An Apology of the General Meeting of the United Societies of some Presbyterians, Dissenting from, and Protesting against the Toleration, for their Rising and Continuing in Armes, in the present Juncture.

THE various Clamours and Constructions made of our Rising in Armes at the time, and the reproaches of Disorders, fastned thereupon (thô in it self innocent, and never intended by us, for the offence of any, but such as all Zealous Protestants and good Patriots, will owne to be Enemies of GOD, and of all Mankind, and such as we are under indispensible obligations in our Places and Stations, to endeavour to suppress and extirpate; Yet because it is our present unhappiness, to have all our Actions misconstrued, and censured under the most [Page 8]odious and invidious Character, that the Malice of some can put upon them) Do seem to require, for the vindication of our Testimony for the Cause of Christ, Ex­oneration of our selves, and removing any Jealousies or Suspicions, which through misinformation, or prejudice any may conceive of us; That before we dismiss, We Declare to all concerned, That it is not by any Contrivance of ours, that we have either gathered, or continued in defensive Armes hitherto, but have been drawn and called to it, by a special surprise of astonishing Providence. For, thô indeed, in the sense of the in­dispensible and indisputable necessity and expediency of giving some active Testimony against Popery, and of the duty of throwing down the Monuments of Idolatry (for­merly erected, and lately more and more encouraged under the Patrociny & Protection of this Popish Toleration) we have been several times consulting about some endea­vours, in our poor Capacity to discharge that duty, with the least tumult or trouble to the Country that was possible (not being able any longer to endure to see this purely Reformed and Covenanted Land, polluted again with Idolatry, and im­punity of the Entycers thereunto, and thereby exposed to the ineluctable Wrath of the Most High, without some witness of our indignation at the same) and thereupon had appointed this same concurrence of our Brethren, at this present Meeting, this same day, to conclude upon some Course to effectuate it; Yet as many of our Breth­ren, in several corners of the Land, without any Corespondence or Communication with one another, were animated and encouraged at one and the same time to set about this work, with others that the Lord stirred up to Zeal against Popish Idolatry: So the extraordinar Emergent, alarming the Country with fears and many reports, of the Papists intending and Attempting to raise fire and Sword through the Land, did prevent our appoyntments, and provoked us to go to Armes, for the preservati­on of our Religion, Lives, and Liberties, defence of the Country, and Relief of our Brethren, that lay nearest the hazard then threatened and feared. In which posture some of our Number, that were furthest remote, from the sure intelligence of the truth of these Allarms, have continued hitherto, not being willing to disperse until by this Meeting formerly appointed, somewhat should be concluded, with com­mon consent, as expedient for the present juncture, and emitted for their vindication from some disorders, falsly imputed, and most grievous to us.

We do therefore further doclare, That whereas Reports have come to us, that some have robbed Gentlemen and some Episcopal Curats, of their Horse and Armes, Money or Houshold stuff. As for Horse and Armes, taken in these Tu­multuary Confusions, if any be amongst us, as we have endeavoured, so we shall endeavour Restitution: But as for money or any other thing robbed from these, we neither know the guilty persons, nor are partakers with them, but do disowne Dis­claim and Detest all such disorderly and abominable practises. And further, the we owne and avouch it as our duty, bound upon us, from the Word of God, Solemn [Page 9]Covenants, and Constitutions of this Church, to endeavour by all approven meanes, the Extirpation of Prelacy, as well as Popery; And therefore do resolve through the Lords help, and as He shall give us Call and Capacity, to contribute our out­most assistance, for the removing and dispossessing the Prelatical Curats, from the Churches, upon which they are intruded: Yet we do not approve, nor shall we at­tempt the taking of any thing that belongs to them.

Moreover, we mean not now, nor whensoever we may be constrained, or called to rise in Armes defensive, to wrong or encroach upon the Priviledges of any City, Burgh or Town whatsomever, or disturb the Peace of the Country, either by Tu­mults, or continuing together in Armes unnecessarly, to oppress either one or other: But as now we intend, so at any other time, when we are together, we shall dis­miss and go hame, and live in quiet so long as either Duty or Safety will permit us. For thô we be (through Grace) as ready as ever to suffer Persecution, upon the same Heads of Truth, that we have hitherto contended for, and resolve rather to loss our dearest blood, then to part with one hoof of them; And are as resolute as ever to defend our selves & all our Covenanted Bretheren, in the common Cause & Testimo­ny, against all Assaults of our Malignant Enemies; so far as we can resist: Yet if they will forhear to persist in their Persecuting and Murdering us, for the time, we intend not to take or seek revenge of them, until we see what access the Lord our Avenger, will give to a Legal Prosecution of them; Only this much opposition, they must expect, that we will not embodie with them, in any association for the Cause, which they have be­trayed & destroyed, nor with any other known & avowed Enemies of Truth and God­liness, Religion and Liberty. But since the Lord hath in His wonderful Providence (which we adore) raised up, helped and honoured the Illustrious Prince of Orange, to be an Instrument in His Hand, of breaking in a great measure, the unsupport­able Yoke of that Absolute Tyranny, under which we have been long howling; As we pray the Lord, so to incline his Heart, to favour the Lords righteous Cause, and that he may pity and not permit, the yet remaining Ireacherous and Truculent Pro­motters, Abettors, and Executioners of that Tyranny, to devour and destroy us any more: So we mind in due season to remonstrate to his Highness, the unpa­ralelled Grievances and Severities, we have sustained from them: And in the mean time, do our best, in dependence on the Lords strength, to defend our selves against their Insults:

Finally, we conclude, declaring our cordial and constant Adherence to the good Old Way and Cause of Scotlands Covenanted Reformation, in all its received and established, Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of God, Confession of Faith, Catechisms, National Covenant, & Solemn League, Solemn Acknowledgement of Sins and Engagement to Duties, Causes of Wrath, Acts of General Assemblies, both the ancient unrepealled Acts, and those from 1638. [Page 10]to 1650. And all the Testomonies, Protestations, Remonstrances, and Declara­tions, of old and of late, founded upon and consonant to the same, against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, Sectarianism, Tyranny, and all the Encroachments of Absolute Power over Laws and Liberties of Church and State either by Persecution or Toleration. This in short is the State of our Testimony, transmitted to us, from our renowned Ancestors, sealed by the Martyrs and Confes­sors of CHRIST, in our day; Which we hope the Lord will more and more Vin­dicate and Propogate to Posterity.

Published at Douglass the 4^th. of January, 1689.

The SHORT PAPER.

WIth the greatest earnestness of longing we have desired, and yet with a patience perhaps to excess, we have waited for an Opportunity, to bring our unhappy Differences (of which, all Parties concerned are wearie) to a happy and holy close: And for this end to have access to apply our selves to a full and free Gene­ral Assembly of this Church, invested with Authority and Power, in foro Divino & Humano, to determine and cognose upon them. The want of which an Assembly, constitute in that Vigor, to which through the Mercy of GOD, this Venerable National Synod hath arrived, hath been the great let and im­pediment of our composing the said Differences, in a way wherein not only we, but all of the same Sentiments would Acquiesce. Now having obtained this much longed, and long prayed for Priviledge, We cannot forbear any longer humbly, to Accost and Address this Venerable Assembly, with a free and ingenuous Representa­tion of our Minds and Desires: The scope of which is to Represent those things, which have been most stumbling to us, for the Exoneration of our Consciences; And to declare our Design, after we have exhibited our Testimony against these Courses, which we understand to have been Corruptions and Defections in this Church, and laid it down at the Assemblies feet, to be disposed of, as their wisdom shall think [Page 21]fit, That we shall in all required Submission, subject our Selves, our Lives, and Doct­rine, to the Cognizance of the Judicatories of this Church, and shall equally oppose Schism and Defection, in any Capacity, that we shall be found capable of. And here by these Presents, we bind and obliege our Selves, faithfully, to live in Ʋnion, and Communion, intire subjection, and due Obedience, in the LORD, to the Autho­rity of this Church, in her Respective Judicatories; As witness our hands at Edinburgh.

The LARGER PAPER.

IF our Eye could sutably affect our Hearts this day, Right Reverend, we might find much matter, both of Rejoycing and Mourning, in the wounderful Commencement and Advancement of this Work of Reformation. As at the Jews return from Babylon to Jerusalem, the Priests and Levites, and all the People shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, be­cause the foundation of the House of the LORD was laid; Tet some of them, that had seen the first House, wept with a loud voice, so that the People could not discern the noise of the shout of joy, from the noise of weeping. So at this time, we are cal­led to rejoice, with thanksgiving for, & we should indeed be very ungrate and unwor­thy, if we did not acknowledge with Praise and Admiration, the Mercy of God, which endureth for ever, manifested & magnified in the progress of this Work hitherto; That at the time appointed of God, the least expected by us, at the time of our greatest ex­tremity, and our Enemies greatest insolency, the Lord hath been pleased in Sovereign Mercy, instead of overtaking us with judgements threatned for our sins, and with­out waiting on our Repentance and Preparations, by turning unto Him, to prevent and surprize us, not only, with an outward enlargement of Rest and Peace, without prejudice to Truth, in a way, wherein we are not beholden, to the ensnaring favours of his Enemies, but with such a reviving in our bondage (in the midst of Wrath re­membering Mercy) brought about by the repression of Tyranny, suppression of Po­pery, and depression of Prelacy, as that we have yet a Nail in His Holy Place, to [Page 22]set up the House of our GOD; Yea the Altar also is set again upon His Bases, and the daily burnt Offerings are offered by number, according to the custom, and the foundation of the Temple is laid again: When the Doctrine of this Church is asserted, and the Confession of Faith formerly received, is read, voted, approven, and established by Parliament, and even several controverted Truths formerly much con­demned and obscured, under a load of many Calumnies, are now justified and vin­dicated; The Worship and Ordinances of Christ, are administred in great Pu­rity, Plenty, and Peace; The Government of Christs Institution, by Kirk Ses­sions, Presbiteries, Synods, and General Assemblies, so long born down, is at length restored to what it was Anno 1592. And all Acts & Laws contrary or preju­dicial unto, inconsistent with, or derrogatory from Presbyterial Government are rescinded, with this honour, that it is declared by Act of Parliament, that this is the Government most agreeable to the Word of GOD, and most conducible to the advancement of true Piety and Godliness, and establishment of Peace and Tranquil­lity within this Realm: And the Discipline retrieved to such a fond of Freedom, that all Ecclesiastick Courts, may without restraint, or being accountable to any Ex­otick Ʋsurped Power in the Magistrate, assert all the Authority, and exerce the Power, wherewith Christ hath entrusted them. Which power if duely and diligent­ly improved, and put in execution, may through the Blessing of GOD contribute very much to the reducing Order, & the redress of many Disorders in this Church. And now also the causes of our Disunion & Division in times of defection, being in a great measure removed, when Erastian Ʋsurpations are abrogated, the Churches intrin­sick Power redintegrated, and the Corruptions introduced by Complyances, so far abdicated and antiquated, that they are not in the constitution of the Church, and do not continue to be the scandal and snare of the times: We hope and expect a Re­medy may be found for the Breaches and Divisions, that we thought incurable, and Ʋnion and communion in the Lord may be attained. But thô for these things we be called to rejoice, yet we are no less obliged to mourn, when we observe this House of the Lord, so unlike the former, wanting many things, the former had, and pestered with many things the former wanted. As at the building of the second House, after the Captivity of Babylon, they that had seen the first House wept with a loud voice, when they observed its Constitution and Structure, so far short of the former, for Order and Beauty, and wanting some glorious Prerogatives the other had; as the Urim and Thummim, the Fire from Heaven, the Ark of the Testimony, &c. So, they that have seen our former Reformation in its Integrity, before the late Deformation, can hardly refrain from weeping at the sight of the sad, disproportion, between this and the former. In the former, as the constitu­tion was calculate in the nearest conformity to the Divine Pattern; so the Builders, had always a care to pull down what was to be demolished, before they established [Page 23]what was to stand, and to purge away the rubbish from the Foundation, before they promoved the Superstructure: Accordingly when Prelacy was reintroduced at seve­ral times, the first thing they did when they recovered their power, was alwayes to exert it in condemnation of that Corruption, and of these Assemblies and Meet­ings, that promoved, abetted, favoured, or complied. And when the Era­stran Supremacy began to encroach upon the Churches Liberties, and to bring the Ministry into Bondage, they did not think it enough to wrestle against it by Personal witnessings; but by the good Hand of GOD upon their En­deavours, never ceased until it was condemned by Acts of Assembly. They proceeded also with great earnestness and vigilance, to purge the Church of corrupt and scan­dalous Ministers; sadly regrateing afterwards, when they saw the effects of the con­tinuance of some of that Character in the Ministrie, that they had not done more in that purging work. But now, after all the Rubbish and Filth, brought into the House of GOD, by the Invasions and Ʋsurpations of the Enemies, and Defections of Friends, when now Opportunity and Capacity is given to Rebuild and Beautifie the House of the LORD, and to Repair the Desolations thereof, the present buil­ding is so far advanced, without pulling down and purging away the Rubbish, and condemning these corruptions and defections, in complyance with them, or confessing and forsaking them, as our Fathers used to do: Now these courses have [...] rather left us, than we have foresaken; And the Lords returning in Providence, without our returning to Him by Repentance, hath made any Reformation yet attained, while these Defections are neither confessed in humiliations, nor condemned in Judi­catories. And the Prelatical Clergy, after all the evil they have done, and bitter fruits they have produced, are yet kept in many places, and like to continue as a Seminary and Nurserie of a corrupt Ministrie. As long as all this Rubbish stands, there can be little hope, either of Purity or Stability in the Superstructure. In for­mer Reformations also, the Advancement used to be Progressive, beginning where the former Reformation stopt, and going forward, after they had got removed, what obstructed it. But now the motion is Retrograde, going as far back, as that in 1592. missing many Excellent steps of Reformation, attained after that to 1649. In for­mer Reformations, our worthy Ancestors used to begin with Renovation of the National Covenants, & Acknowledgements of the Breaches thereof, which hitherto hath been neglected, to the great grief of many. It is also matter of La­mentation to reflect, that in former Reformations, tho the Adversaries troubled the Builders, and hired Counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, yet being Furnished and Spirited of the Lord, for that Generation work, they never studied to please men, but to acquit themselves as faithful Servants of their Princely Master Jesus Christ, in witnessing against all Sins and Corruptions of great and small, im­partially; and in Acts of Assembly ordaining and recommending to all Ministers, [Page 24]this faithfulness in applying their Doctrine to the Sins of the time, under pain of Censure. But now thô there was never greater freedom and encouragement for, and necessitie of faithfulness, when the Adversaries of Judah are seeking to Build, but on design to marr the Work, and many are too much inclining to joyn in affinity with the People of these abominations: Yet it is sadly wanting, and much Desiderated a­mong many Ministers, who being long accastomed to fears, and constrained silence, under former hazards and tentations, have not yet recovered their Confidence and Cou­rage, to cry a loud against, and not spare the iniquities of the time. We desire also to joyne in that common regrate, that thô informer Reformations, this Church was not only for Order and Authority, beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners, but for Ʋnion, got the Name of Philadelphia, being then as much admired for Ʋnitie (which is the fruit of Presbyterian Go­vernment, wherever it hath place) as for any other Priviledge, which rendered her the Envy of all the Nations about. Yet now alas! The Crown hath fallen from our heads, wo unto us, that we have sinned. This Holy and Beautiful Fabrick, hath been burnt up, with the fire of Enemies fury, with the fire of our Divisions, and with the fire of the Lords indignation, burning against us for our defections, whereby the Lord was provoked to forsake his House, and since his departure, there hath been nothing but disorder among his Children and Servants. The Popish Pre­latical and Malignant Party, have come in by Force and Fraud, and by the Cedings of those, that should have stood in the Gap, and broke down the Carved Work of our Covenanted Reformation, as with Axes and Hammers, Rescinding all the Legal Bul-warks of Ecclesiastical Constitutions, Civil Sanctions, and National Covenants, wherewith it was fenced, Wherein alas! They were too much encourag­ed by our faint resistance, and too universal involvement in the sin of submitting to & Countenancing of the intrusions of the Prelatical Party. At length having set up these their Ensignes for Signs, in Sign of compleate Victory, obtained over the Ser­vants and Subjects of our exalted Prince, after they have invaded His Kingdom and Palace, and made Havock and Sloughter of such, as would not yield, they offered some tempting terms, whereupon they would suffer them to live in subjection to these Ʋsurpations; painted indeed with pretences of Favours, but really, at least indirectly requiring a recognizance of the Ʋsurpers power, and a Cessation from opposing the peaceable possession of their Robberies. These and the like defections on the one hand, together with many Extravagances on the other, have brought the Godly into many confusions, stumbled them into many tontations, racked, rent, and almost ruined them with many Divisions, promoted too much an every hand, by Passion, Pride, Prejudice, Jealousie, too credulous and sedulous taking up and spreading re­ports, and reproaches one of another, whereby the Spirit of GOD hath been grieved; the Power, Practice, and Spiritual Exercise of Religion obstructed, the Gospels success [Page 25]marred, the Ministrie and all Ordinances brought into contempt, ungodliness encou­raged, the mouths of the ungodly opened, their hearts hardned, and their hands strengthned against us. And as the effect of all these, we may lament another sad and very sensible want, the Lords Power and Glory not seen in the Sanctuary, as sometimes in the former House it was, with a speciality of brightness; And the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, Repentance, and Reformation, publick Zeal for the Interest of Christ, and the Gospel Spirit of Love and Tendernsss towards Brethren, is not yet poured from on high. But it may be, if the Tabernacle were once reared up, that the cloud of the LORDS Presence would cover it, and the Glorie of the LORD would fill it: And if we were ashamed of our iniquities, we might then measure the Pattern, and see the form of the House, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the Ordinances thereof, and the whole limit thereof should be holy, which is the Law of the House: Then the glorie of this latter House should be greater than of the former.

Nevertheless, We are so far from despising the day of small things, that in weak­ness and humilitie, we would desire to say, it is our highest ambition to enjoy the Communion of this Sanctuary of the LORD, in this Land, if it were but to be Door­keepers in the House of our GOD: And it is the matter of our greatest longing to see the day, when all the Dissintient and long Dissevered Children of Zion, shal together with one heart take their Mother by the Hand; and with one Lip praise their Father, in the Beautie of Holiness. For when the Courts of the LORD are amiable in Order, it cannot but be pleasant and desireable for Brethren to dwell together in Ʋnitie; And so much the more, that we have felt the sad effects of our unhappie Divisions, which not onlie now, but even in their greatest heat, made us with much longing, desire and pray for a comfortable Ʋnion, and to bemoan the Causes and Effects of the de­layes of it; upon all occasions declaring our dread and detestation of Schism, as a very heinious, hurtful and hateful sin. We did indeed demure to concure with and follow, and did think it our dutie, pro tempore, to withdraw from these Ministers (thô still we owned and esteemed them as godlie Ministers of this Church) who promoted courses of defection after specified; and to adhere to those (thô but few) who were more stedfast and faithful, in that time of Divisions, Gonfusions, and abounding snares, when the Church was in a broken state, de­prived of the Remedie of Church Judicatories, whereunto we might recurr with Complaints and Supplications, for removing these Offences: And when the Govern­ment was so Tyrannical, that if there had been Church Judicatories, neither durst, they have corresponded with us, nor we make Application to them, for hazard of our Lives. When also the case was so stated, that we thought communion could not be kept by us with them, from whom we withdrew without sin, while the very exercise of their Ministrie, in the then circumstances, was so far depending upon, subordinate unto, complying with, modified and authorised by, unlawful Usurpa­tions, [Page 26]that our joining would have inferred, at least in our conscience, a submissi­on to, symbolizing with, and approving of their offensive yieldings, to these encroach­ments. Yet we never thought this a Schism; We never judged it, to be a sepa­ration from the Church of Scotland, either in Her Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, or Government, as it stood Reformed and Covenanted to be preserved; Nor did we gather, or set up formed separate Churches or Societies, under another Government or Ministrie, distinct from, and independent upon the Presbyterial Church of Scotland; nor did we ever maintain, but alwayes abhorred that Sectarian no­tion, that the Personal Sins and Scandalls of Fellow-worshippers, Ministers or Professors, did pollute the Ordinances; nor did we ever owne, but alwayes dis­owned, a positive or active, total or stated Separation, from all the Ministry, or from any, for any Offence, in any case, where either the Offence could be then legally re­moved, or was in it self a thing to be condescended upon, or forborn, or did not ha­zard our Involvement in the sin of it: And only for the time, owned a Negative, Passive, and Conditional Abstraction from some, refusing to follow the Backsliding part of the Ministry, in their courses of Defection, and choosing to abide by that Part that persevered in their Integrity. But now that Tyranny, that chased us from one another, being through Mercy removed, and these Snares and Stumbling-blocks, which scared us, from Communion with many, being so far taken out of the way, that they cease to be Tentations involving us in sin, and bones of Contention engaging us in continual janglings about them: Church Judi­catories being now in capacity, to give some remedy to these Evils, since Providence also hath so far altered the case, and matter of our Contendings, for the Faith de­livered to the Saints, that it calls all dissentient Parties, among Presbyterians, to concenter in one common Testimony, for the common Reformation, against the com­mon Adversaries. We hope this much desired and long looked for Union, is, and shall be more accessable and attainable: Therefore, to the end, that this happy and desireable Union, may be Holy and Comfortable, in a way that may procure, and secure our Union and Communion with the LORD: And as the famous Voe­tius sayes, Ut nihil de veritate & professione nostra remittamus at (que) ad eo à perfectione ad quam cum DEO pervenimus non relabamur ad im­perfectionem. Considering in all the Periods of this Church, from her first Re­formation, a Witness hath never been wanting, against the same, or equivalent Corruptions, that have offended us: And no method can be more adapted, for recover­ing and restoring Union, than that which was used, for preserving it: And that hav­ing aimed hitherto, to offer & keep up our Mite of a Testimony, thô weak & insignifi­cant, against the same; if now under the convictions of its remaining righteousness, we shall pass from it, & so seem to condemn what we approved before, & approve what we condemned before, it will leave an indeleble reproach, not only on our selves, but on our Contendings and Sufferings. Because likewise in a Conference with some Reve­rend [Page 27]Brethren, and Members of this Assembly, about these things it was pro­posed and conceded, as an expedient, for easing our Consciences, that we should have liberty to remonstrate and represent, to the Assembly, what was offensive to us. We earnestly desire, Right Reverend, you would be pleased to condescend to us, in some things, that we humbly conceive, are very needful, just to be sought, and easie to be granted. We know and are confident, your Zeal for Truth and Peace, will suggest the same means and measures, for obtaining this end, and will urge you to take notice of the same things, we desire without our advertisement: Nor do we take upon us to preseribe the Methods, Terms or Conditions, necessary for Composing these unhappy Differences, and restoring the holy and happy Union in the Lord; But we think, the Word and Works of God this day, points at these, which we crave leave in the Bowels of Christ, to remonstrate unto your serious Con­sideration.

That to the end the causes of our Divisions, the Anger of the Lord, as the Holy Cause, and our Mutual offences, as the sinful Cause, May be removed, that the effect may cease, a Mutual, impartial, and accurate search and trial may be made into our wayes, to find out, and remember from whence we are fallen, and dis­cover our manifold and manifest defections, from the right wayes of the Lord; That the great wrongs and indignities done to our Great Head and King, by Enemies En­croachments on his Prerogatives, and his Kingdoms Liberties, and our Comply­ances therewith, on the one hand and one the other, may not be past in oblivion, but diligently inquired into, and what accession to them, or Participation with them, all of us have been involved in, these 30. years bygone: Particularly that it be laid to Heart, what Indignity to the Lord Jesus, and Injury to his Church, was done by the introduction of abjured, Diocesan and Erastian Prelacy, and the several de­grees of Complyance therewith; As Ministers leaving their Pastoral Charge, at the Command of the Magistrate, and laying aside the Exercise of their Ministrie, giving way unto, and not testifying against the Intrusions of Prelatick Curats; Particularly owning & submitting to their Ministry, & receiving ordinances dispensed by them, and by Counsel and Example, Encouraging others to do the like: Which we cannot but Plead and Protest against as sinful and Scandalous. 1. Because they were, and are inanifest Intruders, not entering in at the door, in the way and order of Christ, not having, yea despising and renouncing a Call from the People, and Ordination by the Presbytrie, and having no other external Call, Au­thority or Right to officiate in this Church, as its proper Pastors, but the Collation of Bishops, and Presentation of Patrons, who are none of Christs Officers, and forefaulting and foregoing any other Right, that any of them formerly could pretend to, by palpable defection to the Enemies of this Church. 2. Because both in Prin­ciple and Profession, and in the way af their Entry unto their Pastoral Charge, they [Page 28]were, and are Erastians, deriving their Power from, and subjecting it in its exercise to another Head then Christ, the Magistrats Supremacy by which only they were Authorized, without Christs warrant, or the Churches consent. 3. Because they were, and are Schismaticks, who caused Divisions and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine of this Church, breaking her Union and Order, going out themselves from the fellowship of this Church, and leading People away from her vowed Re­formation; yea who violently thrust out, and persecuted her faithful Pastors and Children, for adhering to that Reformation, which they designed to raze and ruine. 4. Because they were, and are perjured Covenant breakers, avowedly disown­ing our Covenants, and stated in opposition to that Reformation, which is therein sworn to be maintained. 5. Because they were, & are in several Points Erroneous, in their Doctrine, many of them tainted with the Leaven of Popery, Arminianism, and Socinianism, & all of them Heteradox, in the point of the Magistrates power in Church matters, in the matter of Oaths, and in condemning the Work of our Re­formation, and Covenants; seducing thereby their Hearers, and both positively by these Doctrines, & privatively by withholding other necessary Instructions, and Warn­ings, Murdering their Souls. 6. Because they were, and are upon all these Ac­counts Scandalous, and the Objects of the Churches Censure: And thô through the iniquity of the times, their deserved Censure, hitherto hath not been inflicted, yet they stand upon the matter convict, by clear Scripture Grounds, and by the standing Acts, and judicial Decision of this Church, in her Supreme Judicatories. 7. Be­cause this hearing and sumitting to them, was required as a Badge, Test, and Evidence of Due Acknowledgement of, and hearty Compylance with Erastian­ism and Prelacy, or His Majesties Government Ecclesiastick, Act. Parl. 1. Char. 2. July 10. 1663. which made it a case of Confession to withstand it. 8. Because by our Covenants, we are obliged to stand at a distance, from such courses of De­fection, and to extirpate them; yet in contradiction hereunto, we were commanded by the Rescinders of the Covenants, to bear the Prelatick Curats, as a Badge of our yeilding to the rescinding of the Govenants. 9. Because this Course was Offen­sive and Stumbling, both in hardening those that complyed with Prelacy, and weakening the Hands of those that opposed it, and inferred a condemning of their Sufferings upon this Head. Especially, 10. When Communion with them was so stated, that therein was not only a Case of Controversie among the Godly, in which alwayes Abstinence is the surest side, nor only in the judgement of many a Case of Confession, which is alwayes dangerous to contradict and condemn, but undeny­ably a Case of Competition, between the true Church of Scotland, her Mini­sters and Professors, owning and adhering to her Holy Establishments, claiming a Divine Right to their Offices and Priviledges, contending for the Churches Refor­mation; and a Schismatical Party, setting up a new Church, in a new Order, un­der [Page 29]a new Head, robbing them of their Offices and Priviledges, and overturning the Reformation.

We must presume to Plead also, That Enquiry be made unto the Heinous and Heaven-daring Affront, done to the Holiness of GOD, in the horrid Violations of our Holy Covenants, National and Solemn League, not only how the Po­pish, Prelatical, and Malignant Party, have broken them, enacted the Breaches of them, by Law, Burnt them, and endeavoured to Bury them, by making it a Ca­pital Crime to owne their Obligation, and by bringing in and substituting in their room, Conscience ensnaring Anti-covenants, Oaths, Bonds, and Engagements renouncing the former, and obliging to Courses contradictory thereunto: But that it may be considered, how many wayes, Ministers and Professors, in this time of tenta­tion and tribulation, have been guilty of breach of these holy Covenants: particular­ly by consenting unto, subscribing, swearing, and taking any of the new multiplied, mischievously contrived, captiously conceived, and Tyrannically imposed Oaths, Tests, or Bonds, in matters of Religion, since the overturning of the Covenanted Reformation, and establishment of Prelacy; and by perswading People to take them, and forbearing a necessary warning of the danger of them, and leaving People in the dark, to determine themselves, in the midst of these snares. All which we Plead and Protest, against as sinful and scandalous. (1) Because all of them, did infer, import, and imply a sinful unitive conjunction, Incorporation, Association, and Confederacy, with the People of these Abominations, that were promoting a course of Apostasie from GOD. (2) Because all of them were incapable of the Qualifications, required in Sacred Engagements, to be taken in Truth, Righte­ousness, and Judgement. (3) Because all of them, in the sense of the Imposers, interpreted by their Acts and Actings, were condemnatory of, and contradictory unto the Covenants, & some part of the Covenanted Reformation. (4) Because by the Ancient Acts of Assembly, all publick Oaths imposed by the Malignant Party, without consent of the Church are condemned. July 28. 1648. Ante merid. Sess. 18. And

In like manner we dare not forbear to Cry and Crave, that it may be considered, what wrongs Christ hath received from the Erastian and Antichristian Usur­pation of the Supremacy, encroaching upon the Prerogative of the Lord Jesus Christ his incommunicable Headship and Kingship, as Mediator, giving to a Man, a Magisterial, and Architectonick power, to alter and innovate, Authorise and Ex­auctorate, allow or restrain, and dispose of the Government and Governours of the Church, according to his pleasure; invading the liberties of the Gospel Church in­troducing [Page 30]a civil Dominion upon her Government, contrare to its nature, being only a Ministerial-Stewardship, distinct from the Civil Government, in its Nature, Causes, Ends, Officers, and Actings, and giving to the Magistrate the power of the keyes, without and against Christs Donation and Authority, even the Dogmatick, Critick, and Diatactick, Decisive Suffrage, and Power, in Causes Ecclesiastick, which Christ hath intrusted to the Church Representatives; and denying to the Church, the Exercise of these Keyes and Powers, without the Magistrates warrand and Indulgence. We crave also, that it may be inquired into, how far this encroach­ment, hath been connived at, submitted unto, complyed with, homologate, strengthen­ed and established, by receiving and accepting, without consent of the Church, yea against the express dissent, and testimony of some faithfull Ministers, to the contrare, the Indulgences, anno 1669, and 1679: And by the silence of others, not witnes­sing against the same, and others censuring the Faithful, for discovering the sin­fulness thereof. Which we Remonstrate upon these grounds complexly conside­red. (1) Because as the contrivance and end of the grant thereof, was to advance and establish the Supremacy; to engage Presbyterians, either to co-operate to­wards the settling and strengthening thereof, or to surcease from opposing the peace­able possession of the Granters Ʋsurpation, and to extort from them, at least an indirect Recognizance, of acknowledged Subordination in Ministerial Exercises, to his usurped power, in a way which would he best acquiesced in; To suppress the Preaching and Propagation of the Gospel in persecuted Meetins in houses and fields, so necessary at that time; and to divide and increase differences and animosities among Presbyterians, by insinuating upon these called the more Moderate, to commend the Indulger his Clemency, while other Non-Conformists, adhering to inter­dicted duties, were justly complaining of the Effects of his Severity. And as the woful effects of it, strengthening the Supremacy, weakening the hands of these that witnessed against it, extinguishing Zeal, and increasing many divisions, did cor­respond with these wretched designs; So these could not be counteracted, but very much strengthened and promotted, by the Acceptance of the Indulgence, which in its own nature, was so palpably subservient thereto, even thô there had been a Te­stimonie against these designs and ends, yet when the means adapted to these ends, were complied with, it was rendered irrite and contra factam. (2) Because as the Supremacie received much Strength and Increment from the Indulgence, so reciprocally it had its Rise, Spring, Conveyance, and subsistence from the Supremacy; from which it flowed, upon which it stood, and by which at length it was removed: And in the grant and conveyance of the Indulgence, all the power of the Supremacy, was arrogate, asserted and exerted, in first taking away the power of the Keyes, from CHRISTS Stewards, and then restoring only one of them, to some few, with Restrictions bounding, and Instructions [Page 31]regulating them in the exercise of that. The Acceptance whereof, so clogged with these complex Circumstances, without a clear & distinct Testimony, in that case of confession, hath at least a great appearance (which should have been abstained from) of a conniving at, submitting unto, complying with, and homologating of that Erastian Ʋsurpation. (3) Because, as it was interpreted to be accepted in the same Terms, wherein it was granted, without a Testimony against the Supremacy, so the Entry of those Ministers to their Churches, by this Indulgence, was prejudicial to the Churches Priviledge: Some of them being fixed in particular Churches, where­unto they had no peculiar Pastoral Relation before, and some transplanted from one Church to another, without the interposure of any Ecclesiastick Presbyterial Autho­rity, without the free and orderly Call of the People, being in many respects preli­mited, and in the way of Patronages, at the Councils Pleasure and Order; and those that were Restored to their own Churches, being there admitted, not by ver­tue of their Old Right, and claim of an undissolved Relation, but by vertue of a New Holding on the Indulgence. (4) Because the embracing thereof, and the continuing therein, was a faint yielding to prevailing Erastianism, & a course of De­fection from former Integrity of Ministerial Freedom and Faithfulness, in which the Servants and Witnesses of Jesus Christ, were Famous and Eminent in former times, who for writing, Preaching, and protesting against the Ecclesiastick Su­premacy, in the Magistrate, and all Erastian courses, did bear the cross of Christ, with much stedfastness; Yea a receding from, and foregoing of a very matterial part of the Cause and Testimonie of the Church of Scotland, which till then, did constantlie wrestle against such encroachments: And in this respect scandalous, because hardening to Erastian Enemies, stumbling to many Friends, and offensive to Posteritie. (5) Because it is contradictorie to our Covenants, to receive In­dulgences, contrived and conferred on purpose, to divide (by the terror of perse­cution on the one hand, and the perswasion of this pretended Libertie, taking off the Legal restraint on the other) Ministers & People from the Cause and Testimony of the Church of Scotland, against the Supremacy, & from their former blessed Conjun­ction therein, and to induce them to make Defection to that Party, that were Advanc­ing Erastianism. And it is expresly contradictory to the Engagement to Du­ties, Anno 1649, where the Obligation bears, ‘Because many have of late labour­ed, to supplant the Liberties of the Kirk, we shall Maintain and Defend the Kirk of Scotland, in all her Liberties and Priviledges, against all who shall oppose or undermine the same, or encroach thereupon under any pretext whatsom­ever.’

Likewise, we Plead and Obtest, that a Search may be made, into, and a review taken of the late Toleration, the Addressing for it, and Acceptance of it, com­plexely considered: The sinfulness whereof, we could not, and now cannot forbear [Page 32]to Witness against. (1) Because as the Design of the Granter, and Tendency of the Grant it self, in its own nature, being the Introduction of Popery and Slavery, could not in any probability be counteracted, but rather corroborated, by this Addressing for it, and Accepting of it, even thô there had been a Testimony against the design there­of, as there was none, and could be none consistent with the continuance thereof; so being conveyed from Absolute Power, which all were required to obey with­out reserve, Stopping, Suspending, and Disabling all the Penal Statutes, against Papists, thereby undermining all the Legal Bulwarks of our Religion: The Ad­dressing for, and Accepting of it, so conveyed, without a witness against this Des­potical Encroachment (yea the very condition of enjoying the benefit of it, being ex­clusive of such a Testimony, which might any way tend, to the alienating of the People from such a despotical Government, in all its Encroachments) did indirect­ly, at least, imply Complyance with, if not the Recognizance and Acknowledgement of that Ʋsurped Power, and the Arbitrary Exercise and Effect of it in suspending the Penal Statutes. (2) Because it was extended, not only to Prelacy, but to Popery, Quakerism, and all Idolatry, Blasphemie, and Heresie, which was highly provoking to the Lord Jesus, and prejudical to the Peace and Purity of His Church; contrary to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; contrary to our Confession of Faith and Gatechisms, Chap. 20. §. 4. and Chap. 23. §. 3. Being placed also among the sins of the second Command, in the Larger Catechism; con­trare to the Principles of the Church of Scotland, being condemned, warned of, and witnessed against, by Acts of Assembly, anno 1649. And by her faith­ful Pastors Preaching, Writing, and Protesting against such Tolerations, (and sometimes, even when Papists were exccluded, as that, against which the Mini­sters of Fife and Perth did testifie) And contrary to our Covenants, wherein we are bound to preserve Reformation and Ʋniformity, in Doctrine, Worship, Disci­pline, and Government, to extirpate Popery, &c. to free our Souls from the guilt of other Mens Sins, defend our Liberties, and consequently never to comply with a Toleration, eversive of all these Interests we are sworn to maintain, and intro­ductive of these things, we are sworn to endeavour the Extirpation of. (3) Because it was clogged with such Conditions and Limitations, as did exceedingly hamper the Freedom of the Ministry, being Offered (in Proclamations) and Accepted (in Ad­dresses and Obedeince) with Restrictions to Persons, who might Preach, (al­lowing some, and discharging others, who had as good Authority, as they, to ex­ercise their Ministry) To Places where they should preach (only where Intimation was given of the Name of the Place, and of the Preacher, to some of the Lords of the Council, &c.) And to the matter What, or at least what they might not preach, to wit, nothing that might have any tendency, to alienate the Hearts of the People from a Popish and Tyranical Government, and consequently nothing against the [Page 33]wickedness, or of the Misery of Tyranny; nothing against the Toleration, and the open Sins proclaimed therein, and wicked Ends designed thereby; nothing against disabling the Penal Statutes, or for the Obligation of them, and Ties of National Covenants strengthning them (4) Because of the manifold Scandal of it, we cannot but witness against it, being so disgraceful to the Protestant Religion, and prejudicial to the Interest thereof. It was reproachful to our Religion, sometimes established by Law, then only Tolerate, under the Notion of an Evil to be suffered; How Con­founding and Consternating was this, to all the Reformed Churches, that sometimes admired and envied Scotlands Establishments, now to see her so dispirited and de­ceived, as to Accept and Address for a Toleration, without a Testimony, where­by instead of all the Laws and Covenants securing her Reformation, the only Tenure and Security for it, she had now remaining, was, the Arbitrary Word of an Absolute Prince, whose Principles obliged him to break it? What occasion of dis­dainful Insulting, did it give to the Prelatical Party, then Pleading for the Na­tions Laws, to observe Presbyterians, acquiescing in that which suspended and stopped the Penal Statutes? Yea, what matter of Gloriation, and Boasting was it to Papists, to see Presbyterians sleeping and succumbing, and not opposing, when at this opened Gap, they were bringing in the Trojan Horse of Poperty and Slavery?

Moreover with respect to some things at present, which we account Corrup­tions, and are offensive to many, we cannot forbear to Remonstrate and Plead, that Consideration may be taken, of the sinfulness of the too universal Defect and Neglect, of Zeal and Faithfulness, in reviving the buried National Covenants, when now they seem to be laid aside, and many Ministers, forbear to Preach plainly the obligation of them, and discover particularly, the Breaches of them, and to men­tion them in Engagements, which they require of Parents, when they present their Children to Baptisme, according to the continved Custom of faithful Ministers, these many years bygone: And it is stumbling to many, that in all Addresses to King and Parliament, the Renewing of them hath not been desired. This we think very grievous (1) Because in the Scriptures, as we have many Precepts, Promises, and Precedents for Renewing them, and Demonstrations of their Perpetual, indissoluble obligation being in their matter and forme aggreable with the Word of God; So we have many Denunciations and Certifications of unavoidable threatnings of all evils, National, Personal, Temporal, Spiritual, and Eternal, against forsaking or forgetting them. (2) Because as there is no other way to prevent the Curse of the Covenants, and this threatned wrath iminent upon the Land, for breach of Covenants, but to acknow­ledge the breaches of them, and engage again to the Duties of them; So these omissions, cannot consist with that faithfulness, required of Ministers in such a Case. (3) Because it is a plain defection from first love, and former Attainments of our Fathers, who [Page 34]commenced all Reformations, with Renovations of the Covenants: And in their Ecclesiastick Constitutions, enjoyned to all Ministers, to Preach up the Covenants, & Witness against all defections from them, and indifferency or Luke-warmness in them, which also is a breach of Covenant in it self.

Hence more Particularly, we cannot but siguify how much, we and many others are offended, at the too general keeping silenee at, or very ambigvous speaking a­gainst, and omitting the plain and Impartial Doctrinal Rebuking of such Crying sins and scandalls of the times, as cannot be Controverted among Presbyterians; Such as the impossing and taking many Bonds and Oaths, repugnant to the Covenants and work of Reformation, which many Complied with to shift Persecution, and many others to Purchase preferments unto places of Trust; The accession of Nobles & Rulers to the wicked establishments and framing mischiefs into Laws in former times; The manifold involvements of great and small, in the guilt of Persecution, by de­lating and informing against honest suffering People, Riding with Armed Foree, to pursue and Apprehend them, appearing under displayed Banners for the defence of Tyranny, on Expeditions against them, at Pentland, Bothwel-Bridge, &c. Sitting in Courts Juries and Assyses, to condemn them, putting them out of Houses & Tenements under them, because they would not Comply with sinful impositions: And especially the defyling of the Land with Blood, which hath yet a Cry in the Ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth: All which the Servants of the Lord, are obliged by the Word of God, and the Constitutions of this Church, to Cry against, and not to spare, and to reprove and rebuke in Season and out of Season.

Finally, we must presume, to lay open our own, and the general Complaints, through several corners of the Land, of the sad Slackness and Remisness of Disci­pline: The Report and Fama Clomosa whereof, at least doth wound our Ears, aad pierce our Hearts; To wit, That some who had gone a great length in the above-mentioned Complyances, even to the Swearing the Test it self, besides other wicked Oaths, and to the persecuting of the Godly sundry wayes, are admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and to present their Children to Baptism: And that others, are admitted to the Charge of Elders, who had not only habitu­ally complyed with Prelacy, and had born the Name of that Office under that Government, but had taken these scandalous forementioned Oaths; yea and that of late, some are admitted to the Ministry, that constantly followed Episcopacy, and were trained up to be Curats, and were deeply involved in the foresaid Com­plyances, without due Trial of their past Conversation, and requiring of their pub­lick Profession of Repentance, and Resentment of these respective Scandals; whereby the Precious are not taken from the Vile, and a litle of that old Leaven, may quickly leaven the whole Lump, and Offenders are not like thereby to be gained to Repent­ance, but rather hardened in, and tempted to think litle of these destroying Sins.

We plead not here, that every one of the defects, or every degree of these offences, should be in the case of this Epidemick Involvement, proceeded against by disciplinary Censure, nor do we urge, that all chargable with these offences above taxed, especial­ly such as are in Controversie, should be either Personally rebuked in publick, or obliged publickly to confess their own degree of the guilt of them, thô it would give glory to God, and Comfort to the Church, and peace to their own Consciences, for all to con­fess their offences, that have been most stumbling to the Godly, so far as from the Word of God, and known Principles of this Reformed Church, they may be convinced. Nor do we propose, that the condemnation of every one of these steps of defection, that are questioned, should be so far stretched quoad momentum rei, as either to be stated by us, as a ground of Separation formerly, or now required as a necessary condition of Communion; Thô still, we conceive the complication of them together, when they stood, was a ground that necessitated our withdrawing, from many in the then Circumstances. We only desire, they may be so far inquired into, that what guilt is in them, before the Lord, may be in some measure discovered, and the wrongs done to Christ thereby, may not be passed over in an Act of oblivion: But as the Right honourable the Estates of Parliament, have found & declared, these Acts, & Actings of the Overturners of our Reformation; and the mischiefs of Prelacy, Supremacy, & Tyranny, established by wicked Laws which were the Foundati­ons and Fountains of all the Offencesive Complyances abovementioned, to be Grievances against the Laws of the Land; So the Right Reverend, the Members of this Vener­able Assembly, may find and declare, these wicked establishments and Complyances Supporting them, and defections flowing therefrom, to be sins against the Laws of Christ; And so far as they can find Iniquity in the foresaid offences, may provide by Ec­clesiastick Constitutions, for the future, that the like Complyances, with the like Contrivances of usurping Enemies, may never again be allowed, under pain of Church Censures, to prevent and peeclude all fears of divisions, to be occasioned by the like defections, in time coming. And as we offer and Promise, so far as we are, or may be convinced, to confess our offences, any manner of way, that Church Judicatories shall appoint; So, for the satisfaction of all concerned in the late Differences, and removal of Offenses, given or taken, we desire and expect, that such Failings in the above specified particulars, or others be laid to Heart, by all sorts of Ministers and Preachers, as they are convinced of, or after search, may be discovered to them, by this Reverend Assembly: And that these, among the Sins of the Land, be set down in order, as causes of a publick Fast, upon some week day, through all the Meetings of Presbyterians, within this Kingdom, and that the Sins of the People be intermixed among these Causes.

Further, As we humbly conceive, it would prove a very proper and promis­ing expedient, for promoving, preserving and propagating Reformation, for settl­ing [Page 36]and keeping Order and Ʋnion, for preventing and precluding innovations or cor­ruptions, for discovering and discouraging Apostates or Schismaticks, Malignants or Sectaries, and excluding them from access to do further hurt; so we hope, we shall be approven and seconded by many in this Reverend Assembly, in craving the Renewing of the Covenants, either both the National, and Solemn League, with accommodations to our Times, or one made up of both, with Additions or Ex­plications, suiting our present Case and Day, with a Solemn Acknowledgement of the publick Breaches, and Engagement to the Duties of the Covenants: Humbly moving, that none be forced to Swear or Subscribe the same, or so much as admit­ted to it, except they be such, as may be judged in Charity, to have a competent knowledge, and sense of the Sins and Duties thereof.

In Fine, thô we will not take upon us, to propose the time or the way, of purg­ing out the Episcopal Clergy, yet we cannot and dare not forbear, to Plead and Obtest that they may not be continued, nor kept in the Churches, whereunto they have intruded, nor re-admitted that are, or may be laid aside, until they give ap­provable evidence of their Repentance, for their sinful Conformity. (1) Ʋpon all these Grounds, exhibited above, against hearing of them. (2) Because, former experience of the hurt, received by the entertainment of the Episcopal Clergy, anno 1638, does now plead for their care to prevent it in time coming. (3) Because the People under their Ministry, have hitherto been, and are perishing in Ignorance and Irreligion, being either starved for want of Faithful and Spiritual Instruction, or poysoned with false Instruction; and therefore Pity to them, and Zeal to propagate the Gospel, should prompt to all endeavours, to purge them out. (4) Because, the Settlement, Purgation, and Plantation of the Church, will be exceedingly obstructed, by the continuance of them, that unsettled it, corrupted it, and pestered the Lords Vine­yard, with Plants not of His planting, and whose Leaven will be alwayes in ha­zard to leaven the whole Lump. (5) Because, all of them are among these, whom the Laws of Christ do oblige, the Constitutions of this Church do ordain, and the present Civil Sanctions, for establishing Church Government do allow the Church Re­presentative, to try and purge out, being all of them either insufficient, or negligent, or erroneous, or scandalous, if these Characters may be applied, or interpreted, according to Scripture Rules, or as the Church hath extended them heretofore. We are content that none of the Curats, be put out, but the unsufficient & Ignorant, if this be one part of the trial of their knowledge, to inquire not only unto their Gifts but their Graces, if ignorance of Conversion, Regeneration, Sanctification, and Communion with God; both as to the Doctrine of these Benefits, and as to their own Experience of them, so far as may be discovered by humane Judgement, be reputed unsufficiency; We are content, none by put away, but the negligent, if so be they that do not warn the Wicked of their destroying Sins, that feed themselves and not the Flock, that do not [Page 37]strengthen the Diseased, nor heal the Sick, &c.— That omitt the pressing of ne­cessary Duties impartially on Persons and Families, and the censuring of Scandals, without respect of Persons, be comprehended in that Character: We are satisfied, none be removed but the Erroneous, if they be judged to be such, who not only owne Points of Popery, Arminianism, and Socinianism, but are unsound in their Explanation of the Kingly Office of Christ, of the Perfection of the Scriptures in the point of Church Officers and Government, in the matter of Oaths, & of the Ma­gistrates Power, and do maintain Erastianism, an exploded and abjured Error in this Church: And we seek no more but that all be removed who are Scandalous, and none but they, if Intruders, Covenant-breakers, perjured Subscribers of Scan­dalous Oaths and Tests, Schismaticks, and Persecuters, be counted among the Scandalous.

It were perhaps, Right Reverend, more suitable for us, who make so mean a Figure, among either Preachers or Professors, to lay our Hand on our Mouth, in submissive silence, waiting what your own Wisdom and Zeal will produce by the good Hand of GOD upon you, for our satisfaction: But conceiving a chief Let and Impediment of our desired comfort of Union, to consist in the want of opportunity, of laying open our Hearts to you, and longing with much impatience for it, we could not forbear any longer, giving you the trouble of hearing us, wherein we request, for the favour of laying aside all preconceived Prejudices, and begg ra­ther your charitable construction of our ingenuous Freedom, and deprecate your cri­tical scanning the Infirmities, that may be obivous therein. Some things are indeed extraordinary, which we here urge, but as extraordinary Exigences do force us, to move without a Precedent, so they furnish you a Power, to make a Precedent for the like cases, thereafter: We confess also, it may seem precipitant to press all these things so hard, & so soon, in a bruckle time, before things be better settled; but we fear if new delayes be procured till all things be fully settled, that the observing of Wind and Clouds shall hinder both Sowing and Reaping-But if laying aside the Plaisters, wherewith the Wounds of our Backslidings have been slightly covered rather than cured, you put to your Hand to the healing of our Breaches, in condescending to these our humble Desires, you shall win the Blessing of many Souls, rent, and racked with these Divisions; You shall disburden the Land of many weights and woes, where­of it is weary; you shall send to all the Neighbouring Churches a Pattern, transmit to the Posterity an Example, and Erect to all Ages a Monument of self-denying, Zeal and Wisdom; a work to be paralelled with the Glories of former times. If herein our hopes shall fail us, we shall not know whether to wish, we had died with our Brethren, by the Enemies hand, and had never seen this Reviving in our Bondage, for it will be a death to us, and not a reviving, if there be not a re­turning together to the LORD, searching and trying and discovering the iniquities of our wayes. But however, we intend not to separat from the Church, but to [Page 38] Union and Communion, in Truth and Duty, with all the Ministers and Members of this Church, that do, and in so far as they do follow the Institutions of Christ, and to approve our selves, GOD assisting, as much for Peace and Concord, as ever we were suspected to be Men of divisive Principles; hoping it shall appear, we are seeking where He feedeth, and where He makes His Flock to rest at noon, and are not as such who turn aside by the flocks of his Companions, but going forth by the footsteps of the Flocks, besides the Shepherds Tents: Yet with this protested Dissent from, and Testimony against all the above mentioned cor­ruptions, defections, and offensive Courses, which oblieged us to stand at a distance, in times of Deformation, that our present joyning, in these circumstances, when these are removed, may not infer or be interpreted, an Approving of what we former­ly Condemned, and be free from all partaking in these Defections, by Consent, Connivance, Complyance, or Communion therein. For which we bumbly Supplicate, That these our Humble Proposals, may be Recorded in the Books of Assembly.

WHereas Mr. Thomas Lining, Mr. Allexander Sheilds, and Mr. Wil-Boyd, have presented to this Assembly two Papers: One containing the expressions of their Purpose and Promise of being subject to the Authority of this Church, as formerly Constituted, and now Restored in its several Judicatories: The other offered for the exoneration of their Consciences. Which Paper, containing their Submission and Subjection, did after the exhibition of the other to the Assembly, become binding upon them, according to the promise therein made. Like as after that other and longer Paper, had been read before the Committee of Overtures, it was exhibite to, and Received by the Assembly, together with the Reasons from the said Committee, why it should not be publickly read in full Assembly. Which Reasons being duely considered; And the said other Paper of Submission and Sub­jection publickly Read, and Judicially owned by the forenamed Persons in presence of the Assembly. The Assembly did conclude by one single Vote, that the fore­said [Page 39]longer Paper should not be read; And that the above named Persons should be Received into the fellowship of this Church, on the terms of Submission and Subjection contained in the said Paper: And after passing of the said Vote, and that they were gravely Admo­nished by the Moderator to walk Orderly in time coming, in opposition to all Schisme & Division, it was Declared to them, by the Moderator, in the name of the Assembly, that the Assembly did receive them into the Fellowship of this Church, to enjoy the Priviledges thereof, and perform the Duties therein, whereof they are, or shall be found Capable. Whereupon, and at their Desire, it was Ordained, that the Act should be made, and an Extract thereof given to them in good Forme. Ex­tracted out of the Records of the Assembly.