thereby refineth, purifyeth and maketh many white, that they may be more abundant Partakers both of His Holineſs and of His Glory, and alſo eminently beareth witneſs to the Truth, Grace and Power of His p. 181great Work, His holy Covenant, and precious Ordinances and Miniſtry amongſt us, clearing them by His own Teſtimony of all theſe calumnies, wherewith either through the invention of ſome men's malice, or the occaſion of other mens weakneſs and ſin, they were formerly aſperſed, we shall shut up this diſcourſe with this one word of exhortation.

Great hath been the Sin of this Land in not believing and obeying the glorious Goſpell, in not receaving the Lord Jeſus in our hearts, and witneſſing His Light and Grace and Glory in our lives and converſations, but in reſting on the outward forms and appearances of the true Doctrine, Worship, Diſcipline and Government, without labouring after the power of Reformation, and beauty of holineſs (the only grace and bleſſing of all theſe enjoyments) and in perverting and mannaging the poſſeſſion and profeſſion of all theſe things unto ſelfish ends and worldly advantages, O foolish people and unwiſe, have we thus requited the Lord for all theſe mercies of His Goſpell, pure Ordinances and Holy Covenants, to corrupt and deprave them from that great end of the Glory of His grace and mercy in our ſalvation, unto the baſe deſigns of ſerving and ſatifying our own luſts to His dishonour? And therefore is it that the Lord, having often in his mercy corrected and warned us, hath now at length given us over unto this horrid Apoſtacy and Defection; whereby, as the latent malice and hypocriſy of many, and the great fainting and want of zeal in all, have been manifeſtly diſcovered; ſo the Lord is feeding the wicked with their own deluſions, and putting the zeal and conſtancy of all to the Teſt, and in effect ripening this whole Land, either for a glorious deliverance from that perverſe ſpirit and generation of Antichriſt, that p. 182hath been long mingled in the midſt of us, and even from the dayes of our firſt Reformation, hath retained and continued the old enmity againſt the Lord Jeſus and His bleſſed Goſpell and Kingdom; or elſe for a totall and final overthrow in utter darkneſs and deſolation. And therefore O Scotland, becauſe the Lord loved thy Fathers, and delighteth not in thy deſtruction, hath He, after all our fearful backſliding and ſinful fainting and departing which teſtify againſt us, neither left Himſelf nor us without a witneſs; but raiſed up amongſt us His own faithful Servants and our brethren, with whom we are all equally and indiſſolubly engaged in the ſame righteous Cauſe and Covenant, & by the mighty power of His grace, from the pure zeal of His Glory, enabled them firſt to venture and then to lay down their lives for the Teſtimony of His Work and Covenant, that we may yet at length conſider and underſtand, that theſe were no more the labour and devices of carnal deſigns, then that corruption and weakneſs of flesh & blood could triumph both over it ſelf & death & hell the chief of terrors. O! that men would therefore lay to heart their bonds & Engagements unto the Lord, repent of their backſlidings, and ceaſe from their oppoſition to His Cauſe & Covenant; at leaſt that ſuch whom the Lord hath not abandoned unto that depth of Apoſtacy, whereunto others have made defection, would yet be wiſe & inſtructed, repent of their fainting & Neutrality in the cauſe of God, & their connivance or complyance with the declared enemies thereof, & beware of that wicked Declaration againſt the Covenant, or any other Oath and Subſcription likely to be the ſnare and temptation of theſe times, which either under the pretext of Peace and Order, or of due Obedience unto lawful Authority may be wickedly invented and impoſed, really for the ſuppreſſing of p. 182Truth, and advancing of this Rebellion againſt the moſt High God, and the eſtablishing of this Antichriſtian Prelatick-Tyranny. We have already fully detected the mask and deſign of ſuch impoſtures; He who hath given Authority and Power unto Kings and Princes, and rendered the ſame Sacred by His holy Sanction and Command, as he hath often punished their Ingratitude and Uſurpation againſt His own Soveraignity; ſo will He not hold that people guiltleſs, who, being both His Creatures and ſworn Subjects, either connive at, or comply with ſuch Rebellious Princes in their wickedneſs. Shall both the Law of God, and the very Propenſion of the heart and blood to the love and obedience of Parents, cede to the obedience of Kings and Rulers, for the good and preſervation of the Common-wealth, and shall not far more all Alleagiance & obedience to the ſame Kings & Rulers, cede and give place to our Obedience to the Moſt High our only Soveraign Lord, and the conſcience of His holy Oath and Commandments, for advancement of his glory, the great and only end of all things? Fix it therefore in your hearts, firſt to love and fear the Lord our God, and then to honour and obey the King; and let the ſincere and inward love of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the dear eſteem of his precious Goſpel, and the remembrance of our moſt ſacred and ſolemn Oaths and Covenants, and of that beauty, power and glory of His pure Ordinances, Miniſtry and Government which we once enjoyed, alwayes dwell in your hearts, and ever determine and eſtablish you to reſiſt and diſown all wicked Uſurpations againſt the Lord and His Anointed, all Invaſions againſt His Crown and Prerogative, all Corruptions and Humane Inventions in His pure Worship and Ordinances, all perverſion of the true p. 184Government and comely Order in His houſe, and al… violations of theſe indiſpenſible & holy Engagements, whereby this whole Nation is perpetually joyned unto the Lord; and alſo ever animat yow to Do or Suffer for the Lords great Name and theſe precious & important concernments, as He requireth; leſt if ye either faint in your mindes, or give up your ſelves to the deluſion of ſome carnal diſtinction, quiting the founder for the ſafer part, againſt the explicit Teſtimony, or implicit inclination of your own Conſciences (which later, if ſincerely aiming at the glory of God, and in nothing repugnant to His holy Word, is no otherwiſe to be regarded in times of temptation, then as that promiſed ſecret leading of the blind in the way they know not) you not only loſe your Crown, but provoke the Lord to cauſe all the Churches know by your plagues, that He it is who ſearcheth the reins & hearts.

But unto theſe few names in Scotland that have appeared zealous for God, & have not forgotten His Covenant in theſe declining times, & all theſe who favour their Righteous Cauſe; The Lord (who liveth & was dead, and is alive for evermore, Amen,) knoweth your works, tribulation & poverty (but yow are rich) and alſo the blaſphemy of them which ſay they are Chriſtians & are not, but are the ſynagogue of Antichriſt, Fear none of theſe things which yow do or shall ſuffer, your afflictions are but for Triall, and may be Short: be Faithful unto the death and ye shall have the Crown of life. And as ye love God & the Father of our Lord Jeſus, who gave His only and eternall delight unto the death for us Sinners; as ye love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt who loved us and washed us from our ſins in His own blood; as ye love the Holy Spirit of Grace who breatheth all this love into our hearts, and p. 185comforteth and ſealeth us unto the day of redemption; as ye love the bleſſed Goſpel, in the light whereof all this love is revealed, and God therein mainly glorified; as ye love the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his own blood; as ye love (for your own ſouls and for your poſterity) eternal life; as ye love poor Scotland and it's deliverance from the dreadful and imminent wrath of God; and as you love the preſervation of all Intereſts either Spiritual, Temporal or Eternal, Adhere ſtedfaſtly to the holy Covenants that Sacred and Firm Bond and Engagement unto all duties of Religion and Righteouſneſs, our bleſſed ſealed Charter of all the Lord's bleſſings and ordinances, eſpecially of that great Ordinance of the Miniſtry and Government of the Lord's houſe, which He himſelf hath appointed the hedge of all other Ordinances, and the great and moſt effectual mean of the Goſpel's eſtablishment and advancement. For, as it is only the holy zeal of God inſpired and animated by the fervent love of our Lord Jeſus, and the fear of the Lord's great Name, and the regard of His ſacred Oath, that can make you of quick underſtanding in theſe perillous times, for the diſcovering of both duties and dangers, and ſtrengthen you with all might, either for Doing or Suffering, that you may endure unto the end; ſo you may be aſſured, that if the Lord's thoughts toward Scotland be thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give us an expected end (as we have great ground and perſwaſion of hope) it shall be upon the broken plank of this deſpiſed Covenant, that this toſſed and ship-wrackt Church shall be preſerved, in midſt of all theſe fluctuations, and at length attain to it's deſired haven of Peace and Truth. Yea though this Apoſtacy and perſecution should prevail p. 186to wear out the ſaints of the moſt High, and the Lord (becauſe of the overſpreading of abomination) should determine and bring upon us utter deſolation; yet shall this your faithfulneſs be your Peace, joy and Victory. Let all therefore that deſire to be found faithful, look unto Jeſus and his joy; that with Him enduring the croſs and deſpiſing the shame, we may neither faint nor be weary, but in end be partakers of his Victory, Throne and Crown.

Thus we have ſeen and declared the great Work of God in this Land, from the firſt times of our Reformation unto this day; we have alſo teen our manifold provocations, whereby we have often Turned, Tempted and Provoked the moſt High; and all theſe judgements, Temptations and Diſcoveries, wherewith, by the ſpace of now more then an Hundred years, he hath corrected and exerciſed us; and we are at length arrived unto, and have conſidered the preſent ſtate and poſture of our affairs: Wherein though 1. the extremity of Apoſtacy, exceeding all that any age can parallel, and aggreageable by all the circumſtances of moſt clear and glorious Manifeſtations, moſt ſolemn and ſacred Engagements, moſt ſudden and cauſeleſs backſliding, and moſt national daring and violent defection that any Church can be charged with. 2. The extremity of Perſecution and Violence, which, conſidering either the Actors; (once ring-leaders, now Apoſtats from the ſame Holy Covenant which they perſecut) or the Manner, by Hoſtile and Military Force, without ſo much as regarding their own Lawes which they pretend for warrant; or the cruelty and exceſs, whereby mens lives are imbittered, making them prefer Death to the ſlaveries and inſolencies which they, ſuſtain, Are p. 187not to be inſtanced in any Chriſtian Church. 3. The extremity of Sin and profanity, and of the enemies boaſting and blaſphemy, whoſe mouths are ſet againſt the Heavens, and all the ſpite of their tongues and indignation of their hearts, againſt the holy Covenant and tenderneſs of conſcience, over which and all their followers, they wickedly inſult and rejoyce. And 4. the extremity of mens fainting and deſerting ſo Good a Cauſe; Which in their hearts they ſecretly own and approve, but dare not avow, yea are ready to deny for fear of the Adverſaries, Though, we ſay, theſe extremities (undenyably apparent in our preſent condition) do ſadly denounce unto this Land, the worſt and moſt woful of all extremities, even utter forſaking and deſolation, and that the End is come; yet notwithſtanding all theſe hopeleſs and deſperat appearances, it is the Lord who cauſeth light to shine out of darkneſs, and ſaith in the evening it shall be light, who ſaith unto dry bones, live, and calleth his People out of their graves, who even calleth things that are not as though they were, in whom all the ſeekers of His face ought to rejoyce, and joy in the God of their ſalvation. Therefore, although that over and above all theſe menacing evils, the power and pride of the Enemy should yet more prevail, even many degrees above all the appearances of Human Hope or Help, & all Neighbouring Nations should not only give them the leiſure and conveniency, but with all their might conſpire and concurre with our enemies, to intend their perſecution & ſtrengthen their Apoſtacy; yet are the Lord's Faithful, not only partakers of that River, the ſtreams whereof make glad the City of God, though ſurrounded with the ſiege of of Nations, Batteries of mountains, and inſurrections p. 188of the Univerſe againſt it, and are built on that rock againſt which the very gates of hell cannot prevail, and do alſo know that their God whom they fear is able to deliver them from this fiery Triall, and He will deliver them from their perſecuters; and if not, that nothing ſave the deſign of greater glory to this own Name, in a greater mercy and ſalvation to His People shall impede it: but all that love the Lord's Salvation have alſo fair ground of hope, that the Lord, as he will pour out His wrath upon his adverſaries, ſo will He remember for Scotland his Covenant; awake and give a shout againſt His enemies; and that, now when He ſeeth their wrath, how they behave themſelves ſtrangely, and ſay our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this, the Lord will bring forth for His remnant (even that holy ſeed which shall be the ſubſtance of this Land) that Deliverance which is laid up in ſtore with Him, and ſealed up amongſt His treaſures. For unto God belongeth vengeance and recompenſe, even the vengeance of His broken Covenant, of His dear Saints blood, and of His polluted Sanctuary. The adverſaries foot ſhal ſlide in due time, for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that ſhall come upon them, make haſte. For the Lord ſhall judge his people and repent himſelf for his ſervants, when he ſeeth that our power is gone, and there is none ſhut up or left: And the Lord ſhall ſay, ſee now that I, even I am He, and there is no God with me: I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand; for I lift up my hand to heaven, and ſay, I live for ever. if I whet my glittering ſword, and mine hand take hold on p. 189judgement, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood (and my ſword ſhall devour fleſh) and that with the blood of the ſlain and the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Rejoyce, O ye Nations, with his people, for He will avenge the blood of His Servants, and will render vengeance to His adverſaries, and will be mercifull unto His Land and to His People. This is the Song which God hath taught us, and therewith we ſhut up and ſeal the FAITH AND PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS.

AND now, having finished the Narration intended of the Work of God, and having ſeen and being perſuaded that all the degrees and Paſſages of its Progreſs and Advancement, were the very veſtiges of the Lords aſcendent Power and Glory, which He hath alſo ſealed by the Salvation of many thouſands for our aſſured confirmation, that as this Work is of God, ſo ſhall it not come to nought; But that theſe Antichriſtian … who oppoſe it, though in the ſame Spirit and Power of Darkneſs, which hath mainly cauſed and procured all the ſin, temptation and ruine that hath befallen any Goſpel-Church, … the bleſſed coming of our Lord JESUS in the fle…h, they should ariſe unto, yea p. 190ſurmount the very height of the Papacy and Antichriſt himſelf, in their Perſecutions & Tyranny; They shall nevertheleſs in the end, be found even to fight againſt God, and perish for ever in their gain-ſaying. As we do therefore deſire to remain ſtedfaſt, immoveable, and always abounding in the Work of the Lord, and every point and circumſtance thereof, without fainting or wearying even unto the Death. in and over which the Lord hath cauſed His faithful witneſſes ſo gloriouſly to Triumph; ſo we do only here ſubjoyn, for the clear and unanſwerable conviction and condemnation of the perfidy and wickedneſs of theſe accurſed Prelates, both before the World and even in their own conſciences, if any ſenſe thereof do yet remain: That though we had never ſeen any of theſe great and glorious things, whereby the Lord ſince the Year 1637. did revive, confirm and magnify His Work amongſt us, and that the National Covenant had net been ſince retaken much leſs explained and eſtablished, nor the League and Covenant enſued it; Yet ſince the ſame doth ſtill ſtand in the plain and ſimple terms, wherein it was conceaved, and in that ſenſe and meaning, wherein both it's expreſs Words and all the circumſtances which we have before obſerved do plainly evince that it was at firſt taken; as this Covenant p. 191doth remain unto this Day (notwithſtanding all the Prelats wickedneſs, perjury and violence) unrepeal'd or condemned, and by no contrary explanation or gloſs, either is or can be detorted, from being an undenyable abjuration of accurſed Prelacy and all it's corruptions; ſo is it a certain, fixed and immoveable foundation for all the Work of God that hath enſued, and a very ſure ground of confidence to all who ſeriouſly perpend, and firmly adhere to it, that the Lord who loved us of old, and choſed our Fathers, shall yet again by his mighty Spirit and Power, turn the hearts of the Children unto the Fathers, and bring us back unto the Lord God of our Fathers, and upon this ſame Foundation, yet repair our breaches, build up the old waſtes, & raiſe & rear up His Glory.

FINIS.