This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.
THE
HISTORY
OF
SCOTCH-PRESBYTERY:
BEING AN
EPITOME
OF
The Hind let Loose,
By Mr. SHIELDS.
With a Preface by a Presbyter of
the Church of Scotland.
Juven.— Vitia ultima fictos Contemnunt scauros & Castigata remordent.
LONDON,
Printed for I. Hindmarsh, at the Golden-Ball in
Cornhill. MDCXCII.
THE following Treatise (being but a
short Compend of a larger Book) apScotland, in
Their
for though a thing in it self is just and
Their
(that's to say, the Opinions that are
The Christian Religion above all things design
We find this clearly exemplified in the Pharia reasonable Religion, to turn Men from
Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan to
the living God, to inspire Mankind with the PrinciPhilosophy, most useful
in all the Changes and Vicissitudes of this Life,
and that which did certainly prepare them for a
better, he taught his Disciples to be most assiduous
in those Duties of Religion that made no Noise
abroad, and fell not easily under the Observation
of Men; that advanced solid and substantial Pie
Yet when we read the History of the New Teown TraditiSchools were
much dearer to them than the Commandments of
God, Mark 7. 3. As for Simplicity of Intention, Inconvenient for them who were
in the Government, and thought it necessary to
have the People blindly to obey their Dictates:
That Religion that penetrates to the Center of
our Spirits, and changes the whole Bias of our
Souls, crosses the Desires of our degenerate NaPrayers,
disfigured Faces, and theatrical Fasts, they might
leave their insatiable Passions of Pride, Vain-gloMat. 23, 24 whatempty and the most transient
things. Their Bat
were mistaken for
Zeal and Devotion, and their outward Austerities,
for true Mortific
They did all things to be
seen of Men, Mat. 23. 5. and if the Law of God
did expresly contradict their beloved Scheme;
the Law it self must needs bow to their Principle.
their Do
of the Corban, they evacuated this Fundaonly understood the abstruse
Mysteries of Religion, and nothing provoked
their indignation so much, as to be thought ignorant;
wherefore they so huffingly tell the poor
Man restored to his sight by our Saviour, dost
thou teach us, Ioh. 9. 34. tho by the most eviPaul himself was tinctur'd with this leapure and undefiled
Religion, than Pharisaical Pride and Hypocrisy;
nor no kind of Pharisees persecute with greater
Violence and Spite, than that sullen and demure
Tribe that affect Domination and Tyranny, by a
counterfeit and disguised Humility.
The sad Effects of such an insolent Humor, are
too sadly felt by the Clergy of Scotland. The PresHouses,
their Livings, and some of them their Relations,
and their Countrey, for no other Design than to
tell Stories of the Presbyterian Persecution; any
Man that believes this, needs not refuse the
most monstrous Improbabilities: Men are not
so fond of Crosses and Afflictions, the Bias of Hu
There is no Weapon so proper against the AsPagan Soul;
Roman Empire appeared to him
that sat upon the Throne, in the midst of Guards
Divertisements, and Flatterers, I cannot but acSeneca tells us, that a good Man wrestIupiter
himself. The Ears of God are always open All things work together for good, to the
We are told by our Saviour, tha
The Party with whom good Men struggle at preScotland, have neither Unity amongst them
It is very sad to consider the present Decays
of true Christianity: What's become of that unpure, peaceable, gentle, and easie to be
Jam. 3. 17. But
Hooker's PoFrench
Protestants, who have fled to Germany or England,
serve in either Church as Ministers, according to
the Rites and Ecclesiastical Canons of the place
where they live: It is only the Covenanted PresInstitution
of our Saviour, and therefore the ExerVindicator of their Ki
he wrote
a Book some Years ago,Ir
Mat.
20. 25. compared with Luk. 22.
25 He tells us in another Book,his Way is Argumentative;
that is to say he writes
nothing but pure Reason and Demonstration.
Now let us calmly examine what Foundation
there is for Presbytery in the Texts lately menSub
amongst his Disciples, as well as in all
other Societies; and therefore he directs such as
would climb to the highest Places, to take other
Methods than those that are most usual in WorldPromotion, not to the ExIu isdiction. He supposes one
would be great among them; and the true way to
attain Gentiles did; but by all the Acts of Modesty,
Humility and Self-denial. But let me ask whethem, which they were to do to
one another; and therefore the doing of it totheir Lord, was
their Servant; and therefore the greatest among
them were to be modest, calm, and humble toGentiles,
by a Spirit of PrideIews, to higher Dignities, there was another
appointed to tell him, that upon that Day he began
to serve. And did not St. Paul think so of
himself, though in nothing behind the chiefest
Apostles, when the Care of all the Churches lay
upon him? And all the Fathers of the Church,
from the first Plantations of Christianity, had
this Notion of their Dignity, that they were the
Servants of all.
Now when this one Text is answered, I think
his Book is answered, nor had this part of that
Pamphlet been touched here, if it had not been
commonly insisted on by others as well as by hereafter be said to convince him of his id
I have no more to trouble the Reader with
but to give him a short account of the followinAle
Book, entituled, The Hind
2. Our Nobility who understood the GoBooks, The Acts of
and their most Authentick Papers,
we know what Morals they are taught by their
Guides, when we remember their tumultuous
Scotland
Andrews, and such like religious
Shields was at the pains to gaScotland till the Year 1687. And
Two Objections I foresee will be managed by
publick
Declarations and Testimonies of their Society,
Solemn League and Covenant, is the oriScotland
from other Dissenters; but the bloody Principles
of the Covenant by which they over-turned the
ancient Monarchy, Sacrificed the best of Kings,
and changed a prosperous Nation into a field of
Blood.
The next thing I foresee their Agents will proAethiopian
change his Skin, or the Leopard his Spots? Must
not they assert their Classical Authority and DisColours? Must they not give their Testimony as
their Predecessours have done? Don't we see that
they have Male-versed more in three Years time,
than can well be repaired for twenty? Will their
Agents oblige their Meetings and Assemblies to
declare against this Systeme solemnly and judiAndrews
without ten contradicting Votes; nor is there
any thing asserted in this Book, that is peculiar
to Mr. Shields. read The Apologetical relation of the
Church of Scotland, Naphthali, jus popu
and several other little Pamphlets, whose Titles
I have forgot; and you shall find that this is the
common Strain by which they are distinguished
from the Presbyterians abroad, as well as from all
other Christian Churches.
If Episcopacy had been a grievance to the NaCommuni Presbyterorum consilio. All the Presbyters
by their Delegates from all Corners of the Nation
had an equal Right in this Government: But inPeevish and Tyrannical Persons, who never
sleep quietly until all the Clergy be extirpate,
who do not hold their Mission from the Convenpro praesenti
ecclesiae statu, the Government should be thus
modell'd; and this in plain Scotch is no more,
than that the Heads of the Faction judged it conI
of the
CovenantScheme; and perhaps the Con
The following Treatise cannot but be chearScotch Presbyteriantheir Opinions Epicurus, he must go to Lucretius;
Socrates, he must read Plato; if the MoMarcus Aure
and Seneca: So it were very unjust to say
that Mr. Shields did not give a true Account Scotch Presbyterians, bein
FROM the year 1570 and downward, the Testimony is staKingly Office, which hath been
the peculiar Glory of the Church of Scotland, above all the
Churches in the Earth, that this hath been given to her as
the word of her Testimony; and not only consequentially and reduThe Headship
and Kingship of Iesus Christ, the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, and
his mediatory Supremacy over his own Kingdom of Grace, both visiSupremacy, a special radiant Jewel
of his Imperial Crown: which, as it hath been as explicitely incroachScotland, by his insolent Enemies, as ever by any that enIames the Sixth; as it hath
been in a great measure in our day, since the Year 1660. Which, as
it is the most important Cause, of the greatest Consequence that MorMartyr; And which concerns him to
vindicate and maintain as a Monarch. The Witnesses of that day made
such an high account of it, that they encouraged one another to suffer
for it, as the greatest Concern; Being a Witness for Christ's Glorious and
free Monarchy, which as it is the end of the other two Offices, so the Testimony
Forbess and Mr. Welsh writ in a Letter to
the Ministers at Court. The Corruptions and Usurpations wronging
this Truth, that they contended against, were Prelacy and the King's
Supremacy in Ecclesiastical Matters: Which will be useful to hint a little,
how they prosecuted the Conflict. When Sathan by several Instruments
and Means, both by force and frauds did endeavour to put a stop to
the Reformation, by re-introducing the Antichristian Hierarchy of Pre
when he could not reestablish the Antichristian Doctrine of PoBishop in request, that was now growing obsolete and
odious. And indeed his first Essay reached little further than the bare
Name, for they were to be Subject to, and tried by Assemblies, and
hardly had so much power as Superintendents before. But it was a
fine Court-juggle for Noblemen to get the Church Revenues into their
hand, by restoring the Ecclesiastical Titles, and obtaining from the
Titulars either Temporal Lands, or Pensions to their Dependers.
The faithful Servants of Christ did zealously oppose it. Mr. Knox
denounced Anathema to the Giver, and Anathema to the Receiver. And
the following Assembly condemned the Office it self, as having no sure
Warrant, Authority, nor Ground in the Book of God; and ordained all that
brooked the Office, to demit Simpliciter, and to desist and cease from Preaching,
while they received de novo admission from the General Assembly, under
the Pain of Excommunication. In pursuance whereof, the Assemblies from
that time until the Year 1681. did with much painfulness and faithfulPresbyterial
Government. Which was confirmed, and covenanted to be kept
inviolate, in the National Covenant, Subscribed that Year by the King,
his Court, and Council; and afterwards by all Ranks of People in the
Land. Whence it may be doubted, whether the Impudence of the succeedPrelacy, and not only Diocesan but also Erastian
Prelacy might be set up, the Earl of Arran, and his wicked ComSupremacy, over all Persons, and in all Causes, as
well Ecclesiastical as Civil. But this also the Faithful Servants of God
did worthily and valiantly resist: And at the very first appearance of
That he had taken
upon him a Spiritual Power, which properly belongs to Christ, as only King
and Head of the Church; the Ministry and Execution whereof, is only given
to such as bear Office in the Ecclesiastical Government in the same: So that
in the King's Person, some Men press to erect a new Popedome, as though he
would not be full King of this Common-wealth, unless as well the Spiritual
as Temporal Sword be put in his hand, unless Christ be rest of his Authority,
and the two Iurisdictions confounded, which God hath divided, which directly
tendeth to the Wrack of all true Religion. Which being presented by the
Commissioners of the General Assembly; the Earl of Arran asked, with
a Frowning Countenance, who dare Subscribe these Treasonable ArtiAndrew Melvil answered, we dare, and will Subscribe, and
render our Lives in the Cause. And afterward, that same Assembly
presented Articles, shewing, that seeing the Spiritual Iurisdiction of the
Church is granted by Christ, and given only to them, that by Preaching,
Teaching, and Overseeing, bear Office within the same, to be exercised, not
by the Injunctions of Men, but by the only Rule of God's Word, hereafter, no
other of whatsoever degree, or under whatsoever pretence, have any colour
to ascribe, or to take upon them any part thereof, either in placing or displacing
of Ministers, without the Churches admission, or in stopping the Mouths of
Preachers, or putting them to silence, or take upon them the Iudgement of
Tryal of Doctrine, &c.
But in contempt and Contradiction to this, and to Prosecute and
Exert this new usurped Power, Mr. Andrew Melvil was sommoned
before the Secret Council, for a Sermon of his, applying his Doctrine
to the Times Corruptions: Whereupon he gave in his Declinature aThey were too bold,
in a Constitute Christian Church, to pass by the Pastors, Prophets, and
Doctors, and to take upon them to judge the Doctrine, and to controul the
Ambassadours of a greater than was there, which they neither ought nor can
do. There are (saith he, loosing a little Hebrew Bible from his Girdle)
my Instructions and Warrant; see if any of you can controul me, that I
have past my Injunctions. For this he was decerned to be warded in the
Castle of Edinburgh: But he conveyed himself secretly out of the
Countrey.
When as also a Convention in Faulkand was consulting to call home
the Papist Lords; Mr. Andrew Melvil went thither uncalled; and when
found fault with by the King for his Boldness, he answered, Sir, I have
a Call to come here from Christ and his Church, who have special Interest in
this Turn, and against whom this Convention is Assembled directly: I charge
you, and your Estates, in the Name of Christ and his Church, that ye
favour not his Enemies, whom he hateth, nor go about to call home nor make
And further challenged them of Treason against
Christ, his Church and Countrey, in that purpose they were about.
About the same time in a private Conference with the King, he
called the King, Gods silly Vassal; and taking him by the Sleeve, told
him; Sir, I must tell you, there are two Kings, and two Kingdoms; There
is Christ, and his Kingdom whose Subject King James the 6th is, and of
whose Kingdom he is not a King, nor a Head, nor a Lord, but a Member;
And they whom Christ hath called to Watch over and Govern his Church,
have sufficient Authority, and Power from him, which no Christian King
should controul, but assist; otherwise they are not Faithful Subjects to Christ.
Sir, when you were in your Swadling-Clouts, Christ Reigned freely in this
Land, in spight of all his Enemies; but now the Wisdom of your Council,
is Devilish and Pernicious, &c.
To the like effect, Mr. Robert Bruce, in a Sermon upon Psal. 51. gives
faithful warning of the Danger of the Times. It is not we (sayes he)
that are Partie in this Cause; no, the Quarrel is betwixt a greater Prince
and them. What are we, but silly Men? Yet it has pleased him to set us in
this Office, that we should oppone to the manifest Vsurpations that is made
upon his Spiritual Kingdom. Is there a more forcible means to draw down
the Wrath of God, than to let Barrabas that nobilitate Malefactour pass free,
and to begin the War against Christ and his Ministry? It putteth on the
Copestone, that so many of our Brethren should not be so faithful, as their
calling and this Cause craveth. Fie upon false Brethren, to see them dumb,
so faint hearted, when it comes to the Chock: not only are they as ashamed
to speak the thing they think which is a shame in a Pastor, but speak
directly against their former Doctrine. They will speak the Truth a while,
till they be put at, but incontinent they will turn and make their Gifts
Weapons to fight against Christ, &c.
Hereafter when the Parliament 1584. had Enacted this Supremacy,
and Submission to Prelacy, to be Subscribed by all Ministers; the faithDavid Lindsay to the King, desiring that nothing
be done in Parliament prejudicial to the Churches Liberty: Who got
the Prison of Blackness for his pains. And then when they could not
get access for shut doors to Protest before the Parliament; yet, when
the Acts were Proclaimed at the Cross of Edinburgh, they took pubScotland, (tho' they were
but two) that they protested against the said Acts: And fled to England,
leaving behind them Reasons that moved them to do so. And
Mr Iames Melvil, wrote against the Subscribers at that time, proving,
That they had not only set up a new Pope, and so become Traitours to Christ,
and condescended to that chief Error of Papistry, whereupon all the rest depend;
but further, in so doing they had granted more to the King, than ever
the Popes of Rome peaceably obtained, &c.
David Blacks Declinature, which they both advised him to, and approvEdinburgh. After which he added a second Declinature: Declaring,
There are two Iurisdictions in this Realm, the one Spiritual, the other Civil;
the one respecting the Conscience, the other Externals: Therefore, in so far
as he was one of the Spiritual Office-bearers, and had discharged his Spiritual
calling in some measure of Grace and Sincerity, should not nor could not be
Lawfully judged, for Preaching and applying the Word, by any Civil Power;
he being an Ambassadour and Messenger of the Lord Iesus, having his
Commission from the King of Kings, and all his Instructions set down and
limited in the Book of God, that cannot be extended, abridged, or altered
by any mortal Wight, King or Emperor; And seeing he was sent to all sorts,
his Commission and Discharge of it should not nor cannot be Lawfully judged,
by them to whom he was sent; they being Sheep and not Pastours, to be
judged by the Word, and not to be judges thereof in a judicial way. The
Interloquutor being past against him for this; the Brethren thought it
Duty, that the Doctrine of the Preachers should be directed against
the said Interloquutor, as against a strong hold set up against the Lord
Jesus, and the freedom of the Gospel; and Praised God for the Force
and Unity of the Spirit, that was among themselves. And being
charged to depart out of Town, they leave a faithful Declaration at
large; shewing, how the Liberties of the Church were invaded and
robbed: And when the Ministers were troubled upon Mr. Blacks busiBlack had a Remission offered to him, refus'd it altogether, lest so
doing he should condemn himself and approve the Courts Proceedings:
And the Brethren conferring with the Counsellors, craving that some
penalty should be condescended unto for satisfying his Majesty in his
Honour, would not condescend to any how light soever; lest thereby
they should seem to approve the Judicatory and their proceeding. The
imprisoned Ministers, for declining the Council, had it in their offer,
that if they would without any confession of offence only submit thempro scandalo accepto, non dato, they should be re
Edinburgh were committed to Ward, for refusing
to pray for the Queen, before her Execution in Fothringam Castle 1586.
they refused not simply to pray for her, but for the Preservation of
her Life, as if she had been innocent of the Crimes laid to her charge,
which had imported a Condemnation of the Proceedings against her.
Afterwards in the Year 1600. the Ministers of Edinburgh would not
Praise God for the Delivery of the King, from a Conspiracy of the
Earl of Gowrie at that time, of which they had no Credit, nor assuRobert Bruce, was deprived of the Exercise of his Ministry, and never
obtained it again at Edinburgh.
But all this was nothing, in Comparison of their wrestlings for
the Royalties of their Princely Master, and Priviledges of his KingEngland. For then he would not suffer the Church to indict her
own Assemblies. And when the faithful thought themselves obliged
to counteract his Encroachments, and therefore convened in an AssemAberdeen, Anno 1605. they were forced to dissolve: And thereBlackness. Whence being cited before the CounRobert Youngson, who had formerly succumbed, being mov'd in ConWelsh wrote to the Lady Fleeming, to
this effect; What am I, that he should first have called me, and then Constituted
me a Minister of glad things, of the Gospel of Salvation, these
fifteen Years already, and now last of all to be a sufferer for his Cause and
Kingdom? To witness that good Confession, that Iesus Christ is the King
of Saints, and that his Church is a most free Kingdom, yea as free as any
Kingdom under Heaven, not only to Convocate, Hold, and keep her Meetings,
Conventions and Assemblies: But also to judge of all her Affairs in
all her Meetings and Conventions, among his Members and Subjects. These
two points, (1) That Christ is the Head of his Church, (2) That she is
free in her Government from all other Iurisdiction, except Christ's, are the
special Cause of our Imprisonment, being now convict as Traytors, for maintaining
thereof. We have now been waiting with joyfulness to give the last
Testimony of our Blood in Confirmation thereof. If it would please our God
to be so favourable, as to Honour us with that Dignity.
After this, the King resolving by Parliament to advance the Estate
of Bishops again, as in the time of Popery, without Cautions, as before;
and further to establish not only that Antichristian Hierarchy,
but an Erastian Supremacy; The faithful Ministers of Christ, thought
themselves bound in Conscience to protest. And accordingly they
offered a faithful Protestation to the Parliament Iuly 1606. obtesting,
That they would reserve into the Lords own hands, that Glory which he will
communicate neither with Man nor Angel; to wit, to prescribe from his
Holy Mountain a lively Pattern, according to which his own Tabernacle
should be formed: Remembring always, that there is no absolute and un
Yet notwithstanding of all opposition, Prelacy was again restored in
Parliament. And, to bring all to a complyance with the same, PresConstant Moderator without change: which many refused resolutely,
as being the first step of Prelacy. Upon this followed a great PerseHigh Commission Court, erected anno 1570. where
But the Copestone of the wickedness of that Period, was the Ratififive Articles of Perth; kneeling at the Communion, private
Communion to be given to the Sick, private Baptism, and Confirmation of
Children by the Bishop, and Observation of Festival Days. Which were
much opposed and testified against by the faithful, from their first
hatching Anno 1618. to the Year 1621. when they were ratified in
Parliament. And against this the Testimony of the faithful continuAnno 1638.
The following Period, from the Year 1638 to 1660
In the midst of the forementioned Miseries and Mischiefs, that the
Pride of Prelacy and Tyrannical Supremacy had multiplied beyond
&c.
The Lords People were surprized with a sudden unexpected DeliveGlasgow: And
there, notwithstanding all the opposition that the King's Commissioner
could make, by Protestations and Proclamations to dissolve it, the six
preceding Assemblies establishing Prelacy were annulled, the Service
Book, and High Commission were condemned; all the Bishops were
deposed, and their Government declared to be abjured in that NatiPerth were there discovered to have been incon
This was a bold beginning; out-braving all difficulties. Which
in the following Year were much encreased, by the Prelates and their
partakers, Rendezvouzing their Forces under the Kings personal
Standard, and menacing nothing but Misery to the zealous CovenanEdinburgh, the Covenant is ratified and subscribed
by the Earl of Traquaire Commissioner, and enjoyned to be subscribed by
the Body of the whole Land, with an explication expresly concerning
the five Articles of Perth, the Government of Bishops, the Civil places
and power of Church Men.
Charles the
First, being present, and consenting to all.
But the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus being thus advanced, the Glory
of the Lord did shine upon us with such Splendor, that it awaked England,
and animated the Lords People there to aspire to the like ReforPrelacy,
yet sundry Forms of Church Government were projected to be
set up in the room thereof, chiefly the Independent Order: Therefore
the Brethren in England wrote to the Assembly then sitting at Edinburgh,
who gave them answer in behalf of the Presbyterial Government. So
from henceforth the Assembly did incessantly urge Vniformity in ReforEngland, as the chiefest of their DeEnglish Parliament did first desire that the two Nations might
be strictly united for their mutual defence against the Prelatical Faction
and their Adherents in both Kingdoms; and not to lay down Arms,
till these implacable Enemies should be brought in Subjection; and did
instantly urge for help and assistance from Scotland. Which being
sent, did return with an Olive-branch of Peace, and not without some
beginning of a Reformation in England. And afterwards a Bloody
War beginning between the King and Parliament, with great success
on the Kings side, Commissioners were sent from both Houses to Scotland,
earnestly inviting to a nearer Union of the Kingdoms, and desiSolemn League and Covenant of the
three Kingdoms, first drawn up in Scotland, and approved in the AsEdinburgh, and afterward embraced in England. This is
that Covenant comprehending the purpose of all Prior, and the PatPosterity; and of which the Obligation cannot be DisanEngland called an Assembly of Divines at Westminster:
And desired the Assembly of Scotland to send thither their CommissiAlexander Henderson,
Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, Mr. Robert Baille,
Mr. George Gillespie Ministers; and Iohn Earl of Capils, Iohn Lord
Maitland, and Sir Archbald Iohnstone of Warristown, Ruling ElderPrelacy, &c. and for the settling of the
so much desired Union of the whole Island, in one Form of Church
Government, one Confession of Faith, one common Catechism, and
one Directory for the Worship of God. Forces were also sent to assist
the Parliament of England: Which were favoured with great success
in their Enterprizes, till that War was ended by the total overthrow
of the King, and all his upholders.
But that Prelatical and Malignant Faction being brought much under
in England, attempted to try the Fortune of War in Scotland, under
the Conduct of Montrose: Who, tho' he prevailed for a time, yet at
length was defeat at Philliphaugh, in the Year 1645. yet certain it is
that they had Commission and Warrant from the King; as the AssemFeb. 13. remonstrates it to himself: Warning him in the
Name of their Master, the Lord Iesus Christ, that the Guilt which cleaved
to his Throne was such, as if not timely repented, could not but involve himself,
and his Posterity, under the Wrath of the Everliving God, for his
being Guilty of the shedding of the Blood of many Thousands of his best
Subjects, &c.
At the same time also the Assembly did zealously incite the Parliament
to a speedy Course of Justice against these Incendiaries and
Murderers, as the only mean of cleansing the Land from that deluge
of Blood then Current, and of appeasing the Wrath of God: And
solemnly and seasonably warned all Ranks to search to understand
the Language of that Dispensation; wherein many publick Sins and
Breaches of Covenant are pointed at; and the Covenant it self is there
very Encomiastically vindicated: We are so far from repenting of it
(say they) that we cannot mention it without great joy; for no sooner was
the Covenant begun to be taken in England, but sensibly the condition of
affairs there was changed to the better; and our Forces sent into that KingThese following Acts were made,
thus, Feb. 14. 1645. Sess. 18. Vnless Men will blot out of their Hearts the
fear of Religion and Cause of God, they must now or never appear actively,
each one stretching himself to, yea beyond his power. It is no time to dally,
or to go about the business by halves, nor be almost but altogether zealous:
Cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently. If we have been
forward to assist our Neighbour Kingdoms, shall we neglect to defend our own?
Or shall the Enemies of God be more active against his Cause, than his People
for it? God forbid. (And among the Enormities and Corruptions of the
Ministry in their Callings, this is one, §. 4. 5. Silence in the publick
Cause; some accounting it a point of Wisdom to speak ambiguously, whereof
the remedy is, §. 15. That beside all other scandals, silence and ambiguous
speaking, in the publick Cause, be seasonably Censured. Gen. Ass. Edin.
June, 13. 1646.) Act for Censuring the Complyers with the publick
Enemies of this Church and Kingdom, Gen. Ass. Edin. Jun. 17. 1646.
Sess. 4. Where they judge it a great and scandalous Provocation, and
grievous defection from the publick Cause, to comply with these Malignants,
in any degree, even to procure Protections from them, or to have invited them
to their Houses, or to be Guilty of any such Gross degrees of Complyance;
Censured to be suspended from the Communion, and while they acknowledge
their Offence. And Gen. Ass. Aug. 24. 1647. Sess. 19. Ministers are charged,
us they have occasion from the Text of Scripture, to reprove the Sins and ErAnd July ult. 1648. Sess. 2. in their Declaration concerning
the unlawful Engagement, they say: Suppose the Ends of that
Engagement be good (as they are not) yet the means and ways of Prosecution
are unlawful; because there is not an equal avoiding of Rocks on both hands,
but a joyning with Malignants to suppress Sectaries, a joining hands with a
black Devil to beat a white Devil. And Aug. 3. 1648. All Ministers that
do not apply their Doctrine to the Corruptions of the Time, which is the PaEngland,
or the Defections current at home, the Plots and Practices of Malignants,
the Principles and Tenets of Erastianism; And if they be found too sparing,
General or Ambiguous in their Applications or Reproofs, they are to be deposed,
for being pleasers of Men rather than servers of Christ, for giving themselves
to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in the Cause of God, for defrauding
the South of People, yea for being GuSee also their seasonable and necessary Warning Iuly. 27.
1649. Thus did these famous Fathers give us a perfect Pattern of purity
and strictness, in opposition to all degrees of Co
England being crushed in all
their Projects, the King renders himself to the Scots in Newcastle: By
whom (because by Covenant they were not obliged to defend him,
but only in defence of Religion and Liberty, which he had been deEnglish, and kept under
restraint in the Isle of Wight, until he was Condemned and Executed,
Ian, 30, 164
Which Fact, tho' it was protested against both before and
after by the Assembly of the Church of Scotland, out of zeal against the
Sectarians, the Executioners of that extraordinary Act of Justice; yet
it was more for the Manner, than for the matter, and more for the
Motives and Ends of it, than for the Grounds of it, that they opposed
themselves to it, and resented it. For they acknowledged and re(Iuly ult.) they would never consent to the King's Restitution to the
exercise of his Power, till security should be had, By Solemn Oath under
his Hand and Seal, that he shall for himself and Successors, give his assent
to all Acts and Bills for enjoyning Presbyterial Government, and never make
opposition to it, nor endeavour any change thereof. July ult. 1648. Sess. 21.
By which it appears, they were not so stupidly loyal, as some would
make them.
Yet there was too much of this Plague of the Kings-evil even among
good Men: For after the Death of Charles the First, in the Year 1649.
they began to think of joyning once more with the Malignants, and
taking into their Bosoms these Serpents which had formerly stung them
to Death. There was indeed at that time a Party faithful for God,
who considering the many Breaches of the Solemn League and Covenant,
and particularly by the late Engagement against England, did so
Travel, that they procured the Covenant to be renewed, with the Sowhich was universally
Subscribed and sworn through all the Land; wherein also they
regret this tampering with Malignants. Whereupon they subdued
their Adversaries at Sterling, and in the North they did also give
Warning concerning the Young King, that notwithstanding of the Lords
Hand against his Father, yet he hearkens to the Councils of those, who were
Authors of these Miseries to his Father; by which it hath coAnd
therefore, if his Majesty, or any having or pretending Power and Commission
from him, shall invade this Kingdom, upon pretext of establishing him in the
Exercise of his Royal Power; as it will be an high Provocation against God,
to be accessary or assisting thereto, so it will be a necessary Duty to resist and
oppose the same. July 27. 1649. Sess. 27. And when the bringing home
of the King came to be voted in the Assembly, there was one faithful
Witness, Mr. Adam Kae Minister, in Gallaway, protested against it.
But notwithstanding of these Convictions, Warning, yea and DisBreda. During which Treaty, the
Commissions which he had sent to Montrose, and his Complices, were
brought to the Committee of Estates, discovering what sort of King
they were treating with. Whereupon the Estates concluded to break
off the Treaty, and recal their Commissioners. To which intent,
they sent an Express with Letters to Breda; which falling into the
hands of Libbertone, was by him, without the knowledge of the other
Commissioners, delivered unto the King: Who then sound it his in
The Estates, being over-swayed more with respect to their own
Credit (which they thought should be impeached, if they should retract
their own Plenipotentiary Instructions, to conclude the Treaty upon
the Kings assent to their Conditions) than to their reclamant Consciences,
they resolved to bring home the King. Yet they thought to mend
the matter, by binding him with all Cords, and putting him to all
most explicite Engagements, before he should receive the Imperial
Crown. Well, upon these Terms home he comes: And before he set
his Foot on British Ground, he takes the Covenant. And the Commission
of the General Assembly precluded his Admittance to the Crown,
if he should refuse the then required satisfaction, before his Coronation,
by their Act at the West-Kirk, Aug. 13. 1650. Which is this,
The Commission of the General Assembly, considering that there may be just
Ground of stumbling, from the Kings Majesties refusing to subscribe and exKirk and
Kingdom doth not own or espouse any Malignant Party, or Quarrel, or InOliver Cromwell, and vindicate themselves from
all the falshoods contained therein; especially in these things wherein the quarA. Ker.
And that same day, The Committee of Estates, having seen and conTho. Henderson.
Whereupon thereafter, he encites that Declaration at Drumfermling,
Wherein, Professing and appearing in the full perswasion and Love of the
Truth, he repenteth (as having to do with and in the sight of God) his Fathers
opposition to the Covenant and Work of God, and his own Reluctances against
the same, hoping for Mercy through the Blood of Iesus Christ, and obtesting
the Prayers of the Faithful to God, for his stedfastness; and then ProtestThen at his Coronation, the Action
commenceth with his most solemn renewing of the National and Solemn
League and Covenant.
Thereafter in the Year 1651. followed the Ratification of all these
preceding Treaties, Transactions, and Engagements, concluded and
enacted by the King, and the Parliament; whereby the same did Pass
into a Perpetual Law. And this Covenant, which from the beginning
was and is the most sure and indispensible Oath of God, became at
length the very Fundamental Law of the Kingdom, whereon all the
Rights or Priviledges, either of King or People, are principally bot
After this it came to pass, that zeal for the cause rightly stated was
suddenly contracted to a few; whereby a plain defection was vioPublick Resolutioners, who relapsing into that
most Sinful Conjunction with the Malignants, did bring them into
places of Power and Trust, in Judicatories and Armies, in a more
Politick than Pious way, requiring of them a constrained and dissembled
Repentance, which Reflection did cause the first Division of that kind,
and most permanent of any that ever was in the Church of Scotland;
by reason of the surcease of General Assemblies, stopped and hindered
by the Yoke of the Sectarian Usurpers: And it has been the spring
and source of all our Reflections since. Upon this our Land was inOliver Cromwell, who defeated our Army at Dunbar. Next,
an Army being raised, according to these unhallowed Resolutions, was
totally routed at Worcester; And the King forced to hide himself in
the Oak, and thence to transport himself beyond Sea, where he conExile, till the Year 1660.
Yet there was still a faithful Remnant of Ministers and Professors,
zealous for the Cause, keeping their Integrity; who in their RemonFife, and other Brethren in the MiCromwell his
Death; Monk then General, with a Combination of Malignants and
publick Resolutioners, did bring home the King to England from his
Banishment.
Now comes the last Catastrophe of the Deformation of the Church
of Scotland; which in a retrograde motion hath gradually been growBabilon, from whence she took her departure. Through all which steps
notwithstanding, to this day, Scotland hath never wanted a Witness
for Christ, against all the various steps of the Enemies advancings,
and of professed Friends declinings. Though the Testimony hath had
some Singularities, in that it hath been attended with more disadvanin Cumulo stated against Atheism, Popery, Prelacy, and Erastian
Supremacy, and extended in a particular manner against Tyranny. And
not only against the substance and essence of these in the Abstract,
but against Substance and Circumstance, Abstract and Concrete, Root
and Branch, Head and Tail of them, and all complying with them,
conforming to them, or countenancing of them, or any thing conChrists Kingship and Headship
over All, as he is God, and as he is Mediator.
The management of this Testimony was thus. King Charles the
Second upon his Return directed a Letter to the Presbytery of Edinburgh,
declaring he was resolved to protect and preserve the Government of the
Church of Scotland, as it is settled by Law, without Violation. Wherein
it was observed he spake never 8 word of the Covenant, our Magna
Charta of Religion and Righteousness, but only of Law; by which he
Blasphemous
Sacrilegious Supremacy, and absolute Arbitrary Tyranny, with all their
abominations: Which he, and with him the Generality of our Nobility,
Gentry, Clergy, and Commonality, did promote and propagate, unIews, the greatest light, the greatest effects of matchless magnified
Love, the greatest Convictions of Sin, the greatest Resolutions and
Solemn Engagements against it, and the greatest Reformation from it,
that ever any had to abuse and affront: O Heavens! Be Astonished at
this, and Horribly afraid! For Scotland hath changed her Glory, and
the Crown hath faln from off her Head, by an unparallelled Apostacy,
a free and voluntary, wilful and deliberate Apostacy, an avowed and
declared and authorized Apostacy, a most universal and every way
unprecedented Apostacy.
These Enemies of God, having once got footing again, with the
favour and fawnings of the Foolish Nation, went on fervently to fur
The Parliament convenes Ian. 1. 1661. without so much as a Protestaonly Supreme Governour over
all Persons and in all Causes, and that his Power and Iurisdiction must not
be declined. Whereby under all Persons and Causes, all Church-con
Yet, tho' then our Synods and Presbyteries were not discharged,
but might have had access in some Concurrence to witness against this
horrid Invasion upon Christs Prerogative and the Churches Priviledge, no
joinIames Gushire, who had been Honoured of God to be zealous and
singularly faithful in carrying on the Work of Reformation, and for
declining this usurped Authority in prejudice of the Kingdom of our
Lord Jesus, and asserting the Kingly Authority of Christ in opposition
to the Erastian Supremacy encroaching thereupon, suffered Death, and
got the Martyrs Crown upon his Head; which being placed upon one
of the Ports of Edinburgh, Preacheth, not only against the Enemies Reviz. His Testimony against the Supremacy, and for declining the usurped
Authority of him who Arrogated it. And some others, for refusing that
Oath Arbi
At the same time, there was a Proclamation, which they caused to be
Read at all the Church-Doors, discharging Ministers to speak against
them or their Proceedings, whereby Prophane and Malicious Persons
were encouraged to witness against their Ministers. By which means
(tho' many were in no hazard, thinking it commendable Prudence, comIohn Eivingstoun,
MRobert Machward, Mr. Iohn Brown, &c. who spent the rest of their
days in Holland.
Rescissory, whereby they
annulled and declared void the National Covenant, the Solemn League
and Covenant, Presbyterial Government, and all Laws made in favour
of the work of Reformation, since the Year 1638. O horrid Wickedth of May, that Blasphemy against the Spirit and Work of God;
and celebrating thaGath, &c.)
even of some Ministers, who afterwards accepted the Indulgence (one
of which, a Pillar among them, was seen scandalously dancing about the
Bonfires.) And others, who should have allarmed the whole Nation
Quasi pro Aris & Focis, to rise for Religion and Liberty, to resist such
Wickedness, did wink at it.
Yet albeit, neither in this day, when the Covenant was not only
broken, but Cassed and declared of no Obligation, nor afterward when
it was Burnt (for which Turks and Pagans would have been ashamed,
and afraid at such a terrible sight, and for which the Lords Anger is
burning against these bold Burners, and against them who suffered it,
and did not witness against it) was there any publick Testimony by Pro
It's true, the ordinary Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods were
about that time discharged, to make way for the Exercise of the new
power conferred on the four Prelates who were at Court. But this
In the Parliament Anno 1662. by their first Act they restore and reForasmuch as the ordering and disposal of the external Government
of the Church, doth properly belong to his Majesty as an inherent Right
of the Crown, by Virtue of his Royal Prerogative and Supremacy in Causes
Ecclesiastick, whatever shall be determined by his Majesty with advice of
the Archbishops, and such of the Clergy as he shall nominate, in the External
Government of the Church (the same consisting with the standing Laws
of the Kingdom) shall be valid and effectual. And in the same Act all
Laws are rescinded, by which the sole Power and Jurisdiction within
the Church doth stand in the Church-Assemblies, and all which may
be interpreted, to have given any Church-power, Jurisdiction or GoAnno 1687.
And all their Church-Power (robbed from the Officers of Christ) is
made to be derived from, to depend upon, and to be Subordinate to
Yet, albeit here was another display of a Banner of defiance against
Christ, in altering the Church-Government of Christs Institution inGlasgow, above 300 Ministers
were put from their Charges; and afterwards for their Non-conforMay 29. the rest were violen
Nevertheless some were found faithful in that Hour and Power of
Darkness, who kept the Word of the Lords Patience, and who there
The Prelates being setled, and readmitted to voice in Parliament,
they procure an Act, Dogmatically condemning several Material parts
and points of our Covenanted Reformation, to wit, these Positions,
That it was Lawful for Subjects, for Reformation or necessary self-defence,
to enter into Leagues, or take up Arms against the King: And particularly
declaring that the National Covenant, as explained in the Year 1688. and
the solemn League and Covenant, were and are in themselves unlawful Oaths,
and were taken by, and imposed upon the Subjects of this Kingdom, against
the Fundamental Laws and Liberties thereof; That all such Gatherings and
Petitions, that were used in the beginning of the late Troubles, were unlaw
Yet notwithstanding of all this Subversion of Religion and Liberty,
and restraint of asserting these Truths here trampled upon, either beDaniel's Case of conf
But this is not all: For these Men, having now, as they thought, subRoman Beast; of Ministers into
But now this astonishing Blow to the Gospel of the Kingdom, introVisitations, and to countenance
their Discipline and Power of Iurisdiction, because it was required as a
Testification of their acknowledgment of, and Compliance with the preDoctrine,
and usurped Power of Order, required also by the same Law, as the same
Test of the same compliance and submission. Other Ministers lay altoLadies Chambers.
But the Faithful found themselves under an indispensable necessity to
Preach the Gospel, and witness for the freedom of their Ministry, and
make full proof of it, in Preaching in Season, and out of Season; and
thereupon as occasion offered, Preached to all such as were willing to
hear; but at first, only in private Houses, and that for the most part,
at such times when Sermons in publick surceased (a Superplus of CauFields: Where testiField-Conventicles,
a
Now having thus overturned the Church-Government, by introducing
PState-Government also, by introducing and advancing ane
A
After the fundamental Constitutions of both Church and State are
thus razed and rooted up, he contrived to frame all Inferior Magistrates
according to his Mould: And for this end appointed, that all Persons
in any Publick Trust or Office whatsoever, should subscribe a Declaration,
renouncing and abjuring the Covenant. But finding this not yet sufficient
security for this unsettled Settlement; because he well understood, the
People stood no ways obliged to acknowledge him, but only according
to the Solemn Covenants, being the fundamental Conditions whereupon
their Allegiance was founded; and well knowing, that he and his As
However, having prepared and furnished himself with Tools so
qualified for his purpose, in Church and State, he prosecutes his PerseIames Turner pursuing his Cruel Orders in Galloway, sent
some Souldiers to apprehend a poor old Man; whom his Neighbours
Compassionating, intreated the Souldiers to loose him as he lay bound;
but were answered with drawn Swords, and necessitated to their own deIames would certainly avenge
this Affront upon the whole Country, without distinction of Free and
Dumfre
take Sir Iames Turner Prisoner, and disarm the Souldiers, without any
more violence. Being thus by Providence engag'd, without any hope
of retreat, and getting some Concurrence of their Brethren in the same
condition, they come to Lanerk, where they renew the Covenant; and
thence to Pentland-Hills, where, by the Holy disposal of God, they were
routed, many killed, and 130 taken Prisoners, of which 35 were
afterwards hanged, who had much of the Lords Presence at their
deaths, and assurance of his Love, strengthening them to Seal a noble
Testimony. After this conflict many were forefaulted of their Estates,
and Intercommuned; Souldiers are permitted to take free Quarter in
the Country; to Examine Men by Tortures; to strip them who did so
much as resist the Fugitives, and thrust them into Prisons, &c. Hence
we may see the Righteousness of God, how justly at that time he left
us in such a damp, that like Asses we couched under all Burdens, and
few came out to the help of the Lord against the Mighty, drawing on
them Meroz's Curse, and the Blood of their butchered Brethren.
But the King having now brought his only opposites, the few FaithSupremacy devolved upon him by Law, he
would now exert that usurped Power, and work by insnaring Policy
to effedivide beMad-cap and the Moderate Fanaticks (as they phrased it) that
he might the more easily destroy both, to confirm the Usurpation, and
to settle People in a sinful silence, and stupid submission to all the InAnno
1669, signifying in a Letter, dated that Year Iune 7. His gracious
Pleasure was, To appoint so many of the outed Ministers, as have lived
peaceably and orderly, to return to Preach and exercise other Functions of
the Ministry, in the Parish-Churches where they formerly served (provided
they be vacant) to allow Patrons to present to other vacant Churches, such
others of them as the Council should approve: That all who are so indulged,
be enjoyned to keep Presbyteries, and the Refusers to be confined within the
bounds of their Parishes; and that they be enjoyned not to admit any of their
neighbour Parishes unto their Communions, nor Baptize their Children, nor
marry any of them, without the allowance of the Minister of the Parish; and if
they Countenance the People deserting their own Parishes, they are to be silenced
for shorter and longer time, or altogether turned out, as the Council shall see cause
To salve this in point of Law, and to make the Kings Letter the SuThat his Majesty hath the Supreme Authority
and Supremacy over all Persons and in all Causes Ecclesiastick, within
his Dominions; and that by vertue thereof, the ordering and disposal of the
External Government of the Church did properly belong to him and his Successors,
as an inherent right to the Crown; and that he may Settle, Enact, and
Emit such Constitutions, Acts and Orders, concerning the Administrating thereof,
and Persons employed in the same, and concerning all Ecclesiastical Meetings
and Matters, to be proposed and determined therein, as He in His Royal
Wisdom shall think fit; which Acts, Orders, and Constitutions, are to
be observed and obeyed by all His Majesties Subjects, any Law, Act, or Custom
to the Contrary notwithstanding. Whereupon, accordingly the CounIuly 27. 1669, do nominate several Ministers, and apHutcheson
one of the number, to declare so much; In acknowledging His Majesties
Favour and Cleme
viz. That it was but
the removal of the Civil Restraint, and that they entred into their places
by the Call of the People (a meer mock-pretence for a prelimited ImpoTestimony and Protestation was a Salvo for their ConCur
Yet the Lord had some Witnesses, who pretty early did give significaWilliam
W
who having got the Legal Call of the People, and dischargIohn Burnet, who wrote
a Testimony directed to the Council, shewing why he could not submit
to that Indulgence, inserted at large in the History of Indulgence;
where also we have the Testimony of other Ten Ministers, who drew
up their Reasons of Non-complyance with such a Snare: And Mr. Alex.
Blaire, who, upon occasion of Citation before the Council for not
observing the 29th of May, told the Council, That he could receive no
Instructions from them in the Exercise of his Ministry, otherwise he should not
be Christ's ▪ Ambassador, but theirs.
But afterwards the Lord raised up some more explicit Witnesses a
Now when Christ is gaining ground by the Preached Gospel in
But all this is nothing to what followed; when, thinking these Blood-Hounds
were too favourable, they brought down from the wild HighTurks, or Tartars; Men who feared not God, nor regarded Man; to
wast and destroy a plentiful Country, which they resolved before they
left it, to make as bare as their own. This Hellish Crew was adduced
to work a Reformation, like the French Conversions, to press a Bond of
Conformity, wherein every one Subscribed, was bound for himself, and
all under him, Wife, Children, Servants, Tenants, to frequent their
Parish Churches, and never to go to these Meetings, nor reset nor envagrant Preachers, as they called them, to Tryal, and Judgment.
Then for the maintenance of the Souldiers, there were imposed new, wicked, and arbitrary Cesses and Taxations, professedly required for suppressing Religion and Liberty, banishing the Gospel out of the Land, and preserving and promoting the King's Absoluteness over all Matters and Persons Sacred and Civil; which, under that tentation of great Sufferings threatned to Refusers, and under the disadvantage of the silence and unfaithfulness of many Ministers, who either did not condemn it, or pleaded for the peaceable payment of it; many did comply with it then, and far more since.
Yet at that time there were far more Recusants in some places (espeillegality of its Imposition, by a Convention of overnature of that imposed ComGadarens) a formal Concurend of it, expressed in the very Narrative of the Act, viz. To Levy
and Maintain Forces for suppressing and dispersing Meetings of the Lord's
People, and to shew unanimous affections for maintaining the King's Su
Yet all this time Ministers and Professors were unite, and with one
Soul and Shoulder followed the work of the Lord, 'till the Indulged
Iacob his Sins, and Israel his TransFaction among the Ministers, and to devise how to quench the
fervour of their Zeal, who were faithful for God. But the more they
sought to extinguish it, the more it brake out, and blazed into a flame.
For several of Christ's Ambassadours, touched and affected with the
affronts done to their Princely Master by the Supremacy, and the Indul&c.
Yet others, and the greater number of Dissenting Ministers, were
not only deficient herein, but defended them, joyned with them, and
(pretending Prudence, and prevention of Schism) in effect homologaEzek 22. 26. teachErastian Course: And not only so, but ConWalwood, who was among the
first Witnesses against that Defection, and Mr. Kid, Mr. King, Mr.
Cameron, Mr. Donald Cargil, &c. who Sealed their Testimony after&c. But it was always observed, as long as Ministers were
faithful in following the Lord in the way of their Duty, Professors
were fervent, and under all their Conflicts with Persecutors, the CouSharp was
judged intollerable by ingenuous Spirits. Therefore in Iuly, 1668.
Mr Iames Mitchel thought it his duty to save himself, deliver his Bred of May,
167). several worthy Gentlemen, with some other Men of Courage
and Zeal for the Cause of God, executed Righteous Judgment upon
him in Magus Moore, near St. Andrews. And that same Month, on the
Anniversary Day, May 29th. the Testimony at Rutherglen was Publikept
every year for giving thanks for the setting up an Vsurped Power, destroying
the interest of Christ in the Land, and against all sinful and unlawful
Acts, emitted and executed, published, and prosecuted against our Covenanted
Reformation. Where also they burnActs of Supremacy, the Declaration,
the Act Recissory, &c. in way of retalition for the burning of the
Covenants.
On the Sabbath following, Iune 1. A Field-Meeting near to Lowden-Hill,
was assaulted by Claverhouse, and with him three Troops of Horse
and Dragoons, who had that Morning taken an honest Minster, and
about 14 Countrymen out of their Beds, and carried them along with
them; but they were repulsed at Drumclogg, and put to flight, the Pri
Thereafter the People retreating from the pursuit, they judged it
most safe in that extremity for some time not to separate. Which reBothwel-Bridge, which the Lord did in his Holy Soveraignty
confound, for former Defections by the means of Division, which broke
that little Army among themselves, before they were broken by the ERutherglen Testimony,
and that short Declaration at Glascow confirming it; Representing
their present Purposes and Endeavours were only in vindication and defence
of the Reformed Religion, as they stood obliged thereto by the National and
Solemn League and Covenant, and the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, and
Engagement to Duties, declaring against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and
all things depending thereupon. Intending hereby to comprehend the DeErastianism, by the acceptance of
the ensnaring Indulgence, was condescended upon among the rest of the
grounds of Fasting and Humiliation: The Sticklers for the Indulgence
refused the Overture, upon Politick Considerations, for fear of offendRutherglen Testimony, and Glascow
Declaration, wherein the King's Interest was waved; These Dividers
drew up another large Paper (called the Hamiltown Declaration)
wherein they assert the Kings Interest, according to the Third Article
of the Solemn League and Covenant. Against which, the best affected
contended, and protested they could not in Conscience put in his inte&c. Whereby he had loosed the People from all
obligation to him from it. Yet that contrary Faction prevailed, so far
as to get it published in the name of all, whereby the Cause was perEdinburgh, and there sentenced with Banishment, and sent away
for America, and by the way (a few excepted) perished in Shipwreck;
and two faithful and painful Ministers and Witnesses of Christ, Mr.
Iohn Kidd, and Mr. Iohn King, received the Crown of Martyrdom,
sealing their Testimony with their Blood, and many others after them
for the same Cause.
After this fearful and fatal stroak at Bothwell, the Universality of the
Children of the Church of Scotland, which before espoused her TestiMonmouth
procured the emission of a pretended Indemnity, attended with a
Bond of Peace for its Companion; wherein that Insurrection was acRebellion, and ane Obligation never to rise in Arms against
the King, or any Commissionate by him, and to live peaceably, &c.
Which were dreadful Snars fairded over with curious words and cozening
names of living peaceably, &c. This course of defection carried away
many at that time: And from that time, since the taking that Bond
of peaceable living, there hath been an Universal preferring of Peace to
Truth, and Ease to Duty. And the Generality have been left to swal
But then they not only raised more Forces to exhaust the strength and
substance of the already wasted Country, and laid on and continued
from one Term to another that wicked Exaction and cruel Oppression
of the Cess, for the same declared ends of suppressing and banishing
what remained of the Gospel, and imposed Localites for maintaining
the Souldiers imployed in those Designs; for refusing which many FaBonds of Peace, and dragging them like Dogs to the Prisons
that would not subscribe them, and for taking up in their Porteous Rolls
the Names of all that were suspected to have been at Bothwell InsurrectiSuper Inquirendis, and delate upon Oath whom
they did either see or heard that they were in Arms, or went to MeetCircuit Courts, successively going about with their numerous Train,
whereby many were grievously oppressed, and with their Oppressions
tempted with many Impositions of Conscience-debauching Oaths, and
Bonds to compear when called, and to keep the Church, and to re&c. and by these tentations involved in
Complyances and Defections. And not only were they Condemned to
Death, for being actually in Arms, or any overt Act of Transgressing
their wicked Laws, but even for their extorted Opinion of things, or
because they would not Condemn these necessitated risings in Arms to
be Rebellion and a Sin against God, which they were forced to declare
Was the rising at Bothwell-bridge Rebellion
and a Sin against God? And this, Was the killing of the Bishop of St Anhorrid Murther? Which if any answered negatively, or did not
answer affirmatively, they were cruelly Condemned to Death.
The Ministry then also were generally insnared with that Bonded InCautionany Bond given for their living peaceably: Yet excluding all
these Ministers who were suspected to have been at the late Rebellion,
and all those who shall afterwards be admitted by Non-Conform Miniif ever they shall be at any Field-Conventicle, the
said Indemnity shall not be useful to such Transgressours any manner of way:
And requiring security that none under the colour of this favour conEdinburgh made up of Indulged, avowed
Applauders of the Indulgence, or underhand Approvers and favourers
of the same, and some of them old Publick Resolutioners, assuming to
themselves the name of a General Assembly, voted for the acceptance of it.
And so formerly transacted and bargained upon base, dishonest and
dishonourable Terms with the Usurper, by consenting and compacting
with the People to give that Bond, wherein the People upon an humble
Petition to the Counsel, obtaining their Indulged Minister, do bind and
oblige that he shall live peaceably. And in order thereto to present him before
his Majesty's Privy Council, when they shall be called so to do; And in
case of failure in not presenting him, to be liable to the Sum of 6000 Merks.
Whereby they Condemned themselves of former unpeaceableness.
Many embraced this new Bastard Indulgence that had not the benefit
of the former Brat, of the same Mother the Supremacy, and far more
consented to it without a Witness, and most of all did some way homo
Whereupon, as many poor People were tumbled and jumbled into
many confusions, so that they were so bewildered and bemisted in
doubts and debates, that they knew not what to do, and were tempted
Richard Cameron,
with whom after serious solicitation his Brethren denied their ConcurDonald Cargill, who, with a zeal and boldness be
But as Christ was then displaying his Beauty to his poor despised
and persecuted People; the Duke of York came to Scotland, who did
receive him in great Pomp and Pride. Against which, the forementiSanquhair, Iune 22. 1680.
Wherein also they disown Charles Stuart, as having any Right, Title, or
Interest in the Crown of Scotland or Government thereof, because of his breath
of Covenant, and Vsurpation on Christs Prerogatives, &c. And declare a
War with him, and all the Men of these Practices, homologating the Testimony
at Rutherglen, and disclaiming that Declaration at Hamiltown.
This Action was generally Condemned by the Body of lurking Miniunseasonableness of it, and its
apparent unfeasiblness, being done by a handful so inconsiderable, for
number, strength, or significancy. But tho' it is not the prudence of
the management, but the justness of the Action, that I would have vin
In these dangerous Circumstances their difficulties and discouragements
dayly encreased, by their Enemies vigilancy, their enviers Treachery,
and their own inadvertency, some of their number falling into
the hands of them that sought their lives. For two of the most eminent
and faithful Witnesses of Christ, Mr. Donald Cargill, and Henry
were surprized at Queens Ferrie. Mr. Cargill escaped at that
time, but the other endeavouring to resist the Enemies, was Murdered
by them. And with him they got a draught of a Covenant, declaring
their present purposes and future Resolutions. The Tenor whereof
was an Engagement, To free the Church of God of the Corruption of
Prelacy on the one hand, and the Thraldom of Erastianism on the other: To
persevere in the Doctrin of the Reformed Churches, especially that of Scotland,
and in the Presbyterian Government, exercised in Sessions, Presbyte&c. Oppression and Malignancy,
&c. To reject the present Rulers; as the only speedy way of relaxation from
the Wrath of God lying on the Land: Therefore easily solving the Objectious
(1.) of our Ancestors obliging the Nation to this Race and Line; that they
did not buy their Liberty with our Thraldom, nor could they bind their Chil&c. And declare they shall,
God giving power, set up Government and Governours according to the word
of God, and the qualifications required, Exod. 18. v. 20. And shall not commit
the Government to any single Person, or lineal succession. And moreover, that
these Men set over them shall be engaged to govern Principally, by that Civil
and judicial Law (not that which is any way typical) given by God to his People
of Israel, especially in matters of Life and Death, and other things, so far
as they reach, and are consistent with Christian Liberty, exempting Divorce
and Poligamy. And seeing that the greatest part of Ministers, not only were
defective in Preaching against the Acts of the Rulers for overthrowing Reli&c. they declare they neither can nor will hear them. They are for a
&c. unless called and ordained
thereunto. And whereas separation might be imputed to them, they refell both
the Malice, and the Ignorance of the Calumny: For if there be a SeparaThis is the Compend of that Paper
which the Enemies seized and published, while it was only in a rude
Draught, and not polished, digested, nor consulted by the rest of the
Community.
That poor Party continued together in a posture of defence, withth of Iuly, 1680. Upon the which day they were attacqued
at Airsemoss, by a strong party of about 120 Horse well armed, while
they were but 23 Horse and 40 foot at most: And so fighting valiantly,
were at length routed. Several of Sions precious Mourners, and faithRichard Cameron sealed and fulfilled his TeDavid Hackston of Rathillet, was after many reEdinburgh, and there, resoAndrews, was tortured alive, with the cutting off of his hands, and
then Hanged, and before he was Dead, Ripped up his Heart, taken
our, carried about upon the point of a Knife, and thrown into a F
Then, not only such as were with that little handful at Airsemoss
were Cruelly Murdered, but others against whom they could charge
no matter of Fact, were questioned if they owned the Kings Authority;
which if any did not answer affirmatively and positively, he was to
look for nothing but exquisite Torments and Death. And if any dein the Lord, or for the Lord, or according to the
word of God, or all just and lawful Authority, these underwent and
suffered the Capital Punishment of Treason. And yet both declining
and declaring their extorted Answers about this, they were Condem
But chiefly they laboured to Murder the Soul, defile the Conscience,
and only consult to cast a Man down from his excellency, which is his
integrity; either by Hectoring or Flattering from the Testimony:
which they endeavoured by proposing many offers, with many threatthey would be as tender of their Blood as of their own Soul, and
purging themselves as Pilate did, and charging it upon their own Head.
They would be very easie in their Accomodations, where they found
the poor Man beginning to faint, and hearken to their overtures, where
But when they had done all they could, Christ had many Witnesses,
who did retain the Crown of their Testimony in the smallest points,
till they obtained the Crown of Martyrdom. But here, as in Egypt,
the more they were afflicted, the more they grew: So that many were
reclaimed from their Courses of Complyance, and others were daily
more and more confirmed in the ways of the Lord, and so strengthned
that they chose rather to endure all Torture, and embrace Death in its
most terrible aspect, than to give the Tyrant and his Complices any
acknowledgment: Yea, not so much as to say, God save the King, which
was offered at the price of their Life; but they would not accept Deli
Now remained Mr. Donald Cargil, deprived of his faithful Collegue,
destitute of his Brethrens Concurrence; who prosecuted the TestiEcclesiastical Censure had not been Authoritatively exExcommunication. And accordingly in Sept. 1680. at the
Torwood, he Excommunicated some of the most scandalous and principal
Promoters and Abettors of this Conspiracy against Christ, as formally
as the present Case could admit: After Sermon upon Ezek 21. 25,
26, 27. And thou profane wicked Prince of Israel, whose Day is come, &c.
The Persons Excommunicated, and the Sentence against them, was giI being a Minister of Iesus Christ, and having
Authority and Power from him, do, in his Name and by his Spirit, Excommunicate,
cast out of the Church, and deliver up to Satan, Charles the Second,
King &c. The Sentence was founded on these Grounds; For
Next by the same Authority, and in the same Name, he ExDuke of York, for his Idolatry, and setting up in
Scotland to defile the Land, and enticing and encouraging others to do
But about this time, when some in zeal for the Cause were endeaCargill his
Faithfulness, who spared neither left-hand Declensions, nor-right hand
Extreams, and left him and all the Ministers, not only disowning all
Communion with those that were not of their way, but Execrating and
Cursing them; and kept themselves in desart places from all Company,
where they persisted prodigiously in Fastings, and singing Psalms, preIohn Gib
with 4 more of them came to that height of Blasphemy, that they
burnt the Bible and Confession of Faith. These were the Sweet Singers,
as they were called, led away into these Delusions by that Impostor
and Sorcerer, Iohn Gib, of which destructive way the approached RemGibs Followers, is only the vent of viperous Envy: For
they were the first that discovered them, and reclaimed them, and
were always so far from partaking with them, that to this day these
that have come off from that way, and have offered the Confession of
their Scandal, do still complain of their over-rigid Severity, in not ad
Shortly after this, Mr. Donald Cargill finished his Testimony, being
apprehended with other two faithful and zealous Witnesses of Christ,
Mr. William Smith, and Mr. Iames Beeg, who with two more were alEdinburgh 27, Iuly 1681. Crowned with the Glory of
Martyrdom. Then came the Day of the Remnants vexation; the
Persecution vaxing on the one hand, and a violent Spirit of defection
carrying down the most part of Ministers and Professours before it,
driving them to Courses of sinful and scandalous Conformings with the
Times Corruptions, Compearings before their Courts, Complyings with
their Commands, paying of their Cesses and other Exactions, taking
of their Oaths and Bonds, and countenancing their Prelatical Church-Services,
which they were ashamed to do before: And thereupon on
the other hand the Divisions and Confusions were augmented, and poor
People that desired to cleave to the Testimony, were more and more of
But the remaining Contenders fell upon the expedient of corresGeneral Meetings, to consult, inform and confirm one anonothing relative to the publick, and which concerns the whole of their Community,
be done by any of them, without harmonious consent sought after, and
rationally waited for, and sufficient deliberation about the best means and
manner.
In the mean time, the Duke of York, as Commissioner from his Brothe Right of Iurisdiction both in Civil and
Criminal Matters is so inherent in the Crown, that his Majesty may judge
all Causes by himself, or any other he thinks fit to Commissionate. Here was
a Law for Commissionating Souldiers to take away the Lives of Inno
Against which encroachments on Religion and Liberty, the faithful
thought themselves obliged to emit a Testimony. And therefore pubLanerk, Ian. 12. 1682. Confirming the proceedSanquhair, and adding reasons of their Revolt from the GovernCharles the Second: For his arrogantly arrogated Supremacy in all
Causes Civil and Ecclesiastick, and oppressing the Godly for Conscience and
Duty; for installing a Successour, such an one (if not worse) as himself,
and framing the Test; &c. And in end offer to prove, they have only endeavoured
in this to extricate themselves from under a Tyrannous Yoke, and to
reduce Church and State to what they were in the Years 1648 and
1649.
After which Declaration they were more Condemned by them that
were at ease, than ever. For which Cause, in the next General MeetIames Renwick, received Ordination there, and came home to
take up the Standard of his Master, upon the ground where it was left.
Which undertaking, notwithstanding all the Rage of Enemies, and all
the Scourge of Tongues of incensed Professours, he Prosecuted by
many weary wandrings, Night and Day, Preaching, Conferring and
Catechising, until, not only was the faithful Witnessing Remnant that
joyned in the Testimony, further cleared, confirmed and encouraged,
and their number much encreased by the coming in and joyning of
many others to the Fellowship of their setled Societies; but also many
others, in other places of the Country were induced to the contracting
But then the fury of Persecutors began to flame more flagrantly than
ever; not only in sending out Cruel Souldiers, Foot, Horse and Dragoons,
to pursue after them, in the wildest and remotest recesses in the
Wilderness; but emitting Edicts allowing them to kill, slay, hang,
drown, and destroy such as they could apprehend of them pro libitu;
and commanding the Country to assist them, &c. For which Cause, to
preserve themselves from, and put a stop to that deluge of Blood, and
demur and deter the Insolency of Intelligencers and Informers, they were
necessitate to publish the Apologetick Declaration, and affix it upon several
Mercat-Crosses, and Parish-Church Doors, Nov. 8. 1684. Wherein they
declare their firm Resolution of constant adherence to their Covenants and
Engagements, and to the Declarations disowning the Authority of Charles
Stewart, and to testifie to the World, that they purpose not to injure or ofDoegs and flattering Ziphites informing against them, to be expect to be
dealt with as they deal with them.
This Declaration occasioned greater Tryals to them and trouble to
the Country, by the pressing an Oath abjuring the same universaly up
on all, as well Women as Men, and suffering none to Travel without
a Pass, declaring they had taken that Oath; and giving power to all
Hostlers and Inn-keepers to impose Oaths upon all Passengers, Travelkilling
time, as they call it. Yet that Declaration was so far effectual, as to
scare many from their former diligence in informing against them, and
to draw out some to joyn with the Wanderers more publickly, even
when the danger was greatest of owning any respect to them.
In the beginning of this killing time, the first Author and Authorizer
of all these Mischiefs, Charles II. was removed by Death. And the
Duke of York succeeding, immediately upon his mounting the Throne,
the Executions and Acts prosecuting the Prosecution of the poor WanArgyle having
been ArraigEdinburgh; and after him several GentleIntercommuning
with Rebels, and for a pretended Plot against the Government
(as they called it;) and many other Gentlemen having lost either their
Lives or Fortunes, many did resort to the United Provinces. From
whence, as soon as they had provided themselves with Arms, after
the ascending of Iames Duke of York, they returned to Scotland, under
the conduct of the Earl of Argyle, their chosen Captain. And Argyle's
Party perceiving that their Enemies were above ten times their numArgyle himself, Col. Rumbold,
an English Man, Mr. Thomas Archer Minister, Gawin Russel, and David
Law, who were all Condemned and Executed at Edinburgh; and many
others who were Banished to America: And about some 20 in the HighIneravie.
In the mean time, the Wanderers, tho' they did not associate with
this Expedition, upon the account of the too promiscuous admittance
of Persons to trust in that party, who were then, and since have disScots Covenanters: Yet
against this Usurpation of a Papist, they published another Declaration
at Sanquhair, May 28. 1685. Wherein, approving and adhering unto all
their former Declarations, and considering that James Duke of York, a profest
and Excommunicate Papist, was proclaimed; to testifie their Resentment
of that deed, and to make it appear unto the World, that they were free
thereof, by Concurrence or Connivance; they protest against the foresaid Proclamation
of James Duke of York as King: In regard that is contrary to
the Declaration of the General Assembly, July 27, 1649. And they protest
against the Validity and Constitution of that Parliament, approving and ratifying
the foresaid Proclamation, &c. This was their Testimony against
Scotland. Yea to
their shame, the very Rabble of ignorant People may be brought as a
Witness against the Body of Presbyterian Ministers in Scotland, in that
they testified their detestation of the first Erection of the Idolatrous
Mass, and some of the Souldiery, and such as had no Profession of Resome of the
Curats, and Members of the late Parliament, 1686. made some stickling
against the taking away of the Penal Statutes against Papists; while Presbyterians,
from whom might have been expected greater opposition, were sleeping
in a profound Submission. I cannot without confusion of Spirit touch
these obvious and dolorous Reflections, and yet in Candour cannot for
However the Persecution against the Wanderers went on; there were
more Butchered and Slaughtered in the Fields, than in all the former
Tyrants Reign; there have been more Banished to Forreign Plantations
in this Mans time, than in the others; and there have been more cruel
Acts of Parliament enacted in this Tyrants time, than the former
made all his Reign. For not only was there an Act making it Treason
to refuse the Oath of Abjuration, confirming all their procedure hereupCriminal to own the Covenant, and
another Act making it Criminal for any to be present at a Field-Meeting,
which was only so to Preachers before. But a relenting abatement of
severity was pretended against other Dissenters.
At length what could not be obtained by Law at the late Parliament
for taking off the Statutes against Papists, was effectuated by PreroFeb. 12, 1687. But this was so gross,
and grievously griping in its restrictions, as to Persons, as to the place,
as to the matter allowed the Presbyterians in Preaching, that it was
disdained of all; and therefore he behoved to busk it better, and
mend the matter, in a Letter to the Council, bearing date March 31.
1687. Of this Tenor, Whereas we did recommend to you to take care, that
any of the Presbyterians should not be allowed to Preach, but such only as
should have your allowance for the same, and that they at the receiving the
Indulgence should take the Oath contained in the Proclamation; these are
therefore to let you know, that thereby we meant such of them as did not solemnly
take the Test. But if nevertheless the Presbyterian Preachers do scruple
to take the said Oath, or any other Oath what soever, and that you shall
find it reasonable or fit to grant them or any of them our said Indulgence,
so as they desire it upon these terms; It is now our Will and Pleasure to grant
them the said Indulgence (during our Pleasure only) or so long as you shall
find they behave themselves regularly and peaceably, without giving any cause
of offence to us, or any in Authority or Trust under us in our Government.
But at length to take of all difformity and disparity of the ProclamaScotland, and the Declaration for Liberty of
Conscience in England; he added a third eke to the Liberty, in another
Proclamation dated Iune 28, 1687. And this is the Royal Charter for
Royal Dalilees, the Moderate Presbyterians have now
received to ensure their enjoyment of it durante beneplacito.
But as for the poor Wanderers, while others are rejoycing under
the Bramble-shadow of it, they think it a cause of weeping and matter
of mourning, not because they do not share of the benefit of it, but
because they are afraid to share of the Curse of it. For which Cause,
they do look upon it as a seasonable Testimony for the Cause of Christ,
and the Interest of the Protestant Religion, and the Laws and Liberties
of the Country, all overturned and subverted by this Toleration, to
keep their Meetings as in former times; thinking it sinful, scandalous
and inconvenient to seem to homologate this Toleration, the wicked
For considering the Fountain whence it flows, they cannot defile them
Considering also the Channel in which it is conveyed, they cannot
comply with it. Because it comes through such a Conveyance as Casses,
annulls, stops, suspends and disables all Penal Laws against Papists, and
thereby eveAbsolute Power suspended all Laws made for the Protection
of our Religion, so he may when he will dispense with all the Laws
made for its establishment; and those who approve the one by such an
Acceptance, cannot disallow the other, but must recognosce a Power in
the King to subvert all Laws, Rights and Liberties.
Considering the Ends of its contrivance, they dare not have any acviz. That he heartily wishes that all the People of
these Dominions were Members of the Catholick Church.
Considering the Effects already produced thereby, they cannot but
abhor it. Seeing the Papists are thereby encouraged, all places filled
with Priests and Jesuits; yea, the executive Power of the Government
put into the hands of the Romanists: And on the other hand a T
Considering the Extent of it, they cannot class themselves among
the number of them that are Indulged thereby. Whereby the ProfesLords Ark hath a place with Dagon, and its Priests and
Followers consent to it, and the Builders of Babel and Ierusalem are made
to build together, under the same Protection; and a Sluce is opened
to let the Enemy come in like a Flood, which to oppose, the Accepters
cannot stand in a Gap, nor lift up a Standard against them. All which
is contrary to the Confession of Faith Ch. 20. §. 4. And therefore to acScotland, with the National and Solemn League and Covenant,
and Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties; in all
which we are bound to extirpate Popery. With the whole Tract of
Contendings between the years 1638 and 1660. and particularly by
the Testimony of the Synod of Fife, and other Brethren in the MiniCromwels vast Toleration and Liberty of Conscience, a
Considering the Terms wherein it is offered, they cannot make such a
shameful bargain. For by it the Matter of Preaching is so restricted
nothing must be Preached or Taught, which may any way
tend to alienate the Hearts of the People from him or his Government. Here
is a Price at which they are to purchase their Freedom, which yet hardRome as Babylon, &c. This
shall be interpreted to be an alienation of the Peoples Hearts from the
King and his Government. But who can be faithful, and Preach in
Season and out of Season now, but he must think it his Duty to en
Considering the Scandal of it, they dare not so offend the Generation
of the Righteous by the Acceptance, and dishonour God, disgrace the
Protestant Profession, wrong the Interest thereof, and betray their
Native-Country, as thus to comply with the design of Antichrist. And
it cannot but be very stumbling to see the Ministers of Scotland, whose
Testimony used to be terrible to the Popish, and renowned through all
the Protestant-Churches, purchasing a Liberty to themselves at the rate
of burying and betraying the Cause into Bondage and restraint, and
thus to be laid by from all active and open opposition to Antichrists
Designs, in such a Season. The World will be tempted to think,
they are not governed by Principles, but their own Interest in this
Juncture, seeking their own things more than the things of Christ;
And that it was not the late Usurpation upon, and overturning of
Religion and Liberty that offended them, so much as the Persecution
they sustained thereby; but that if Arbitrary Power had been exerted
in their favours, tho' with the same prejudice of the Cause of Christ,
they would have complyed with it, as they do now. Alas! Sad and
dolorous have been the Scandals given and taken, by and from the
Declining Ministers of Scotland heretofore, but none so stumbling as this.
Lastly, considering the Addresses made thereupon, with such a strain
of fulsom and Blasphemous Flatteries, to the dishonour of God, the
reproach of the Cause, the betraying of the Church, and detriment oEdinburgh, Iuly 21, 1687.
Of this Tenor.
WE Your Majesties most Loyal Subjects, the Ministers of
the Presbyterian Perswasion in your Ancient Kingdom of
Scotland, from the due Sense we have of Your Majesties Gracious
and surprising favour, in not only putting a stop to our long sad
Sufferings for Non-Conformity, but granting the Liberty of the
Publick and Peaceable Exercise of our Ministerial Function with
WE Love you well, and we heartily thank you for your Address: We reTo which may be added that kind Complement of
the Chancellours. Gentlemen, My Master hath commanded me to tell you,
that I am to serve you in all things within the compass of my Power.
These Gentlemen needed not to have been sollicitous, that those
who avouch an Adherence to the Covenanted Reformation, and avow
an opposition to Antichristian Usurpers (which they call promoting Disloyal
Principles and Practices) might not be looked upon as of their ConScotland (which they have deserted) would count it a Sin and
Scandal, to be reckoned of their Association who have thus betrayed
the Cause and the Country. These mutual Complements between
the professed Servants of Christ and the Vassals of Antichrist, if they
be Cordial, would seem to import that they are in a fair way of comSamsons Foxes, with a Dissuch Methods shall be
laid down as shall not be in the Power of any to alter, when such designs
Presbyterian Cause; as may ap
1. It was needful indeed they should have assumed the Name of Presbyterians,
and call it the humble Address of Presbyterians Ministers: For
otherwise it would never have been known to come from Men of the
Presbyterian Perswasion; seeing the Contents of this Address are so
clearly contrary to their known Principles. It is contrary to PresbyPreserve an en
as here they promise.
2. There is nothing sounds here like the Old Presbyterian strain;
neither was there ever an Address of this stile seen before from Presbyterian
Hands. It would have looked far more Presbyterian like, in stead
of this Address, to have sent a Protestation against the new openly deCovenants, and Work of Reformation: But here never a
word of these, but of Loyalty to his Excellent, to his Gracious, and to
his Sacred Majesty, of Loyalty not to be questioned, an Entire Loyalty in
Doctrin, a resolved Loyalty in Practice, and a fervent Loyalty in Prayers:
And all that they are Sollicitous about, is not lest the Prerogatives of
Loyalty be question
and they be otherwise represented: And all that they beseech for is, not
that the Cause of Christ be not wronged, nor Antichristian Idolatry inthese who promove any disloyal Principles
and Practices may be looked upon as none of theirs, wherein all their enperswade themselves from his Majestys Iustice
and Goodness, that he will not give Credit to any other information until he
take due cognition thereof. Here is a Lawless unrestricted Loyalty to a
Tyrant, claiming an Absolute Power to be obeyed without reserve, not only
professed, but solicitously sought to be the Principle of Presbyterians;
whereas it is rather the Principle of Atheistical Hobbs exploded with
indignation by all Rational Men. This is not the Presbyterian Loyin the defence of Christ his Evangel, Liberties of the
Country, Ministration of Iustice, and punishment of iniquity, according to
the National-Covenant; and in the preservation and defence of the true
Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms, according to the Solemn-League
and Covenant: But an Erastian Loyalty to a Tyrant in his overturning
Religion, Laws and Liberties. This Loyalty in Doctrin, will be found
Disloyalty to Christ, in a sinful and shameful silence at the wrongs done
to him, and not declaring against the Invasions of his open Enemies.
This Loyalty in Practice is a plain betraying of Religion and Liberty,
in lying by from all opposition to the open Destroyer of both. And
this Loyalty in Prayers, for all Blessings ever to attend his Person and Government,
will be neither conformed to Presbyterian Prayers in reference
to Popish Tyrants, nor consistent with the Zeal of Christians, nor
founded upon any Scripture Promises, to pray for Blessings to a Papists
Tyranny, which cannot be of Faith, and therefore must be Sin.
3. This Address is so stuffed with sheaking Flatteries, that it would
more become Sycophants and Court-Parasites, than Ministers of the
Gospel; and were more suitable to that Popish, Prelatical, and MaOliver's Usurpation; Flattery being always counted
base among ingenuous Men. But here is a Rhapsodie of Flatteries, from
the deep Sense they have of his Majesties Gracious and surprizing favour;
finding themselves bound in Duty to offer their most humble and hearty thanks
to his Sacred Majesty, the favour bestowed being to them valuable above all
Earthly comforts. One would think it behoved to be a very great faIn not only putting a stop to their long sad Sufferings; which were some
ground indeed, if the way were Honest: But this not only supposes an
also; what is that? But also granting us the Liberty; which is either a
needless Tautology (for if all Sufferings were stopped, then Liberty must
needs follow,) or it must respect the Qualifications of the Liberty;
flowing from such a Fountain, Absolute Power; through such a conveystopping all Penal Laws against Papists; in such a Form as a Toleration;
for such Ends, as overturning the Reformation and introducing
Popery. This is the Favour for which they offer most humble and
hearty Thanks, more valuable to them than all Earthly Comforts. Sure,
if they thank him for the Liberty, they must thank him for the Proclamation
whereby he grants it, and justifie all his claim there to Absoluteness,
being that upon which it is superstructed, and from which it edemean themselves as that he may find Cause
rather to enlarge than to diminish his favours, which can be no other way
but in assisting him to destroy Religion and Liberty, at least in suffering
him to do what he will without controll. O what an indeliberate re
4. It were more tolerable if they went no farther than Flatteries;
but I fear they come near the Border of Blasphemy, when they say, that
the Great God hath put this in his Royal Heart; which can bear no other
Construction but this, that the Holy Lord hath put it in his Heart to
assume to himself a Blasphemous and Absolute Power, whereby he stops
and suspends all Penal Laws against Idolaters, and gives a Toleration
for all Errors: If it be capable of any other Sense, it must be like that
as the Lord is said to have moved David to number the People, or that
Rev. 17. 17. God hath put it in their Hearts to fulfill his Will, and to agree
and give their Kingdom to the Beast. But to bless God, and thank the
Tyrant for this wicked Project, as deliberate and purposed by Men, I
say is near unto Blasphemy. And again where they say, they are firmly
resolved by the help of God so to demean themselves as his Majesty may find
Cause rather to enlarge than to diminish his favours; this in effect is as
Thus far I have compendiously deduced the Account of the progress and Prosecution of the Testimony of this Church to the present State thereof.
THE Antiquity of the
Royal Line of Scotland
farther Cleared and Defended,
against the Exceptions lately
offer'd by Dr. Stillingfleet, in
his Vindication of the Bishop
of St. Asaph.
George
Mackenzie, His Majesty's AdScotland.
The Moral History of FruCovetousness, Niggardliness, Prodigality,
and Luxury. WritGeorge Mackenzie, late Lord
Advocate of Scotland.
A Memorial for His HighOrange, in
Relation to the Affairs of Scotland:
Together with the AdPresbyterian-Party
in that Kingdom to His High
An Account of the Present
PersecutScotland, in several Letters.
The Case of the Present AfScotland tru
An Historical Relation oEdinburgh,
from October 16 to November
13. In the Year 1690. In Edinburgh
to his Friend in London.