The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland, Postscript
POSTSCRIPT.
BY theſe things, which have been done in Galloway and Nithiſdale, as the Reader may compute, what vaſt ſuſferings and horrid abominations muſt be in the whole Land, many places whereof are no leſs diſaffected to Prelacy, when there are ſo many and groſs, in ſo little bounds and ſo short time; ſo he may preceave, what provocation that poor oppreſſed people had to endeavour their own preſervation, and to take hold of any opportunity for vindicating their religious and civil Intereſts: and what reaſon others, either in the ſame condition with them, or upon the common ground of Non-conformity, being threatened and juſtly fearing to be shortly reduced thereunto, had, according to their obligation in the Covenant, for mutual defence and aſſiſtance in the common cauſe of Religion and Liberty, to joyn with them for their help. Neither should I have adventured to inſert theſe inſtances, if (beſids the diligent care that was uſed in collecting of them, making them credible; the notoriety thereof, whereby they were unqueſtioned in that part of the Countrey; and many ſuchlike things (whereunto all that is mentioned, is but like a preface) committed ſince Novemb. 1666, eſpecially in the Weſtern parts, rendering them probable) they were not the native product of this Prelatical courſe, betwixt which and them there is ſuch connexion, as is betwixt the natural cauſe and the effect, and if the committers thereof had not had command, example and encouragement for many of them from the Prelats, whom they reſemble as much as face anſwereth to face in water. It is true the Prelats should no more bear all the blame, then Sathan (who reſtraineth none but tempteth to all) should be charged with all the Sin of man, and they were and are firſt and chief in the tranſgreſſion, who were their Authors and are their upholders and abettors, and in retaliation of their flattery of the Powers, and connivance at profanneſs in all, and in ſubſerviency to their intereſt and deſigne, have perpetrated and permitted ſo much wickedneſs and oppreſſion; Yea the Peoples walking willingly after the commandement, will never Excuſe thoſe, who by Law, Force & Example make Iſrael to Sin: yet it is above contradiction, that Prelacy is the chief though not the only Intereſt, in ſubſerviency to which all theſe things are done; and the Prelats themſelves are a conjunct if not the Principal cauſe thereof. Theſe men having put off their former vizards, no man needeth further to unmask them. Let theſe who employed and maintained Sharp to agent their cauſe, and others who promoted him to the Prelacy, declare their own Experience, of his continued ſeries of ungrate deceaving and undermining of them and their Intereſts, under Truſt and profeſſions to the contrary, as all men know that he hath Impiouſly and Perfidiouſly betrayed the Church and Cauſe of God: if they will not, Let his own many letters written unto them, be produced, as in reaſon and for Vindication they should, and they will evince him to be the Archeſt Traitor that ever Scotland bred: And how can it otherwiſe be? will he who is falſe to God, be true to any man? If that man eſcape ſome ſtupenduous and diſgracefull remark by the hand of God or Man, I will not ſay, that Others need neither fear the One nor regard the other, but ſure I am, that many more Experienced in the obſervation of divine Providence; and forſe…ing then I am, are much miſtaken. Let the City of Glasglow, and perſons of all Qualities, eſpecially in that countrey-ſide, ingenuouſly ſay, whether that fiery Zelot for the height of English Hierarchy and Ceremonies, and otherwiſe inſignificant man, Maſter Burnet prelate there, doth nor, in Juſt recompence of too many their enſlaving their own light and conſcience, in flattery of him, and complying with that courſe, moſt inſolently domineer over them as his ſlaves, with as much Prid, Ambition, and Contempt, as the moſt abſolute Prince doth over his vaſſals. Let theſe of the Synod of Glasgow remember, with what deep diſſimulation Mr Hamilton prelat of Galloway, did by Expreſs ſuffrage declare, before the laſt Synod there, againſt the ſame Prelacy, which at that ſame inſtant of time, he was clandeſtinly correſponding with the Rulers to eſtablish. This man of all others, hath been the chief Cauſe of all the Oppreſſion and perſecution in that countrey, and thereby the Occaſion of the late riſeing in Armes, & blood that hath followed thereupon. One inſtance of Mr Honeyman prelate of Orkney I cannot ommit, that in the year 1661, when Mr Sharp had diſcovered himſelf, walking in his own garden, he ſaid to a famous perſon who can bear witneſs thereof, (Juſt as Balaam ſpake truth whether he would or not) That Mr Sharp was as falſe as Iudas, and I would gladly know, to whom this Caſuist, who ſince hath embraced a Bishoprick, will Compare himſelf for fals-hood, except to him who entered into Iudas with the ſop. I need tell no man who knoweth the Perſons, of the brutish Senſuality of Mr Wallace P. of the Iſles, who ſtudieth more the filling of his belly then he was ever fit for feeding of a flock; nor of the hatred of Godlineſs and good men in Mr Guthrey P. of Dunkel who while he was Miniſter at Sterlin, was an old perſecuter of both; nor the ſcandalous drinking of Mr Sraughan P. of Brechen, let thoſe who viſite him in his own houſe, declare how liberally he uſeth to entertain them with Wine there, upon their own Expence. It is true indeed, that Mr Lighton prelate of Dumblan, under a Jeſuitial-like vizard of Pretended Holineſs, humility, & crucifixion to the world, hath ſtudied to ſeem to Creep upon the ground, but alwayes up the hill, toward promotion & places of more eaſe, honor & Wealth; & as there is none of them all hath with a Kiſs ſo betrayed the Cauſe, and ſmiten Religion under the fifth rib, and hath been ſuch an offence to the godly, ſo there is none who by his way, practice and Expreſſions, giveth greater ſuſpicion of a popish affection, inclination and deſign. If theſe men had not put off their own vaile, no pencil of the moſt skilled artiſt could have drawn them to the life, but now by shewing of themſelves, they have ſaved others a labour, or at leaſt made it more eaſy. And therefore I shall rake no more into this unpleaſant dung-hil of the vileſt vice, which they and their Brethren in Iniquity (whom not nameing here doth not Except from their part of the charg of Ambition, Prid, Senſuality, Idleneſs, Covetouſneſs, Oppreſſion, Perſecution, Diſſimulation, Perjury, Treacheiy, and Hatred of Godlineſs and Good men,) have heaped together in their own Perſons, and tranſſuſed to others over all the Land. O the Immenſe long ſuffering and unſearchable Wiſedome of God! who, hearing the cry of theſe things, ſtirreth not the Zeal of all to Execute his juſt Judgment upon theſe men; but it may be, that he is ripening and reſerving them, for a more God-like ſtrok, then any would be acknowledged to be, wherein man were Inſtrumental. Neither are their Mercenaries, whom they hire as Poſtillions to ride upon the fore-horſe of all their Wickedneſs, leſs skilled, but more foreward that way then their drivers. It were as far above the faith of any, who have not heard and ſeen, to beleeve, and might render any pen ſuſpected of the want of truth or tenderneſs, to write the Hundreth part, as it it eaſy to inſtance incredibly much, but endleſs to relate all that is true of the Ignorance, Lightneſs & Profaneſs of theſe men. When I have told, that ſeveral lying in known and acknowledged fornication, without removall of the ſcandal, have been admitted to the Miniſtry by the Prelats who knew it, and violently obtruded by them & the Patrons upon the offended people; That ſome of them after Admiſſion, have been deprehended lying with women by the way ſide; that Others have been found guilty of Actuall fornication, and of unanſwerable preſumptions of Adultery with other mens wives; and that drounkenneſs is both open and frequent amongſt many of them, I may well awake the wonder, the blush and horrour of the reader, but I have only begun to shew a part (& indeed avery ſmall part) of theſe mens wayes. A Prophet he may be by way of prognoſtication, but let the world Judg what manner of Preacher he muſt be, who, offending that the people did not come to hear him, did, before the Congregation, Imprecate thus againſt himſelf, God nor I be hanged hut I shall make you all come. Another refuſed to pay the price of a horſe before he pleaſed, (which he uſed to boaſt privately would be at Doomſday) becauſe the ſeller, at the making of the bargan, in Civility ſaid, Pay me when ye pleaſe; and thereupon, to the ſcorn and deriſion of all, ſubſtained an action of Law ſome dayes before a Civill Court. Who will commerce with ſuch horſe-koopers? but much leſs who can acknowledg ſuch men for Miniſters? Theſe men, being themſelves generally without ſubſtance and forme of Religion, are ſuch malicious perſecuters of both in Others, that as I could never hear of one ſoul turned from Sathan to God by their labours (whereof indeed there are many profane ſeals) ſo they are become vile in the eyes of all, that are truly godly or but morally civil; In ſo much that this is the only advantage, (and indeed it is an advantage, for if they were more ſmooth and ſober, they might be more inſnaring) that they do not wear a rough garment to deceave; and though I cannot ſay, that their out-ſide is as unclean as their inner-ſide, yet it is ſuch as ſaith in every mans heart, that the fear of God is not before their eyes. Theſe are the pleaſant birds, that are hatched and cherished under the warm wings of Prelacy, of whom though no man can ſpeak the half of the truth to a ſtranger, without expoſing himſelf to the Cenſure of partiality, Paſſion or being a Reproacher; yet the Univerſall and incontroverted Notoriety of theſe things, in all places where they reſide or converſe, will abſolve the relater before all men who know them. It is true, we do not charg every individuall with every particular, yet becauſe they are generally true of Many, and being notourly knows and ſometimes repreſented are not remeeded, they are chargable upon the Courſe, which being Sinfull in ſelf, the Authors and Abettors thereof are participant of the guilt, and lyable to the punishment. And indeed the Lord hath already begun his controverſy with ſome of them, not only by pouring shame and Contempt upon them (particularly upon Traiterous Sharp) and drying up the Right eye & blaſting the gifts which ſeverall ſeemed to have (whether by their own negligence, which every man obſerveth, or Immediat judgment, or both, I do not determine,) but alſo by viſible curſing of their ſubſtance, diverſe of them being neceſſitated through poverty to ſell their tithes at half worth, long before they are payable, and others of them to remove, leaving more debt behind, then they are able to diſcharge. Neither have theſe men thus profaned the ſanctuary only, & by the ſins of the Sons of Ely made all men to abhor the offering of the Lord; but from them are iſſued forth, ſuch overflowing ſtreames of wickedneſs over all the Land, that, beſids all that is mentioned, there are other inconceavable & inexpreſſible Atheiſtical abominations ſaid to be committed by men, which, as it is a Wonder the Devil himſelf should dare to act, ſo for fear of the great and dreadful God, and of offending the ears of others, my heart trembleth to think, & my hand faileth to writ. O Lord forgive, that ever anothers ſpeaking, but much more Acting, should have occaſioned my Thinking thereof.
And yet as if all that is related were too little, for ſanctuary to themſelves, for further inſlaving of the Countrey, & venting of inſatiable revenge (curſed be their anger for it is fierce, and their wrath for it is cruell) they have procured two Proclamations, dated at Edinburgh March. 25. 1667. making mention of great evidence of many diſaffected Perſons in the Weſtern Shares, who are ready to break out in open Rebellion, & involve the Kingdom in blood; & of just reaſon of ſuſpition that theſe Rebells will riſe in Armes against the King and his Authority, and not only make uſe of the Armes, Powder and Ammunition concealed or tranſported from Enemies, but ſe…ſe upon the Armes of others, and invade the Miniſters of the Goſpel &c. And therefore for preventing and diſabling of them to put themſelves in Military poſture, to make ſudden marches or attempts upon other Subjects or the ſtanding Forces, or to joine with other perſons of Pernicious And diſloyal principles, &c. commanding all perſons within the Shires of Lanerk, Air, Renfrew, Wigton and Stewarty of Kire…dbright, who have refuſed or deſerted publick trust, who withdraw from publick Ordinances, and keep not their Parish-Churches, or do not ſubmit to the preſent Government of the Church, and all who being warned did not joine to ſuppreſs the late Rebellion, unleſs they take the Oath of Alleageance, and ſubſcribe the Declaration, that after the 15 day of May next, by themſelves or any other for their behoof, they do not keep any horſe above the value of an hundred merks; and in caſe of failzie, that the Sherif value & deliver ſuch horſes to the Informer without payment to be made therefore; and before the firſt of May, to deliver to their reſpective Sherifs all their Armes and Ammunition (allowing Gentlemen only ſwords) under the pain of fining each Gentleman in 2000 merks, & each other perſon in 500 merks, whereof the one half to the Informer; and commanding all Heritors and Parishioners to defend the perſons, families, and goods of their Miniſters, from all affronts and injuries, with certification that the ſufferers and not oppoſers of the ſame, shall be reputed art & part, & he proceeded against with all rigor as guilty thereof; and in caſe of ſurprizal, that they purſue, apprehend and preſent the committers before the Council, otherwiſe to be lyable to reparation of damnage, &c. What new and ſtrange Policy is there here, that the Narrative of both Proclamations, in ſtead of concealing in the time of declared and continued War with Forrainers, should proclaime that there are ſo many diſaffected perſons, who are ready to riſe in Armes, to ſeiſe upon the Armes of others, and weaken the Forces of the Kingdom, thereby expreſſing the ſenſe of their own deſervings, and the fears of an evil conſcience, diſcovering their own nakedneſs to enemies, and encouraging Forrainers to invade with the more confidence? Muſt theſe Shires, which, without derogation to others, do eminently flourish with men of Piety towards God and true Lo…alty, and during the King's Exile, did retain a more faithful remembrance of his Intereſt according to the Covenants, then many other places of the Kingdom, be, of all other Shires within the ſame in recompenſe thereof, rewarded with the Titles of diſaffected perſons, Rebells, men of pernicious and diſloyal principles, and ſpoiled of their goods? Whence should theſe, who being ſpoiled of all Armes, firſt by the English, and then by the Council ſince the King's return, be preſumed to have concealed Armes! What ground is there to ſuggeſt unto the World, the tranſportation of Armes from Enemies? Muſt every man who will not throw away for nothing his Horſe and Armes, which he hath purchaſed by his money, be therefore a ſeditious and diſaffected perſon, and accordingly proceeded againſt with all rigor▪ If none within theſe Shires muſt keep a horſe exceeding the value above-mentioned, how impoſſible is it to labour much of the ground? How are covetous wretches, in hope of gaining horſe without Payment, and the half of the Fines for concealed Armes, animated to give in invidious Informations againſt the owners? and many poor well meaning people tempted, to redeem their beaſts at the rate of Perjury and breach of Covenant? What an abſurd thing is it, to punish men otherwayes innocent, only for not accepting or deſerting publick truſt; whereunto they neither have acceſs, nor can continue in without formal and expreſs Perjury? How irrational and unjuſt is it, to command (under a penalty) Parishioners to do that which may be impoſſible, yea without the compaſs of their knowledge, ſuch as oppoſing, but much more apprehending and preſenting ſurprizers? wherewith, I pray you, shall theſe who muſt deliver up all their Armes (reſerving not ſo much as a ſword) defend themſelves or any other man, againſt violence and ſurprizall? We read in our Hiſtory of a Law, whereby for repreſſing of Theft, men were not to shut their doors in the night, and ſatisfaction was enſured to the owner for any thing that should be ſtoln from him; whereupon a Countrey-man alleaging his goods to be ſtoln, obtained payment; but being found thereafter that himſelf had hid them, he was hanged for a reward to himſelf and example to others: Now what if ſome of theſe covetous and malicious Men should (for who can rationally promiſe and ſecure, but that they who have done worſe, may alſo) thus abſtract or cauſe abſtract their own goods? what if the Lord should immediatly ſmit them for offering ſtrange fire? or thieves and robers should fall upon them? or evil Spirits in humane shape▪ should haunt or hurt them, muſt Innocent people upon their invidious & falſe alleagance be therefore punished? As if the Parishioners of Carpha… should pay for Mckinney's ſilver plate, which his own ſervant ſtole from him.
Ah Scotland, which the Lord planted a noble vine, wholly a right ſeed! how are thow turned into a degenerate plant of a Strange Vine? Where is now the Spirit of the Fathers, that (as if thy inhabitants were neither Chriſtians; Men nor Patriots) Religion, the Land, Ourſelves, and the Poſterity, in Bodies, Conſciences, and Eſtats should be thus emancipated, to the Intereſt, Luſt and Deſigne of 14 Prelats and their Hirelings, whom the Lords ſparing is a greater wonder, then if he should convert them into Pillars of ſalt for their Apoſtacy: O Backſlide… Scotland! remember from whence thow art fallen, Repent and Do the First works, or elſe he will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candleſtcik out of his place, except thow Repent.
FINIS.
End of the text · James Stewart, The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland (1667)