The spirit of calumny and slander, examin'd, chastis'd, and expos'd, in a letter to a malicious libeller more particularly address'd to Mr. George Ridpath, newsmonger, near St. Martins in the Fields : containing some animadversions on his scurrilous pamphlets, published by him against the kings, Parliaments, laws, nobility and clergy of Scotland : together with a short account of Presbyterian principles and consequential practices.
         Monro, Alexander, d. 1715?
      
       
         
           1693
        
      
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             The spirit of calumny and slander, examin'd, chastis'd, and expos'd, in a letter to a malicious libeller more particularly address'd to Mr. George Ridpath, newsmonger, near St. Martins in the Fields : containing some animadversions on his scurrilous pamphlets, published by him against the kings, Parliaments, laws, nobility and clergy of Scotland : together with a short account of Presbyterian principles and consequential practices.
             Monro, Alexander, d. 1715?
             S. W.
          
           [12], 89 p.
           
             Printed for Joseph Hindmarsh ...,
             London :
             1693.
          
           
             Preface signed: S.W.
             Attributed to Monro by Wing and Halkett and Laing.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Ridpath, George, d. 1726.
           Church and state -- Scotland.
           Presbyterianism.
        
      
    
     
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           The
           SPIRIT
           of
           
             Calumny
             and
             Slander
          
           ,
           Examin'd
           ,
           Chastis'd
           ,
           and
           Expos'd
           ,
           IN
           A
           LETTER
           TO
           A
           MALICIOUS
           LIBELLER
           .
           MORE
           Particularly
           Address'd
           to
           Mr.
           GEORGE
           RIDPATH
           ,
           Newsmonger
           ,
           near
           St.
           
             Martins
             in
             the
             Fields
          
           .
           CONTAINING
           Some
           Animadversions
           on
           his
           Scurrilous
           Pamphlets
           ,
           Published
           by
           him
           against
           the
           Kings
           ,
           Parliaments
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           Nobility
           and
           Clergy
           of
           Scotland
           .
           TOGETHER
           With
           a
           short
           account
           of
           Presbyterian
           Principles
           and
           Consequential
           Practices
           .
        
         
           
             
               Tenue
               est
               mendacium
               ,
               perlucet
               si
               diligenter
               inspexeris
               .
            
             
               Senec.
               
            
          
        
         
           London
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Joseph
             Hindmarsh
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Golden-Ball
           over
           against
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
          
           .
           1693.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           IT
           is
           not
           much
           worth
           the
           while
           to
           inform
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           now
           Mr.
           
             George
             Ridpath
          
           is
           at
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Presbyterian
           Party
           in
           Scotland
           .
           His
           Associates
           there
           ,
           and
           here
           ,
           have
           such
           an
           Opinion
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           consider
           him
           as
           the
           Invincible
           Champion
           of
           their
           Cause
           ;
           and
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           if
           any
           Man
           be
           so
           inconsiderable
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           a
           Brute
           ,
           as
           to
           fight
           him
           at
           his
           own
           Weapons
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           will
           certainly
           carry
           the
           Prize
           .
           He
           's
           the
           Man
           ,
           that
           is
           now
           most
           likely
           to
           pull
           down
           Antichrist
           ,
           and
           the
           Whore
           of
           Babylon
           .
           And
           as
           for
           the
           
             Scotch
             Episcopal
             Clergy
          
           who
           yet
           retain
           any
           kindness
           for
           the
           Hierarchy
           ,
           and
           the
           former
           Government
           ,
           if
           he
           lives
           another
           year
           ,
           they
           must
           all
           of
           them
           be
           banish'd
           the
           
             Isle
             of
             Britain
          
           .
           It
           is
           enough
           for
           you
           to
           know
           ,
           that
           now
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           as
           is
           probable
           ,
           have
           by
           an
           unanimous
           Suffrage
           chosen
           him
           to
           manage
           the
           Libels
           against
           their
           Opposites
           .
           He
           now
           appears
           in
           the
           Field
           of
           Battel
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Noise
           ,
           
           Lies
           ,
           and
           Clamour
           ,
           that
           becomes
           a
           Zealous
           Covenanter
           .
           He
           began
           this
           last
           years
           Campagne
           with
           a
           Libel
           against
           Dr.
           
             M
             —
             o
          
           ,
           which
           valuable
           Book
           he
           Dedicated
           to
           the
           Parliament
           of
           Scotland
           ;
           by
           this
           ,
           one
           may
           easily
           infer
           ,
           that
           either
           he
           had
           a
           mean
           Opinion
           of
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           or
           extraordinary
           thoughts
           of
           himself
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           following
           Treatise
           cannot
           be
           reduc'd
           into
           any
           certain
           Method
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           to
           be
           imputed
           unto
           me
           ;
           for
           I
           must
           confess
           that
           I
           too
           much
           follow'd
           the
           Excursions
           of
           Mr.
           
           Ridpath's
           invention
           .
           I
           was
           willing
           to
           contract
           the
           Animadversions
           that
           I
           made
           upon
           his
           Book
           into
           as
           little
           room
           as
           was
           possible
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           frequent
           Transitions
           from
           one
           thing
           to
           another
           ,
           are
           best
           understood
           ,
           by
           such
           as
           have
           Read
           his
           Continuation
           ,
           &c.
           
           I
           hope
           most
           Men
           are
           better
           employed
           than
           either
           to
           think
           or
           speak
           of
           the
           Calumnies
           and
           Lies
           ,
           that
           he
           industriously
           heaps
           together
           against
           the
           Clergy
           .
           His
           Party
           is
           resolv'd
           to
           make
           use
           of
           such
           Engines
           against
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           they
           and
           their
           Fore-Fathers
           found
           most
           successful
           to
           the
           Extirpation
           of
           Root
           and
           Branch
           :
           and
           they
           that
           are
           unacquainted
           with
           their
           Malicious
           Methods
           ,
           are
           great
           Strangers
           to
           our
           Nation
           ,
           and
           History
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           Reader
           meet
           with
           some
           Paragraphs
           that
           are
           more
           particular
           ,
           and
           peculiar
           to
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           than
           the
           Publick
           is
           oblig'd
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           I
           must
           be
           excus'd
           ,
           since
           I
           was
           compell'd
           ;
           for
           I
           assure
           you
           ,
           
           that
           I
           value
           personal
           altereations
           no
           otherwise
           than
           a
           good
           Christian
           ought
           to
           do
           :
           Nor
           did
           I
           ever
           Write
           to
           satisfie
           or
           convince
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           that
           being
           a
           thing
           in
           it self
           impossible
           .
           There
           is
           a
           certain
           Order
           of
           Mean
           Spirited
           Fellows
           (
           I
           do
           not
           mean
           by
           their
           External
           Quality
           )
           who
           think
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           written
           by
           their
           Party
           ,
           (
           were
           it
           never
           so
           ignominiously
           fulsome
           and
           scandalous
           )
           but
           what
           is
           invincible
           and
           unanswerable
           .
           Their
           Pride
           ,
           and
           Vanity
           are
           Incurable
           .
           It
           is
           not
           my
           meaning
           that
           we
           ought
           to
           put
           our selves
           to
           the
           Drudgery
           of
           answering
           all
           the
           Scurrilous
           and
           Obscene
           Libels
           that
           are
           propagated
           by
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           reasonable
           to
           let
           our
           Friends
           see
           ,
           that
           at
           some
           times
           we
           can
           Confute
           them
           if
           that
           be
           thought
           convenient
           .
           I
           am
           so
           far
           convinc'd
           of
           the
           weakness
           of
           their
           Reasonings
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           no
           Sect
           ,
           Antient
           ,
           or
           Modern
           ,
           that
           ever
           broke
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           but
           may
           be
           more
           plausibly
           defended
           ,
           than
           the
           latest
           Edition
           of
           Presbytery
           in
           Scotland
           .
        
         
           I
           never
           thought
           that
           the
           Reputation
           of
           my
           Friend
           was
           in
           any
           hazard
           by
           being
           attack'd
           by
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           or
           the
           Little
           Creatures
           who
           instigate
           him
           ;
           yet
           by
           the
           following
           Papers
           ,
           I
           make
           it
           plain
           to
           all
           disinteressed
           persons
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           lies
           Willfully
           and
           Deliberately
           in
           several
           Instances
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           may
           be
           allow'd
           to
           take
           leave
           of
           him
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           if
           he
           does
           not
           manage
           his
           accusations
           ,
           as
           becomes
           
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Truth
           ,
           Innocence
           ,
           and
           Ingenuity
           .
           If
           you
           think
           that
           the
           Style
           is
           more
           sharp
           than
           is
           Decent
           or
           Just
           ,
           then
           I
           intreat
           you
           may
           Read
           his
           Books
           which
           occasion'd
           these
           Papers
           ,
           and
           then
           I
           am
           confident
           that
           you
           will
           retract
           your
           Censure
           ,
           and
           find
           that
           I
           have
           meddled
           with
           his
           Person
           as
           little
           as
           was
           possible
           .
           He
           is
           in
           some
           places
           so
           Obscene
           that
           there
           is
           no
           coming
           near
           him
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           made
           all
           possible
           hast
           to
           rid
           my
           imagination
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           paultry
           Trash
           that
           he
           gathers
           together
           .
        
         
           The
           Bookseller
           was
           willing
           to
           Print
           a
           Sheet
           or
           two
           more
           than
           the
           Letter
           that
           I
           address'd
           to
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           gave
           him
           some
           Propositions
           that
           are
           extracted
           out
           of
           such
           Books
           as
           are
           most
           in
           Vogue
           amongst
           the
           Scotch
           Presbyterians
           ,
           that
           the
           Reader
           might
           have
           a
           sample
           of
           their
           Moral
           Theology
           with
           regard
           to
           
             Obedience
             ,
             Government
          
           ,
           and
           Subjection
           .
           To
           which
           I
           have
           added
           a
           Letter
           ,
           written
           from
           the
           Tolbooth
           of
           Edinburgh
           by
           the
           Famous
           Assassin
           Mr.
           
             James
             Mitchel
          
           ,
           who
           endeavours
           to
           prove
           from
           several
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           he
           ought
           to
           kill
           Dr.
           
             Sharp
             ,
             Lord
             Archbishop
             of
             St.
             Andrews
             .
          
           In
           short
           ,
           to
           use
           the
           words
           of
           a
           
             Great
             Man
             ,
             Rebellion
             is
             the
             Soul
             of
             the
             Kirk
             .
          
           And
           though
           we
           had
           not
           known
           the
           History
           of
           that
           Parliament
           Anno
           1645.
           
           (
           So
           they
           call'd
           the
           bloody
           Meeting
           at
           St.
           Andrews
           )
           we
           have
           later
           Instances
           of
           their
           Arbitrary
           and
           Tyrannical
           Malice
           against
           the
           better
           half
           
           of
           the
           Nation
           .
           Their
           very
           Patrons
           are
           asham'd
           of
           them
           (
           not
           through
           any
           ingenuous
           remorse
           )
           but
           because
           their
           bare
           fac'd
           Villanies
           are
           frequently
           expos'd
           .
           I
           think
           the
           following
           Letter
           needs
           no
           other
           Preface
           than
           what
           is
           already
           hinted
           by
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
          
           
             Your
             humble
             Servant
             ,
             S.
             W.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             THE
             Occasion
             of
             this
             Letter
          
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           
             the
             Author
             of
             two
             or
             three
             Scurrilous
             and
             abusive
             Pamphlets
             against
             the
             Kings
             ,
             Parliaments
             ,
             Laws
             ,
             Nobility
             ,
             and
             Clergy
             of
          
           Scotland
           Page
           1
        
         
           
             His
             Rage
             and
             Passion
             against
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             Apology
             for
             the
             Clergy
             of
          
           Scotland
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             Challenge
             fairly
             embrac'd
             .
             The
             Author
             of
             this
             Defence
             undertakes
             to
             prove
             that
             there
             is
             not
             a
             good
             Consequence
             in
             Mr.
          
           Ridpath
           
             's
             Books
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
          
           p.
           2
        
         
           
             The
             Character
             bestowed
             upon
             Mr.
          
           Rutherford
           
             by
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             Apology
             ,
             no
             justifiable
             ground
             of
             Mr.
          
           Ridpath
           
             's
             clamourous
             bawling
             against
             the
             Learn'd
             Advocate
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           ●●●path
           
             's
             accusation
             against
             Sir
          
           George
           Mackenzie
           
             in
             the
             case
             of
          
           C.
           of
           C.
           
             founded
             only
             on
             his
             own
             Petulance
             and
             Malice
          
           p.
           3
        
         
           
             Ridiculous
             advices
             to
             the
             Ministers
             of
             State
             in
          
           England
           ,
           
             and
             his
             Civilities
             to
             K.
          
           W.
           
             and
             Q.
          
           M.
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             imitation
             of
             the
             famous
             Presbyterian
             Buffoon
             Dr.
          
           Bastwick
           ,
           
             when
             he
             reviles
             the
             present
             Clergy
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           Scotland
           p.
           4
        
         
           
             His
             impudence
             in
             charging
             the
             Archbishop
             of
          
           Glasgow
           
             with
             so
             many
             unheard
             of
             Crimes
          
           p.
           5
        
         
           
             His
             Vanity
             in
             thinking
             that
             his
             Books
             do
             greater
             Feats
             than
             the
             other
             Scriblings
             of
             his
             Party
          
           p.
           6
        
         
           
             His
             Civilities
             to
             the
             Clergy
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ;
           
             and
             his
             particular
             Forgeries
             against
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             Apology
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             Critical
             Skill
             examin'd
             .
             And
             his
             officious
             interposal
             in
             the
             Defence
             of
             Mr.
          
           Rule
           
             further
             Chastis'd
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             Train
             of
             many
             impertinent
             Lies
             together
             against
             Dr.
          
           Monro
           expos'd
           p.
           7
        
         
           
             His
             stupid
             ignorance
             in
             the
             History
             of
             the
             first
             Reformation
             of
          
           Scotland
           ;
           
             and
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             first
             Reformers
          
           p.
           8
        
         
         
           
             His
             Feeble
             attempts
             to
             prove
             the
             Divine
             Right
             of
             Presbytery
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             abominable
             Lies
             in
             charging
             the
             Government
             with
             unheard
             of
             Cruelties
          
           p.
           9
        
         
           The
           Cameronians
           
             prov'd
             to
             be
             the
             most
             zealous
             Presbyterians
             .
             And
             Mr.
          
           Radpath
           
             's
             Argument
             against
             their
             Authority
             ,
             prov'd
             from
             Presbyterian
             Principles
             to
             be
             no
             Argument
             at
             all
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           His
           Argumentum
           ad
           hominem
           
             from
             the
             Viscount
             of
          
           Dundee
           
             's
             Practices
             proves
             no
             more
             than
             that
             he
             is
             ignorant
             in
             the
             first
             Elements
             of
             Logick
          
           p.
           10
        
         
           
             His
             comparison
             between
             the
             Practices
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ,
           
             and
             those
             of
             the
          
           Scotch
           
             Presbyterians
             ,
             scandalous
             and
             impertinent
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             Presbyterians
             more
             cruel
             and
             barbarous
             than
             any
             other
             People
             .
             This
             prov'd
             by
             a
             memorable
             instance
             in
             the
             year
          
           1645.
           p.
           11
        
         
           
             The
             Covenanters
             less
             skilful
             than
             the
             Inquisitors
             ,
             but
             equally
             Cruel
          
           p.
           11
        
         
           
             His
             ignorance
             further
             expos'd
          
           p.
           12
        
         
           
             The
             Dr.
             us'd
             no
             Equivocation
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             that
             the
             Covenant
             was
             rigorously
             impos'd
             upon
             Children
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             This
             prov'd
             by
             an
             Act
             of
             the
          
           Gen.
           Ass
           .
           1648.
           p.
           13
        
         
           
             The
             Charge
             of
             Equivocation
             disprov'd
             and
             retorted
          
           p.
           14
           ,
           15
        
         
           
             The
             Practice
             of
             the
             Episcopal
             Clergy
             in
             exposing
             the
             Presbyterians
             ,
             vindicated
             from
             Levity
             and
             Profanity
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           The
           Cameronians
           
             the
             most
             active
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             consequential
             Presbyterians
          
           p.
           16
        
         
           
             His
             derivation
             of
             the
             Word
             Enthusiasm
             ,
             compar'd
             with
             such
             another
             Critical
             Essay
             of
             a
             Bedlamite
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Acts
             of
             the
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             especially
             those
             of
          
           48
           ,
           and
           49
           ,
           
             do
             sufficiently
             Vindicate
             K.
          
           Ch.
           2.
           
             from
             all
             imputations
             of
             rigor
             and
             cruelty
          
           p.
           17
        
         
           Sir
           George
           Mackenzie
           
             gave
             a
             true
             Narrative
             of
             the
             first
             Rise
             and
             Occasion
             of
             those
             Laws
             that
             the
             Presbyterians
             complain
             of
          
           p.
           18
        
         
           
             One
             of
             the
             Pedling
             Scribles
             in
             favours
             of
             Presbytery
             ,
             his
          
           
           
             weakness
             ,
             silliness
             and
             ignorance
             ,
             fairly
             expos'd
             in
             some
             Particulars
          
           p.
           18
           ,
           19
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           
             's
             Lies
          
           ,
           viz.
           
             that
             Sir
          
           Geo.
           Mackenzie
           persecuted
           Hamilton
           of
           Hallside
           ,
           
             refuted
             by
          
           Hallside
           himself
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             No
             Laws
             made
             against
             Presbyterians
             as
             such
             ,
             but
             against
             Seditions
             ,
             Tumults
             ,
             and
             Insurrections
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             method
             of
             answering
             Arguments
             by
             suppressing
             such
             Words
             ,
             upon
             which
             their
             strength
             depends
          
           p.
           19
           ,
           20
        
         
           
             The
             Presbyterians
             in
             general
             charg'd
             with
             Rebellious
             Principles
             and
             Practices
             .
             This
             made
             good
             against
             the
             whiffling
             exceptions
             and
             evasions
             of
             Mr.
          
           Ridpath
           p.
           21
        
         
           
             The
             King
             and
             Parliament
             did
             not
             consider
             them
             as
             Presbyterians
             ,
             but
             as
             stubborn
             and
             incorrigible
             Rebels
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Majority
             of
             the
             People
             for
             the
             Episcopal
             Clergy
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             rude
             and
             inconsiderable
             Lies
             against
             the
             Earl
             of
          
           Airly
           ,
           
             and
             the
             Laird
             of
          
           Meldrum
           p.
           22
        
         
           
             The
             Doctrine
             of
             Passive
             Obedience
             fairly
             stated
             and
             defended
          
           p.
           23
           ,
           24
        
         
           
             The
             Presbyterian
             Exceptions
             disprov'd
             and
             retorted
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           
             's
             incurable
             infelicity
             in
             mistaking
             true
             Sense
             for
             Contradictions
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Writings
             of
             Mr.
          
           Rutherford
           
             prov'd
             obscure
             ,
             and
             Mr.
          
           Ridpath
           
             invited
             to
             defend
             them
          
           p.
           25
           ,
           26
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           
             's
             impudence
             in
             denying
             the
             Blasphemies
             that
             are
             to
             be
             seen
             in
             Mr.
          
           Rule
           
             's
             Books
          
           p.
           26
           ,
           27
        
         
           
             His
             blustering
             ignorance
             further
             expos'd
          
           p.
           28
        
         
           
             The
             Presbyterians
             prov'd
             to
             be
             the
             first
             aggressors
             in
             the
             Trade
             of
             Libelling
             ,
             and
             the
             only
             experienc'd
             Practitioners
          
           p.
           28
           ,
           29
           ,
           30
        
         
           
             The
             additional
             accusations
             against
             Dr.
          
           Monro
           
             proves
             no
             more
             than
             Mr.
          
           Ridpath
           
             's
             wickedness
             and
             malice
          
           p.
           30
           ,
           31
        
         
           
             The
             Murder
             of
             Archbishop
          
           Sharp
           
             prov'd
             to
             be
             the
             result
             of
             Presbyterian
             Principles
          
           p.
           32
        
         
           
             The
             Presbyterians
             by
             their
             Principles
             not
             oblig'd
             to
             Forms
          
           p.
           33
        
         
           
             The
             Charge
             of
             Pedantry
             brought
             against
             the
             Doctor
             disprov'd
             and
             retorted
          
           p.
           33
           ,
           34
           ,
           35
        
         
           
             Our
             Ecclesiastical
             Superiors
             did
             not
             connive
             at
             the
             Faults
             of
             the
          
           
           
             Subordinate
             Clergy
             ,
             tho
             they
             proceeded
             against
             such
             as
             were
             complain'd
             of
             by
             the
             Orderly
             and
             tedious
             Methods
             of
             the
             Law
          
           p.
           35
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           
             further
             chastis'd
             for
             his
             ignorance
             in
             the
             History
             and
             Principles
             of
             the
             Presbyterians
          
           p.
           35
           ,
           36
        
         
           
             His
             ungovernable
             Malice
             against
             Dr.
          
           Canaties
           
             in
             many
             rude
             and
             impertinent
             efforts
             canvass'd
             aad
             examin'd
          
           p.
           37
        
         
           
             His
             willful
             and
             affected
             mistake
             of
             the
             Author
             of
             the
             Postscripts
             meaning
          
           p.
           38
        
         
           
             His
             ignorance
             of
             a
             formal
             Contradiction
          
           p.
           39
        
         
           
             The
             Presbyterians
             accuse
             all
             Men
             of
             plotting
             against
             the
             Government
             ,
             because
             plotting
             is
             their
             only
             Element
          
           p.
           40
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           
             's
             Hypocrisie
             ,
             wishing
             ,
             that
             both
             Parties
             may
             be
             tender
             of
             one
             another
             ,
             when
             his
             Practice
             in
             the
             next
             Line
             confutes
             all
             his
             pretences
             of
             Piety
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             common
             Topick
             to
             justifie
             his
             Calumnies
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             That
             he
             does
             not
             know
             what
             he
             writes
             to
             be
             false
             ,
             further
             expos'd
             and
             ridicul'd
          
           Ibid.
           
        
         
           
             His
             Ignorance
             in
             opposing
             the
             knowledge
             of
             Arms
             to
             the
             Liberal
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
          
           p.
           41
           ,
           42
        
         
           
             The
             charge
             against
             the
             Clergy
             of
             Stealing
             their
             Sermons
             retorted
             upon
             an
             Impudent
             Presbyterian
             Plagiary
          
           p.
           42
           ,
           43
        
         
           
             His
             Vanity
             and
             Ignorance
             further
             Chastis'd
          
           p.
           43
           ,
           44
        
         
           
             His
             affectation
             of
             Theology
             ,
             Logick
             and
             Wit
             ,
             expos'd
             by
             plain
             and
             palpable
             instances
          
           p.
           45
           ,
           46
        
         
           
             His
             Catalogue
             of
             Cruelties
             and
             Treacheries
             paralell'd
          
           p.
           47
           ,
           48
           ,
           49.
           
        
         
           
             Another
             Objection
             against
             the
             Bishops
             of
          
           Scotland
           consider'd
           p.
           51
           ,
           52
           ,
           53
        
         
           
             Several
             Certificates
             and
             Letters
             in
             favours
             of
             the
             Calumniated
             Clergy
          
           p.
           55
           ,
           56
           ,
           57
           ,
           58
           ,
           59
           ,
           60
           ,
           61
           ,
           62
           ,
           63
           ,
           64
           ,
           65
           ,
           66
        
         
           
             Several
             Propositions
             extracted
             out
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             Books
          
           p.
           68
           ,
           69
           ,
           70
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Mr.
           James
           Mitchel
           
             the
             famous
             Assassin
             his
             Letter
             .
             Justifying
             from
             Scripture
             his
             Villanous
             attempt
             to
             Murder
             the
             Archbishop
             of
             St.
          
           Andrews
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             Mr.
             Ridpath
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           good
           information
           from
           several
           Persons
           of
           known
           integrity
           here
           at
           London
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           the
           Author
           of
           two
           abusive
           Pamphlets
           by
           which
           you
           endeavour
           to
           defame
           our
           Kings
           ,
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           Nobles
           ,
           such
           as
           we
           had
           in
           Scotland
           before
           the
           Revolution
           .
           Our
           Kings
           were
           perjured
           Tyrants
           ,
           and
           K.
           Charles
           II.
           knew
           that
           he
           himself
           
             had
             forfeited
             his
             Title
             to
             the
             Crown
          
           *
           .
           Our
           Parliaments
           were
           but
           
             pack'd
             Clubs
          
           ,
           a
           company
           of
           slavish
           Parasites
           ,
           that
           contributed
           all
           they
           could
           to
           the
           ruin
           of
           our
           Liberties
           ,
           Civil
           and
           Religious
           ;
           and
           consequently
           our
           Nobility
           can
           deserve
           no
           better
           Character
           ,
           who
           made
           so
           great
           a
           Figure
           in
           all
           our
           Parliaments
           .
           As
           for
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           whether
           Bishops
           or
           Presbyters
           ,
           you
           give
           them
           so
           many
           names
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           wonder
           you
           did
           not
           think
           such
           a
           despicable
           company
           of
           men
           below
           your
           Notice
           .
        
         
           The
           Book
           which
           you
           call
           your
           Continuation
           ,
           most
           of
           it
           is
           levelled
           against
           one
           particular
           man
           ;
           and
           when
           I
           undertake
           his
           Defence
           (
           if
           that
           be
           necessary
           )
           I
           find
           that
           the
           reading
           over
           your
           book
           ,
           and
           transcribing
           so
           many
           parts
           of
           it
           was
           all
           the
           toil
           I
           was
           likely
           to
           undergo
           ,
           and
           tho
           you
           call
           him
           whom
           you
           fancy
           to
           be
           your
           Adversary
           
             a
             man
             of
             ungovernable
             passion
          
           ;
           yet
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           that
           he
           could
           not
           but
           be
           mad
           to
           the
           last
           degree
           ,
           if
           he
           were
           angry
           at
           the
           names
           you
           give
           him
           ,
           since
           they
           of
           the
           first
           quality
           in
           Europe
           ,
           have
           no
           fairer
           quarter
           at
           your
           hands
           ;
           
             A
             Scribler
             .
             a
             Pedant
             ,
             a
             Hawker
             ,
             a
             Villain
             ,
             an
             Ass
             ,
             an
             Ignoramus
             ,
             a
             Blunderer
             ,
          
           are
           all
           of
           them
           words
           that
           he
           can
           hear
           with
           patience
           ,
           when
           his
           Superiours
           are
           not
           better
           treated
           .
           One
           may
           modestly
           conclude
           that
           you
           are
           very
           angry
           ,
           and
           that
           's
           a
           greater
           punishment
           than
           any
           of
           your
           Adversaries
           can
           inflict
           upon
           you
           .
           The
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Postscript
             to
             the
             Apology
             for
             the
             Clergy
             of
             Scotland
             ,
          
           told
           you
           already
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           not
           at
           all
           concerned
           in
           that
           Scuffle
           between
           you
           and
           your
           Antagonist
           ,
           nor
           is
           he
           likely
           to
           offer
           his
           mediation
           to
           end
           your
           Debate
           ;
           and
           he
           is
           still
           of
           the
           opinion
           ,
           that
           he
           can
           employ
           his
           time
           better
           than
           to
           read
           again
           your
           Answer
           ,
           or
           the
           Book
           that
           occasioned
           it
           .
           His
           Postscript
           is
           a
           short
           Epistolary
           account
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           or
           rather
           a
           Character
           of
           the
           present
           methods
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           in
           imitation
           of
           their
           Predecessors
           ,
           than
           any
           particular
           view
           of
           your
           Book
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           content
           that
           you
           impute
           this
           to
           his
           ignorance
           or
           weakness
           or
           what
           else
           you
           please
           to
           call
           it
           .
           It
           is
           very
           odd
           that
           you
           should
           think
           that
           you
           have
           power
           to
           summon
           any
           body
           to
           the
           Press
           when
           you
           please
           ,
           even
           when
           you
           lurk
           behind
           the
           Curtains
           .
           You
           
           take
           it
           for
           granted
           that
           Dr.
           M.
           —
           was
           the
           Author
           of
           that
           Postscript
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           you
           hit
           right
           enough
           ;
           yet
           tho
           your
           Party
           be
           lashed
           in
           it
           with
           some
           severity
           ,
           he
           takes
           no
           great
           pleasure
           in
           medling
           with
           particular
           men
           further
           than
           necessity
           constrains
           .
        
         
           He
           said
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           not
           
             a
             good
             consequence
             in
             your
             Book
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
          
           ;
           this
           could
           not
           but
           provoke
           a
           man
           of
           your
           courage
           and
           mettle
           .
           By
           
             a
             Consequence
          
           ,
           I
           humbly
           think
           he
           understood
           a
           truth
           deduced
           from
           true
           and
           solid
           Principles
           that
           overthrows
           the
           common
           cause
           of
           Episcopacy
           ,
           or
           the
           reputation
           of
           those
           men
           whom
           you
           asperse
           ,
           I
           mean
           such
           of
           the
           Clergy
           who
           were
           never
           under
           any
           publick
           censure
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           He
           told
           you
           likewise
           that
           he
           had
           no
           inclination
           particularly
           to
           examine
           the
           imaginary
           contradictions
           that
           you
           charge
           your
           Enemy
           with
           ,
           and
           now
           I
           give
           you
           the
           reason
           ,
           partly
           because
           the
           Theme
           ,
           as
           you
           manage
           it
           ,
           yields
           no
           edification
           ,
           partly
           because
           the
           publick
           is
           not
           at
           all
           concerned
           to
           read
           such
           Libels
           and
           altercations
           ,
           and
           he
           gives
           you
           liberty
           to
           triumph
           as
           much
           as
           you
           please
           upon
           this
           Head
           :
           but
           if
           your
           honour
           and
           credit
           is
           at
           stake
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           find
           your self
           concerned
           more
           particularly
           to
           run
           him
           down
           than
           any
           other
           ,
           he
           is
           content
           to
           meet
           you
           before
           any
           competent
           number
           of
           grave
           witnesses
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           authority
           may
           mitigate
           such
           excursions
           of
           rudeness
           as
           may
           be
           feared
           ,
           if
           your
           blood
           should
           boil
           to
           its
           usual
           fervor
           :
           and
           to
           reason
           the
           matter
           calmly
           ,
           and
           (
           without
           either
           huffing
           ,
           or
           the
           terrible
           language
           of
           an
           Almanzor
           )
           to
           demonstrate
           that
           there
           is
           not
           a
           
             good
             consequence
             in
             your
             Book
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           you
           may
           excuse
           me
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           in
           your
           last
           Pamphlet
           you
           seem
           not
           to
           understand
           the
           very
           first
           Elements
           of
           Logick
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           incurr'd
           your
           high
           displeasure
           ,
           by
           saying
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           abusive
           Metaphors
           in
           Mr.
           
           Rutherford's
           Letters
           ,
           and
           some
           dark
           and
           unintelligible
           passages
           in
           his
           Scholastical
           Essays
           :
           and
           is
           this
           the
           unpardonable
           Crime
           for
           which
           there
           can
           be
           no
           atonement
           ?
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           this
           was
           no
           reflection
           upon
           his
           Morals
           ,
           but
           a
           plain
           matter
           of
           Fact
           to
           be
           seen
           by
           every
           body
           that
           peruseth
           the
           Books
           that
           are
           cited
           .
           And
           therefore
           this
           could
           not
           at
           all
           justifie
           your
           accusing
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           to
           have
           suborned
           Witnesses
           ;
           a
           practice
           so
           infamous
           and
           so
           wicked
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           confident
           no
           man
           of
           honour
           will
           ever
           say
           any
           such
           thing
           of
           the
           
             truly
             Just
             ,
             and
             Learned
             Advocate
             .
          
           A
           previous
           examination
           of
           Witnesses
           in
           criminal
           Cases
           is
           not
           Subornation
           ,
           but
           precognition
           ,
           practised
           at
           all
           times
           in
           Scotland
           before
           they
           deponed
           judicially
           ;
           and
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           wanted
           not
           many
           clear
           evidences
           to
           prove
           that
           C.
           of
           C.
           was
           plotting
           an
           insurrection
           against
           the
           King
           and
           Government
           about
           the
           time
           of
           
           Argyle's
           rebellion
           .
           You
           may
           read
           the
           elegant
           History
           of
           that
           insurrection
           
           written
           by
           the
           *
           Bishop
           of
           Rochester
           ,
           and
           there
           you
           may
           see
           with
           your
           own
           Eyes
           several
           authentick
           Evidences
           ,
           upon
           record
           ,
           against
           C.
           of
           C.
           and
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           that
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           needed
           not
           that
           Gentleman's
           Assistance
           to
           re
           commend
           him
           to
           the
           present
           Court
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           been
           ambitious
           to
           have
           been
           a
           Favorite
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           told
           C.
           of
           C.
           that
           he
           had
           done
           him
           an
           Injury
           ,
           and
           begg'd
           him
           pardon
           ,
           how
           came
           this
           Confession
           to
           be
           made
           publick
           ?
           if
           he
           to
           whom
           it
           was
           first
           revealed
           ,
           under
           trust
           ,
           spread
           it
           abroad
           ,
           he
           is
           guilty
           of
           something
           that
           no
           Gentleman
           will
           readily
           own
           ;
           but
           the
           plain
           truth
           is
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           never
           told
           him
           any
           such
           thing
           ,
           after
           the
           manner
           you
           represent
           it
           ;
           and
           he
           had
           very
           good
           reason
           to
           expect
           that
           the
           Witnesses
           against
           C.
           of
           C.
           would
           judicially
           depone
           in
           publick
           ,
           the
           very
           same
           things
           that
           they
           asserted
           in
           private
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           please
           you
           may
           remember
           that
           there
           is
           a
           greater
           difference
           between
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           and
           your self
           ,
           than
           between
           Mr.
           Rutherford
           and
           those
           of
           our
           Clergy
           you
           trample
           upon
           .
        
         
           Your
           Advices
           and
           Threatnings
           to
           the
           Ministers
           of
           State
           in
           England
           are
           idle
           ,
           and
           of
           no
           use
           at
           all
           ;
           for
           Ministers
           of
           State
           will
           advise
           according
           to
           their
           Light
           and
           Conviction
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           the
           short-liv'd
           Pamphlets
           that
           fly
           about
           the
           City
           ;
           nor
           are
           they
           likely
           to
           receive
           their
           Measures
           either
           from
           you
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           us
           who
           see
           so
           little
           in
           their
           Sphere
           .
           The
           Presbyterians
           in
           England
           are
           not
           yet
           ripe
           for
           a
           Rebellion
           ,
           and
           they
           in
           Scotland
           can
           do
           little
           to
           disturb
           England
           ,
           without
           their
           Assistance
           ,
           and
           therefore
           you
           had
           best
           forbear
           your
           Threatnings
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           that
           your
           Influence
           in
           either
           Nation
           goes
           but
           a
           little
           way
           .
        
         
           You
           treat
           King
           William
           no
           better
           than
           other
           Kings
           ,
           since
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           he
           is
           prevailed
           upon
           to
           write
           Letters
           to
           the
           General
           Assembly
           that
           they
           are
           not
           obliged
           in
           Law
           to
           comply
           with
           ;
           but
           better
           Lawyers
           are
           of
           another
           Opinion
           ,
           and
           if
           King
           William
           venture
           upon
           such
           Essays
           of
           Arbitrary
           Power
           ,
           in
           a
           little
           time
           (
           according
           to
           your
           Hypothesis
           )
           he
           
           may
           forfeit
           his
           Title
           ,
           since
           he
           has
           none
           but
           such
           as
           is
           twisted
           with
           the
           Divine
           Right
           of
           Presbytery
           .
           But
           indeed
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           think
           we
           had
           Kings
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           before
           we
           had
           either
           Covenants
           ,
           or
           Presbytery
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Claim
             of
             Right
          
           ;
           and
           that
           our
           fundamental
           Constitution
           does
           not
           depend
           upon
           an
           Act
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           tho
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           sometimes
           venture
           ,
           
             in
             terminis
          
           ,
           to
           make
           an
           Act
           against
           an
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           a
           gentile
           Compliment
           that
           you
           bestow
           upon
           Queen
           Mary
           ,
           when
           you
           allow
           the
           Jacobites
           to
           invite
           her
           Father
           to
           keep
           the
           Solon-Geese
           in
           the
           Bass
           ;
           and
           I
           think
           none
           is
           permitted
           to
           speak
           so
           but
           
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           .
           It
           is
           not
           safe
           for
           any
           Government
           to
           suffer
           Buffoons
           to
           treat
           crowned
           Heads
           so
           familiarly
           ;
           whatever
           be
           the
           Quarrel
           between
           Princes
           ,
           this
           Language
           is
           intolerable
           ;
           yet
           some
           Animals
           are
           privileged
           to
           bark
           at
           this
           rate
           .
           The
           Clazomenians
           ,
           coming
           to
           Sparta
           ,
           fullied
           
           the
           Thrones
           on
           which
           the
           Ephori
           sat
           ;
           when
           the
           Ephori
           came
           to
           know
           this
           Indignity
           ,
           they
           bore
           it
           patiently
           ,
           and
           called
           for
           a
           publick
           Herald
           ,
           and
           ordered
           him
           to
           proclaim
           through
           the
           City
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           lawful
           for
           the
           Clazomenians
           to
           do
           things
           that
           were
           unbecoming
           and
           undecent
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           such
           barbarous
           Rascals
           were
           below
           Reproof
           and
           Revenge
           .
        
         
           Two
           of
           our
           Archbishops
           you
           treat
           in
           the
           same
           Language
           that
           
           Dr.
           Bastwick
           ,
           the
           famous
           Presbyterian
           Buffoon
           ,
           used
           towards
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           and
           his
           Collegues
           ,
           when
           he
           tells
           them
           that
           the
           Hierarchy
           came
           from
           the
           Pope
           and
           the
           Devil
           ,
           
             Diabolus
             caccavit
             illos
          
           ;
           
           They
           forsooth
           must
           be
           called
           
             Magnates
             Ecclesiae
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Verity
           of
           the
           matter
           is
           ,
           They
           are
           
             Magnae
             Nates
             Ecclesiae
          
           .
           It
           is
           tedious
           to
           transcribe
           his
           Civilities
           to
           Archbishop
           Laud
           ,
           and
           his
           Venerable
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           refer
           you
           to
           the
           Book
           cited
           in
           the
           Margin
           :
           only
           there
           is
           one
           of
           his
           Complements
           which
           I
           set
           down
           ,
           because
           it
           hath
           in
           it
           the
           mean
           and
           scurrillous
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Party
           ;
           which
           you
           copy
           so
           exactly
           
           that
           one
           would
           have
           thought
           Dr.
           Bastwick
           had
           been
           your
           Father
           ;
           thus
           he
           goes
           on
           (
           speaking
           of
           the
           Priests
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             )
             They
          
           
           are
           
             secundum
             Ordinem
             Diaboli
             ,
             a
             Generation
             of
             Vipers
             ,
             proud
             ,
             ungrateful
             ,
             illiterate
             Asses
             :
             the
             Church
             is
             as
             full
             of
             Ceremonies
             as
             a
             Dog
             is
             full
             of
             Fleas
             .
          
           And
           again
           ,
           
             One
             would
             think
             that
             Hell
             were
             broke
             loose
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Devils
             in
             Surplices
             ,
             in
             Hoods
             ,
             in
             Capes
             ,
             and
             Rochets
             ,
             and
             in
             four-squared
             Cow-turds
             upon
             their
             Heads
             ,
             were
             come
             among
             us
             ,
             and
             had
             beshit
             us
             all
             .
             Pho
             !
             how
             they
             stink
             !
          
           This
           is
           the
           Wit
           and
           Civility
           of
           an
           enraged
           Presbyterian
           ;
           these
           are
           the
           Flights
           of
           a
           Zealot
           ,
           when
           inspired
           to
           the
           heighth
           .
           You
           treat
           Archbishop
           Sharp
           and
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Glasgow
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           Language
           that
           Archbishop
           Laud
           ,
           and
           Archbishop
           Spotswood
           were
           complemented
           by
           your
           Predecessors
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           Letter
           here
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           seen
           ,
           from
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Glasgow
           to
           one
           of
           his
           Friends
           ;
           which
           ,
           some
           time
           or
           other
           may
           see
           the
           light
           in
           a
           larger
           Treatise
           .
           It
           was
           occasioned
           by
           your
           obscene
           Libels
           against
           him
           ;
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           one
           thing
           that
           is
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           provoke
           your
           Curiosity
           to
           see
           it
           ;
           He
           promises
           
             two
             hundred
             pound
             sterl
          
           .
           to
           any
           Man
           that
           will
           prove
           ,
           by
           Witnesses
           of
           known
           Probity
           ,
           any
           one
           Particular
           that
           is
           maliciously
           vented
           against
           him
           by
           your self
           or
           any
           of
           your
           Informers
           .
           Why
           then
           do
           not
           ye
           appear
           openly
           above-board
           ,
           for
           the
           Bishop
           declines
           no
           competent
           Judge
           in
           Scotland
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           He
           thought
           that
           the
           Book
           that
           treated
           him
           so
           barbarously
           had
           
           been
           writ
           by
           some
           of
           the
           fluttering
           
           Damme's
           about
           the
           City
           ,
           whose
           most
           compendious
           Method
           to
           destroy
           Religion
           ,
           is
           ,
           at
           any
           rate
           ,
           to
           run
           down
           the
           Clergy
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           had
           known
           his
           Accuser
           ,
           't
           is
           more
           than
           probable
           he
           would
           forbear
           any
           Vindication
           .
           He
           was
           sometimes
           opposed
           by
           Persons
           of
           the
           first
           Quality
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           had
           been
           so
           wicked
           a
           Wretch
           as
           you
           represent
           him
           ,
           he
           had
           certainly
           
             forfeited
             his
             Life
             to
             Justice
             ,
             and
             his
             Name
             to
             Infamy
             ,
          
           as
           he
           expresses
           it
           himself
           in
           his
           Letter
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           do
           not
           take
           it
           ill
           that
           I
           do
           not
           go
           through
           the
           Particulars
           of
           your
           Libel
           against
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           for
           I
           have
           made
           you
           a
           fair
           Offer
           already
           ;
           and
           besides
           ,
           when
           you
           are
           better
           informed
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           your self
           that
           you
           name
           some
           Persons
           in
           your
           Libel
           ,
           who
           are
           lasting
           Monuments
           of
           the
           Disgrace
           of
           your
           Faction
           ;
           so
           that
           you
           have
           as
           little
           of
           the
           
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Serpent
          
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           
             Innocence
             of
             the
             Dove
          
           .
           You
           may
           go
           on
           and
           accuse
           the
           Bishop
           and
           his
           Collegues
           of
           all
           the
           Crimes
           that
           your
           Predecessors
           charged
           the
           former
           Bishops
           with
           ,
           in
           the
           year
           1638
           ;
           nay
           ,
           which
           is
           more
           ,
           you
           may
           accuse
           him
           of
           all
           the
           Villainies
           which
           your
           own
           Major
           Wier
           actually
           committed
           ,
           when
           he
           ran
           about
           with
           so
           many
           of
           the
           Sisters
           ,
           from
           one
           Communion
           to
           another
           :
           and
           I
           assure
           you
           that
           neither
           he
           nor
           any
           of
           his
           Friends
           will
           take
           notice
           of
           you
           .
           We
           know
           very
           well
           that
           you
           are
           at
           extraordinary
           pains
           to
           gather
           Intelligence
           against
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           but
           all
           your
           Evidences
           hitherto
           are
           of
           no
           Authority
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           You
           think
           that
           if
           Mr.
           
           Rule
           's
           Book
           provoked
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
           Postscript
           to
           
             Undecencies
             of
             Passion
          
           ,
           the
           reading
           of
           yours
           would
           make
           him
           
             stark
             mad
          
           .
           Not
           so
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           we
           may
           sometimes
           get
           a
           more
           deadly
           Wound
           by
           an
           Arrow
           that
           flies
           near
           the
           Earth
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           Thunder
           that
           goes
           over
           our
           Heads
           .
           He
           begins
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           with
           
             downright
             Nonsense
             and
             a
             notorious
             Lie
          
           ;
           but
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Proposition
           cannot
           be
           both
           Nonsense
           and
           a
           Lie
           ;
           one
           cannot
           tell
           what
           to
           make
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           neither
           a
           Lie
           nor
           a
           Truth
           :
           he
           continues
           still
           in
           the
           same
           Opinion
           ,
           that
           the
           Principles
           and
           Practices
           of
           the
           Covenanters
           occasioned
           the
           Laws
           that
           you
           complain
           of
           ,
           whether
           you
           mean
           their
           Practices
           from
           the
           Year
           1637
           ,
           to
           the
           Year
           1650
           ;
           or
           their
           Behaviour
           after
           the
           Restoration
           of
           King
           Charles
           II
           ,
           all
           is
           one
           to
           me
           ;
           they
           overthrew
           the
           Monarchy
           under
           King
           Charles
           I
           ,
           disturbed
           it
           by
           frequent
           Insurrections
           under
           King
           Charles
           II
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           do
           so
           still
           ,
           if
           at
           any
           time
           their
           boundless
           Tyranny
           and
           Ambition
           be
           restrained
           .
        
         
           The
           rest
           of
           that
           Paragraph
           is
           a
           Declamation
           against
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           the
           Clergy
           of
           England
           must
           be
           lashed
           with
           the
           same
           Severity
           ,
           wherewith
           
           you
           chastise
           those
           of
           Scotland
           ;
           and
           in
           your
           first
           Book
           you
           represent
           those
           of
           England
           as
           a
           Company
           of
           
             treacherous
             Prevaricators
          
           :
           
           
           that
           
             the
             Crown
             set
             them
             up
             by
             a
             daring
             Perjury
             ,
          
           and
           that
           
             the
             same
             Party
             hath
             thrust
             that
             Family
             from
             the
             Throne
             ,
             by
             a
             Copy
             exactly
             answering
             the
             Original
             .
          
           They
           are
           obliged
           very
           much
           to
           your
           Civilities
           ,
           if
           the
           
             Family
             be
             thrust
             from
             the
             Throne
             ,
          
           you
           are
           the
           Author
           of
           a
           new
           Discovery
           ;
           but
           I
           leave
           this
           to
           their
           consideration
           who
           are
           more
           concerned
           .
        
         
           You
           are
           diffident
           of
           your
           Arguments
           against
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           ,
           and
           therefore
           you
           will
           take
           more
           effectual
           and
           compendious
           
           methods
           to
           ruin
           him
           :
           for
           you
           tell
           us
           that
           upon
           the
           taking
           of
           Namure
           ,
           he
           was
           heard
           in
           St.
           
           James's
           Park
           to
           salute
           Mr.
           Shields
           by
           the
           title
           of
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           no
           doubt
           in
           view
           of
           a
           Revolution
           which
           was
           likely
           to
           follow
           .
           There
           is
           one
           thing
           that
           I
           thank
           you
           heartily
           for
           ,
           viz.
           that
           this
           accusation
           is
           express
           ,
           particular
           ,
           and
           circumstantiated
           ,
           for
           when
           accusations
           are
           loose
           ,
           general
           ,
           and
           indefinite
           ,
           nothing
           can
           be
           fixt
           upon
           that
           can
           lead
           us
           unto
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           therefore
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           here
           I
           plainly
           give
           you
           the
           Lye
           ;
           I
           know
           a
           man
           of
           your
           honour
           will
           resent
           this
           affront
           .
           The
           affirmative
           part
           is
           your
           own
           ,
           and
           therefore
           common
           sense
           obliges
           you
           to
           prove
           it
           if
           you
           can
           ,
           you
           are
           here
           upon
           the
           place
           ,
           so
           are
           they
           whom
           you
           accuse
           ;
           the
           Dr.
           declines
           no
           competent
           Judge
           in
           England
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           can
           prove
           that
           ever
           he
           spoke
           with
           Mr
           Shields
           in
           St.
           
           Jame's
           Park
           ,
           he
           'll
           acknowledg
           all
           the
           Libels
           against
           him
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           the
           only
           method
           to
           save
           your
           Reputation
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           is
           to
           put
           it
           to
           a
           fair
           Trial.
           But
           I
           perceive
           that
           you
           are
           as
           unfortunate
           in
           the
           informations
           that
           you
           receive
           against
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           as
           you
           are
           hasty
           and
           unadvised
           in
           publishing
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Whether
           the
           error
           in
           
             Scotch
             Grammar
          
           with
           which
           you
           charge
           the
           
           Dr.
           be
           an
           omission
           of
           the
           Printer
           or
           his
           inadvertence
           ,
           is
           not
           material
           to
           enquire
           ,
           he
           had
           rather
           commit
           a
           thousand
           such
           ,
           than
           one
           Latin
           Solecism
           in
           a
           publick
           Harangue
           
             ex
             Cathedra
          
           .
           It
           is
           uneasie
           to
           live
           next
           door
           to
           a
           Grammarian
           .
           Read
           over
           again
           the
           2d
           .
           page
           of
           
             your
             Continuation
             ,
             l.
          
           21.
           or
           the
           5th
           .
           p.
           of
           your
           Preface
           ,
           l.
           30.
           and
           tell
           me
           if
           it
           be
           exact
           Grammar
           .
           It
           is
           impudence
           beyond
           comparison
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           Dr.
           charged
           Mr.
           Rule
           falsly
           with
           speaking
           wrong
           Latin
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           wonder
           to
           me
           ,
           why
           he
           himself
           or
           any
           of
           his
           Friends
           should
           be
           so
           zealous
           to
           defend
           him
           upon
           that
           Head
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           would
           be
           so
           wise
           as
           to
           let
           those
           stories
           alone
           ,
           I
           know
           none
           would
           be
           so
           idle
           as
           to
           revive
           them
           ;
           and
           because
           you
           will
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           forget
           his
           Latine
           ,
           I
           will
           give
           you
           one
           instance
           more
           of
           the
           purity
           of
           his
           Stile
           .
           Asking
           one
           of
           the
           Students
           what
           was
           his
           Name
           ,
           the
           Youth
           told
           him
           so
           and
           so
           ,
           but
           not
           adding
           his
           Sirname
           ;
           He
           asked
           again
           ,
           
             quid
             est
             totum
             nomen
          
           ?
           At
           another
           time
           missing
           the
           Key
           of
           a
           certain
           Box
           which
           is
           kept
           in
           the
           Library
           ,
           when
           he
           would
           have
           opened
           it
           ,
           he
           told
           them
           that
           were
           about
           him
           ,
           
             Nescio
             quid
             factum
             est
             de
             iis
             ,
             habui
             mox
             .
          
           Now
           the
           Affirmative
           is
           mine
           ,
           
           I
           am
           obliged
           to
           prove
           it
           when
           ever
           you
           put
           me
           to
           it
           .
           You
           are
           all
           of
           you
           so
           tender
           upon
           the
           point
           of
           Honour
           ,
           that
           you
           let
           nothing
           pass
           without
           present
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Rule
           himself
           may
           know
           the
           Witnesses
           when
           he
           pleases
           ,
           tho
           it
           be
           not
           decent
           to
           print
           their
           Names
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           accusation
           against
           the
           Dr.
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           cannot
           forbear
           Swearing
           .
           Mr
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           hope
           it
           is
           otherwise
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           but
           an
           Article
           of
           the
           original
           Libel
           ,
           answered
           already
           in
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Inquisition
          
           .
           You
           was
           advised
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           ,
           rather
           to
           insist
           on
           the
           old
           Libel
           than
           to
           trust
           to
           your
           own
           invention
           .
           Moreover
           you
           say
           that
           it
           can
           be
           proved
           ,
           that
           he
           said
           to
           a
           certain
           Minister
           ,
           that
           
             if
             the
             Episcopal
             party
             had
             not
             the
             Government
             ,
             he
             cared
             not
             if
             the
             Devil
             had
             it
             .
          
           By
           other
           accusers
           this
           Calumny
           is
           otherwise
           represented
           ,
           viz.
           that
           
             if
             the
             Episcopal
             party
             had
             not
             the
             Government
             ,
             he
             cared
             not
             if
             the
             Papists
             had
             it
          
           ;
           but
           both
           are
           beat
           out
           upon
           the
           same
           Anvil
           *
           .
           I
           wish
           you
           had
           named
           the
           Minister
           to
           whom
           this
           was
           said
           ;
           the
           Devil
           has
           but
           too
           much
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           already
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           affraid
           that
           they
           who
           publish
           such
           malicious
           and
           indefinite
           reports
           ,
           are
           more
           governed
           by
           him
           than
           they
           are
           aware
           of
           .
        
         
           You
           charge
           him
           again
           ,
           that
           he
           hindered
           the
           printing
           of
           Mr.
           
           Jameson's
           
           Book
           ,
           against
           Quakerism
           ;
           he
           had
           no
           authority
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           nor
           was
           it
           possible
           for
           him
           to
           treat
           Mr.
           Jameson
           with
           greater
           civility
           than
           he
           did
           .
           As
           for
           the
           Oath
           imposed
           on
           the
           Scholars
           in
           King
           James
           his
           time
           ,
           that
           is
           sufficiently
           accounted
           for
           in
           another
           *
           Treatise
           ,
           and
           whether
           you
           are
           satisfied
           or
           not
           ,
           it
           matters
           not
           much
           .
           The
           Objejections
           started
           against
           it
           ,
           were
           but
           the
           Whimsies
           of
           a
           malicious
           Pedant
           who
           knew
           not
           well
           what
           he
           said
           .
        
         
           It
           must
           be
           confessed
           that
           He
           preferred
           the
           
             French
             Refugies
          
           to
           the
           
             Scotch
             Presbyterians
          
           ,
           when
           both
           petitioned
           the
           Town-Council
           for
           the
           use
           of
           the
           
             publick
             Hall
          
           to
           preach
           in
           upon
           the
           Sundays
           .
           I
           am
           not
           obliged
           to
           believe
           ,
           upon
           your
           authority
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           any
           undecent
           expressions
           upon
           that
           occasion
           .
           I
           incline
           to
           think
           that
           if
           the
           Presbyterians
           had
           the
           
             publick
             Hall
          
           of
           the
           College
           ,
           very
           many
           naughty
           persons
           would
           resort
           unto
           it
           ,
           though
           the
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           should
           endeaviour
           to
           hinder
           it
           .
           Now
           I
           would
           gladly
           ask
           you
           one
           Question
           ,
           whether
           ever
           you
           had
           a
           Scholar
           ,
           that
           answered
           you
           with
           greater
           submission
           and
           obedience
           than
           I
           do
           .
        
         
           You
           name
           a
           Person
           at
           the
           foot
           of
           the
           15
           pag.
           whom
           you
           say
           ,
           the
           Dr.
           was
           careful
           to
           vindicate
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           so
           much
           as
           mentioned
           his
           Name
           ;
           but
           Newsmongers
           have
           a
           greater
           priviledge
           than
           their
           Neighbours
           .
        
         
         
           'T
           is
           certain
           that
           the
           
             Scheme
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             Religion
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             they
          
           
           
             differ
             from
             the
             Episcopalians
             ,
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             ungovernable
             Humour
             and
             Rebellion
             .
          
           Now
           is
           it
           necessary
           to
           strike
           off
           the
           
           Doctor
           's
           Head
           for
           this
           one
           Expression
           .
           The
           Presbyterian
           Opinions
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           are
           new
           and
           lately
           started
           ,
           and
           peculiar
           to
           themselves
           ,
           nor
           is
           there
           any
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           that
           ever
           asserted
           Presbyterian
           government
           to
           be
           founded
           upon
           such
           
             Divine
             Right
          
           as
           is
           exclusive
           of
           all
           other
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Polities
          
           .
           The
           
             Church
             of
             Scotland
          
           ,
           which
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           was
           Presbyterian
           from
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           declares
           positively
           ,
           in
           her
           
             Confession
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           that
           
             Church
             Polity
             is
             variable
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Order
           of
           Bishops
           was
           never
           condemned
           by
           our
           Reformers
           ;
           and
           Buchanan
           tells
           us
           expresly
           ,
           that
           our
           first
           Reformers
           were
           so
           far
           from
           being
           Presbyterians
           ,
           that
           
             Scoti
             ante
             aliquot
             annos
             Anglorum
             auxiliis
             è
             servitute
          
           
           
             Gallica
             liberati
             Religionis
             cultui
             &
             ritibus
             cum
             Anglis
             communibus
             subscripserunt
             .
          
        
         
           To
           say
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           should
           be
           governed
           by
           Presbytery
           ,
           because
           Presbyters
           were
           most
           active
           in
           the
           first
           Reformation
           ,
           is
           an
           unpardonable
           Impertinence
           .
           If
           all
           the
           Bishops
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           had
           been
           as
           zealous
           to
           promote
           the
           Reformation
           as
           the
           Bishops
           of
           Galloway
           and
           Argyle
           ,
           would
           it
           therefore
           follow
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Bishops
           had
           reformed
           the
           Church
           without
           the
           assistance
           of
           Presbyters
           ,
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           no
           Presbyters
           in
           the
           Church
           when
           it
           was
           fully
           reformed
           .
           No
           ,
           I
           think
           this
           could
           not
           follow
           ;
           and
           therefore
           when
           the
           Bishops
           own
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           obeyed
           ,
           and
           our
           Reformers
           never
           declaimed
           against
           their
           Order
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           would
           adhere
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
             Calvin
          
           determines
           positively
           in
           that
           Case
           ,
           that
           
             nullo
             non
             anathemate
             digni
             sunt
          
           ,
           who
           stubbornly
           oppose
           their
           Authority
           ;
           but
           
           we
           had
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           Presbytery
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           settled
           by
           Authority
           in
           all
           its
           Pretences
           ,
           until
           the
           Rebellion
           brake
           out
           in
           the
           Year
           1638.
           
           Presbyterians
           we
           had
           ,
           Tumults
           ,
           Combinations
           and
           Factions
           in
           abundance
           ,
           and
           Interruptions
           of
           the
           legal
           Government
           ,
           and
           Parliamentary
           Concessions
           to
           pacify
           the
           Faction
           ;
           but
           a
           total
           abolishing
           of
           the
           Order
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           before
           the
           Rebellion
           in
           King
           Charles
           I.
           his
           time
           ,
           was
           never
           heard
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           otherwise
           contradicts
           the
           
             Series
             of
             all
             our
             Records
          
           .
           
        
         
           If
           the
           places
           of
           Scripture
           that
           you
           cite
           ,
           prove
           that
           the
           names
           of
           those
           Clergy-men
           that
           were
           above
           Deacons
           were
           not
           distinguished
           ;
           yet
           this
           cannot
           infer
           an
           Equality
           among
           them
           ,
           for
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           were
           called
           sometimes
           Presbyters
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           was
           never
           governed
           by
           a
           perfect
           Equality
           of
           Presbyters
           .
           The
           Ecclesiastical
           Senate
           
           had
           its
           constant
           Praeses
           ,
           without
           whose
           Authority
           nothing
           of
           any
           moment
           was
           transacted
           .
           How
           often
           do
           you
           meet
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           ,
           the
           Jewish
           Clergy
           dichotomized
           into
           Priests
           and
           Levites
           ?
           Will
           it
           therefore
           follow
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           no
           High-priest
           among
           them
           to
           govern
           the
           whole
           Society
           ?
           you
           seem
           to
           have
           no
           other
           Notion
           of
           a
           Presbyter
           than
           what
           you
           meet
           with
           in
           your
           late
           Pamphlets
           ;
           but
           it
           was
           an
           honourable
           Appellative
           ,
           bestowed
           ,
           in
           the
           Apostolick
           times
           upon
           all
           Orders
           of
           Ecclesiasticks
           above
           a
           Deacon
           .
           Let
           us
           know
           where
           this
           Superiority
           and
           Jurisdiction
           of
           one
           Presbyter
           above
           another
           is
           forbidden
           .
           It
           was
           established
           by
           God
           himself
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           ,
           let
           us
           see
           it
           repealed
           in
           the
           New.
           I
           think
           we
           may
           leave
           this
           Dispute
           to
           
             other
             Combatants
          
           ,
           who
           may
           have
           occasion
           to
           discourse
           of
           it
           more
           fully
           ,
           when
           the
           Mortar
           pieces
           are
           shot
           that
           you
           threaten
           us
           with
           .
           Only
           be
           mindful
           to
           let
           us
           see
           those
           Epistles
           of
           St.
           Augustine
           to
           St.
           Jerom
           ,
           wherein
           you
           say
           that
           
             Episcopacy
             is
             proved
             to
             be
             of
             humane
             Appointment
             .
          
        
         
           Your
           next
           contains
           a
           lamentable
           Catalogue
           of
           Crueltiess
           that
           you
           say
           the
           Presbyterians
           in
           the
           West
           did
           undergo
           under
           the
           former
           
           Reigns
           ,
           viz.
           that
           some
           were
           
             roasted
             before
             Fires
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           I
           thank
           God
           I
           never
           heard
           any
           such
           thing
           before
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           had
           been
           true
           all
           Christendom
           would
           have
           heard
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           tho
           you
           had
           the
           Aauthority
           of
           the
           General
           Assembly
           to
           vouch
           it
           ,
           you
           must
           excuse
           me
           if
           I
           continue
           in
           my
           former
           Unbelief
           .
        
         
           All
           your
           Bauble
           about
           the
           Cameronians
           is
           neither
           to
           your
           Purpose
           
           nor
           mine
           ,
           their
           Practices
           can
           never
           be
           condemned
           by
           Presbyterian
           Principles
           ,
           and
           they
           may
           be
           the
           Standard
           of
           Presbytery
           as
           much
           as
           the
           Ministers
           you
           name
           in
           that
           Paragraph
           .
           The
           Protesters
           were
           not
           so
           numerous
           as
           the
           Resolutioners
           ,
           yet
           you
           must
           acknowledge
           they
           were
           the
           only
           orthodox
           Presbyterians
           ;
           for
           the
           Resolutioners
           were
           rotten-hearted
           Malignants
           ,
           and
           the
           Protesters
           are
           the
           present
           visible
           Church
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           had
           stood
           upon
           the
           Plurality
           of
           Votes
           ,
           they
           had
           yielded
           to
           the
           General
           Assembly
           against
           whom
           they
           protested
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           fatal
           and
           fundamental
           Error
           of
           your
           Party
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           no
           principles
           of
           Unity
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           a
           plausible
           Protestation
           seconded
           by
           the
           Rabble
           can
           shake
           your
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Original
           Maxim
           of
           Mr.
           
             Andrew
             Melvil
             ,
             Vota
             sunt
             ponderanda
             ,
             non
             numeranda
             .
          
        
         
           Your
           
             Argumentum
             ad
             hominem
          
           taken
           from
           the
           Viscount
           of
           
           Dundee's
           Practices
           ,
           proves
           no
           more
           than
           your
           thick
           and
           palpable
           Ignorance
           in
           the
           first
           
             Principles
             of
             Logick
          
           .
           Nothing
           can
           be
           improved
           as
           an
           
             Argumentum
             ad
             hominem
          
           against
           any
           Man
           ,
           but
           such
           Practices
           as
           naturally
           overthrow
           his
           own
           Principles
           ;
           and
           do
           you
           think
           that
           my
           Lord
           Dundee
           own'd
           any
           true
           and
           indisputable
           Right
           in
           them
           against
           whom
           he
           sought
           ?
           
           and
           if
           upon
           
             his
             Hypothesis
          
           there
           was
           no
           Title
           ,
           pray
           what
           becomes
           of
           your
           
             Argumentum
             ad
             hominem
          
           ?
           My
           humble
           Advice
           is
           ,
           that
           some
           one
           or
           other
           of
           your
           Friends
           may
           teach
           you
           the
           
             Vocabula
             Artis
          
           ,
           before
           you
           write
           so
           magisterially
           :
           and
           you
           'll
           find
           this
           to
           be
           but
           a
           friendly
           Advice
           before
           I
           have
           done
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           whatever
           Proficiency
           you
           have
           made
           in
           Grammar
           ,
           your
           Logicks
           are
           but
           of
           about
           two
           Months
           standing
           .
        
         
           Your
           Parallel
           between
           the
           Practices
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           towards
           King
           James
           and
           those
           of
           the
           
             Scotch
             Presbyterians
          
           towards
           King
           Charles
           11.
           is
           a
           true
           Specimen
           of
           your
           Skill
           .
           We
           know
           no
           such
           Practices
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           nor
           are
           we
           to
           learn
           her
           Doctrines
           from
           Scurrilous
           Pamphlets
           ,
           but
           from
           her
           
             Articles
             ,
             Homilies
             ,
             Liturgy
          
           ,
           and
           Canons
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           Presbyterian
           Cruelty
           towards
           the
           Episcopalians
           after
           the
           Year
           1637.
           
             were
             unparallel'd
             in
             History
          
           ,
           remains
           still
           a
           Truth
           ,
           because
           they
           suffered
           from
           Men
           who
           declared
           themselves
           to
           be
           of
           the
           same
           Religion
           with
           their
           Neighbours
           ;
           the
           Cruelties
           of
           Papists
           towards
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           of
           Infidels
           towards
           Christians
           ,
           and
           of
           Pagans
           towards
           them
           who
           worship
           
             one
             God
          
           ,
           cannot
           make
           up
           an
           exact
           parallel
           ,
           because
           the
           Rebels
           by
           whom
           our
           people
           were
           persecuted
           ,
           pretended
           to
           be
           of
           the
           same
           Communion
           .
           But
           since
           you
           name
           the
           Massacre
           at
           Paris
           ,
           you
           may
           call
           to
           mind
           that
           in
           the
           Year
           1645
           the
           Presbyterians
           
           under
           the
           Command
           of
           General
           Leslie
           ,
           cut
           in
           pieces
           some
           hundreds
           of
           the
           Marquess
           of
           Montross
           his
           Infantry
           ,
           in
           cold
           blood
           ,
           after
           quarter
           given
           ;
           when
           the
           Marquess
           was
           betrayed
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           was
           forc'd
           to
           retire
           ,
           a
           considerable
           body
           of
           his
           Army
           surrendred
           their
           Arms
           upon
           Articles
           ,
           and
           stood
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           directed
           by
           the
           Covenanters
           ,
           in
           a
           plain
           open
           Field
           ,
           having
           nothing
           to
           defend
           themselves
           with
           but
           their
           Nails
           ;
           then
           it
           was
           time
           for
           the
           Presbyterians
           to
           discover
           their
           true
           Intentions
           ,
           and
           to
           let
           the
           world
           see
           that
           no
           Promises
           ;
           no
           Capitulations
           could
           bind
           up
           the
           hands
           of
           Covenanters
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           in
           their
           power
           to
           do
           Mischief
           ,
           and
           you
           are
           to
           remember
           that
           this
           horrid
           Tragedy
           was
           acted
           at
           the
           special
           Instigation
           of
           the
           
             godly
             Ministers
          
           in
           the
           Army
           ,
           for
           Souldiers
           know
           no
           such
           Villanies
           .
           But
           the
           Enthusiastick
           
           Zealot
           who
           preached
           ,
           thought
           that
           the
           Blood
           of
           so
           many
           innocent
           people
           was
           a
           good
           beginning
           of
           a
           through
           Reformation
           .
           He
           chose
           his
           Text
           1
           Sam.
           15.
           14.
           
           
             What
             meaneth
             then
             this
             bleating
          
           ,
           &c.
           infinuating
           that
           they
           could
           not
           be
           said
           to
           obey
           God
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           they
           left
           any
           alivethat
           were
           not
           Covenanters
           ,
           and
           when
           General
           Leslie
           ,
           contrary
           to
           
           his
           own
           Inclination
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           and
           Authority
           ,
           yielded
           to
           their
           Fury
           ,
           he
           asked
           this
           
             Sanguinary
             Enthusiast
             ,
             Mas
             John
             ha
             not
             you
             Blood
             enough
             now
             ?
          
           Compare
           all
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           match
           this
           in
           History
           if
           you
           can
           ;
           not
           to
           mention
           now
           the
           throwing
           so
           many
           Women
           and
           Children
           
           over
           the
           Bridge
           of
           Lithgow
           ,
           without
           either
           Form
           or
           Process
           ,
           for
           no
           other
           Crime
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           followed
           their
           Husbands
           and
           Relations
           to
           Montrose
           his
           Army
           .
           And
           the
           former
           instance
           is
           by
           so
           much
           the
           more
           remarkable
           that
           the
           poor
           people
           who
           were
           murdered
           in
           cold
           bloud
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           Nations
           ,
           the
           faith
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           the
           ancient
           honour
           of
           the
           Scots
           ,
           were
           all
           of
           them
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           laid
           down
           their
           Arms
           upon
           capitulation
           for
           their
           full
           freedom
           and
           safety
           :
           to
           embrew
           their
           hands
           in
           the
           bloud
           of
           their
           Countrymen
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           solemnity
           of
           Promises
           ,
           was
           a
           thing
           that
           could
           only
           be
           acted
           by
           Covenanters
           ;
           so
           that
           your
           instances
           of
           the
           Massacre
           at
           Paris
           ,
           and
           the
           Duke
           of
           
           Alva's
           butchery
           in
           the
           Netherlands
           ,
           are
           indeed
           sad
           abuses
           of
           Supreme
           Authority
           ,
           and
           lasting
           Monuments
           of
           cruelty
           :
           but
           that
           which
           I
           just
           now
           named
           ,
           adds
           to
           cruelty
           perfidious
           treachery
           ,
           such
           as
           blows
           up
           the
           foundations
           of
           humane
           Society
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           ask
           if
           ever
           you
           put
           the
           
             Prelatists
             in
             Dungeons
          
           
           
             to
             be
             eaten
             up
             of
             Toads
             and
             Serpents
          
           and
           if
           not
           ,
           you
           think
           you
           may
           conclude
           that
           you
           fall
           short
           of
           the
           cruelty
           of
           the
           Inquisitors
           .
           I
           answer
           ,
           whether
           there
           are
           Toads
           and
           Serpents
           in
           the
           lower
           Vaults
           of
           the
           Tolbooth
           of
           Edinburg
           ,
           I
           cannot
           tell
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           very
           sure
           the
           
             Reverend
             Bishop
             Wiseheart
          
           was
           almost
           eaten
           up
           of
           Vermin
           in
           that
           Dungeon
           ,
           and
           bore
           the
           marks
           of
           the
           Covenanters
           cruelty
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           evidences
           of
           his
           own
           invincible
           patience
           to
           his
           dying
           hour
           ;
           and
           if
           your
           Covenanters
           at
           that
           time
           were
           not
           so
           ingenious
           in
           inventing
           instruments
           of
           bodily
           torture
           as
           the
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Inquisition
           were
           ,
           yet
           you
           cannot
           deny
           but
           that
           they
           were
           equally
           fierce
           and
           bloudy
           :
           the
           Presbyterians
           were
           only
           acted
           by
           a
           lower
           order
           of
           Daemons
           ,
           who
           had
           not
           so
           much
           light
           and
           art
           ,
           (
           yet
           altogether
           as
           furious
           and
           as
           opposite
           to
           true
           goodness
           )
           as
           those
           by
           whom
           the
           Inquisitors
           were
           guided
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           think
           that
           though
           the
           
           Dr's
           
             Conscience
             be
             prostituted
             to
             a
          
           
           Prodigy
           ,
           yet
           
             it
             flies
             in
             his
             face
             ,
             when
             such
             and
             such
             things
             are
             said
             of
             the
             Covenanters
             .
          
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           am
           now
           pretty
           well
           acquainted
           with
           this
           Noise
           ,
           and
           you
           see
           that
           I
           meet
           your
           loudest
           Thunder
           without
           any
           disturbance
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           I
           return
           to
           this
           Civility
           is
           no
           more
           ,
           than
           to
           advise
           you
           to
           distinguish
           between
           a
           little
           fluttering
           Rhetorick
           and
           common
           Sense
           ;
           when
           ones
           Conscience
           is
           prostituted
           ,
           as
           you
           say
           ,
           
             to
             a
             Prodigy
          
           ,
           he
           feels
           no
           remorse
           at
           all
           ;
           and
           therefore
           his
           Conscience
           cannot
           
             fly
             in
             his
             face
          
           ,
           't
           is
           
             seared
             with
             a
             hot
             Iron
          
           ,
           he
           is
           proof
           against
           all
           light
           and
           conviction
           ,
           altogether
           blinded
           and
           stupified
           under
           the
           power
           of
           his
           Error
           .
           And
           
           if
           the
           Dr's
           
             Conscience
             fly
             in
             his
             face
          
           ,
           he
           is
           still
           within
           the
           possibilities
           of
           being
           recovered
           ,
           but
           you
           must
           treat
           him
           a
           little
           more
           softly
           if
           you
           intend
           to
           make
           him
           a
           Proselyte
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           tell
           us
           next
           ,
           that
           the
           Dr.
           learnt
           the
           
             art
             of
             Equivooation
          
           
           
             as
             well
             as
             if
             he
             had
             been
             at
             Rome
          
           ;
           for
           he
           says
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Covenant
             was
             rigorously
             imposed
             upon
             all
             ,
             Children
             at
             the
             Schools
             not
             excepted
             .
          
           To
           this
           you
           answer
           ,
           that
           you
           believe
           it
           was
           required
           of
           little
           Children
           that
           offered
           to
           take
           the
           degree
           of
           
             Masters
             of
             Art
          
           about
           the
           age
           of
           thirty
           years
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           hoise
           all
           your
           Sails
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           poor
           Dr.
           exposed
           to
           all
           the
           contempt
           that
           a
           silly
           Sophister
           deserves
           .
           Now
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           we
           are
           again
           closely
           engaged
           ,
           and
           if
           I
           do
           not
           get
           the
           Dr.
           out
           of
           this
           mire
           ,
           I
           must
           run
           for
           it
           .
           If
           you
           was
           your self
           near
           thirty
           years
           old
           when
           you
           went
           to
           the
           University
           ,
           as
           you
           seem
           to
           insinuate
           ,
           one
           might
           reasonably
           presume
           ,
           that
           your
           bloud
           had
           been
           colder
           before
           now
           ;
           and
           that
           you
           would
           not
           vapour
           at
           this
           rate
           ,
           when
           you
           had
           no
           reserve
           to
           defend
           you
           ,
           but
           your
           ignorance
           in
           a
           plain
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ;
           and
           therefore
           all
           that
           know
           Scotland
           ,
           know
           very
           well
           ,
           that
           the
           Children
           in
           our
           Country
           ordinarily
           go
           to
           the
           University
           at
           the
           age
           of
           twelve
           ,
           thirteen
           ,
           or
           fourteen
           years
           ;
           and
           such
           may
           in
           the
           strictest
           sense
           be
           called
           Children
           ,
           and
           of
           such
           it
           was
           required
           
             to
             take
             the
             Covenant
          
           :
           for
           my
           part
           I
           never
           knew
           one
           amongst
           them
           that
           arrived
           to
           the
           age
           of
           thirty
           before
           he
           received
           his
           degrees
           .
           There
           was
           no
           Equivocation
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           when
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           told
           you
           ,
           that
           the
           Covenant
           was
           imposed
           upon
           Children
           at
           the
           Schools
           ,
           for
           he
           meant
           it
           of
           no
           other
           Children
           than
           those
           younger
           ones
           who
           entered
           the
           University
           ,
           and
           who
           were
           not
           allowed
           to
           delay
           their
           swearing
           the
           Covenant
           until
           they
           left
           it
           ,
           but
           were
           forced
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           entred
           ,
           to
           take
           it
           upon
           implicite
           Faith
           ;
           if
           this
           is
           made
           evident
           ,
           you
           must
           acknowledg
           that
           there
           was
           no
           Equivocation
           used
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           .
           If
           you
           set
           up
           for
           a
           Patron
           of
           Presbyterian
           practices
           ,
           and
           must
           needs
           hector
           the
           World
           into
           a
           belief
           of
           your
           blustering
           Romances
           ,
           if
           you
           intend
           to
           be
           succesful
           ,
           you
           ought
           to
           read
           more
           and
           write
           less
           ;
           and
           because
           the
           Affirmative
           is
           now
           mine
           ,
           I
           am
           obliged
           to
           prove
           it
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           desire
           better
           proof
           ,
           I
           'll
           make
           you
           amends
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           following
           Act
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                 
                   Act
                   for
                   taking
                   the
                   Covenant
                   at
                   the
                   first
                   receiving
                   of
                   the
                   Sacrament
                   of
                   the
                   Lords
                   Supper
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   the
                   taking
                   of
                   
                   it
                   also
                   by
                   all
                   Students
                   at
                   the
                   first
                   entry
                   to
                   Colleges
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     THE
                     General
                     Assembly
                     according
                     to
                     former
                     recommendations
                     doth
                     ordain
                     ,
                     that
                     all
                  
                   Young
                   Students
                   
                     take
                     the
                     Covenant
                     at
                     their
                  
                   first
                   Entry
                   
                     to
                     Colleges
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     hereafter
                     all
                     Persons
                     whatsoever
                     take
                     the
                     Covenant
                     at
                     their
                     first
                     receiving
                     of
                     the
                     Sacrament
                     of
                     the
                     Lords
                     Supper
                     .
                     Requring
                     hereby
                     provincial
                     Assemblies
                     ,
                     Presbyteries
                     and
                     Universities
                     to
                     be
                     careful
                     that
                     this
                     Act
                     be
                     observed
                     and
                     account
                     thereof
                     taken
                     in
                     the
                     Uisitation
                     of
                     Universities
                     ,
                     and
                     particular
                     Kirks
                     ,
                     in
                     the
                     tryal
                     of
                     Presbyteries
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           Now
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           hope
           you
           are
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           by
           Children
           were
           meant
           those
           young
           ones
           who
           are
           but
           newly
           come
           from
           Country
           Schools
           .
        
         
           The
           word
           Equivocation
           brings
           to
           my
           mind
           some
           practices
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           still
           upon
           Record
           ;
           I
           mean
           publick
           and
           Solemn
           Deeds
           ,
           which
           seem
           to
           justifie
           Equivocation
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           if
           it
           promote
           the
           ends
           of
           the
           Covenant
           .
           It
           is
           nothing
           to
           see
           you
           or
           me
           equivocate
           ;
           these
           are
           the
           failings
           of
           us
           two
           private
           ,
           obscure
           ,
           and
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           but
           to
           see
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           the
           true
           and
           only
           supreme
           Representative
           of
           the
           Kirk
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           shift
           ,
           double
           ,
           and
           equivocate
           ,
           is
           treachery
           and
           hypocrisie
           with
           a
           witness
           .
           To
           make
           you
           sensible
           of
           this
           ,
           you
           are
           to
           remember
           as
           an
           introduction
           to
           what
           follows
           ,
           that
           the
           Covenanters
           who
           went
           to
           Aberdeen
           to
           recommend
           the
           Covenant
           to
           the
           Clergy
           and
           
           Professors
           of
           Divinity
           there
           ,
           told
           them
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           they
           should
           swear
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           yet
           they
           were
           left
           at
           liberty
           to
           Vote
           for
           Episcopacy
           when
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           met
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           met
           ,
           they
           concluded
           
             primâ
             instantiâ
          
           ,
           that
           Episcopacy
           was
           abjured
           in
           the
           Covenant
           :
           This
           prevarication
           is
           complained
           of
           by
           the
           Marquess
           of
           
             Hamilton
             ,
             His
             Majesties
             Commissioner
          
           ,
           in
           a
           printed
           Declaration
           ,
           Anno
           1639.
           
           To
           this
           they
           
           answer
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           not
           expresly
           and
           Specificè
           abjure
           Episcopacy
           ,
           
           but
           only
           generally
           and
           virtually
           ,
           by
           abjuring
           whatsoever
           was
           abjured
           in
           the
           Confession
           1580.
           
           Now
           the
           meaning
           of
           this
           is
           ,
           by
           their
           Covenant
           they
           abjured
           Episcopacy
           virtually
           ,
           but
           not
           specificè
           .
           But
           how
           could
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Assembly
           be
           left
           at
           liberty
           to
           vote
           freely
           for
           Episcopacy
           after
           they
           took
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           if
           Episcopacy
           was
           virtually
           and
           generally
           abjured
           in
           the
           Covenant
           ?
           this
           is
           as
           much
           to
           say
           ,
           as
           ,
           tho
           I
           am
           obliged
           by
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           virtually
           and
           generally
           against
           all
           degrees
           of
           Theft
           ,
           yet
           I
           am
           not
           obliged
           specificè
           by
           my
           Baptismal
           Vow
           against
           picking
           a
           Man's
           Pocket
           of
           his
           Watch.
           What
           a
           juggle
           was
           it
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           Men
           might
           vote
           freely
           for
           that
           Government
           which
           was
           ,
           for
           the
           matter
           ,
           abjured
           ?
           These
           are
           the
           Metaphysical
           Lectures
           that
           are
           to
           be
           learned
           in
           Presbyterian
           Schools
           ,
           who
           think
           nothing
           to
           dally
           with
           Mens
           Consciences
           ,
           by
           the
           jingle
           of
           a
           distinction
           ,
           which
           ,
           at
           bottom
           ,
           is
           but
           Hypocrisie
           and
           Impertinence
           .
        
         
           But
           would
           you
           have
           another
           sample
           of
           their
           
             Casuistical
             Theology
          
           ?
           
           read
           what
           follows
           ,
           *
           in
           their
           Answer
           to
           the
           third
           Reason
           ,
           
             Albeit
             by
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             Prescriber
             of
             an
             Oath
             ,
             the
             Swearer
             were
             tacitly
             bound
             to
             maintain
             Episcopacy
             ,
             five
             Articles
             of
          
           Perth
           ,
           
             and
             such
             like
             ;
             yet
             according
             to
             the
             premitted
             Considerations
             he
             is
             more
             obliged
             to
             the
             reality
          
           rei
           juratae
           ,
           
             which
             is
             now
             declared
             and
             found
             to
             abjure
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           †
           
             nor
             to
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             Prescriber
             ,
             or
             his
             own
             either
             ,
             being
             contrary
             to
             the
             Explanation
             of
             the
             sovereign
             Judge
             competent
             .
          
           Thus
           far
           the
           Covenanters
           .
        
         
           Now
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           name
           any
           one
           Proposition
           more
           knavish
           ,
           hypocritical
           and
           damnable
           than
           this
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Swearer
             is
             neither
             bound
             to
             the
             meaning
             of
             the
             Imposer
             ,
             nor
             to
             his
             own
             meaning
             who
             takes
             the
             Oath
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             reality
             of
             the
             thing
             sworn
             ,
             as
             it
             shall
             be
             afterwards
             explained
             by
             the
             competent
             Judge
          
           ;
           which
           ,
           in
           their
           meaning
           ,
           was
           none
           else
           than
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           .
           Did
           you
           ever
           read
           any
           thing
           worse
           in
           the
           Casuistick
           Writings
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           ?
           But
           it
           may
           be
           that
           your
           Curiosity
           reaches
           not
           so
           far
           as
           the
           moral
           Theology
           of
           
             Escobar
             ,
             Filiucius
          
           ,
           or
           
             Emanuel
             Sa.
          
           Did
           ever
           the
           transcendent
           Power
           of
           Rome
           go
           higher
           ?
           If
           Oaths
           neither
           oblige
           
             sensu
             dant
             is
          
           nor
           
             jurant
             is
          
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           then
           we
           are
           obliged
           ,
           without
           any
           further
           Enquiries
           ,
           to
           submit
           our
           Necks
           to
           the
           infallible
           Decrees
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           tho
           we
           neither
           know
           what
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           nor
           never
           intended
           to
           oblige
           our selves
           by
           them
           .
           I
           cite
           a
           very
           authentick
           Paper
           ,
           being
           under
           the
           hand
           of
           Mr.
           
             Archibald
             Johnston
          
           ,
           Clerk
           of
           the
           Assembly
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Mother
           Kirk
           can
           evacuate
           the
           force
           of
           all
           Oaths
           ,
           Promises
           and
           Subscriptions
           ,
           to
           the
           End
           of
           the
           World
           :
           for
           they
           do
           not
           oblige
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           first
           Imposer
           ,
           nor
           according
           
           to
           the
           meaning
           of
           him
           that
           swore
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Commentary
           and
           Interpretation
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           next
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           may
           pronounce
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           Test
           (
           against
           which
           they
           objected
           so
           many
           sad
           Stories
           )
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           maintain
           and
           support
           Presbytery
           ,
           tho
           we
           swore
           it
           with
           quite
           contrary
           .
           Intentions
           ;
           and
           indeed
           there
           is
           not
           any
           thing
           to
           be
           met
           amongst
           the
           Jesuits
           ,
           more
           subversive
           of
           all
           Religion
           and
           true
           Morality
           ,
           than
           that
           memorable
           Position
           that
           I
           named
           from
           the
           Authentick
           Records
           of
           the
           Covenanters
           .
        
         
           Some
           grave
           Men
           have
           been
           displeased
           that
           the
           Presbyterian
           Fooleries
           have
           been
           exposed
           to
           laughter
           ;
           and
           for
           my
           part
           I
           was
           not
           of
           their
           Council
           who
           first
           assaulted
           them
           in
           that
           manner
           ,
           yet
           those
           Gentlemen
           who
           accuse
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           exposed
           Religion
           it self
           ,
           by
           publishing
           some
           of
           the
           impertinent
           and
           ridiculons
           Bauble
           of
           Presbyterians
           ,
           must
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           learnedest
           and
           gravest
           Divines
           ,
           in
           this
           as
           well
           as
           other
           Nations
           ,
           have
           treated
           Enthusiasts
           in
           no
           other
           manner
           .
           I
           have
           no
           room
           to
           insert
           Monsieur
           
           Paschal's
           excellent
           Letter
           to
           the
           Jesuits
           ,
           wherein
           he
           proves
           ,
           from
           the
           Example
           of
           God
           himself
           ,
           
           our
           
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           the
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           holy
           Men
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           ordinary
           ,
           just
           and
           lawful
           ,
           to
           ridicule
           such
           as
           profane
           and
           pervert
           Religion
           by
           visionary
           and
           fantastick
           Glosses
           ,
           or
           such
           as
           deprave
           its
           Morals
           by
           loose
           and
           scandalous
           Interpretations
           of
           God's
           most
           holy
           Law.
           Must
           we
           be
           said
           to
           laugh
           at
           Religion
           ,
           if
           we
           smile
           when
           we
           hear
           a
           Man
           gravely
           telling
           us
           ,
           that
           
             Abraham
             left
             the
             Land
             of
             Chaldea
             for
             Debt
             ?
          
           No
           ;
           we
           are
           as
           far
           removed
           from
           that
           profane
           humour
           ,
           as
           this
           Commentary
           is
           from
           the
           Gravity
           and
           Authority
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Scriptures
          
           ;
           't
           is
           one
           thing
           to
           laugh
           at
           Religion
           ,
           and
           another
           thing
           to
           laugh
           at
           them
           who
           profane
           it
           by
           their
           extravagant
           Opinions
           ;
           and
           they
           ought
           to
           remember
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Friendly
             Debate
          
           treated
           them
           in
           as
           familiar
           a
           manner
           as
           some
           of
           our
           Party
           have
           done
           ;
           nay
           the
           most
           leading
           Men
           among
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           in
           their
           most
           publick
           Appearances
           had
           always
           something
           or
           other
           to
           provoke
           the
           People
           to
           laughter
           ,
           I
           instance
           in
           Dr.
           
           Burgess's
           Sermon
           before
           the
           
             House
             of
             Commons
          
           ,
           1640.
           the
           fifth
           Motive
           by
           which
           he
           persuaded
           them
           to
           take
           the
           Covenant
           was
           ,
           that
           *
           
             the
             Devil
             himself
             will
             have
             a
             Covenant
             from
             all
             his
             Vassals
             that
             expect
             any
             extraordinary
             Matters
             from
             him
             ;
             there
             is
             not
             a
             Witch
             that
             hath
             the
             Devil
             at
             her
             beek
             ,
             but
             she
             must
             seal
             a
             Covenant
             with
             him
             sometimes
             with
             her
             Blood.
             
          
        
         
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           are
           very
           angry
           when
           we
           charge
           the
           Presbyteterians
           with
           the
           odd
           and
           extravagant
           practices
           of
           the
           Cameronians
           ,
           as
           if
           such
           things
           were
           unagreeable
           to
           their
           Sentiments
           :
           to
           tell
           you
           the
           truth
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           Cameronians
           are
           the
           most
           active
           and
           ingenuous
           Subdivision
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           ;
           they
           are
           the
           Pioneers
           in
           your
           Camp
           ,
           whom
           you
           hug
           and
           embrace
           as
           your
           dearest
           Brethren
           ,
           when
           the
           roughest
           part
           of
           your
           Work
           is
           to
           be
           performed
           .
           Upon
           the
           late
           Revolution
           they
           drove
           the
           Clergy
           out
           of
           the
           West
           ,
           and
           guarded
           the
           Convention
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           considerable
           Services
           (
           they
           'll
           tell
           you
           themselves
           )
           they
           have
           done
           you
           ;
           and
           yet
           forsooth
           they
           must
           not
           be
           allowed
           to
           be
           Presbyterians
           .
           The
           Act
           of
           the
           West-Kirk
           ,
           and
           the
           Remonstrance
           in
           the
           Year
           1650.
           are
           better
           Evidences
           of
           Presbyterian
           Principles
           ,
           than
           all
           your
           little
           whiffling
           Excuses
           and
           Evasions
           .
           Our
           People
           took
           care
           to
           publish
           an
           Epitome
           of
           the
           
             Hind
             let
             loose
          
           ,
           not
           because
           it
           was
           written
           by
           any
           of
           the
           Cameronians
           ;
           but
           rather
           because
           he
           that
           wrote
           it
           ,
           gathered
           together
           the
           
             Publick
             Papers
             ,
             Remonstrances
             ,
             Declarations
             ,
          
           and
           Wrestlings
           of
           that
           Party
           against
           the
           State
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           lived
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           any
           suffered
           hard
           things
           under
           the
           late
           Reigns
           ,
           they
           were
           the
           high-flown
           Presbyterians
           ;
           such
           of
           them
           as
           lived
           peaceably
           and
           modestly
           ,
           suffered
           nothing
           at
           all
           :
           for
           our
           Laws
           never
           forbad
           any
           man
           to
           think
           but
           that
           Presbytery
           was
           preferable
           to
           Episcopacy
           ,
           if
           his
           Opinions
           and
           Education
           led
           him
           to
           think
           so
           ;
           but
           our
           Governours
           took
           care
           that
           the
           Principles
           of
           Presbyterians
           might
           not
           break
           out
           into
           Tumults
           and
           Insurrections
           ;
           such
           as
           formerly
           pulled
           down
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           overthrew
           the
           Fundamental
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           turned
           our
           Nation
           into
           a
           
             Field
             of
             Blood.
          
           
        
         
           We
           are
           very
           much
           obliged
           to
           your
           Wit
           and
           Invention
           for
           your
           
           Derivation
           of
           the
           word
           Enthusiasm
           ;
           you
           prove
           us
           Enthusiasts
           from
           two
           Arguments
           ,
           first
           because
           we
           are
           Drunkards
           ,
           and
           next
           because
           we
           use
           unscriptural
           Ceremonies
           .
           I
           cannot
           deny
           but
           I
           was
           refreshed
           a
           little
           with
           this
           extraordinary
           Flight
           of
           your
           Fancy
           ,
           and
           I
           leave
           it
           to
           all
           impartial
           Men
           to
           judge
           whether
           this
           Witticism
           of
           yours
           ,
           or
           another
           which
           I
           am
           going
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           be
           more
           coherent
           ,
           rapturous
           and
           gentile
           ;
           nay
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           leave
           it
           to
           your
           own
           decision
           ,
           if
           you
           are
           but
           a
           little
           recovered
           from
           the
           career
           of
           your
           Passion
           :
           the
           Story
           is
           this
           ,
           One
           of
           my
           Friends
           once
           persuaded
           me
           to
           go
           along
           with
           him
           to
           see
           that
           sad
           sight
           of
           
             Bethlehem
             Hospital
          
           ;
           as
           we
           entred
           the
           lower
           Apartments
           ,
           we
           drew
           near
           to
           the
           Cell
           of
           a
           little
           grave
           Man
           ,
           whom
           we
           found
           reading
           
             Ovid
             de
             Tristibus
          
           with
           great
           Application
           .
           My
           Friend
           and
           I
           asked
           him
           several
           Questions
           ,
           all
           which
           he
           answered
           very
           pertinently
           ,
           so
           that
           we
           could
           not
           discover
           for
           a
           good
           while
           where
           
           his
           Madness
           lay
           :
           at
           last
           I
           asked
           him
           if
           he
           understood
           the
           Book
           he
           read
           ,
           he
           told
           me
           he
           did
           ,
           and
           convinced
           me
           that
           what
           he
           said
           was
           true
           .
           I
           asked
           him
           again
           ,
           how
           he
           came
           to
           have
           such
           a
           kindness
           for
           that
           Book
           beyond
           other
           Books
           ;
           at
           which
           he
           smiled
           with
           some
           appearance
           of
           Disdain
           ,
           pitying
           my
           Ignorance
           ,
           that
           I
           did
           not
           know
           a
           thing
           that
           he
           thought
           was
           known
           all
           the
           World
           over
           :
           why
           (
           said
           he
           )
           Ovid
           is
           of
           our
           Family
           ;
           and
           do
           not
           you
           know
           ,
           (
           said
           he
           )
           that
           Ovidius
           is
           from
           Ovis
           a
           Sheep
           ,
           and
           the
           Butchers
           take
           Ovis
           by
           the
           Neck
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           began
           his
           Book
           
             de
             Tristibus
          
           ,
           with
           Parve
           nec
           invidio
           ;
           from
           all
           this
           he
           concluded
           that
           Ovid
           was
           of
           his
           Family
           ;
           and
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           he
           argued
           as
           wisely
           as
           you
           do
           to
           prove
           us
           Enthusiasts
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           said
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Acts
             of
             the
             General
             Assembly
          
           did
           
             sufficiently
             vindicate
             King
          
           Charles
           II.
           
             and
             his
             Ministers
             of
             State
             from
             any
             Shadow
             of
             Rigour
             or
             Cruelty
          
           ;
           but
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           that
           he
           meant
           other
           Acts
           than
           those
           you
           guess
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           a
           sad
           thing
           to
           have
           to
           do
           with
           such
           an
           Adversary
           as
           you
           ;
           it
           appears
           that
           you
           have
           a
           very
           good
           Opinion
           of
           your self
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           not
           a
           Quality
           more
           essential
           to
           a
           Presbyterian
           than
           Pride
           and
           Vanity
           ,
           you
           have
           not
           read
           the
           Books
           you
           are
           concerned
           to
           read
           ,
           if
           you
           set
           up
           for
           the
           publick
           Advocate
           of
           the
           Kirk
           ;
           how
           came
           you
           to
           guess
           what
           Acts
           your
           Adversary
           meant
           ,
           unless
           he
           had
           cited
           those
           Acts
           particularly
           :
           and
           therefore
           I
           advise
           you
           to
           read
           the
           Acts
           of
           the
           General
           Assembly
           more
           narrowly
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           you
           can
           name
           any
           of
           the
           Papal
           Enchroachments
           upon
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           more
           daring
           and
           ambitious
           than
           that
           one
           Act
           which
           is
           cited
           in
           the
           Margine
           ,
           and
           
           which
           is
           recorded
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           Presbytery
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           see
           that
           I
           have
           a
           great
           desire
           to
           court
           your
           Friendship
           ,
           since
           I
           cite
           the
           Books
           exactly
           ,
           that
           you
           look
           upon
           as
           Oracles
           .
        
         
           You
           tell
           us
           ,
           after
           a
           long
           Declamation
           against
           King
           Charles
           II.
           his
           Government
           and
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ,
           that
           Sir
           George
           Mackenzie's
           
             Arguments
             in
             the
             defence
             of
             his
             Reign
             ,
             are
             all
             of
             them
             built
             upon
             a
             false
             Narrative
             of
             Matter
             of
             Fact
          
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           Rebellions
           against
           King
           Charles
           I
           ,
           and
           II.
           were
           not
           notorious
           ,
           and
           known
           all
           Europe
           over
           .
           The
           Scotch
           Rebels
           laid
           King
           Charles
           I.
           upon
           the
           Altar
           ,
           and
           the
           English
           Rebels
           sacrificed
           him
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           no
           other
           Censure
           than
           what
           is
           obvious
           to
           every
           Man's
           Observation
           .
           Must
           we
           sit
           down
           and
           transcribe
           all
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Protestations
             ,
             Remonstrances
             ,
             seasonable
             Warnings
             ,
          
           and
           Declarations
           ,
           when
           every
           little
           Pamphlet
           is
           answered
           ?
           Must
           we
           prove
           that
           Presbyterians
           are
           Rebels
           ?
           that
           is
           as
           needless
           as
           to
           prove
           first
           Principles
           :
           for
           since
           the
           Covenant
           is
           the
           
             Magna
             Charta
          
           of
           your
           Religion
           ,
           as
           you
           are
           distinguished
           
           from
           other
           Christians
           ,
           why
           should
           you
           think
           the
           Imputation
           of
           Rebellion
           to
           be
           any
           Reproach
           ?
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           gave
           the
           World
           a
           true
           Narrative
           of
           the
           first
           Rise
           and
           Occasion
           of
           those
           Laws
           that
           you
           complain
           of
           .
           And
           we
           are
           very
           glad
           how
           much
           you
           write
           against
           it
           ,
           you
           but
           wound
           your
           own
           head
           ,
           and
           
             kick
             against
             the
             pricks
          
           :
           for
           his
           Narrative
           remains
           true
           ,
           and
           founded
           upon
           the
           Records
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           Progress
           of
           your
           Rebellion
           ,
           and
           still
           unanswered
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           unanswerable
           .
           I
           know
           that
           one
           of
           your
           Club
           wrote
           a
           Pamphlet
           against
           
             his
             Defence
             of
             King
          
           Charles
           II
           '
           
             s
             Government
          
           ,
           entituled
           ,
           
             a
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Presbyterians
             in
             Scotland
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           It
           peeped
           out
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           afraid
           to
           see
           the
           light
           ,
           but
           no
           body
           knows
           where
           to
           find
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           few
           days
           it
           evanished
           .
           'T
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             printed
             for
             Edward
             Golding
          
           ,
           1692.
           
           I
           got
           one
           Copy
           accidentally
           ,
           but
           all
           my
           Industry
           could
           not
           procure
           another
           .
           The
           Author
           is
           a
           very
           accomplish'd
           Gentleman
           ,
           no
           doubt
           of
           it
           ;
           he
           tells
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           very
           first
           page
           of
           his
           Pamphlet
           ,
           that
           he
           left
           
             the
             Law
             part
          
           unanswered
           .
           And
           this
           one
           Expression
           is
           enough
           to
           proclaim
           him
           a
           Fool
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           had
           no
           knowledge
           in
           the
           Laws
           ,
           should
           venture
           to
           answer
           Sir
           George
           Mackenzie's
           Book
           ;
           just
           as
           if
           one
           should
           censure
           the
           Works
           of
           Tully
           and
           Quintilian
           ,
           without
           any
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Rules
           of
           Oratory
           and
           Rhetorick
           ;
           and
           ,
           to
           let
           you
           see
           how
           grosly
           ignorant
           this
           poor
           Creature
           is
           ,
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           King
           Ch.
           I.
           
             when
             the
             Earl
             of
          
           Traquair
           
             sat
             at
             the
             Helm
             of
             Affairs
             ,
             imposed
             on
          
           
           
             the
             Subjects
             an
             Oath
             ,
             commonly
             called
             the
          
           Tender
           ,
           
             with
             great
             Severity
          
           ,
           and
           that
           ,
           
             it
             is
             not
             improbable
             but
             that
             the
             Covenant
             was
             a
             Counter-Oath
             to
             that
             .
          
           Now
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           ask
           you
           how
           any
           Man
           can
           forbear
           smiling
           to
           see
           how
           such
           a
           little
           Shuttle-cock
           can
           assault
           the
           Memory
           and
           Writings
           of
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           ?
           Was
           the
           Covenant
           no
           older
           than
           the
           Tender
           ?
           and
           was
           the
           Tender
           ,
           (
           by
           which
           Men
           were
           made
           to
           part
           with
           all
           degrees
           of
           Loyalty
           ;
           and
           to
           renounce
           the
           
             Family
             of
             the
          
           Stewarts
           )
           imposed
           with
           great
           Severity
           by
           King
           Charles
           I.
           and
           is
           this
           the
           Book
           that
           you
           think
           confutes
           Sir
           George
           Mackenzie's
           Vindication
           ,
           better
           than
           the
           Doctor
           can
           defend
           it
           ?
           But
           your
           learned
           Author
           goes
           on
           ,
           and
           tells
           us
           that
           
             the
             General
             Assembly
          
           (
           I
           suppose
           he
           means
           that
           in
           1638.
           )
           
             did
             not
             throw
             out
             the
          
           
           
             Bishops
             without
             the
             Authority
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             since
             they
             had
             their
             allowance
             for
             it
          
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           that
           threw
           out
           the
           Bishops
           had
           waited
           for
           the
           determination
           of
           a
           Parliament
           :
           and
           when
           Sir
           George
           pleads
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Ecclesiastick
             State
          
           were
           always
           the
           first
           of
           the
           
             three
             Estates
          
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           your
           
             little
             Man
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           this
           ,
           some
           Stories
           of
           Monks
           and
           Culdees
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Church
           was
           governed
           from
           the
           beginning
           of
           Christianity
           in
           Scotland
           .
           
           But
           is
           this
           any
           thing
           to
           our
           purpose
           ,
           when
           we
           plead
           ,
           that
           by
           so
           many
           Laws
           and
           Parliamentary
           Constitutions
           ,
           our
           Bishops
           make
           up
           the
           first
           of
           the
           
             Three
             Estates
          
           of
           Parliament
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           more
           ,
           those
           very
           Laws
           are
           not
           yet
           repealed
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           
             Ecclesiastick
             State
          
           is
           declared
           to
           be
           the
           first
           .
           And
           tho
           in
           the
           days
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           when
           the
           Bishops
           were
           expelled
           by
           Tumult
           and
           Violence
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           
             three
             Estates
          
           was
           split
           into
           two
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           fundamental
           Constitution
           of
           Parliaments
           ,
           yet
           by
           unrepealed
           Laws
           and
           immemorial
           Possession
           ,
           they
           remain
           the
           first
           of
           the
           
             three
             Estates
          
           of
           
           Parliament
           .
           He
           tells
           us
           next
           ,
           that
           
             there
             were
             no
             Bishops
             during
             King
          
           James
           '
           
             s
             Residence
             ,
             and
             consequently
             none
             sat
             in
             Parliament
          
           ;
           and
           must
           we
           be
           put
           to
           the
           drudgery
           of
           confuting
           such
           a
           sad
           Creature
           as
           this
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           Records
           of
           Parliament
           give
           him
           the
           lie
           ?
           And
           I
           speak
           it
           sincerely
           ,
           I
           never
           saw
           any
           thing
           in
           Print
           more
           ignorantly
           writ
           than
           that
           Pamphlet
           is
           :
           for
           he
           tells
           us
           again
           ,
           that
           
             he
             knew
             of
             no
             Persons
          
           
           
             of
             Quality
             put
             to
             death
             by
             Covenanters
             ,
             save
             the
             Earl
             of
          
           Montross
           .
           And
           if
           you
           please
           to
           defend
           your
           learned
           Brother
           ,
           you
           may
           ;
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           if
           I
           am
           not
           constrained
           to
           it
           ,
           I
           am
           resolved
           never
           to
           look
           into
           his
           Pamphlet
           ;
           nor
           do
           I
           know
           how
           to
           excuse
           my self
           at
           the
           Reader
           's
           hands
           ,
           for
           inserting
           so
           many
           of
           his
           lamentable
           Impertinencies
           .
        
         
           In
           another
           place
           of
           your
           Book
           ,
           you
           accuse
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           of
           having
           persecuted
           Hallside
           ;
           but
           this
           Gentleman
           is
           here
           also
           ,
           and
           no
           Man
           can
           speak
           more
           to
           the
           advantage
           of
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           ,
           in
           all
           Companies
           ,
           and
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           than
           he
           does
           ;
           and
           he
           flatly
           denies
           all
           the
           malicious
           Fictions
           that
           you
           have
           heaped
           together
           on
           that
           Subject
           .
        
         
           If
           Laws
           have
           been
           made
           under
           the
           Reign
           of
           King
           Charles
           II
           ,
           to
           restrain
           the
           Fury
           of
           Madmen
           and
           Incendiaries
           ;
           neither
           the
           State
           ,
           nor
           such
           as
           advised
           those
           Laws
           to
           be
           made
           are
           to
           be
           blamed
           ;
           for
           there
           were
           no
           Laws
           made
           against
           the
           Speculations
           of
           Presbyterians
           ,
           but
           against
           the
           Practices
           of
           such
           of
           them
           ,
           whose
           Principles
           and
           Endeavours
           were
           equally
           destructive
           to
           humane
           Society
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           pernicious
           to
           the
           particular
           Settlement
           of
           our
           Nation
           .
        
         
           The
           Paragraph
           that
           follows
           is
           a
           true
           sample
           of
           your
           way
           of
           reasoning
           ,
           
           when
           you
           say
           that
           Nero
           and
           Julian
           the
           Apostate
           had
           the
           Advantage
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           Quality
           ,
           Sense
           ,
           and
           Interest
           .
           But
           I
           still
           think
           that
           the
           Apostles
           and
           
             Primitive
             Christians
          
           were
           Men
           of
           the
           best
           Sense
           ,
           and
           far
           beyond
           all
           their
           Persecutors
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           to
           do
           you
           no
           piece
           of
           Injustice
           (
           for
           I
           disdain
           it
           ,
           and
           one
           needs
           not
           take
           any
           Advantage
           of
           you
           )
           I
           let
           the
           Reader
           know
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           Correction
           of
           your
           
           Errata's
           ,
           you
           advise
           
           to
           dash
           out
           the
           word
           Sense
           out
           of
           lin
           .
           32.
           of
           pag.
           27.
           but
           then
           when
           the
           word
           Sense
           is
           dashed
           out
           ,
           you
           do
           not
           repeat
           faithfully
           the
           
           Doctor
           's
           Argument
           :
           for
           you
           know
           very
           well
           that
           he
           reckons
           the
           
             Quality
             ,
             Sense
          
           and
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nobility
           that
           are
           for
           Episcopacy
           ,
           as
           things
           that
           bear
           down
           the
           noise
           and
           clamour
           of
           all
           their
           Antagonists
           ;
           you
           may
           raise
           Monsters
           as
           many
           as
           you
           please
           ,
           and
           then
           fight
           with
           your
           own
           Dreams
           and
           Imaginations
           ;
           but
           since
           you
           do
           not
           repeat
           an
           argument
           faithfully
           ,
           you
           should
           let
           it
           alone
           .
           And
           what
           followed
           in
           the
           same
           Paragraph
           of
           the
           Postscript
           ,
           viz.
           That
           the
           
             Episcopal
             Nobility
          
           were
           
             men
             of
             parts
             ,
             honour
             and
             integrity
             ,
          
           was
           to
           be
           considered
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           former
           ;
           the
           Characters
           last
           named
           you
           do
           not
           deny
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           how
           can
           
             men
             of
             honour
             and
             integrity
             be
             perjured
             oppressors
             ?
          
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           never
           thought
           that
           Honour
           in
           its
           true
           notion
           could
           be
           separated
           from
           a
           good
           Conscience
           :
           and
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           intended
           to
           baffle
           the
           Calumnies
           of
           their
           opposers
           ,
           by
           a
           compendious
           enumeration
           of
           the
           outward
           and
           inward
           advantages
           that
           the
           Patrons
           of
           Episcopacy
           possessed
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           you
           was
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           answer
           this
           Argument
           ,
           you
           ought
           not
           fraudulently
           to
           suppress
           such
           words
           ,
           as
           contained
           its
           frame
           and
           energy
           :
           and
           I
           am
           content
           that
           you
           call
           me
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           ,
           a
           Pedant
           ,
           an
           Ass
           ,
           a
           Blunderer
           ,
           a
           Villain
           ,
           a
           Lyar
           ,
           and
           a
           Papist
           ;
           if
           I
           tell
           you
           that
           you
           seem
           to
           have
           nothing
           in
           your
           view
           than
           to
           raise
           a
           little
           Dust
           ,
           when
           you
           repeat
           an
           argument
           but
           not
           in
           the
           Authors
           words
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           more
           his
           but
           yours
           ;
           you
           may
           be
           taught
           your
           mistake
           by
           that
           of
           the
           Poet
           ,
        
         
           
             
               Quem
               recitas
               meus
               est
               O!
               fidentine
               Libellus
            
          
           
             
               Sed
               male
               dum
               recitas
               incipit
               esse
               tuus
               .
            
          
        
         
           You
           tell
           us
           next
           ,
           that
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           owns
           ,
           that
           
             Presbyterian
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             Presbyterian
             Jurors
             who
             were
             summoned
             to
             the
          
           
           
             tryal
             of
             Malefactors
             of
             their
             own
             persuasion
             ,
             seldom
             failed
             to
             condemn
             them
          
           ;
           From
           this
           you
           conclude
           ,
           that
           Sir
           
             George
             gives
             himself
             and
             the
             Dr.
             both
             the
             Lye
             ,
          
           when
           they
           charge
           those
           Principles
           upon
           the
           Presbyterians
           in
           general
           :
           and
           this
           you
           say
           ,
           
             discovers
             the
             falshood
             of
             that
             necessity
             ,
             that
             the
             Episcopalians
             pretend
             the
             Government
             was
             under
             to
             make
             such
             Laws
             against
             the
             Presbyterians
             in
             its
             own
             defence
             .
          
           Your
           argument
           may
           be
           reduced
           into
           form
           thus
           :
           Some
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           who
           lived
           peaceably
           at
           Edinburgh
           ,
           blamed
           and
           condemned
           the
           practices
           and
           rebellions
           of
           the
           Cameronian
           Presbyterians
           :
           Ergo
           ,
           the
           principles
           of
           Rebellion
           are
           not
           to
           be
           charged
           upon
           the
           Scotch
           Presbyterians
           in
           general
           .
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           
           here
           I
           deny
           your
           Consequence
           .
           For
           when
           we
           charge
           the
           Presbyterians
           in
           general
           with
           rebellious
           principles
           and
           practices
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           intend
           to
           include
           every
           individual
           of
           that
           persuasion
           ;
           for
           many
           of
           them
           do
           not
           see
           the
           just
           consequences
           of
           their
           own
           Principles
           ,
           many
           of
           them
           have
           not
           courage
           enough
           to
           put
           them
           in
           execution
           :
           many
           of
           them
           may
           be
           naturally
           of
           so
           sweet
           a
           temper
           ,
           that
           the
           felicity
           of
           their
           complexion
           resists
           the
           malignity
           of
           their
           Tenents
           ;
           yet
           notwithstanding
           of
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           Presbyterians
           for
           the
           most
           part
           are
           guided
           by
           a
           Spirit
           of
           rebellion
           and
           ill
           nature
           .
           When
           one
           says
           such
           a
           thing
           is
           true
           of
           such
           a
           Sect
           or
           Fraternity
           ;
           
             generally
             speaking
          
           ,
           he
           does
           not
           intend
           that
           it
           should
           be
           understood
           in
           a
           strict
           universality
           ,
           but
           with
           that
           latitude
           that
           the
           subject
           matter
           will
           allow
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           severe
           Laws
           that
           you
           complain
           of
           were
           made
           against
           such
           Malefactors
           ,
           as
           
             Presbyterian
             Ministers
          
           themselves
           condemned
           ;
           then
           I
           infer
           ,
           that
           the
           Laws
           were
           not
           made
           against
           Presbyterians
           as
           such
           ,
           but
           against
           those
           Rebels
           who
           improved
           their
           Covenants
           and
           Associations
           into
           Seditions
           ,
           Tumults
           ,
           and
           Insurrections
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           that
           those
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           who
           were
           of
           a
           calmer
           temper
           ,
           were
           sometimes
           employed
           to
           reclaim
           the
           Malefactors
           
           to
           their
           Duty
           ,
           yet
           they
           could
           not
           prevail
           with
           them
           ,
           because
           the
           Western
           Enthusiasts
           had
           a
           higher
           opinion
           of
           their
           own
           Preachers
           ,
           who
           were
           Remonstrators
           and
           through
           paced
           Covenanters
           ,
           than
           they
           had
           of
           the
           more
           peaceable
           and
           sober
           Presbyterians
           ;
           why
           then
           are
           our
           Laws
           and
           Governours
           blamed
           for
           restraining
           the
           madness
           of
           such
           who
           were
           thought
           intolerable
           by
           Presbyterians
           as
           well
           as
           by
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           your
           reasonings
           in
           this
           Paragraph
           plainly
           infer
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           had
           nothing
           in
           his
           view
           but
           to
           preserve
           his
           hereditary
           Right
           ,
           and
           the
           peace
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           when
           such
           and
           such
           Laws
           were
           made
           against
           illegal
           and
           tumultuous
           meetings
           ,
           as
           men
           of
           all
           persuasions
           were
           necessitated
           to
           condemn
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           add
           further
           ,
           that
           this
           concession
           of
           Sir
           George
           Mackenzie's
           ,
           
             discovers
             the
             falshood
             of
             that
             necessity
             which
             the
             Episcopalians
          
           
           
             pretend
             the
             Government
             was
             under
             ,
             to
             make
             such
             Laws
             against
             Presbyterians
             in
             their
          
           own
           defence
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           if
           the
           Government
           was
           assaulted
           ,
           and
           the
           peace
           openly
           disturbed
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           plain
           necessity
           to
           make
           such
           Laws
           as
           were
           thought
           proper
           to
           restrain
           the
           fury
           of
           such
           Zealots
           ,
           whether
           they
           were
           Presbyterians
           or
           Anabaptists
           ,
           all
           is
           one
           to
           me
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           say
           that
           Presbyterians
           were
           not
           guilty
           of
           such
           practices
           ,
           then
           I
           say
           there
           were
           no
           Laws
           made
           against
           the
           Presbyterians
           :
           for
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           did
           not
           consider
           them
           as
           Presbyterians
           but
           as
           heady
           ,
           incorrigible
           ,
           and
           stubborn
           
           Rebels
           ,
           who
           were
           restless
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           and
           gave
           them
           perpetual
           disturbance
           .
        
         
           What
           follows
           is
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           with
           the
           former
           ;
           You
           
           tell
           us
           that
           Sir
           George
           says
           ,
           that
           
             the
             hereditary
             Sheriffs
             refused
             to
             put
             the
             Laws
             in
             execution
             against
             Conventicles
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             became
             formidable
             .
          
           This
           you
           pretend
           destroys
           two
           other
           Assertions
           propagated
           by
           our
           Party
           ,
           viz.
           That
           
             Presbyterianism
             is
             not
             popular
             ,
             and
             that
             none
             but
             the
             Rabble
             are
             their
             friends
             .
          
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           all
           this
           proceeds
           from
           your
           incurable
           precipitancy
           and
           ignorance
           .
           For
           some
           
             heritable
             Sheriffs
          
           might
           be
           inclined
           to
           favour
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           yet
           't
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           of
           their
           friends
           are
           among
           the
           Rabble
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           say
           so
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           intend
           to
           say
           ,
           but
           that
           here
           and
           there
           an
           
             heritable
             Sheriff
          
           ,
           or
           a
           Gentleman
           ,
           may
           be
           a
           stiff
           Covenanter
           ,
           and
           may
           differ
           very
           little
           in
           his
           Education
           and
           principles
           ,
           from
           the
           inferiour
           sort
           of
           people
           ,
           and
           if
           at
           any
           time
           we
           say
           that
           the
           Rabble
           only
           favours
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           we
           understand
           that
           Proposition
           in
           a
           limited
           sense
           ,
           as
           all
           such
           Propositions
           must
           be
           understood
           ,
           for
           generally
           speaking
           (
           except
           it
           be
           in
           the
           West
           of
           Scotland
           )
           the
           Presbyterians
           have
           very
           few
           Friends
           among
           the
           Nobility
           or
           Gentry
           ;
           and
           though
           they
           had
           not
           the
           majority
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           yet
           they
           might
           prove
           formidable
           ,
           and
           when
           Sir
           George
           says
           that
           they
           were
           formidable
           ,
           can
           you
           infer
           from
           it
           that
           they
           were
           more
           numerous
           than
           their
           opposites
           .
           At
           this
           rate
           you
           may
           prove
           ,
           that
           High-waymen
           ,
           and
           Robbers
           are
           more
           numerous
           than
           honest
           Citizens
           and
           Subjects
           ,
           because
           a
           very
           few
           of
           them
           are
           able
           to
           frighten
           a
           whole
           County
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           ever
           and
           anon
           told
           by
           you
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           your
           Party
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Majority
             of
             Scotland
             is
             for
             Presbytery
          
           ;
           but
           the
           wiser
           men
           of
           your
           Faction
           think
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           took
           care
           to
           secure
           their
           inclosure
           (
           into
           which
           they
           stumbled
           by
           a
           fortuitous
           concourse
           of
           many
           accidents
           )
           by
           several
           Laws
           and
           barricadoes
           not
           to
           be
           named
           in
           this
           place
           .
        
         
           When
           you
           recollect
           your self
           a
           little
           ,
           perhaps
           you
           may
           acknowledge
           
           that
           it
           is
           not
           wisely
           done
           of
           you
           to
           abuse
           so
           many
           of
           the
           Nobility
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           by
           such
           infamous
           Lyes
           and
           Forgeries
           as
           you
           are
           pleased
           to
           print
           ,
           particularly
           when
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           That
           
             the
             Court
             employed
             bloody
             ,
             cut-throat
             Papists
             to
             ruine
             the
             Country
             .
          
           You
           name
           the
           Earl
           of
           Airlie
           ,
           and
           the
           Laird
           of
           Meldrum
           ;
           't
           is
           true
           ,
           this
           may
           pass
           in
           a
           Coffee
           house
           at
           London
           where
           the
           Earl
           of
           Airgile
           is
           not
           known
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           not
           a
           Scots-man
           alive
           that
           ever
           heard
           that
           either
           of
           these
           Gentlemen
           were
           Papists
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           very
           sad
           stuff
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           and
           any
           man
           that
           undergoes
           the
           toil
           
           of
           considering
           your
           Books
           ,
           if
           he
           knew
           not
           whence
           they
           came
           ,
           must
           be
           guarded
           by
           extraordinary
           patience
           ,
           when
           truth
           and
           innocence
           are
           almost
           in
           every
           line
           so
           boldly
           invaded
           .
        
         
           What
           you
           mean
           when
           you
           tell
           the
           Dr.
           that
           he
           has
           wounded
           
           
             his
             pretences
             to
             Loyalty
             by
             defending
             Sir
             George
          
           Macknzie's
           Book
           ,
           is
           to
           me
           a
           Mystery
           ;
           for
           I
           am
           confident
           that
           you
           are
           but
           very
           little
           acquainted
           with
           him
           or
           his
           pretences
           either
           .
           But
           you
           complain
           that
           he
           did
           not
           answer
           your
           argument
           taken
           from
           the
           consequences
           
           
             of
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           turns
           his
           back
           and
           takes
           no
           notice
           of
           you
           .
           Well
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           it
           is
           but
           just
           that
           a
           person
           of
           your
           valour
           should
           be
           met
           in
           open
           Field
           ;
           but
           you
           must
           not
           conclude
           that
           a
           man
           is
           pusillanimous
           when
           he
           retires
           ,
           unless
           you
           have
           him
           so
           much
           under
           your
           authority
           that
           he
           dare
           not
           move
           a
           step
           without
           your
           order
           ,
           nor
           answer
           any
           thing
           unless
           in
           the
           method
           that
           you
           appoint
           him
           .
        
         
           You
           impute
           all
           the
           direful
           effects
           of
           Arbitrary
           Power
           ,
           to
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           and
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           people
           in
           the
           World
           loves
           Arbitrary
           Power
           so
           much
           as
           the
           Presbyterians
           do
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           hate
           it
           only
           when
           it
           is
           not
           in
           their
           own
           keeping
           .
           If
           by
           
             Arbitrary
             Power
          
           the
           Presbyterians
           mean
           some
           such
           power
           as
           is
           unaccountable
           to
           any
           earthly
           Tribunal
           ,
           such
           a
           power
           there
           must
           be
           in
           every
           Government
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           be
           not
           managed
           by
           a
           true
           Christian
           publick
           Spirit
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           as
           grievous
           and
           intolerable
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           a
           King.
           To
           declaim
           against
           
             arbitrary
             power
          
           ,
           is
           to
           declaim
           against
           all
           Government
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           Government
           upon
           Earth
           but
           exercises
           in
           its
           Supreme
           Judicatories
           
             arbitrary
             power
          
           and
           jurisdiction
           .
           for
           which
           it
           is
           not
           accountable
           to
           any
           but
           to
           God
           alone
           ,
           where
           this
           finally
           decisive
           and
           Supreme
           power
           ought
           to
           be
           lodged
           ,
           is
           a
           Question
           that
           I
           leave
           to
           Lawyers
           and
           Statesmen
           ;
           they
           know
           our
           municipal
           Laws
           and
           Constitutions
           .
           When
           the
           sins
           of
           a
           Nation
           provoke
           God
           ,
           then
           he
           punishes
           them
           by
           foolish
           ,
           extravagant
           ;
           and
           cruel
           Magistrates
           ;
           when
           it
           is
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           is
           pleased
           with
           them
           ,
           they
           enjoy
           good
           Laws
           ,
           peace
           and
           protection
           under
           wise
           Governours
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           all
           the
           remedy
           that
           is
           left
           in
           humane
           affairs
           ,
           against
           publick
           calamities
           and
           disasters
           .
           There
           was
           no
           Meeting
           since
           the
           World
           began
           that
           declaimed
           against
           
             arbitrary
             power
          
           so
           much
           as
           the
           
             long
             Parliament
          
           did
           ,
           nor
           was
           ever
           England
           so
           miserable
           as
           under
           their
           Tyranny
           and
           Oppressions
           ;
           as
           long
           as
           the
           administration
           of
           publick
           affairs
           is
           left
           to
           the
           disposal
           of
           men
           ,
           so
           long
           we
           may
           
           be
           exposed
           to
           
             arbitrary
             power
          
           ;
           and
           the
           former
           must
           be
           as
           long
           as
           the
           World
           continues
           :
           a
           Parliament
           may
           be
           as
           tyrannical
           as
           any
           King
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           are
           thus
           pack'd
           together
           to
           serve
           a
           particular
           design
           ,
           we
           must
           truckle
           under
           them
           until
           those
           Laws
           are
           repealed
           by
           another
           ;
           so
           that
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           thus
           stated
           ,
           is
           necessary
           under
           all
           Forms
           and
           Models
           of
           Government
           ;
           it
           is
           all
           one
           thing
           to
           me
           whether
           I
           am
           oppressed
           by
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           by
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           Judicatory
           allows
           the
           remedy
           of
           a
           Rebellion
           ,
           and
           what
           all
           Judges
           determine
           
             in
             all
             Nations
             ,
             and
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             must
             be
             the
             Voice
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           They
           who
           plead
           for
           the
           Supreme
           and
           decisive
           Authority
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           affairs
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           more
           friendly
           to
           
             Arbitrary
             power
          
           ;
           for
           though
           their
           sentence
           against
           any
           particular
           Clergyman
           were
           never
           so
           unjust
           and
           oppressive
           ,
           yet
           he
           must
           strike
           Sail
           and
           hold
           his
           peace
           ,
           and
           practice
           
             Non
             Resistance
          
           to
           a
           greater
           heighth
           ,
           than
           ever
           the
           
             Episcopal
             Clergy
          
           preached
           it
           ,
           if
           he
           would
           not
           incur
           the
           highest
           Censures
           of
           the
           Kirk
           .
           And
           this
           Spiritual
           Tyranny
           is
           more
           insupportable
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           reaches
           only
           our
           temporal
           concerns
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           content
           without
           any
           blustering
           or
           foaming
           to
           reason
           this
           modestly
           with
           your self
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           that
           you
           can
           name
           ,
           but
           still
           with
           this
           proviso
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           many
           more
           present
           than
           you
           and
           I
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           afraid
           that
           we
           do
           not
           well
           understand
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           therefore
           ,
           if
           ever
           we
           meet
           we
           must
           have
           a
           Moderator
           to
           keep
           the
           peace
           .
        
         
           You
           say
           that
           the
           Dr.
           contradicts
           himself
           ,
           because
           he
           thought
           that
           
           there
           was
           no
           injury
           done
           to
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           in
           publishing
           a
           Book
           that
           exposed
           their
           Fooleries
           ;
           and
           yet
           he
           grants
           ,
           that
           the
           Author
           of
           that
           Book
           
             was
             perhaps
             unwary
             as
             to
             some
             instances
             .
          
           Good
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           contradiction
           here
           at
           all
           ,
           for
           a
           Book
           may
           serve
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           published
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           the
           Author
           mistakes
           himself
           in
           some
           single
           instances
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Author
           now
           adays
           sets
           up
           for
           an
           infallible
           Dictator
           ;
           and
           you
           tell
           us
           in
           another
           place
           of
           your
           last
           Pamphlet
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           to
           publish
           so
           many
           particular
           stories
           without
           committing
           some
           faults
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           but
           you
           have
           a
           very
           good
           opinion
           of
           your
           own
           Book
           that
           you
           last
           printed
           ,
           yet
           I
           hope
           you
           are
           convinced
           before
           now
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Covenant
             was
             imposed
             upon
             Children
             when
             they
             entred
             the
             University
             .
          
           Whether
           the
           Author
           of
           that
           Book
           mistook
           himself
           or
           not
           ,
           is
           not
           positively
           affirmed
           by
           the
           Dr.
           so
           your
           contradiction
           vanishes
           into
           air
           and
           noise
           .
           You
           raise
           more
           dust
           than
           a
           Coach
           and
           
             six
             Horses
          
           ,
           when
           you
           are
           about
           to
           kill
           a
           Fly.
           
        
         
         
           It
           is
           probable
           that
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           may
           be
           chastised
           for
           having
           said
           that
           Mr.
           
           Rutherford's
           Writings
           ,
           in
           some
           places
           were
           past
           all
           human
           understanding
           .
           I
           have
           no
           commission
           from
           him
           or
           any
           of
           his
           Friends
           to
           return
           your
           Language
           in
           Specie
           .
           You
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           if
           Mr.
           Ruhterford
           were
           alive
           ,
           
             he
             would
             have
             scorned
             to
             have
             fouled
             his
             Fingers
             with
             such
             an
             Episcopal
             Hawker
          
           ;
           but
           indeed
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           think
           that
           Mr.
           Rutherford
           was
           so
           proud
           ,
           but
           that
           some
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           
             he
             fouled
             his
             Fingers
             with
             meaner
             Creatures
             than
             the
             Doctor
             .
          
           But
           what
           was
           it
           that
           he
           said
           of
           Mr.
           
           Rutherford's
           Writings
           ?
           that
           ,
           
             in
             some
             places
             they
             were
             very
             dark
             and
             obscure
          
           ;
           and
           was
           this
           any
           such
           extraordinary
           Crime
           ?
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           love
           to
           say
           very
           little
           of
           Men
           that
           are
           dead
           ,
           if
           you
           think
           that
           his
           Writings
           are
           so
           clear
           ,
           pray
           give
           us
           your
           Commentaries
           upon
           his
           second
           Chapter
           of
           his
           second
           Exercitation
           
             Pro
             divina
             Gratia.
          
           2.
           
           Resp
           .
           
             Distinguo
             vocem
          
           (
           verum
           )
           
             quod
             unusquisque
             tenetur
             credere
             ,
             id
             est
             ,
             verum
             ,
             metaphysicè
             &
             fundamentaliter
             ,
             in
             se
             &
             quoad
             eventum
             ,
             concedo
             majorem
             &
             tum
             minorem
             pernego
             .
          
           But
           still
           he
           left
           us
           to
           guess
           what
           the
           other
           Member
           of
           the
           Distinction
           may
           be
           .
           Therefore
           take
           it
           thus
           ,
           
             Quod
             unusquisque
             tenetur
             credere
             ,
             id
             est
             ,
             verum
             ,
             logicè
             ,
             formaliter
             ,
             extra
             se
             ,
             &
             quoad
             non
             eventum
             ;
             nego
             Majorem
             .
          
           And
           then
           both
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           are
           good
           strong
           Nonsense
           in
           all
           its
           formalities
           .
           But
           he
           goes
           on
           ,
           
             Christum
             enim
             pro
             unoquoque
             mortuum
             esse
             in
             se
             fundamentaliter
             &
             metaphysicè
             ,
             non
             est
             verum
             sed
             falsum
             .
             Christum
             pro
             unoquoque
             Mortuum
             esse
             metaphysicè
             falsum
             ,
          
           is
           a
           Phrase
           I
           am
           not
           acquainted
           with
           ;
           and
           if
           one
           durst
           speak
           it
           ,
           the
           Author
           seems
           not
           ,
           (
           notwithstanding
           of
           all
           the
           Flights
           of
           his
           Metaphysicks
           )
           to
           advert
           to
           the
           trite
           distinction
           between
           the
           
             Veritas
             Metaphysica
          
           and
           the
           
             Veritas
             Logica
          
           .
           For
           
             Veritas
             Metaphysica
             numeratur
             inter
             proprietates
             Entis
             ,
             &
             consequenter
             non
             objectum
             fidei
             sed
             simplicis
             apprehensionis
             ;
             at
             propositionibus
             logicè
             veris
             assentimur
             vel
             propter
             testantis
             auctoritatem
             ,
             vel
             propter
             rei
             evidentiam
             :
          
           And
           the
           Question
           is
           not
           
             de
             Metaphysica
             veritate
             hujus
             propositionis
          
           ,
           
           
             sed
             de
             veritate
             Logica
          
           .
           This
           is
           not
           the
           only
           Instance
           that
           may
           be
           pick'd
           out
           of
           this
           Paragraph
           to
           prove
           it
           obscure
           and
           unintelligible
           ;
           that
           other
           Phrase
           
             in
             se
             &
             quoad
             eventum
             concedo
             Majorem
             ,
          
           is
           as
           dark
           as
           any
           thing
           can
           be
           ;
           nor
           do
           I
           remark
           here
           the
           Solecism
           of
           his
           
             Latin
             ,
             quoad
             Eventum
          
           ;
           but
           I
           name
           this
           Exercitation
           as
           unintelligible
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           end
           .
           And
           because
           you
           are
           a
           Man
           of
           honour
           ,
           and
           cannot
           endure
           Contradiction
           with
           any
           Patience
           ,
           it
           were
           a
           more
           gallant
           Exercise
           for
           you
           to
           prove
           that
           this
           Exercitation
           of
           his
           ,
           is
           plain
           and
           solid
           Theology
           ,
           than
           to
           blot
           so
           much
           Paper
           with
           your
           imaginary
           Libels
           against
           the
           Clergy
           .
           You
           fight
           much
           at
           the
           rate
           that
           the
           Tartars
           do
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           driven
           before
           their
           
           Enemies
           ;
           or
           rather
           like
           the
           Dutch
           ,
           who
           are
           mounted
           on
           Horseback
           that
           they
           may
           flie
           with
           greater
           Convenience
           :
           but
           if
           you
           have
           as
           much
           Courage
           and
           Honour
           ,
           as
           you
           have
           Bawling
           and
           Impudence
           ,
           come
           to
           a
           close
           Engagement
           ,
           and
           prove
           that
           Mr.
           
           Rutherford's
           Answers
           to
           the
           forementioned
           Argument
           are
           solid
           ,
           plain
           and
           intelligible
           .
           What
           miraculous
           Feats
           other
           Presbyterians
           can
           do
           ,
           is
           nothing
           to
           your
           purpose
           .
           Add
           to
           the
           former
           Instance
           Mr.
           
           Rutherford's
           Argument
           in
           his
           22.
           
           Chapter
           of
           his
           
             Disputatio
             Scholastica
             de
             divina
             Providentia
          
           ,
           to
           prove
           that
           there
           is
           no
           opposition
           between
           Sin
           and
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           which
           I
           cannot
           now
           transcribe
           ,
           and
           yet
           still
           I
           have
           the
           Confidence
           to
           say
           that
           it
           is
           foolish
           ,
           childish
           and
           frivolous
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           most
           pernicious
           consequence
           upon
           the
           Morals
           of
           Mankind
           .
           For
           if
           there
           is
           no
           opposition
           between
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           and
           Sin
           ,
           
             antecedenter
             ad
             liberum
             D
             E
             I
             decretum
             ,
          
           Men
           may
           be
           brought
           to
           think
           that
           Sin
           is
           not
           so
           odious
           in
           it self
           ,
           nor
           at
           so
           great
           a
           distance
           from
           true
           Perfection
           ,
           as
           the
           Scriptures
           represent
           it
           .
           But
           if
           you
           would
           see
           many
           more
           passages
           that
           are
           unintelligible
           ,
           read
           his
           
             Disquisitiones
             de
             Ente
             possibili
          
           ,
           and
           the
           former
           Exercitation
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           thing
           can
           convince
           you
           ,
           you
           may
           be
           then
           forced
           to
           acknowledge
           that
           his
           Writings
           are
           obscure
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           Doctor
           's
           
           saying
           so
           did
           not
           furnish
           you
           with
           the
           least
           umbrage
           of
           charging
           Sir
           
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           with
           the
           grossest
           Immoralities
           of
           Life
           ,
           for
           such
           I
           think
           the
           subornation
           of
           Witnesses
           is
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           Blow
           is
           for
           his
           Incivility
           to
           Mr.
           Rule
           ,
           that
           
             he
             does
             not
             allow
             him
             the
             Title
             of
             Doctor
             .
          
           Truly
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           if
           he
           wilfully
           made
           use
           of
           any
           other
           Complement
           towards
           him
           ,
           than
           what
           is
           just
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Man
           alive
           more
           ready
           to
           retract
           his
           Error
           than
           he
           ;
           he
           thought
           there
           was
           no
           rudeness
           in
           bestowing
           upon
           him
           the
           Title
           by
           which
           he
           was
           ordinarily
           known
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Doctor
           knew
           not
           the
           several
           steps
           of
           his
           Promotion
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           reason
           why
           you
           can
           accuse
           him
           of
           Incivility
           ,
           and
           the
           thing
           being
           purely
           indifferent
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           been
           better
           informed
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           deny
           any
           thing
           that
           he
           knew
           to
           be
           so
           easie
           and
           innocent
           .
        
         
           Next
           you
           tell
           us
           that
           you
           do
           not
           believe
           the
           two
           instances
           that
           are
           cited
           in
           that
           Postscript
           against
           Mr.
           Rule
           upon
           the
           Doctor
           's
           Authority
           .
           But
           why
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           did
           the
           Author
           say
           so
           of
           him
           barely
           upon
           his
           own
           Authority
           ,
           or
           are
           they
           not
           to
           be
           seen
           both
           of
           them
           in
           his
           Printed
           Books
           ;
           and
           are
           not
           you
           much
           more
           uncivil
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           revive
           Stories
           when
           perhaps
           they
           are
           entirely
           forgotten
           by
           others
           ?
           The
           
             decretum
             praedamnatum
          
           was
           not
           the
           Fiction
           of
           my
           Friend
           ,
           nor
           yet
           his
           new
           and
           unnaccountable
           Criticism
           of
           the
           word
           Ordinatio
           ;
           and
           now
           you
           may
           add
           another
           ,
           which
           is
           
             decretum
             praeteritum
          
           .
           
           And
           you
           may
           see
           these
           new
           Decrees
           (
           never
           mentioned
           before
           by
           any
           Class
           of
           Divines
           )
           in
           page
           66
           of
           his
           
             Vindication
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           Scotland
           .
           And
           now
           I
           think
           one
           is
           sufficiently
           provoked
           to
           call
           you
           impudent
           ,
           that
           you
           bring
           above-board
           things
           that
           you
           neither
           understand
           nor
           defend
           .
        
         
           You
           complained
           ,
           in
           your
           former
           Pamphlet
           of
           the
           Injuries
           done
           to
           Mr.
           Urqhuart
           and
           Mr.
           Kirkton
           ;
           because
           the
           first
           was
           said
           to
           have
           spoken
           contemptuously
           of
           our
           
             Blessed
             Saviour
          
           and
           the
           
           Lord's
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           alledged
           ,
           that
           
             Abraham
             run
             out
             of
             the
             Land
             of
             Chaldea
             for
             debt
             .
          
           The
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           told
           you
           that
           both
           these
           Stories
           (
           which
           you
           your self
           thought
           unpardonable
           )
           could
           be
           proved
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           confident
           many
           more
           of
           that
           nature
           .
           But
           you
           tell
           us
           that
           
             you
             are
             sufficiently
             satisfied
             ,
             by
             those
             who
             have
             lately
             made
             enquiry
             into
             the
             Affair
             ,
             that
             the
             whole
             is
             a
             malicious
             Calumny
             .
          
           So
           we
           must
           take
           it
           upon
           your
           Word
           and
           theirs
           ,
           it
           might
           be
           reasonably
           expected
           from
           you
           ,
           that
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           you
           would
           have
           procured
           under
           their
           own
           hands
           solemn
           Attestations
           that
           they
           never
           said
           any
           such
           thing
           ;
           and
           that
           was
           all
           that
           you
           could
           do
           to
           prove
           your
           Negative
           :
           and
           this
           might
           have
           been
           easily
           had
           ,
           especially
           from
           Mr.
           
             J.
             K.
          
           who
           lives
           at
           Edinburgh
           ;
           nor
           is
           there
           any
           of
           us
           so
           far
           exasperated
           against
           him
           as
           not
           to
           believe
           his
           own
           Testimony
           solemnly
           and
           seriously
           delivered
           .
           And
           this
           is
           more
           Civility
           on
           our
           part
           ,
           than
           any
           of
           them
           will
           allow
           us
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           or
           upon
           any
           occasion
           .
           If
           I
           were
           at
           Edinburgh
           I
           could
           prove
           the
           Affirmative
           ;
           and
           you
           must
           excuse
           me
           to
           continue
           just
           where
           I
           was
           ,
           notwithstanding
           of
           all
           the
           Informations
           you
           have
           received
           .
        
         
           The
           following
           Paragraph
           hath
           in
           it
           more
           Impertinencies
           than
           there
           are
           Lines
           ,
           and
           yet
           it
           is
           probable
           that
           many
           of
           your
           Sect
           may
           think
           it
           seraphically
           witty
           .
           The
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           said
           ,
           that
           
             the
             absurd
             and
             ludicrous
             Sect
             metamorphos'd
             Religion
             and
             its
             solemn
             Excercises
             into
             Theatrical
             Scenes
             .
          
           Another
           of
           the
           same
           Fraternity
           says
           ,
           that
           
             your
             Preachers
             were
             whining
             Fellows
             that
             drivelled
             at
             Mouth
             and
             Eyes
             .
          
           And
           thus
           you
           make
           them
           contradicct
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           run
           away
           with
           a
           loud
           holla'a
           ,
           as
           if
           you
           were
           at
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Rabble
           pulling
           down
           a
           Cathedral
           ,
           to
           see
           so
           many
           Curates
           slain
           with
           the
           
             Jaw
             bone
             of
             an
             Ass
          
           .
           The
           word
           
             Theatrical
             Scenes
          
           does
           not
           determine
           whether
           your
           Preachers
           acted
           Comedies
           or
           Tragedies
           ,
           and
           a
           whining
           Scaramouchi
           may
           act
           his
           part
           in
           either
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           the
           many
           Words
           ,
           which
           you
           have
           gathered
           to
           no
           purpose
           ,
           discover
           your
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           Contradiction
           amongst
           them
           whom
           you
           hate
           .
           But
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           are
           you
           not
           in
           a
           strange
           Career
           when
           you
           can
           never
           hit
           upon
           the
           true
           nature
           of
           a
           Contradiction
           ;
           
           I
           am
           not
           surpriz'd
           that
           you
           do
           not
           know
           the
           Nature
           of
           a
           Comedy
           and
           Tragedy
           ,
           for
           you
           never
           read
           Aristotle
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           nor
           none
           of
           the
           Commentators
           upon
           him
           ,
           either
           ancient
           or
           modern
           ;
           yet
           you
           might
           ,
           in
           two
           months
           time
           (
           for
           so
           long
           I
           am
           told
           you
           was
           at
           the
           University
           )
           have
           learned
           what
           a
           strict
           and
           formal
           Contradiction
           is
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           Presbyterians
           were
           better
           at
           Libelling
           than
           their
           Neighbours
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           all
           Records
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           had
           good
           Reason
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           Libelling
           was
           their
           Characteristick
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           they
           most
           practised
           ,
           and
           excelled
           all
           others
           in
           ;
           that
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           placed
           most
           of
           their
           Strength
           and
           Confidence
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           will
           never
           forbear
           ,
           if
           they
           happen
           to
           live
           where
           there
           is
           any
           to
           be
           accused
           .
           But
           you
           say
           that
           
             your
             Enemies
             were
             the
             first
             Aggressors
             ,
          
           and
           their
           bold
           Attempts
           against
           the
           Godly
           ,
           justifies
           all
           the
           rough
           Treatment
           that
           they
           have
           met
           with
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           thing
           that
           I
           would
           entreat
           you
           to
           condescend
           to
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           ,
           in
           itself
           ,
           very
           just
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           unless
           you
           yield
           to
           it
           ,
           we
           may
           fight
           to
           our
           last
           breath
           without
           satisfying
           one
           another
           or
           serving
           any
           good
           Design
           ,
           the
           thing
           is
           this
           ,
           when
           you
           accuse
           Persons
           and
           Parties
           ,
           you
           must
           be
           more
           express
           ,
           definite
           and
           particular
           in
           your
           Libels
           .
           I
           am
           of
           the
           Opinion
           that
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           for
           Presbyterians
           to
           forbear
           Libelling
           ,
           especially
           upon
           all
           publick
           Turns
           and
           Revolutions
           ;
           their
           Libels
           against
           the
           Clergy
           both
           in
           England
           and
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           are
           still
           upon
           Record
           .
           Did
           you
           never
           see
           the
           Centuries
           of
           
             scandalous
             Ministers
          
           accused
           before
           the
           Long-Parliament
           .
           The
           General
           Libel
           against
           the
           Bishops
           of
           Scotland
           may
           be
           seen
           ,
           when
           you
           please
           ,
           in
           the
           
             King
             's
             Large
             Manifesto
          
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           
             first
             Volume
             of
             Nalson's
             Collections
          
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           believe
           neither
           of
           these
           Books
           ,
           since
           they
           were
           both
           written
           by
           Malignants
           ,
           read
           the
           
             Acts
             of
             the
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           1638
           ,
           and
           there
           you
           have
           the
           very
           same
           Libels
           mentioned
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           Presbyterian
           but
           knows
           ,
           that
           the
           Libels
           against
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           in
           the
           Year
           1638
           ,
           were
           read
           from
           all
           the
           Pulpits
           of
           the
           Nation
           where
           the
           
           Assembly's
           Authority
           was
           obeyed
           :
           and
           what
           is
           said
           ,
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           ,
           of
           their
           Behaviour
           towards
           Archbishop
           Spotswood
           ,
           is
           commonly
           attested
           by
           the
           oldest
           Men
           in
           that
           corner
           of
           the
           Country
           ,
           near
           St.
           Andrews
           .
           Particularly
           this
           is
           more
           carefully
           preserved
           in
           the
           Family
           of
           Ballfour
           .
           And
           the
           
             Bishop
             of
             O.
          
           and
           Mr.
           Sage
           of
           Glasgow
           ,
           had
           this
           very
           Story
           from
           the
           Laird
           of
           
           Ballfour's
           own
           mouth
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           that
           there
           is
           an
           Act
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           mentioning
           the
           Libels
           against
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           but
           there
           are
           also
           among
           the
           unprinted
           Acts
           ,
           Acts
           of
           
             Excommunication
             and
             Deposition
             against
             some
             Prelates
          
           ;
           and
           
           when
           those
           Acts
           are
           produced
           ,
           I
           offer
           to
           prove
           ,
           from
           their
           own
           Authentick
           Records
           ,
           many
           more
           steps
           of
           their
           Fraud
           and
           Artifice
           .
           That
           there
           are
           such
           Acts
           as
           I
           last
           named
           unprinted
           ,
           vid.
           
             Index
             of
             the
             principal
             unprinted
             Acts
             of
             the
             Assembly
             at
             Glasgow
             ,
          
           1638.
           
           And
           if
           they
           were
           not
           afraid
           of
           being
           discovered
           and
           exposed
           ,
           upon
           this
           very
           Head
           ,
           those
           Acts
           had
           been
           printed
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           
             Principal
             Acts
          
           ;
           nay
           ,
           the
           Act
           against
           Episcopacy
           it self
           was
           not
           printed
           ,
           because
           it
           could
           not
           but
           alarm
           all
           the
           
             Protestant
             Churches
          
           abroad
           against
           them
           ,
           when
           the
           Order
           of
           Episcopacy
           was
           condemned
           as
           simpliciter
           unlawful
           ;
           a
           thing
           unheard
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           until
           the
           mungrel
           Conventicle
           at
           Glasgow
           sat
           :
           therefore
           the
           Act
           against
           Episcopacy
           was
           left
           unprinted
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Acts
           of
           Excommunication
           and
           Deposition
           against
           some
           Prelates
           .
           And
           this
           is
           either
           altogether
           unknown
           to
           ,
           or
           dissembled
           by
           Mr.
           
             Gilb.
             Rule
          
           ,
           when
           he
           denies
           the
           Truth
           of
           that
           Story
           ,
           as
           related
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Five
             Letters
          
           .
           And
           you
           are
           a
           Fool
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           ,
           in
           those
           days
           ,
           when
           Rebellion
           and
           Hypocrisie
           were
           triumphant
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           stuck
           at
           such
           little
           Punctilio's
           ,
           and
           not
           practise
           all
           Arts
           to
           delude
           the
           Populace
           .
           I
           hope
           you
           do
           not
           deny
           what
           use
           they
           made
           of
           Margaret
           Mitchelson's
           Visions
           ,
           Raptures
           and
           Revelations
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           persuaded
           the
           People
           that
           the
           Covenant
           was
           authorised
           by
           immediate
           Revelations
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           by
           the
           Popular
           Tumults
           at
           Edinburgh
           .
           The
           Knavery
           against
           Archbishop
           Spotswood
           was
           an
           Injury
           done
           to
           him
           and
           the
           Church
           ;
           but
           the
           counterfeit
           Raptures
           of
           
             Margaret
             Mitchelson
          
           (
           countenanced
           by
           your
           Party
           )
           mocked
           and
           defied
           God's
           Justice
           and
           Providence
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           it
           ridicul'd
           and
           prophan'd
           all
           Religion
           .
           [
           Vid.
           
             King
             's
             large
             Declaration
             .
          
           ]
           Nay
           ,
           they
           procured
           Libels
           against
           the
           Clergy
           from
           most
           Counties
           in
           England
           ;
           and
           in
           those
           Counties
           where
           they
           had
           none
           to
           work
           upon
           of
           their
           own
           Gang
           ,
           they
           forged
           Libels
           ,
           and
           presented
           such
           counterfeit
           Petitions
           in
           the
           name
           of
           such
           Counties
           ,
           and
           dispersed
           their
           Forgeries
           for
           real
           Truths
           ,
           to
           make
           their
           Party
           appear
           numerous
           ,
           and
           the
           *
           Clergy
           odious
           .
           And
           Sir
           
             Thomas
             Aston
          
           petitioned
           the
           
             House
             of
             Lords
          
           against
           this
           villanous
           Practice
           ;
           but
           this
           was
           not
           welcome
           to
           those
           Lords
           who
           favoured
           the
           Faction
           ,
           and
           therefore
           Sir
           
             Thomas
             Aston
          
           was
           reprehended
           ,
           and
           the
           Forgerers
           gently
           rebuked
           .
           And
           my
           Author
           truly
           observes
           ,
           that
           this
           was
           like
           to
           
             prove
             aglorious
             Reformation
             ,
             which
             was
             built
             upon
             such
             Foundations
             ,
             and
             advanced
             by
             such
             Arts
             and
             Methods
             .
          
           So
           that
           if
           you
           mean
           the
           former
           Presbyterians
           ,
           they
           were
           the
           first
           Aggressors
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           mean
           the
           modern
           ,
           they
           practised
           this
           Trade
           of
           Libelling
           ever
           since
           the
           beginning
           
           of
           the
           Revolution
           ,
           and
           long
           before
           the
           Book
           appeared
           that
           provoked
           your
           displeasure
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           much
           better
           at
           it
           than
           their
           opposites
           ;
           their
           curiosity
           reaches
           to
           the
           meanest
           concerns
           .
           There
           are
           no
           people
           in
           the
           World
           can
           give
           such
           exact
           account
           of
           their
           Neighbours
           ,
           
             when
             they
             rise
          
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           go
           to
           bed
           ,
           what
           they
           eat
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           drink
           ,
           what
           they
           say
           ,
           and
           with
           whom
           they
           converse
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           they
           so
           often
           blow
           up
           the
           neighbourhood
           into
           flames
           of
           Contention
           and
           Calumny
           .
           Name
           me
           but
           one
           Man
           since
           the
           name
           of
           Presbyterians
           was
           known
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           ever
           gave
           them
           any
           sensible
           provocation
           ,
           whom
           they
           have
           not
           persecuted
           with
           their
           Tongues
           and
           Libels
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           power
           .
        
         
           They
           were
           not
           only
           the
           first
           Aggressors
           ,
           but
           they
           continued
           their
           practices
           under
           the
           Reign
           of
           Charles
           II.
           and
           since
           the
           Revolution
           the
           Libels
           against
           the
           Clergy
           have
           employed
           their
           Presbyteries
           ,
           Synods
           ,
           and
           Assemblies
           ,
           not
           to
           mention
           the
           Libels
           against
           Masters
           of
           Universities
           ,
           where
           there
           was
           no
           Accuser
           .
           I
           have
           insisted
           the
           longer
           upon
           this
           ,
           to
           let
           you
           see
           the
           vanity
           of
           a
           common
           topick
           that
           runs
           through
           both
           your
           Pamphlets
           ;
           Libelling
           is
           so
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           think
           of
           reforming
           it
           ;
           in
           all
           their
           conversations
           their
           discourse
           runs
           most
           upon
           them
           that
           are
           absent
           .
           It
           is
           an
           idle
           thing
           to
           deny
           plain
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ,
           especially
           when
           it
           is
           supported
           by
           publick
           Records
           ,
           Practices
           ,
           and
           the
           unanimous
           Suffrages
           of
           a
           whole
           Nation
           .
           I
           think
           it
           enough
           to
           prove
           by
           the
           most
           undeniable
           evidence
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           art
           of
           Libelling
           you
           are
           the
           first
           aggressors
           ,
           and
           the
           only
           experienced
           practitioners
           ,
           without
           putting
           my self
           to
           the
           pains
           of
           calling
           you
           
             Rogue
             ,
             Villain
             ,
             Rascal
             ,
             impudent
             Lyar
             ,
          
           and
           such
           like
           gentile
           names
           as
           you
           bestow
           upon
           your
           Adversaries
           .
        
         
           You
           add
           ,
           
             That
             it
             is
             natural
             for
             a
             Cadet
             of
          
           Dumbarton's
           
             Regiment
             ,
             which
             used
             to
             plunder
             people
             of
             their
             goods
             ,
             to
             rob
             Men
             of
             their
             good
             Names
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             believed
          
           .
           This
           is
           a
           new
           Article
           
           which
           we
           have
           not
           heard
           of
           before
           ,
           that
           he
           
             plundered
             people
             of
             their
             goods
          
           ,
           and
           it
           supplies
           the
           defects
           of
           the
           Original
           Libel
           in
           the
           Inquisition
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           very
           ordinary
           for
           the
           Presbyterians
           to
           represent
           such
           as
           they
           Libel
           ,
           actually
           guilty
           of
           the
           breach
           of
           the
           
             Ten
             Commandments
          
           :
           Now
           Your
           
             Woman
             amongst
             the
             Corn
          
           ,
           and
           
             the
             plundering
             people
             of
             their
             goods
             ,
          
           added
           to
           the
           former
           Libel
           makes
           him
           actually
           guilty
           of
           the
           breach
           of
           all
           .
           For
           in
           the
           first
           Libel
           ,
           He
           is
           accused
           of
           having
           
             no
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           
             of
             Swearing
          
           ,
           so
           at
           one
           stroke
           he
           transgresses
           the
           
             first
             four
          
           ;
           and
           the
           two
           Articles
           added
           in
           
           your
           Continuation
           ,
           together
           with
           his
           Reflections
           against
           the
           Presbyterians
           make
           him
           guilty
           of
           the
           rest
           ,
           either
           expresly
           or
           by
           necessary
           consequence
           .
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           do
           not
           know
           the
           discipline
           of
           the
           
             French
             Army
          
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           had
           inclinations
           to
           rob
           and
           plunder
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           more
           proper
           time
           to
           practise
           it
           ;
           when
           He
           is
           turned
           out
           of
           all
           his
           Possessions
           ,
           and
           allowed
           no
           other
           employment
           under
           this
           Reformation
           than
           to
           answer
           Libels
           .
           And
           indeed
           I
           think
           if
           you
           were
           a
           Soldier
           ,
           you
           have
           no
           principle
           to
           restrain
           you
           from
           plundering
           when
           you
           might
           venture
           with
           safety
           ,
           especially
           in
           a
           
             Popish
             Country
          
           ,
           the
           true
           Israelites
           ,
           and
           Covenanters
           might
           take
           the
           Egyptian
           goods
           without
           scruple
           or
           remorse
           ;
           as
           they
           formerly
           did
           at
           New-Castle
           ,
           contrary
           to
           Articles
           and
           Capitulations
           .
        
         
           Your
           Grammatical
           Lecture
           of
           the
           
             Literae
             Mutabiles
          
           ,
           you
           may
           
           recommend
           to
           your
           Scholars
           ,
           and
           whatever
           proficiency
           you
           have
           made
           in
           Grammar
           ,
           you
           seem
           to
           me
           to
           reason
           much
           like
           the
           Gentleman
           that
           I
           formerly
           named
           ,
           who
           thought
           himself
           of
           
           Ovid's
           Family
           .
        
         
           You
           had
           better
           let
           fall
           the
           mention
           of
           
             Archbishop
             Sharp
          
           ,
           than
           bring
           him
           so
           often
           upon
           the
           Stage
           to
           the
           disgrace
           of
           your
           Party
           .
           
           He
           was
           certainly
           murdered
           ,
           not
           by
           an
           accidental
           effort
           of
           fury
           and
           passion
           as
           you
           alleadge
           ;
           but
           in
           a
           most
           deliberate
           manner
           ,
           after
           many
           Cabals
           and
           consultations
           kept
           for
           that
           very
           end
           ;
           and
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           did
           not
           reason
           from
           Shields
           his
           authority
           so
           much
           as
           from
           the
           Principles
           he
           went
           upon
           ,
           his
           Book
           being
           an
           accurate
           Collection
           of
           several
           authentick
           Papers
           ,
           and
           avowed
           practices
           of
           his
           Party
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ;
           nor
           was
           it
           ever
           said
           ,
           that
           sober
           Presbyterians
           did
           allow
           of
           his
           Murder
           :
           but
           how
           few
           of
           them
           are
           sober
           ?
           and
           I
           can
           tell
           you
           more
           ,
           that
           the
           Presbyterian
           Ladies
           in
           Fife
           at
           that
           very
           time
           ,
           did
           industriously
           shun
           in
           all
           conversation
           to
           call
           this
           
             bloody
             Act
          
           ,
           a
           Murder
           ;
           but
           gravely
           said
           ,
           that
           
             indeed
             the
             Man
             was
             slain
          
           ,
           but
           they
           could
           not
           think
           that
           any
           thing
           that
           was
           performed
           by
           so
           great
           a
           Saint
           as
           Rathillat
           and
           his
           religious
           Cut-throats
           ,
           could
           be
           called
           a
           Murder
           .
           And
           when
           such
           practises
           are
           charged
           upon
           the
           Presbyterians
           in
           general
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           intended
           (
           as
           I
           told
           you
           once
           already
           )
           to
           involve
           every
           individual
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           possible
           to
           deprave
           the
           nature
           of
           some
           particular
           men
           to
           that
           degree
           ,
           though
           they
           seem
           to
           maintain
           principles
           that
           yield
           pernicious
           Consequences
           .
        
         
         
           But
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           by
           conversing
           with
           your self
           I
           am
           become
           a
           little
           more
           bold
           ,
           and
           I
           offer
           to
           prove
           from
           Presbyterian
           principles
           ,
           that
           
             Archbishop
             Sharp
          
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           murdered
           ,
           are
           not
           all
           the
           Covenanters
           obliged
           to
           bring
           their
           
             Enemies
             to
             condign
             punishment
          
           ?
           and
           when
           the
           Magistrates
           are
           open
           and
           avowed
           Enemies
           to
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           lawful
           for
           some
           to
           interpose
           ?
           especially
           when
           acted
           by
           Heroical
           impulse
           to
           stop
           the
           universal
           deluge
           of
           Impiety
           ,
           that
           was
           likely
           to
           drown
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           to
           recover
           the
           freedom
           of
           the
           Church
           that
           was
           run
           down
           by
           Tyranny
           and
           Perjury
           ,
           contrary
           to
           all
           National
           Obligations
           ,
           former
           Laws
           and
           Liberties
           .
           Did
           not
           King
           Charles
           II.
           himself
           know
           *
           ,
           that
           
             he
             had
             forfeited
             his
             Title
             to
             the
             Crown
             ?
          
           and
           was
           it
           necessary
           according
           to
           you
           to
           delay
           the
           execution
           of
           Justice
           in
           this
           calamitous
           posture
           of
           publick
           affairs
           ,
           unless
           it
           could
           be
           procured
           in
           due
           form
           ?
           when
           it
           was
           not
           possible
           for
           honest
           men
           to
           be
           heard
           :
           especially
           since
           the
           Covenanters
           struck
           off
           the
           heads
           of
           
             Montrose
             ,
             Huntley
             ,
             Haddo
             ,
             Spotswood
             ,
          
           for
           acting
           by
           a
           Commission
           from
           the
           very
           King
           ,
           by
           whose
           Commission
           they
           themselves
           pretended
           to
           hold
           their
           places
           .
           What
           is
           there
           in
           the
           Murder
           of
           
             Archbishop
             Sharp
          
           that
           may
           not
           be
           justified
           by
           your
           Principles
           ?
           Did
           not
           He
           deserve
           death
           ?
           No
           doubt
           you
           think
           he
           did
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           only
           the
           Forms
           that
           you
           stand
           upon
           ,
           must
           the
           seasonable
           execution
           of
           Justice
           be
           delayed
           ,
           because
           it
           cannot
           be
           had
           in
           all
           its
           regular
           steps
           and
           formalities
           ,
           when
           the
           Magistrates
           openly
           tyrannize
           and
           oppress
           our
           Liberties
           Civil
           and
           Religious
           ?
           At
           this
           rate
           you
           disown
           the
           most
           publick
           acts
           of
           the
           Covenanters
           .
           By
           what
           form
           of
           Law
           then
           in
           being
           ,
           did
           the
           Tables
           of
           your
           Govenanters
           sit
           at
           Edinburgh
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           forbidden
           by
           open
           Proclamation
           to
           continue
           any
           longer
           their
           Consultations
           and
           Cabals
           .
           If
           you
           pretend
           the
           necessity
           of
           their
           affairs
           ,
           was
           there
           ever
           any
           state
           of
           things
           more
           lamentable
           in
           it self
           ,
           than
           you
           represent
           the
           Reign
           of
           King
           Charles
           II.
           to
           be
           ?
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           why
           might
           not
           some
           resolute
           and
           gallant
           Heroes
           ,
           some
           true
           Sons
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           venture
           ,
           without
           the
           ordinary
           forms
           ,
           to
           do
           justice
           speedily
           upon
           such
           an
           eminent
           opposer
           of
           Religion
           as
           
             Archbishop
             Sharp
          
           was
           ?
           The
           Laws
           of
           self-defence
           and
           preservation
           ,
           as
           you
           explain
           them
           ,
           dispence
           with
           Forms
           ,
           when
           the
           thing
           is
           for
           the
           matter
           right
           in
           itself
           ,
           and
           the
           Magistrate
           not
           only
           neglects
           ,
           but
           avowedly
           opposes
           Truth
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           and
           Innocence
           ;
           then
           't
           is
           time
           for
           men
           of
           Courage
           and
           Resolution
           to
           step
           forth
           and
           assert
           their
           Religion
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           
           not
           by
           the
           tedious
           method
           of
           Law
           ,
           Order
           and
           Process
           ,
           when
           Covenants
           and
           
             Original
             Contracts
          
           are
           turned
           
             topsie
             turvy
          
           ,
           but
           speedily
           and
           by
           open
           Force
           pull
           Antichrist
           from
           the
           Throne
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           be
           advised
           by
           me
           ,
           do
           not
           stand
           so
           much
           upon
           Forms
           ;
           else
           you
           must
           part
           with
           your
           best
           beloved
           Principle
           and
           Covenanted
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           the
           Murder
           of
           Archbishop
           Sharp
           be
           sincerely
           disowned
           by
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           since
           they
           are
           so
           often
           upbraided
           and
           reproached
           with
           it
           ;
           why
           do
           not
           they
           by
           some
           solemn
           Act
           of
           their
           Assembly
           declare
           ,
           that
           the
           killing
           of
           Cardinal
           Beaton
           and
           Archbishop
           Sharp
           were
           villainous
           Murders
           ?
           tho
           the
           first
           was
           usheredin
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           by
           singing
           of
           Psalms
           .
        
         
           You
           oppose
           your
           own
           Authority
           to
           Mr.
           Shields
           ,
           and
           this
           I
           am
           sure
           many
           of
           your
           own
           party
           will
           laugh
           at
           ;
           whether
           you
           have
           the
           Ascendent
           of
           the
           Doctor
           in
           the
           point
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           I
           will
           give
           you
           my
           Thoughts
           of
           that
           before
           I
           end
           this
           Letter
           .
        
         
           The
           Doctrine
           of
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           comes
           again
           in
           your
           way
           ,
           and
           nothing
           is
           more
           odious
           to
           so
           brisk
           and
           daring
           a
           Spirit
           as
           the
           
           very
           thought
           of
           so
           tame
           and
           silly
           a
           Discipline
           ;
           and
           you
           refer
           us
           to
           the
           incomparable
           Argument
           lately
           published
           by
           Mr.
           Johnson
           .
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           agree
           with
           you
           ,
           that
           the
           Preface
           of
           Mr.
           
           Johnson's
           Book
           hath
           in
           it
           very
           pleasant
           Stroaks
           of
           Wit
           and
           Fancy
           ;
           but
           as
           to
           the
           argumentative
           part
           of
           his
           Book
           ,
           it
           proves
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           to
           be
           Heterodox
           ,
           by
           an
           Argument
           of
           equal
           Strength
           with
           that
           of
           your
           own
           ,
           by
           which
           you
           prove
           the
           
             Episcopal
             Clergy
          
           to
           be
           Enthusiasts
           .
        
         
           You
           tell
           us
           next
           ,
           that
           his
           Defences
           of
           Mr.
           Brown
           and
           Mr.
           
             Cant
             ,
             are
             so
             like
             a
             Pedantick
             Doctor
             ,
             that
             they
             deserve
             no
             regard
             ,
             and
             what
             you
             said
             of
             them
             you
             can
             bring
             the
             Authors
             to
             avow
             it
             to
             their
             Faces
             .
          
           Now
           we
           fall
           upon
           the
           Common-place
           of
           Pedantry
           ;
           and
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           must
           understand
           that
           there
           are
           Pedants
           in
           all
           Employments
           .
           If
           the
           vanity
           of
           appearing
           learned
           and
           knowing
           where
           there
           is
           no
           solid
           Foundation
           to
           support
           the
           Character
           deserve
           that
           Name
           ,
           perhaps
           the
           citing
           so
           many
           
             Logical
             Axioms
          
           in
           your
           Pamphlet
           ,
           which
           you
           do
           not
           at
           all
           understand
           ,
           may
           ,
           in
           the
           Opinion
           of
           some
           ,
           make
           you
           pass
           for
           a
           Pedant
           .
           But
           ,
           to
           let
           this
           go
           ,
           tho
           the
           Doctor
           's
           being
           a
           Cadet
           in
           
           Dumbarton's
           Regiment
           ,
           was
           not
           ,
           in
           your
           Opinion
           ,
           an
           auspicious
           Omen
           of
           Piety
           and
           Humanity
           ,
           yet
           one
           might
           think
           it
           a
           good
           Presage
           of
           his
           Freedom
           from
           Pedantry
           ,
           at
           least
           as
           good
           as
           any
           of
           your
           most
           remarkable
           Adventures
           in
           my
           Lord
           Wh
           —
           ton's
           Kitchin.
           
        
         
         
           The
           Doctor
           said
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           George
           Brown
           ,
           
             Minister
             of
          
           Drysdale
           ,
           processed
           Andrew
           Johnston
           of
           Lockerby
           ,
           
             vigorously
             before
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Court
             for
             his
             Crime
             of
             Adultery
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           his
           alledged
           connivance
           was
           a
           
             Presbyterian
             Fogery
          
           .
           And
           here
           the
           Affiemative
           was
           his
           ,
           which
           I
           prove
           by
           the
           following
           Certificate
           under
           the
           hands
           of
           four
           Witnesses
           ;
           two
           in
           the
           Parish
           of
           St.
           
             Margaret's
             Westminster
          
           ,
           another
           in
           Cornhill
           near
           the
           Exchange
           ,
           and
           the
           fourth
           without
           Aldersgate
           .
        
         
           
             
               WE
               whose
               Names
               are
               underwritten
               ,
               hereby
               testifie
               and
               declare
               ,
               upon
               Honour
               and
               Conscience
               ,
               that
               ,
               to
               our
               certain
               knowledge
               ,
               Mr.
               
                 George
                 Brown
              
               ,
               Minister
               of
               Drysdale
               in
               the
               Diocese
               of
               Glasgow
               ,
               processed
               
                 Andrew
                 Johnston
              
               of
               Lockerby
               so
               vigorously
               ,
               for
               his
               Crime
               of
               Adultery
               with
               
                 Sarah
                 Brown
              
               ,
               that
               he
               got
               him
               formally
               excommunicated
               .
               Given
               under
               our
               Hands
               at
               London
               the
               Fourth
               of
               July
               ,
               1693.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     Alex.
                     Guthrie
                     ,
                  
                   
                     Andr.
                     Johnston
                     .
                  
                   
                     Tho.
                     Mitchell
                     .
                  
                   
                     Alex.
                     Johnston
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           Now
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           where
           lies
           the
           Pedantry
           in
           saying
           so
           and
           so
           of
           Mr.
           Brown
           ;
           is
           not
           your
           Accusation
           against
           him
           proved
           to
           be
           a
           Lie.
           And
           as
           for
           your
           Charge
           against
           Mr.
           
             Andrew
             Cant
          
           ,
           that
           
             he
             was
             suspended
          
           ,
           &c.
           it
           is
           purely
           a
           Fiction
           from
           top
           to
           bottom
           we
           cannot
           prove
           a
           Negative
           otherwise
           than
           by
           informing
           the
           World
           that
           we
           who
           are
           his
           most
           intimate
           Acquaintances
           never
           heard
           of
           any
           such
           thing
           ;
           he
           was
           never
           suspended
           ,
           and
           consequently
           never
           used
           any
           mean
           Arts
           to
           ingratiate
           himself
           with
           his
           Superiours
           ,
           the
           first
           is
           a
           Romance
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           Superstructed
           must
           be
           a
           Forgery
           .
           And
           when
           you
           charge
           the
           Doctor
           with
           Pedantry
           ,
           read
           over
           your
           own
           learned
           Book
           of
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           Presbyterians
           from
           the
           Episcopalians
           ,
           especially
           your
           nasty
           and
           fulsome
           Epithets
           
           that
           you
           bestow
           upon
           such
           as
           you
           bark
           at
           ,
           viz.
           that
           they
           are
           Tyranno-Papa-Prelatical
           ,
           and
           then
           let
           any
           impartial
           Reader
           judge
           whether
           you
           do
           not
           deserve
           a
           place
           
             ante
             omnem
             circulum
          
           amongst
           the
           Pedants
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           in
           all
           the
           Athenian
           Flexions
           and
           Compositions
           ,
           like
           that
           High
           and
           Majestick
           Word
           ,
           Tyranno-Papa-Prelatical
           .
           'T
           is
           worthy
           of
           the
           noble
           Mr.
           
           Ridpath's
           high
           flown
           Genius
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           were
           on
           the
           top
           of
           a
           Hill
           in
           Galloway
           ,
           preaching
           to
           a
           Field-Meeting
           ,
           this
           one
           single
           World
           would
           confound
           your
           Auditors
           into
           a
           belief
           that
           you
           were
           a
           
             precious
             ,
             gracious
             ,
             convincing
             Man.
             
          
        
         
           Who
           could
           stand
           before
           so
           much
           Eloquence
           and
           Acuteness
           ,
           
             Bombabamachides
             ,
             Clunenstaridesarchides
             in
             Campis
             Gurgustidoniis
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           said
           ,
           that
           
             you
             charged
             our
             Superiours
          
           
           
             with
             such
             as
             were
             deposed
             for
             their
             Immoralities
             ,
          
           ad
           Dean
           Hamilton
           ,
           and
           Cockburn
           of
           St.
           Bothens
           .
           To
           this
           you
           say
           ,
           that
           
             you
             charged
             them
             only
             with
             having
             protected
             those
             Men
             from
             the
             Punishment
             due
             to
             their
             Impieties
             .
          
           But
           did
           they
           protect
           them
           when
           they
           were
           deposed
           ?
           And
           how
           can
           you
           say
           that
           ever
           they
           were
           protected
           ?
           If
           their
           Superiors
           waited
           for
           full
           and
           clear
           Evidences
           against
           them
           before
           they
           pronounced
           Sentence
           ,
           here
           was
           no
           protection
           of
           Criminals
           ,
           but
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Laws
           ;
           and
           tho
           your
           Party
           be
           not
           tied
           to
           Forms
           ,
           yet
           we
           think
           our selves
           obliged
           to
           act
           as
           we
           are
           directed
           by
           the
           Laws
           .
        
         
           You
           fall
           next
           upon
           Archbishop
           Paterson
           ,
           and
           the
           Lies
           that
           you
           
           have
           published
           formerly
           of
           Archbishop
           Cairncross
           ,
           which
           are
           plainly
           refuted
           in
           his
           own
           printed
           Letter
           ,
           to
           the
           Conviction
           of
           all
           men
           ,
           shews
           what
           credit
           you
           deserve
           when
           you
           accuse
           either
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           think
           it
           a
           palpable
           Blunder
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           
             some
             who
             complyed
             with
             Episcopacy
             after
             the
             Restoration
             of
             King
          
           Charles
           II.
           
           
             were
             Presbyterians
          
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           another
           sad
           Instance
           of
           your
           Ignorance
           ;
           for
           they
           were
           required
           to
           do
           nothing
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Principles
           of
           moderate
           Presbyterians
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           Ringleaders
           of
           the
           Covenanters
           ,
           had
           their
           Mission
           from
           the
           Bishops
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           and
           do
           you
           think
           that
           they
           did
           not
           then
           conform
           to
           Episcopacy
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           were
           not
           Presbyterians
           ?
           I
           am
           afraid
           that
           the
           little
           Club
           ,
           whereof
           you
           are
           Moderator
           ,
           does
           not
           throughly
           understand
           the
           Principles
           of
           Presbytery
           .
           Had
           we
           no
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           deserted
           their
           Churches
           in
           the
           West
           after
           the
           Restoration
           ?
           was
           it
           ever
           required
           of
           
           any
           of
           them
           that
           conformed
           to
           Episcopacy
           ,
           to
           assert
           that
           Episcopacy
           ,
           was
           preferable
           to
           a
           Parity
           of
           Presbyters
           ?
           No
           ;
           they
           still
           enjoyed
           their
           own
           liberty
           of
           thinking
           what
           they
           pleased
           ,
           if
           they
           obeyed
           their
           Superiours
           in
           
             licitis
             &
             honestis
          
           .
           Were
           not
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           and
           Mr.
           Wilkie
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           that
           I
           could
           name
           ,
           Presbyterians
           ,
           tho
           they
           conformed
           to
           Episcopacy
           ?
           They
           themselves
           think
           that
           they
           were
           so
           still
           ;
           to
           my
           certain
           knowledge
           the
           last
           was
           ,
           and
           I
           know
           him
           to
           be
           so
           honest
           a
           Man
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           endeavoured
           to
           hide
           his
           Principles
           ,
           and
           he
           thought
           that
           he
           did
           nothing
           in
           conforming
           to
           Episcopacy
           ,
           inconsistent
           with
           his
           own
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           he
           would
           have
           continued
           still
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Church
           if
           a
           later
           Test
           had
           not
           removed
           him
           .
           You
           must
           not
           think
           that
           all
           the
           Presbyterians
           are
           warmed
           to
           an
           equal
           degree
           of
           Heat
           :
           there
           are
           some
           ,
           tho
           very
           few
           ,
           more
           calm
           and
           solid
           than
           their
           younger
           Brethren
           .
           Read
           Mr.
           
           Rutherford's
           
             due
             right
             of
             Presbytery
          
           (
           and
           I
           cannot
           name
           a
           Book
           more
           acceptable
           )
           perhaps
           you
           may
           meet
           with
           some
           Notions
           there
           that
           are
           not
           so
           agreeable
           to
           the
           late
           Model
           of
           Presbytery
           ;
           the
           last
           Edition
           of
           a
           Book
           is
           still
           
             auctior
             &
             emendatior
          
           .
           And
           if
           it
           was
           a
           Blunder
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           some
           who
           continued
           Presbyterian
           in
           their
           Principles
           ,
           conformed
           to
           the
           external
           Order
           of
           the
           Church
           under
           Episcopacy
           ,
           they
           who
           did
           so
           conform
           are
           obliged
           to
           defend
           him
           .
        
         
           You
           still
           oblige
           your
           Adversaries
           to
           prove
           Negatives
           ;
           when
           you
           libel
           Dr.
           Canaries
           ,
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           
             tho
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Judicatories
          
           
           
             declared
             ,
             that
             they
             could
             make
             nothing
             of
             the
             Accusation
             brought
             against
             him
             ,
             yet
             that
             will
             not
             amount
             to
             prove
             it
             false
          
           ;
           and
           because
           a
           Negative
           in
           matter
           of
           Fact
           is
           not
           demonstrated
           (
           a
           thing
           in
           it self
           absolutely
           impossible
           )
           you
           therefore
           conclude
           ,
           that
           still
           you
           may
           accuse
           him
           as
           guilty
           ;
           but
           if
           nothing
           could
           be
           made
           of
           it
           why
           should
           you
           propagate
           or
           continue
           the
           Slander
           ?
           for
           not
           only
           are
           you
           destitute
           of
           true
           and
           solid
           Proofs
           ,
           but
           all
           your
           Evidences
           when
           they
           are
           aggravated
           by
           Presbyterian
           Malice
           ,
           could
           never
           be
           heightned
           into
           a
           plausible
           Presumption
           of
           his
           Fault
           .
           If
           I
           should
           accuse
           you
           of
           having
           committed
           Incest
           with
           your
           Mother
           ,
           you
           could
           not
           prove
           it
           to
           be
           false
           otherwise
           than
           by
           letting
           the
           World
           know
           ,
           that
           
             nothing
             could
             be
             made
             of
             it
          
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           no
           honest
           Man
           will
           defame
           you
           upon
           that
           head
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           
             there
             is
             unexceptionable
             Evidence
             of
             the
             Woman's
          
           
           
             having
             declared
             the
             thing
             her self
          
           .
           What
           
             thing
             her self
          
           declared
           I
           know
           not
           ;
           but
           for
           the
           unexceptionable
           Evidence
           ,
           't
           is
           only
           
           upon
           Record
           in
           the
           
             World
             of
             the
             Moon
          
           ,
           else
           we
           had
           seen
           it
           in
           legible
           Characters
           long
           e'er
           now
           .
           But
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           
             the
             reputation
             of
             your
             Informer
             is
             fairer
             than
             that
             of
             either
             of
             the
             two
          
           Dr's
           .
           Mr
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           know
           who
           this
           Gentleman
           is
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           modesty
           I
           must
           forbear
           to
           make
           comparisons
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           will
           preserve
           his
           Reputation
           ,
           he
           must
           smother
           his
           Evidence
           .
        
         
           What
           you
           drive
           at
           towards
           the
           close
           of
           this
           Section
           ,
           is
           past
           my
           skill
           to
           find
           out
           ;
           when
           you
           say
           ,
           That
           
             we
             have
             a
             very
             pregnant
             instance
             of
             a
             Person
             of
             no
             mean
             Note
             ,
             whose
             accusation
             ,
             most
             in
          
           England
           
             are
             satisfied
             is
             true
             ,
             and
             yet
             we
             see
             nothing
             can
             be
             made
             out
             ,
             neither
             before
             the
             Judges
             nor
             the
             Lords
             .
          
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           You
           leave
           it
           uncertain
           whether
           the
           
             Person
             of
             no
             mean
             Note
          
           be
           the
           Accuser
           or
           the
           Accused
           .
           But
           to
           demonstrate
           the
           impertinence
           of
           this
           Instance
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           understand
           Law
           as
           little
           as
           you
           do
           the
           Rules
           of
           Logick
           .
           I
           put
           the
           case
           ,
           that
           Titius
           accuses
           his
           wise
           Moevia
           of
           Adultery
           ;
           the
           Judges
           may
           be
           persuaded
           that
           the
           accusation
           of
           Titius
           is
           true
           ,
           though
           the
           evidences
           be
           not
           so
           full
           as
           the
           Law
           requires
           ;
           yet
           being
           plain
           and
           positive
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           and
           but
           a
           degree
           removed
           from
           full
           proof
           ;
           such
           presumptions
           of
           guilt
           which
           the
           Civilians
           call
           
             praesumptiones
             juris
             &
             de
             jure
          
           ,
           leave
           deep
           impressions
           upon
           all
           ,
           when
           duly
           conveyed
           to
           our
           knowledge
           :
           because
           they
           are
           as
           near
           as
           can
           be
           to
           that
           which
           is
           
             plena
             probatio
             in
             foro
          
           .
           But
           pray
           ,
           have
           you
           any
           such
           presumptions
           against
           the
           Dr
           ?
           Is
           there
           any
           plain
           evidence
           against
           him
           ?
           and
           if
           nothing
           can
           be
           made
           of
           it
           as
           the
           Judicatories
           declare
           ,
           then
           't
           is
           many
           degrees
           below
           a
           Presumption
           ;
           much
           less
           that
           higher
           presumption
           which
           is
           the
           ground
           of
           a
           reasonable
           Suspicion
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           add
           ,
           that
           ,
           
             Suppose
             the
             accusation
             against
             the
             Dr.
             to
             be
             false
             ,
          
           yet
           
             it
             argues
             a
             great
             want
             of
             cleanly
             Men
             amongst
             the
             Episcopalians
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             they
             should
             choose
             a
             Man
             for
             Agent
             who
             lay
             under
             a
             flagrant
             Scandal
             .
             The
          
           Apostle's
           
             Rule
             is
             clear
             ,
             that
             a
             Bishop
             ought
             to
             be
             blameless
             .
          
           A
           surmise
           magnified
           by
           Presbyterian
           malice
           illustrates
           rather
           than
           darkens
           a
           man's
           Reputation
           ,
           and
           clears
           his
           innocence
           ;
           not
           to
           be
           evil
           spoken
           of
           by
           such
           whose
           Element
           is
           Calumny
           ,
           is
           an
           argument
           of
           no
           great
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           far
           less
           activity
           .
           But
           you
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostle's
           
             Rule
             is
             clear
          
           ;
           I
           say
           so
           too
           ,
           but
           your
           Head
           is
           not
           clear
           because
           the
           Apostle
           says
           ,
           that
           
             a
             Bishop
             ought
             to
             be
             blameless
          
           ;
           therefore
           you
           conclude
           ,
           that
           if
           Bishops
           at
           any
           time
           are
           evil
           spoken
           of
           and
           traduced
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           no
           longer
           Bishops
           .
           At
           this
           rate
           the
           most
           innocent
           and
           deserving
           
           men
           must
           be
           disowned
           ,
           and
           the
           greatest
           Luminaries
           of
           the
           Church
           must
           expect
           to
           be
           cashier'd
           .
           Athanasius
           was
           accused
           of
           abominable
           immoralities
           ;
           and
           St.
           John
           the
           Baptist
           was
           said
           to
           have
           a
           Devil
           ;
           and
           the
           
             Great
             Bishop
             of
             our
             Souls
          
           was
           accused
           of
           being
           
             a
             friend
             to
             Publicans
             and
             Sinners
          
           ;
           he
           went
           to
           Feasts
           and
           entertainments
           which
           the
           
             Puritanical
             Pharisee
          
           could
           not
           behold
           without
           grumbling
           and
           censuring
           ;
           they
           would
           quietly
           whisper
           in
           their
           Neighbours
           Ears
           ,
           that
           though
           
             he
             said
             many
             good
             things
          
           ,
           and
           
             wrought
             many
             Miracles
          
           ,
           yet
           
             he
             was
             still
             a
             stranger
             to
             the
             power
             of
             Godliness
             ;
             he
             kept
             ill
             Company
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Modern
           Phanaticks
           would
           add
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           for
           forms
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           a
           great
           many
           other
           things
           he
           did
           ,
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           detraction
           took
           by
           the
           wrong
           handle
           .
           If
           your
           Commentary
           upon
           these
           words
           ,
           
             A
             Bishop
             ought
             to
             be
             blameless
             ,
          
           had
           appear'd
           before
           the
           
             Scotch
             Eloquence
          
           came
           abroad
           ,
           it
           ought
           to
           have
           had
           its
           own
           room
           in
           that
           Book
           ,
           
             Corah
             ,
             Dathan
          
           ,
           and
           Abiram
           ,
           raised
           many
           Scandals
           ,
           and
           they
           were
           Scandals
           of
           Prelacy
           and
           Priest-craft
           too
           ,
           against
           Moses
           and
           Aaron
           ;
           and
           by
           your
           argument
           they
           ought
           both
           of
           them
           to
           have
           been
           deprived
           of
           
             their
             Honour
          
           and
           Government
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           mistake
           is
           as
           foolish
           and
           impertinent
           ,
           though
           not
           
           so
           dangerous
           as
           your
           wresting
           the
           
             Holy
             Scriptures
          
           to
           serve
           the
           heats
           of
           your
           deluded
           Fancy
           .
           You
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           Dr.
           M
           
             —
             o
          
           was
           very
           angry
           that
           you
           said
           of
           him
           ,
           
             [
             commonly
             called
             Dr.
          
           ]
           but
           I
           assure
           you
           ,
           you
           mistook
           his
           meaning
           :
           he
           could
           not
           but
           remark
           a
           Quaker
           expression
           
             [
             commonly
             called
          
           ]
           and
           so
           much
           the
           rather
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           many
           Presbyterians
           who
           industriously
           shun
           the
           giving
           any
           such
           Title
           ;
           for
           those
           Academick
           distinctions
           look
           so
           near
           the
           Whore
           of
           Babylon
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           safe
           for
           the
           Saints
           to
           use
           such
           words
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Dr.
           has
           any
           grains
           of
           Pride
           (
           which
           perhaps
           might
           be
           allowed
           in
           a
           Cadet
           of
           
           Dumbarton's
           Regiment
           )
           yet
           his
           ambition
           runs
           in
           another
           Channel
           than
           to
           affect
           
             empty
             sounds
          
           and
           big
           words
           .
           I
           thought
           (
           and
           I
           think
           I
           know
           him
           better
           than
           you
           do
           )
           that
           a
           
             careless
             easiness
          
           rather
           than
           
             reserve
             ,
             distance
          
           or
           singularity
           ,
           made
           up
           his
           Character
           ;
           the
           affectation
           of
           Titles
           at
           this
           time
           is
           very
           unsuitable
           to
           the
           
             Scotch
             Clergy
          
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           in
           the
           power
           of
           might
           or
           malice
           to
           make
           some
           of
           them
           fawn
           upon
           the
           Presbyterians
           :
           and
           though
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           
             forgive
             our
             Enemies
          
           heartily
           and
           sincerely
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           be
           so
           abject
           as
           to
           encourage
           them
           to
           continue
           their
           Hostilities
           ,
           but
           there
           is
           a
           greater
           impertinence
           in
           your
           Censure
           of
           the
           Dr
           ;
           
           for
           when
           you
           made
           him
           to
           ride
           in
           the
           Popes
           Guards
           with
           a
           —
           ●o
           insinuate
           the
           many
           Crimes
           that
           he
           was
           guilty
           of
           at
           Rome
           ,
           you
           conclude
           thus
           ,
           
             which
             methinks
             looks
             somewhat
             strange
             that
             such
             kind
             of
             men
             should
             be
             the
             greatest
             sticklers
             for
             the
             Party
             .
          
           If
           you
           represent
           the
           Party
           as
           odious
           and
           irreligious
           ,
           and
           him
           of
           the
           same
           temper
           with
           his
           Party
           ;
           what
           is
           there
           strange
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           an
           ill
           man
           should
           defend
           an
           ill
           cause
           :
           but
           the
           most
           ordinary
           things
           appear
           to
           you
           in
           your
           Dreams
           and
           Visions
           ,
           Monsters
           ,
           Miracles
           and
           Contradictions
           .
        
         
           You
           are
           so
           sharpsighted
           in
           discovering
           Contradictions
           ,
           that
           
           you
           see
           them
           almost
           in
           every
           line
           ;
           and
           because
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           said
           ,
           that
           Dr.
           
             Canaries
             was
             treated
             with
             special
             Honour
             by
             a
             Presbyterians
             Judicature
          
           ;
           therefore
           this
           is
           made
           a
           contradiction
           to
           what
           others
           say
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           a
           
             proud
             ,
             soure
             ,
             unconversible
             Tribe
             .
          
           But
           this
           is
           your
           everlasting
           mistake
           ,
           that
           you
           do
           not
           understand
           what
           a
           Contradiction
           is
           .
           That
           they
           are
           a
           
             proud
             ,
             soure
             ,
             unconversible
             Tribe
             ,
          
           is
           true
           in
           the
           sense
           ,
           that
           all
           such
           propositions
           are
           understood
           ;
           not
           in
           a
           
             Logical
             universal
             sense
          
           ,
           but
           generally
           speaking
           ;
           the
           proudest
           Man
           upon
           Earth
           is
           not
           
             soure
             and
             unconversible
          
           in
           all
           the
           intervals
           of
           his
           life
           ;
           Mad
           men
           have
           their
           
             lucid
             intervals
          
           ,
           and
           a
           wise
           Man
           may
           sometimes
           act
           foolishly
           :
           Solomon
           says
           ,
           that
           
             a
             wise
          
           Man's
           
             heart
             is
             at
             his
             right
             hand
          
           ;
           yet
           the
           presence
           of
           his
           mind
           may
           sometimes
           forsake
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           himself
           was
           a
           sad
           instance
           of
           this
           Truth
           ;
           
             His
             Proverbs
          
           ,
           that
           are
           
             livinely
             inspired
          
           ,
           many
           of
           them
           are
           true
           in
           no
           other
           sense
           than
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           and
           is
           it
           not
           sad
           that
           the
           poor
           Curates
           should
           have
           no
           other
           employment
           now
           adays
           ,
           than
           to
           dispute
           with
           ●uch
           as
           know
           not
           the
           nature
           of
           a
           Contradiction
           ;
           yet
           for
           your
           ●ncouragement
           ,
           I
           believe
           
             George
             Stirling
          
           ,
           and
           Harry
           Ferguson
           ●ay
           think
           you
           one
           of
           the
           learnedest
           men
           this
           last
           age
           has
           produced
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           there
           is
           none
           beyond
           you
           in
           their
           Opinion
           already
           .
        
         
           Your
           quarrel
           against
           the
           Dr.
           is
           never
           at
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           he
           expects
           
           no
           fairer
           quarter
           at
           your
           hands
           .
           You
           are
           angry
           it
           seems
           ●hat
           he
           denied
           that
           ever
           
             be
             rode
             in
             the
          
           Pope's
           Guards
           ;
           He
           denies
           ●t
           still
           ,
           and
           he
           offers
           to
           prove
           this
           Negative
           as
           far
           as
           any
           thing
           ●f
           that
           nature
           can
           be
           proved
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           still
           of
           the
           Opinion
           ,
           ●hat
           ,
           none
           knew
           him
           to
           have
           ridden
           in
           the
           
           Pope's
           Guards
           :
           but
           Presbyterians
           who
           
             discover
             plots
             in
             the
             World
             of
             the
             Moon
             .
          
           This
           ●●st
           expression
           raises
           your
           indignation
           higher
           ,
           because
           you
           say
           ,
           
           
             it
             hath
             in
             it
             an
             impudent
             hint
             of
             denying
             the
             late
             Prelatical
             Plots
             against
             the
             Government
             .
          
           And
           must
           he
           be
           impudent
           because
           he
           does
           not
           know
           the
           Plots
           against
           the
           Government
           ?
           and
           how
           came
           you
           to
           know
           that
           there
           are
           no
           Plots
           in
           the
           
             World
             of
             the
             Moon
          
           ?
           are
           you
           so
           well
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Inhabitants
           that
           you
           know
           exactly
           their
           times
           of
           Peace
           and
           War
           ,
           the
           several
           Revolutions
           and
           Designs
           in
           that
           Country
           ?
           for
           my
           part
           I
           know
           of
           no
           Plots
           against
           this
           or
           any
           other
           Government
           ,
           and
           I
           never
           read
           your
           News-Letters
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           that
           the
           great
           and
           dangerous
           Plots
           of
           which
           no
           man
           is
           found
           guilty
           ,
           are
           all
           of
           them
           in
           the
           
             World
             in
             the
             Moon
             .
             Presbyterians
          
           are
           so
           well
           acquainted
           with
           plotting
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           them
           cannot
           forget
           it
           no
           more
           than
           a
           Jew
           can
           forget
           his
           Religion
           ;
           they
           speak
           of
           Plots
           and
           Designs
           ,
           they
           dream
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           talk
           of
           them
           in
           all
           Companies
           ;
           and
           if
           an
           innocent
           man
           steps
           aside
           to
           ask
           his
           Neighbour
           
             what
             a
             clock
             it
             is
          
           ,
           he
           is
           immediately
           found
           in
           a
           Plot
           by
           some
           
             Presbyterian
             Informer
          
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           you
           fall
           into
           a
           fit
           of
           Devotion
           ,
           and
           you
           wish
           that
           the
           
             Falshoods
             which
             have
             been
             mutually
             charged
             on
             one
             another
             ,
             may
             oblige
             both
             to
             be
             more
             tender
             of
             publishing
             Reports
             upon
             trust
             .
          
           Alas
           !
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           is
           it
           come
           to
           this
           ,
           that
           you
           acknowledge
           that
           there
           have
           been
           Falshoods
           charged
           upon
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           by
           the
           Presbyterians
           ;
           no
           doubt
           a
           Man
           of
           your
           Tenderness
           and
           Sincerity
           regrets
           this
           infamous
           Practice
           ;
           yet
           in
           the
           next
           Breath
           you
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           Doctor
           was
           Parson
           of
           
             —
             he
             was
             accused
             of
          
           
           
             Villany
             with
             a
             Woman
             amongst
             the
             Corn.
          
           Such
           Stories
           are
           the
           very
           things
           that
           confirm
           me
           in
           the
           Opinion
           that
           your
           Tribe
           is
           so
           very
           well
           acquainted
           in
           the
           
             World
             of
             the
             Moon
          
           .
           Where
           was
           he
           Parson
           when
           he
           was
           accused
           ?
           by
           whom
           was
           he
           accused
           ?
           who
           heard
           of
           this
           Accusation
           before
           your
           scurrilous
           Pamphlet
           appeared
           ?
           You
           do
           not
           say
           positively
           that
           he
           was
           guilty
           .
           No
           ;
           you
           let
           it
           sneakingly
           drop
           thro
           your
           Fingers
           :
           so
           that
           the
           Question
           now
           between
           you
           and
           me
           is
           not
           whether
           he
           was
           guilty
           or
           not
           guilty
           ;
           but
           whether
           accus'd
           or
           not
           accus'd
           .
           The
           Affirmative
           part
           is
           yours
           ,
           and
           if
           an
           honest
           Man
           had
           it
           by
           the
           end
           he
           would
           either
           prove
           it
           or
           retract
           it
           ;
           the
           Negative
           is
           mine
           that
           
             he
             was
             never
             accused
          
           ,
           and
           if
           none
           of
           them
           amongst
           whom
           he
           lived
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           eminent
           places
           of
           the
           Nation
           ever
           heard
           that
           he
           was
           thus
           accused
           ,
           none
           but
           an
           impudent
           Liar
           will
           affirm
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           you
           were
           to
           speak
           your
           last
           ,
           you
           can
           freely
           declare
           ,
           that
           
             you
             do
             not
             know
             one
             Syllable
             of
             what
             you
             write
             to
             be
             false
             .
          
           At
           this
           rate
           ,
           you
           may
           accuse
           him
           of
           all
           the
           Crimes
           that
           the
           Presbyterians
           invented
           against
           the
           Bishops
           in
           the
           Year
           1638
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           told
           you
           before
           when
           I
           mentioned
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Glasgow
           ;
           and
           of
           
           all
           the
           Crimes
           which
           your
           own
           Major
           Wier
           actually
           committed
           with
           
             Mares
             ,
             Cows
          
           and
           Cats
           ;
           not
           to
           name
           the
           Sisters
           that
           run
           with
           him
           from
           one
           Communion
           to
           another
           ,
           for
           his
           extraordinary
           Gift
           of
           extempore
           Prayer
           ;
           for
           after
           all
           ,
           you
           may
           safely
           say
           ,
           that
           you
           do
           not
           know
           them
           to
           be
           false
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           should
           accuse
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           to
           have
           committed
           Incest
           with
           his
           Mother
           at
           Cockburnspeth
           ,
           before
           he
           went
           to
           the
           College
           of
           Edinburgh
           ;
           I
           may
           safely
           say
           ,
           that
           if
           I
           were
           to
           speak
           my
           last
           I
           do
           not
           know
           it
           to
           be
           false
           .
           And
           how
           should
           one
           know
           such
           Negatives
           in
           matter
           of
           Fact
           without
           Omniscience
           ?
           and
           because
           you
           do
           not
           know
           such
           things
           to
           be
           false
           ,
           you
           think
           you
           have
           liberty
           to
           spread
           and
           propagate
           romantick
           Lies
           ,
           pure
           and
           unmixt
           Calumnies
           against
           particular
           Persons
           .
           Are
           these
           the
           Weapons
           by
           which
           you
           serve
           your
           Party
           ?
           and
           do
           you
           think
           to
           impose
           upon
           the
           World
           by
           such
           Bedlam
           Fooleries
           ?
        
         
           But
           tho
           the
           Dr.
           was
           not
           in
           the
           Pope's
           Guards
           ,
           yet
           he
           was
           a
           Cadet
           
           in
           
           Dumbarton's
           Regiment
           in
           France
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           such
           odds
           ,
           you
           think
           ,
           
             between
             being
             a
             Cadet
             in
             Dumbarton's
             Regiment
             ,
             which
             guarded
             Popery
             and
             contributed
             so
             much
             to
             enslave
          
           Europe
           ,
           
             and
             riding
             in
             the
             Pope's
             Guards
             .
          
           Yes
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           there
           is
           very
           great
           odds
           ,
           tho
           you
           do
           not
           see
           it
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           there
           is
           between
           the
           Liberties
           of
           the
           
             Gallican
             Church
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             unlimited
             Supremacy
             of
             the
             Pope
          
           :
           and
           do
           you
           think
           that
           the
           King
           of
           France
           was
           fighting
           for
           Popery
           ,
           when
           he
           wrested
           the
           antient
           Rights
           of
           the
           Regale
           out
           of
           the
           possession
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Bishop
          
           ?
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           the
           Dr.
           was
           certainly
           in
           
           Dumbarton's
           Regiment
           ,
           I
           assure
           you
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           ,
           which
           is
           much
           worse
           ,
           he
           never
           thought
           shame
           of
           it
           .
           The
           strict
           Alliance
           between
           the
           liberal
           Sciences
           and
           Arms
           is
           a
           Common-place
           too
           well
           known
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           very
           sure
           ,
           that
           neither
           Scholar
           nor
           Gentleman
           will
           ever
           reproach
           him
           upon
           this
           head
           ;
           and
           his
           passing
           some
           of
           his
           time
           in
           France
           (
           the
           great
           Theatre
           of
           Breeding
           and
           Civility
           )
           was
           a
           more
           auspicious
           Omen
           of
           Piety
           and
           Humanity
           than
           the
           most
           remarkable
           Gallantries
           of
           your
           Life
           .
           *
           Plato
           had
           strong
           Inclinations
           to
           follow
           the
           Camp
           when
           he
           was
           young
           ,
           until
           he
           was
           diverted
           by
           the
           Advice
           of
           Socrates
           .
           I
           hear
           you
           sometimes
           teach
           Grammar
           (
           a
           Study
           in
           it self
           very
           commendable
           )
           why
           then
           do
           not
           you
           read
           our
           Buchanan
           ,
           *
           not
           to
           name
           any
           of
           the
           Antients
           ;
           and
           if
           nothing
           else
           must
           please
           you
           but
           the
           Example
           of
           a
           Presbyterian
           of
           the
           latest
           Edition
           ,
           why
           may
           not
           I
           justifie
           the
           Dr's
           Practice
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           very
           young
           ,
           from
           the
           Example
           of
           your
           Mr.
           Williamson
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           old
           .
           I
           mean
           the
           celebrated
           Mr.
           Williamson
           whom
           all
           the
           Ladies
           flock'd
           to
           see
           from
           all
           the
           corners
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           when
           he
           delivered
           his
           Harangue
           before
           Queen
           Mary
           ;
           for
           he
           was
           a
           Captain
           of
           Horse
           in
           the
           Rebellion
           at
           †
           
             Bothwel
             bridge
          
           .
           And
           I
           think
           any
           Cadet
           in
           
           Dumbarton's
           Regiment
           may
           ,
           without
           Vanity
           ,
           be
           compared
           to
           a
           Captain
           of
           the
           Rebellion
           at
           
             Bothwell
             bridge
          
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           that
           I
           mention
           Mr.
           
             David
             Williamson
          
           ,
           I
           intreat
           him
           not
           to
           take
           it
           ill
           if
           I
           recommend
           the
           Censure
           of
           one
           part
           of
           your
           Preface
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           to
           himself
           ;
           for
           amongst
           many
           other
           things
           with
           which
           you
           asperse
           the
           Clergy
           of
           Scotland
           that
           sojourn
           in
           England
           ,
           this
           is
           one
           ,
           that
           
             they
             troop
             about
             the
             Country
             with
             their
          
           
           
             stoln
             Sermons
          
           .
           Truly
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           know
           any
           one
           of
           them
           that
           preaches
           ,
           except
           such
           as
           are
           provided
           with
           some
           Benefice
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           that
           is
           no
           small
           part
           of
           their
           Disaster
           and
           Infelicity
           ,
           so
           you
           cannot
           tell
           whether
           their
           Sermons
           are
           stoln
           or
           not
           .
           In
           some
           cases
           it
           is
           not
           only
           allow
           able
           to
           borrow
           but
           expedient
           ,
           and
           if
           your
           Curiosity
           would
           engage
           you
           to
           read
           St.
           
             Cyprian
             de
             Idolorum
             vanitate
          
           ,
           you
           would
           find
           that
           he
           hath
           several
           Sentences
           ,
           nay
           the
           very
           turnings
           of
           Phrases
           from
           
             Minutius
             Faelix
          
           ;
           and
           this
           argues
           his
           Love
           to
           the
           Author
           and
           to
           the
           thing
           rather
           than
           any
           Indigence
           of
           his
           own
           .
           If
           the
           Curates
           read
           good
           and
           solid
           Books
           and
           preach
           them
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           why
           may
           not
           they
           be
           allowed
           to
           
             bring
             out
             of
             their
             Treasure
             things
             new
             and
             old
             .
          
           If
           the
           sparkish
           Daw
           in
           the
           Fable
           had
           only
           filled
           up
           the
           vacant
           places
           of
           her
           Wings
           with
           Feathers
           of
           her
           own
           kind
           ,
           she
           had
           never
           been
           ridiculous
           ;
           for
           we
           all
           of
           us
           acknowledge
           heartily
           that
           we
           borrow
           ;
           but
           still
           it
           is
           from
           Birds
           of
           our
           own
           colour
           .
        
         
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           am
           to
           give
           an
           instance
           of
           an
           impudent
           Plagiary
           ,
           who
           lately
           before
           the
           Presbyterian
           Parliament
           ,
           in
           a
           Sermon
           designed
           to
           abuse
           the
           whole
           Order
           of
           Bishops
           ,
           borrows
           
           from
           *
           Bishop
           Brownrig
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           about
           16.
           or
           17.
           
           Lines
           .
           I
           do
           not
           at
           all
           find
           fault
           with
           Mr.
           Williamson
           for
           reading
           Bishop
           
           Brownrig's
           Sermons
           ,
           nor
           yet
           do
           I
           blame
           him
           for
           preaching
           them
           to
           the
           People
           ;
           would
           to
           God
           he
           would
           preach
           none
           else
           ,
           but
           to
           borrow
           so
           much
           from
           a
           
             superstitious
             Sermon
          
           preached
           at
           the
           
             Inauguration
             of
             King
          
           Charles
           I
           ,
           
             a
             Martyr
             for
             Prelacy
          
           ,
           and
           before
           my
           
             Lord
             Melvil
          
           ,
           in
           a
           Discourse
           calculated
           to
           incense
           the
           Meeting
           against
           Prelacy
           ,
           was
           truly
           becoming
           Mr.
           
           Williamson's
           Genorisity
           :
           I
           do
           not
           declaim
           against
           his
           Stealing
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           as
           much
           obliged
           to
           Bishop
           Brownrig
           as
           to
           any
           Book
           of
           that
           kind
           that
           ever
           I
           read
           .
           And
           this
           very
           Observation
           I
           have
           from
           another
           *
           Curate
           who
           read
           Mr.
           
           Williamson's
           Sermon
           ,
           and
           compared
           it
           with
           the
           place
           in
           Bishop
           Brownrig
           ,
           whence
           he
           stole
           his
           most
           beautiful
           Feathers
           :
           and
           if
           the
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           had
           known
           ,
           when
           they
           groaned
           under
           Mr.
           
           Williamson's
           powerful
           Preaching
           ,
           that
           his
           smooth
           and
           nervous
           Conclusion
           ,
           full
           of
           Laconick
           Majesty
           and
           Solidity
           ,
           had
           been
           borrowed
           from
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           they
           might
           think
           that
           such
           a
           Man
           as
           Brownrig
           was
           ,
           was
           not
           altogether
           unworthy
           of
           Mr.
           
           Williamson's
           Conversation
           ;
           and
           the
           plain
           truth
           is
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           very
           hard
           thing
           to
           treat
           a
           Bishop
           as
           a
           Limb
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           when
           his
           own
           Jewels
           were
           borrowed
           to
           make
           such
           a
           Figure
           before
           the
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           Next
           comes
           your
           Compliment
           to
           the
           Memory
           of
           my
           Lord
           Dumbarton
           ,
           as
           an
           Evidence
           of
           your
           extraordinary
           Prudence
           and
           Caution
           .
           You
           knew
           ,
           that
           when
           your
           Book
           appeared
           my
           Lord
           Duke
           Hamilton
           was
           Commissioner
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           expected
           the
           thorough
           Settlement
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           which
           now
           you
           have
           in
           Folio
           ,
           by
           the
           late
           Act
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           not
           safe
           to
           reflect
           upon
           my
           Lord
           Dumbarton
           or
           his
           Regiment
           .
           But
           good
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           speak
           out
           plainly
           ,
           do
           you
           truly
           think
           that
           Persons
           of
           my
           Lord
           Duke
           
           Hamilton's
           Quality
           and
           Sence
           read
           such
           Pamphlets
           as
           yours
           ;
           certainly
           you
           cannot
           be
           so
           mad
           ,
           your
           Books
           are
           calculated
           for
           a
           lower
           order
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           tho
           you
           sent
           some
           of
           them
           beyond
           Seas
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           only
           considered
           by
           such
           who
           never
           read
           any
           thing
           but
           nasty
           Pamphlets
           ,
           and
           who
           now
           and
           then
           dream
           of
           Plots
           ,
           and
           reason
           about
           them
           with
           the
           same
           profound
           Sense
           that
           you
           do
           when
           you
           cite
           your
           
             Logical
             Aocioms
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           when
           you
           draw
           near
           to
           a
           Conclusion
           ,
           you
           give
           the
           Dr.
           such
           a
           Blow
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           not
           able
           to
           recover
           :
           for
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Postscript
           said
           ,
           that
           you
           began
           your
           
             Title
             page
             with
             a
             Lie
             ,
             that
             your
             Book
             might
             be
             all
             of
             a
             piece
             .
          
           And
           this
           again
           provokes
           your
           
           Heroick
           Passion
           ,
           and
           you
           load
           your
           Antagonist
           with
           some
           of
           the
           most
           odious
           Reproaches
           that
           your
           Dictionary
           could
           furnish
           you
           with
           .
           But
           ,
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           what
           was
           it
           that
           he
           said
           ?
           why
           ,
           he
           said
           that
           your
           Book
           ,
           was
           not
           printed
           for
           
             Tho.
             Anderson
          
           near
           Charing-Cross
           ,
           and
           you
           charge
           him
           upon
           credit
           ,
           to
           prove
           that
           it
           was
           not
           printed
           for
           him
           .
           And
           must
           you
           never
           be
           cured
           of
           this
           impertinence
           ,
           that
           you
           oblige
           your
           Adversary
           to
           prove
           a
           Negative
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ?
           and
           then
           to
           make
           your
           ignorance
           the
           more
           conspicuous
           ,
           you
           guard
           your
           desire
           with
           a
           
             Logical
             Axiom
             ,
             Affirmanti
             incumbit
             probatio
             .
          
           I
           am
           ashamed
           of
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           do
           not
           know
           the
           difference
           between
           an
           Affirmative
           and
           a
           
             Negative
             Proposition
          
           ;
           when
           he
           said
           that
           it
           was
           not
           printed
           for
           
             Tho.
             Anderson
          
           near
           Charing-Cross
           ,
           he
           affirmed
           nothing
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           called
           you
           a
           Lyar
           ,
           though
           such
           a
           Proposition
           sounded
           like
           an
           Affirmative
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           no
           
             affirmative
             Proposition
          
           ,
           but
           finally
           resolved
           into
           a
           Negative
           ,
           and
           can
           no
           otherwise
           be
           proved
           than
           as
           a
           Negative
           may
           ;
           and
           since
           he
           could
           meet
           with
           no
           Bookseller
           near
           Charing-Cross
           ,
           who
           knew
           any
           such
           man
           of
           their
           Trade
           ,
           might
           not
           he
           reasonably
           presume
           that
           your
           Title-page
           had
           a
           Lye
           in
           the
           bosom
           of
           it
           ;
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           it
           may
           be
           true
           that
           your
           Book
           was
           printed
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           lives
           in
           some
           dark
           Vault
           near
           Charing-Cross
           .
           Such
           a
           thing
           is
           possible
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           not
           very
           probable
           that
           a
           Bookselseller
           should
           hide
           himself
           under
           ground
           ;
           for
           that
           is
           not
           their
           ordinary
           way
           of
           selling
           Books
           .
           I
           insist
           on
           this
           only
           to
           chastise
           your
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           vanity
           ,
           when
           you
           darken
           the
           whole
           Hemisphere
           with
           Dust
           ,
           out
           comes
           your
           
             affirmanti
             incumbit
             probatio
          
           ,
           as
           if
           your
           Adversary
           had
           the
           Affirmative
           that
           ought
           to
           be
           proved
           .
        
         
           You
           are
           so
           foolishly
           vain
           ,
           that
           if
           all
           the
           particular
           Paragraphs
           of
           your
           first
           Book
           have
           not
           been
           considered
           ,
           you
           conclude
           that
           your
           Adversary
           was
           convinced
           of
           their
           truth
           and
           solidity
           .
           The
           Error
           that
           I
           just
           now
           named
           brings
           to
           my
           mind
           another
           piece
           of
           fulsome
           ignorance
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           with
           the
           former
           .
           You
           may
           meet
           with
           it
           in
           the
           place
           cited
           on
           the
           
           Margin
           .
           Your
           Antagonist
           loaded
           the
           Presbyterians
           with
           inconsistencies
           ,
           and
           particularly
           he
           exposed
           your
           dorage
           and
           fooleries
           concerning
           anniversary
           Days
           ,
           and
           he
           might
           do
           it
           with
           the
           greater
           safety
           ,
           because
           you
           still
           retain
           something
           in
           your
           practice
           which
           overthrows
           your
           Principles
           :
           for
           you
           celebrate
           the
           great
           Charities
           of
           
             George
             Herriot
          
           by
           an
           Anniversary
           commemoration
           :
           
           Ergo
           (
           says
           he
           )
           you
           are
           not
           against
           anniversary
           Solemnities
           .
           But
           you
           confute
           this
           argument
           very
           learnedly
           ,
           and
           you
           prove
           from
           clear
           Scripture
           that
           
             Anniversaries
             are
             unlawful
          
           ,
           because
           the
           
             fourth
             Commandment
          
           says
           positively
           ,
           
             Six
             days
             shalt
             thou
             work
             :
             Ergo
             ,
          
           you
           conclude
           ,
           that
           all
           Anniversary
           Solemnities
           are
           unlawful
           .
           Now
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           let
           us
           calmly
           consider
           the
           strength
           of
           your
           argument
           .
           All
           men
           are
           obliged
           by
           this
           Precept
           in
           the
           sense
           that
           you
           put
           upon
           it
           ,
           or
           they
           are
           not
           ;
           if
           all
           are
           obliged
           (
           as
           no
           doubt
           they
           are
           )
           by
           what
           dispensation
           are
           they
           of
           
           Heriot's
           foundation
           exempted
           ?
           and
           if
           particular
           Societies
           be
           exempted
           ,
           why
           may
           not
           the
           whole
           Nation
           pretend
           an
           exemption
           ?
           for
           one
           Society
           is
           no
           more
           privileg'd
           than
           another
           ,
           and
           if
           all
           Societies
           may
           equally
           pretend
           an
           exemption
           ,
           why
           may
           it
           not
           be
           granted
           to
           the
           whole
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           is
           but
           the
           political
           aggregate
           of
           so
           many
           Societies
           ?
           For
           ,
           if
           they
           of
           
           Herriot's
           Hospital
           may
           celebrate
           an
           Anniversary
           ,
           why
           may
           not
           all
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           Edinburgh
           do
           it
           ?
           But
           you
           fortifie
           your
           Opinion
           by
           a
           
             Logical
             Axiom
             ,
             Ex
             particulari
             non
             licet
             Syllogisare
             ,
          
           which
           you
           think
           signifies
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           not
           draw
           precedents
           from
           the
           allowable
           practice
           of
           particular
           Societies
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           the
           Philosophy
           that
           you
           make
           such
           a
           noise
           with
           ,
           whereas
           every
           Boy
           in
           the
           second
           Class
           that
           does
           not
           deserve
           whipping
           ,
           can
           tell
           you
           that
           the
           meaning
           of
           that
           Logical
           Rule
           is
           ,
           that
           
             either
             of
             the
             premisses
             at
             least
             must
             be
             an
             universal
             Proposition
             ,
          
           whether
           affirmative
           or
           negative
           :
           for
           two
           particular
           propositions
           cannot
           bear
           the
           weight
           of
           
             a
             conclusion
          
           ,
           no
           more
           than
           two
           Negatives
           .
           Now
           tell
           me
           sincerely
           ,
           whether
           the
           making
           such
           a
           noise
           with
           Logical
           Rules
           ,
           when
           you
           do
           not
           understand
           what
           they
           mean
           be
           not
           Nonsense
           and
           pedantry
           ,
           in
           all
           their
           pomps
           and
           formalities
           .
           If
           the
           practice
           of
           
           Herriot's
           Hospital
           were
           to
           be
           defended
           by
           argument
           ,
           the
           patrons
           of
           it
           would
           reason
           from
           the
           religious
           practice
           of
           all
           other
           Societies
           ,
           the
           rules
           of
           gratitude
           ,
           and
           the
           constitutions
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           a
           conclusion
           regularly
           deduced
           from
           such
           principles
           is
           not
           I
           hope
           
             ex
             particulari
          
           ,
           as
           you
           ignorantly
           fancy
           .
           But
           not
           to
           trifle
           with
           you
           any
           more
           ,
           the
           answer
           to
           your
           argument
           is
           contain'd
           in
           that
           short
           ,
           but
           undeniable
           Axiom
           received
           by
           all
           Divines
           ,
           
             Praecepta
             affirmativa
             obligant
             semper
             ,
             sed
             non
             ad
             semper
          
           ;
           and
           we
           may
           work
           
             six
             days
             ,
             nisi
             interveniat
             feriationis
             causa
             legitima
             ,
             auctoritate
             divinâ
             vel
             humanâ
             stabilita
             .
          
           Pray
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           forgive
           all
           this
           Latine
           ;
           for
           I
           do
           not
           think
           that
           the
           speaking
           of
           Latine
           is
           at
           all
           times
           pedantry
           ,
           and
           many
           are
           apt
           to
           let
           
           that
           pass
           for
           pedantick
           which
           they
           do
           not
           understand
           ;
           but
           if
           the
           phrase
           ,
           
             of
             your
             infectious
             Breath
          
           ,
           be
           the
           Word
           that
           provoked
           the
           Severity
           of
           your
           Censure
           ,
           the
           Dr.
           in
           all
           Humility
           retracts
           it
           ;
           for
           tho
           your
           Breath
           be
           putrid
           ,
           yet
           the
           Contagion
           spreads
           no
           further
           than
           People
           of
           your
           own
           Complexion
           ,
           Men
           sufficiently
           infected
           before
           you
           breath'd
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           pretend
           that
           this
           Treatise
           is
           methodical
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           take
           no
           other
           Care
           to
           methodize
           my
           Animadversions
           on
           your
           Book
           ,
           than
           as
           they
           tumble
           into
           my
           Fancy
           ,
           I
           lie
           open
           to
           the
           censure
           of
           your
           Histeron-Proteron
           as
           oft
           as
           you
           please
           .
           Your
           Dedication
           to
           the
           
             Scotch
             Parliament
          
           is
           as
           considerable
           as
           the
           Book
           it self
           ,
           for
           being
           the
           only
           Book
           that
           was
           dedicated
           to
           them
           ,
           it
           contains
           your
           own
           grave
           and
           serious
           Advice
           how
           to
           manage
           the
           publick
           Affairs
           .
           Next
           you
           fall
           upon
           the
           
             poor
             Dr.
          
           and
           he
           must
           be
           lash'd
           and
           chastis'd
           for
           his
           Rashness
           and
           Precipitancy
           ,
           because
           he
           presumed
           to
           give
           such
           an
           account
           of
           your
           first
           Book
           :
           but
           since
           you
           paint
           him
           as
           an
           Ass
           at
           the
           very
           beginning
           ,
           why
           was
           you
           at
           so
           much
           pains
           with
           him
           ?
           so
           mean
           a
           Creature
           was
           below
           a
           Man
           of
           your
           Elevation
           ;
           and
           since
           you
           can
           defame
           and
           expose
           
             Crowned
             Heads
             ,
             Dukes
             ,
             Earls
             ,
          
           and
           Prelates
           ,
           why
           all
           this
           Noise
           to
           run
           down
           a
           poor
           Hermite
           .
           Your
           very
           first
           Blow
           hath
           in
           it
           so
           much
           Life
           and
           Wit
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           his
           cold
           and
           phlegmatick
           Temper
           can
           never
           reach
           it
           ,
           
             As
             Postscript
             in
             Answer
             to
             the
             First
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           second
           Page
           of
           your
           Continuation
           there
           is
           a
           Catalogue
           of
           the
           most
           tragical
           Stories
           ,
           made
           up
           to
           justifie
           all
           the
           Bitterness
           and
           Buffoonry
           of
           your
           former
           Pamphlet
           .
           You
           justifie
           the
           Severity
           of
           your
           Stile
           by
           the
           Answer
           of
           a
           Tinker
           .
           And
           truly
           if
           all
           the
           Parts
           of
           your
           Book
           had
           been
           equally
           pertinent
           ,
           it
           had
           been
           the
           best
           
             Presbyterian
             Farce
          
           that
           appeared
           since
           its
           late
           Erection
           :
           but
           because
           I
           would
           let
           you
           understand
           that
           our
           Registers
           of
           Fanatick
           Cruelties
           ,
           Rebellions
           and
           Perjuries
           are
           as
           exact
           as
           the
           Legends
           of
           your
           imaginary
           Grievances
           ,
           I
           will
           set
           down
           eight
           Particulars
           in
           an
           opposite
           Column
           to
           your
           eight
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           have
           sixteen
           .
        
         
           
             
             
               
                 I.
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 remember
                 the
                 Tumultuous
                 Meetings
                 ,
                 Rebellious
                 Protestations
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 bloody
                 Consequences
                 of
                 the
                 Presbyterian
                 Covenants
                 and
                 Associations
                 ,
                 the
                 Murder
                 of
                 our
                 King
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 tied
                 Neck
                 and
                 Heels
                 ,
                 until
                 their
                 Confederates
                 brought
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 Scaffold
                 ,
                 the
                 Miseries
                 of
                 an
                 intestine
                 War
                 ,
                 the
                 Taxes
                 ,
                 Contributions
                 and
                 Free-quarter
                 imposed
                 by
                 the
                 Arbitrary
                 Power
                 of
                 rebellious
                 Subjects
                 and
                 mock
                 Parliaments
                 ,
                 the
                 Multitude
                 of
                 Errors
                 ,
                 Heresies
                 and
                 Dreams
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 proclaim'd
                 from
                 our
                 Pulpits
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 we
                 remember
                 that
                 their
                 Principles
                 were
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 the
                 Royal
                 Prerogative
                 ,
                 our
                 antient
                 Constitution
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 Primitive
                 Order
                 of
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 
                   I.
                   
                     While
                     the
                     Memory
                     of
                     King
                  
                   Charles
                   II.
                   
                     and
                     King
                  
                   James
                   VII
                   .
                   
                     endures
                     ,
                     and
                     till
                     Time
                     ,
                     the
                     Consumer
                     of
                     all
                     things
                     hath
                     eat
                     up
                     their
                     Parliament
                     Rolls
                     ,
                     it
                     will
                     hold
                     an
                     undeniable
                     Truth
                     ,
                     that
                     the
                     Prelatical
                     Party
                     of
                  
                   Scotland
                   
                     are
                     Persecutors
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     in
                     denying
                     the
                     same
                     they
                     have
                     made
                     themselves
                     notorious
                     Liars
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 II.
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 remember
                 that
                 the
                 first
                 Covenanters
                 had
                 all
                 sworn
                 the
                 Oaths
                 of
                 Canonical
                 Obedience
                 to
                 their
                 respective
                 Bishops
                 in
                 their
                 several
                 Dioceses
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 dispensed
                 with
                 the
                 said
                 Oath
                 of
                 Canonical
                 Obedience
                 in
                 their
                 General
                 Assembly
                 
                   (
                   An.
                
                 163.
                 
                 Sess
                 .
                 13.
                 
                 Dec.
                 5.
                 )
                 and
                 forgot
                 their
                 Allegiance
                 to
                 their
                 natural
                 Lord
                 and
                 Sovereign
                 ,
                 and
                 imposed
                 their
                 Babel
                 Covenant
                 on
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 tyrannical
                 manner
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 they
                 continue
                 to
                 declaim
                 against
                 the
                 legal
                 securities
                 of
                 our
                 Religion
                 and
                 Constitution
                 as
                 contradictory
                 to
                 it self
                 ;
                 so
                 long
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 excused
                 to
                 say
                 that
                 Presbyterians
                 have
                 no
                 rule
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 nor
                 no
                 Standard
                 of
                 Morals
                 but
                 the
                 Practices
                 of
                 their
                 rebellious
                 Predecessors
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 
                   II.
                   
                     So
                     long
                     as
                     it
                     appears
                     by
                     the
                     same
                     Acts
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     imposed
                     a
                     contradictory
                     Test
                     ,
                     so
                     long
                     will
                     it
                     hold
                     that
                     they
                     are
                     perjured
                     themselves
                     ,
                     and
                     chargeable
                     with
                     the
                     Perjury
                     of
                     others
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
             
               
                 III.
                 So
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 can
                 remember
                 that
                 the
                 Western
                 Bigots
                 and
                 Incendiaries
                 blew
                 up
                 the
                 People
                 into
                 such
                 mad
                 Fancies
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 laid
                 the
                 whole
                 stress
                 of
                 their
                 Salvation
                 upon
                 their
                 Zeal
                 to
                 promote
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 taught
                 them
                 to
                 resist
                 their
                 lawful
                 Sovereign
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 proclaim
                 War
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 printed
                 Books
                 to
                 justifie
                 the
                 most
                 barbarous
                 Assassinations
                 ;
                 so
                 long
                 we
                 may
                 conclude
                 that
                 the
                 People
                 who
                 are
                 led
                 by
                 such
                 Guides
                 are
                 in
                 a
                 most
                 miserable
                 Condition
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 retain
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 Reason
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Sense
                 of
                 Self-preservation
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 our
                 Governours
                 must
                 be
                 commended
                 ,
                 who
                 guarded
                 against
                 the
                 Dangers
                 that
                 threatned
                 us
                 under
                 their
                 Administrations
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 Men
                 love
                 their
                 Peace
                 ,
                 Constitution
                 and
                 Comfort
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 they
                 must
                 endeavour
                 by
                 the
                 supereminent
                 Law
                 and
                 first
                 Principle
                 of
                 all
                 Societies
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 Sanguinary
                 Rebels
                 to
                 feel
                 the
                 Effects
                 of
                 their
                 open
                 Villanies
                 and
                 Conspiracies
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 
                   III.
                   
                     So
                     long
                     as
                     it
                     remains
                     in
                     the
                     Records
                     of
                     Council
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     ordered
                     Men
                     to
                     be
                     killed
                     without
                     any
                     Tryal
                     or
                     colour
                     of
                     Law
                     ,
                     or
                     so
                     much
                     as
                     with
                     an
                     Exception
                     ,
                     whether
                     they
                     resisted
                     or
                     not
                     resisted
                     ,
                     so
                     long
                     will
                     it
                     bold
                     that
                     they
                     are
                     bloody
                     Murderers
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
             
               
                 IV.
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 there
                 are
                 any
                 Records
                 of
                 that
                 Mock-Assembly
                 preserved
                 ,
                 the
                 World
                 may
                 be
                 easily
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Impertinent
                 Queries
                 and
                 Disobedience
                 to
                 the
                 King's
                 Order
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 Tyranny
                 and
                 Ambition
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Lording
                 it
                 over
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Confession
                 are
                 their
                 Equals
                 in
                 Power
                 and
                 Jurisdiction
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 divine
                 right
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 they
                 suspend
                 the
                 Exercise
                 of
                 that
                 Power
                 which
                 is
                 conferred
                 by
                 divine
                 Right
                 ,
                 by
                 virtue
                 of
                 an
                 Act
                 of
                 Parliament
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 hope
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 think
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 more
                 than
                 Human
                 Authority
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 
                   IV.
                   
                     So
                     long
                     as
                     the
                     Records
                     of
                     the
                     last
                     General
                     Assembly
                     of
                     the
                     Church
                     of
                  
                   Scotland
                   
                     remain
                     ,
                     it
                     it
                     will
                     appear
                     by
                     their
                     Evasions
                     ,
                     Answers
                     ,
                     and
                     disingenuous
                     refusals
                     to
                     declare
                     their
                     Abhorrence
                     of
                     Arminianism
                     ,
                     Socinianism
                     ,
                     and
                     Popery
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     are
                     Firebrands
                     in
                     the
                     Church
                     ,
                     and
                     Incendiaries
                     in
                     the
                     State.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 V.
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 such
                 blasphemous
                 Nonsense
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Decretum
                   praedamnatum
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Decretum
                   praeteritum
                
                 ,
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 and
                 read
                 in
                 the
                 Writings
                 of
                 their
                 greatest
                 Champions
                 ;
                 so
                 long
                 they
                 are
                 iustly
                 charged
                 with
                 Nonsense
                 and
                 Blasphemy
                 .
                 
                   Vid.
                   Second
                   Vindication
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   of
                
                 Scotland
                 .
                 pag.
                 66.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 
                   V.
                   
                     So
                     long
                     as
                     any
                     of
                     their
                     villanous
                     Libels
                     ,
                     called
                     the
                  
                   Scotch
                   Presbyterian
                   Eloquence
                   ,
                   
                     exist
                     ,
                     wherein
                     they
                     charge
                     Holiness
                     with
                     Deformity
                     ,
                     God
                     with
                     horrid
                     Decrees
                     ,
                     and
                     mock
                     at
                     Seriousness
                     and
                     Piety
                     ;
                     so
                     long
                     will
                     it
                     be
                     evident
                     that
                     they
                     are
                     Blasphemers
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
             
               
                 VI.
                 The
                 Address
                 of
                 the
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Scotland
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Revolution
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 contained
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 was
                 agreeable
                 to
                 the
                 publick
                 Prayers
                 used
                 in
                 behalf
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 in
                 both
                 Nations
                 ;
                 and
                 Mr.
                 Ridpath
                 knows
                 that
                 the
                 other
                 Branch
                 of
                 this
                 Particular
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 touched
                 :
                 yet
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 the
                 Act
                 of
                 the
                 
                   West
                   Kirk
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Remonstrance
                 in
                 the
                 Year
                 1650
                 ,
                 (
                 not
                 to
                 name
                 preceding
                 Papers
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 Acts
                 of
                 the
                 General
                 Assembly
                 in
                 the
                 year
                 1648
                 )
                 are
                 preserved
                 ;
                 so
                 long
                 the
                 Presbyterian
                 Principles
                 are
                 known
                 to
                 be
                 subversive
                 of
                 all
                 
                   Kingly
                   Power
                
                 ,
                 and
                 destructive
                 to
                 all
                 Allegiance
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Rights
                 of
                 Sovereignty
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                   VI.
                   
                
                 
                   
                     So
                     long
                     as
                     that
                     scurrilous
                     Address
                     of
                     their
                     Bishops
                     against
                     the
                     Prince
                     of
                  
                   Orange
                   ,
                   
                     their
                     opposing
                     him
                     in
                     Parliament
                     ,
                     their
                     refusing
                     to
                     pray
                     for
                     him
                     ,
                     or
                     swear
                     to
                     him
                     now
                     he
                     is
                     King
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     legal
                     procedure
                     against
                     them
                     on
                     the
                     said
                     accounts
                     are
                     on
                     record
                     ;
                     so
                     long
                     it
                     will
                     appear
                     that
                     they
                     are
                     Rebels
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 VII
                 .
                 So
                 long
                 as
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 your
                 Rebellious
                 Parliaments
                 from
                 1639
                 to
                 1649
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 your
                 Assemblies
                 in
                 1648
                 and
                 1649
                 continue
                 upon
                 record
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 zealous
                 *
                 Preachers
                 importuning
                 the
                 Committee
                 of
                 Estates
                 in
                 person
                 ,
                 to
                 execute
                 the
                 King
                 's
                 most
                 faithful
                 Servants
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 the
                 World
                 may
                 be
                 informed
                 of
                 Presbyterian
                 Spite
                 and
                 Malice
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 
                   VII
                   .
                   
                     So
                     long
                     as
                     their
                     bloody
                     Acts
                     of
                     Parliament
                     ,
                     and
                     barbarous
                     Execution
                     of
                     those
                     Acts
                     against
                     us
                     ,
                     and
                     our
                     gentle
                     Acts
                     of
                     Parliament
                     ,
                     and
                     moderate
                     Execution
                     of
                     those
                     Acts
                     against
                     them
                     ,
                     are
                     upon
                     record
                     ,
                     so
                     long
                     it
                     will
                     appear
                     that
                     they
                     are
                     infamous
                     Liars
                     in
                     asserting
                     that
                     we
                     treat
                     them
                     more
                     barbarously
                     than
                     they
                     treated
                     us
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
             
               
                 VIII
                 .
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 the
                 West
                 of
                 Scotland
                 continues
                 unreformed
                 from
                 barbarous
                 Principles
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 they
                 are
                 a
                 Plague
                 to
                 the
                 Nation
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Reproach
                 to
                 the
                 Protestant
                 Religion
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 only
                 understood
                 of
                 such
                 of
                 them
                 as
                 deserve
                 this
                 Character
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ridpath
                   .
                
                 VIII
                 .
                 
                   So
                   long
                   as
                   the
                   West
                   of
                
                 Scotland
                 
                   (
                   which
                   was
                   the
                   principal
                   Scene
                   of
                   these
                   bloody
                   Tragedies
                   )
                   has
                   a
                   being
                   ,
                   so
                   long
                   will
                   it
                   appear
                   that
                   they
                   were
                   barbarous
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           Before
           I
           take
           leave
           of
           you
           ,
           I
           must
           put
           the
           Reader
           in
           mind
           of
           one
           Argument
           by
           which
           you
           endeavour
           to
           fully
           the
           Reputation
           of
           such
           of
           the
           Bishops
           as
           voted
           in
           the
           late
           Convention
           ,
           before
           the
           
             King's
             Letter
          
           to
           them
           was
           opened
           ,
           that
           
             They
             were
             a
             free
             and
             lawful
             Meeting
             ,
             notwithstanding
             of
             any
             Order
             that
             might
             be
             contained
             in
             that
             Letter
             to
             dissolve
             them
          
           ;
           from
           this
           you
           conclude
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           inconsistent
           with
           their
           own
           Principles
           and
           after
           Practices
           .
           And
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           if
           they
           intended
           by
           that
           Vote
           nothing
           less
           than
           what
           the
           Presbyterian
           Party
           advanced
           ,
           
             they
             were
             inconsistent
             with
             their
             Principles
          
           ;
           but
           tho
           they
           concurred
           in
           that
           Vote
           ,
           they
           took
           the
           Words
           
             a
             free
             and
             lawful
             meeting
          
           ,
           not
           to
           signifie
           any
           Meeting
           of
           the
           People
           contrary
           to
           the
           
             King's
             Prerogative
             ,
             Authority
          
           ,
           and
           
             standing
             Laws
          
           ;
           but
           rather
           a
           Meeting
           to
           support
           all
           the
           three
           ,
           and
           they
           were
           to
           sit
           notwithstanding
           of
           a
           Prohibition
           ,
           until
           such
           time
           as
           they
           could
           duly
           inform
           the
           King
           of
           the
           Straits
           and
           Difficulties
           that
           they
           were
           involved
           in
           :
           Necessity
           made
           them
           bow
           under
           the
           Weight
           of
           that
           Opposition
           that
           they
           wrestled
           with
           ;
           and
           they
           hoped
           that
           a
           Vote
           might
           be
           forgiven
           ,
           which
           their
           Practices
           would
           have
           vindicated
           from
           any
           suspicion
           of
           lessening
           the
           
             Royal
             Authority
          
           .
           But
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           did
           you
           never
           hear
           of
           a
           Merchant
           throwing
           overboard
           his
           Goods
           in
           a
           Storm
           ,
           his
           Principle
           is
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           to
           preserve
           ,
           and
           improve
           his
           Stock
           ,
           yet
           when
           Life
           ,
           and
           Ship
           ,
           and
           all
           is
           in
           hazard
           ,
           Silver
           and
           Gold
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           Cargo
           that
           he
           is
           Master
           of
           ,
           must
           be
           flung
           over
           .
           Men
           sometimes
           ,
           in
           the
           Simplicity
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           may
           yield
           to
           some
           publick
           Acts
           in
           a
           time
           of
           Danger
           and
           Confusion
           ,
           which
           ,
           in
           their
           own
           Nature
           and
           Tendency
           are
           inconsistent
           with
           their
           Principles
           :
           the
           wisest
           Men
           may
           sometimes
           mistake
           their
           measures
           ,
           and
           the
           presence
           of
           ones
           Mind
           does
           not
           perpetually
           attend
           
           him
           .
           A
           great
           many
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           of
           Scotland
           took
           the
           Covenant
           as
           it
           was
           enjoin'd
           by
           King
           Charles
           I.
           in
           the
           sense
           intended
           by
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           in
           the
           Reign
           of
           
             King
             James
          
           VI.
           yet
           this
           act
           of
           their
           duty
           and
           obedience
           was
           by
           the
           Leading-Covenanters
           thought
           inconsistent
           with
           their
           principles
           and
           practices
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           were
           forced
           to
           disown
           it
           afterwards
           ,
           and
           to
           adhere
           to
           the
           Covenant
           it
           its
           true
           and
           genuine
           sense
           of
           Sedition
           and
           Rebellion
           .
           All
           the
           Presbyterians
           of
           Scotland
           after
           the
           Restoration
           of
           King
           Charles
           II.
           both
           Ministers
           and
           People
           came
           to
           Church
           without
           scruple
           or
           hesitation
           ,
           yet
           afterwards
           they
           began
           to
           think
           that
           this
           practice
           could
           not
           be
           reconciled
           to
           their
           mutinous
           Associations
           and
           Covenants
           ;
           and
           therefore
           for
           the
           most
           part
           all
           of
           them
           left
           the
           Church
           and
           publick
           Worship
           of
           the
           Episcopalians
           .
           There
           is
           a
           Protestation
           upon
           record
           in
           the
           Year
           1641.
           in
           the
           journal
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           May
           3.
           which
           in
           its
           nature
           was
           but
           a
           Prologue
           to
           the
           
             Solemn
             League
             and
             Covenant
          
           ,
           and
           very
           derogatory
           to
           the
           
           King's
           prerogative
           ,
           and
           the
           ancient
           settlement
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           and
           yet
           I
           find
           that
           several
           of
           the
           
             Loyal
             Nobility
          
           ,
           and
           
             six
             Bishops
          
           ,
           signed
           this
           Protestation
           .
           Things
           may
           appear
           
           very
           plausible
           in
           the
           beginning
           ,
           that
           are
           introductiory
           to
           the
           saddest
           consequences
           .
           The
           Nobility
           and
           Bishops
           that
           signed
           the
           Protestation
           that
           I
           just
           now
           named
           ,
           had
           reason
           to
           repent
           of
           their
           precipitancy
           ,
           when
           the
           Faction
           owned
           above
           board
           ,
           that
           no
           Reformation
           woul
           satisfie
           but
           
             the
             extirpation
             of
             Root
             and
             Branch
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           phrase
           that
           then
           was
           in
           vogue
           .
           We
           are
           to
           take
           an
           estimate
           of
           mens
           principles
           ,
           not
           from
           their
           indeliberate
           and
           casual
           stumblings
           in
           time
           of
           darkness
           ,
           uncertainty
           and
           danger
           ;
           but
           rather
           from
           their
           constant
           Doctrine
           ,
           their
           habitual
           Byass
           ,
           their
           more
           calm
           and
           sedate
           reasonings
           ,
           their
           Books
           ,
           Homilies
           ,
           and
           Sermons
           .
           I
           could
           name
           later
           instances
           than
           any
           that
           I
           have
           touched
           ,
           which
           might
           reasonably
           be
           presum'd
           to
           be
           inconsistent
           with
           their
           Principles
           who
           were
           actors
           ,
           and
           yet
           I
           am
           so
           far
           from
           thinking
           them
           disingenuous
           ,
           or
           treacherous
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           them
           to
           be
           men
           of
           the
           greatest
           Candor
           upon
           Earth
           .
           All
           this
           I
           have
           said
           upon
           the
           supposition
           that
           the
           Bishops
           who
           concurred
           with
           that
           Vote
           of
           the
           Convention
           intended
           it
           in
           its
           full
           extent
           and
           latitude
           ;
           but
           I
           know
           that
           they
           intended
           no
           more
           by
           the
           words
           ,
           
             free
             and
             lawful
             meeting
          
           ,
           than
           what
           they
           are
           capable
           of
           in
           the
           lowest
           sense
           that
           they
           can
           be
           taken
           in
           ,
           and
           as
           
             Privy
             Councellours
          
           some
           of
           the
           Bishops
           might
           suspend
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           
           King's
           Orders
           contained
           
           in
           his
           Letters
           ,
           until
           he
           should
           be
           better
           informed
           of
           the
           state
           of
           affairs
           ,
           and
           until
           he
           should
           reiterate
           his
           Commands
           :
           in
           that
           case
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           that
           all
           who
           own
           his
           authority
           would
           leave
           the
           Convention
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           would
           gladly
           know
           whether
           you
           think
           that
           a
           Libel
           against
           Dr.
           Monro
           was
           a
           Book
           worthy
           to
           be
           dedicated
           to
           the
           Parliament
           of
           Scotland
           ?
           and
           whether
           your
           returning
           to
           Scotland
           was
           such
           an
           extraordinary
           advantage
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           that
           you
           thought
           they
           would
           upon
           this
           consideration
           go
           forward
           to
           the
           through
           settlement
           of
           Presbytery
           ?
           for
           no
           doubt
           you
           are
           among
           the
           first
           of
           those
           Students
           who
           promise
           to
           return
           ,
           if
           your
           Model
           be
           established
           in
           its
           height
           .
           The
           Books
           that
           you
           have
           written
           against
           our
           
             Kings
             ,
             Dukes
          
           ,
           and
           Parliaments
           ,
           may
           make
           atonement
           for
           the
           former
           Gallantries
           of
           your
           Life
           .
           I
           despise
           the
           knowledge
           of
           your
           particular
           History
           ,
           and
           unless
           you
           are
           as
           stupid
           as
           you
           are
           petulant
           ,
           you
           may
           guess
           by
           some
           dark
           hints
           in
           this
           Letter
           ,
           (
           which
           I
           took
           care
           that
           no
           other
           should
           understand
           but
           your self
           )
           that
           I
           am
           not
           altogether
           a
           stranger
           to
           your
           Adventures
           .
           I
           had
           your
           Life
           sent
           me
           ,
           written
           by
           one
           of
           your
           Acquaintances
           ,
           but
           though
           I
           may
           have
           many
           faults
           ,
           yet
           I
           never
           loved
           personal
           Reproaches
           and
           altercations
           .
           When
           you
           are
           in
           the
           heighth
           of
           your
           humour
           and
           passion
           ,
           I
           think
           you
           still
           below
           Revenge
           :
           It
           may
           be
           that
           the
           Lay-Gentleman
           who
           is
           next
           to
           take
           you
           to
           task
           ,
           may
           handle
           you
           more
           briskly
           ;
           notwithstanding
           that
           Presbytery
           is
           now
           triumphant
           ,
           and
           setled
           by
           an
           Act
           of
           Exclusion
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           :
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           I
           sincerely
           wish
           you
           more
           sense
           and
           modesty
           ,
           and
           I
           enter
           my
           Protestation
           before
           all
           reasonable
           men
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           not
           obliged
           to
           answer
           indefinite
           Libels
           .
           If
           you
           think
           that
           you
           are
           so
           extraordinarily
           qualified
           to
           manage
           the
           Debates
           that
           are
           on
           foot
           :
           chuse
           one
           of
           the
           Questions
           that
           are
           toss'd
           between
           both
           the
           parties
           ,
           eithe
           the
           divine
           Right
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           or
           the
           unlawfulness
           of
           Anniversary
           Days
           ,
           or
           significant
           Ceremonies
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           :
           I
           name
           these
           ,
           because
           you
           offer
           to
           vindicate
           your
           own
           Opinions
           concerning
           them
           in
           your
           Books
           ;
           and
           since
           you
           cite
           the
           Epistles
           of
           S.
           Augustine
           to
           S.
           Jerome
           ,
           from
           which
           you
           say
           ,
           the
           antiquity
           of
           Presbytery
           may
           be
           demonstrated
           ,
           pray
           do
           not
           forget
           to
           name
           that
           Epistle
           ;
           but
           I
           am
           affraid
           you
           will
           be
           forced
           to
           go
           to
           
             the
             Booksellers
             in
             the
             World
             of
             the
             Moon
             ,
          
           before
           you
           can
           meet
           with
           it
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           you
           amends
           ,
           I
           offer
           to
           prove
           positively
           that
           there
           
           is
           not
           one
           of
           your
           party
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           that
           truly
           and
           sincerely
           represents
           the
           Opinions
           of
           St.
           Jerom
           :
           nay
           more
           expresly
           I
           offer
           to
           make
           evident
           from
           the
           writings
           of
           St.
           Jerome
           ,
           that
           Eiscopacy
           was
           established
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           never
           dream'd
           of
           any
           such
           period
           of
           the
           Church
           wherein
           the
           parity
           of
           Presbyters
           prevailed
           after
           the
           death
           of
           the
           Apostles
           .
           And
           if
           you
           must
           write
           Books
           ,
           you
           ought
           to
           come
           out
           from
           behind
           the
           Curtains
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           know
           where
           your
           Bookseller
           may
           be
           found
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           Licensed
           ,
           and
           take
           the
           assistance
           of
           all
           your
           Fraternity
           ,
           read
           all
           the
           Books
           that
           you
           think
           defend
           your
           Cause
           to
           the
           best
           advantage
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           plainly
           hear
           what
           grounds
           you
           have
           to
           assert
           ,
           that
           your
           new
           and
           upstart
           Discipline
           is
           founded
           upon
           
             devine
             Right
          
           ;
           and
           why
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           persuasion
           are
           turned
           out
           ,
           if
           they
           do
           not
           solemnly
           promise
           
             never
             directly
             nor
             indirectly
          
           *
           to
           alter
           an
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           ,
           which
           can
           no
           more
           be
           reconciled
           to
           the
           former
           constitution
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           than
           to
           the
           
             Word
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Canons
           of
           the
           Universal
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           Christianity
           .
           And
           let
           us
           know
           if
           ever
           Clergymen
           were
           turned
           out
           of
           their
           Livings
           upon
           their
           denying
           to
           make
           any
           such
           promise
           ,
           since
           the
           name
           of
           Christian
           was
           heard
           in
           the
           World
           :
           and
           do
           not
           run
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           noise
           as
           if
           I
           opposed
           and
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           I
           only
           dispute
           against
           the
           Opinions
           of
           blind
           Zealots
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           more
           regard
           to
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           than
           they
           have
           to
           the
           Order
           of
           Episcopacy
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
           If
           you
           are
           as
           resolute
           as
           you
           are
           clamorous
           ,
           you
           cannot
           but
           think
           it
           reasonable
           to
           appear
           ,
           for
           no
           man
           is
           obliged
           to
           consider
           fulsome
           Lampoons
           ,
           no
           accusations
           ought
           to
           be
           heard
           against
           any
           man
           (
           far
           less
           against
           
             Kings
             ,
             Dukes
          
           ,
           and
           Prelates
           )
           unless
           the
           accuser
           openly
           pawn
           his
           reputation
           to
           prove
           the
           Crimes
           fairly
           before
           a
           competent
           Judicature
           .
           There
           are
           many
           things
           in
           both
           your
           Books
           that
           I
           have
           not
           mentioned
           ,
           yet
           I
           am
           ready
           to
           prove
           that
           they
           are
           less
           material
           and
           more
           ridiculous
           than
           those
           I
           have
           named
           ;
           for
           I
           know
           no
           man
           so
           pusillanimous
           as
           to
           turn
           his
           back
           upon
           you
           for
           fear
           of
           any
           harm
           that
           you
           can
           do
           him
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           set
           down
           the
           initial
           Letters
           of
           name
           and
           sirname
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           Mr.
           
           Rule
           's
           Latine
           ,
           makes
           up
           
             Totum
             Nomen
          
           :
           and
           there
           are
           a
           great
           many
           here
           who
           know
           me
           ,
           though
           at
           present
           I
           neither
           wear
           the
           Doctoral
           Scarf
           or
           Canonical
           Habit.
           I
           have
           hitherto
           treated
           you
           with
           all
           Civility
           ,
           though
           there
           be
           none
           alive
           has
           fewer
           Engagements
           or
           Obligations
           to
           continue
           ,
        
         
           
             Mr.
             Ridpath
             ,
          
           
             Your
             humble
             Servant
             .
             S.
             W.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           
             Mr.
             Ridpath
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           following
           
             Certificates
             and
             Letter
          
           came
           to
           my
           hands
           from
           Scotland
           ,
           not
           until
           the
           former
           Sheets
           were
           wrought
           off
           ,
           else
           they
           had
           been
           set
           down
           in
           their
           proper
           places
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           are
           more
           immediatly
           related
           .
           The
           first
           is
           under
           the
           Hands
           of
           so
           many
           honest
           Inhabitants
           of
           Leith
           ,
           in
           favours
           of
           Mr.
           
             Andrew
             Cant
          
           sometime
           their
           Minister
           ;
           and
           it
           fully
           and
           plainly
           disproves
           and
           overthrows
           the
           Original
           and
           Fundamental
           Libel
           propagated
           by
           your self
           ,
           and
           your
           Informers
           ,
           against
           him
           ,
           viz.
           That
           
             he
             was
             suspended
             from
             the
             exercise
             of
             his
             Ministry
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           the
           other
           Fabulous
           accounts
           that
           you
           raise
           upon
           this
           Calumny
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           fall
           to
           the
           Ground
           .
           It
           is
           not
           possible
           to
           prove
           Negatives
           in
           a
           Matter
           of
           Fact
           otherwise
           ,
           than
           when
           they
           who
           ought
           to
           know
           the
           thing
           in
           Controversie
           ,
           declare
           upon
           Honor
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           there
           never
           was
           any
           such
           things
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Course
           of
           his
           Ministry
           had
           been
           interrupted
           by
           any
           Sentence
           ,
           how
           easily
           might
           this
           be
           prov'd
           ;
           nay
           how
           impossible
           had
           it
           been
           to
           have
           deny'd
           it
           ,
           since
           in
           so
           numerous
           a
           Parish
           ,
           so
           near
           the
           Centre
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           their
           would
           have
           been
           so
           many
           Witnesses
           of
           so
           recent
           a
           Transaction
           .
        
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     We
                     whose
                     Names
                     are
                     underwritten
                     ,
                     (
                     Inhabitants
                     of
                  
                   Leith
                   )
                   
                     do
                     by
                     these
                     presents
                     declare
                     upon
                     Honor
                     and
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     that
                     Mr.
                  
                   Andrew
                   Cant
                   ,
                   
                     (
                     sometime
                     our
                     Minister
                     )
                     was
                     never
                     discharged
                     the
                     Exercise
                     of
                     his
                     Office
                     (
                     by
                     any
                     Sentence
                     ,
                     Ecclesiastical
                     or
                     otherwise
                     )
                     amongst
                     us
                     ,
                     but
                     on
                     the
                     contrair
                     ,
                     continued
                     very
                     diligent
                     and
                     painful
                     therein
                     ,
                     for
                     the
                     space
                     of
                     eight
                     years
                     or
                     thereby
                     ,
                     after
                     which
                     time
                     he
                     was
                     preferred
                     to
                     be
                     one
                     of
                     the
                     chief
                     Ministers
                     of
                     the
                     City
                     of
                  
                   Edinburgh
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     Sic
                     Subscribitur
                     .
                     
                       
                         
                           Jo.
                           Broune
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Skipper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Ja.
                           Hutcheson
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Notar
                         Publick
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           John
                           Burton
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Baker
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Alex.
                           Robertson
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Wine-Cooper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           James
                           Cuningham
                        
                         .
                         [
                         Wine-Cooper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Patrick
                           Smith
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Wine-Cooper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           John
                           Wilson
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Wine-Cooper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Thomas
                           Riddell
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Skipper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Ja.
                           Balfour
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Merchant
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           T.
                           Fenwick
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Maltman
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Jo.
                           Muchmutie
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Skipper
                         .
                      
                       
                       
                         
                           James
                           Johnston
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Wright
                         (
                         or
                         Joyner
                         .
                         )
                      
                       
                         
                           Rob.
                           Herdman
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Maltman
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Robert
                           Bowy
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Wine
                         Cooper
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           G.
                           Farquhar
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Maltman
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Andrew
                           Fairservice
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Carter
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           Geo.
                           Davidson
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Maltman
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           George
                           Albercromby
                        
                         ,
                         [
                         Maltman
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           J.
                           D.
                           [
                           James
                           Dow
                        
                         ,
                         Tailor
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           J.
                           W.
                           [
                           James
                           Walker
                        
                         (
                         as
                         I
                         took
                         it
                         )
                         Mason
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           The
           two
           last
           could
           subscribe
           no
           otherwise
           being
           illiterate
           but
           very
           Honest
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           subjoyn'd
           to
           this
           Certificate
           a
           Letter
           to
           one
           of
           his
           Friends
           in
           London
           ,
           occasion'd
           by
           your
           fulsome
           and
           unchristian
           Libels
           against
           him
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Worthy
                 Sir
                 ,
              
            
             
               EVer
               since
               I
               came
               to
               mans
               years
               ,
               I
               have
               been
               very
               sensible
               that
               we
               live
               here
               in
               the
               Neighbourhood
               of
               a
               Sullen
               sett
               of
               People
               ,
               that
               can
               never
               think
               themselves
               secure
               of
               any
               measure
               of
               Reputation
               ,
               unless
               they
               raise
               it
               upon
               the
               Ruins
               of
               the
               good
               Name
               of
               innocent
               Men
               that
               are
               not
               of
               their
               Opinion
               in
               every
               thing
               ,
               and
               am
               farther
               confirmed
               in
               this
               Thought
               by
               a
               late
               instance
               in
               what
               concerns
               me
               personally
               ,
               in
               a
               slanderous
               Pamphlet
               inscribed
               ,
               
               
                 An
                 Answer
                 to
                 the
                 Scotch
                 Presbyterian
                 Eloquence
                 ,
              
               It
               was
               some
               months
               in
               this
               place
               before
               I
               could
               procure
               a
               sight
               of
               it
               ;
               but
               when
               I
               had
               seen
               it
               ,
               the
               thoughts
               I
               had
               concerning
               what
               I
               am
               wickedly
               Libelled
               of
               ,
               were
               not
               so
               full
               of
               Anger
               as
               Disdain
               ,
               to
               find
               an
               obscure
               sorry
               Jack
               ▪
               anapes
               (
               for
               so
               he
               must
               be
               )
               attacquing
               me
               with
               so
               much
               Malice
               and
               arrant
               Calumny
               ,
               though
               I
               was
               living
               very
               peaceably
               as
               I
               haye
               always
               done
               without
               being
               the
               Aggressor
               of
               any
               Person
               or
               Party
               .
               At
               first
               I
               was
               resolved
               to
               slight
               it
               ,
               as
               a
               thing
               that
               can
               never
               do
               me
               harm
               with
               any
               one
               that
               knows
               me
               ;
               yet
               upon
               second
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               to
               satisfie
               a
               worthy
               Friend
               of
               mine
               ,
               I
               give
               you
               the
               trouble
               of
               this
               line
               ,
               which
               bears
               such
               short
               answers
               to
               the
               ill-natur'd
               and
               cursed
               accusations
               of
               that
               infamous
               Libeller
               ,
               as
               I
               think
               sufficient
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Then
               he
               endeavours
               to
               vilifie
               and
               belie
               me
               ,
               by
               saving
               I
               was
               an
               Underling
               at
               Leith
               .
               What
               he
               means
               by
               this
               I
               know
               not
               ,
               the
               true
               matter
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               first
               appearance
               I
               made
               in
               my
               
                 Sacred
                 Office
              
               was
               as
               second
               Minister
               of
               Leith
               ,
               to
               which
               I
               came
               regularly
               by
               a
               Presentation
               from
               the
               Patrons
               ,
               and
               Collation
               thereupon
               from
               the
               Diocesan
               ,
               I
               cannot
               apprehend
               any
               disparagement
               in
               the
               thing
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               sure
               I
               have
               yet
               a
               very
               great
               kindness
               from
               all
               that
               People
               ,
               excepting
               a
               few
               Bigots
               ,
               and
               of
               very
               little
               interest
               .
               Next
               I
               remember
               he
               will
               needs
               have
               the
               World
               believe
               ,
               that
               I
               Preached
               very
               odd
               things
               to
               the
               People
               ,
               but
               has
               not
               so
               much
               as
               given
               one
               instance
               ,
               not
               for
               want
               of
               Malice
               ,
               but
               (
               it
               seems
               )
               invention
               ,
               in
               that
               particular
               .
               My
               poor
               gift
               of
               Preaching
               the
               Holy
               Gospel
               was
               but
               small
               ,
               yet
               I
               bless
               God
               I
               am
               not
               asham'd
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               I
               hope
               I
               have
               somthing
               of
               the
               power
               of
               those
               Divine
               Truths
               I
               declar'd
               to
               the
               World
               on
               my
               own
               Heart
               ,
               and
               Seals
               of
               them
               upon
               the
               Hearts
               of
               others
               ,
               but
               if
               this
               Railing
               Fellow
               doubt
               I
               be
               competently
               qualified
               ,
               let
               him
               procure
               me
               Liberty
               and
               Safety
               I
               will
               not
               decline
               to
               Preach
               before
               the
               General
               Assembly
               .
            
             
             
               In
               another
               passage
               of
               that
               Pamphlet
               ,
               this
               Silly
               Fellow
               charges
               me
               with
               being
               a
               notable
               Brawler
               ,
               and
               for
               proof
               says
               ,
               I
               was
               Suspended
               for
               sometime
               from
               the
               Exercise
               of
               my
               Office
               for
               beating
               of
               a
               Highlander
               .
               To
               lot
               you
               see
               what
               Impudence
               is
               in
               this
               Contrivance
               ,
               I
               send
               you
               herewith
               inclosed
               a
               Copy
               of
               a
               Declaration
               ,
               under
               the
               Hands
               of
               some
               of
               the
               honest
               Neighbours
               in
               Lieth
               ,
               bearing
               ,
               that
               I
               was
               never
               Suspended
               the
               Exercise
               of
               my
               Office
               during
               my
               abode
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               if
               it
               were
               necessary
               ,
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               I
               can
               easily
               obtain
               the
               attestation
               of
               all
               that
               are
               yet
               alive
               of
               them
               I
               left
               in
               the
               place
               .
               It
               s
               hard
               that
               I
               should
               be
               obliged
               after
               fifteen
               years
               time
               to
               give
               them
               the
               trouble
               of
               attesting
               my
               innocence
               against
               the
               snarlings
               of
               a
               rank-mouth'd
               Curr
               :
               but
               I
               have
               done
               it
               very
               easily
               .
               Now
               this
               being
               made
               appear
               a
               manifest
               lye
               ,
               with
               a
               witness
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               place
               left
               to
               suppose
               I
               made
               use
               of
               any
               method
               for
               returning
               to
               my
               Office
               which
               I
               never
               left
               ,
               far
               less
               such
               impious
               and
               silly
               ones
               ,
               as
               he
               says
               ,
               and
               would
               have
               believed
               I
               did
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               worth
               the
               mentioning
               ,
               being
               such
               as
               I
               fancy
               no
               man
               on
               Earth
               ,
               (
               though
               of
               less
               heigth
               of
               Natural
               Temper
               than
               I
               ,
               and
               almost
               of
               equal
               Villany
               with
               the
               scurrilous
               Author
               )
               could
               be
               guilty
               of
               ;
               but
               was
               it
               not
               a
               Lucky
               thing
               that
               this
               mettled
               Spark
               charged
               me
               not
               with
               the
               Criminous
               Sins
               of
               Bestiality
               ,
               Incest
               and
               Sorceries
               ?
               Certainly
               he
               had
               not
               failed
               of
               it
               ,
               if
               they
               had
               not
               been
               Vertues
               peculiar
               to
               the
               Saintship
               of
               one
               of
               his
               Friends
               ,
               who
               was
               publickly
               burnt
               betwixt
               Edinburgh
               and
               Leith
               ,
               upon
               consession
               of
               the
               foresaid
               Crimes
               ,
               in
               my
               sight
               and
               some
               thousands
               besides
               .
            
             
               In
               some
               other
               part
               ,
               he
               charges
               me
               with
               Robbing
               of
               a
               thousand
               Marks
               Scots
               mony
               ,
               from
               
                 William
                 Carfrey
              
               who
               came
               to
               pay
               me
               my
               Stipend
               due
               by
               the
               Town
               of
               Edinburgh
               .
               I
               shall
               never
               think
               it
               worth
               my
               Pains
               to
               offer
               a
               Justification
               of
               my self
               from
               so
               ridiculous
               a
               Story
               ;
               the
               young
               man
               lives
               still
               in
               the
               City
               ,
               and
               is
               so
               Just
               and
               
               Honest
               to
               declare
               to
               some
               of
               my
               acquaintance
               that
               it
               is
               a
               most
               notorious
               Lye
               ;
               but
               Innocence
               it self
               cannot
               be
               secure
               against
               hellish
               Impudence
               .
               There
               is
               one
               thing
               more
               in
               his
               Paper
               ,
               (
               not
               worth
               the
               minding
               indeed
               )
               which
               I
               had
               almost
               forgot
               ,
               viz.
               That
               I
               was
               ,
               at
               the
               time
               of
               his
               Writing
               ,
               a
               Vagabond
               at
               London
               ;
               if
               a
               Man
               must
               be
               branded
               with
               this
               Character
               for
               going
               from
               one
               place
               to
               another
               ,
               he
               has
               been
               much
               longer
               a
               Vagabond
               than
               I
               ,
               as
               I
               am
               told
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               sure
               for
               his
               bloody
               uncharitableness
               ,
               deserves
               the
               mark
               of
               a
               second
               Cain
               ,
               and
               the
               Character
               of
               another
               
                 Accuser
                 of
                 the
                 Brethren
              
               ,
               having
               been
               made
               very
               skilful
               in
               the
               Art
               of
               Lying
               ,
               by
               his
               Father
               ,
               who
               has
               used
               it
               since
               the
               beginning
               .
               I
               leave
               this
               Letter
               intirely
               to
               your
               disposal
               :
               I
               ask
               your
               pardon
               for
               this
               trouble
               ,
               and
               am
               with
               all
               respect
               ,
            
             
               
                 Sir
                 ,
              
               
                 Your
                 affectionate
                 faithful
                 ,
                 humble
                 Servant
                 ,
                 Andrew
                 Cant.
                 
              
               
                 Edinburgh
                 ,
                 
                   July
                   29.
                   1693.
                   
                
              
            
          
        
         
           THE
           next
           Certificate
           is
           in
           favours
           of
           Dr.
           
             Alexander
             Monro
          
           ,
           and
           it
           serves
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           is
           publish'd
           .
           You
           say
           that
           when
           he
           was
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           he
           was
           so
           and
           so
           accus'd
           as
           is
           narrated
           in
           the
           following
           Certificate
           .
           If
           this
           had
           been
           true
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           to
           be
           made
           but
           that
           Persons
           of
           Honour
           ,
           Sense
           ,
           and
           Interest
           ,
           in
           the
           Cities
           of
           Edinburgh
           and
           St.
           Andrews
           would
           have
           heard
           of
           it
           ,
           especially
           since
           he
           was
           preferr'd
           to
           such
           places
           as
           would
           provoke
           Rivals
           and
           Competitors
           .
           And
           is
           it
           to
           be
           believ'd
           ,
           that
           the
           least
           surmise
           of
           that
           Nature
           could
           have
           escaped
           the
           Industry
           
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           who
           scrupled
           not
           to
           pretend
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           his
           very
           Thoughts
           without
           any
           external
           Evidence
           ?
           I
           have
           often
           told
           you
           that
           Negatives
           in
           a
           Matter
           of
           Fact
           are
           not
           otherwise
           to
           be
           prov'd
           ?
           'T
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           so
           malicious
           an
           Accuser
           should
           mistake
           Truth
           for
           Falshhood
           ,
           and
           Falshood
           for
           Truth
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           not
           yet
           attain'd
           to
           so
           much
           Sense
           ,
           as
           to
           distinguish
           between
           an
           Affirmative
           and
           a
           Negative
           Proposition
           .
           You
           are
           firmly
           resolv'd
           to
           defame
           and
           disparage
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           at
           any
           rate
           ,
           and
           that
           hath
           occasion'd
           the
           following
           Evidence
           of
           your
           Candor
           and
           Veracity
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 Whereas
                 Dr.
              
               Alexander
               Monro
               
                 (
                 late
                 Principal
                 of
              
               Edinburgh
               
                 College
                 )
                 is
                 said
                 in
                 an
                 impertinent
                 Libel
                 ,
                 Entituled
                 ,
              
               A
               Continuation
               of
               the
               Answer
               to
               the
               Scotch-Presbyterian-Eloquence
               ,
               
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 accused
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 in
              
               Scotland
               
                 of
                 being
                 found
                 with
                 a
                 Woman
                 among
                 the
                 Corn
                 ,
                 We
                 whose
                 names
                 are
                 under
                 written
                 ,
                 (
                 living
                 in
                 and
                 near
                 to
                 the
                 City
                 of
              
               Edinburgh
               )
               
                 do
                 by
                 these
                 presents
                 declare
                 upon
                 Honor
                 and
                 Conscience
                 that
                 we
                 never
                 heard
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 accused
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 if
                 any
                 such
                 Accusation
                 had
                 ever
                 been
                 invented
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 We
                 think
                 it
                 very
                 probable
                 that
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 heard
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 especially
                 since
                 so
                 narrow
                 an
                 inquisition
                 has
                 been
                 made
                 into
                 his
                 Life
                 and
                 Actions
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 Late
                 Revolution
                 ,
                 when
                 for
                 Non-Complyance
                 he
                 was
                 turned
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 College
                 of
              
               Edinburgh
               ,
            
             
               
                 Sic
                 Subscribitur
                 .
                 
                   
                     
                       W.
                       Binning
                    
                     .
                     Sir
                     
                       William
                       Binning
                    
                     of
                     Wallinford
                     ,
                     late
                     Lord
                     Provost
                     of
                     Edinburgh
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       J.
                       Dick.
                    
                     Sir
                     
                       James
                       Dick
                    
                     of
                     Priest-field
                     ,
                     late
                     Lord
                     Provost
                     of
                     Edinburgh
                     .
                  
                   
                   
                     
                       Tho.
                       Kennedy
                    
                     ,
                     Sir
                     
                       Thomas
                       Kennedie
                    
                     of
                     Kirk-Hill
                     ,
                     late
                     Lord
                     Provost
                     of
                     Edinburgh
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       John
                       Marjoribanks
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Late
                     Bailiff
                     of
                     Edinburgh
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Ja.
                       Henryson
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Writer
                     to
                     the
                     Signet
                     there
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       John
                       Baillie
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Apothecary
                     and
                     Chirurgeon
                     there
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Robert
                       Clerk
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Apothecary
                     and
                     Chirurgeon
                     there
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       A.
                       Skene
                       ,
                       Alexander
                       Skene
                    
                     ,
                     D.
                     D.
                     Late
                     Provost
                     of
                     the
                     old
                     College
                     in
                     the
                     University
                     of
                     St.
                     Andrews
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Ri.
                       Waddell
                       ,
                       Richard
                       Waddell
                    
                     ,
                     D.
                     D.
                     Late
                     Arch-Deacon
                     of
                     St.
                     Andrews
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       A.
                       Macleod
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Mr.
                     
                       Alexander
                       Macleod
                    
                     ,
                     Advocate
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       James
                       Flemyeng
                    
                     ,
                     Sir
                     
                       James
                       Flemyeng
                    
                     of
                     Ratho-byres
                     ,
                     late
                     Lord
                     Provost
                     of
                     Edinburgh
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       A.
                       Balfour
                    
                     ,
                     Sir
                     
                       Andrew
                       Balfour
                    
                     ,
                     Doctor
                     of
                     Medicine
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Ar.
                       Stevenson
                    
                     ,
                     Sir
                     
                       Archibald
                       Stevensone
                    
                     ,
                     Doctor
                     of
                     Medicine
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Will.
                       Monipenny
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Mr.
                     
                       William
                       Monipenny
                    
                     ,
                     Advocate
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       T.
                       Skene
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Mr.
                     
                       Thomas
                       Skene
                    
                     ,
                     Advocate
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       C.
                       Gray
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Mr.
                     
                       Charles
                       Gray
                    
                     ,
                     Advocate
                     .
                  
                   
                   
                     
                       Al.
                       Craufurd
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Mr.
                     
                       Alexander
                       Craufurd
                    
                     ,
                     Advocate
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Jo.
                       Mackenzie
                    
                     ,
                     Mr.
                     
                       John
                       Mackenzie
                    
                     ,
                     one
                     of
                     the
                     Clerks
                     of
                     Session
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Du.
                       Mackintoshe
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Late
                     Bailiff
                     in
                     Edinburgh
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Aen.
                       Macleod
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     Town-Clerk
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       J.
                       Wedderburn
                    
                     ,
                     Mr.
                     
                       John
                       Wedderburn
                    
                     ,
                     Clerk
                     of
                     the
                     Bills
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       Al.
                       Gibson
                    
                     ,
                     [
                     One
                     of
                     the
                     Clerks
                     of
                     the
                     Session
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           Mr.
           Ridpath
           ,
        
         
           I
           Would
           have
           gladly
           taken
           leave
           of
           you
           long
           before
           now
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           am
           not
           left
           at
           liberty
           as
           to
           the
           following
           Letter
           .
           It
           is
           occasioned
           by
           your
           own
           Civilities
           to
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Glasgow
           and
           others
           .
           We
           oppose
           the
           Publick
           Records
           of
           the
           Nation
           to
           your
           Clamorous
           and
           Obscene
           Libels
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           were
           nothing
           else
           to
           prove
           the
           madness
           of
           your
           Temper
           than
           that
           one
           Story
           of
           
             Margaret
             Paterson
          
           ,
           we
           need
           no
           other
           proof
           to
           convince
           the
           World
           of
           your
           desperate
           Impudence
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             A
             Letter
             from
             a
             Gentleman
             in
          
           Scotland
           
             to
             his
             Friend
             in
          
           London
           .
           Edinburgh
           ,
           July
           22.
           1693.
           
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Had
           not
           yours
           till
           last
           Night
           ,
           which
           lets
           you
           see
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           a
           month
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           the
           true
           Reason
           your
           return
           is
           so
           late
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           that
           silly
           Varlet
           Ridpath
           ,
           all
           I
           can
           say
           of
           him
           more
           than
           yours
           to
           me
           contains
           ,
           which
           I
           know
           to
           be
           most
           exact
           Truth
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           being
           apprehended
           and
           made
           Prisoner
           here
           about
           Christmas
           1680
           ,
           for
           contriving
           and
           writing
           a
           Bond
           of
           Combination
           ,
           or
           kind
           of
           Association
           ,
           for
           burning
           the
           Pope
           in
           Effigie
           ,
           which
           you
           know
           was
           a
           folly
           never
           before
           that
           time
           attempted
           here
           ,
           and
           was
           design'd
           then
           by
           the
           Rogues
           of
           this
           City
           ,
           particularly
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           as
           an
           indignity
           to
           his
           (
           then
           )
           
             Royal
             Highness
          
           .
           This
           Bond
           being
           found
           in
           the
           custody
           of
           this
           Villain
           ,
           by
           the
           diligence
           of
           the
           Learned
           and
           Reverend
           Dr.
           Cant
           (
           then
           )
           Principal
           of
           King
           James
           his
           University
           of
           Edinburg
           ,
           (
           who
           ,
           though
           he
           was
           a
           Celebrated
           Champion
           for
           the
           Protestant
           Church
           ,
           yet
           had
           he
           a
           just
           indignation
           against
           all
           Rabbling
           and
           Tumults
           .
           )
           This
           Bond
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           is
           now
           in
           the
           Council
           Office
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           often
           seen
           and
           read
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           indeed
           a
           young
           League
           and
           Covenant
           ,
           containing
           a
           Clause
           of
           Mutual
           Defence
           ,
           not
           excepting
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           any
           in
           Authority
           under
           him
           ;
           and
           an
           invitation
           to
           Prentices
           ,
           and
           all
           others
           to
           joyn
           in
           this
           their
           Association
           .
           Now
           a
           Bond
           of
           this
           Nature
           is
           by
           many
           Laws
           and
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           declared
           Treason
           ;
           and
           that
           ,
           not
           only
           since
           the
           dreadful
           effects
           of
           the
           Infamous
           League
           and
           Covenant
           ,
           but
           even
           
           by
           very
           old
           Acts
           in
           the
           Reigns
           of
           King
           James
           the
           First
           ,
           and
           Second
           ,
           So
           much
           for
           this
           .
           This
           Scoundrel
           was
           committed
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           then
           a
           Boy
           ,
           but
           a
           Fellow
           come
           to
           Years
           ,
           and
           then
           a
           Servant
           to
           two
           Sons
           of
           one
           Gray
           ,
           a
           person
           living
           on
           the
           English
           Border
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           same
           Gang
           with
           his
           Man
           Ridpath
           .
        
         
           The
           Fellow
           confess'd
           before
           the
           Committee
           of
           Council
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           drawn
           this
           Bond
           ,
           but
           would
           not
           own
           that
           he
           had
           been
           prompted
           to
           it
           ,
           or
           assisted
           in
           it
           by
           others
           ,
           though
           the
           Council
           well
           knew
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           the
           Ringleaders
           of
           the
           Party
           were
           the
           promoters
           of
           this
           Trick
           ,
           which
           was
           design'd
           as
           a
           Prologue
           to
           a
           Rebellion
           against
           the
           (
           then
           )
           Government
           .
           For
           this
           Villany
           the
           Law
           here
           might
           have
           justly
           sent
           him
           to
           the
           Gibbet
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           the
           Council
           had
           put
           him
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           
             Judges
             Criminal
          
           ,
           had
           he
           not
           been
           preserv'd
           by
           the
           unparallel'd
           Clemency
           of
           the
           Prince
           that
           (
           then
           )
           sate
           at
           the
           Helm
           here
           ,
           which
           you
           know
           is
           so
           natural
           to
           that
           Sacred
           Race
           .
           I
           remember
           the
           Duke
           of
           Rothes
           the
           Chancellour
           ,
           and
           several
           other
           great
           Lords
           having
           examin'd
           him
           ,
           and
           finding
           him
           very
           false
           and
           obstinate
           in
           his
           Answers
           ,
           ordered
           him
           to
           be
           committed
           Close
           Prisoner
           till
           he
           were
           further
           examin'd
           .
           And
           as
           he
           was
           going
           to
           Prison
           ,
           seeing
           a
           Crowd
           about
           him
           ,
           and
           considering
           them
           as
           a
           Rabble
           ,
           he
           cry'd
           out
           aloud
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           
             suffering
             for
             the
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           ,
           the
           ordinary
           ,
           but
           false
           pretence
           of
           all
           Seditions
           and
           Rebellions
           here
           .
           For
           which
           he
           was
           for
           some
           days
           put
           in
           Irons
           ,
           and
           a
           little
           after
           by
           the
           Goodness
           of
           his
           (
           then
           )
           
             Royal
             Highness
          
           ,
           who
           was
           always
           too
           compassionate
           to
           that
           
             Generation
             of
             Vipers
          
           ,
           he
           was
           dismissed
           .
           This
           is
           all
           I
           can
           remember
           or
           learn
           of
           this
           Creature
           .
        
         
           I
           hear
           in
           his
           late
           Pamphlet
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           not
           yet
           seen
           ,
           he
           has
           the
           Impudence
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           one
           
             Margaret
             Paterson
          
           (
           a
           Prostitute
           sufficiently
           infamous
           )
           should
           have
           confess'd
           somewhat
           before
           the
           
             Criminal
             Court
          
           relating
           to
           the
           
           Archbishop
           of
           Glasgow
           and
           me
           ;
           I
           am
           satisfied
           that
           all
           that
           that
           Villain
           has
           scribled
           of
           the
           Bishop
           be
           believed
           ,
           if
           ever
           she
           named
           either
           the
           Bishop
           or
           me
           in
           her
           Confessions
           ,
           either
           before
           that
           Court
           ,
           or
           any
           Confessions
           else
           ,
           whether
           publick
           or
           private
           .
           Nor
           did
           the
           Bishop
           hear
           of
           such
           a
           Creature
           ,
           till
           the
           noise
           was
           made
           at
           her
           being
           taken
           naked
           in
           the
           Bed
           with
           the
           late
           
             Presbyterian
             Moderator
             Kennedy
          
           his
           two
           Sons
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           stand
           declared
           Fugitives
           in
           the
           
             Justice
             Court
          
           Books
           ,
           for
           the
           horrid
           Crime
           of
           Incest
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           what
           relates
           to
           the
           
             C
             —
             ks
          
           ,
           I
           make
           you
           this
           distinct
           Return
           .
           In
           the
           year
           1684
           ,
           Sir
           Hugh
           and
           Sir
           
             George
             Campbels
          
           of
           
             C
             —
             k
          
           ,
           with
           Baylie
           of
           
             Jerviswood
             ,
             Commissar
             Monro
          
           ,
           Mr.
           
             William
             Spence
          
           ,
           Mr.
           
             William
             Carstairs
          
           ,
           and
           some
           others
           were
           sent
           down
           Prisoners
           here
           by
           Sea
           ,
           and
           were
           kept
           close
           for
           some
           Weeks
           ;
           during
           which
           time
           I
           had
           occasion
           to
           be
           often
           with
           them
           ,
           for
           the
           Council
           ordered
           any
           of
           their
           Friends
           to
           converse
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           see
           them
           ,
           in
           presence
           of
           any
           of
           the
           Clerks
           of
           Council
           ;
           and
           such
           of
           them
           as
           are
           yet
           alive
           ,
           and
           their
           Relations
           will
           bear
           me
           witness
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           as
           easie
           to
           them
           that
           way
           as
           they
           could
           desire
           .
           For
           ,
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           they
           all
           professed
           so
           much
           Innocence
           in
           the
           matter
           they
           were
           accused
           of
           ,
           (
           which
           was
           for
           being
           in
           a
           Conspiracy
           with
           the
           late
           Monmouth
           and
           Argyle
           for
           raising
           a
           Rebellion
           in
           both
           Nations
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           and
           which
           fell
           out
           the
           next
           year
           accordingly
           )
           and
           that
           with
           all
           the
           circumstantiated
           Imprecations
           to
           them
           and
           their
           Families
           ,
           that
           I
           began
           to
           believe
           the
           Government
           had
           been
           imposed
           upon
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           contracted
           such
           a
           compassion
           for
           them
           ,
           as
           made
           some
           of
           our
           then
           Statesmen
           angry
           with
           me
           :
           and
           yet
           Carstairs
           upon
           the
           first
           application
           of
           the
           Thumb-Screw
           ,
           even
           the
           first
           touch
           of
           it
           ,
           confessed
           all
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           seen
           in
           his
           Printed
           Confession
           in
           the
           Tryal
           of
           Jerviswood
           ;
           and
           then
           Monro
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           the
           two
           
             C
             —
             ks
          
           themselves
           ;
           
           which
           two
           Campbels
           were
           upon
           their
           Judicial
           Confession
           forefaulted
           in
           plain
           Parliament
           1685
           ,
           and
           their
           Estates
           annex'd
           to
           the
           Crown
           :
           tho
           the
           King
           gave
           them
           not
           only
           both
           Remissions
           for
           their
           Lives
           ,
           but
           even
           ordered
           their
           Estates
           to
           be
           returned
           to
           them
           ,
           upon
           their
           paying
           a
           very
           inconsiderable
           Composition
           to
           some
           of
           the
           then
           Statesmen
           .
           That
           which
           the
           Rascal
           Ridpath
           aims
           at
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           is
           a
           Process
           which
           was
           commenced
           some
           time
           before
           that
           ,
           against
           old
           
             C
             —
             k
          
           :
           the
           undisguised
           matter
           of
           Fact
           was
           truly
           this
           ,
           which
           you
           may
           rely
           upon
           for
           certain
           and
           recorded
           Truth
           .
        
         
           There
           was
           one
           Wallace
           a
           Collector
           or
           Surveyor
           in
           
             Airshire
             ▪
          
           This
           Man
           gives
           Information
           to
           the
           Secret
           Committee
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           three
           Men
           in
           that
           Country
           who
           had
           assured
           him
           that
           old
           
             C
             —
             k
          
           had
           encouraged
           several
           Country
           People
           to
           the
           Rebellion
           at
           
             Both
             well
             Bridge
          
           ,
           1679
           ;
           and
           that
           particularly
           he
           had
           said
           to
           themselves
           whom
           he
           rencountred
           with
           upon
           a
           place
           ,
           called
           the
           Bridge
           of
           Gastoun
           ,
           near
           his
           own
           House
           ,
           
             What
             meant
             such
             young
             lusty
             Fellows
             to
             stay
             at
             home
             ,
             when
             the
             People
             of
             God
             were
             in
             Arms
             for
             their
             Covenanted
             Cause
          
           ;
           and
           bid
           them
           go
           on
           to
           the
           rest
           (
           the
           Whig-Army
           being
           then
           at
           Hamiltoun
           ,
           within
           ten
           Miles
           or
           thereby
           to
           that
           place
           )
           for
           he
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Country
           would
           quickly
           be
           with
           them
           Upon
           which
           Information
           the
           three
           Fellows
           are
           brought
           in
           ,
           and
           kept
           some
           time
           in
           the
           
             Cannon
             gate
          
           Prison
           .
           I
           heard
           them
           examined
           before
           the
           Secret
           Committee
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           them
           both
           jointly
           and
           separately
           were
           very
           positive
           ,
           clear
           ,
           and
           distinct
           in
           their
           Depositions
           .
           Upon
           this
           an
           Indictment
           is
           raised
           against
           
             C
             —
             k
          
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Witnesses
           are
           again
           examined
           upon
           Oath
           before
           the
           Justices
           ,
           which
           is
           called
           by
           our
           Law
           a
           Precognition
           ,
           and
           there
           they
           were
           again
           very
           firm
           ,
           and
           seemed
           altogether
           clear
           and
           sincere
           .
           But
           the
           Day
           of
           the
           Tryal
           being
           come
           ,
           and
           a
           disaffected
           Crowd
           getting
           in
           about
           these
           Witnesses
           ,
           when
           they
           came
           to
           depone
           
           they
           began
           to
           waver
           much
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           matter
           deny
           much
           of
           what
           they
           had
           twice
           clearly
           made
           oath
           of
           before
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Jury
           brought
           in
           
             C
             —
             k
          
           not
           guilty
           ;
           and
           so
           he
           was
           acquitted
           from
           that
           Indictment
           .
           And
           the
           next
           day
           the
           same
           three
           Rogues
           begged
           to
           be
           heard
           before
           the
           Council
           ,
           where
           I
           heard
           them
           again
           upon
           their
           Knees
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           the
           Solemnities
           of
           Truth
           and
           Sincerity
           ,
           Protest
           and
           Swear
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           had
           first
           Sworn
           was
           simple
           Truth
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           Carriage
           the
           day
           before
           in
           the
           Court
           ,
           was
           occasioned
           by
           their
           being
           terrified
           to
           swear
           against
           
             C
             —
             k
          
           ,
           so
           great
           a
           Man
           in
           that
           Corner
           of
           the
           Country
           .
           But
           upon
           the
           whole
           Matter
           ,
           the
           
             worthy
             Sir
             George
             Mackenzie
          
           had
           no
           more
           hand
           in
           all
           this
           Affair
           ,
           but
           meerly
           to
           pursue
           as
           the
           
             King's
             Advocate
          
           .
           And
           in
           general
           I
           can
           affirm
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Justice
           and
           Truth
           ,
           I
           do
           believe
           ,
           after
           all
           the
           Enquiry
           I
           have
           made
           ,
           that
           never
           a
           person
           suffered
           in
           Scotland
           by
           Subornation
           or
           false
           Witnesses
           employed
           by
           the
           Government
           since
           the
           Restoration
           of
           the
           
             Royal
             Family
          
           .
           Tho
           many
           of
           the
           Rebels
           have
           been
           brought
           off
           ,
           and
           assolzied
           by
           the
           scandalous
           and
           bare-faced
           Perjuries
           of
           their
           own
           Party
           :
           for
           in
           the
           Tryals
           of
           those
           Rebels
           ,
           the
           Witnesses
           for
           the
           King
           being
           formerly
           engaged
           in
           the
           saids
           Rebellions
           ,
           made
           use
           of
           such
           strange
           and
           uncouth
           Fetches
           and
           Strains
           of
           Words
           ,
           that
           no
           Jury
           could
           fix
           any
           Verdict
           or
           Doom
           upon
           ;
           for
           being
           interrogated
           ,
           if
           they
           saw
           the
           person
           at
           the
           Barr
           in
           Arms
           with
           the
           Rebels
           (
           as
           particularly
           in
           the
           case
           of
           one
           Sprewel
           ,
           an
           eminent
           Ringleader
           and
           Captain
           ,
           several
           of
           his
           own
           Kinsmen
           as
           well
           as
           Acquaintances
           ,
           and
           who
           had
           ridden
           under
           his
           Command
           )
           they
           were
           brought
           with
           great
           difficulty
           to
           confess
           ,
           that
           they
           thought
           they
           had
           seen
           a
           Man
           there
           which
           seemed
           to
           be
           somewhat
           like
           the
           Prisoner
           at
           the
           Bar
           ,
           but
           for
           a
           World
           they
           could
           not
           swear
           ,
           that
           this
           Prisoner
           was
           the
           person
           they
           saw
           there
           .
           Being
           ask'd
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           a
           Sword
           ;
           they
           answered
           ,
           they
           saw
           that
           person
           have
           
           something
           like
           the
           end
           of
           a
           Scabbard
           ,
           hanging
           from
           under
           his
           Cloak
           ,
           but
           whether
           there
           were
           a
           Blade
           there
           or
           not
           they
           could
           not
           tell
           ;
           and
           being
           question'd
           on
           oath
           all
           the
           while
           if
           that
           person
           had
           Pistols
           ;
           they
           confessed
           they
           had
           seen
           something
           like
           Hulster-Cases
           at
           his
           Saddle
           ,
           but
           whether
           there
           were
           Pistols
           in
           them
           or
           not
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           swear
           for
           a
           World.
           And
           by
           such
           Presbyterian
           Canting
           Prejuries
           as
           these
           ,
           this
           Sprewet
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           were
           brought
           off
           .
        
         
           
             Dear
             Sir
             ,
          
           I
           am
           afraid
           I
           have
           been
           too
           tedious
           in
           this
           Return
           ,
           but
           since
           it
           contains
           nothing
           but
           simple
           Truth
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           the
           wellcomer
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           therefore
           is
           subscribed
           by
           
             Your
             Humble
             and
             Faithful
             Servant
             ,
             W.
             P.
             
          
        
      
       
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           
             THE
             Following
             Propositions
             are
             taken
             out
             of
             such
             Books
             as
             are
             most
             in
          
           Vogue
           
             amongst
             the
          
           Scotch
           Presbyterians
           .
           
             They
             contain
             a
             short
             Account
             of
             their
          
           Moral
           Theology
           
             with
             regard
             to
          
           Obedience
           ,
           Subjection
           ,
           and
           Government
           .
           
             I
             desire
             the
             impartial
             Reader
             to
             let
             me
             know
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Sentiments
             of
             the
             Kirk
             differ
             from
             the
             Doctrines
             propagated
             by
             the
             Jesuits
             .
             You
             have
             many
             of
             them
             gathered
             together
             in
             one
             view
             ,
             not
             at
             all
             as
             an
          
           Answer
           
             to
             any
             of
             Mr.
          
           Ridpath
           
             's
             Scriblings
             ,
             but
             as
             a
             sufficient
             Confutation
             of
             the
             impertinent
             Clamours
             against
             the
             Government
             of
             King
          
           Charles
           
             the
             Second
             .
             For
             since
             they
             were
             taught
             by
             their
             Religion
             to
             rebel
             against
          
           
           
             their
             King
             and
             Parliament
             ,
             our
             Governors
             could
             not
             but
             secure
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Nation
             against
             such
             barbarous
             Practices
             as
             were
             indeed
             the
             natural
             Consequences
             of
             their
             Principles
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           Man
           ought
           no
           more
           to
           suffer
           when
           the
           Sentence
           is
           unjust
           ,
           than
           he
           ought
           to
           do
           that
           which
           is
           unjust
           and
           sinful
           at
           the
           command
           of
           Authority
           .
           
             Jus
             Pop.
          
           throughout
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           No
           Authority
           can
           command
           or
           can
           oblige
           until
           he
           himself
           that
           is
           commanded
           be
           convinced
           and
           persuaded
           that
           the
           thing
           is
           just
           ,
           reasonable
           and
           expedient
           .
           
             Gillesp
             .
             Ingl.
             pop
             .
             Cerem
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           oppose
           the
           persons
           invested
           with
           Authority
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           oppose
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           is
           Magistracy
           
             in
             abstracto
          
           ,
           that
           is
           it
           that
           we
           are
           commanded
           Rom.
           13.
           not
           to
           resist
           ,
           but
           the
           person
           of
           the
           King
           ought
           to
           be
           resisted
           .
           
             Lex
             Rex
             pag.
          
           265.
           and
           when
           
           the
           Parliaments
           of
           both
           Kingdoms
           fought
           against
           the
           King's
           Person
           ,
           they
           fought
           for
           his
           Royal
           Interest
           ,
           and
           as
           he
           was
           a
           King
           ,
           and
           tho
           the
           person
           I
           of
           the
           King
           was
           absent
           ,
           and
           denied
           his
           consent
           as
           a
           Man
           ,
           yet
           they
           were
           as
           valid
           Parliaments
           as
           if
           he
           were
           personally
           present
           with
           them
           .
           
             Lex
             Rex
          
           270.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Patient
           Suffering
           fall
           under
           no
           Law
           of
           God.
           
             Lex
             Rex
             pag.
          
           314.
           
           
             Vide
             Napht.
             pag.
          
           157.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           The
           Presbytery
           hath
           the
           power
           of
           making
           peace
           and
           war
           ,
           neither
           ought
           the
           Parliament
           enter
           into
           war
           without
           them
           no
           more
           than
           Joshua
           did
           offer
           battel
           without
           Eleasar
           the
           High
           Priest
           .
           
             Acts
             Gen.
             Ass
          
           .
           48.
           
           Agust
           .
           3.
           
        
         
         
           6.
           
           Since
           Religion
           is
           the
           highest
           Interest
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           only
           lawful
           but
           necessary
           for
           private
           Subjects
           to
           rise
           in
           Arms
           against
           the
           King
           to
           reform
           the
           Abuses
           crept
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           supreme
           Powers
           serve
           not
           the
           great
           Ends
           of
           Religion
           ,
           we
           are
           
             ipso
             facto
          
           loos'd
           from
           all
           Tyes
           of
           O
           bedience
           to
           them
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           154.
           
           
             Vide
             Jus
             Populi
             throughout
          
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           The
           Presbytery
           may
           excommunicate
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           when
           he
           is
           excommunicated
           ,
           none
           of
           his
           Subjects
           owe
           him
           Obedience
           ,
           neither
           may
           they
           converse
           with
           him
           .
           
             Jesuits
             and
             Presbyterians
          
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           There
           is
           nothing
           to
           be
           allowed
           of
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           as
           to
           its
           Order
           and
           Circumstance
           that
           is
           not
           founded
           on
           the
           express
           Letter
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ;
           the
           unscriptural
           symbolical
           Ceremonies
           are
           the
           Badge
           of
           Antichrist
           .
           
             All
             the
             Sectarians
          
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           It
           is
           a
           good
           Argument
           against
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           to
           have
           it
           abolish'd
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           or
           is
           still
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Mass
           Book
           .
           
             Bailies
             Parallel
             of
             the
             Liturgy
          
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           It
           is
           lawful
           and
           necessary
           to
           enter
           into
           Covenants
           and
           Leagues
           without
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           formally
           to
           protest
           against
           the
           King's
           most
           legal
           Methods
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           
             Prot.
             at
             the
             Cross
             Ed.
          
           37.
           p.
           38.
           
        
         
           11.
           
           The
           King
           having
           now
           for
           many
           years
           usurped
           the
           power
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           most
           palpably
           tyrannized
           in
           Civil
           Matters
           ,
           he
           is
           to
           be
           deposed
           and
           brought
           to
           punishment
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Covenanted
           People
           of
           the
           Lord
           are
           to
           fight
           against
           him
           and
           his
           Adherents
           ,
           under
           the
           Standard
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
           
             Sanchor
             .
             Declar.
          
           22.
           
           June
           1680.
           
             and
             Cargill's
             Cov.
             broughtout
          
           .
        
         
         
           12.
           
           It
           is
           downright
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           prejudicial
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Interest
           of
           Reformation
           to
           appoint
           anniversary
           Days
           for
           Benefits
           bestowed
           on
           the
           King
           and
           Kingdom
           .
           
             Apol.
             Narrat
             .
             Naph
             .
             p.
          
           87.
           
        
         
           13.
           
           The
           minor
           part
           of
           a
           Kingdom
           that
           is
           for
           God
           and
           his
           Cause
           against
           the
           King
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           in
           a
           probable
           capacity
           to
           bring
           their
           Design
           to
           pass
           ,
           ought
           by
           the
           Call
           of
           God
           to
           endeavour
           the
           Reformation
           of
           their
           Nation
           by
           Force
           of
           Arms.
           
             Naph
             .
             and
             Jus
             Populi
             throughout
             .
          
        
         
           14.
           
           Tho
           our
           Saviour
           told
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           John
           18.
           36.
           
           That
           his
           Kingdom
           was
           not
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           fight
           for
           him
           ,
           yet
           it
           obliges
           not
           the
           Christians
           now
           ,
           they
           may
           fight
           without
           and
           against
           the
           Consent
           of
           the
           supreme
           Magistrate
           .
           
             Jus
             Pop.
             Proef.
             to
             the
             Reader
             .
             and
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           159.
           
        
         
           15.
           
           The
           greatest
           reproach
           that
           the
           People
           of
           God
           could
           be
           exposed
           to
           ,
           was
           to
           own
           the
           King's
           Proceedings
           ,
           without
           Satisfaction
           to
           the
           covenanted
           People
           of
           God
           in
           both
           Kingdoms
           .
           
             Vide
             Act
             of
             the
             West-Kirk
          
           .
        
         
           16.
           
           None
           have
           right
           to
           the
           Creature
           but
           the
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           Dominion
           is
           founded
           in
           Grace
           .
           
             Enthus
             .
             and
             Sect.
          
           
        
         
           17.
           
           The
           Scots
           Covenant
           is
           the
           
             Magna
             Charta
          
           of
           all
           Religion
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           obliges
           those
           who
           personally
           swore
           it
           ,
           but
           the
           whole
           Nation
           to
           all
           succeeding
           Generations
           in
           all
           its
           Tendences
           and
           natural
           Consequences
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           83.
           and
           185.
           
        
         
           18.
           
           The
           Success
           that
           the
           Presbyterians
           had
           in
           the
           late
           Troubles
           against
           the
           King
           and
           his
           Adherents
           ,
           were
           undeniable
           Signs
           of
           God's
           Favour
           to
           that
           Party
           ,
           and
           to
           follow
           
           and
           promove
           their
           Success
           ,
           was
           to
           follow
           Providence
           .
           
             Act.
             of
             Gen.
             Assem
             .
             frequently
             .
          
           And
           those
           who
           fought
           for
           
           the
           King
           fought
           against
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           
             Ibidem
             An.
          
           45.
           
        
         
           19.
           
           It
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           meanest
           Subject
           in
           his
           most
           private
           capacity
           (
           nay
           ,
           they
           are
           indispensibly
           obliged
           to
           it
           )
           to
           admonish
           and
           reprove
           the
           King
           when
           they
           observe
           any
           thing
           that
           they
           think
           contrary
           or
           disadvantageous
           to
           the
           Presbyterian
           Interest
           and
           Reformation
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           86.
           
        
         
           20.
           
           The
           covenanted
           People
           of
           God
           adhering
           to
           the
           faithful
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           that
           owned
           the
           Cause
           and
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           forsaking
           the
           Apostate
           Hirelings
           ,
           the
           many
           Conversions
           wrought
           upon
           them
           were
           infallible
           Marks
           that
           God
           did
           approve
           them
           in
           their
           Proceedings
           against
           wicked
           Rulers
           .
           
             Cup
             of
             Cold
             Water
          
           .
        
         
           21.
           
           The
           Change
           made
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           at
           the
           King's
           Return
           ,
           from
           Presbytery
           to
           Episcopacy
           did
           naturally
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           just
           Consequence
           and
           Tendency
           ,
           overthrow
           the
           very
           Foundation
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           change
           is
           no
           less
           than
           from
           the
           pure
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           down
           right
           Idolatry
           .
           
             Naph
             ,
             Pref.
             to
             the
             Reader
             ,
             pag.
          
           4
           ,
           and
           5
           ,
           Ibidem
           84.
           
        
         
           22.
           
           Whoever
           is
           a
           sincere
           Seeker
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           truly
           Regenerate
           ,
           will
           immediatly
           discern
           upon
           his
           seeking
           of
           God
           ,
           
             ipso
             facto
          
           ,
           the
           profanity
           and
           wickedness
           of
           all
           that
           adhere
           to
           the
           Episcopal
           Church
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           11.
           
        
         
           23.
           
           It
           was
           the
           peculiar
           Lot
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           more
           eminently
           than
           any
           other
           Church
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           to
           
           contend
           against
           the
           Powers
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           for
           the
           Scepter
           and
           Kingdom
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           by
           their
           Protestations
           ,
           Petitions
           ,
           Remonstrances
           ,
           Declinators
           and
           all
           other
           Methods
           to
           advance
           Presbyterian
           Interest
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             Pref.
             to
             the
             Reader
             ,
             pag.
          
           16.
           
        
         
           24.
           
           Papacy
           and
           Prelacy
           have
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Original
           ,
           and
           their
           adherents
           are
           the
           Synagogue
           of
           Antichrist
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             Pref.
             to
             the
             Reader
             ,
             pag.
          
           20.
           
             and
             pag.
          
           154
           :
           
             and
             pag.
          
           184.
           
             and
             pag.
          
           53.
           
        
         
           25.
           
           The
           People
           of
           God
           in
           these
           Nations
           ought
           to
           rest
           assur'd
           that
           their
           Enemies
           shall
           be
           ruin'd
           and
           destroy'd
           ,
           for
           the
           Lord
           hath
           said
           that
           the
           false
           Prophets
           shall
           pass
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           Countenance
           them
           shall
           be
           asham'd
           ,
           and
           ought
           we
           not
           to
           believe
           what
           God
           himself
           hath
           said
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             Pref.
             and
             pag.
          
           153.
           
        
         
           26.
           
           No
           Ecclesiastick
           is
           oblig'd
           to
           give
           the
           King
           or
           his
           Council
           an
           account
           of
           any
           Doctrine
           Preached
           by
           him
           immediately
           ,
           and
           
             Prima
             instantia
          
           ,
           he
           is
           oblig'd
           to
           the
           Presbyterian
           Classis
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           King
           meddle
           with
           him
           ,
           or
           call
           him
           to
           an
           account
           immediatly
           ,
           he
           invades
           the
           Scepter
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           arrogate
           unto
           himself
           the
           power
           of
           Convocating
           National
           or
           Provincial
           Synods
           ,
           he
           confounds
           the
           Government
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           with
           the
           Civil
           ,
           and
           invades
           his
           Authority
           ;
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           safe
           ,
           nor
           Scriptural
           Dialect
           ,
           to
           say
           the
           King
           is
           Supreme
           Governour
           over
           all
           Persons
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           Causes
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             frequently
             ,
             and
             page
          
           38
           ,
           and
           40.
           
        
         
           The
           Royal
           Prerogative
           in
           cognoscing
           upon
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           is
           the
           Devil
           's
           great
           design
           to
           endear
           the
           Powers
           on
           Earth
           to
           the
           Prelates
           .
           Ibidem
           .
        
         
         
           27.
           
           The
           Presbytry
           can
           Counter
           Act
           the
           Acts
           and
           Statutes
           of
           the
           Supreme
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           can
           forbid
           all
           the
           Subjects
           to
           obey
           those
           Laws
           ,
           if
           imposed
           without
           their
           Consent
           .
           July
           28.
           
           Anno
           1648.
           
           
             Act
             and
             Declaration
             against
             the
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           28.
           
           No
           Man
           can
           enter
           lawfully
           to
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Call
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           but
           when
           the
           People
           are
           Malignant
           ,
           then
           the
           Presbytery
           may
           give
           them
           a
           Minister
           .
           
             Act.
             Gen.
             Assem
             .
             August
          
           4.
           1649.
           
        
         
           29.
           
           When
           the
           Presbytry
           appointed
           a
           Fast
           ,
           upon
           King
           James
           his
           appointing
           of
           a
           Feast
           ,
           they
           did
           nothing
           but
           what
           they
           were
           oblig'd
           in
           Conscience
           to
           do
           .
           
             Lex
             Rex
             Pref.
             to
             the
             Reader
             .
          
        
         
           30.
           
           If
           the
           King
           will
           not
           Reform
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Assembly
           of
           godly
           Pastors
           and
           People
           ought
           to
           Reform
           it
           ,
           and
           they
           may
           swear
           a
           covenant
           without
           the
           King
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           refuse
           to
           build
           the
           Lords
           House
           ,
           they
           may
           relieve
           and
           defend
           one
           another
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           opprest
           and
           hinder'd
           in
           the
           Work
           and
           Cause
           of
           God.
           
             Lex
             Rex
             Pref.
             to
             the
             Reader
             .
          
        
         
           31.
           
           Inferiour
           Judges
           are
           no
           less
           essentially
           Judges
           and
           God's
           Vice-Gerents
           on
           Earth
           than
           the
           King
           himself
           .
           
             Lex
             Rex
             ,
             pag.
          
           159.
           
        
         
           32.
           
           The
           King
           is
           under
           the
           Law
           as
           to
           its
           Coercive
           limitation
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           resisted
           by
           force
           of
           Arms.
           
             Lex
             Rex
             ,
             pag.
          
           231.
           
           
             Duglas
             Coron
             .
             Ser.
             pag.
          
           22.
           and
           elsewhere
           frequently
           .
        
         
         
           33.
           
           The
           King
           is
           not
           the
           final
           and
           supreme
           Interpreter
           of
           the
           Law.
           
             Lex
             Rex
             ,
             pag.
          
           252.
           
        
         
           34.
           
           The
           King's
           Pretogative
           Royal
           ,
           and
           the
           Oath
           of
           Supremacy
           are
           directly
           contrary
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Fundamental
           Laws
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           86.
           
        
         
           35.
           
           To
           allow
           that
           the
           present
           graceless
           Hirelings
           and
           Curates
           ,
           had
           so
           much
           as
           an
           external
           Call
           to
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           were
           as
           much
           as
           to
           make
           the
           God
           of
           Order
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           Confusion
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           104
           ,
           105.
           
        
         
           And
           the
           true
           Zeal
           of
           God
           would
           inspire
           us
           to
           eradicate
           those
           Plants
           that
           our
           Heavenly
           Father
           never
           planted
           .
           
             Ibidem
             pag.
          
           108.
           
        
         
           And
           to
           bid
           the
           Covenanted
           People
           of
           God
           come
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           is
           the
           height
           of
           Oppression
           and
           Rigour
           .
           
             Ibidem
             pag.
          
           109.
           
        
         
           36.
           
           A
           King
           that
           transgresses
           the
           Law
           is
           degenerate
           into
           a
           Tyrant
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           ranked
           amongst
           such
           as
           destroy
           the
           Peace
           and
           Advantages
           of
           Human
           Societies
           ,
           because
           they
           transgress
           the
           limits
           and
           bounds
           of
           their
           Constitution
           ,
           therefore
           are
           they
           hateful
           to
           God
           and
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           looked
           upon
           as
           no
           better
           than
           Wolves
           ,
           Tigers
           ,
           and
           Lions
           ,
           and
           the
           death
           of
           such
           ought
           to
           be
           rewarded
           by
           the
           whole
           People
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           of
           them
           .
           
             De
             Jure
             Regni
             ,
             pag.
          
           36.
           
        
         
           37.
           
           The
           Oaths
           given
           by
           Intrants
           to
           their
           Bishops
           ,
           at
           their
           Ordination
           ,
           do
           not
           oblige
           at
           all
           ,
           because
           they
           bind
           us
           to
           those
           Constitutions
           that
           were
           not
           allowed
           by
           the
           Presbytery
           .
           
             Act.
             Gen.
             Assem
             .
             Decemb.
          
           5.
           1638.
           
        
         
         
           38.
           
           The
           call
           of
           a
           clear
           and
           necessary
           Providence
           is
           ,
           enough
           for
           Christs
           Witnesses
           to
           resist
           and
           stand
           up
           against
           earthly
           Powers
           ,
           and
           to
           this
           they
           are
           indispensably
           obliged
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           in
           a
           probable
           capacity
           to
           act
           successfully
           ,
           although
           the
           Motive
           of
           Self-defence
           were
           not
           conjoin'd
           ;
           and
           all
           such
           Combinations
           for
           Just
           and
           Necessary
           ends
           ,
           are
           warranted
           before
           God
           and
           men
           ,
           notwithstanding
           of
           any
           pretended
           Law
           to
           the
           contrary
           :
           and
           to
           affirm
           that
           the
           first
           and
           last
           Covenanters
           were
           acted
           by
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Rebellion
           ,
           is
           a
           sin
           the
           next
           degree
           to
           the
           sin
           against
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           7
           ,
           8.
           12.
           16.
           
        
         
           39.
           
           The
           great
           Law
           of
           Self-Preservation
           ,
           in
           its
           immediate
           and
           most
           natural
           Effects
           ,
           teach
           us
           ,
           and
           indispensably
           oblige
           us
           to
           resist
           Kings
           ,
           and
           all
           Superiour
           Powers
           when
           they
           command
           things
           contrary
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           nay
           when
           the
           great
           ends
           of
           Government
           are
           perverted
           ,
           then
           the
           Bond
           thereof
           is
           dissolved
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           thus
           liberated
           therefrom
           do
           relaps
           into
           their
           Primeve
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           may
           upon
           the
           very
           same
           Principles
           Combine
           and
           Associate
           for
           their
           better
           defence
           ,
           that
           they
           first
           enter'd
           upon
           unto
           Society
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           147
           ,
           148.
           150.
           
        
         
           40.
           
           When
           the
           faithful
           of
           the
           Land
           are
           destitute
           of
           the
           best
           and
           surest
           means
           to
           overthrow
           the
           present
           Government
           and
           wicked
           Governours
           ,
           they
           are
           still
           oblig'd
           to
           use
           their
           utmost
           endeavours
           .
           
             Naph
             .
             pag.
          
           155.
           
        
         
           41.
           
           We
           ought
           not
           to
           believe
           that
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           were
           so
           numerous
           as
           the
           first
           Apologists
           for
           Christianity
           did
           give
           out
           ,
           they
           were
           deceived
           in
           a
           Matter
           of
           Fact
           ,
           for
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           the
           Martyrs
           do
           not
           at
           all
           militate
           against
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           Defensive
           Arms.
           
             Lex
             Rex
             ,
             pag.
          
           2.
           71.
           
        
         
         
           42.
           
           The
           very
           power
           to
           Extirpate
           the
           present
           Government
           is
           God's
           Call
           to
           do
           so
           .
           
           Cargil's
           
             New
             Cov.
             Art.
          
           1.
           
        
         
           43.
           
           We
           are
           no
           more
           bound
           by
           any
           tie
           of
           Allegiance
           to
           the
           present
           Governours
           ,
           than
           we
           are
           bound
           in
           Allegiance
           to
           the
           Devils
           .
           
           Cargil's
           
             New
             Cov.
             Art.
          
           9.
           
        
         
           If
           the
           Scotch
           Presbyterians
           under
           the
           former
           Reigns
           had
           satisfied
           themselves
           with
           the
           Theory
           of
           Rebellion
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           had
           not
           actually
           practis'd
           according
           to
           the
           full
           extent
           and
           tendency
           of
           their
           Principles
           ;
           then
           ,
           their
           Writings
           and
           Seditious
           Sermons
           might
           have
           been
           tolerated
           with
           the
           greater
           Ease
           :
           but
           since
           those
           active
           Gentlemen
           ventur'd
           upon
           the
           Natural
           Conclusions
           that
           their
           Principles
           yielded
           ,
           so
           that
           none
           of
           the
           Kings
           Loyal
           Subjects
           knew
           but
           that
           they
           were
           to
           be
           murder'd
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           stept
           out
           of
           Doors
           .
           I
           hope
           modest
           Men
           will
           allow
           that
           severe
           Laws
           were
           very
           necessary
           when
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           were
           perverted
           to
           destroy
           the
           General
           Peace
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           fiery
           Enthusiasts
           were
           made
           believe
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           make
           bold
           with
           the
           Life
           of
           any
           Man
           ,
           whom
           they
           took
           to
           oppose
           their
           own
           Dreams
           ,
           if
           they
           fancyed
           that
           their
           Neighbours
           were
           Canaanites
           and
           Moabites
           .
           Most
           of
           them
           that
           bawl'd
           against
           the
           Government
           of
           Charles
           II.
           are
           such
           as
           never
           understood
           the
           Temper
           of
           our
           Religious
           Incendiaries
           ,
           or
           were
           themselves
           deeply
           ingaged
           in
           the
           Rebellion
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           have
           added
           to
           the
           former
           Papers
           ,
           the
           following
           Letter
           ,
           to
           undeceive
           such
           as
           are
           misinform'd
           ,
           and
           to
           let
           the
           World
           see
           that
           it
           was
           impossible
           for
           our
           Kings
           and
           Parliaments
           to
           forbear
           the
           making
           of
           such
           Laws
           as
           our
           Enemies
           complain
           of
           ;
           when
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           were
           wrested
           contrary
           to
           their
           True
           Meaning
           ,
           and
           made
           to
           truckle
           under
           the
           hellish
           designs
           of
           incorrigible
           Hypocrites
           .
           The
           following
           Paper
           is
           a
           very
           Authentick
           
           one
           ,
           written
           by
           the
           famous
           Assassin
           Mr.
           
             James
             Mitchel
          
           ,
           who
           attempted
           the
           Life
           of
           the
           Arch-Bishop
           of
           St.
           Andrews
           upon
           the
           Streets
           of
           Edinburgh
           ,
           and
           in
           doing
           so
           ,
           wounded
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Orkney
           .
           This
           Sacrilegious
           Effort
           he
           endeavours
           to
           justifie
           from
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           .
           The
           Presbyterians
           cannot
           take
           it
           ill
           that
           the
           Monuments
           of
           their
           Martyrs
           are
           preserv'd
           ;
           if
           they
           say
           that
           all
           Presbyterians
           have
           not
           such
           Principles
           ,
           I
           say
           so
           too
           :
           but
           then
           ,
           they
           must
           remember
           ,
           that
           such
           were
           the
           Presbyterians
           against
           whom
           the
           Laws
           were
           made
           under
           the
           former
           Reigns
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           difficult
           to
           know
           whether
           all
           of
           them
           have
           not
           the
           same
           Principles
           ,
           if
           once
           they
           are
           provok'd
           to
           anger
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           are
           consequential
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           first
           Puritans
           :
           for
           *
           Goodman
           saith
           expresly
           ,
           That
           ,
           
             If
             the
             Magistrates
             shall
             refuse
             to
             put
             Mass-mongers
             and
             false
             Preachers
             to
             death
             ,
             the
             people
             in
             seeing
             it
             perform'd
             do
             shew
             that
             zeal
             of
             God
             which
             was
             commended
             in
          
           Phineas
           ,
           
             destroying
             the
             Adulterers
             ,
             and
             in
             the
          
           Israelites
           
             against
             the
          
           Benjamites
           .
           Let
           any
           sober
           Man
           consider
           what
           Improvemnnts
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           following
           Letter
           are
           capable
           of
           ;
           and
           then
           let
           him
           tell
           me
           ,
           whether
           he
           can
           name
           any
           Crimes
           punished
           by
           any
           Magistrates
           in
           any
           Corner
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           more
           dangerous
           to
           human
           Society
           ,
           than
           the
           Doctrines
           that
           he
           may
           read
           with
           his
           own
           Eyes
           in
           this
           Letter
           .
           I
           have
           copied
           it
           from
           that
           Collection
           of
           Mr.
           
           Mitchel's
           Papers
           ,
           which
           his
           own
           Consederates
           took
           great
           care
           to
           Print
           and
           preserve
           in
           the
           latter
           Editions
           of
           Naphtali
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           COPY
           OF
           A
           LETTER
           FROM
           
             Edinburg
             Tolbooth
             ,
             February
          
           —
           1674.
           
        
         
           ME
           who
           may
           justly
           call
           my self
           less
           than
           the
           least
           of
           all
           Saints
           ,
           and
           the
           chiefest
           of
           all
           Sinners
           :
           yet
           Christ
           Jesus
           calleth
           to
           be
           a
           Witness
           for
           his
           despised
           Truth
           ,
           and
           trampled
           on
           Interests
           and
           Cause
           ,
           by
           the
           wicked
           ,
           blasphemous
           and
           God
           contemning
           Generation
           ,
           and
           against
           all
           their
           perfidious
           wickedness
           .
           Sir
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           the
           Confidence
           I
           have
           in
           your
           real
           Friendship
           ,
           and
           Love
           to
           Christ's
           Truth
           ,
           People
           ,
           Interest
           and
           Cause
           ,
           hath
           encouraged
           me
           to
           write
           to
           you
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           hoping
           you
           will
           not
           misconstruct
           me
           ,
           nor
           take
           advantage
           of
           my
           Infirmity
           and
           weakness
           .
           You
           have
           heard
           of
           my
           Inditement
           ,
           which
           I
           take
           up
           in
           these
           two
           
           particulars
           ;
           First
           ,
           As
           they
           term
           it
           Rebellion
           and
           Treason
           ,
           anent
           which
           I
           answered
           to
           
             My
             Lord
             Chancellor
          
           in
           Committee
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           no
           Rebellion
           ,
           but
           a
           Duty
           which
           every
           one
           was
           bound
           to
           have
           performed
           in
           joyning
           with
           that
           party
           ,
           and
           I
           in
           the
           Year
           1656
           ,
           Mr.
           
             R.
             L.
          
           being
           then
           Primar
           in
           the
           Colledge
           of
           Edinburg
           ,
           before
           our
           Laureation
           ,
           tendered
           to
           us
           the
           
             National
             Covenant
             and
             Solemn
             League
             and
             Covenant
             ,
          
           upon
           mature
           Deliberation
           ,
           I
           found
           nothing
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           a
           short
           compend
           of
           the
           Moral
           Law
           ,
           only
           binding
           us
           to
           our
           Duty
           ,
           towards
           God
           and
           towards
           Men
           in
           their
           several
           Stations
           ,
           and
           I
           finding
           ,
           that
           our
           banished
           King's
           Interest
           lay
           wholly
           included
           therein
           ,
           and
           both
           Coronation
           and
           Allegiance
           Oaths
           ,
           &c.
           and
           they
           being
           the
           Substance
           of
           all
           Loyalty
           ,
           and
           my
           Lord
           ,
           it
           was
           well
           known
           ,
           that
           many
           were
           taking
           the
           Tender
           ,
           and
           forswearing
           
             Charles
             Stuart
          
           ,
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           House
           of
           Lords
           ,
           I
           then
           subscribed
           both
           ,
           the
           doing
           of
           which
           ,
           
             My
             Lord
             Chancellour
          
           would
           have
           stood
           at
           no
           less
           rate
           ,
           if
           as
           well
           known
           ,
           than
           this
           my
           present
           adhering
           and
           prosecuting
           the
           Ends
           thereof
           doth
           now
           ,
           and
           when
           I
           was
           questioned
           what
           then
           I
           called
           Rebellion
           ,
           I
           answered
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           Ezra
           vii
           .
           Verse
           26.
           
           
             And
             whosoever
             will
             not
             do
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             and
             of
             the
             King
             ,
          
           &c.
           but
           being
           questioned
           before
           the
           Commissioner
           and
           the
           Council
           therea
           nent
           ,
           I
           answered
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           to
           my
           
             Lord
             Chancellour
          
           before
           ,
           in
           the
           Year
           1656.
           
           
             Mr.
             R.
             L.
          
           being
           then
           Primar
           in
           the
           Colledge
           of
           Edinburg
           ,
           before
           our
           Laureation
           ,
           he
           tendered
           to
           us
           the
           National
           and
           Solemn
           League
           and
           Covenant
           :
           He
           Stopt
           me
           ,
           Saying
           ,
           I
           'll
           wad
           ye
           are
           come
           here
           to
           give
           a
           Testimony
           :
           And
           then
           being
           demanded
           what
           I
           called
           Rebellion
           ,
           if
           it
           was
           not
           Rebellion
           to
           oppose
           his
           Majesties
           Forces
           in
           the
           Face
           :
           
           To
           the
           which
           I
           answered
           ,
           
             viz.
             My
             Lord
             Chancellour
          
           ,
           if
           it
           please
           your
           Grace
           ,
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           they
           should
           have
           been
           with
           us
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           National
           and
           Solemn
           League
           and
           Covenant
           ,
           at
           which
           Answer
           I
           perceived
           him
           to
           storm
           .
           But
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           I
           heard
           ye
           have
           been
           over
           Seas
           ,
           with
           whom
           did
           ye
           converse
           there
           ?
           Answer
           ,
           with
           my
           Merchant
           :
           But
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           with
           whom
           in
           particular
           ?
           Answer
           with
           one
           
             John
             Mitchel
          
           a
           Cousin
           of
           mine
           own
           .
           Saith
           he
           ,
           I
           have
           heard
           of
           him
           ,
           he
           is
           a
           Factor
           in
           Rotterdam
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           conceded
           .
           But
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           did
           ye
           not
           converse
           with
           Mr.
           Livingston
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           he
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           answered
           ,
           I
           conversed
           with
           all
           all
           our
           banished
           Ministers
           .
           To
           which
           he
           replyed
           ,
           banished
           Traitors
           ,
           ye
           will
           speak
           Treason
           at
           the
           Bar.
           Then
           he
           answered
           himself
           ,
           saying
           ,
           But
           they
           would
           call
           the
           shooting
           at
           the
           Bishop
           an
           Heroick
           Act.
           To
           which
           I
           answered
           ,
           that
           I
           never
           told
           them
           any
           such
           thing
           ,
           but
           where
           did
           you
           see
           
             James
             Wallace
          
           last
           ?
           Answer
           ,
           Towards
           the
           Borders
           of
           Germany
           some
           years
           ago
           .
           But
           what
           alled
           you
           at
           
             My
             Lord
             St.
             Andrews
          
           ?
           (
           pointing
           at
           him
           with
           his
           Finger
           )
           Answer
           ,
           My
           Lord
           Commissioner
           ,
           the
           grievous
           Oppression
           ,
           and
           horrid
           Bloodshed
           of
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           the
           eager
           pursuit
           after
           my
           own
           ,
           as
           appeareth
           this
           day
           to
           your
           Grace
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           his
           Majesties
           Honourable
           Privy
           Council
           .
           After
           which
           he
           commanded
           to
           take
           me
           away
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           see
           what
           to
           do
           next
           with
           me
           .
        
         
           The
           Second
           is
           ,
           the
           shooting
           of
           the
           Shot
           intended
           against
           the
           
             Bishop
             of
             St.
             Andrews
          
           ,
           whereby
           the
           
             Bishop
             of
             Orknay
          
           was
           hurt
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           answered
           
             My
             Lord
             Chancellor
          
           in
           private
           ,
           viz.
           that
           I
           looked
           on
           him
           to
           be
           the
           main
           Instigater
           of
           all
           the
           Oppression
           and
           Bloodshed
           of
           
           my
           Brethren
           that
           followed
           thereupon
           ,
           and
           the
           continual
           pursuing
           after
           my
           own
           ,
           and
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           credibly
           reported
           to
           us
           (
           the
           Truth
           of
           which
           your
           Lordship
           knows
           better
           than
           we
           )
           that
           he
           kept
           up
           his
           Majesties
           Letter
           inhibiting
           any
           more
           Blood
           upon
           that
           Account
           ,
           until
           the
           last
           Six
           was
           execute
           :
           And
           I
           being
           a
           Soldier
           ,
           not
           having
           Laid
           down
           Arms
           ,
           but
           being
           still
           upon
           my
           own
           Defence
           ,
           and
           having
           no
           other
           End
           nor
           Quarrel
           at
           any
           Man
           (
           but
           according
           to
           my
           apprehension
           of
           him
           )
           that
           as
           I
           hope
           in
           Sincerity
           with
           fixing
           either
           my
           Sense
           or
           Action
           upon
           the
           Covenant
           it self
           ,
           as
           it
           may
           be
           understood
           by
           the
           many
           thousands
           of
           the
           Faithful
           ,
           besides
           the
           Prosecution
           of
           the
           Ends
           of
           the
           same
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           was
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           point
           the
           Overthrow
           of
           Prelates
           and
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           I
           being
           a
           declared
           Enemy
           to
           him
           on
           that
           account
           ,
           and
           he
           to
           me
           in
           like
           manner
           .
           So
           I
           never
           found
           my self
           obliged
           ,
           either
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           Nature
           ,
           to
           set
           a
           Centry
           at
           his
           Door
           for
           his
           Safety
           ,
           but
           as
           he
           was
           always
           to
           take
           his
           Advantage
           ,
           as
           it
           appeareth
           ,
           so
           I
           of
           him
           ,
           to
           take
           any
           Opportunity
           offered
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           we
           being
           in
           no
           Terms
           of
           Capitulation
           ,
           but
           on
           the
           contrait
           ,
           I
           by
           his
           Instigation
           being
           excluded
           from
           all
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           ,
           thought
           it
           my
           Duty
           to
           pursue
           him
           at
           all
           occasions
           :
           Also
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
             Sir
             William
             Sharp
          
           making
           his
           Apology
           ,
           anent
           his
           unhandsome
           and
           cheating
           way
           taken
           ,
           He
           took
           me
           ,
           under
           pretence
           to
           have
           spoken
           with
           me
           about
           some
           other
           Matters
           .
           I
           not
           knowing
           him
           until
           five
           or
           six
           of
           his
           Brothers
           and
           his
           Servants
           were
           laying
           fast
           hold
           on
           me
           ,
           they
           being
           armed
           of
           purpose
           ,
           desired
           I
           would
           excuse
           him
           ,
           seeing
           what
           he
           had
           done
           was
           upon
           his
           Brothers
           account
           ,
           which
           excuse
           I
           easily
           admitted
           ,
           seeing
           that
           he
           thought
           himself
           obliged
           to
           do
           
           what
           he
           did
           to
           me
           ,
           without
           Law
           or
           Order
           in
           behalf
           of
           his
           Brother
           ,
           much
           more
           was
           I
           obliged
           to
           do
           what
           I
           did
           in
           behalf
           of
           many
           Brethren
           ,
           whose
           Oppression
           was
           so
           great
           ,
           and
           whose
           Blood
           he
           caused
           to
           be
           shed
           in
           such
           abundance
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           he
           persisting
           in
           his
           Bloody
           Murthers
           ,
           as
           witnesseth
           the
           wounding
           of
           
             Mr.
             Bruce
          
           at
           his
           taking
           ,
           by
           his
           Emissaries
           some
           few
           days
           before
           that
           fell
           out
           concerning
           himself
           .
           Now
           if
           by
           any
           means
           in
           taking
           him
           away
           ,
           I
           could
           have
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           the
           then
           currant
           Persecution
           .
           Thus
           far
           I
           have
           truly
           resumed
           what
           passed
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           Answer
           to
           the
           second
           part
           of
           the
           Inditement
           may
           be
           thought
           by
           some
           to
           be
           a
           step
           out
           of
           my
           ordinary
           way
           ;
           wherefore
           I
           shall
           offer
           to
           your
           Consideration
           that
           passage
           Deut.
           23.
           9.
           wherein
           it
           is
           manifest
           ,
           that
           the
           Seducer
           ,
           or
           Inticer
           to
           worship
           a
           false
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           put
           to
           death
           ,
           by
           the
           Hand
           of
           those
           whom
           he
           seeks
           to
           turn
           away
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           especially
           by
           the
           Hand
           of
           the
           Witnesses
           ,
           whereof
           I
           am
           one
           ,
           as
           it
           appeareth
           Deut.
           13.
           which
           Precept
           I
           humbly
           take
           to
           be
           Moral
           ,
           and
           not
           merely
           Judicial
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           not
           at
           all
           Ceremonial
           ,
           or
           Levitical
           ;
           And
           as
           every
           moral
           Precept
           is
           universal
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           extent
           of
           Place
           ,
           so
           also
           as
           to
           the
           extent
           of
           Time
           ,
           and
           Persons
           .
           Upon
           which
           Command
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           I
           think
           that
           Phinehas
           acted
           in
           taking
           away
           the
           Midianitish
           Whore
           ,
           and
           killed
           him
           whom
           she
           had
           seduced
           ,
           Num.
           25.
           8.
           
           Also
           Elijah
           by
           virtue
           of
           that
           Precept
           gave
           Commandment
           to
           the
           People
           to
           destroy
           Baals
           Priests
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Command
           of
           the
           seducing
           Magistrate
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           only
           remiss
           and
           negligent
           in
           executing
           Justice
           ,
           but
           became
           a
           Protector
           and
           Defender
           of
           the
           Seducers
           .
           Then
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           Case
           ,
           I
           suppose
           it
           is
           the
           
           Christians
           Duty
           not
           to
           be
           very
           dark
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           we
           see
           that
           the
           People
           of
           Israel
           2
           Chron.
           31.
           1.
           destroyed
           Idolatry
           not
           only
           in
           Judah
           ,
           wherein
           the
           King
           concurred
           ,
           but
           in
           Israel
           and
           in
           Manasseh
           ,
           where
           the
           King
           himself
           was
           an
           Idolater
           .
           And
           surely
           what
           all
           the
           People
           was
           bound
           to
           do
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           every
           one
           was
           bound
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           to
           the
           uttermost
           of
           their
           power
           and
           capacity
           :
           And
           as
           it
           was
           in
           Zach.
           13.
           3.
           
           There
           the
           Seducer's
           Father
           and
           Mother
           shall
           put
           them
           to
           death
           :
           I
           take
           this
           to
           be
           meant
           of
           the
           Christian
           Magistrate
           ;
           but
           when
           he
           is
           withdrawn
           by
           the
           Seducer
           from
           the
           Exercise
           of
           Office
           and
           Duty
           ,
           and
           is
           become
           utterly
           remiss
           and
           negligent
           in
           putting
           the
           Seducer
           to
           death
           ,
           according
           to
           God's
           express
           Law
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           to
           be
           expected
           of
           him
           ,
           for
           then
           he
           should
           do
           Justice
           upon
           himself
           ,
           but
           is
           become
           a
           Protector
           and
           Defender
           of
           the
           Idolater
           ;
           then
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           doth
           become
           the
           Duty
           of
           every
           Christian
           ,
           to
           the
           uttermost
           of
           his
           power
           and
           capacity
           ,
           to
           destroy
           and
           cut
           off
           both
           Idolatry
           and
           Idolaters
           .
           Yea
           ,
           these
           presumptuously
           murthering
           Prelates
           ought
           to
           be
           called
           so
           by
           the
           Avenger
           of
           Blood
           ,
           when
           he
           meeteth
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           express
           Commandment
           of
           God
           ,
           seeing
           the
           thing
           is
           manifestly
           true
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           have
           liberty
           to
           flee
           to
           such
           Cities
           of
           Refuge
           ,
           as
           the
           vain
           Pretext
           of
           Lawful
           Authority
           :
           But
           they
           should
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           Horns
           of
           such
           Altars
           ,
           and
           be
           put
           to
           death
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           was
           it
           spoken
           concerning
           Amalek
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           he
           designed
           and
           resolved
           the
           Extirpation
           of
           the
           Lords
           People
           and
           Truth
           ,
           which
           are
           his
           Throne
           ,
           upon
           which
           he
           put
           forth
           his
           Hand
           ,
           and
           because
           he
           took
           occasion
           against
           them
           ,
           Exod.
           17.
           14.
           
           Num.
           24.
           20.
           he
           endeavoured
           God
           should
           not
           have
           a
           People
           to
           serve
           him
           according
           to
           his
           Revealed
           Will
           upon
           Earth
           :
           And
           if
           he
           could
           have
           effectuate
           
           his
           Design
           ,
           there
           should
           none
           have
           lived
           ,
           who
           would
           not
           have
           worshiped
           and
           served
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           Idol
           Gods
           :
           And
           for
           the
           better
           effectuating
           his
           Design
           ,
           he
           took
           occasion
           against
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           wearied
           coming
           out
           of
           
             Aegypt
             ,
             Deut.
          
           25.
           17
           ,
           18.
           and
           the
           Reason
           there
           annexed
           is
           ,
           he
           feared
           not
           God.
           And
           because
           I
           know
           that
           the
           Bishops
           both
           will
           and
           do
           say
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           did
           against
           the
           Lords
           People
           ,
           whom
           they
           murthered
           ,
           they
           did
           it
           by
           Law
           and
           Authority
           ,
           but
           what
           I
           did
           was
           contrary
           to
           both
           .
           I
           answer
           ,
           the
           King
           himself
           and
           all
           the
           Estates
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           every
           individual
           person
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           both
           were
           ,
           and
           are
           obliged
           by
           the
           Oath
           of
           God
           upon
           them
           ,
           to
           have
           by
           Force
           of
           Arms
           extirpated
           the
           perjured
           Prelates
           and
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           in
           doing
           thereof
           to
           have
           defended
           their
           Lives
           and
           Fortunes
           ,
           the
           Covenants
           being
           engaged
           to
           on
           these
           Terms
           ,
           viz.
           after
           Supplications
           ,
           Remonstrances
           ,
           Protestations
           and
           all
           other
           Lawful
           Means
           have
           been
           used
           now
           for
           that
           Effect
           :
           As
           the
           last
           Remedy
           we
           took
           up
           Arms
           ,
           upon
           which
           condition
           ,
           our
           Nobility
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Representatives
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           National
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           Solemn
           League
           and
           Covenant
           ,
           gave
           to
           the
           King
           both
           the
           Sword
           and
           the
           Scepter
           ,
           and
           set
           the
           Crown
           upon
           his
           Head
           ;
           and
           he
           accordingly
           received
           them
           ,
           and
           promised
           and
           sware
           by
           the
           ever
           living
           God
           ,
           to
           use
           and
           approve
           them
           for
           the
           use
           aforesaid
           :
           And
           especially
           in
           order
           to
           the
           performing
           this
           Article
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Extirpation
           and
           Overthrow
           of
           Prelates
           and
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           now
           they
           vaunt
           of
           Authority
           ;
           of
           what
           Authority
           do
           they
           mean
           or
           speak
           of
           ,
           truly
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           except
           it
           be
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           aggregated
           Gods
           ,
           new
           Gods
           ,
           Gods
           of
           whom
           they
           have
           their
           Gain
           ,
           Life
           and
           Standing
           ,
           Chemosh
           or
           Bacchus
           ,
           which
           drunken
           Moab
           delighted
           
           to
           dwell
           within
           dark
           Cells
           ,
           Ash●aroth
           ,
           or
           Venus
           ,
           whom
           they
           worship
           of
           the
           female
           kind
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           Adulteries
           and
           Whoredoms
           ,
           as
           also
           Malcome
           ,
           or
           Molock
           ,
           which
           signifies
           Tyrannical
           King
           ,
           or
           a
           Devil
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           have
           it
           so
           ,
           in
           whose
           Arms
           and
           Power
           they
           put
           their
           poor
           Infants
           and
           Posterity
           to
           be
           burnt
           according
           to
           his
           lust
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           Amos
           5.
           vers
           .
           26.
           
           Psal
           .
           106.
           37.
           and
           their
           Mammon
           ,
           which
           they
           delight
           to
           worship
           daily
           ,
           together
           with
           their
           own
           Bellies
           ,
           
             whose
             glory
             is
             their
             shame
             ,
             who
             mind
             earthly
             things
             ,
             whose
             end
             will
             be
             destruction
             ,
          
           except
           they
           repent
           ,
           which
           there
           is
           little
           probability
           of
           ,
           Ph.
           3.
           vers
           .
           19.
           to
           which
           we
           may
           add
           their
           abominable
           Pride
           ,
           and
           blasphemous
           Perjuries
           ,
           then
           their
           Gods
           will
           be
           equal
           in
           number
           to
           the
           Whore
           their
           Mothers
           Sacraments
           ,
           from
           whom
           they
           have
           their
           Being
           ,
           Strength
           and
           Standing
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Devil
           their
           Father
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           Deceiver
           and
           Murtherer
           from
           the
           Beginning
           .
           And
           now
           seeing
           the
           Prelates
           possess
           whatever
           their
           God
           Chemosh
           giveth
           them
           to
           possess
           :
           Then
           should
           we
           not
           possess
           what
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           giveth
           us
           to
           possess
           ,
           viz.
           the
           eternal
           Truths
           manifested
           to
           us
           in
           his
           Revealed
           Will
           ,
           and
           keep
           and
           defend
           the
           same
           from
           all
           Innovations
           and
           Traditions
           of
           his
           and
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           defend
           our
           Lives
           and
           Liberties
           out
           of
           the
           Hands
           of
           our
           usurping
           Enemies
           ,
           Judg.
           11.
           29.
           for
           sure
           I
           am
           ,
           that
           God
           once
           dispossessed
           the
           Prelates
           and
           Malignants
           of
           all
           these
           ;
           and
           should
           they
           again
           possess
           them
           through
           our
           Defect
           ?
           God
           for
           bid
           ,
           but
           the
           like
           of
           this
           Work
           our
           murthering
           Prelates
           like
           not
           ,
           who
           plead
           like
           the
           Whore
           their
           Mother
           for
           Passive
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           the
           Lord's
           People
           ,
           who
           may
           not
           comply
           with
           their
           Idolatries
           and
           Persidies
           ,
           should
           lay
           
           down
           their
           Bloody
           Axe
           ,
           with
           whom
           too
           many
           of
           our
           hypocritical
           ,
           time-serving
           and
           perfidious
           Professors
           do
           agree
           ,
           who
           had
           rather
           abide
           with
           Reuben
           among
           the
           Sheepfolds
           ,
           than
           jeopard
           Life
           or
           Fortune
           in
           the
           Help
           of
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           Mighty
           ;
           do
           not
           consider
           the
           bitter
           Curse
           pronounced
           by
           the
           Angel
           of
           the
           Lord
           against
           Meroz
           ,
           to
           which
           immediately
           he
           subjoins
           a
           Blessing
           on
           Jael
           the
           Wife
           of
           Heber
           the
           Kenite
           .
           Others
           excuse
           themselves
           thus
           ,
           Vengeance
           is
           mine
           ,
           and
           I
           will
           repay
           it
           ,
           but
           so
           the
           Throne
           of
           Judgment
           is
           the
           Lords
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           they
           will
           take
           away
           the
           Use
           and
           Office
           of
           Magistracy
           ,
           which
           erroneous
           Principles
           I
           detest
           :
           For
           God
           even
           in
           the
           working
           of
           Miracles
           in
           dividing
           the
           Red
           Sea
           ,
           Exod.
           14.
           16.
           commanded
           Moses
           to
           stretch
           forth
           his
           Rod
           :
           And
           Christ
           when
           he
           opened
           the
           Blind
           Man's
           Eyes
           ,
           maketh
           use
           of
           Clay
           and
           Spittle
           ,
           tho
           indeed
           I
           mean
           not
           of
           any
           who
           were
           willing
           to
           have
           helped
           ,
           but
           wanted
           Opportunity
           ,
           yet
           there
           are
           many
           peevish
           time
           serving
           Professors
           ,
           who
           shall
           never
           suffer
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           they
           have
           either
           Soul
           or
           Conscience
           to
           mortgage
           ,
           providing
           that
           they
           may
           keep
           them
           from
           suffering
           .
           And
           if
           it
           will
           not
           do
           their
           Business
           ,
           it
           seemeth
           before
           they
           suffer
           ,
           they
           resolve
           to
           sell
           all
           out
           at
           the
           Ground
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           I
           have
           neither
           misinterpret
           Scripture
           ,
           nor
           misapplyed
           it
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           persons
           here
           hinted
           at
           ,
           nor
           been
           wrong
           in
           the
           end
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Good
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           .
           Then
           I
           think
           that
           some
           persons
           ought
           to
           forbear
           to
           scourge
           me
           so
           sore
           with
           their
           Tongues
           ,
           while
           I
           am
           not
           yet
           condemned
           by
           the
           common
           Enemy
           .
           And
           my
           hearing
           of
           some
           things
           reported
           by
           some
           behind
           my
           Back
           ,
           hath
           occasioned
           my
           writing
           to
           you
           at
           this
           time
           .
           O
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           
           be
           intreated
           to
           pray
           to
           the
           Lord
           in
           my
           behalf
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           be
           pleased
           out
           of
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           save
           me
           from
           sinning
           under
           Suffering
           in
           this
           Hour
           and
           Power
           of
           Darkness
           :
           For
           my
           Soul
           is
           prest
           within
           me
           in
           the
           Search
           betwixt
           Sin
           and
           Duty
           ,
           viz.
           lest
           I
           should
           be
           niggard
           and
           too
           sparing
           of
           my
           life
           ,
           when
           God
           calleth
           for
           it
           :
           And
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           too
           prodigal
           and
           lavish
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           not
           using
           all
           legal
           Defences
           in
           preserving
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           any
           of
           the
           like
           nature
           ;
           I
           am
           in
           a
           strait
           ,
           O
           Lord
           ,
           undertake
           for
           me
           .
           Sir
           ,
           I
           hope
           ye
           will
           excuse
           me
           in
           sending
           you
           these
           indistinct
           and
           irregular
           Lines
           ,
           when
           you
           consider
           my
           present
           condition
           .
           Sir
           ,
           believe
           me
           ,
           I
           would
           many
           times
           ,
           when
           I
           am
           before
           them
           ,
           think
           a
           Scaffold
           a
           sweet
           Retirement
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           cheat
           and
           deceive
           me
           ,
           in
           making
           me
           either
           to
           stain
           the
           declarative
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           my
           own
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           his
           People
           and
           Interests
           ,
           and
           wronging
           of
           them
           ,
           either
           by
           opening
           the
           Enemies
           Mouth
           against
           them
           ,
           or
           letting
           loose
           their
           Hands
           upon
           them
           ;
           henceforth
           let
           the
           Adversaries
           both
           say
           and
           do
           what
           they
           can
           ,
           yet
           
             the
             righteous
             shall
             hold
             on
             in
             his
             way
             ,
             and
             he
             who
             hath
             clean
             hands
             will
             be
             stronger
             and
             stronger
             ,
          
           Job
           7.
           v.
           9.
           
           
             But
             he
             that
             saith
             unto
             the
             wicked
             ,
             thou
             art
             righteous
             ,
             him
             shall
             the
             people
             curse
             ,
             Nations
             shall
             abhor
             him
             ,
          
           Prov.
           24.
           v.
           24.
           
           Farewel
           in
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           
             Sic
             subscribitur
             Mr.
             JAMES
             MITCHEL
             :
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A51160-e2460
           
             *
             Continuat
             .
          
           
             *
             A
             true
             Account
             of
             the
             horrid
             Conspiracy
             against
             the
             King
             ,
             &c.
             printed
             by
             
               Tho.
               Newcomb
               .
               Edit
            
             .
             2.
             1685.
             
          
           
             Contin
             .
             p.
             4.
             
          
           
             Aeli
             .
             Hist
             .
             Var.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Paterson
             ,
             Dr.
             Caincross
             .
          
           
             
               Nals
               .
               Coll.
            
             1
             Vol.
             pag.
             499.
             
             Vid.
             p.
             500
             ,
             &
             501.
             
          
           
             Ib.
             p.
             503.
             
          
           
             Ib.
             p.
             502.
             
          
           
             
               Contin
               .
               p.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             pag.
             12.
             
          
           
             Ans
             .
             
               Scot.
               Eloq
            
             .
             p.
             4.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             14.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             *
             This
             is
             glanced
             at
             in
             a
             late
             Letter
             written
             by
             a
             Presbyterian
             Minister
             to
             a
             member
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             p.
             11.
             
          
           
             P.
             15.
             
          
           
             *
             Presb.
             Inquisit
             .
          
           
             pag.
             16.
             
          
           
             
               Buchan
               .
               Hist
               .
               lib.
            
             19.
             
          
           
             Calvin
             .
             
               Inst
               .
               lib.
            
             4.
             
             And
             again
             ,
             Lib.
             4.
             c.
             10.
             
             §
             6.
             
             
               Sane
               si
               veri
               Episcopi
               essent
               ,
               aliquid
               eis
               in
               hac
               parte
               Auctoritatis
               tribuerem
               ,
               non
               quantum
               sibi
               postulant
               ,
               sed
               quantum
               ad
               Politiam
               Ecclesiae
               ritè
               ordinandam
               requiritur
               .
            
          
           
             Vid.
             
               Nals
               .
               Coll.
            
             1.
             
             Vol.
             and
             the
             K's
             large
             Manifesto
             .
          
           
             pag.
             17.
             
          
           
             pag.
             18.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             19.
             
          
           
             Vid.
             
               Hist
               .
               Obs
            
             .
             MSS.
             by
             Guth
             .
          
           
             Montross
             def
             .
             at
             Philiphaugh
             .
          
           
             Pag
             20.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             
               Gen.
               Ass
            
             .
             1648.
             p.
             mihi
             44.
             printed
             by
             
               Ev.
               Tyler
               ,
               Edinb
            
             .
             An.
             1648.
             
          
           
             An.
             1638.
             
          
           
             
               Nals
               Hist
               Col.
            
             1.
             
             Vol.
             p.
             128.
             
          
           
             V.
             King
             's
             large
             Manifesto
             .
             &
             
               Nals
               .
               Hist
               .
               Coll.
            
             1
             vol.
             pag.
             151.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Nal.
               Hist
               .
               Coll.
            
             1
             vol.
             Ans
             .
             to
             the
             3
             Reasons
             .
             pag.
             152.
             
          
           
             †
             than
             .
          
           
             I.
             Theologie
             Morale
             des
             
               Jesuites
               ,
               pag.
            
             mihi
             149
             ,
             150.
             
             
               A
               Cologne
               ,
               An.
            
             1666.
             
             
               En
               verite
               ,
               mes
               Peres
               ,
               il
               ya
               bien
               de
               la
               difference
               entre
               rire
               de
               la
               Religion
               ,
               &
               rire
               de
               ceux
               qui
               la
               profanent
               par
               leurs
               opinions
               extravagantes
               .
               Ce
               seroit
               une
               impietè
               de
               manquer
               de
               respect
               pour
               les
               veritesque
               l'
               esprit
               de
               Dieu
               à
               revelées
               :
               mais
               ce
               seroit
               une
               autre
               impietè
               de
               manquer
               de
               me
               pris
               pour
               les
               faussetez
               que
               l'
               esprit
               de
               l'
               homme
               leur
               oppose
               .
            
          
           
             *
             
               Nals
               .
               Hist
               .
               Coll.
            
             1
             vol.
             pag.
             532.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             23.
             
          
           
             July
             28.
             1648.
             
               ante
               mer.
               Sess
            
             .
             18.
             
               p.
               mili
            
             7.
             
             Act
             and
             Declar.
             against
             the
             Act
             of
             P.
             pag.
             17.
             
          
           
             Pag
             3.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             4.
             
          
           
             Ibid
             
          
           
             Pag.
             5.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Pag
             28.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             29.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             pag.
             30.
             
          
           
             pag.
             31.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             32.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Nals
               .
               Coll.
            
             1.
             
             Vol.
             pag.
             795.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             33.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             *
             Continuat
             .
          
           
             Pag.
             34.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             35.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             36.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             37.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             
          
           
             *
             Aelian
             .
             Var.
             Hist.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Ad
               Illustriss
               .
               Vir.
            
             Car.
             Coss
             .
             
               Franciae
               Maresch
            
             .
             in
             Jephth
             .
             Tragoed
             .
             Praef.
             
               Absurdam
               fortasse
               ;
               rem
               facere
               quibusdam
               videbor
               :
               qui
               ad
               te
               ,
               hominem
               ab
               ineunte
               aetate
               militaribus
               imbutum
               studiis
               &
               inter
               arma
               Tubasque
               semper
               versatum
               munusculum
               hoc
               literarium
               mittam
               :
               sed
               ii
               fere
               hoc
               absurdum
               existimaturi
               sunt
               qui
               aut
               harum
               rerum
               inter
               se
               consensionem
               non
               salts
               animadvertunt
            
             
             
               aut
               ingenium
               tuum
               parum
               habent
               perspectum
               .
               Neque
               enim
               inter
               rei
               Militaris
               &
               literarum
               studium
               ea
               est
               quam
               plerique
               falso
               purant
               discordia
               ,
               sed
               summa
               potius
               concordia
               &
               occulta
               quaedam
               naturae
               conspiratio
               ;
               quanquam
               enim
               superioribus
               aliquot
               saeculis
               sive
               hominum
               inertia
               sive
               falsâ
               quâdam
               persuasione
               divisae
               fuerunt
               hae
               professiones
               ,
               nunquam
               tamen
               perversa
               imperitorum
               opinio
               tantum
               potuit
               ut
               ipsae
               inter
               se
               veterem
               illam
               &
               naturalem
               (
               ut
               it
               a
               loquar
               )
               cognationem
               obliviscerentur
               .
            
          
           
             †
             Hist
             .
             of
             the
             Consp
             .
             against
             K.
             Ch.
             II
             pag.
             118.
             
          
           
             Continuat
             .
             Pref.
             p.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Bishop
             Brownr
             .
             Serm.
             Lon.
             Printed
             ,
             1664.
             
             Ser.
             1.
             pag.
             10
             compared
             with
             
             Williamson's
             Serm.
             Jun.
             15.
             1690.
             pag
             20.
             
          
           
             *
             R.
             B.
             
          
           
             Answ
             .
             to
             the
             Scotch
             Eloq
             .
             pag.
             53
             
          
           
             *
             Guth
             .
             MSS.
             
          
           
             Vid.
             
               Nals
               .
               Coll.
            
             1
             Vol.
             from
             pag.
             811
             ,
             to
             817.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Act
             of
             Parl.
             for
             settling
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               Edinbugh
               ,
               June
            
             12.
             1693.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A51160-e22180
           
             
               De
               Jure
               Regnipag
            
             .
             46
             ,
             47.
             
          
           
             Vide
             Seasonable
             Warning
             .
             An.
             45.
             
          
           
             *
             See
             dangerous
             Positions
             by
             Bishop
             
               Bancroft
               ,
               p.
            
             35.