An historical relation of the late General Assembly held at Edinburgh from Octob. 16, to Nov. 13 in the year 1690 in a letter from a person in Edinburgh to his friend in London.
         Cockburn, John, 1652-1729.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
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             An historical relation of the late General Assembly held at Edinburgh from Octob. 16, to Nov. 13 in the year 1690 in a letter from a person in Edinburgh to his friend in London.
             Cockburn, John, 1652-1729.
          
           [2], 78 p.
           
             Printed for J. Hindmarsh ...,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             Attributed to John Cockburn. Cf. NUC pre-1956.
             "Licensed April the 20th, 1691"
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             "A proclamation anent a solemn national fast and humiliation": p. 78.
             Imperfect: p. 65-68 are lacking on reel 348.
             Includes bibliographical references.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church and state -- Scotland -- History -- 17th century -- Sources.
           Scotland -- Church history -- 17th century -- Sources.
        
      
    
     
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           AN
           HISTORICAL
           RELATION
           Of
           the
           Late
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           Held
           at
           EDINBURGH
           ,
           From
           Octob.
           16.
           to
           Nov.
           13.
           
           In
           the
           Year
           1690.
           
           IN
           A
           LETTER
           From
           a
           PERSON
           in
           EDINBURGH
           ,
           To
           his
           Friend
           in
           LONDON
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   LICENSED
                
                 
                   
                     
                       April
                       the
                       20th
                       .
                       1691.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             J.
             Hindmarsh
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Golden-Ball
           in
           Cornhill
           ,
           near
           the
           Royal-Exchange
           .
           MDCXCI
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           LETTER
           FROM
           EDINBVRGH
           .
           TO
           ONE
           in
           LONDON
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Received
           yours
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           think
           it
           strange
           ,
           that
           those
           of
           England
           are
           so
           desirous
           to
           know
           the
           Acts
           and
           Proceedings
           of
           our
           General
           Assembly
           in
           Scotland
           ;
           for
           not
           only
           Curiosity
           but
           Interest
           may
           prompt
           them
           thereto
           :
           I
           will
           readily
           serve
           you
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           and
           intended
           ,
           though
           you
           had
           not
           required
           it
           ,
           to
           have
           given
           you
           an
           Account
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           you
           might
           have
           Occasion
           of
           gratifying
           your
           worthy
           Friends
           and
           Acquaintance
           .
           It
           's
           true
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           Eye-Witness
           of
           what
           past
           ;
           for
           you
           know
           my
           Circumstances
           would
           not
           allow
           that
           ;
           and
           the
           Brethren
           (
           as
           they
           call
           themselves
           )
           endeavoured
           to
           keep
           out
           all
           that
           were
           not
           of
           their
           own
           party
           ,
           or
           who
           might
           tell
           Tales
           ;
           forbidding
           the
           Keepers
           of
           the
           door
           to
           admit
           any
           without
           a
           leaden
           Ticket
           in
           the
           shape
           of
           a
           Heart
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           Pass
           given
           them
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           so
           easily
           obtain'd
           ,
           except
           for
           their
           particular
           Friends
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           of
           the
           
             Episcopal
             Party
          
           were
           discovered
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           Cry
           presently
           ,
           
             Conformists
             are
             here
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Officers
           were
           sent
           to
           thrust
           them
           out
           .
           However
           notwithstanding
           of
           this
           strictness
           ,
           there
           were
           always
           two
           or
           three
           discreet
           and
           intelligent
           Persons
           of
           my
           Acquaintance
           present
           at
           
           every
           Session
           ,
           from
           whom
           I
           have
           what
           I
           write
           to
           you
           .
           And
           I
           assure
           you
           that
           you
           may
           trust
           the
           Ingenuity
           and
           Faithfulness
           of
           the
           Relation
           .
           But
           before
           I
           come
           to
           the
           Assembly
           it self
           ,
           there
           be
           some
           things
           previous
           to
           it
           which
           you
           ought
           to
           be
           informed
           of
           ▪
           A
           General
           Assembly
           in
           Scotland
           (
           you
           know
           )
           is
           much
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           with
           the
           Convocation
           in
           England
           ,
           or
           a
           National
           Council
           ;
           and
           of
           no
           less
           Authority
           here
           :
           Nay
           ,
           our
           Presbyterians
           exalt
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           Assemblies
           aboue
           that
           of
           King
           or
           Parliament
           ;
           and
           there
           be
           some
           standing
           Acts
           of
           their
           Assemblies
           against
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           which
           discharge
           Obedience
           to
           them
           :
           Whereupon
           our
           Presbyterians
           being
           not
           content
           with
           what
           the
           Parliament
           had
           done
           for
           them
           ,
           nor
           thinking
           their
           Authority
           sufficient
           for
           setting
           up
           their
           Government
           ;
           they
           required
           a
           General
           Assembly
           ,
           by
           whose
           Authority
           (
           which
           with
           them
           is
           supreme
           ,
           and
           next
           to
           that
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           )
           their
           Government
           might
           be
           firmly
           established
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           Actings
           and
           Proceedings
           ratified
           and
           approved
           by
           it
           .
           Yet
           they
           knew
           that
           a
           free
           Assembly
           of
           the
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           throughout
           the
           Kingdom
           would
           rather
           defeat
           than
           advance
           their
           Designs
           ;
           therefore
           they
           consider'd
           how
           they
           might
           prevent
           that
           by
           some
           Method
           ,
           which
           would
           exclude
           all
           who
           were
           not
           well
           affected
           to
           their
           Interest
           ,
           or
           zealous
           for
           the
           Good
           Old
           Cause
           .
        
         
           In
           order
           hereunto
           they
           prevailed
           with
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           to
           lodge
           the
           whole
           Government
           and
           Management
           of
           Church
           Affairs
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           those
           few
           Old
           Preachers
           who
           went
           off
           when
           Episcopacy
           was
           reestablished
           An.
           1661.
           and
           such
           as
           should
           be
           admitted
           and
           approved
           by
           them
           .
           When
           these
           Ministers
           off
           the
           Episcopal
           Perswasion
           who
           had
           complied
           with
           the
           present
           Civil
           Government
           heard
           this
           ,
           they
           thought
           themselves
           injured
           ,
           and
           therefore
           addressed
           to
           the
           Parliament
           to
           be
           admitted
           to
           a
           share
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           not
           to
           be
           absolutely
           subjected
           to
           them
           ,
           who
           were
           their
           stated
           and
           professed
           Enemies
           .
           This
           they
           claimed
           as
           due
           to
           them
           ,
           not
           only
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           their
           being
           Lawful
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           also
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           publick
           Faith
           ,
           which
           promised
           them
           Protection
           upon
           their
           compliance
           with
           the
           Civil
           Government
           :
           Notwithstanding
           which
           ,
           their
           Petition
           was
           disdainfully
           rejected
           ,
           and
           
           the
           Act
           continued
           as
           before
           ,
           in
           favour
           only
           of
           the
           above-mentioned
           Presbyterian
           Preachers
           .
           By
           which
           means
           all
           the
           present
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           and
           such
           of
           the
           Laity
           as
           favoured
           their
           Interest
           ,
           and
           had
           complyed
           with
           them
           ,
           were
           rendred
           incapable
           of
           bearing
           any
           Office
           in
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           and
           of
           Sitting
           and
           Voting
           in
           their
           Meetings
           .
           This
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           justly
           complained
           of
           ,
           and
           said
           ;
           That
           though
           Episcopacy
           was
           abolished
           merely
           upon
           an
           unjust
           and
           false
           Pretence
           ,
           that
           that
           Government
           exercised
           Tyranny
           over
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           now
           a
           real
           Presbyterian
           Tyranny
           was
           established
           ,
           that
           instead
           of
           Fourteen
           Bishops
           Sixty
           were
           set
           up
           ,
           who
           would
           Lord
           it
           over
           their
           Brethren
           more
           imperiously
           than
           they
           either
           did
           or
           pretended
           to
           do
           ;
           and
           that
           Presbyters
           were
           subjected
           to
           them
           who
           own'd
           themselves
           to
           be
           no
           more
           than
           Presbyters
           ,
           which
           had
           no
           Precedent
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           but
           also
           they
           who
           could
           not
           be
           denyed
           to
           be
           Lawful
           Ministers
           were
           excluded
           from
           any
           share
           of
           the
           Discipline
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           which
           was
           contrary
           to
           the
           very
           Principles
           and
           Tenets
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           themselves
           ;
           who
           make
           every
           private
           Minister
           to
           be
           invested
           with
           the
           Authority
           of
           ruling
           as
           well
           as
           of
           teaching
           ;
           and
           who
           affirm
           it
           unlawful
           for
           any
           Minister
           to
           part
           with
           that
           Right
           ;
           and
           who
           therefore
           were
           wont
           to
           exclaim
           against
           Bishops
           ,
           because
           they
           seemed
           to
           usurp
           it
           wholly
           to
           themselves
           .
           All
           the
           Excuse
           made
           for
           this
           was
           ,
           That
           they
           could
           no
           otherwise
           make
           their
           Government
           sure
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           deserved
           to
           be
           thus
           treated
           for
           their
           Apostacy
           ,
           in
           betraying
           and
           renouncing
           the
           true
           Rights
           and
           Interests
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           complying
           with
           Episcopacy
           .
           Hence
           it
           was
           inferr'd
           that
           Presbyterians
           do
           juggle
           both
           with
           God
           and
           Man
           :
           For
           whereas
           they
           would
           have
           the
           World
           believe
           ,
           that
           their
           Model
           of
           Government
           and
           Forms
           of
           Discipline
           are
           so
           much
           of
           Divine
           Right
           that
           they
           can
           submit
           to
           no
           Terms
           of
           Composition
           with
           Men
           about
           them
           ;
           so
           when
           it
           makes
           for
           their
           Interest
           ,
           they
           can
           without
           any
           scruple
           introduce
           essential
           Alterations
           thereof
           :
           For
           Parity
           (
           which
           they
           make
           the
           Institution
           of
           Christ
           )
           was
           now
           taken
           away
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           pretended
           exigence
           of
           the
           Church
           nine
           hundred
           Ministers
           were
           suspended
           from
           one
           half
           of
           that
           Power
           given
           them
           
           by
           Christ
           ,
           which
           at
           other
           times
           is
           said
           to
           be
           so
           essential
           to
           them
           that
           they
           cannot
           be
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           without
           it
           .
        
         
           Shortly
           after
           the
           passing
           that
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           for
           setting
           up
           the
           Presbyterian
           Government
           ,
           and
           committing
           the
           Care
           and
           Management
           thereof
           to
           these
           few
           surviving
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           had
           not
           complied
           with
           Episcopacy
           ;
           there
           was
           a
           Meeting
           at
           Edinburgh
           of
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           and
           Lay-Elders
           to
           advise
           about
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           down
           Methods
           how
           a
           General
           Assembly
           should
           be
           call'd
           and
           constituted
           ;
           because
           (
           as
           I
           have
           observed
           )
           one
           could
           not
           be
           had
           according
           to
           their
           minds
           ,
           after
           the
           old
           manner
           and
           standing
           Rules
           of
           General
           Assemblies
           .
           By
           Virtue
           of
           the
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           none
           had
           the
           Right
           to
           meddle
           with
           the
           Government
           and
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Church
           but
           such
           Ministers
           as
           had
           been
           removed
           by
           the
           restoration
           of
           Episcopacy
           ;
           and
           certainly
           these
           men
           were
           greatly
           overseen
           when
           they
           parted
           with
           that
           Privilege
           ,
           and
           admitted
           others
           to
           share
           with
           them
           before
           they
           had
           setled
           the
           Church
           according
           to
           their
           minds
           :
           For
           by
           these
           means
           they
           were
           overpower'd
           and
           outvoted
           ,
           and
           forced
           to
           yield
           to
           other
           things
           than
           what
           they
           first
           intended
           ;
           but
           they
           were
           not
           sensible
           of
           this
           their
           Errour
           till
           it
           was
           past
           remedy
           .
           First
           ,
           the
           remnant
           of
           the
           Remonstrator
           Party
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           actually
           deposed
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           them
           for
           scandalous
           and
           gross
           Crimes
           ,
           came
           to
           sit
           in
           this
           Meeting
           ;
           they
           were
           very
           active
           and
           useful
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           thought
           fit
           to
           receive
           them
           ;
           but
           some
           being
           sensible
           of
           the
           Irregularity
           of
           admitting
           Persons
           lying
           under
           the
           sentence
           of
           Deposition
           by
           their
           own
           Kirk
           ,
           it
           was
           therefore
           moved
           that
           the
           Sentence
           of
           Deposition
           might
           be
           first
           taken
           off
           :
           But
           the
           Debate
           was
           laid
           aside
           and
           supprest
           ,
           because
           these
           men
           urg'd
           and
           pressed
           that
           their
           Sentence
           of
           Deposition
           might
           be
           declared
           void
           and
           null
           ,
           being
           done
           
             Clave
             errante
          
           ,
           by
           a
           Factious
           party
           ;
           wherewith
           some
           of
           the
           old
           Publick
           Resolutioners
           were
           pricked
           ,
           and
           therefore
           proceeded
           to
           defend
           themselves
           ,
           and
           particularly
           one
           Mr.
           
             Alexander
             Pitcarne
          
           protested
           against
           their
           Proceedings
           ,
           and
           threatned
           to
           print
           his
           Protestation
           ,
           and
           to
           declare
           their
           Meeting
           unlawful
           ,
           while
           such
           incapacitated
           Members
           were
           allowed
           
           to
           sit
           in
           it
           :
           But
           such
           early
           Heats
           being
           unseasonable
           and
           prejudicial
           ,
           they
           prevail'd
           with
           him
           to
           take
           up
           his
           Protestation
           and
           to
           forbear
           the
           Publishing
           it
           .
           Into
           this
           Assembly
           also
           were
           received
           all
           these
           younger
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           admitted
           to
           the
           Ministry
           clandestinely
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           last
           Reign
           ,
           or
           avowedly
           and
           openly
           since
           the
           receiving
           their
           Indulgence
           from
           King
           James
           .
           These
           were
           hurried
           on
           with
           more
           Fierceness
           and
           Zeal
           than
           the
           former
           ,
           who
           indeed
           wanted
           not
           sincerity
           and
           concernment
           enough
           for
           the
           Cause
           .
        
         
           
             —
             Gelidus
             tardante
             Senectâ
          
           
             Sanguis
             hebet
             ,
             frigentque
             effoetae
             in
             corpore
             Vires
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Old
           Men
           thought
           that
           they
           ought
           to
           rule
           ,
           and
           bear
           the
           greatest
           Sway
           because
           of
           their
           Age
           and
           Experience
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           was
           especially
           in
           their
           favours
           ;
           but
           the
           younger
           Brethren
           would
           not
           be
           impos'd
           upon
           ,
           seeing
           Parity
           was
           the
           Constitution
           of
           their
           Government
           .
           And
           it
           was
           said
           that
           one
           Mr.
           Webster
           told
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           very
           bluntly
           ,
           that
           tho
           he
           was
           a
           younger
           Man
           he
           merited
           more
           than
           he
           ,
           having
           taken
           the
           Ministry
           upon
           him
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Persecution
           ,
           when
           no
           temporal
           *
           Interest
           did
           encourage
           him
           to
           it
           ;
           whereas
           the
           other
           entred
           into
           it
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           deserted
           it
           in
           time
           of
           Trouble
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           
             Gabriel
             Cunningham
          
           was
           chosen
           Moderator
           of
           this
           Meeting
           ,
           which
           was
           extraordinary
           as
           to
           its
           Nature
           ,
           neither
           was
           there
           a
           proper
           Name
           for
           it
           ;
           For
           it
           was
           neither
           Session
           ,
           Presbytery
           ,
           Provincial
           ,
           nor
           Diocesan
           Synod
           ,
           nor
           General
           Assembly
           ,
           nor
           Commission
           of
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           the
           Church
           Judicatures
           ever
           have
           been
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ;
           but
           ever
           since
           it
           bears
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           General
           Meeting
           .
           Here
           they
           appointed
           Ministers
           for
           the
           several
           Corners
           of
           the
           Country
           ,
           divided
           them
           into
           Presbyteries
           ,
           prescrib'd
           the
           Rules
           of
           trying
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           ordained
           that
           where
           the
           Presbytery
           consisted
           but
           of
           four
           or
           fewer
           ,
           the
           next
           Presbytery
           should
           be
           joyned
           to
           it
           ,
           which
           yet
           in
           many
           places
           made
           not
           a
           competent
           number
           for
           so
           weighty
           a
           business
           ,
           as
           the
           examining
           and
           censuring
           Ministers
           
           for
           their
           Doctrine
           and
           Manner
           :
           For
           the
           two
           Presbyteries
           of
           Hidingtoun
           and
           Dumbar
           ,
           where
           (
           you
           know
           )
           there
           be
           near
           thirty
           Parishes
           ,
           consisted
           but
           of
           five
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           .
           There
           was
           the
           like
           number
           in
           the
           Presbyteries
           of
           Dunse
           and
           Churnside
           ,
           where
           there
           were
           about
           as
           many
           Parishes
           .
           In
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Aughterarder
           there
           was
           but
           one
           Presbiterian
           Minister
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           next
           was
           joyn'd
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           made
           but
           three
           ;
           so
           that
           when
           it
           was
           debated
           in
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           whether
           one
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           wit
           Mr.
           
             William
             Spence
          
           (
           of
           whom
           you
           will
           hear
           more
           afterward
           )
           should
           go
           for
           Angus
           ;
           they
           pleaded
           against
           his
           going
           ,
           because
           that
           without
           him
           they
           could
           not
           have
           a
           Quorum
           in
           the
           Country
           where
           he
           then
           lived
           ;
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           Sir
           
             Colin
             Campbell
          
           and
           Ardbruchill
           stood
           up
           and
           said
           ,
           in
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           that
           for
           twenty
           Miles
           Westward
           of
           Perth
           ,
           there
           were
           but
           two
           or
           three
           Ministers
           ,
           meaning
           these
           of
           the
           Presbyterian
           Perswasion
           ,
           which
           shews
           how
           little
           agreeable
           either
           their
           Persons
           or
           Government
           are
           to
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           Here
           also
           they
           laid
           down
           the
           Method
           and
           Manner
           of
           constit
           uting
           the
           next
           Assembly
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           sit
           in
           
             October
             ,
             viz.
          
           That
           where
           a
           Presbytery
           consisted
           of
           eight
           Ministers
           ,
           they
           should
           send
           four
           Ministers
           and
           three
           ruling
           Elders
           to
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           where
           they
           were
           under
           eight
           and
           above
           four
           ,
           three
           Ministers
           and
           two
           ruling
           Elders
           ;
           four
           should
           send
           two
           Ministers
           and
           one
           ruling
           Elder
           ;
           and
           where
           there
           was
           but
           one
           ,
           that
           one
           and
           a
           ruling
           Elder
           should
           come
           :
           By
           which
           you
           see
           that
           the
           old
           Method
           of
           constituting
           General
           Assemblies
           was
           quite
           alter'd
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           many
           Parts
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           were
           not
           allowed
           Representatives
           in
           that
           Assembly
           ,
           so
           others
           were
           not
           represented
           equally
           ,
           nor
           could
           they
           bear
           a
           sutable
           Proportion
           therein
           ;
           but
           the
           smalness
           of
           their
           number
           was
           admitted
           as
           a
           defence
           for
           this
           Irregularity
           .
           At
           this
           Meeting
           they
           appointed
           a
           General
           Fast
           before
           the
           sitting
           down
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           to
           be
           kept
           on
           Sunday
           the
           5th
           .
           of
           October
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           third
           Fast
           had
           been
           observed
           on
           Sundays
           within
           the
           space
           of
           a
           Year
           ,
           which
           is
           neither
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           day
           ,
           nor
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Times
           ;
           but
           our
           Presbyterians
           
           are
           above
           these
           things
           ;
           they
           have
           more
           regard
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           their
           own
           Predecessors
           ,
           than
           either
           to
           Reason
           or
           Antiquity
           ;
           and
           you
           know
           it
           was
           the
           Custom
           of
           the
           old
           Presbyterians
           to
           keep
           all
           their
           Fasts
           on
           the
           Lords
           day
           :
           At
           this
           time
           also
           we
           had
           another
           instance
           ,
           whereby
           they
           shewed
           themselves
           the
           true
           Sons
           of
           their
           Fathers
           ,
           who
           did
           not
           confine
           themselves
           to
           Matters
           purely
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           but
           who
           also
           were
           always
           catching
           ▪
           at
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ;
           whose
           Priviledg
           it
           is
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           to
           license
           Books
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           Licences
           to
           grant
           the
           Monopoly
           of
           them
           :
           This
           Privilege
           was
           assumed
           by
           the
           General
           Meeting
           ;
           For
           they
           order'd
           an
           old
           Treatise
           of
           ruling
           Elders
           to
           be
           reprinted
           by
           the
           Heirs
           of
           
             Andrew
             ▪
             Anderson
          
           ,
           and
           discharged
           any
           other
           to
           meddle
           therewith
           ;
           This
           is
           the
           Form
           of
           their
           Licence
           word
           for
           word
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   The
                   General
                   Meeting
                   of
                   Ministers
                   and
                   Elders
                   of
                   this
                   Church
                   have
                   appointed
                   this
                   Treatise
                   of
                   Ruling
                   Elders
                   and
                   Deacons
                   to
                   be
                   Printed
                   by
                   the
                   Heirs
                   of
                   Andrew
                   Anderson
                   and
                   none
                   other
                   .
                   Extracted
                   by
                
                 
                   
                     JOHN
                     SPALDING
                     ,
                     Clerk.
                     
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           This
           was
           a
           small
           Beginning
           ,
           however
           the
           Privy
           Council
           thought
           fit
           to
           take
           notice
           thereof
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           a
           check
           to
           these
           Encroachments
           on
           the
           Civil
           Power
           ,
           and
           therefore
           order'd
           the
           Copies
           to
           be
           call'd
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           Licence
           to
           be
           torn
           away
           ;
           so
           that
           after
           the
           first
           day
           all
           the
           Copies
           were
           sold
           without
           the
           Imprimatur
           ;
           and
           two
           Friends
           of
           mine
           (
           who
           otherwise
           cared
           not
           for
           the
           Book
           )
           were
           forced
           to
           pay
           a
           triple
           rate
           for
           one
           with
           the
           forementioned
           Licence
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           new
           Proof
           of
           the
           Presbyterian
           Usurpation
           .
        
         
           After
           the
           Meeting
           the
           Brethren
           went
           home
           ,
           and
           fell
           to
           their
           work
           with
           all
           their
           might
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Instructions
           given
           them
           in
           their
           General
           Meeting
           .
           It
           was
           expected
           that
           they
           would
           first
           have
           planted
           the
           Churches
           made
           vacant
           by
           the
           Council
           and
           the
           Rabble
           ,
           which
           were
           more
           than
           could
           be
           supplied
           by
           all
           the
           Ministers
           of
           that
           Perswasion
           :
           But
           they
           were
           not
           so
           zealous
           to
           plant
           ,
           as
           to
           pluck
           up
           what
           was
           already
           planted
           ;
           they
           
           would
           not
           begin
           to
           build
           ,
           until
           what
           was
           already
           built
           was
           overthrown
           to
           the
           Ground
           .
           More
           than
           a
           third
           part
           of
           the
           Churches
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           wanted
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           of
           them
           for
           more
           than
           a
           Year
           .
           But
           as
           if
           that
           was
           only
           a
           small
           matter
           ,
           it
           was
           overlooked
           ;
           and
           all
           Pains
           and
           Care
           laid
           out
           in
           emptying
           these
           Churches
           where
           the
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           continued
           to
           preach
           .
           Their
           beloved
           West
           was
           destitute
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           the
           Churches
           there
           and
           in
           Galloway
           were
           almost
           all
           shut
           up
           .
           So
           that
           when
           the
           Assembly
           met
           ,
           two
           Ministers
           declared
           before
           them
           ,
           that
           where
           they
           liv'd
           there
           was
           not
           so
           much
           as
           the
           face
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           Ministers
           but
           themselves
           and
           one
           other
           :
           Yet
           none
           were
           sent
           thither
           ,
           but
           they
           shew'd
           greater
           Inclination
           to
           seat
           themselves
           in
           the
           Lothians
           and
           South
           ,
           which
           is
           indeed
           a
           better
           Country
           ,
           but
           where
           there
           was
           less
           room
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           were
           not
           so
           acceptable
           to
           the
           People
           .
           Many
           were
           indeed
           astonished
           at
           this
           ,
           nor
           could
           they
           either
           justify
           it
           ,
           or
           well
           understand
           the
           Politick
           thereof
           .
           Strange
           !
           there
           were
           already
           more
           Churches
           vacant
           ,
           than
           there
           were
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           to
           put
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           so
           many
           more
           were
           aimed
           at
           ,
           and
           coveted
           .
           It
           was
           sad
           and
           lamentable
           to
           see
           so
           many
           desolate
           Congregations
           in
           all
           parts
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           such
           Multitudes
           of
           People
           without
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           without
           the
           direction
           of
           Pastors
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           would
           endeavour
           to
           deprive
           them
           of
           this
           Blessing
           ,
           who
           by
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           God
           had
           it
           still
           continued
           with
           them
           .
           However
           they
           did
           this
           either
           to
           force
           the
           People
           to
           joyn
           with
           them
           when
           none
           other
           could
           be
           had
           ,
           or
           being
           conscious
           of
           their
           own
           Ignorance
           and
           Inability
           ,
           they
           thought
           it
           neither
           fit
           ,
           nor
           their
           Interest
           to
           tolerate
           them
           who
           were
           more
           judicious
           ,
           and
           who
           would
           accustom
           the
           People
           to
           Sense
           and
           solid
           Discourses
           ,
           which
           held
           forth
           the
           true
           Nature
           and
           Design
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           which
           armed
           People
           against
           sanatical
           Delusions
           .
        
         
           When
           some
           were
           ask'd
           why
           they
           studied
           to
           cast
           out
           all
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           seeing
           they
           could
           not
           yet
           supply
           their
           Churches
           ,
           and
           why
           they
           would
           preach
           in
           a
           Meeting-house
           ,
           where
           there
           was
           an
           Episcopal
           Minister
           unblameable
           in
           his
           Life
           and
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           draw
           the
           people
           from
           him
           ,
           rather
           than
           go
           
           to
           another
           Parish
           which
           wanted
           a
           Pastor
           altogether
           .
           It
           was
           answered
           ,
           That
           there
           was
           less
           prejudice
           both
           to
           Church
           and
           People
           by
           the
           want
           of
           Preaching
           ,
           than
           by
           the
           Preaching
           of
           Men
           of
           Episcopal
           Principles
           and
           Persuasions
           :
           And
           Mr.
           Frazer
           of
           Bray
           said
           in
           a
           Sermon
           before
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           better
           that
           the
           Temple
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           did
           lie
           sometime
           unbuilt
           and
           unrepair'd
           ,
           than
           be
           rear'd
           up
           by
           Gibeonites
           and
           Samaritans
           .
           But
           to
           return
           ,
           Nothing
           came
           before
           the
           Presbyteries
           ,
           except
           Citations
           and
           Libels
           against
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           the
           greater
           dispatch
           ,
           they
           sat
           every
           Week
           .
           The
           Presbyteries
           were
           a
           perfect
           Inquisition
           ,
           who
           sent
           out
           Spies
           to
           inform
           them
           not
           only
           of
           the
           publick
           Sermons
           and
           open
           Practices
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           but
           also
           what
           they
           spoke
           and
           did
           in
           private
           ;
           Neither
           did
           they
           search
           only
           into
           their
           present
           behaviour
           ,
           but
           also
           they
           made
           enquiry
           into
           the
           former
           Actions
           of
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           upon
           diligent
           search
           made
           any
           discovery
           of
           any
           little
           Blemish
           or
           Failure
           ,
           though
           before
           forgotten
           ,
           it
           was
           made
           a
           part
           of
           their
           Indictment
           .
           Mr.
           C.
           an
           old
           Man
           of
           eighty
           years
           at
           Lady-Kirk
           ,
           was
           libell'd
           among
           other
           things
           for
           Drunkenness
           ,
           alledging
           an
           instance
           fifteen
           or
           sixteen
           Years
           ago
           ,
           who
           as
           he
           prov'd
           the
           alledg'd
           Instance
           to
           be
           false
           ,
           so
           he
           said
           very
           well
           ,
           that
           seeing
           a
           latter
           Instance
           could
           not
           be
           produc'd
           ,
           it
           did
           appear
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           neither
           scandalously
           Drunken
           ,
           nor
           guilty
           of
           the
           Habit
           thereof
           .
           There
           was
           a
           form'd
           Design
           of
           disgracing
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           of
           rendring
           them
           infamous
           for
           Immorality
           ;
           but
           it
           will
           be
           much
           for
           their
           advantage
           ,
           that
           after
           earnest
           desires
           and
           endeavours
           to
           blacken
           them
           ,
           there
           was
           little
           or
           nothing
           made
           out
           against
           them
           ;
           When
           any
           real
           Scandals
           were
           found
           ,
           they
           were
           loudly
           talked
           of
           ,
           and
           publickly
           proclaim'd
           ,
           and
           laid
           to
           the
           charge
           of
           the
           whole
           Party
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           matter
           extraordinary
           to
           find
           some
           unworthy
           persons
           among
           nine
           hundred
           or
           a
           thousand
           :
           The
           least
           defects
           of
           Behaviour
           were
           heightened
           and
           aggravated
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           gross
           Crimes
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           no
           fault
           was
           made
           one
           by
           a
           perverse
           and
           sinister
           Interpretation
           and
           uncharitable
           Construction
           .
           When
           more
           heinous
           Crimes
           were
           wanting
           ,
           the
           Libels
           were
           stuff'd
           and
           swell'd
           with
           Articles
           ,
           which
           of
           themselves
           amounted
           to
           nothing
           ;
           
           but
           accumulated
           together
           ,
           were
           by
           them
           look'd
           upon
           and
           sustained
           as
           amounting
           to
           a
           great
           guilt
           .
           And
           when
           nothing
           could
           be
           devised
           against
           the
           Minister
           himself
           ,
           he
           was
           accused
           for
           his
           Elders
           and
           Parishioners
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           be
           tax'd
           for
           any
           real
           or
           apparent
           Crimes
           ;
           For
           then
           it
           was
           said
           ,
           that
           he
           prophaned
           the
           
             Holy
             Ordinance
          
           of
           the
           
             Lords
             Supper
          
           ,
           because
           he
           was
           assisted
           by
           such
           Elders
           ,
           in
           the
           Administration
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           admitted
           such
           persons
           ,
           whereas
           yet
           neihter
           the
           one
           nor
           the
           other
           were
           under
           Church
           Censure
           or
           legal
           Conviction
           .
           The
           Libels
           were
           generally
           so
           frivolous
           and
           impertinent
           that
           they
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           rejected
           with
           Scorn
           ;
           but
           whatever
           was
           offered
           by
           the
           Bygots
           was
           admitted
           ,
           and
           all
           care
           and
           caution
           us'd
           not
           to
           discourage
           them
           .
           The
           great
           Scandals
           of
           Mr.
           
             Couper
             and
             Mr.
          
           Graham
           
             Ministers
             at
          
           Dumfermline
           
             were
             the
             admitting
             Persons
             promiscuously
             to
             the
             Sacrament
             ;
             the
             profaning
             the
          
           Lords
           Day
           
             in
             suffering
             people
             to
             bring
             in
             Kail
             ,
             and
             fan
             Barly
             for
             the
             Pot
             that
             day
             ;
             and
             by
             allowing
             their
             Children
             to
             play
             with
             others
             ,
          
           though
           they
           were
           very
           much
           under
           that
           age
           ,
           which
           even
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           Jewish
           Doctors
           was
           obliged
           to
           the
           strict
           observation
           of
           the
           Sabbaoth
           .
           Another
           Minister
           was
           design'd
           to
           be
           libelled
           
             for
             plucking
             a
             few
             Pease
             on
             Sunday
          
           ;
           but
           that
           being
           so
           parallel
           to
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Disciples
           ,
           which
           our
           Saviour
           defended
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           permitted
           to
           be
           made
           use
           of
           .
           One
           was
           accused
           
             because
             he
             sometimes
             Whistled
          
           ;
           And
           another
           
             because
             one
             time
             playing
             at
             Bowls
             ,
             he
             broke
             an
             innocent
             Jest
             ,
          
           which
           none
           could
           have
           construed
           Prophane
           ,
           but
           they
           who
           were
           impure
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           had
           at
           any
           time
           publickly
           or
           privately
           express'd
           any
           Zeal
           for
           Episcopacy
           ,
           or
           reflected
           on
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           the
           Principles
           and
           Practices
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           who
           now
           always
           assume
           the
           names
           of
           the
           Godly
           ,
           and
           the
           
             peculiar
             people
             of
             God
          
           ,
           or
           if
           it
           could
           have
           been
           alledged
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           any
           ways
           ,
           tho
           never
           so
           indirectly
           ,
           or
           even
           in
           obedience
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           been
           the
           occasion
           of
           any
           trouble
           or
           uneasiness
           to
           them
           ,
           this
           was
           never
           omitted
           ;
           but
           was
           sure
           to
           be
           made
           a
           main
           Article
           of
           their
           Libel
           .
           Thus
           Mr.
           Crawford
           (
           the
           old
           Gentleman
           mentioned
           before
           )
           was
           accused
           for
           calling
           the
           Covenant
           
             a
             Band
             of
             Rebellion
          
           .
           
           Mr.
           Heriot
           ,
           Minister
           at
           Dalkeith
           was
           libelled
           ,
           as
           calling
           Monmouth
           and
           Argyle
           Rebels
           and
           Traitors
           ,
           because
           he
           read
           the
           Proclamation
           set
           forth
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           appointed
           to
           be
           read
           in
           Churches
           *
           by
           the
           King
           and
           Council
           .
           And
           a
           certain
           Great
           Man
           was
           so
           picqu'd
           at
           him
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           neither
           hear
           his
           Defences
           against
           the
           other
           Articles
           of
           the
           Libel
           ,
           nor
           yet
           interpose
           his
           Authority
           (
           which
           was
           then
           the
           highest
           in
           the
           State
           )
           for
           keeping
           him
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           though
           it
           was
           desired
           by
           the
           Generality
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           of
           his
           Parish
           .
           Mr.
           Wood
           of
           Dumbar
           was
           charged
           in
           his
           Libel
           with
           Cruelty
           ,
           and
           a
           persecuting
           Spirit
           ,
           because
           he
           persuaded
           a
           Friend
           of
           his
           to
           put
           away
           a
           Servant
           who
           would
           not
           keep
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           thereby
           made
           both
           her self
           and
           her
           Mistress
           liable
           to
           the
           Law
           :
           He
           was
           also
           accused
           for
           saying
           to
           one
           who
           exprest
           his
           fears
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Liturgy
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           would
           be
           introduced
           among
           them
           ,
           
             God
             send
             us
             no
             worse
          
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           had
           never
           exprest
           his
           thankfulness
           to
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           deliverance
           of
           the
           Land
           from
           Popery
           and
           Prelacy
           .
           To
           the
           first
           he
           reply'd
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           indeed
           sorry
           if
           any
           such
           Expression
           had
           dropt
           from
           him
           ,
           because
           he
           was
           sensible
           it
           was
           too
           mean
           for
           so
           great
           and
           so
           glorious
           a
           Church
           as
           that
           of
           England
           :
           To
           the
           other
           he
           said
           ,
           That
           he
           thanked
           God
           heartily
           for
           any
           deliverance
           that
           the
           Land
           had
           from
           Popery
           ,
           but
           he
           could
           not
           do
           so
           for
           the
           overthrow
           of
           Prelacy
           ,
           unless
           he
           either
           acted
           the
           Hypocrite
           ,
           or
           was
           convinced
           that
           Presbytery
           was
           the
           greater
           Blessing
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           Ancient
           and
           Apostolical
           Government
           ;
           which
           he
           never
           yet
           saw
           made
           out
           .
           Mr.
           Graham
           (
           whom
           I
           mentioned
           before
           )
           had
           in
           his
           Libel
           imputed
           to
           him
           ,
           the
           taking
           the
           Oaths
           of
           Allegiance
           and
           Canonical
           Obedience
           ,
           which
           ,
           they
           said
           ,
           shewed
           him
           incorrigibly
           Episcopal
           .
           Mr.
           Couper
           had
           added
           to
           his
           Libel
           his
           taking
           the
           Oath
           of
           the
           Test
           .
           Mr.
           Johnstone
           of
           Salin
           was
           accused
           for
           being
           too
           much
           affected
           to
           the
           Episcopal
           Government
           ,
           and
           for
           recommending
           superstitious
           and
           erroneous
           Books
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           pleas'd
           to
           call
           the
           
             Whole
             Duty
             Man
          
           ,
           which
           was
           expresly
           mentioned
           .
           Another
           Mr.
           Johnstone
           Minister
           of
           
             Burnt
             Island
          
           was
           libell'd
           ,
           for
           conversing
           with
           some
           persons
           whom
           they
           alledg'd
           to
           be
           no
           Friends
           to
           
           the
           Government
           either
           of
           Church
           ,
           or
           State
           ;
           and
           for
           using
           the
           Doxology
           ,
           &c.
           which
           ,
           &c.
           could
           only
           refer
           to
           the
           Creed
           and
           Lords
           Prayer
           .
           The
           Minister
           of
           Abbots-Hall
           was
           accused
           for
           neglecting
           the
           Catechism
           of
           the
           
             Westminster
             Divines
          
           ,
           and
           using
           that
           which
           was
           first
           set
           forth
           by
           the
           Synod
           of
           Edinburgh
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           enlarged
           by
           the
           Reverend
           and
           pious
           Bishop
           Scowgal
           :
           The
           Catechism
           (
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           )
           is
           as
           well
           as
           the
           
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Man
          
           much
           spoken
           against
           ,
           and
           severely
           condemn'd
           as
           erroneous
           ;
           but
           what
           are
           the
           particular
           Errours
           of
           it
           which
           make
           it
           so
           dangerous
           ,
           I
           could
           never
           learn
           ,
           nor
           do
           I
           believe
           you
           could
           guess
           them
           ,
           except
           they
           were
           told
           you
           .
        
         
           By
           these
           Instances
           you
           may
           understand
           the
           Nature
           of
           our
           
             Presbyterian
             Libels
          
           ;
           I
           forbear
           to
           give
           you
           more
           ,
           because
           I
           suppose
           there
           will
           be
           a
           Collection
           of
           them
           published
           :
           But
           you
           must
           know
           that
           they
           would
           never
           give
           any
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           the
           title
           of
           Minister
           ,
           but
           only
           that
           of
           Incumbent
           .
           Mr.
           Graham
           complain'd
           of
           this
           ,
           and
           demanded
           a
           Reason
           ,
           who
           was
           told
           by
           way
           of
           Answer
           by
           one
           that
           preach'd
           at
           Innerkeithing
           that
           there
           were
           no
           true
           Ministers
           but
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           ;
           And
           as
           they
           denied
           them
           the
           Title
           of
           Ministers
           ;
           so
           to
           take
           away
           their
           right
           to
           their
           respective
           Parishes
           ,
           one
           Article
           of
           their
           Libel
           was
           ,
           Their
           entring
           by
           Presentation
           from
           a
           Patron
           ,
           and
           by
           Ordination
           ,
           Collation
           ,
           and
           Institution
           of
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           The
           Constitution
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           Acts
           of
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           the
           Lands
           solemn
           Engagements
           .
           When
           the
           leading
           Men
           of
           that
           Party
           were
           upbraided
           for
           making
           Episcopal
           Ordination
           a
           ground
           of
           a
           Libel
           ;
           They
           excus'd
           themselves
           and
           laid
           the
           blame
           of
           it
           upon
           the
           people
           ;
           but
           in
           this
           they
           shewed
           their
           Hypocrisie
           and
           deceitful
           Dealing
           .
           For
           it
           was
           well
           known
           that
           the
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           were
           always
           consulted
           in
           the
           forming
           of
           the
           Libels
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           them
           were
           drawn
           up
           by
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           them
           were
           every
           where
           of
           the
           same
           strain
           ,
           which
           makes
           it
           evident
           that
           it
           was
           a
           concerted
           business
           among
           them
           ,
           to
           beget
           in
           the
           peoples
           minds
           an
           aversion
           to
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ,
           as
           not
           true
           Ministers
           ,
           nor
           entring
           in
           at
           the
           right
           door
           ;
           though
           they
           were
           also
           careful
           to
           foist
           in
           some
           other
           thing
           to
           excuse
           their
           Censures
           with
           the
           more
           judicious
           ,
           who
           could
           not
           be
           so
           easily
           deluded
           and
           imposed
           upon
           .
        
         
         
           As
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           Libels
           were
           for
           the
           most
           part
           frivolous
           and
           impertinent
           ,
           so
           the
           manner
           of
           their
           process
           was
           neither
           legal
           nor
           reasonable
           ;
           for
           seldom
           did
           they
           let
           the
           Minister
           accused
           know
           his
           Accuser
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           might
           have
           been
           made
           a
           Witness
           against
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           all
           Nations
           :
           Beside
           ,
           they
           always
           received
           the
           Libel
           ,
           and
           sustained
           the
           validity
           of
           it
           ,
           before
           he
           was
           heard
           ,
           and
           not
           regarding
           what
           Defences
           might
           be
           opponed
           ,
           caused
           him
           to
           be
           cited
           to
           hear
           and
           see
           himself
           deposed
           :
           Nor
           was
           he
           suffered
           to
           be
           present
           at
           the
           examination
           of
           the
           Witnesses
           ;
           but
           in
           many
           places
           ,
           if
           not
           every-where
           ,
           the
           Witnesses
           were
           allowed
           to
           be
           present
           all
           together
           ,
           when
           they
           gave
           in
           their
           Evidence
           :
           By
           the
           Civil
           and
           Canon
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           reasonable
           practise
           of
           all
           Nations
           ,
           they
           who
           bear
           Hatred
           ,
           Malice
           ,
           or
           have
           discovered
           any
           Prejudice
           against
           the
           accused
           ,
           cannot
           witness
           in
           Judgment
           against
           him
           ;
           but
           this
           was
           wholly
           neglected
           and
           past
           by
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           avowed
           ,
           profest
           ,
           and
           open
           Enemies
           received
           as
           Witnesses
           ,
           and
           such
           also
           allowed
           to
           sit
           as
           Judges
           .
           Thus
           Mr.
           Calderwood
           a
           profest
           ,
           and
           bitter
           Enemy
           of
           Mr.
           Heriot
           Minister
           of
           Dalkeith
           ,
           who
           was
           the
           chief
           if
           not
           the
           only
           Informer
           against
           him
           ,
           sat
           and
           judged
           him
           in
           the
           Presbytery
           in
           the
           quality
           of
           a
           Ruling
           Elder
           ;
           And
           when
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Heriot
           desired
           that
           he
           might
           be
           removed
           ,
           it
           was
           utterly
           refused
           him
           .
           So
           when
           Mr.
           
             George
             Purves
          
           Minister
           at
           Glencorse
           appeared
           before
           the
           same
           Presbytery
           at
           Dalkeith
           ,
           he
           objected
           against
           some
           of
           the
           Witnesses
           as
           carrying
           Heart-Malice
           and
           ill
           Will
           towards
           him
           ;
           they
           having
           sometime
           before
           assaulted
           him
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           with
           Swords
           and
           Staves
           ,
           and
           taking
           him
           by
           the
           Throat
           ,
           had
           gone
           near
           to
           have
           strangled
           him
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           got
           present
           Relief
           ;
           therefore
           (
           said
           he
           )
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           allowed
           as
           Witnesses
           against
           me
           ,
           for
           they
           that
           did
           so
           ,
           what
           will
           they
           not
           do
           to
           procure
           my
           ruin
           ?
           Upon
           which
           the
           very
           Reverend
           and
           Worthy
           
             Matthew
             Selkirk
          
           ,
           who
           is
           now
           setled
           Minister
           at
           Crighton
           ,
           rose
           up
           and
           spoke
           to
           the
           Moderator
           ;
           
             That
             if
             these
             Men
             had
             done
             so
             out
             of
             Malice
             and
             personal
             Prejudice
             ,
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             received
             as
             Witnesses
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             had
             done
             it
             for
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             saw
             no
             reason
             why
             they
             might
             not
             be
             admitted
             .
          
           If
           one
           part
           of
           the
           Deposition
           seemed
           to
           prove
           the
           Libel
           ,
           or
           any
           Article
           
           of
           it
           ,
           though
           the
           other
           did
           exculpate
           the
           Minister
           or
           extenuate
           his
           fault
           ,
           the
           first
           was
           marked
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           left
           out
           ;
           So
           I
           was
           told
           of
           one
           who
           is
           since
           dead
           ,
           who
           was
           accused
           for
           saying
           ▪
           that
           
             Women
             wanted
             Souls
          
           ;
           The
           Witness
           declar'd
           he
           had
           heard
           him
           say
           so
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           only
           deliver'd
           as
           the
           Opinion
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           yet
           upon
           this
           the
           Article
           was
           look'd
           upon
           as
           proved
           :
           When
           the
           Witnesses
           cleared
           the
           Minister
           or
           asserted
           his
           Innocence
           ,
           they
           were
           dismiss'd
           as
           knowing
           nothing
           of
           the
           Matter
           ;
           but
           such
           were
           greatly
           encouraged
           and
           cherished
           as
           shewed
           themselves
           earnest
           and
           forward
           to
           divest
           him
           of
           the
           Character
           of
           a
           faithful
           ,
           pious
           and
           upright
           Pastor
           :
           And
           when
           they
           passed
           the
           Sentence
           of
           Suspension
           or
           Deposition
           against
           any
           ,
           at
           the
           intimation
           of
           it
           ,
           from
           the
           Pulpit
           in
           his
           own
           Church
           ,
           the
           whole
           Libel
           was
           read
           ,
           though
           several
           of
           the
           Articles
           were
           so
           frivolous
           and
           trivial
           as
           not
           censurable
           by
           Law
           ,
           and
           others
           of
           them
           that
           contained
           Matter
           of
           Scandal
           were
           no
           way
           proved
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           some
           of
           them
           disown'd
           their
           Authority
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           appear
           ;
           Others
           appeared
           ,
           and
           gave
           in
           their
           Defences
           ;
           and
           some
           perceiving
           the
           Partiality
           of
           the
           particular
           Presbyteries
           appeal'd
           to
           the
           next
           General
           Assembly
           ,
           hoping
           to
           meet
           with
           greater
           Moderation
           there
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           that
           before
           that
           time
           the
           Civil
           Government
           would
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           these
           rigid
           and
           unreasonable
           proceedings
           .
           Thus
           matters
           went
           till
           the
           sitting
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           by
           these
           proceedings
           the
           Presbyterians
           not
           only
           encreas'd
           the
           prejudices
           of
           those
           who
           differed
           from
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           also
           disgusted
           many
           of
           their
           Friends
           .
           The
           Presbyterians
           you
           know
           were
           much
           inferiour
           to
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           in
           number
           ,
           quality
           ,
           learning
           or
           good
           Sense
           ;
           and
           I
           assure
           you
           ,
           that
           now
           they
           have
           lost
           much
           even
           of
           that
           Interest
           which
           they
           had
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           many
           who
           thought
           well
           of
           them
           while
           they
           were
           kept
           under
           ,
           are
           now
           ashamed
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           have
           deserted
           them
           :
           I
           am
           told
           that
           many
           (
           even
           in
           the
           West
           )
           abominate
           them
           :
           It
           is
           most
           certain
           that
           in
           other
           places
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           they
           are
           fear'd
           and
           dreaded
           as
           a
           Plague
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           just
           as
           the
           Jesuits
           are
           .
        
         
           When
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Assembly
           drew
           near
           ,
           the
           several
           Presbyteries
           set
           about
           the
           chusing
           Commissioners
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           
           things
           were
           so
           laid
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           bigotted
           and
           hot-headed
           were
           generally
           chosen
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           a
           more
           moderate
           Temper
           put
           by
           .
           If
           there
           had
           been
           any
           respect
           to
           the
           qualifications
           of
           Men
           ,
           none
           in
           that
           part
           of
           the
           Country
           he
           lived
           in
           would
           have
           been
           preferr'd
           to
           Honest
           Dr.
           Hardy
           ;
           but
           because
           heretofore
           he
           had
           kept
           correspondence
           with
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           ,
           and
           still
           prest
           Moderation
           towards
           them
           ,
           he
           was
           excluded
           .
           In
           like
           manner
           Mr.
           
             Alexander
             Pitcairn
          
           of
           Dron
           was
           put
           by
           ,
           because
           of
           his
           carriage
           at
           the
           last
           General
           Meeting
           ,
           though
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           more
           Learning
           than
           the
           most
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           there
           were
           but
           three
           others
           in
           the
           Presbytery
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           them
           ,
           of
           these
           old
           men
           to
           whom
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           was
           entrusted
           by
           the
           late
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           :
           He
           indeed
           came
           to
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           sat
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           interposed
           his
           Judgment
           ,
           but
           was
           no
           Member
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           had
           no
           Vote
           .
           When
           these
           Measures
           were
           perceived
           ,
           it
           was
           concluded
           ,
           That
           Mr.
           
             George
             Campbel
          
           should
           be
           also
           shuffled
           out
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           but
           that
           would
           have
           made
           their
           designs
           too
           apparent
           ,
           there
           being
           none
           of
           his
           Presbytery
           whom
           they
           could
           bring
           in
           Competition
           with
           him
           ,
           as
           also
           they
           had
           not
           much
           reason
           to
           fear
           any
           Opposition
           from
           him
           because
           of
           his
           modesty
           and
           quietness
           ,
           which
           makes
           him
           averse
           to
           Contests
           and
           Jangling
           .
           He
           hath
           indeed
           the
           Character
           of
           a
           learned
           ,
           good
           ,
           and
           discreet
           Man
           ;
           and
           by
           his
           Moderation
           at
           first
           he
           did
           very
           much
           displease
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           which
           (
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           ,
           but
           am
           loth
           to
           believe
           )
           hath
           obliged
           him
           for
           removing
           their
           Jealousies
           to
           express
           himself
           of
           late
           more
           severly
           against
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           than
           he
           us'd
           to
           do
           formerly
           .
           As
           for
           Lay-Commissioners
           ,
           such
           were
           pick'd
           out
           as
           either
           were
           most
           bygottedly
           affected
           to
           their
           Interests
           ,
           or
           whom
           they
           desir'd
           and
           design'd
           to
           make
           fast
           Friends
           to
           their
           Party
           .
           In
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Churnside
           the
           Laird
           of
           —
           was
           chosen
           ,
           and
           in
           Dunse
           the
           Competition
           lay
           betwixt
           the
           Laird
           of
           Lanton
           and
           M.
           the
           last
           was
           like
           to
           have
           carried
           it
           ,
           but
           some
           one
           suggested
           to
           the
           Moderator
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           very
           much
           reflect
           upon
           them
           to
           have
           both
           the
           Commissioners
           for
           the
           Merse
           stain'd
           with
           the
           Scandal
           of
           Adultery
           ;
           upon
           which
           the
           Commission
           was
           giv'n
           to
           Lanton
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           was
           put
           by
           ,
           whom
           yet
           they
           would
           fain
           have
           
           obliged
           ,
           he
           being
           one
           who
           has
           at
           present
           a
           considerable
           place
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           The
           King
           you
           know
           ought
           to
           have
           a
           Commissioner
           at
           every
           Assembly
           ,
           to
           see
           that
           Affairs
           of
           State
           be
           not
           medled
           with
           by
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           indeed
           still
           retain
           the
           strong
           Inclinations
           ,
           which
           they
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           have
           always
           shewed
           to
           meddle
           with
           them
           ,
           pretending
           they
           only
           do
           this
           in
           
             ordine
             ad
             spiritualia
          
           .
           Every
           one
           look'd
           that
           the
           Earl
           of
           Crawford
           should
           have
           been
           the
           person
           ,
           whom
           the
           King
           should
           have
           honoured
           with
           that
           Employment
           ,
           and
           his
           Lordship
           himself
           rejoyced
           in
           expectation
           of
           it
           :
           But
           (
           to
           the
           surprizal
           of
           all
           )
           some
           few
           days
           before
           the
           Assembly
           sat
           ,
           a
           Commission
           came
           down
           for
           My
           Lord
           Carmichael
           ,
           which
           made
           the
           zealous
           Brethren
           hang
           down
           their
           Ears
           :
           And
           My
           Lord
           Crawford
           gave
           an
           Indication
           of
           his
           secret
           Grudg
           at
           the
           disappointment
           ,
           by
           his
           entertaining
           every
           body
           who
           came
           to
           see
           him
           with
           Protestations
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           desire
           it
           ,
           and
           with
           Reasons
           and
           Excuses
           why
           he
           would
           not
           have
           accepted
           of
           it
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           been
           offered
           to
           him
           :
           But
           we
           may
           justly
           suspect
           that
           his
           Lordship
           would
           not
           have
           refused
           it
           ,
           seeing
           he
           frequented
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           officiously
           meddled
           in
           all
           the
           Concerns
           of
           it
           ,
           even
           before
           he
           was
           made
           a
           Member
           ;
           and
           upon
           
           Carmichael's
           advancement
           ,
           there
           were
           Letters
           immediately
           dispatched
           to
           procure
           a
           Commission
           for
           his
           Lordship
           from
           some
           Burgh
           or
           other
           ,
           because
           a
           Commission
           from
           a
           Presbytery
           had
           been
           neglected
           ,
           upon
           an
           expectation
           that
           his
           Lordship
           should
           have
           represented
           the
           King
           himself
           in
           the
           Assembly
           :
           His
           Lordship
           was
           so
           humble
           ,
           that
           having
           miss'd
           of
           the
           highest
           Station
           ,
           he
           would
           rather
           serve
           in
           the
           meanest
           ,
           than
           not
           have
           an
           hand
           in
           advancing
           the
           good
           Cause
           ;
           or
           be
           deprived
           of
           the
           occasion
           of
           perfecting
           what
           he
           had
           so
           zealously
           begun
           :
           He
           had
           indeed
           merited
           the
           highest
           Honour
           in
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           but
           all
           except
           the
           very
           Bygots
           of
           that
           side
           approved
           the
           
           King's
           Choice
           as
           best
           and
           wisest
           for
           himself
           ,
           and
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           State.
           For
           My
           Lord
           Carmichael
           was
           look'd
           upon
           as
           a
           Man
           of
           good
           Sense
           ,
           and
           he
           had
           lately
           giv'n
           proofs
           of
           his
           Discretion
           and
           moderate
           Temper
           ,
           at
           the
           Visitation
           of
           the
           Colledg
           of
           Glasgow
           ;
           whereas
           My
           Lord
           Crawford
           kept
           within
           no
           bounds
           of
           Moderation
           at
           the
           
           Visitation
           of
           the
           University
           of
           S.
           Andrews
           ,
           and
           was
           much
           taken
           notice
           of
           for
           his
           rough
           Usage
           of
           the
           Masters
           ,
           particularly
           the
           Reverend
           old
           Dr.
           Weemse
           Dean
           of
           S.
           Andrewes
           ,
           and
           Principle
           of
           S.
           
           Leonard's
           College
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           a
           Master
           in
           the
           said
           University
           for
           the
           space
           of
           45
           years
           ,
           under
           whom
           My
           Lord
           Crawford
           studied
           Philosophy
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           he
           was
           then
           particularly
           obliged
           ;
           the
           Dr.
           had
           also
           been
           a
           zealous
           Assertor
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           and
           design'd
           to
           have
           made
           the
           University
           his
           Heir
           ;
           notwithstanding
           all
           which
           ,
           My
           Lord
           would
           not
           suffer
           him
           to
           have
           favour
           of
           a
           Seat
           ,
           when
           he
           attended
           that
           Visitation
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           honest
           Gentleman's
           Age
           and
           Infirmity
           obliged
           him
           to
           rest
           himself
           on
           the
           step
           of
           a
           Stair
           in
           the
           room
           ,
           because
           other
           Conveniency
           was
           deny'd
           him
           ;
           his
           Lordship
           sent
           an
           Officer
           and
           raised
           him
           ;
           such
           Roughness
           and
           Incivility
           you
           may
           think
           incredible
           ,
           but
           I
           had
           it
           from
           the
           old
           Gentleman
           himself
           ;
           of
           the
           which
           ,
           with
           all
           other
           Particulars
           of
           that
           Visitation
           ,
           as
           also
           of
           the
           Visitation
           of
           the
           other
           Colleges
           ,
           I
           am
           told
           that
           the
           World
           may
           expect
           a
           full
           Account
           .
           But
           to
           return
           from
           whence
           my
           respect
           to
           my
           Lord
           Crawford
           carried
           me
           .
        
         
           All
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Assembly
           being
           duly
           couven'd
           on
           the
           appointed
           day
           ,
           viz.
           the
           16th
           .
           of
           October
           ,
           they
           went
           to
           the
           High
           Church
           where
           Mr.
           
             Gabriel
             Cunninghame
          
           Moderator
           
             of
             the
             last
             General
             Meeting
          
           did
           preach
           on
           S.
           
             John
             2.
             17.
             
             And
             his
             Disciples
             remembred
             that
             it
             was
             written
             ,
             the
             Zeal
             of
             thine
             House
             hath
             eaten
             me
             up
             .
          
           In
           which
           the
           old
           man
           gave
           a
           greater
           Proof
           of
           his
           Memory
           than
           his
           Judgment
           ,
           for
           the
           same
           Sermon
           had
           been
           preach'd
           on
           the
           same
           Text
           by
           Mr.
           
             Oliver
             Bowlis
             ,
             an
          
           .
           1643.
           before
           the
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           assembled
           in
           Parliament
           at
           Lond.
           I
           have
           seen
           the
           printed
           Sermon
           compared
           with
           the
           Notes
           of
           what
           was
           preach'd
           ,
           and
           I
           assure
           you
           Mr.
           Gabriel
           made
           an
           exact
           Repetition
           ,
           and
           followed
           his
           Authour
           verbatim
           so
           far
           as
           was
           fit
           for
           his
           purpose
           ,
           only
           he
           left
           out
           some
           things
           in
           the
           Close
           of
           Mr.
           
           Bowlis's
           Sermon
           ,
           and
           added
           some
           bitter
           Reflections
           on
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           .
        
         
           There
           was
           a
           Parallel
           carried
           on
           betwixt
           Presbytery
           and
           that
           Miracle
           of
           our
           Saviour
           in
           whipping
           the
           Buyers
           and
           Sellers
           
           out
           of
           the
           Temple
           ;
           the
           setting
           up
           Presbytery
           at
           this
           time
           was
           compared
           to
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           was
           made
           a
           more
           wonderful
           and
           
             signal
             Act
             of
             Providence
          
           .
           The
           Episcopal
           Party
           were
           called
           
             formal
             and
             nominal
             Protestants
             ,
             who
             professing
             to
             retain
             the
             Fundamentals
             ,
             did
             pervert
             and
             corrupt
             the
             very
             Doctrine
             and
             all
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           The
           Presbyterians
           you
           know
           can
           never
           have
           their
           fill
           of
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           therefore
           a
           single
           Sermon
           was
           not
           thought
           sufficient
           to
           open
           their
           Assembly
           ,
           but
           they
           returned
           in
           the
           Afternoon
           ,
           where
           Mr.
           
             Patrick
             Simson
          
           preached
           ,
           on
           3.
           
           
             Zach.
             7.
             
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             walk
             in
             my
             Ways
             ,
             and
             if
             thou
             wilt
             keep
             my
             Charge
             ,
             then
             thou
             shalt
             also
             judg
             my
             House
             ,
             and
             shalt
             also
             keep
             my
             Courts
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             give
             the
             Places
             to
             walk
             among
             these
             that
             stand
             by
             .
          
           When
           his
           Matter
           and
           Expression
           were
           considered
           ,
           no
           body
           thought
           his
           Sermon
           was
           borrowed
           as
           that
           in
           the
           forenoon
           had
           been
           ,
           for
           it
           was
           Presbyterian
           Stuff
           course
           enough
           .
           He
           ascribed
           to
           their
           Meeting
           a
           Supremacy
           absolute
           and
           immediate
           next
           under
           Christ
           .
        
         
           After
           both
           Sermons
           they
           went
           to
           the
           Place
           appointed
           for
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           Mr.
           
             Gabriel
             Cunninghame
          
           opened
           the
           Meeting
           with
           a
           Prayer
           ,
           after
           which
           he
           made
           a
           Complement
           to
           the
           King's
           Commissioner
           ,
           and
           desired
           that
           his
           Commission
           might
           be
           seen
           and
           read
           .
           The
           Commissioner
           having
           produc'd
           his
           Commission
           ,
           he
           desired
           that
           every
           one
           might
           also
           shew
           theirs
           ;
           which
           occasioned
           a
           confused
           Jangling
           for
           some
           time
           .
           The
           next
           thing
           they
           fell
           upon
           was
           the
           chusing
           of
           the
           Moderator
           ,
           for
           Mr.
           Gabriel
           could
           no
           longer
           preside
           ,
           it
           being
           against
           their
           Principles
           to
           allow
           a
           constant
           Moderator
           .
           For
           Persons
           were
           in
           Nomination
           ,
           the
           first
           was
           Mr.
           
             George
             Campbel
          
           Minister
           at
           Drumfries
           ,
           whose
           Character
           I
           have
           given
           you
           before
           ;
           the
           next
           was
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           ,
           who
           formerly
           pass'd
           under
           the
           name
           of
           Dr.
           Rule
           because
           of
           his
           practising
           Medicine
           ;
           he
           sat
           in
           the
           Asembly
           as
           Commissioner
           from
           the
           Colledg
           at
           Edinburgh
           ;
           where
           he
           was
           lately
           installed
           Principal
           ,
           in
           the
           room
           of
           the
           reverend
           and
           learned
           Dr.
           Monro
           .
           In
           the
           last
           times
           of
           Presbytery
           he
           was
           an
           Independent
           ,
           but
           now
           he
           seems
           to
           own
           no
           such
           thing
           ,
           but
           presseth
           the
           Presbyterian
           Government
           as
           of
           Divine
           Institution
           :
           
           He
           is
           of
           great
           Authority
           among
           his
           Party
           ,
           and
           is
           reckoned
           by
           them
           a
           learned
           and
           judicious
           man
           ;
           but
           first
           he
           seems
           not
           to
           have
           the
           Latine
           Tongue
           ,
           for
           he
           oft
           woundeth
           Priscian
           ,
           and
           hath
           so
           little
           Command
           of
           that
           Language
           ,
           that
           he
           dare
           not
           extend
           his
           Prayers
           before
           the
           Students
           above
           two
           or
           three
           Sentences
           ,
           which
           when
           observed
           made
           one
           wish
           that
           all
           the
           Presbyterians
           were
           obliged
           to
           pray
           in
           Latin
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           would
           not
           be
           so
           tedious
           ,
           nor
           vent
           so
           much
           Nonsense
           in
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           as
           most
           of
           them
           now
           use
           to
           do
           :
           Again
           ,
           the
           things
           he
           hath
           published
           discover
           no
           small
           Ignorance
           ;
           witness
           ,
           his
           
             silly
             Gloss
             on
             that
             Expression
             of
             S.
          
           Jerome
           ;
           
             Quid
             facit
             Episcopus
             ,
             exceptâ
             Ordinatione
             ,
             quod
             Presbyter
             non
             faciat
             :
          
           Where
           he
           maketh
           Ordinatio
           to
           be
           the
           ordering
           of
           the
           Meetings
           of
           the
           Clergy
           .
           *
           He
           also
           published
           a
           Pamphlet
           ,
           wherein
           he
           represented
           the
           Principles
           and
           Practices
           of
           Presbyterians
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           very
           weak
           and
           empty
           Paper
           full
           of
           Contradictions
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Scripture
           is
           grosly
           wrested
           ,
           and
           wherein
           several
           things
           are
           obtruded
           as
           certain
           and
           of
           great
           Importance
           ,
           which
           have
           no
           Foundation
           either
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           Reason
           ,
           or
           Antiquity
           .
           As
           by
           this
           it
           appears
           that
           his
           Learning
           is
           not
           great
           ,
           though
           he
           hath
           had
           the
           Boldness
           to
           enter
           the
           lists
           with
           Dr.
           Stillingfleet
           ,
           so
           he
           hath
           often
           in
           his
           Sermons
           vented
           himself
           bitterly
           against
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           .
        
         
           A
           third
           Person
           was
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           once
           Minister
           at
           Aberdeen
           ,
           but
           who
           hath
           preach'd
           at
           a
           Meeting-House
           in
           the
           West
           ever
           since
           the
           Indulgence
           granted
           by
           King
           James
           .
           He
           indeed
           entred
           the
           Ministry
           in
           times
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           but
           he
           also
           complied
           with
           Episcopacy
           when
           it
           was
           restored
           .
           He
           at
           first
           together
           with
           Mr.
           
             John
             Menzies
          
           Professor
           of
           Divinity
           at
           Aberdeen
           ,
           did
           hesitate
           upon
           the
           Oath
           of
           Canonical
           Obedience
           ;
           which
           
             Bishop
             Mitchel
          
           of
           Aberdeen
           would
           by
           no
           means
           allow
           ;
           so
           that
           they
           both
           ran
           a
           risque
           of
           being
           depriv'd
           .
           But
           afterwards
           upon
           a
           Conference
           at
           S.
           Andrews
           with
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           that
           See
           ,
           who
           it
           seems
           dealt
           somewhat
           smoothly
           with
           them
           ,
           they
           both
           subscribed
           the
           Oath
           of
           Canonical
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           were
           sent
           
           back
           to
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Aberdeen
           with
           recommendatory
           Letters
           from
           the
           Primate
           ;
           upon
           which
           they
           were
           admitted
           to
           their
           Places
           ,
           which
           the
           one
           kept
           till
           his
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           till
           the
           Oath
           of
           the
           Test
           .
           I
           am
           told
           that
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           denies
           the
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           acknowledg
           that
           ever
           he
           took
           the
           Oath
           of
           Canonical
           Obedience
           ,
           but
           the
           thing
           is
           too
           notorious
           to
           be
           denyed
           ;
           for
           as
           the
           Primate
           of
           S.
           Andrews
           assur'd
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Aberdeen
           of
           it
           by
           a
           Letter
           under
           his
           hand
           ,
           of
           which
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           himself
           was
           the
           Bearer
           ;
           so
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Aberdeen
           to
           make
           their
           Compliance
           as
           publick
           and
           exemplary
           as
           he
           thought
           their
           demurring
           and
           refusal
           had
           been
           scandalous
           ,
           before
           he
           remitted
           them
           to
           the
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Ministry
           ,
           caused
           a
           publick
           Intimation
           of
           their
           Subscription
           to
           be
           made
           in
           the
           old
           Church
           of
           new
           Aberdeen
           ,
           which
           Intimation
           was
           made
           by
           Dr.
           Keith
           afterwards
           Professor
           of
           Divinity
           at
           Edinburgh
           ,
           which
           certainly
           would
           not
           have
           been
           done
           ,
           if
           the
           matter
           of
           Fact
           had
           not
           been
           certain
           :
           Especially
           if
           it
           be
           consider'd
           that
           they
           themselves
           ,
           tho
           present
           ,
           did
           not
           offer
           to
           contradict
           it
           .
           When
           this
           rigorous
           Proceeding
           of
           the
           Bishops
           against
           them
           was
           in
           ordinary
           Discourse
           complained
           of
           ,
           he
           defended
           himself
           by
           an
           
             old
             Scotch
             Proverb
          
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           
             That
             a
             fidging
             Mare
             should
             be
             well
             girded
             :
          
           And
           it
           has
           been
           told
           me
           the
           Subscriptions
           both
           of
           Mr.
           Menzies
           and
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           are
           still
           extant
           .
           However
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           payed
           true
           Canonical
           Obedience
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           any
           other
           Minister
           ,
           to
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Aberdeen
           ,
           and
           lived
           in
           particular
           Friendship
           with
           Bishop
           Scowgal
           ,
           who
           succeeded
           in
           that
           See
           :
           he
           frequented
           the
           Presbyteries
           and
           Synods
           ,
           submitted
           to
           their
           Acts
           ,
           and
           assisted
           several
           times
           when
           the
           Bishop
           ordained
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           deserted
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Covenant
           and
           our
           
             Scottish
             Presbiteryans
          
           ,
           that
           he
           swore
           and
           subscribed
           the
           Declaration
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           admitted
           Rector
           of
           the
           Marishal
           College
           of
           Aberdeen
           .
           It
           cannot
           be
           denied
           but
           that
           he
           carried
           himself
           well
           ,
           and
           gained
           the
           good
           Opinion
           of
           all
           ,
           while
           he
           kept
           his
           Place
           ,
           and
           even
           after
           he
           had
           left
           it
           for
           not
           taking
           the
           Test
           ,
           he
           did
           not
           desert
           the
           Church
           ,
           nor
           renounce
           Communion
           with
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           ,
           until
           the
           time
           that
           King
           James
           discharged
           the
           taking
           of
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           suspended
           
           the
           Laws
           which
           enacted
           them
           ,
           and
           then
           because
           he
           was
           not
           permitted
           to
           return
           to
           the
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           at
           Aberdeen
           ,
           tho
           he
           was
           allowed
           to
           go
           any
           where
           else
           ,
           he
           became
           so
           picqu'd
           and
           offended
           at
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           whom
           he
           apprehended
           were
           the
           Cause
           thereof
           ,
           that
           he
           presently
           struck
           in
           with
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           and
           either
           to
           make
           his
           Change
           appear
           the
           more
           sincere
           ,
           or
           because
           he
           had
           really
           alter'd
           his
           Judgment
           and
           the
           Principles
           he
           formerly
           profess'd
           ,
           he
           hath
           broke
           of
           all
           correspondence
           with
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           ,
           though
           some
           of
           them
           were
           his
           most
           intimate
           Acquaintance
           ,
           and
           as
           Occasion
           offer'd
           vented
           himself
           as
           bitterly
           and
           severely
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           any
           Presbyterian
           whatsoever
           .
           And
           when
           he
           was
           last
           at
           Aberdeen
           ,
           tho
           he
           was
           kindly
           and
           civilly
           invited
           by
           his
           old
           Colleagues
           to
           take
           their
           Pulpit
           ,
           yet
           he
           would
           never
           preach
           for
           them
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           hear
           them
           ;
           but
           chose
           rather
           to
           go
           preach
           in
           the
           Meeting-House
           ,
           where
           he
           exhorted
           the
           People
           to
           Thankfulness
           for
           the
           deliverance
           of
           the
           Land
           from
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           earnest
           in
           their
           Prayers
           that
           it
           might
           never
           return
           again
           .
           In
           him
           we
           have
           an
           apparent
           Instance
           ,
           how
           great
           a
           Temptation
           even
           to
           a
           judicious
           Man
           Picque
           and
           Interest
           and
           Popularity
           do
           oftentimes
           prove
           .
           At
           first
           he
           pretended
           that
           he
           would
           only
           attempt
           to
           reclaim
           the
           deluded
           People
           of
           the
           West
           from
           their
           Errors
           and
           Extravagancies
           ,
           who
           (
           he
           said
           )
           had
           been
           lost
           for
           want
           of
           good
           and
           knowing
           Ministers
           amongst
           them
           ;
           but
           it
           was
           plainly
           foretold
           by
           a
           Person
           of
           Quality
           and
           great
           Worth
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           appear
           he
           could
           not
           work
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           would
           insnare
           him
           ,
           and
           bring
           him
           over
           to
           all
           their
           Fooleries
           .
        
         
           The
           fourth
           and
           last
           Person
           was
           one
           Mr.
           
             Hugh
             Kennedy
          
           ,
           who
           is
           usually
           called
           Father
           Kennedy
           by
           the
           Phanaticks
           here
           ,
           and
           by
           others
           
             Bitter
             Beard
          
           :
           he
           is
           of
           a
           little
           Stature
           ,
           but
           such
           a
           one
           as
           has
           made
           a
           great
           Bustle
           in
           his
           time
           ;
           he
           was
           a
           Ring-leader
           of
           the
           Remonstrator-Party
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           Scottish
           Army
           at
           Newcastle
           ,
           when
           they
           delivered
           up
           King
           Charles
           I.
           and
           received
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Price
           of
           his
           Blood
           ,
           as
           is
           commonly
           reported
           six
           thousand
           Marks
           .
           In
           the
           Year
           1660
           he
           was
           deposed
           by
           a
           Synod
           of
           Presbyterians
           for
           several
           Crimes
           ;
           especially
           
           for
           being
           a
           Firebrand
           among
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           Book
           entituled
           
             The
             Causes
             of
             Gods
             Wrath
             upon
          
           Scotland
           ,
           which
           Sentence
           of
           Deposition
           was
           never
           taken
           off
           ,
           till
           the
           last
           day
           but
           one
           of
           this
           Assembly
           ,
           as
           you
           shall
           hear
           afterwards
           .
        
         
           These
           were
           the
           four
           Persons
           nominated
           to
           preside
           in
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           when
           it
           came
           to
           the
           Vote
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           had
           four
           or
           five
           ;
           Mr.
           
             Geo.
             Meldrum
          
           one
           ;
           Mr.
           
             George
             Campbel
          
           forty
           eight
           ;
           but
           the
           most
           were
           in
           favour
           of
           Mr.
           
             Hugh
             Kennedy
          
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           Chair
           was
           assign'd
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           came
           short
           of
           the
           rest
           in
           Learning
           ,
           yet
           surpassed
           them
           in
           Subtilty
           and
           Malice
           .
           Having
           chosen
           a
           Moderator
           ,
           the
           next
           thing
           requisite
           was
           a
           Clerk
           ,
           they
           appointed
           Mr.
           
             John
             Spalding
          
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           Clerk
           to
           the
           General
           Meeting
           ,
           to
           officiate
           in
           the
           interim
           till
           they
           should
           chuse
           one
           ,
           but
           he
           continued
           all
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           there
           were
           so
           many
           Competitors
           for
           the
           Clerkship
           ,
           and
           each
           of
           them
           had
           such
           Interest
           by
           their
           Friends
           in
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           that
           they
           durst
           never
           put
           it
           to
           the
           hazard
           of
           a
           Vote
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           dividing
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           the
           Competitors
           were
           as
           we
           heard
           ,
           
             Mersington
             ,
             Corsrigge
          
           ,
           two
           Lords
           of
           the
           Session
           ;
           
             Park
             Hay
          
           ,
           the
           famous
           
             James
             Stewart
          
           ,
           and
           one
           Kerr
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Assembly
           there
           was
           an
           hundred
           and
           eighty
           Persons
           ,
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           .
           There
           were
           no
           Commissioners
           from
           the
           Shires
           of
           
             Angus
             ,
             Merns
             ,
             Aberdeen
          
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           the
           more
           Northern
           Parts
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           even
           several
           Places
           on
           the
           North
           side
           of
           Tay
           had
           none
           ;
           only
           here
           and
           there
           in
           a
           Corner
           ,
           where
           the
           Presbyterians
           had
           seated
           themselves
           ,
           and
           assumed
           the
           name
           of
           a
           Presbytery
           ,
           there
           were
           one
           or
           two
           chosen
           and
           Commissionated
           to
           represent
           them
           in
           the
           Assembly
           .
           None
           of
           the
           Universities
           or
           Colleges
           had
           any
           Representatives
           there
           ,
           save
           that
           of
           Edinburgh
           ,
           whom
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           represented
           ;
           so
           that
           this
           was
           no
           more
           a
           General
           Assembly
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           Trent
           can
           be
           called
           a
           General
           Council
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ;
           nor
           did
           any
           other
           Spirit
           rule
           in
           the
           one
           than
           what
           prevailed
           in
           the
           other
           ,
           I
           mean
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Faction
           ,
           Interest
           and
           Prejudice
           ,
           as
           will
           appear
           by
           the
           Consideration
           of
           their
           Proceedings
           ,
           though
           there
           were
           Prayers
           enough
           put
           up
           for
           another
           Spirit
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           been
           disposed
           for
           it
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Presbyterians
           of
           Scotland
           have
           always
           contested
           with
           Kings
           about
           the
           
             Power
             of
             calling
             ,
             adjourning
             and
             dissolving
             Assemblies
             .
          
           They
           pretend
           to
           an
           intrinsick
           Power
           in
           themselves
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           to
           which
           (
           as
           Mr.
           Rule
           says
           in
           his
           Representation
           ,
           &c.
           )
           that
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           cumulative
           ,
           and
           not
           privative
           .
           The
           adjusting
           of
           this
           Matter
           therefore
           was
           the
           first
           Difficulty
           brought
           before
           the
           Moderator
           ,
           and
           no
           small
           Tryal
           of
           his
           Skill
           ;
           for
           as
           in
           the
           one
           hand
           they
           had
           all
           the
           Reasons
           in
           the
           World
           to
           complement
           and
           gratify
           the
           King
           ;
           so
           on
           the
           other
           it
           is
           well
           known
           the
           Presbyterians
           are
           very
           tenacious
           of
           their
           pretended
           Rights
           ,
           and
           very
           jealous
           of
           Encroachments
           upon
           them
           ,
           which
           makes
           them
           cautious
           of
           giving
           Precedents
           .
           Now
           this
           Difficulty
           he
           resolved
           thus
           ,
           he
           suffered
           the
           Commissioner
           to
           appoint
           the
           time
           of
           their
           Meeting
           ,
           and
           without
           taking
           notice
           of
           what
           the
           Commissioner
           had
           done
           ,
           he
           himself
           adjourned
           them
           to
           the
           same
           time
           ;
           sometimes
           also
           to
           complement
           the
           Commissioner
           be
           would
           so
           cunningly
           smooth
           the
           business
           ,
           as
           when
           he
           had
           resolved
           upon
           the
           time
           of
           their
           Meeting
           ,
           he
           would
           first
           ask
           the
           Commissioner
           if
           his
           Grace
           could
           attend
           them
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           and
           then
           adjourn
           to
           the
           said
           time
           ;
           so
           they
           always
           agreed
           about
           the
           time
           of
           their
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           means
           the
           Debate
           betwixt
           them
           and
           the
           King
           was
           waved
           ,
           and
           never
           decided
           .
           There
           happened
           a
           pleasant
           Passage
           to
           this
           Purpose
           ,
           which
           I
           must
           not
           omit
           ;
           Mr.
           
             Gabr.
             Cunninghame
          
           presiding
           one
           day
           in
           the
           absence
           of
           the
           ordinary
           Moderator
           ,
           he
           asked
           the
           Commissioner
           what
           should
           be
           the
           next
           time
           of
           their
           Meeting
           ;
           but
           whether
           it
           was
           out
           of
           Forgetfulness
           that
           he
           did
           so
           or
           not
           ,
           he
           corrected
           himself
           in
           his
           Prayer
           .
           For
           he
           began
           with
           an
           acknowledgment
           of
           
             Christ
             Jesus
             being
             supreme
             Head
             and
             Governour
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           then
           said
           these
           Words
           ,
           
             Thou
             knowest
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             that
             when
             we
             own
             any
             other
             ,
             it
             is
             only
             for
             Decency
             sake
             .
          
        
         
           The
           next
           day
           they
           met
           ,
           and
           only
           heard
           the
           King's
           Letter
           read
           ,
           and
           appointed
           some
           Persons
           to
           draw
           up
           an
           Answer
           .
           We
           expected
           to
           have
           seen
           both
           in
           Print
           ,
           as
           is
           usual
           ,
           but
           neither
           of
           them
           has
           been
           as
           yet
           published
           ,
           because
           ,
           as
           is
           supposed
           ,
           there
           was
           something
           in
           the
           King's
           Letter
           a
           little
           checking
           ,
           
           which
           they
           would
           not
           have
           every
           one
           to
           know
           ,
           
             viz.
             That
             he
             favoured
             their
             Government
             ,
             because
             he
             was
             made
             to
             understand
             it
             was
             most
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Inclinations
             of
             the
             People
             ;
             that
             he
             would
             have
             them
             very
             moderate
             in
             their
             Proceedings
             ,
             and
             do
             nothing
             which
             might
             displease
             their
             neighbour
             Church
             :
          
           This
           last
           did
           not
           go
           down
           well
           with
           them
           ,
           for
           it
           troubled
           them
           to
           be
           made
           in
           any
           ways
           accountable
           to
           a
           Church
           ,
           which
           in
           all
           their
           Discourses
           they
           exclaimed
           against
           as
           superstitious
           and
           idolatrous
           ,
           and
           into
           which
           they
           are
           designing
           to
           introduce
           their
           glorious
           Reformation
           .
           Neither
           was
           the
           first
           very
           acceptable
           ,
           for
           if
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           People
           were
           the
           Motive
           of
           setting
           up
           Presbyterian
           Government
           ,
           when
           it
           should
           (
           as
           it
           very
           easily
           might
           )
           be
           represented
           ,
           that
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           People
           were
           against
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           and
           ractice
           P
           of
           the
           present
           Presbyterians
           ,
           his
           Majesty
           might
           be
           moved
           to
           remove
           this
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           another
           Government
           .
           Therefore
           in
           their
           Answer
           they
           asserted
           that
           their
           Government
           was
           not
           only
           suteable
           to
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           but
           also
           most
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           this
           might
           not
           be
           looked
           upon
           merely
           as
           the
           Flourish
           of
           an
           Epistle
           ,
           they
           design'd
           to
           back
           it
           with
           the
           Authority
           of
           an
           Act
           ;
           which
           should
           declare
           their
           Government
           both
           of
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           true
           Legal
           Government
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           which
           they
           pretended
           had
           never
           suffered
           any
           Alteration
           ,
           except
           in
           time
           of
           Usurpation
           ,
           Tyranny
           and
           great
           Oppression
           .
           But
           the
           Commissioner
           apprehending
           the
           Consequences
           of
           such
           an
           Act
           ,
           thought
           it
           not
           fit
           to
           let
           the
           same
           pass
           ,
           without
           Advice
           from
           Court
           ;
           and
           therefore
           desired
           a
           Copy
           of
           it
           to
           send
           to
           the
           King
           his
           Master
           ,
           who
           it
           seems
           did
           not
           approve
           of
           it
           :
           For
           it
           never
           more
           appeared
           here
           ,
           at
           which
           the
           Brethren
           have
           not
           a
           little
           murmured
           .
           And
           if
           it
           had
           passed
           ,
           as
           it
           would
           not
           have
           contributed
           much
           to
           the
           Establishment
           of
           their
           Government
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           Act
           of
           so
           inconsiderable
           an
           Assembly
           ;
           so
           it
           would
           only
           have
           discovered
           their
           Ignorance
           ,
           Falshood
           and
           Impudence
           :
           For
           it
           is
           clear
           from
           our
           Histories
           (
           as
           was
           declared
           in
           a
           late
           Discourse
           )
           that
           Presbytery
           heretofore
           was
           never
           setled
           but
           in
           times
           of
           Rebellion
           ;
           and
           what
           Enemies
           our
           Scottish
           Presbyterians
           have
           been
           always
           
           to
           Kings
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           they
           were
           wont
           to
           encourage
           Rebellion
           King
           James
           VI.
           has
           from
           his
           Experience
           fully
           and
           plainly
           declared
           ,
           in
           his
           
             Basilicon
             Doron
          
           ,
           where
           he
           cautions
           his
           Son
           against
           them
           as
           the
           most
           barbarous
           ,
           treacherous
           and
           perfidious
           sort
           of
           People
           ,
           who
           are
           less
           to
           be
           trusted
           than
           the
           thieving
           Borderers
           ,
           or
           the
           wildest
           uncivilized
           Highlanders
           .
           The
           Argument
           also
           ,
           which
           Sir
           
             James
             Montgomery
          
           of
           Skelmorly
           used
           for
           Presbytery
           in
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           shews
           how
           much
           it
           favours
           Monarchy
           and
           Kingly
           Power
           ,
           which
           was
           this
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           the
           Peoples
           only
           Security
           against
           the
           Encroachment
           of
           Kings
           ,
           and
           a
           proper
           Curb
           to
           restrain
           their
           Insolence
           and
           Extravagancy
           ;
           And
           indeed
           when
           they
           are
           encouraged
           ,
           they
           so
           restrain
           them
           as
           to
           make
           them
           signify
           nothing
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           their
           Behaviour
           to
           King
           James
           VI.
           before
           he
           went
           to
           England
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           did
           to
           King
           Charles
           I.
           whom
           they
           persecuted
           and
           pursued
           to
           Death
           .
           As
           to
           the
           Moderation
           which
           his
           Majesty
           required
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           promised
           
             with
             a
             solemn
             Attestation
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             shew
             all
             the
             Moderation
             that
             his
             Majesty
             could
             expect
          
           ;
           which
           when
           considered
           was
           not
           a
           very
           great
           Obligation
           on
           them
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           King
           understand
           them
           aright
           ,
           his
           Expectation
           will
           be
           very
           small
           ,
           Moderation
           being
           very
           rarely
           to
           be
           found
           among
           Presbyterians
           .
        
         
           It
           being
           an
           old
           Custom
           of
           general
           Assemblies
           to
           ease
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Place
           where
           they
           meet
           from
           preaching
           ,
           they
           ordered
           this
           day
           who
           should
           preach
           the
           following
           Sunday
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           were
           appointing
           Preachers
           for
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Churches
           and
           Meeting-Houses
           in
           Edinburgh
           ,
           one
           †
           stood
           up
           ,
           and
           said
           ;
           It
           was
           fit
           to
           send
           Ministers
           to
           the
           Conformists
           Kirks
           too
           :
           But
           the
           Moderator
           perceiving
           the
           Commissioner
           displeased
           at
           the
           Proposal
           ,
           replyed
           ;
           
             That
             they
             sought
             none
             of
             their
             Help
             ,
             and
             they
             should
             get
             as
             little
             .
          
           The
           first
           that
           preached
           in
           the
           High
           Church
           before
           the
           Commissioner
           ,
           was
           Mr.
           
             Geo.
             Meldrum
          
           ,
           whose
           Text
           was
           Philip.
           4.
           
           Ver.
           5.
           
           The
           Sermon
           was
           framed
           to
           please
           the
           various
           Humours
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           to
           recommend
           himself
           to
           Persons
           of
           different
           Tempers
           ,
           for
           the
           general
           Drift
           of
           it
           seemed
           to
           be
           for
           Moderation
           ,
           which
           both
           the
           Court
           and
           all
           good
           discreet
           People
           
           called
           for
           ;
           yet
           he
           caution'd
           it
           with
           such
           Restrictions
           and
           Exceptions
           as
           that
           he
           might
           justifie
           himself
           with
           the
           more
           rigid
           ,
           and
           prevent
           their
           jealousies
           and
           suspicions
           of
           him
           :
           He
           who
           preached
           the
           Sunday
           following
           (
           if
           my
           Memory
           fail
           not
           )
           was
           one
           Hamilton
           ,
           who
           was
           somewhat
           singular
           in
           his
           reckoning
           the
           Years
           during
           which
           we
           of
           this
           Nation
           have
           been
           deprived
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           for
           whereas
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           reckon
           but
           28.
           viz.
           from
           the
           Restauration
           of
           the
           Royal
           Family
           and
           Episcopacy
           ,
           he
           ran
           ten
           Years
           farther
           backward
           ,
           and
           made
           it
           38.
           leaving
           People
           to
           guess
           his
           reason
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           Matter
           was
           enquired
           into
           ,
           it
           was
           found
           that
           he
           dated
           the
           want
           of
           the
           Gospel
           from
           the
           Year
           1652.
           because
           since
           that
           time
           they
           never
           had
           a
           General
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           then
           too
           they
           were
           not
           suffered
           to
           sit
           ,
           for
           the
           English
           Governor
           here
           raised
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           had
           no
           Warrant
           from
           Cromwel
           ,
           and
           carried
           them
           out
           surrounded
           with
           Guards
           to
           Bruntsfield-Links
           ,
           where
           he
           dismissed
           them
           with
           a
           severe
           threatening
           ,
           if
           any
           three
           of
           them
           should
           be
           found
           together
           .
           It
           would
           be
           tedious
           to
           give
           you
           a
           particular
           account
           of
           all
           the
           Sermons
           which
           were
           preached
           here
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           but
           in
           general
           I
           assure
           you
           they
           were
           very
           nauseating
           to
           all
           rational
           Persons
           ,
           for
           except
           one
           or
           two
           preached
           by
           Mr.
           Carstairs
           and
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Wyllie
          
           ,
           they
           were
           either
           miserably
           flat
           and
           dull
           ,
           or
           else
           full
           of
           bitter
           Zeal
           against
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           ;
           Instead
           of
           the
           Doctrins
           and
           Duties
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           the
           excellency
           and
           divine
           Institution
           of
           their
           Government
           was
           the
           subject
           of
           their
           Discourses
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           happened
           on
           any
           necessary
           or
           weighty
           Point
           of
           Religion
           ,
           they
           treated
           them
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           design'd
           to
           burlesque
           Religion
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           ridiculous
           ,
           which
           gave
           a
           great
           advantage
           to
           atheistical
           and
           profane
           Men
           :
           So
           it
           is
           observed
           that
           Religion
           doth
           suffer
           more
           now
           by
           the
           setting
           up
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           than
           it
           did
           or
           was
           like
           to
           have
           suffer'd
           in
           this
           Nation
           by
           the
           attempts
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           other
           Papists
           a
           little
           while
           ago
           ;
           for
           then
           it
           fell
           out
           that
           People
           search'd
           and
           considered
           the
           Points
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           and
           they
           that
           were
           ignorant
           of
           the
           Truth
           or
           dis-believed
           it
           ,
           came
           to
           understand
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           convinced
           
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           were
           resolved
           to
           be
           stedfast
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           it
           ,
           whereas
           now
           the
           Contest
           being
           about
           Forms
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           which
           generally
           People
           look
           upon
           as
           matters
           of
           lesser
           moment
           ,
           all
           enquiry
           into
           the
           important
           Points
           is
           laid
           aside
           ,
           and
           seeing
           there
           is
           such
           Hypocrisie
           and
           Ignorance
           among
           these
           very
           Men
           who
           set
           up
           themselves
           for
           the
           peculiar
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           who
           would
           be
           thought
           as
           it
           were
           inspired
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           of
           all
           others
           most
           acted
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           guilty
           of
           base
           and
           unworthy
           Actions
           ;
           this
           tempts
           People
           to
           think
           all
           Religion
           a
           sham
           and
           cheat
           .
        
         
           On
           Monday
           the
           twenty
           fifth
           they
           met
           at
           eight
           a
           Clock
           of
           the
           Morning
           for
           Prayer
           only
           .
           Some
           say
           eight
           ,
           others
           ten
           ,
           and
           some
           that
           eleven
           prayed
           successively
           :
           One
           told
           me
           he
           stayed
           till
           five
           of
           them
           prayed
           ,
           however
           they
           continued
           to
           pray
           from
           eight
           to
           twelve
           .
           The
           Moderator
           began
           ,
           and
           when
           he
           ended
           he
           named
           the
           person
           who
           should
           pray
           next
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           did
           the
           like
           till
           Dinner
           time
           .
           Among
           others
           who
           were
           desired
           to
           pray
           there
           was
           an
           old
           Man
           who
           at
           first
           declined
           it
           ,
           pretending
           a
           bodily
           indisposition
           ,
           but
           when
           it
           was
           voted
           he
           should
           pray
           ,
           he
           fell
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           prayed
           longer
           a
           great
           deal
           than
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           .
           This
           Exercise
           of
           long
           and
           continued
           Prayer
           was
           so
           unusual
           ,
           that
           it
           became
           presently
           the
           talk
           of
           the
           Town
           ,
           and
           people
           had
           different
           Sentiments
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           put
           various
           Constructions
           upon
           it
           :
           Some
           said
           they
           were
           practising
           what
           our
           Lord
           condemned
           ,
           S.
           Matth.
           6.
           considering
           that
           their
           Prayers
           generally
           are
           but
           Babling
           and
           vain
           Repetitions
           .
           Others
           that
           they
           were
           imitating
           the
           *
           Popish
           Masses
           .
           Some
           dreaded
           the
           effects
           of
           these
           Prayers
           when
           they
           called
           to
           mind
           the
           custom
           of
           their
           Predecessors
           ,
           who
           used
           to
           usher
           in
           some
           Villany
           by
           Fasting
           and
           such
           solemn
           Prayers
           ,
           as
           Tacitus
           reports
           of
           Nero
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           solemnly
           consulted
           the
           Gods
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           certain
           sign
           that
           he
           intended
           some
           cruel
           and
           bloody
           Enterprize
           :
           But
           the
           more
           probable
           seemed
           to
           be
           that
           this
           was
           to
           pray
           themselves
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           into
           a
           moderate
           Temper
           ,
           as
           the
           King's
           Letter
           required
           ,
           or
           to
           vindicate
           their
           want
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           being
           
           more
           agreeable
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           ,
           seeing
           it
           was
           deny'd
           them
           after
           so
           many
           Prayers
           .
           To
           this
           purpose
           one
           of
           them
           had
           a
           very
           remarkable
           Expression
           in
           his
           Prayer
           ;
           for
           ,
           having
           in
           compliance
           with
           the
           rest
           put
           up
           some
           petitions
           for
           Moderation
           ,
           at
           last
           he
           concludes
           with
           these
           words
           ,
           But
           ,
           O
           Lord
           !
           to
           be
           free
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           better
           to
           make
           a
           clean
           *
           house
           .
           This
           Week
           they
           appointed
           Committees
           for
           the
           several
           Affairs
           that
           were
           before
           them
           ,
           which
           sat
           at
           their
           own
           convenience
           ,
           and
           now
           and
           then
           they
           met
           in
           full
           Assembly
           ,
           but
           they
           pass'd
           away
           the
           time
           without
           doing
           any
           thing
           considerable
           ,
           so
           that
           some
           began
           to
           apply
           to
           them
           ,
           
             Parturiunt
             Montes
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           The
           Moderator
           laid
           the
           blame
           of
           it
           on
           the
           ill
           attendance
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           the
           slow
           Proceedings
           of
           the
           Committee
           ;
           but
           the
           true
           reason
           was
           ,
           That
           they
           were
           restrained
           by
           the
           Instructions
           sent
           from
           Court
           ,
           and
           the
           fears
           of
           encreasing
           the
           clamours
           and
           prejudices
           of
           the
           Country
           ,
           as
           also
           they
           were
           somewhat
           retarded
           by
           the
           unskilfulness
           of
           their
           Brethren
           in
           managing
           Affairs
           of
           this
           Nature
           .
           The
           Old
           Men
           having
           for
           a
           long
           time
           been
           disused
           ,
           and
           the
           Younger
           Sort
           wanting
           experence
           ;
           there
           were
           besides
           some
           little
           differences
           among
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           tho
           the
           Moderator
           did
           all
           he
           could
           to
           smother
           them
           ;
           for
           when
           there
           was
           any
           appearance
           of
           the
           least
           Jar
           ,
           he
           referred
           the
           matter
           which
           was
           like
           to
           occasion
           it
           ,
           back
           to
           the
           Committee
           to
           be
           further
           considered
           ,
           and
           then
           as
           on
           all
           other
           occasions
           in
           his
           Prayer
           he
           thanked
           God
           for
           the
           Oneness
           that
           was
           among
           them
           .
           For
           they
           endeavour'd
           to
           make
           the
           World
           believe
           that
           there
           was
           great
           Harmony
           in
           their
           Assembly
           which
           they
           talked
           of
           with
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Fondness
           and
           Vanity
           ,
           especially
           when
           the
           Cameronian
           Party
           joyn'd
           themselves
           to
           them
           ,
           tho
           it
           may
           be
           justly
           said
           that
           matters
           were
           rather
           hudled
           up
           betwixt
           them
           ,
           than
           any
           true
           Union
           effected
           ,
           and
           if
           the
           cunning
           of
           the
           Moderator
           had
           not
           prevented
           it
           ,
           the
           Breach
           was
           like
           to
           have
           been
           wider
           ;
           For
           the
           two
           Persons
           that
           appear'd
           for
           the
           Cameronians
           ,
           viz.
           Mr.
           Shiels
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Linnen
           gave
           in
           two
           Papers
           ,
           one
           of
           Overtures
           ,
           and
           another
           defending
           their
           Practices
           as
           being
           most
           agreeable
           to
           
           the
           Practices
           of
           the
           true
           Presbyterians
           ,
           and
           upbraiding
           the
           rest
           as
           deserting
           and
           apostatizing
           from
           them
           ,
           which
           reflected
           on
           all
           that
           sat
           there
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           offered
           in
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Assembly
           to
           make
           good
           and
           justifie
           the
           same
           .
           At
           first
           the
           Moderator
           checkt
           and
           rebuk'd
           them
           ,
           but
           perceiving
           they
           would
           not
           submit
           themselves
           ,
           they
           were
           first
           sent
           out
           ,
           and
           then
           after
           some
           time
           call'd
           in
           again
           ,
           and
           taken
           by
           the
           hand
           and
           desired
           to
           sit
           down
           with
           the
           rest
           ,
           without
           entering
           upon
           any
           debate
           .
           He
           told
           them
           upon
           their
           second
           appearance
           ,
           that
           he
           knew
           they
           meaned
           well
           ,
           and
           had
           done
           them
           service
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           did
           expect
           good
           from
           them
           ,
           tho
           at
           first
           he
           said
           they
           were
           rash
           young
           Men
           ,
           who
           had
           done
           much
           hurt
           to
           the
           Church
           .
           The
           Sunday
           following
           both
           the
           Cameronians
           at
           Restalridge
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           Brethren
           in
           the
           Pulpits
           of
           the
           Town
           ,
           preach'd
           upon
           this
           Agreement
           and
           Union
           of
           the
           Parties
           .
           The
           latter
           gave
           God
           thanks
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           former
           justified
           themselves
           ,
           and
           declared
           that
           thereby
           they
           had
           neither
           condemned
           their
           own
           former
           Practices
           ,
           nor
           yet
           approved
           of
           the
           Corruptions
           that
           were
           among
           their
           Brethren
           .
           The
           Cameronians
           in
           the
           Country
           having
           got
           information
           of
           this
           Union
           ,
           sent
           some
           of
           their
           number
           to
           the
           Assembly
           with
           some
           Papers
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           allowed
           to
           come
           in
           before
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           but
           some
           of
           the
           Brethren
           were
           sent
           out
           to
           confer
           with
           them
           ,
           who
           received
           their
           Papers
           ,
           and
           giving
           them
           fair
           Words
           ,
           dismissed
           them
           .
           The
           Papers
           having
           never
           been
           publickly
           produc'd
           ,
           the
           Contents
           of
           them
           were
           not
           known
           .
        
         
           
             As
             to
             the
             Affair
             which
             came
             before
             the
             Assembly
             ,
             the
             first
             thing
             remarkable
             was
             the
             Business
             of
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           Simple
           
             which
             took
             up
             some
             days
             ;
             He
             had
             received
             a
             Call
             (
             as
             the
             Word
             is
             )
             both
             from
             the
             People
             of
          
           Jedburgh
           ,
           
             and
             also
             from
             those
             of
          
           Killpatrick
           ,
           
             and
             each
             of
             them
             petition'd
             the
             Assembly
             for
             him
             ,
             because
             of
          
           Spiritual
           Sibness
           and
           Pastoral
           Relation
           which
           they
           had
           to
           him
           ;
           
             At
             the
             same
             time
             there
             was
             an
             Address
             read
             from
             no
             less
             than
             twelve
             Parishes
             in
          
           Northumberland
           ,
           
             as
             was
             pretended
          
           ,
           desiring
           that
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Gabriel
           might
           not
           be
           taken
           from
           them
           ,
           he
           having
           taken
           compassion
           on
           them
           when
           they
           lay
           weltering
           in
           their
           Blood
           ,
           and
           no
           Eye
           to
           pity
           
           them
           ,
           and
           shewing
           that
           England
           was
           over-gone
           with
           Briars
           and
           Thorns
           which
           would
           over-run
           Scotland
           too
           if
           Mr.
           Gabriel
           did
           not
           weed
           them
           out
           ,
           that
           by
           Mr.
           Gabriel's
           care
           twelve
           Parishes
           were
           well
           provided
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           be
           so
           well
           done
           by
           any
           ordinary
           Man
           ;
           That
           he
           had
           been
           twenty
           four
           Years
           among
           them
           which
           was
           sufficient
           to
           found
           a
           Pastoral
           Relation
           .
           Mr.
           Gilbert
           Rule
           
             seconded
             this
             Address
             ,
             and
             pleaded
             for
             those
             of
          
           Northumberland
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           have
           the
           benefit
           of
           Mr.
           Gabriel
           ;
           alledging
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           Charity
           to
           plant
           the
           Gospel
           in
           England
           ,
           and
           he
           declar'd
           thaet
           he
           knew
           not
           only
           twelve
           Parishes
           ,
           but
           that
           for
           fifty
           Miles
           they
           wanted
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           For
           (
           
             said
             he
          
           )
           betwixt
           Berwick
           and
           New-Castle
           there
           was
           less
           practice
           of
           Piety
           ,
           than
           amongst
           Papists
           ,
           or
           Heathens
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           fit
           to
           send
           Ministers
           among
           them
           ,
           he
           concluded
           his
           Discourse
           thus
           ,
           That
           as
           we
           ought
           to
           plant
           the
           Gospel
           where-ever
           we
           can
           ,
           so
           the
           Presbyterians
           of
           England
           having
           now
           a
           Liberty
           granted
           them
           by
           King
           and
           Parliament
           they
           might
           very
           well
           call
           back
           such
           as
           had
           been
           driven
           in
           amongst
           them
           in
           time
           of
           Persecution
           .
           
             To
             this
             last
             the
             Moderator
             reply'd
             ,
             Mr.
          
           Gilbert
           ,
           What
           if
           they
           should
           call
           you
           ?
           
             And
             when
             he
             answer'd
          
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           he
           would
           then
           go
           ,
           
             he
             said
             to
             him
             ,
             Mr.
          
           Gilbert
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           think
           you
           so
           great
           a
           Fool.
           
             But
             as
             to
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           
             the
             Moderator
             and
             the
             generality
             of
             the
             Assembly
             were
             for
             calling
             him
             back
             to
          
           Scotland
           ,
           
             alledging
             that
             Charity
             began
             at
             home
             ,
             when
             they
             had
             reason'd
             a
             long
             while
             upon
             the
             Matter
             too
             and
             again
             ,
             Mr.
          
           Kirkton
           
             stood
             up
             and
             said
             ,
             What
             needs
             this
             ado
             ?
             For
             he
             had
             heard
             that
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           
             durst
             not
             return
             to
          
           Northumberland
           ,
           
             there
             being
             an
             Order
             from
             several
             Justices
             of
             Peace
             to
             apprehend
             him
             ,
             which
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           
             confess'd
             to
             be
             true
             .
             This
             decided
             the
             matter
             as
             to
          
           Northumberland
           ,
           
             and
             shewed
             that
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           
             would
             have
          
           had
           his
           forc'd
           return
           coloured
           with
           a
           Solemn
           invitation
           ;
           
             and
             when
             it
             came
             to
             be
             consider'd
             ,
             whither
          
           Jedburgh
           or
           Killpatrick
           
             should
             have
             him
             ;
             he
             discovered
             his
             own
             Inclinations
             before
             it
             came
             to
             a
             Vote
             ,
             telling
             that
          
           Kirkpatrick
           
             had
             no
             Manse
             for
             him
             ,
             neither
             could
             he
             maintain
             a
             Horse
             at
             it
             ,
             when
             the
             Votes
             were
             a
             stating
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           Cunningham
           
             desired
             the
             Moderator
             to
             pray
          
           for
           drowning
           the
           
           noise
           of
           the
           Assembly
           .
           
             But
             Mr.
          
           Kirktoun
           answered
           ,
           What
           needs
           all
           this
           fool
           Praying
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           the
           Custom
           to
           pray
           at
           every
           thing
           ,
           
             so
             they
             past
             immediately
             to
             voting
             ,
             and
             the
             Votes
             carried
             it
             for
          
           Jebburgh
           ,
           
             which
             no
             doubt
             was
             according
             to
             Mr.
          
           Gabriel
           
             's
             own
             desire
          
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           great
           Affair
           was
           the
           removing
           Mr.
           
             George
             Campbel
          
           from
           being
           Minister
           at
           Drumfries
           to
           be
           Professor
           of
           Divinity
           at
           Edinburgh
           ,
           which
           was
           made
           vacant
           by
           the
           Visitation
           of
           the
           College
           ,
           for
           that
           Dr.
           Strachan
           could
           not
           comply
           with
           the
           Terms
           requir'd
           in
           the
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           .
           The
           Magistrates
           of
           Edinburgh
           being
           Patrons
           of
           the
           place
           gave
           a
           Call
           to
           Mr.
           Campbel
           ,
           which
           was
           backed
           by
           the
           earnest
           invitation
           of
           some
           others
           about
           the
           Town
           .
           He
           indeed
           deserves
           the
           place
           better
           than
           any
           of
           that
           Party
           having
           qualifications
           of
           Learning
           and
           Modesty
           beyond
           what
           is
           usual
           to
           be
           found
           amongst
           them
           .
           But
           as
           the
           People
           of
           Drumfries
           were
           not
           willing
           to
           part
           with
           him
           ,
           so
           neither
           was
           he
           willing
           of
           himself
           to
           settle
           at
           Edinburgh
           in
           his
           old
           decaying
           Years
           ,
           especially
           when
           he
           perceived
           such
           strong
           prejudices
           against
           the
           Presbyterian
           Party
           to
           encrease
           .
           The
           matter
           was
           referr'd
           to
           the
           Assembly
           where
           it
           was
           long
           and
           hotly
           debated
           .
           The
           necessity
           and
           importance
           of
           training
           up
           Youth
           was
           alledged
           for
           his
           coming
           to
           Edinburgh
           ,
           but
           he
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           said
           ,
           he
           was
           more
           capable
           of
           doing
           good
           at
           Drumfries
           ,
           and
           had
           stronger
           ties
           and
           obligations
           to
           that
           place
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           
             added
             that
             he
             not
             only
             had
             not
             the
             inward
             call
             to
             accept
             of
             the
             Profession
             of
             Divinity
             ,
          
           but
           did
           find
           in
           himself
           an
           inward
           aversion
           and
           backwardness
           thereto
           ,
           which
           he
           thought
           should
           not
           be
           slighted
           ;
           for
           there
           was
           in
           it
           not
           only
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           but
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           which
           occasion'd
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           inward
           call
           to
           be
           considered
           and
           debated
           .
           Mr.
           Rule
           said
           ,
           That
           
             it
             consisted
             in
             the
             internal
             Qualifications
             for
             the
             place
             ,
             and
             the
             outward
             harmonious
             Call
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             that
             as
             they
             were
             Judges
             of
             the
             first
             ,
             so
             the
             last
             would
             be
             known
             by
             putting
             it
             to
             a
             Vote
             :
          
           adding
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             was
             a
             harmonious
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Prophets
             was
             subject
             to
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
           Mr.
           Campbel
           reply'd
           ,
           That
           he
           put
           a
           wrong
           Gloss
           on
           the
           Place
           ,
           but
           however
           he
           
           would
           not
           debate
           it
           now
           .
           It
           was
           referred
           back
           to
           the
           Committee
           and
           considered
           again
           in
           a
           full
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           th●
           matter
           was
           put
           to
           a
           Vote
           ,
           having
           before
           they
           collected
           th●
           Votes
           prayed
           for
           direction
           therein
           .
           By
           the
           Votes
           it
           was
           carried
           that
           he
           should
           come
           to
           Edinburgh
           ;
           tho
           it
           was
           observed
           that
           the
           more
           judicious
           part
           were
           against
           his
           coming
           ,
           being
           prevail'd
           upon
           by
           the
           weight
           of
           his
           own
           Arguments
           .
           However
           after
           they
           had
           resolved
           upon
           his
           coming
           ,
           they
           allowed
           him
           till
           Lammas
           following
           to
           remove
           himself
           and
           his
           Family
           (
           as
           some
           say
           )
           as
           others
           would
           have
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           in
           this
           time
           bring
           his
           mind
           to
           close
           with
           the
           Call
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           because
           he
           had
           said
           ,
           he
           would
           leave
           the
           Kingdom
           rather
           than
           obey
           .
        
         
           A
           day
           or
           two
           after
           the
           Decision
           of
           this
           business
           concerning
           Mr.
           Campbel
           ,
           there
           came
           a
           Commission
           from
           the
           Town
           of
           S.
           Andrews
           to
           My
           Lord
           Crawford
           to
           represent
           them
           in
           the
           Assembly
           :
           The
           Moderator
           usher'd
           it
           in
           with
           a
           great
           Commendation
           of
           his
           Lordship
           ,
           and
           the
           manifold
           Obligations
           which
           they
           had
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           regreted
           he
           had
           not
           been
           a
           Member
           of
           their
           Assembly
           sooner
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           had
           not
           his
           Commission
           from
           a
           Presbytery
           ;
           for
           which
           ,
           he
           said
           ,
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Couper
           particularly
           should
           be
           rebuked
           ,
           in
           that
           they
           had
           neglected
           him
           .
           But
           the
           reason
           was
           ,
           (
           as
           I
           told
           you
           before
           )
           that
           it
           was
           expected
           he
           should
           have
           been
           Commissioner
           for
           the
           King.
           When
           this
           Commission
           was
           read
           ,
           My
           Lord
           Crawford
           ,
           (
           whose
           Joy
           for
           which
           was
           to
           be
           seen
           in
           his
           Countenance
           )
           stood
           up
           ,
           and
           made
           a
           Discourse
           about
           the
           Weight
           and
           Importance
           of
           that
           Trust
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Unworthiness
           to
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           that
           Venerable
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           desired
           that
           they
           might
           allow
           him
           the
           favour
           which
           they
           had
           granted
           to
           Mr.
           
             George
             Campbel
          
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           have
           till
           Lammas
           next
           to
           advise
           on
           it
           :
           His
           Lordship
           not
           knowing
           well
           what
           to
           say
           ,
           but
           thinking
           he
           was
           obliged
           to
           say
           something
           ,
           fell
           on
           this
           Impertinence
           ;
           which
           moved
           the
           Spleen
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           made
           them
           spoil
           the
           gravity
           of
           their
           Meeting
           :
           And
           indeed
           who
           could
           forbear
           laughing
           ,
           to
           hear
           one
           make
           a
           scruple
           of
           acting
           by
           Commission
           ,
           when
           he
           had
           made
           none
           to
           act
           without
           one
           ;
           officiously
           attending
           the
           
           several
           Sessions
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           particular
           Committees
           ,
           and
           giving
           his
           Opinion
           in
           all
           the
           Matters
           that
           came
           before
           them
           .
           And
           what
           a
           ridiculous
           thing
           was
           it
           ,
           to
           ask
           Nine
           Months
           time
           to
           advise
           whether
           he
           should
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           a
           Meeting
           which
           was
           to
           be
           intirely
           dissolved
           within
           a
           fortnight
           .
        
         
           After
           they
           had
           sat
           ten
           or
           twelve
           days
           ,
           they
           received
           a
           Petition
           from
           two
           Persons
           ,
           the
           one
           was
           called
           Smith
           ,
           the
           other
           Grieve
           ,
           in
           name
           of
           the
           Town
           of
           Dundee
           .
           In
           the
           Petition
           ,
           which
           was
           drawn
           up
           according
           to
           their
           usual
           Canting
           Stile
           ,
           they
           complain'd
           of
           their
           want
           of
           the
           Ministry
           there
           ,
           and
           desired
           that
           some
           might
           be
           sent
           to
           them
           to
           preach
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           upon
           this
           the
           Commissioner
           asked
           if
           the
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           of
           that
           place
           were
           legally
           turned
           out
           ;
           and
           it
           being
           replyed
           that
           they
           were
           deprived
           by
           the
           Privy
           Council
           a
           year
           ago
           ;
           the
           Moderator
           was
           suffered
           to
           proceed
           in
           the
           business
           ,
           who
           pressed
           it
           with
           great
           Earnestness
           ,
           telling
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           that
           he
           knew
           that
           not
           only
           in
           Dundee
           ,
           but
           that
           in
           all
           Angus
           the
           Gospel
           was
           not
           preach'd
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           no
           true
           Minister
           there
           ,
           tho
           he
           and
           all
           the
           World
           besides
           knew
           ,
           that
           except
           one
           or
           two
           Churches
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           that
           Shire
           have
           Ministers
           setled
           in
           them
           ,
           who
           daily
           exercise
           their
           Functions
           ,
           but
           indeed
           they
           are
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ;
           whom
           neither
           he
           ,
           nor
           others
           of
           that
           party
           make
           any
           account
           of
           ,
           for
           on
           all
           Occasions
           they
           so
           express
           themselves
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Gospel
           and
           Ministry
           were
           confin'd
           to
           the
           Presbyterian
           Kirk
           .
           But
           to
           return
           to
           the
           business
           of
           Dundee
           and
           Angus
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Andrew
             Bowie
          
           ,
           and
           one
           Mr.
           Reiel
           declared
           to
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           
             That
             they
             had
             been
             in
             that
             Country
             already
             by
             an
             Order
             from
             the
             General
             Meeting
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             had
             no
             incouragement
             from
             that
             People
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             they
             had
             met
             with
             great
             Discouragements
             ,
             and
             perceived
             that
             they
             were
             so
             averse
             and
             indisposed
             for
             receiving
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             needless
             to
             send
             any
             to
             them
             ;
             for
             they
             would
             not
             get
             an
             Auditory
             except
             in
             a
             Kirk
             ,
             and
             the
             People
             would
             not
             give
             them
             the
             Keys
             of
             the
             Kirk
             doors
             ,
             nor
             admit
             of
             them
             except
             they
             were
             compell'd
             by
             Authority
             .
          
           To
           which
           the
           Moderator
           replyed
           ,
           
             Brethren
             ,
             as
             you
             have
             made
             an
             Offer
             of
             the
             Gospel
             to
             them
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             General
             Meeting
             ,
             so
             you
             
             must
             now
             go
             and
             offer
             it
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             General
             Assembly
          
           ;
           and
           added
           ,
           
             That
             they
             would
             recommend
             the
             Affair
             to
             the
             Privy
             Council
             ,
             who
             would
             certainly
             see
             to
             their
             encouragement
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             the
             Keys
             of
             some
             Kirk
             or
             other
             given
             them
             .
          
           As
           for
           Dundee
           ,
           which
           was
           said
           to
           be
           generally
           refractory
           ,
           the
           Moderator
           said
           ,
           
             They
             could
             and
             would
             plant
             Ministers
             and
             Elders
             therein
             ,
             whether
             the
             Town
             Council
             would
             or
             not
             .
          
           Which
           if
           it
           be
           not
           an
           Intrusion
           ,
           let
           the
           World
           judg
           :
           When
           it
           was
           desired
           that
           some
           others
           might
           be
           added
           to
           these
           two
           Brethren
           ,
           Mr.
           
             William
             Spence
          
           sometime
           Minister
           of
           Glendoven
           was
           named
           by
           several
           ,
           which
           was
           opposed
           by
           others
           ,
           because
           the
           removing
           of
           him
           would
           leave
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Aughterarder
           without
           a
           Quorum
           ,
           as
           I
           mentioned
           before
           ;
           however
           after
           some
           Debate
           ,
           it
           was
           carried
           he
           should
           go
           :
           And
           other
           three
           also
           were
           appointed
           to
           be
           in
           readiness
           upon
           advertisement
           of
           the
           success
           and
           encouragement
           of
           these
           Brethren
           .
           As
           for
           this
           Mr.
           
             William
             Spence
          
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Apostles
           for
           Angus
           he
           served
           some
           years
           under
           Episcopacy
           ,
           but
           having
           desired
           an
           Augmentation
           of
           his
           Stipend
           ,
           and
           it
           being
           refused
           ;
           he
           conceived
           a
           Picque
           at
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           because
           they
           gave
           him
           not
           (
           as
           he
           judged
           )
           due
           Assistance
           before
           the
           Commission
           of
           the
           Kirk
           ,
           which
           he
           first
           vented
           by
           passing
           severe
           Reflections
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           he
           grew
           to
           that
           height
           ,
           that
           he
           dispersed
           Papers
           bespattering
           both
           them
           and
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           addressed
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           for
           a
           Reformation
           :
           His
           Fellow
           Presbyters
           endeavoured
           to
           reclaim
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           suppress
           his
           Libels
           ,
           but
           their
           Attempts
           being
           in
           vain
           ,
           the
           Matter
           was
           carried
           before
           the
           Bishop
           and
           Synod
           of
           Dumblane
           ,
           who
           finding
           him
           obstinate
           deposed
           him
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           upon
           his
           further
           Contumacy
           and
           Disobedience
           excommunicated
           him
           ,
           which
           Censure
           was
           never
           yet
           taken
           off
           ,
           because
           he
           never
           shewed
           any
           Repentance
           ,
           neither
           made
           any
           Application
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           Shortly
           after
           the
           receiving
           of
           this
           Petition
           from
           Dundee
           ,
           there
           came
           a
           Letter
           to
           the
           Assembly
           from
           Aberdeen
           subscribed
           by
           some
           Phanaticks
           there
           ;
           who
           ,
           I
           assure
           you
           ,
           in
           that
           Place
           are
           neither
           considerable
           for
           Number
           ,
           nor
           Quality
           .
           The
           
           Letter
           was
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           ,
           desiring
           the
           Assembly
           to
           send
           them
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           complaining
           that
           they
           had
           wanted
           the
           Gospel
           for
           Thirty
           Years
           .
           Mr.
           
             George
             Meldrum
          
           was
           present
           when
           this
           Letter
           was
           read
           ,
           and
           neither
           contradicted
           the
           Assertion
           nor
           qualified
           it
           ;
           but
           suffered
           it
           to
           pass
           without
           any
           Reflection
           or
           Censure
           .
           Which
           silence
           of
           his
           was
           admired
           by
           those
           that
           knew
           him
           ,
           neither
           could
           they
           excuse
           it
           ,
           considering
           that
           he
           both
           knew
           the
           place
           particularly
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           but
           be
           convinced
           that
           the
           Gospel
           had
           been
           preached
           there
           ,
           in
           as
           great
           Purity
           as
           in
           any
           place
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           For
           not
           to
           speak
           of
           the
           present
           Ministers
           of
           that
           City
           ,
           who
           have
           the
           Approbation
           of
           all
           wise
           and
           judicious
           Persons
           ,
           both
           for
           preaching
           and
           other
           Qualifications
           .
           Mr.
           
             David
             Lyall
          
           ,
           now
           at
           Montross
           ,
           was
           a
           long
           time
           Minister
           there
           ,
           and
           is
           esteemed
           to
           have
           a
           good
           Talent
           of
           popular
           preaching
           .
           Mr.
           
             John
             Menzies
          
           Professor
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           who
           was
           ever
           esteemed
           an
           eloquent
           Preacher
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           learned
           Man
           ,
           continued
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           there
           ,
           till
           the
           year
           1684
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           himself
           was
           Twenty
           of
           these
           years
           Minister
           there
           also
           ;
           and
           Dr.
           Garden
           who
           succeeded
           him
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           both
           a
           knowing
           man
           and
           an
           able
           Preacher
           ;
           one
           who
           teacheth
           the
           truth
           in
           sincerity
           ,
           without
           respect
           of
           Persons
           .
           So
           that
           Mr.
           
           Meldrum's
           new
           Interest
           must
           have
           strongly
           perverted
           his
           Judgment
           ,
           or
           he
           may
           be
           justly
           charged
           with
           Hypocrisie
           and
           Cowardice
           ;
           seeing
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           displeasing
           a
           Party
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           own
           the
           truth
           on
           so
           fair
           an
           Occasion
           .
           The
           Presbyterians
           speak
           much
           against
           a
           sinful
           silence
           ,
           and
           certainly
           such
           was
           his
           at
           this
           time
           .
           Some
           alledged
           ,
           that
           the
           sending
           of
           this
           Letter
           was
           a
           Device
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           to
           get
           himself
           sent
           back
           to
           Aberdeen
           ;
           for
           one
           would
           have
           thought
           that
           the
           Assembly
           would
           rather
           have
           sent
           him
           than
           another
           ,
           because
           he
           might
           be
           supposed
           to
           know
           both
           the
           place
           and
           the
           People
           best
           where
           he
           had
           been
           so
           long
           Minister
           ;
           but
           the
           Assembly
           took
           no
           notice
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           appointed
           two
           to
           go
           thither
           to
           preach
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           of
           which
           one
           was
           Mr.
           Shiel
           a
           Cameronian
           .
           So
           that
           as
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           fell
           off
           from
           the
           
           Episcopal
           Party
           because
           he
           was
           not
           permitted
           to
           return
           to
           his
           Place
           at
           Aberdeen
           ,
           for
           the
           same
           Reason
           he
           should
           now
           desert
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           seeing
           they
           would
           not
           restore
           him
           unto
           it
           .
        
         
           Upon
           some
           other
           occasion
           it
           was
           proposed
           by
           the
           Moderator
           to
           send
           some
           other
           Persons
           to
           make
           an
           offer
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Northern-Shires
           ;
           accordingly
           an
           Act
           past
           ,
           appointing
           several
           (
           I
           know
           not
           the
           exact
           number
           )
           who
           were
           commended
           to
           the
           Council
           for
           their
           Viaticum
           ,
           as
           the
           Moderator
           worded
           it
           ,
           which
           Mr.
           Fraser
           of
           Brae
           found
           fault
           with
           as
           sordid
           ,
           and
           then
           he
           wisht
           them
           to
           call
           it
           Maintenance
           or
           Provision
           ,
           or
           what
           they
           pleased
           ,
           for
           they
           knew
           his
           meaning
           well
           enough
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           which
           is
           most
           remarkable
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           as
           well
           as
           the
           two
           former
           instances
           ,
           Persons
           were
           commissionated
           to
           preach
           and
           make
           an
           offer
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           for
           in
           these
           very
           Terms
           it
           was
           proposed
           ,
           stated
           ,
           voted
           and
           determined
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           going
           to
           convert
           Pagans
           and
           Infidels
           ;
           this
           shews
           their
           Ignorance
           and
           Uncharitableness
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           some
           a
           just
           ground
           (
           tho
           there
           were
           no
           other
           reason
           )
           for
           separating
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           refusing
           Communion
           with
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           divide
           from
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           they
           pervert
           and
           alter
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           teach
           another
           Gospel
           than
           what
           is
           to
           be
           found
           in
           Scripture
           .
           Indeed
           they
           cannot
           justifie
           their
           present
           Proceedings
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           noise
           they
           make
           in
           setting
           up
           themselves
           ,
           unless
           their
           way
           (
           as
           they
           use
           to
           speak
           )
           be
           of
           equal
           importance
           with
           the
           Gospel
           it self
           ;
           but
           if
           the
           Gospel
           be
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           Episcopal
           Party
           have
           preached
           it
           more
           plainly
           and
           purely
           than
           they
           .
           And
           if
           they
           teach
           another
           Gospel
           than
           what
           has
           been
           taught
           by
           the
           former
           ,
           they
           must
           leave
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           Papists
           have
           recourse
           to
           vain
           and
           uncertain
           Traditions
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           more
           vain
           Imaginations
           of
           Enthusiasts
           .
        
         
         
           Before
           I
           relate
           to
           you
           any
           more
           of
           their
           Acts
           ,
           I
           'll
           divert
           you
           with
           an
           account
           how
           the
           Assembly
           dealt
           with
           such
           Ministers
           as
           had
           appealed
           to
           them
           upon
           the
           hope
           of
           milder
           Treatment
           and
           greater
           Justice
           than
           what
           had
           been
           found
           in
           the
           particular
           Presbyteries
           .
           If
           you
           had
           seen
           the
           last
           Letter
           they
           sent
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           first
           presented
           to
           the
           Assembly
           to
           be
           approved
           and
           subscribed
           ,
           you
           would
           have
           concluded
           that
           all
           Grievances
           had
           been
           redressed
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           had
           received
           a
           reparation
           of
           all
           the
           Wrongs
           which
           they
           had
           complained
           of
           ,
           for
           the
           Letter
           expresly
           contain'd
           so
           much
           ,
           but
           the
           Libel
           was
           so
           gross
           that
           it
           could
           not
           pass
           tho
           the
           Moderator
           urged
           it
           ,
           wherefore
           the
           amendment
           of
           it
           being
           referred
           to
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Wyllie
          
           ,
           they
           made
           it
           run
           thus
           ;
           That
           the
           same
           was
           recommended
           to
           the
           Commissioners
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           several
           Synods
           to
           be
           redressed
           .
           How
           true
           even
           this
           is
           ,
           I
           cannot
           tell
           ,
           time
           will
           shew
           ,
           but
           sure
           I
           am
           't
           was
           not
           done
           by
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           they
           shifted
           off
           the
           examination
           of
           these
           Appeals
           ,
           saying
           it
           was
           injurious
           to
           the
           Presbyteries
           to
           question
           the
           justice
           and
           legality
           of
           their
           Proceedings
           ,
           and
           pressed
           that
           the
           Complainants
           might
           be
           referred
           back
           to
           the
           particular
           Presbyteries
           and
           Synods
           from
           which
           they
           had
           appealed
           ,
           which
           was
           done
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           equivalent
           to
           the
           approving
           all
           that
           was
           done
           ,
           because
           none
           would
           condemn
           their
           own
           Proceedings
           .
           The
           Affair
           of
           Peebles
           is
           an
           evident
           proof
           that
           the
           Assembly
           was
           not
           willing
           to
           canvass
           the
           Actings
           of
           any
           Presbytery
           ,
           far
           less
           to
           renverse
           their
           Orders
           and
           Sentences
           .
           The
           Duke
           of
           Queensberry
           being
           not
           only
           Patron
           ,
           but
           also
           a
           very
           considerable
           Heritor
           of
           the
           Parish
           ,
           was
           as
           well
           as
           others
           both
           in
           point
           of
           Honour
           and
           Interest
           concerned
           to
           have
           the
           matter
           discussed
           ;
           and
           Mr.
           Knox
           who
           was
           called
           to
           be
           Minister
           there
           righted
           .
           Wherefore
           the
           Duke
           recommended
           the
           Business
           with
           great
           earnestness
           to
           the
           Commissioner
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           be
           brought
           before
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           being
           confident
           that
           the
           Assembly
           would
           not
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           approve
           the
           Proceedings
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           who
           had
           governed
           themselves
           neither
           by
           
           Reason
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           nor
           Equity
           in
           the
           Matter
           ;
           as
           was
           made
           appear
           in
           a
           printed
           Information
           which
           I
           have
           herewith
           sent
           you
           ;
           
           whereupon
           the
           Commissioner
           interposed
           so
           far
           as
           to
           get
           it
           one
           day
           proposed
           in
           a
           full
           Assembly
           ;
           but
           when
           the
           Clark
           took
           up
           the
           Process
           to
           read
           it
           ,
           there
           was
           such
           murmuring
           among
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           what
           he
           read
           could
           neither
           be
           heard
           nor
           understood
           ,
           and
           some
           two
           or
           three
           whispered
           the
           Moderator
           in
           the
           Ear
           ;
           so
           that
           before
           the
           Clark
           had
           read
           six
           lines
           ,
           he
           stood
           up
           ,
           and
           addressing
           to
           the
           Commissioner
           told
           his
           Grace
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           fit
           to
           wave
           this
           Affair
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           that
           the
           Brethren
           were
           displeased
           that
           it
           was
           brought
           in
           so
           abruptly
           before
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           when
           it
           had
           not
           been
           considered
           in
           the
           Committee
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           not
           ripe
           enough
           as
           yet
           to
           take
           cognizance
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           were
           several
           particulars
           in
           that
           Affair
           which
           were
           not
           fit
           to
           be
           spoken
           of
           in
           publick
           ;
           to
           which
           the
           Commissioner
           yielded
           either
           out
           of
           too
           much
           good
           Nature
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           fear
           that
           the
           stubborn
           and
           forward
           Men
           would
           have
           baffled
           his
           Authority
           if
           he
           had
           offered
           to
           oblige
           them
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           against
           their
           will.
           To
           save
           his
           Credit
           in
           yielding
           to
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           he
           required
           them
           peremptorily
           to
           fall
           upon
           it
           at
           the
           next
           meeting
           ;
           the
           Moderator
           promised
           it
           ,
           but
           there
           was
           never
           a
           Syllable
           more
           of
           it
           ,
           nor
           it
           seems
           did
           the
           Commissioner
           think
           sit
           to
           start
           it
           again
           .
           Before
           I
           leave
           this
           Matter
           ,
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           a
           remarkable
           passage
           in
           Mr.
           Veatch
           his
           Answer
           which
           he
           publish'd
           to
           that
           printed
           Information
           which
           I
           spake
           of
           before
           :
           
             That
             whereas
             it
             was
             objected
             that
             he
             had
             not
             a
             popular
             Call
             to
             the
             Parish
             of
          
           Peebles
           .
           This
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             ought
             not
             to
             militate
             against
             me
             ;
             for
             if
             by
             such
             a
             Call
             be
             meant
             an
             unanimous
             Call
             of
             all
             ,
             or
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             the
             Parish
             ;
             it
             can
             be
             expected
             but
             in
             very
             few
             places
             of
             the
             Country
             ▪
             to
             a
             Presbyterian
             Minister
             ,
             and
             never
             at
             all
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             to
             be
             hoped
             for
             in
             the
             Parish
             of
          
           Peebles
           .
           This
           indeed
           is
           a
           certain
           Truth
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           thought
           strange
           to
           see
           a
           Presbyterian
           so
           plainly
           confess
           it
           ,
           seeing
           hitherto
           they
           would
           have
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           World
           believe
           ,
           that
           both
           their
           Persons
           and
           Government
           
           were
           most
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           People
           ▪
           Mr.
           Veatch
           had
           not
           his
           Wits
           about
           him
           when
           he
           let
           fall
           this
           Declaration
           ,
           and
           it
           seems
           was
           more
           intent
           upon
           his
           own
           particular
           ,
           than
           the
           general
           Interest
           of
           the
           Party
           he
           belongs
           to
           ;
           for
           hereby
           he
           gives
           a
           Lie
           unto
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           lover
           turns
           the
           Ground
           whereon
           the
           Government
           was
           built
           ,
           and
           plainly
           intimates
           that
           he
           and
           his
           Brethren
           are
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           Intruders
           ,
           seeing
           they
           cannot
           have
           the
           call
           and
           consent
           of
           the
           People
           .
           The
           want
           whereof
           was
           charged
           heavily
           on
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           in
           the
           West
           by
           Mr.
           
             George
             Meldrum
          
           in
           a
           Sermon
           before
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           who
           thought
           it
           so
           heinous
           a
           Crime
           ,
           that
           he
           said
           ,
           
             before
             he
             obtruded
             himself
             upon
             a
             People
             against
             their
             own
             will
             ,
             he
             would
             chuse
             rather
             to
             beg
             his
             Fraught
             and
             go
             to
          
           America
           :
           It
           were
           to
           be
           wished
           that
           all
           his
           Brethren
           were
           of
           that
           mind
           ,
           for
           then
           the
           Nation
           would
           be
           soon
           rid
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           I
           assure
           you
           they
           might
           have
           their
           Fraught
           without
           begging
           it
           ;
           for
           both
           Gentry
           and
           Commons
           would
           pay
           that
           more
           chearfully
           than
           their
           Stipends
           .
           Now
           if
           it
           was
           a
           Crime
           in
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           to
           take
           the
           Cure
           of
           a
           Parish
           without
           the
           express
           formal
           consent
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           what
           may
           it
           be
           thought
           in
           a
           Presbyterian
           to
           come
           in
           upon
           a
           People
           when
           they
           expresly
           declared
           and
           protest
           against
           him
           .
           I
           know
           no
           other
           way
           of
           justifying
           this
           ,
           but
           by
           asserting
           the
           Doctrine
           which
           one
           of
           their
           Laicks
           raised
           from
           
             ver
             .
             6.
             
             Psal
          
           .
           119.
           while
           he
           was
           lecturing
           to
           the
           Neighbour-hood
           ,
           viz.
           The
           People
           of
           God
           may
           sin
           ,
           but
           the
           Wicked
           must
           not
           sin
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           a
           heavy
           Vengeance
           waiting
           them
           if
           they
           do
           ;
           but
           we
           will
           leave
           this
           ,
           and
           return
           to
           the
           Point
           we
           were
           upon
           .
        
         
           The
           Assembly
           was
           just
           so
           puzzled
           with
           the
           Appeals
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           as
           their
           Ancestors
           the
           Pharisees
           were
           with
           the
           question
           about
           
           John's
           Baptism
           ;
           for
           on
           the
           one
           side
           they
           feared
           the
           Court
           who
           desired
           and
           required
           them
           to
           be
           moderate
           ,
           and
           indeed
           they
           perceived
           that
           it
           was
           their
           Interest
           at
           this
           time
           to
           make
           some
           shew
           of
           Moderation
           .
           But
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           it
           was
           against
           their
           Interest
           to
           condemn
           the
           Proceedings
           of
           the
           Presbyteries
           ,
           nor
           could
           they
           do
           it
           because
           
           they
           were
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Rules
           concerted
           and
           prescribed
           by
           the
           general
           Meeting
           ;
           so
           following
           the
           policy
           of
           the
           Pharisees
           they
           waved
           the
           difficulty
           by
           remitting
           all
           to
           the
           Commission
           and
           particular
           Synods
           .
           By
           this
           means
           they
           secured
           what
           was
           already
           done
           from
           being
           renverst
           ,
           and
           also
           freed
           the
           Assembly
           from
           the
           blame
           of
           any
           Injury
           or
           Injustice
           done
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           done
           ;
           for
           then
           these
           things
           might
           be
           charged
           on
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           and
           not
           on
           the
           whole
           Party
           .
           However
           they
           ventured
           upon
           three
           or
           four
           Processes
           ,
           and
           by
           them
           you
           may
           guess
           what
           they
           would
           have
           done
           with
           the
           rest
           .
           The
           first
           was
           ,
           That
           of
           Mr.
           Lesk
           Minister
           of
           Turreff
           within
           the
           Diocess
           of
           Aberdeen
           ,
           whose
           Church
           was
           claimed
           by
           one
           Mr.
           
             Arthur
             Mitchell
          
           by
           vertue
           of
           that
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           which
           restored
           the
           old
           Presbyterians
           to
           their
           Churches
           whether
           they
           were
           vacant
           or
           possessed
           by
           others
           .
           Mr.
           Lesk
           first
           made
           Application
           to
           the
           Council
           ,
           and
           thought
           to
           have
           suspended
           Mr.
           Mitchell
           ,
           as
           not
           being
           comprehended
           within
           the
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           which
           only
           was
           designed
           in
           favour
           of
           these
           ,
           who
           had
           left
           their
           Ministry
           for
           not
           complying
           with
           Episcopacy
           ;
           whereas
           Mr.
           Mitchell
           was
           deposed
           ,
           and
           deprived
           long
           before
           that
           time
           :
           But
           that
           not
           taking
           effect
           ,
           the
           Matter
           was
           brought
           before
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           where
           Mr.
           Lesk
           instructed
           ,
           that
           Mr.
           
             Arthur
             Mitchell
          
           was
           never
           legally
           settled
           Minister
           of
           Turreff
           ;
           that
           about
           the
           Year
           1655.
           he
           was
           actually
           deposed
           ,
           and
           that
           tho
           he
           continued
           to
           preach
           there
           by
           means
           of
           a
           prevailing
           Faction
           of
           Remonstrators
           under
           the
           Usurper
           ,
           he
           was
           never
           look'd
           upon
           as
           Minister
           of
           the
           place
           :
           and
           that
           in
           the
           Year
           60.
           the
           Synod
           of
           Aberdeen
           being
           freed
           of
           the
           force
           and
           restraint
           that
           was
           formerly
           upon
           them
           ,
           did
           ratifie
           the
           former
           Sentence
           of
           Deposition
           .
           And
           as
           for
           himself
           he
           pleaded
           that
           he
           had
           been
           legally
           setled
           Minister
           according
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           submitted
           to
           the
           present
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           which
           had
           promised
           protection
           to
           them
           who
           did
           so
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Heritors
           ,
           and
           People
           of
           his
           Parish
           were
           for
           his
           continuance
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           altogether
           averse
           to
           Mr.
           
             Arthur
             Mitchell
          
           .
           To
           prove
           this
           last
           ,
           he
           produced
           
           a
           Declaration
           and
           Petition
           subscribed
           by
           the
           Gentlemen
           and
           others
           of
           the
           Parish
           .
           Mr.
           Mitchell
           alledged
           that
           one
           or
           two
           of
           the
           Subscriptions
           were
           not
           genuine
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           the
           whole
           ought
           to
           be
           neglected
           as
           a
           Forgery
           .
           Mr.
           Lesk
           replyed
           ,
           That
           he
           laid
           not
           the
           stress
           of
           this
           Cause
           on
           that
           Paper
           ,
           that
           he
           only
           produc'd
           it
           as
           an
           Adminicle
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           not
           gone
           about
           seeking
           Subscriptions
           ,
           for
           he
           looked
           upon
           that
           as
           below
           the
           Character
           of
           a
           Minister
           ;
           but
           that
           it
           was
           given
           him
           by
           honest
           Men
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           had
           reason
           to
           believe
           the
           Subscriptions
           genuine
           .
           And
           if
           they
           laid
           any
           stress
           on
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           if
           a
           competent
           time
           were
           allowed
           him
           ,
           he
           would
           easily
           prove
           that
           they
           were
           for
           him
           ;
           but
           at
           present
           it
           was
           to
           be
           considered
           whether
           he
           was
           legal
           and
           rightful
           Minister
           of
           that
           place
           .
           After
           two
           days
           debate
           it
           came
           to
           a
           Vote
           ;
           and
           the
           Vote
           was
           not
           whether
           Mr.
           Lesk
           or
           Mr.
           Mitchell
           should
           be
           continued
           Minister
           at
           Turreff
           ;
           but
           whether
           Mr.
           Mitchell
           was
           not
           rightful
           Minister
           Anno
           1661.
           and
           only
           turned
           out
           by
           the
           unjust
           courses
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           and
           whether
           he
           was
           not
           now
           to
           be
           looked
           upon
           as
           rightful
           Minister
           there
           ;
           which
           Vote
           was
           carried
           in
           the
           affirmative
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Lesk
           being
           called
           in
           ,
           was
           told
           that
           the
           Assembly
           had
           deprived
           him
           ,
           and
           ordained
           Mr.
           
             Arthur
             Mitchell
          
           to
           be
           Minister
           at
           Turreff
           .
           He
           asked
           the
           reasons
           of
           their
           Sentence
           ,
           which
           were
           refused
           ;
           but
           what
           ever
           might
           have
           been
           pretended
           ,
           the
           true
           reason
           was
           ,
           That
           they
           were
           glad
           of
           any
           pretence
           for
           casting
           out
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           were
           always
           in
           their
           Sermons
           and
           Discourses
           called
           the
           Priests
           of
           Baal
           .
           By
           virtue
           of
           that
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           I
           just
           now
           mentioned
           ,
           all
           the
           Churches
           were
           taken
           from
           the
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ,
           to
           which
           any
           Presbyterian
           had
           the
           least
           pretence
           ,
           tho
           the
           former
           had
           complyed
           with
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           were
           setled
           in
           other
           places
           which
           they
           were
           not
           resolved
           to
           leave
           .
           So
           for
           instance
           ,
           Mr.
           
             James
             Kirkton
          
           who
           hath
           a
           Meeting-house
           in
           Edinburgh
           ,
           and
           is
           called
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           Ministers
           of
           that
           City
           went
           out
           to
           the
           Parish
           of
           Martine
           ,
           where
           he
           had
           been
           formerly
           Minister
           ,
           and
           forced
           away
           Mr.
           
             Andrew
             Meldrum
          
           present
           
           Minister
           without
           allowing
           him
           time
           to
           dispose
           of
           his
           Goods
           ;
           and
           after
           he
           had
           performed
           this
           noble
           and
           heroick
           Exploit
           ,
           and
           preached
           a
           Sunday
           or
           two
           to
           get
           a
           right
           to
           the
           Stipend
           ,
           he
           returned
           to
           his
           Charge
           at
           Edinburgh
           ,
           and
           turned
           his
           back
           upon
           that
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           had
           been
           no
           more
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Curate
           was
           driven
           away
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           Appeal
           which
           I
           suppose
           was
           considered
           ,
           was
           that
           of
           Mr.
           Sleery
           from
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Linlithgow
           ,
           he
           was
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           West
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           rabbled
           out
           of
           his
           own
           Church
           ,
           and
           thereafter
           was
           desired
           by
           the
           Minister
           of
           Falkirk
           to
           serve
           his
           Cure
           during
           his
           Sickness
           ,
           which
           he
           did
           ;
           and
           when
           that
           Minister
           died
           ,
           the
           Heritors
           and
           People
           of
           the
           Parish
           upon
           the
           experience
           they
           had
           of
           him
           ,
           desired
           that
           he
           might
           continue
           to
           preach
           to
           them
           ,
           promising
           that
           when
           the
           Government
           was
           setled
           ,
           they
           would
           take
           care
           to
           get
           him
           a
           legal
           Title
           to
           the
           Parish
           :
           but
           it
           being
           firmly
           resolved
           on
           by
           all
           possible
           means
           to
           put
           out
           and
           disable
           all
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ;
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Linlithgow
           caused
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Sleery
           to
           be
           cited
           before
           them
           ,
           who
           compeiring
           ,
           was
           interrogated
           by
           what
           Authority
           he
           preached
           at
           Falkirk
           ,
           and
           how
           he
           came
           to
           use
           the
           Doxology
           .
           The
           last
           ,
           he
           said
           ,
           was
           the
           custom
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           did
           the
           first
           at
           the
           desire
           of
           the
           People
           .
           The
           Presbytery
           not
           being
           satisfied
           with
           his
           Answers
           to
           these
           ,
           and
           some
           other
           Questions
           ,
           discharged
           him
           from
           preaching
           there
           any
           longer
           ,
           and
           declared
           the
           Church
           vacant
           ,
           to
           which
           Sentence
           he
           refused
           to
           submit
           ,
           and
           appealed
           ;
           therefore
           it
           was
           necessary
           to
           interpose
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           dispossessing
           him
           of
           that
           Church
           which
           was
           the
           reason
           why
           he
           was
           called
           upon
           .
           When
           he
           compeired
           ,
           the
           Moderator
           askt
           him
           if
           he
           acknowledged
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           would
           submit
           to
           that
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           both
           which
           he
           answered
           affirmatively
           ;
           but
           when
           it
           was
           askt
           him
           if
           he
           repented
           of
           his
           compliance
           with
           Episcopacy
           ,
           he
           said
           ,
           If
           it
           was
           a
           Sin
           he
           would
           repent
           of
           it
           .
           His
           Answer
           did
           neither
           please
           nor
           satisfie
           them
           ;
           for
           the
           
           Moderator
           told
           him
           it
           seemed
           he
           yet
           doubted
           whether
           it
           was
           a
           Sin
           or
           not
           .
           So
           finding
           by
           this
           and
           some
           other
           things
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           not
           yet
           a
           through
           Convert
           ,
           they
           deprived
           him
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           discharged
           him
           the
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           .
        
         
           A
           third
           Person
           brought
           before
           the
           Assembly
           was
           one
           Mr.
           Forseith
           Minister
           at
           St.
           Ninians
           ,
           he
           was
           accused
           for
           marrying
           a
           Man
           to
           his
           first
           Wives
           Neice
           ,
           which
           he
           confessed
           before
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           and
           also
           that
           he
           had
           been
           informed
           of
           the
           Relation
           ,
           and
           diswaded
           from
           doing
           it
           by
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           amongst
           whom
           he
           lived
           .
           All
           his
           excuse
           was
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           not
           much
           himself
           when
           he
           did
           it
           ,
           being
           in
           great
           confusion
           and
           consternation
           because
           of
           the
           Rabble
           that
           was
           then
           up
           ,
           and
           who
           continually
           threatned
           him
           as
           they
           had
           fallen
           upon
           his
           Neighbour
           Ministers
           .
           And
           he
           further
           alledged
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           the
           only
           miscarriage
           he
           could
           be
           charged
           with
           in
           thirty
           five
           Years
           Exercise
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           desired
           the
           Assembly
           to
           pardon
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           restore
           him
           .
           This
           they
           refused
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           the
           Sentence
           of
           his
           Deposition
           ,
           which
           was
           very
           just
           ,
           and
           the
           only
           justifiable
           Act
           of
           the
           Assembly
           from
           its
           sitting
           down
           to
           its
           rising
           .
        
         
           A
           fourth
           Affair
           which
           the
           Assembly
           had
           before
           them
           ,
           was
           that
           of
           Mr.
           
             John
             Mekenzie
          
           at
           Kirkliston
           .
           I
           suppose
           you
           have
           seen
           an
           account
           of
           his
           Process
           before
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Linlithgow
           ,
           for
           he
           carried
           it
           up
           with
           him
           to
           London
           to
           shew
           it
           to
           his
           Friends
           there
           .
           But
           in
           case
           you
           have
           not
           met
           with
           him
           ,
           nor
           received
           an
           account
           of
           the
           whole
           Matter
           ,
           take
           it
           in
           short
           thus
           .
           When
           rabbling
           was
           practised
           and
           in
           fashion
           here
           ,
           he
           amongst
           many
           others
           of
           his
           Brethren
           had
           the
           Church
           Doors
           shut
           against
           him
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           means
           was
           hindred
           from
           the
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           in
           that
           Parish
           ;
           but
           having
           complyed
           with
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           he
           made
           an
           interest
           by
           his
           Friends
           to
           
           maintain
           his
           legal
           Right
           and
           Title
           to
           the
           said
           Church
           ,
           which
           vexed
           and
           gall'd
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           who
           by
           this
           means
           were
           kept
           from
           setling
           a
           Minister
           of
           their
           own
           Perswasion
           there
           .
           All
           endeavours
           were
           used
           to
           remove
           him
           :
           First
           ,
           They
           set
           him
           upon
           him
           to
           dimit
           voluntarily
           ,
           which
           he
           refusing
           ,
           they
           next
           threatned
           to
           force
           him
           to
           it
           upon
           Articles
           of
           Scandal
           .
           But
           his
           Innocence
           ,
           and
           unblameable
           Conversation
           being
           sufficient
           proof
           against
           that
           ;
           they
           at
           last
           pursued
           him
           before
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Linlithgow
           ,
           upon
           the
           pretence
           of
           deserting
           his
           People
           .
           He
           appeared
           before
           them
           ,
           and
           defended
           himself
           ,
           declaring
           he
           was
           always
           ready
           and
           willing
           to
           exercise
           his
           Ministry
           if
           the
           Rabble
           would
           have
           suffered
           him
           ,
           and
           allowed
           him
           access
           to
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           fault
           did
           not
           lie
           at
           his
           door
           .
           Upon
           this
           he
           was
           blamed
           for
           speaking
           contemptibly
           of
           the
           Rabble
           who
           were
           said
           to
           be
           the
           necessary
           Preliminaries
           
             to
             the
             Government
             both
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
          
           and
           from
           that
           they
           would
           have
           been
           infering
           his
           secret
           disaffection
           to
           both
           .
           The
           Presbytery
           were
           forced
           to
           vindicate
           him
           from
           all
           imputation
           of
           Scandal
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           mark
           of
           their
           singular
           and
           extraordinary
           favour
           ,
           they
           said
           they
           would
           give
           him
           recommendatory
           Letters
           to
           put
           him
           in
           capacity
           of
           being
           elected
           Minister
           of
           another
           Parish
           ;
           but
           still
           they
           urg'd
           his
           quitting
           of
           that
           of
           Kirkliston
           :
           and
           when
           he
           perceived
           that
           they
           had
           firmly
           resolved
           to
           declare
           his
           Church
           vacant
           to
           gratifie
           the
           Rabble
           ,
           and
           some
           few
           other
           unreasonable
           Persons
           who
           were
           dissatisfied
           with
           him
           ,
           he
           appealled
           from
           them
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           the
           next
           lawfully
           called
           general
           Assembly
           .
           This
           being
           the
           Tenor
           of
           his
           Appeal
           ,
           many
           of
           the
           Assembly
           spake
           against
           the
           receiving
           or
           sustaining
           it
           ,
           alledging
           that
           it
           was
           not
           to
           them
           he
           appealed
           ,
           for
           his
           expression
           did
           imply
           that
           this
           Assembly
           was
           not
           lawfully
           called
           ,
           seeing
           it
           was
           called
           before
           he
           appealed
           ,
           and
           yet
           he
           made
           no
           particular
           reference
           to
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           said
           they
           ,
           it
           's
           clear
           he
           means
           an
           Episcopal
           Assembly
           by
           his
           appealing
           to
           the
           King
           
           joyntly
           with
           the
           Assembly
           ;
           for
           these
           Episcopalians
           do
           make
           the
           King
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           whereas
           we
           cannot
           own
           any
           such
           thing
           .
           My
           Lord
           Arbruchel
           desired
           the
           Assembly
           to
           be
           favourable
           to
           him
           ,
           for
           he
           knew
           him
           to
           be
           well
           affected
           to
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           had
           served
           the
           King
           abroad
           for
           the
           space
           of
           seven
           Years
           .
           To
           which
           one
           replyed
           ,
           
             That
             he
             was
             as
             well
             paid
             for
             it
             :
             he
             served
             him
             for
             Wages
             ,
             and
             so
             would
             he
             have
             done
             the
          
           Turk
           too
           .
           They
           were
           much
           irritated
           by
           his
           going
           to
           London
           to
           represent
           their
           Proceedings
           ,
           and
           to
           clamour
           against
           them
           ;
           Every
           Man
           took
           occasion
           to
           vent
           his
           passion
           and
           pique
           at
           him
           ;
           some
           said
           he
           was
           Scandalous
           ,
           and
           called
           him
           a
           Drunkard
           and
           Swearer
           ;
           some
           called
           him
           one
           thing
           ,
           and
           some
           another
           ,
           and
           one
           said
           he
           should
           be
           deposed
           because
           he
           was
           a
           proud
           ,
           stubborn
           and
           insolent
           Fellow
           .
           The
           Commissioner
           apprehending
           there
           would
           be
           little
           Justice
           where
           there
           was
           so
           much
           pique
           and
           prejudice
           ,
           desired
           the
           Moderator
           to
           delay
           the
           Affair
           ,
           and
           to
           allow
           the
           young
           Man
           time
           to
           appear
           and
           answer
           for
           himself
           :
           but
           the
           Moderator
           replied
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           best
           to
           proceed
           now
           ,
           and
           more
           for
           the
           young
           Man's
           Reputation
           ,
           for
           if
           he
           were
           present
           they
           would
           be
           obliged
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           some
           Crimes
           ,
           and
           Scandals
           which
           now
           they
           would
           pass
           over
           without
           inquiring
           into
           them
           ,
           forgetting
           that
           the
           Presbytery
           had
           acquitted
           him
           of
           all
           such
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           himself
           had
           given
           him
           a
           good
           ▪
           Testimony
           when
           the
           Affair
           was
           first
           brought
           before
           the
           Assembly
           .
           The
           Commissioner
           still
           urging
           that
           they
           would
           deal
           tenderly
           and
           gently
           with
           him
           ;
           Indeed
           (
           replied
           the
           Moderator
           )
           
             Your
             Grace
             shall
             find
             that
             we
             will
             use
             great
             tenderness
             towards
             the
             Young
             Man
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             be
             very
             discreet
             ,
             for
             we
             shall
             only
          
           take
           
             his
             Kirk
             from
             him
          
           ,
           which
           they
           did
           immediately
           .
           So
           that
           you
           have
           a
           Sample
           of
           the
           Presbyterian
           Tenderness
           ,
           which
           I
           think
           is
           very
           near
           a
           Kin
           to
           the
           tender
           Mercies
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           which
           Solomon
           declareth
           to
           be
           cruel
           ;
           for
           when
           they
           deprive
           one
           of
           his
           Livelihood
           and
           Good-name
           ,
           they
           
           call
           it
           Tenderness
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           I
           pray
           God
           save
           us
           from
           their
           Cruelty
           .
        
         
           Except
           these
           four
           ,
           I
           heard
           of
           no
           other
           Processes
           wherein
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           were
           concerned
           ,
           that
           were
           revised
           and
           discussed
           before
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           there
           were
           indeed
           one
           or
           two
           more
           mentioned
           ,
           by
           the
           Interest
           made
           by
           the
           Persons
           concerned
           :
           ‖
           As
           the
           Business
           of
           Mr.
           Heriot
           in
           Dalkeith
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Wood
           in
           Dumbar
           ,
           but
           they
           with
           the
           rest
           were
           referred
           back
           to
           particular
           Synods
           and
           Presbyteries
           .
        
         
           All
           this
           while
           the
           Presbyterians
           had
           been
           intent
           upon
           the
           emptying
           of
           Churches
           ,
           now
           at
           last
           they
           began
           to
           consider
           how
           Churches
           should
           be
           filled
           ,
           and
           Vacancies
           supplied
           .
           They
           wanted
           Labourers
           for
           their
           Harvest
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           first
           passed
           an
           Act
           ,
           For
           calling
           home
           such
           of
           their
           Party
           as
           were
           serving
           in
           other
           places
           abroad
           ;
           and
           appointed
           the
           drawing
           up
           ,
           and
           directing
           of
           Letters
           for
           acquainting
           those
           in
           Holland
           particularly
           with
           the
           Mind
           of
           the
           Assembly
           and
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           It
           happened
           that
           of
           these
           who
           were
           spoken
           of
           ,
           one
           was
           dead
           ,
           and
           another
           detained
           Prisoner
           in
           Dunkirk
           .
           Wherefore
           one
           said
           at
           the
           reading
           of
           the
           Letter
           ,
           That
           the
           Assembly
           needed
           the
           Power
           of
           Miracles
           ,
           for
           bringing
           back
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           ought
           to
           address
           to
           the
           French
           King
           to
           obtain
           the
           other
           .
           In
           the
           next
           place
           for
           the
           encreasing
           the
           number
           of
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           they
           appointed
           some
           to
           search
           out
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           in
           Lists
           of
           such
           as
           were
           thought
           fit
           to
           be
           called
           to
           the
           Ministry
           .
           And
           indeed
           they
           may
           come
           to
           have
           enough
           of
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           Measures
           and
           Methods
           which
           they
           lay
           down
           and
           follow
           ;
           but
           they
           are
           not
           like
           to
           have
           many
           learned
           and
           knowing
           men
           ;
           for
           they
           set
           light
           of
           Learning
           and
           Knowledg
           ,
           and
           do
           often
           run
           it
           down
           :
           
             Zeal
             for
             the
             Good
             Cause
          
           is
           the
           chief
           Qualification
           ,
           and
           serves
           instead
           of
           Learning
           and
           other
           Accomplishments
           .
           
           The
           Episcopal
           Candidates
           are
           thought
           as
           dangerous
           as
           those
           who
           are
           actually
           in
           Office
           :
           Therefore
           instead
           of
           these
           who
           have
           been
           several
           years
           fitting
           themselves
           for
           the
           holy
           Ministry
           by
           proper
           and
           useful
           Studies
           ,
           they
           are
           putting
           others
           upon
           the
           Design
           who
           never
           studied
           at
           all
           ,
           neither
           have
           any
           competent
           measure
           of
           Learning
           for
           it
           .
           Brewers
           and
           illiterate
           Tradesmen
           are
           setting
           up
           to
           be
           Ministers
           .
           Not
           to
           trouble
           you
           with
           other
           Instances
           ;
           one
           Russel
           a
           Coalgrieve
           in
           Fife
           is
           made
           Minister
           at
           Kennaway
           :
           What
           Talent
           of
           Learning
           he
           has
           you
           may
           easily
           guess
           ,
           when
           you
           may
           understand
           that
           he
           is
           altogether
           ignorant
           of
           the
           Latine
           :
           When
           he
           was
           passing
           his
           Tryals
           before
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           they
           according
           to
           their
           Custom
           prescribed
           him
           a
           Latine
           Exercise
           in
           some
           Head
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           which
           he
           earnestly
           declined
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           would
           needs
           keep
           up
           the
           Formality
           ,
           he
           complained
           for
           obliging
           him
           to
           pray
           and
           preach
           in
           an
           unknown
           Tongue
           :
           Having
           miserably
           bungled
           through
           the
           Discourse
           ,
           when
           it
           came
           to
           the
           Disputes
           ,
           Mr.
           Mitchel
           at
           Leslie
           proposed
           an
           Argument
           by
           way
           of
           Enthymema
           ,
           and
           he
           denyed
           the
           Major
           ,
           having
           been
           at
           pains
           to
           conn
           the
           Terms
           Major
           and
           Minor
           before
           he
           came
           there
           ,
           and
           his
           Instructer
           having
           forgot
           to
           tell
           him
           the
           different
           ways
           of
           Argumentation
           :
           Then
           Mr.
           Mitchel
           putting
           his
           Terms
           in
           the
           ordinary
           form
           of
           an
           Hypothetick
           Syllogism
           ,
           fancying
           he
           might
           understand
           that
           :
           When
           the
           Syllogism
           was
           repeated
           he
           said
           to
           the
           Proponent
           
             explica
             terminos
             Minoris
          
           ,
           which
           was
           
             Sed
             verum
             prius
          
           .
           Having
           gotten
           this
           Specimen
           of
           his
           Learning
           ,
           the
           Presbytery
           acknowledged
           that
           he
           indeed
           wanted
           Gifts
           ,
           but
           he
           had
           Grace
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           sufficient
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           approved
           of
           him
           and
           received
           him
           into
           the
           Ministry
           .
           Mr.
           Russel
           hearing
           that
           he
           was
           so
           much
           upbraided
           with
           Ignorance
           ,
           to
           wipe
           off
           that
           Stain
           ,
           he
           offered
           to
           make
           some
           Ostentation
           of
           Learning
           in
           a
           Sermon
           ,
           by
           the
           Repetition
           of
           a
           Latine
           Verse
           .
           The
           Verse
           he
           chose
           was
           this
           common
           one
           ;
           
             Regis
             ad
             
             Exemplum
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           But
           alass
           ,
           the
           Way
           he
           took
           to
           save
           his
           Reputation
           ruined
           it
           for
           ever
           ,
           for
           he
           blundered
           it
           thus
           ,
           
             
               Regos
               ad
               Exemplas
               totis
               componitur
               orbos
               .
            
          
        
         
           And
           as
           their
           Clergy
           are
           at
           present
           without
           Learning
           ,
           so
           it
           cannot
           be
           expected
           that
           their
           Successors
           (
           if
           they
           shall
           have
           any
           )
           will
           be
           any
           whit
           better
           ,
           ;
           for
           they
           have
           laid
           ,
           our
           Colleges
           wast
           ,
           driven
           away
           our
           learned
           men
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           qualified
           Persons
           of
           their
           own
           party
           to
           put
           in
           their
           places
           .
           The
           University
           of
           S.
           Andrew
           is
           altogether
           laid
           wast
           ,
           there
           is
           neither
           Principal
           nor
           Regent
           there
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           have
           succeeded
           to
           the
           Vacancies
           in
           the
           Colleges
           of
           Glascow
           and
           Edinburgh
           are
           known
           to
           be
           Persons
           neither
           skilled
           in
           Books
           ,
           nor
           any
           part
           of
           good
           and
           useful
           Learning
           :
           So
           that
           they
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           directing
           the
           Studies
           of
           the
           Youth
           which
           resort
           thither
           ;
           nor
           is
           it
           to
           be
           supposed
           the
           Youth
           will
           much
           regard
           their
           Advices
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           evident
           that
           the
           chief
           of
           them
           have
           need
           to
           be
           put
           back
           to
           learn
           their
           Grammar
           .
           The
           Narrowness
           of
           the
           Presbyterian
           Spirit
           is
           an
           Enemy
           to
           Knowledg
           ,
           and
           will
           obstruct
           all
           Learning
           ;
           for
           they
           not
           only
           count
           it
           Impiety
           to
           call
           their
           commonly
           received
           Principles
           into
           Question
           ,
           but
           also
           they
           reckon
           a
           free
           and
           rational
           Inquiry
           into
           the
           Grounds
           and
           Reasons
           of
           them
           to
           be
           very
           dangerous
           :
           They
           are
           no
           less
           friends
           to
           implicite
           Faith
           ,
           than
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           regard
           the
           Advice
           of
           S.
           Peter
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           
             That
             we
             should
             be
             ready
             always
             to
             give
             an
             Answer
             to
             every
             man
             that
             asketh
             a
             Reason
             of
             the
             Hope
             that
             is
             in
             us
             .
          
           You
           may
           easily
           guess
           how
           squeamish
           they
           are
           about
           Points
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           when
           they
           make
           the
           Cartesian
           ,
           and
           other
           Systems
           of
           new
           Philosophy
           to
           be
           gross
           and
           damnable
           Heresies
           .
           
           So
           that
           if
           Presbyterianism
           prevail
           ,
           all
           freedom
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           all
           improvements
           of
           reason
           and
           knowledge
           will
           be
           banish'd
           ,
           and
           the
           world
           must
           be
           condemned
           again
           to
           hear
           both
           in
           Schools
           and
           Pulpits
           impertinent
           chat
           ,
           a
           Clutter
           Clutter
           of
           words
           and
           canting
           phrases
           which
           cannot
           be
           understood
           .
           They
           are
           great
           enemies
           to
           Mr.
           Gregory
           the
           Learned
           Professor
           of
           Mathematicks
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           they
           seek
           by
           all
           means
           to
           turn
           him
           out
           ,
           and
           say
           that
           these
           Sciences
           are
           not
           only
           useless
           but
           dangerous
           :
           and
           indeed
           they
           have
           reason
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           no
           friends
           to
           ignorance
           and
           nonsence
           their
           peculiar
           properties
           .
           But
           the
           want
           of
           kindness
           to
           Mr
           Gregory
           ,
           and
           the
           Mathematicks
           is
           somewhat
           more
           excusable
           in
           them
           ;
           but
           that
           they
           should
           slight
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Hebrew
           ,
           and
           other
           orientall
           tongues
           is
           a
           little
           strange
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           justified
           seeing
           the
           right
           understanding
           of
           the
           Scripture
           does
           so
           much
           depend
           thereupon
           .
           They
           have
           thrust
           out
           Mr.
           
             Alexander
             Douglass
          
           the
           professor
           of
           these
           languages
           here
           ,
           who
           as
           he
           was
           a
           person
           of
           a
           most
           peaceable
           disposition
           ,
           so
           he
           was
           an
           ornament
           to
           the
           Society
           he
           lived
           in
           by
           his
           skill
           and
           knowledge
           in
           these
           matters
           :
           he
           cannot
           have
           a
           true
           Successor
           here
           ,
           for
           he
           hath
           scarce
           his
           equall
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           nor
           Perhaps
           are
           there
           many
           in
           other
           places
           who
           do
           exceed
           him
           in
           the
           thing
           he
           professeth
           .
           But
           perhaps
           the
           Jewish
           Synagogue
           would
           have
           been
           found
           so
           favourable
           for
           Episcopacie
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           fit
           and
           wisely
           done
           to
           keep
           both
           Clergy
           &
           Laity
           in
           ignorance
           of
           it
           .
           Their
           kindness
           for
           the
           dead
           is
           as
           smal
           as
           for
           the
           living
           ,
           &
           they
           encourage
           learned
           books
           as
           little
           as
           learned
           men
           .
           The
           trade
           of
           books
           is
           fallen
           so
           low
           since
           the
           Presbyterian
           reign
           was
           set
           up
           ,
           that
           our
           Stationers
           are
           thinking
           either
           to
           quit
           their
           employments
           ,
           or
           to
           go
           and
           live
           elsewhere
           ,
           for
           they
           have
           not
           made
           the
           rent
           of
           their
           shops
           these
           two
           years
           .
           The
           Episcopall
           are
           not
           in
           circumstances
           for
           buying
           and
           the
           other
           crave
           no
           other
           books
           then
           Durham
           on
           the
           Canticles
           and
           
             Revelation
             ,
             Dickson
          
           and
           
             Hutcheson
             ,
             Dyar
          
           and
           Gray
           ,
           These
           are
           their
           Classicall
           Authors
           and
           the
           standard
           of
           their
           learning
           :
           and
           't
           is
           from
           those
           that
           they
           take
           the
           heads
           of
           their
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           the
           instructions
           which
           they
           tender
           the
           people
           .
           But
           tho'
           learning
           be
           not
           the
           talent
           
           of
           a
           Presbyterian
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           arrogated
           to
           themselves
           the
           gift
           of
           preaching
           ;
           they
           have
           the
           name
           of
           Powerfull
           Soul-searching-Preachers
           :
           whereas
           the
           Episcopall
           Ministers
           are
           only
           named
           dry
           moral
           Lecturers
           ,
           and
           under
           this
           name
           slouted
           and
           abused
           both
           in
           Sermons
           and
           pray●rs
           .
        
         
           So
           vain
           were
           they
           of
           this
           gift
           of
           preaching
           that
           for
           some
           time
           we
           had
           a
           new
           Sermon
           published
           by
           them
           every
           week
           ;
           they
           thinking
           thereby
           to
           gain
           and
           proselite
           the
           whole
           nation
           ,
           But
           the
           Stratageme
           failed
           them
           ,
           nay
           it
           prov'd
           to
           their
           prejudice
           ;
           for
           thereby
           peoples
           curiosity
           was
           diverted
           from
           hearing
           them
           in
           the
           Churches
           ,
           where
           they
           could
           not
           expect
           other
           than
           noise
           and
           nonsense
           ,
           seeing
           there
           was
           so
           much
           babble
           &
           in
           their
           printed
           ,
           &
           consequently
           more
           deliberate
           discourses
           .
           An
           acquaintance
           of
           yours
           hath
           made
           a
           rare
           Collection
           of
           notes
           of
           their
           Sermons
           both
           printed
           and
           unprinted
           .
           To
           which
           I
           refer
           you
           for
           instances
           to
           prove
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           I
           have
           been
           saying
           :
           The
           last
           Sermon
           that
           was
           published
           came
           forth
           the
           first
           week
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           The
           Author
           is
           one
           Mr.
           
             James
             Clark
          
           who
           preached
           in
           the
           meeting
           house
           at
           Dumbar
           .
           It
           was
           a
           Sermon
           
             ad
             Clerum
          
           ;
           preached
           ,
           as
           was
           said
           ,
           at
           the
           deposing
           of
           the
           Parson
           of
           Old-Hamstocks
           ,
           which
           being
           an
           extraordinary
           occasion
           ,
           something
           better
           then
           ordinary
           ,
           was
           expected
           :
           but
           there
           never
           appeared
           a
           more
           silly
           and
           empty
           discourse
           ,
           nor
           is
           it
           possible
           that
           you
           can
           conceive
           so
           meanly
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           deserves
           .
           It
           was
           even
           far
           below
           Mr.
           
             Andrew
             Gray's
          
           Sermons
           .
           The
           very
           Presbyterians
           whose
           gust
           craves
           no
           fine
           things
           ,
           were
           ashamed
           of
           it
           .
           My
           Lord
           Czawford
           to
           excuse
           it
           laid
           the
           blame
           on
           the
           Printer
           and
           complained
           of
           him
           at
           the
           Councill
           Table
           ,
           for
           offering
           to
           publish
           it
           without
           a
           License
           ,
           alledging
           also
           that
           it
           was
           without
           the
           Authors
           consent
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Copy
           was
           an
           imperfect
           uncorrect
           one
           ,
           which
           some
           ignorant
           or
           malicious
           person
           had
           taken
           from
           the
           Authors
           Mouth
           :
           But
           when
           the
           Printer
           was
           examined
           ,
           he
           produced
           an
           Authentick
           copy
           from
           the
           Author
           himself
           ,
           and
           declared
           that
           he
           revised
           the
           sheets
           as
           they
           came
           from
           the
           Press
           ,
           so
           the
           Printer
           was
           free
           of
           the
           faults
           that
           were
           in
           it
           ▪
           and
           they
           could
           be
           only
           charged
           on
           Mr.
           Clark
           ,
           who
           it
           's
           believed
           shew'd
           all
           the
           learning
           and
           eloquence
           he
           was
           Master
           of
           .
        
         
         
           But
           it
           is
           fit
           now
           we
           return
           to
           the
           Ass
           .
           and
           give
           you
           an
           account
           of
           what
           acts
           they
           pass'd
           for
           regulating
           the
           discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           for
           the
           future
           .
           The
           first
           of
           this
           kinde
           and
           the
           first
           also
           of
           any
           other
           that
           passed
           in
           the
           Ass
           .
           was
           an
           Act
           against
           marriages
           without
           publick
           proclamations
           ;
           as
           also
           against
           the
           private
           administration
           of
           the
           two
           Sacraments
           ,
           Baptisme
           and
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           .
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           press'd
           that
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           Baptisme
           might
           not
           at
           all
           be
           administred
           but
           in
           publick
           
             and
             after
             Sermon
             ,
             and
             called
             the
             private
             administration
          
           not
           only
           Superstitious
           but
           also
           
             Sorcerie
             and
             Charming
             ,
             and
             said
             further
          
           that
           the
           same
           was
           contrary
           to
           Scripture
           
             and
             Antiquity
             .
             Mr
          
           Kirkton
           
             took
             him
             up
             briskly
             and
             said
             that
             was
             disputable
             ,
             that
             he
             could
             buckle
             him
             ,
             or
             any
             man
             upon
             that
             point
             ,
             but
             would
             not
             debate
             it
             now
             .
          
           He
           added
           that
           
             by
             their
             rigorous
             imposition
             of
             indifferent
             things
             he
             had
             lost
             five
             men
             of
             considerable
             note
             the
             last
             week
             ,
             And
             concluded
             tho
             ▪
             there
             were
             a
             thousand
             acts
             against
             it
             ,
             he
             would
             rather
             Baptize
             in
             private
             then
             suffer
             the
             Children
             to
             go
             to
             the
             Curates
             .
          
           Some
           Highland
           Ministers
           crayed
           that
           they
           might
           not
           be
           lyable
           to
           that
           act
           because
           it
           was
           impossible
           to
           bring
           all
           the
           Children
           of
           their
           parishes
           to
           the
           Kirks
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           vast
           distance
           some
           of
           their
           people
           lived
           at
           from
           them
           ;
           but
           whether
           they
           intend
           to
           give
           a
           dispensation
           was
           not
           expressed
           .
           The
           Moderator
           to
           excuse
           their
           own
           practises
           heretofore
           said
           ,
           
             there
             was
             a
             distinction
             both
             of
             times
             and
             places
             ,
             for
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             in
             times
             of
             Persecution
             I
             think
             an
             honest
             Minister
             riding
             on
             the
             way
             ,
             may
             go
             into
             a
             mans
             house
             ,
             Baptize
             a
             Bairn
             and
             come
             out
             and
             take
             his
             horse
             again
             .
          
           Tho'
           while
           they
           were
           under
           restraint
           ,
           they
           made
           no
           Scruple
           of
           baptizing
           privately
           the
           children
           of
           those
           of
           their
           own
           perswasion
           ,
           yet
           now
           they
           refuse
           to
           baptize
           any
           except
           in
           publick
           ;
           nor
           will
           they
           do
           it
           but
           when
           there
           is
           a
           Sermon
           :
           and
           they
           are
           so
           strict
           upon
           the
           point
           that
           they
           suffer
           the
           children
           to
           dye
           rather
           then
           slacken
           their
           rigour
           .
           In
           the
           Country
           the
           benefit
           of
           Baptisme
           can
           be
           only
           had
           on
           Sundays
           because
           then
           only
           there
           is
           preaching
           ;
           and
           if
           Children
           cannot
           live
           so
           long
           they
           must
           take
           their
           hazard
           of
           departing
           without
           that
           sign
           and
           Seal
           of
           their
           Salvation
           .
           I
           know
           a
           Parish
           where
           two
           or
           three
           persons
           importuned
           the
           Minister
           to
           baptize
           their
           
           Children
           publickly
           or
           privately
           as
           he
           pleased
           :
           but
           he
           peremptorily
           refused
           to
           do
           it
           on
           a
           week-day
           ,
           tho'
           they
           who
           intended
           to
           have
           been
           present
           at
           the
           baptisme
           would
           have
           made
           a
           competent
           number
           for
           an
           ordinary
           Country
           Sermon
           ,
           and
           before
           Sunday
           two
           of
           the
           Children
           dyed
           :
           we
           had
           lately
           in
           this
           City
           a
           more
           notable
           instance
           of
           the
           stiffness
           of
           their
           humour
           in
           this
           particular
           .
           A
           Certain
           Citizen
           designed
           to
           have
           his
           child
           baptized
           on
           a
           week
           day
           at
           the
           ordinary
           time
           of
           Sermon
           :
           he
           with
           the
           Gossips
           came
           in
           time
           enough
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           because
           the
           child
           was
           brought
           in
           about
           the
           close
           of
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           neither
           Mr.
           Kennedy
           who
           preached
           ,
           nor
           Mr.
           Erskine
           the
           Minister
           of
           the
           parish
           could
           be
           prevailed
           with
           to
           administer
           the
           Sacrament
           to
           the
           Infant
           ,
           but
           they
           caused
           it
           to
           be
           carried
           home
           again
           without
           baptism
           .
           The
           people
           generally
           take
           this
           very
           ill
           ,
           and
           are
           very
           much
           displeased
           with
           the
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           on
           this
           account
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           Justify
           themselves
           ,
           they
           frequently
           preach
           against
           the
           necessity
           of
           Baptism
           ,
           and
           to
           talk
           of
           it
           as
           if
           it
           were
           an
           ordinance
           neither
           necessary
           nor
           much
           to
           be
           regarded
           ,
           and
           do
           account
           the
           esteem
           and
           value
           which
           is
           ordinarily
           put
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           earnest
           desires
           the
           people
           have
           after
           it
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           dregs
           and
           reliques
           of
           Popery
           among
           us
           .
           When
           a
           child
           was
           brought
           to
           Mr.
           Kirkton
           he
           took
           occasion
           to
           shew
           the
           Superstition
           of
           that
           Ceremony
           ,
           and
           said
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           you
           think
           it
           necessary
           to
           have
           your
           Children
           Baptized
           ,
           but
           I
           tell
           you
           (
           said
           he
           )
           I
           know
           a
           good
           Godly
           Minister
           who
           lived
           till
           he
           was
           fourscore
           that
           was
           never
           Baptized
           all
           his
           life
           time
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           they
           renewed
           an
           Act
           of
           a
           Generall
           Assembly
           appointing
           Pedagogues
           ,
           Chaplains
           ,
           Preachers
           ,
           and
           Students
           to
           take
           and
           subscribe
           the
           Confession
           of
           faith
           ;
           and
           further
           they
           Commissionated
           some
           to
           draw
           up
           a
           list
           of
           all
           these
           acts
           of
           Assemblies
           which
           were
           fit
           to
           to
           be
           observed
           and
           put
           in
           use
           ,
           wherein
           they
           acted
           very
           cunningly
           ,
           for
           tho'
           it
           be
           well
           known
           that
           they
           receive
           all
           the
           acts
           of
           Assemblies
           as
           if
           they
           were
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           pay
           no
           less
           regard
           to
           them
           ▪
           yet
           because
           some
           of
           these
           incroach
           upon
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           Therefore
           to
           prevent
           the
           Jealousies
           of
           the
           King
           
           they
           would
           not
           make
           a
           generall
           Act
           ratifying
           and
           approving
           them
           in
           Cumulo
           ,
           nor
           yet
           would
           they
           condemn
           or
           censure
           any
           of
           them
           .
           But
           they
           enforced
           such
           as
           were
           proper
           and
           suitable
           to
           the
           present
           state
           of
           affairs
           ,
           and
           waved
           the
           declaration
           of
           their
           sentiments
           concerning
           the
           rest
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           because
           the
           Ass
           ▪
           could
           not
           sit
           so
           long
           as
           was
           necessary
           to
           determine
           all
           particulars
           and
           to
           give
           rules
           and
           measures
           for
           the
           setling
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           this
           juncture
           ,
           nor
           was
           it
           sit
           it
           should
           do
           it
           ;
           Therefore
           they
           resolved
           to
           chuse
           a
           Committee
           who
           might
           sit
           after
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           who
           should
           have
           full
           and
           Supream
           Power
           to
           Act
           in
           all
           things
           that
           related
           to
           the
           Church
           .
           It
           's
           said
           ,
           that
           this
           overture
           was
           first
           made
           by
           the
           Moderate
           men
           ,
           who
           thought
           by
           this
           means
           to
           reduce
           affairs
           to
           a
           better
           temper
           then
           the
           Ass
           .
           was
           like
           to
           do
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           many
           rigid
           and
           indiscreet
           men
           who
           were
           in
           it
           .
           Therefore
           six
           were
           proposed
           to
           be
           a
           part
           of
           this
           Committee
           ,
           and
           to
           name
           the
           other
           Persons
           of
           whom
           the
           Committee
           should
           consist
           .
           Four
           of
           these
           six
           went
           under
           the
           Character
           of
           Moderate
           men
           ,
           the
           other
           two
           were
           of
           another
           temper
           ,
           and
           were
           joyned
           to
           them
           on
           purpose
           to
           prevent
           suspition
           :
           But
           the
           High
           flown
           Brethren
           soon
           smell'd
           out
           the
           design
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           first
           Voted
           two
           more
           of
           their
           own
           side
           ,
           and
           because
           that
           only
           put
           them
           in
           aequilibrio
           ,
           they
           again
           got
           four
           more
           to
           be
           added
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           were
           double
           the
           number
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           means
           the
           Committee
           consisted
           most
           part
           of
           the
           strictest
           and
           most
           rigid
           Presbyterians
           ,
           Their
           Names
           are
           as
           follow
           ,
        
         
           
             For
             the
             South
             .
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             John
             Veith
          
           
             Gab.
             Simple
          
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           
             M.
             James
             Kirkton
          
           
             John
             Spalding
          
           
             Michael
             Bruce
          
           
             Gab.
             Cuninghame
          
           
             William
             Erskine
          
           
             William
             Weir
          
           
             Alex.
             Pitcairn
          
           
             M.
             Richard
             Howison
          
           
             James
             Veitch
          
           
             Patrick
             Simpson
          
           
             Mathew
             Crawford
          
           
             George
             Campbell
          
           
             James
             Laurce
          
           
             Archibald
             Hamilton
          
           
             M.
             Patrick
             Peacock
          
           
             Rob.
             Duncauson
          
           
             John
             Balandine
          
           
             William
             Ker
          
           
             
             Patrick
             Venier
          
           
             M.
             John
             Hutchison
          
           
             William
             Eccles
          
           
             Neil
             Gitless
          
           
             M.
             Andrew
             Morton
          
           
             Thomas
             Forrester
          
           
             William
             Violin
          
           
             M.
             David
             Blair
          
           
             Samuel
             Nairn
          
        
         
           
             Elders
             .
          
           
             Earle
             of
             Crawford
          
           
             Earle
             Sutherland
          
           
             Visc
             .
             of
             Arburthnet
          
           
             La.
             Halleraig
          
           
             Laird
             of
             Ormestone
          
           
             Sir
             John
             Hall
          
           
             Sir
             James
             Riddel
          
           
             Balife
             Muir
             Lairds
          
           
             Balife
             Macklurg
          
           
             George
             Stirling
          
           
             Coltness
          
           
             Glanderston
          
           
             Lammington
          
           
             [
             Air
             John
             Muir
             provost
             of
             Hamilton
             of
             Grange
          
        
         
           
             For
             the
             North.
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             John
             Law
          
           
             Hugh
             Kennedy
          
           
             M.
             Will.
             Crighton
          
           
             John
             Anderson
          
           
             Alex.
             Forbes
          
           
             William
             Legget
          
           
             Robert
             Rule
          
           
             M.
             James
             Frazer
          
           
             Goe
             .
             Meldrum
          
           
             Edward
             Jenuson
          
           
             James
             Rymer
          
           
             Thomas
             Ramsay
          
           
             M.
             Robert
             Young
          
           
             William
             Mack
          
           
             Andrew
             Buey
          
        
         
           
             Elders
             .
          
           
             Ia.
             Ardbruchill
          
           
             Green
             know
          
           
             Naughton
          
           
             Meggins
          
           
             Lewchatt
          
        
         
           Afterwards
           it
           being
           represented
           that
           the
           Visitors
           for
           the
           North
           were
           too
           few
           ,
           there
           were
           added
           these
           following
           
             
               Ministers
               .
            
             
               James
               Stewart
            
             
               James
               Vrquhart
            
             
               M.
               Alex.
               Dumbar
            
             
               Alex.
               Frazer
            
             
               Thomas
               Hog
            
             
               Hugh
               Anderson
            
             
               William
               Machay
            
             
               M.
               Walter
               Denune
            
             
               Geo.
               Meldrum
               at
               Glasse
            
             
               Arthur
               Mitchel
            
             
               William
               Ramsay
            
             
               M.
               Francis
               Melvil
            
             
               John
               Maccullork
            
          
        
         
           
             Elders
             .
          
           
             Brodie
          
           
             Grant
          
           
             Grange
             Dumber
          
           
             Eight
          
           
             Colloden
          
           
             Dalfolly
          
           
             Parkhay
          
           
             Sir
             John
             Monro
          
           
             Sir
             George
             Monro
             Embo
          
           
             Sir
             David
             Frazer
          
           
             M.
             John
             Campbell
             of
             Moye
          
        
         
           This
           Committee
           was
           appointed
           to
           keep
           quarterly
           Sessions
           viz.
           on
           the
           third
           Wednesday
           of
           January
           ,
           and
           the
           third
           Wednesday
           of
           April
           ,
           and
           to
           appoint
           afterwards
           their
           meetings
           as
           often
           as
           they
           shall
           think
           fit
           .
           That
           a
           Quorum
           should
           be
           ten
           Ministers
           and
           five
           ruling-Elders
           ,
           and
           they
           were
           allowed
           to
           
           choose
           their
           own
           Moderator
           ,
           and
           Clerk.
           The
           Instructions
           prepared
           for
           them
           by
           the
           Committee
           for
           overtures
           ,
           were
           first
           read
           and
           debated
           on
           Thursday
           before
           the
           Ass
           .
           rose
           ,
           but
           they
           were
           not
           agreed
           to
           till
           the
           Tuesday
           thereafter
           .
           On
           Munday
           they
           were
           read
           with
           some
           alterations
           :
           but
           Mr.
           Kirkton
           and
           a
           great
           many
           more
           adhered
           to
           the
           exceptions
           which
           they
           made
           at
           the
           first
           Reading
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           that
           the
           Alterations
           were
           not
           considerable
           .
           He
           alledged
           also
           ,
           that
           what
           was
           then
           read
           was
           not
           a
           true
           Copy
           of
           that
           which
           the
           Committee
           had
           agreed
           to
           ,
           and
           offered
           to
           the
           Moderator
           a
           true
           double
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           the
           Moderator
           refused
           it
           ,
           saying
           ,
           he
           knew
           nothing
           of
           the
           matter
           :
           and
           because
           the
           Ass
           .
           was
           not
           like
           to
           come
           to
           an
           agreement
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           therefore
           the
           matter
           was
           referred
           back
           again
           to
           the
           Committee
           ,
           and
           all
           who
           had
           any
           thing
           to
           say
           about
           it
           were
           appointed
           to
           attend
           them
           .
           The
           next
           day
           it
           was
           brought
           back
           again
           to
           the
           Ass
           .
           and
           concluded
           ;
           Mr.
           Kirkton
           and
           some
           others
           who
           press'd
           alterations
           being
           absent
           .
           To
           satisfy
           your
           ,
           and
           my
           own
           curiosity
           I
           used
           means
           to
           procure
           a
           Copy
           of
           the
           instructions
           ,
           and
           got
           them
           with
           some
           difficulty
           which
           I
           here
           set
           down
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Instructions
                   for
                   the
                   Committee
                   or
                   Commission
                   of
                   the
                   Kirk
                   .
                
                 
                   First
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   take
                   into
                   their
                   Cognizance
                   all
                   references
                   and
                   appeals
                   not
                   discuss'd
                   in
                   the
                   Assembly
                   and
                   such
                   matters
                   as
                   have
                   been
                   stated
                   before
                   the
                   Ass
                   .
                   and
                   referred
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   discuss
                   and
                   determine
                   the
                   famine
                   .
                
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   give
                   their
                   advice
                   to
                   all
                   Synods
                   and
                   Presbyteries
                   when
                   required
                   ,
                   and
                   tho'
                   not
                   required
                   ,
                   yet
                   upon
                   information
                   of
                   any
                   irregularity
                   or
                   precipitancy
                   of
                   proceedings
                   in
                   Presbyteries
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   interpose
                   their
                   advice
                   for
                   sisting
                   processes
                   till
                   the
                   next
                   Synod
                   or
                   Ass
                   .
                
                 
                   When
                   this
                   2d
                   .
                   Article
                   was
                   read
                   ,
                   some
                   asked
                   if
                   the
                   Commission
                   had
                   power
                   to
                   call
                   before
                   themselves
                   any
                   business
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   take
                   the
                   same
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   Presbyteries
                   .
                   To
                   which
                   the
                   Moderator
                   answered
                   ,
                   no
                   ▪
                   but
                   they
                   are
                   only
                   to
                   give
                   their
                   advice
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   he
                   ,
                   I
                   think
                   no
                   Presbytery
                   will
                   refuse
                   it
                   ,
                   
                   which
                   if
                   they
                   do
                   ,
                   it
                   must
                   be
                   
                     Cum
                     periculo
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Church
                   of
                   Scotland
                   will
                   be
                   free
                   from
                   any
                   imputation
                   of
                   their
                   actings
                   .
                
                 
                   Thirdly
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   have
                   power
                   to
                   visit
                   all
                   Ministers
                   in
                   Presbyteries
                   as
                   well
                   Presbyterian
                   as
                   others
                   .
                
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   purge
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   all
                   who
                   upon
                   due
                   tryall
                   shall
                   be
                   found
                   insufficient
                   ,
                   Scandalous
                   ,
                   Erroneous
                   or
                   
                     supinely
                     negligent
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   It
                   was
                   moved
                   that
                   the
                   words
                   
                     supinely
                     negligent
                  
                   might
                   be
                   left
                   out
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   same
                   was
                   refused
                   .
                
                 
                   Fifthly
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   carefull
                   that
                   none
                   be
                   admitted
                   by
                   them
                   to
                   Ministerial
                   Communion
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   a
                   share
                   in
                   the
                   Government
                   ,
                   but
                   such
                   as
                   upon
                   due
                   tryall
                   (
                   for
                   which
                   the
                   visitors
                   shall
                   take
                   a
                   competent
                   time
                   )
                   shall
                   be
                   found
                   to
                   be
                   Orthodox
                   in
                   their
                   doctrine
                   ,
                   of
                   competent
                   abilities
                   ,
                   having
                   a
                   pious
                   ,
                   Godly
                   and
                   peaceable
                   Conversation
                   as
                   becometh
                   a
                   Minister
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   of
                   an
                   edifying
                   gift
                   ,
                   and
                   whom
                   the
                   Commission
                   shall
                   have
                   ground
                   to
                   believe
                   will
                   be
                   faithfull
                   to
                   God
                   and
                   the
                   Government
                   ,
                   and
                   diligent
                   in
                   the
                   discharge
                   of
                   their
                   Ministerial
                   duty
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   all
                   who
                   shall
                   be
                   admitted
                   to
                   the
                   Ministry
                   or
                   shall
                   be
                   received
                   into
                   a
                   share
                   of
                   the
                   ●overnment
                   shall
                   be
                   obliged
                   to
                   own
                   and
                   subscribe
                   the
                   Confession
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   profess
                   their
                   submission
                   and
                   willingness
                   to
                   joyn
                   and
                   concur
                   with
                   the
                   Presbyterian
                   Church-Government
                   .
                
                 
                   At
                   first
                   it
                   was
                   Presbyterian
                   communion
                   ,
                   and
                   only
                   faithful
                   to
                   the
                   Government
                   .
                   Mr.
                   Kirkton
                   said
                   that
                   this
                   Article
                   was
                   a
                   matter
                   of
                   very
                   great
                   consequence
                   ,
                   and
                   desired
                   it
                   might
                   be
                   well
                   considered
                   ,
                   for
                   in
                   
                     hoc
                     vertitur
                     fortuna
                     Scotia
                  
                   ,
                   and
                   complained
                   that
                   there
                   was
                   not
                   one
                   word
                   of
                   the
                   Scandal
                   of
                   conforming
                   ,
                   which
                   he
                   said
                   was
                   the
                   greatest
                   of
                   all
                   Scandals
                   .
                   Mr.
                   Frazer
                   of
                   Brae
                   proposed
                   that
                   the
                   clause
                   of
                   repentance
                   might
                   be
                   inserted
                   ;
                   The
                   Moderator
                   answered
                   ,
                   that
                   in
                   effect
                   it
                   was
                   there
                   already
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   look't
                   upon
                   the
                   Commissioners
                   as
                   discreet
                   and
                   Judicious
                   men
                   ;
                   for
                   so
                   (
                   said
                   he
                   )
                   they
                   will
                   admit
                   none
                   without
                   repentance
                   ,
                   for
                   without
                   that
                   they
                   cannot
                   have
                   ground
                   to
                   believe
                   that
                   ever
                   they
                   will
                   be
                   faithfull
                   to
                   the
                   Government
                   .
                   Mr.
                   Kirkton
                   replyed
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   could
                   never
                   be
                   sure
                   of
                   Episcopall
                   Ministers
                   ,
                   for
                   many
                   of
                   them
                   (
                   says
                   he
                   )
                   has
                   changed
                   three
                   or
                   
                   four
                   times
                   already
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   will
                   do
                   it
                   at
                   every
                   turn
                   :
                   Mr.
                   
                     William
                     Weir
                  
                   moved
                   that
                   they
                   might
                   be
                   obliged
                   to
                   declare
                   that
                   they
                   should
                   neither
                   by
                   advice
                   nor
                   any
                   other
                   way
                   endeavour
                   the
                   alteration
                   of
                   the
                   Presbyterian
                   Government
                   .
                
                 
                   Sixthly
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   be
                   very
                   Cautious
                   in
                   receiving
                   in
                   Informations
                   ,
                   and
                   forming
                   Libels
                   against
                   the
                   late
                   Conformists
                   ,
                   and
                   present
                   Incumbents
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   they
                   proceed
                   in
                   the
                   matter
                   of
                   censure
                   very
                   deliberately
                   ,
                   so
                   as
                   that
                   none
                   may
                   have
                   just
                   cause
                   to
                   complain
                   of
                   their
                   rigidity
                   ,
                   yet
                   so
                   as
                   to
                   omit
                   no
                   means
                   of
                   information
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   proceed
                   to
                   censure
                   but
                   ▪
                   upon
                   relevant
                   Libels
                   and
                   sufficient
                   probations
                   .
                
                 
                   Seventhly
                   ,
                   that
                   this
                   Commission
                   do
                   not
                   meddle
                   in
                   publick
                   affairs
                   or
                   in
                   any
                   thing
                   not
                   expressed
                   in
                   their
                   Commission
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   hereby
                   declared
                   to
                   be
                   given
                   them
                   
                     in
                     hunc
                     finem
                  
                   only
                   
                     &
                     pro
                     presenti
                     Ecclesiae
                     statum
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   Eightly
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   answerable
                   ,
                   and
                   censurable
                   by
                   the
                   next
                   Generall
                   Assembly
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   continue
                   till
                   the
                   first
                   of
                   Nov.
                   next
                   ,
                   if
                   there
                   be
                   no
                   Generall
                   Ass
                   .
                   before
                   that
                   time
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           By
           these
           Instructions
           it
           appears
           that
           the
           Committee
           was
           mainly
           designed
           against
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           who
           as
           yet
           kept
           their
           places
           because
           of
           their
           compliance
           with
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ▪
           Presbyterians
           can
           never
           be
           brought
           to
           have
           true
           kindness
           for
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           had
           they
           never
           so
           many
           recommendations
           for
           their
           parts
           ,
           piety
           ,
           or
           their
           Interest
           in
           the
           favour
           of
           great
           men
           .
           But
           on
           all
           occasions
           they
           do
           draw
           back
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           do
           refuse
           to
           concur
           with
           them
           in
           advancing
           even
           the
           Common
           ends
           of
           Religion
           and
           truth
           .
           And
           at
           this
           time
           they
           not
           only
           had
           an
           aversion
           to
           them
           on
           the
           account
           of
           their
           different
           principles
           ,
           but
           also
           they
           were
           afraid
           to
           receive
           them
           into
           their
           communion
           ,
           and
           especially
           into
           a
           share
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           because
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           was
           double
           their
           number
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           dangerous
           to
           admit
           them
           ,
           lest
           by
           the
           plurality
           of
           their
           number
           on
           some
           fit
           occasion
           they
           should
           forge
           a
           change
           of
           the
           Government
           .
           They
           considered
           that
           the
           Compliance
           and
           submission
           to
           Presbyterian
           Government
           ,
           which
           such
           would
           give
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           would
           not
           be
           free
           and
           willing
           ,
           but
           only
           out
           of
           a
           necessity
           to
           serve
           the
           present
           Turn
           till
           they
           should
           be
           better
           stated
           :
           Wherefore
           either
           to
           revenge
           themselves
           
           upon
           the
           Enemies
           of
           their
           Government
           ,
           or
           the
           better
           to
           secure
           it
           ,
           it
           was
           from
           the
           very
           first
           resolved
           upon
           to
           lay
           aside
           all
           Episcopal
           Ministers
           ,
           unless
           they
           evidently
           testified
           a
           change
           of
           mind
           as
           well
           as
           of
           outward
           behaviour
           .
           But
           how
           to
           compass
           this
           was
           the
           difficulty
           ,
           for
           a
           direct
           Act
           for
           this
           would
           make
           their
           design
           plain
           and
           shew
           their
           malice
           bare
           fac'd
           ,
           it
           would
           encrease
           the
           Clamours
           and
           Prejudices
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           nor
           could
           the
           state
           in
           Equity
           suffer
           it
           to
           pass
           .
           The
           only
           expedient
           then
           was
           ,
           to
           do
           it
           by
           some
           indirect
           by-blow
           ,
           by
           putting
           something
           to
           them
           which
           they
           could
           not
           do
           ;
           &
           by
           this
           means
           render
           them
           lyable
           to
           their
           censures
           ,
           or
           which
           ,
           if
           they
           did
           ,
           would
           prostitute
           their
           reputation
           with
           the
           people
           ,
           &
           turn
           them
           odious
           as
           men
           of
           no
           Principles
           ,
           Honesty
           ,
           or
           Stedfastness
           .
           And
           as
           they
           envyed
           them
           their
           reputation
           and
           favour
           ,
           so
           they
           thought
           if
           they
           could
           bring
           them
           to
           forfeit
           that
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           little
           difficulty
           in
           turning
           them
           out
           ,
           neither
           needed
           they
           fear
           the
           doing
           of
           it
           as
           occasion
           offered
           .
           It
           was
           observed
           that
           the
           Fasts
           formerly
           appointed
           went
           ill
           away
           with
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ;
           some
           Ministers
           would
           not
           observe
           them
           at
           all
           ,
           others
           would
           not
           read
           the
           Proclamation
           appointing
           them
           ,
           because
           of
           some
           insinuations
           which
           reflected
           on
           Episcopacy
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           complyed
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           generally
           the
           people
           censured
           those
           who
           read
           &
           observed
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           Another
           Fast
           therefore
           more
           plain
           and
           particular
           then
           the
           former
           was
           thought
           the
           fittest
           Stratagem
           for
           procuring
           the
           ruine
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           .
           The
           motion
           was
           no
           sooner
           proposed
           then
           entertained
           ,
           and
           a
           Committee
           appointed
           for
           the
           drawing
           up
           the
           reasons
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           were
           publickly
           read
           in
           the
           Assembly
           
             Novemb.
             11th
          
           .
           When
           the
           Clerk
           had
           done
           ,
           the
           Moderator
           said
           ,
           
             Brethren
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             Savoury
             Paper
             ,
             Indeed
             it
             is
             a
             most
             Savoury
             Paper
             ,
             and
             worthy
             to
             be
             heard
             over
             again
             .
          
           After
           a
           second
           reading
           ,
           Mr.
           Frazer
           of
           Brae
           asked
           who
           was
           to
           observe
           the
           same
           ,
           whether
           Presbyterian
           Ministers
           or
           Curates
           also
           Brother
           ,
           said
           the
           Moderator
           ,
           
             that
             is
             not
             timely
             stated
             ,
             for
             we
             must
             first
             consider
             the
             thing
             ,
             and
             conclude
             that
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             shall
             consider
             the
             persons
             who
             shall
             observe
             it
             .
          
           Others
           said
           ,
           that
           what
           Mr.
           Frazer
           had
           proposed
           ought
           first
           to
           be
           considered
           .
           When
           they
           had
           for
           some
           time
           exercised
           their
           wit
           about
           the
           reasons
           of
           the
           Fast
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           of
           wording
           it
           ,
           the
           Moderator
           ask'd
           the
           Commissioner
           if
           his
           Grace
           had
           any
           thing
           to
           say
           about
           it
           ,
           who
           answered
           ,
           yes
           ,
           and
           
           therefore
           desired
           it
           might
           be
           delayed
           till
           the
           next
           day
           ,
           which
           was
           accordingly
           done
           :
           the
           next
           day
           being
           the
           12th
           .
           of
           Nov.
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Fast
           was
           again
           brought
           before
           the
           Ass
           .
           and
           the
           paper
           containing
           the
           reasons
           of
           it
           read
           with
           this
           alteration
           ,
           that
           
             The
             Declaration
             ,
             Oaths
             of
             Allegiance
             ,
             Supremacy
             ,
             and
             Test
             ,
             and
             some
             such
             particulars
             were
             left
             out
             :
          
           It
           would
           seem
           that
           the
           Commissioners
           refused
           to
           suffer
           it
           to
           pass
           if
           these
           had
           been
           expresly
           mentioned
           :
           wherefore
           to
           get
           the
           Commissioner
           to
           condescend
           to
           the
           thing
           ,
           they
           dasht
           out
           the
           names
           :
           But
           he
           is
           an
           ignorant
           reader
           ,
           and
           has
           little
           skill
           in
           spelling
           who
           doth
           not
           perceive
           that
           they
           are
           all
           couch'd
           &
           implied
           .
           So
           this
           day
           the
           reasons
           were
           approved
           ,
           and
           an
           act
           pass'd
           ,
           requiring
           all
           persons
           throughout
           the
           Kingdom
           whether
           in
           Kirks
           or
           Meeting
           houses
           punctually
           to
           observe
           the
           same
           .
           I
           should
           detain
           you
           too
           long
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           give
           you
           an
           account
           of
           the
           reasons
           here
           ,
           and
           pass
           observations
           thereon
           .
           I
           chuse
           rather
           to
           send
           you
           the
           paper
           it self
           that
           you
           may
           see
           it
           and
           consider
           it
           with
           your
           own
           eyes
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           first
           view
           of
           it
           you
           may
           be
           convinced
           how
           choaking
           it
           will
           be
           to
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           ,
           who
           can
           neither
           in
           credit
           or
           conscience
           observe
           it
           ;
           nor
           can
           any
           who
           are
           less
           interessed
           in
           the
           Episcopal
           Government
           go
           along
           with
           it
           ,
           unless
           they
           could
           be
           perswaded
           that
           Episcopacy
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           unlawfull
           but
           the
           cause
           and
           occasion
           of
           much
           wickedness
           and
           impiety
           ,
           and
           the
           setting
           it
           up
           is
           to
           apostatize
           from
           God
           ,
           &
           to
           make
           Defection
           from
           the
           truth
           .
           None
           can
           observe
           this
           fast
           for
           the
           reasons
           enjoyned
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           must
           condemn
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           and
           other
           Protestant
           Churches
           ,
           nay
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           of
           Christ
           from
           the
           Apostles
           days
           down
           to
           Calvin
           .
           The
           Ass
           .
           understood
           well
           enough
           how
           contrary
           the
           design
           and
           reasons
           of
           this
           fast
           were
           to
           the
           sentiments
           of
           those
           who
           were
           commanded
           to
           observe
           it
           ,
           &
           that
           they
           could
           not
           keep
           it
           without
           being
           guilty
           of
           the
           greatest
           Hypocrisy
           and
           mocking
           of
           God
           :
           and
           therefore
           for
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           own
           particular
           ends
           to
           require
           men
           thus
           to
           mock
           God
           and
           play
           the
           Hypocrite
           ,
           was
           a
           horrid
           and
           most
           unjustifiable
           voice
           of
           villany
           ,
           this
           shews
           that
           they
           fast
           for
           strife
           and
           envy
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           please
           God
           ,
           but
           to
           ensnare
           men
           not
           to
           avert
           the
           Divine
           Judgements
           but
           that
           they
           may
           have
           occasion
           of
           executing
           their
           wrath
           and
           malice
           under
           the
           Colour
           and
           shaddow
           of
           zeal
           against
           Sin.
           With
           the
           Act
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           for
           the
           fa●●
           
           I
           have
           sent
           you
           also
           the
           act
           of
           Councill
           annexing
           the
           Civil
           Sanction
           to
           it
           procured
           by
           my
           Lord
           
           Crawford's
           means
           :
           
           and
           I
           desire
           you
           to
           take
           Notice
           of
           the
           Close
           of
           it
           ,
           where
           the
           Observation
           of
           the
           Fast
           is
           Urged
           out
           of
           fear
           of
           Gods
           wrath
           ,
           and
           after
           that
           is
           subjoyned
           the
           highest
           perils
           from
           them
           ,
           which
           some
           said
           was
           like
           the
           Proclamations
           of
           one
           Borthwi●k
           sometimes
           a
           Bayliff
           in
           this
           City
           ,
           which
           were
           wont
           to
           be
           under
           the
           pain
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           fourty
           Pound
           besides
           .
           The
           mentioning
           of
           these
           printed
           Acts
           brings
           to
           my
           Memory
           a
           passage
           of
           the
           Printer
           ;
           Some
           in
           hopes
           of
           getting
           gain
           thereby
           Petitioned
           the
           Ass
           .
           for
           the
           gift
           of
           publishing
           their
           Acts.
           Mrs.
           Anderson
           claim'd
           the
           priviledge
           by
           vertue
           of
           a
           gift
           from
           the
           King
           to
           print
           all
           publick
           Acts
           and
           Proclamations
           ;
           and
           withall
           she
           might
           have
           deserved
           such
           a
           savour
           from
           them
           having
           ever
           heretofore
           Favoured
           their
           Party
           ,
           and
           allowed
           them
           the
           use
           of
           her
           Press
           for
           publishing
           their
           Pamphlets
           ,
           and
           even
           such
           as
           durst
           not
           be
           well
           avowed
           .
           But
           either
           because
           they
           would
           have
           a
           Printer
           of
           their
           own
           distinct
           from
           the
           Kings
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           would
           not
           shew
           kindness
           to
           her
           ,
           who
           had
           accession
           to
           the
           guilt
           of
           the
           late
           Reigns
           ,
           by
           printing
           their
           sinfull
           Acts
           and
           Proclamations
           :
           for
           one
           or
           both
           these
           Reasons
           they
           denied
           her
           the
           Favour
           ,
           and
           bestowed
           it
           on
           
             George
             Mosman
          
           who
           represented
           in
           his
           Petition
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           not
           only
           always
           a
           true
           friend
           to
           their
           Interest
           ,
           but
           also
           a
           sufferer
           for
           the
           Cause
           .
           And
           it
           's
           true
           he
           was
           ever
           Whig
           enough
           ,
           but
           what
           his
           Sufferings
           were
           it
           is
           not
           well
           known
           ,
           seeing
           he
           ever
           lived
           peaceably
           at
           Edenburgh
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           freedome
           of
           a
           good
           trade
           ,
           whereby
           he
           is
           become
           Fat
           every
           way
           .
           Other
           men
           lose
           by
           their
           Sufferings
           ,
           but
           they
           gain
           by
           theirs
           even
           in
           this
           life
           .
           So
           Mr.
           Johnston
           died
           two
           Thousand
           pound
           Sterling
           rich
           who
           was
           not
           worth
           forty
           or
           fifty
           pound
           when
           he
           left
           his
           charge
           .
           Tho'
           Mrs.
           Anderson
           was
           repulsed
           by
           the
           Ass
           .
           yet
           she
           would
           not
           give
           over
           ,
           but
           next
           tried
           her
           Interest
           with
           the
           Councill
           ,
           that
           at
           least
           she
           might
           have
           the
           printing
           of
           those
           Acts
           which
           had
           the
           Civil
           Sanction
           added
           to
           them
           ,
           they
           being
           comprehended
           within
           her
           gift
           .
           Crawford
           who
           thinks
           all
           the
           Acts
           of
           the
           Presbyterians
           should
           be
           like
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Medes
           and
           Persians
           stood
           up
           for
           Mosman
           ,
           others
           pleaded
           Mrs.
           Andersons
           right
           ,
           it
           not
           being
           in
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Councill
           ,
           far
           less
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           to
           take
           away
           their
           right
           and
           property
           or
           any
           part
           of
           it
           .
           But
           one
           said
           smartly
           ,
           
           that
           the
           Case
           should
           be
           stated
           not
           betwixt
           Mrs.
           Anderson
           and
           Mosman
           ,
           but
           betwixt
           the
           King
           and
           the
           Ass
           .
           whether
           the
           King
           should
           yield
           to
           the
           Ass
           .
           or
           the
           Ass
           .
           to
           the
           King
           My
           Lord
           Crawford
           thought
           the
           first
           no
           absurdity
           ,
           and
           offered
           to
           produce
           instances
           of
           it
           in
           former
           times
           .
           But
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Councellors
           thought
           they
           were
           obliged
           in
           Civility
           to
           prefer
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           so
           Mrs
           Anderson
           carried
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           believe
           I
           may
           have
           wearied
           you
           with
           the
           length
           of
           my
           Letter
           ,
           I
           crave
           pardon
           only
           to
           add
           two
           or
           three
           particulars
           more
           ,
           and
           I
           shall
           close
           .
           The
           first
           was
           ,
           their
           appointing
           an
           answer
           to
           be
           made
           to
           the
           printed
           accounts
           of
           the
           persecution
           of
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           .
           At
           the
           generall
           meeting
           it
           was
           laid
           on
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           who
           declin'd
           it
           .
           Then
           it
           was
           recommended
           to
           Mr.
           
             Alexander
             Pitcairine
          
           who
           did
           nothing
           in
           it
           .
           He
           excused
           himself
           before
           the
           Ass
           .
           in
           that
           he
           knew
           not
           the
           matters
           of
           fact
           and
           the
           true
           Information
           was
           not
           sent
           him
           .
           The
           Ass
           .
           ordered
           him
           again
           to
           go
           on
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           appointed
           Mr
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           ,
           and
           some
           others
           to
           assist
           him
           in
           the
           work
           ,
           and
           required
           all
           the
           members
           to
           furnish
           them
           with
           Instructions
           proper
           for
           it
           .
           Mr.
           Meldrum
           in
           a
           Sermon
           before
           the
           Ass
           .
           offered
           to
           Justify
           the
           barbarities
           of
           the
           Rabble
           ,
           and
           the
           ill
           usage
           which
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           met
           with
           ,
           alledging
           that
           their
           errors
           ,
           vices
           and
           scandals
           deserve
           no
           better
           at
           the
           peoples
           hands
           :
           But
           what
           Justification
           &
           defence
           will
           be
           made
           by
           those
           who
           are
           appointed
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           in
           name
           of
           the
           Ass
           :
           I
           do
           not
           know
           ,
           but
           this
           I
           am
           confident
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           never
           prove
           any
           material
           circumstance
           in
           matter
           of
           fact
           to
           be
           false
           .
        
         
           A
           Second
           particular
           I
           am
           to
           make
           you
           acquainted
           with
           ,
           is
           an
           Act
           for
           taking
           off
           the
           sentence
           of
           deposition
           which
           was
           pronounced
           against
           some
           Ministers
           ,
           especially
           those
           of
           the
           Remonstrators
           party
           anno
           1660
           I
           told
           you
           before
           that
           it
           had
           been
           proposed
           at
           the
           General
           meeting
           ,
           but
           was
           then
           laid
           aside
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           mistakes
           that
           were
           like
           to
           arise
           among
           the
           Brethren
           about
           it
           Now
           the
           Moderator
           who
           was
           mainly
           concerned
           in
           the
           business
           finding
           himself
           a
           little
           better
           stated
           made
           an
           overture
           of
           it
           to
           the
           Ass
           ▪
           the
           day
           it
           was
           dissolved
           :
           and
           to
           obtain
           it
           the
           more
           easily
           ,
           he
           brought
           it
           in
           by
           way
           of
           a
           surprize
           :
           Brethren
           ,
           said
           he
           ,
           
             you
             may
             remember
             there
             were
             once
             some
             unhappy
             differences
             among
             us
             ,
             which
             some
             carried
             so
             high
             as
             to
             proceed
             to
             inflict
             the
             sentence
             of
             deposition
             upon
             some
             on
             that
             account
             ;
             
             now
             I
             think
             it
             sit
             before
             we
             part
             ,
             that
             this
             sentence
             be
             revoked
             ;
             that
             as
             we
             are
             all
             one
             mans
             bairns
             so
             we
             may
             be
             all
             alike
             stated
             .
          
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Rule
          
           replied
           ,
           that
           he
           judged
           it
           better
           to
           bury
           these
           matters
           in
           oblivion
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           not
           pass
           a
           generall
           Act
           for
           reponing
           these
           men
           without
           re-examining
           their
           processes
           ,
           which
           was
           no
           ways
           fit
           ;
           &
           perhaps
           they
           would
           not
           be
           found
           all
           alike
           ,
           for
           some
           might
           be
           deposed
           for
           Scandall
           and
           other
           Crimes
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           for
           these
           unhappy
           heats
           and
           differences
           .
           The
           Moderator
           answered
           him
           ,
           
             Brother
             there
             is
             no
             need
             of
             condescending
             or
             particulars
             ,
             and
             I
             believe
             they
             will
             be
             found
             all
             alike
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             are
             all
             very
             honest
             men
             that
             are
             concerned
             :
          
           So
           he
           named
           Mr.
           Wier
           and
           some
           others
           ,
           and
           among
           the
           rest
           himself
           in
           the
           third
           person
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             There
             is
             one
             Mr.
          
           Hugh
           Kennedy
           ,
           
             whom
             I
             warrant
             you
             ken
             all
             well
             enough
             .
          
           To
           conclude
           ,
           the
           Act
           passed
           ,
           the
           sentence
           of
           deposition
           lying
           upon
           these
           persons
           was
           made
           void
           ,
           and
           they
           declared
           to
           be
           true
           and
           lawfull
           Ministers
           .
           And
           herein
           truly
           the
           Moderators
           wit
           fail'd
           him
           ,
           for
           instead
           of
           righting
           himself
           which
           he
           designed
           ,
           he
           raised
           objections
           against
           himself
           which
           otherwise
           would
           have
           been
           forgotten
           ;
           and
           by
           this
           Act
           brought
           an
           indelible
           tash
           both
           upon
           his
           own
           publick
           Ministry
           these
           two
           three
           years
           ,
           and
           also
           upon
           the
           present
           Ass
           .
           in
           that
           the
           Moderator
           and
           many
           of
           its
           members
           were
           both
           legally
           and
           Canonically
           incapable
           .
           Now
           that
           they
           hear
           this
           ,
           they
           pretend
           that
           the
           sentence
           was
           taken
           off
           formerly
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Ass
           .
           only
           ratifyed
           and
           confirmed
           what
           was
           formerly
           done
           in
           these
           mens
           favour
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           usuall
           to
           ratify
           in
           the
           first
           Generall
           Ass
           .
           the
           Acts
           of
           inferiour
           Judicatories
           .
           But
           as
           they
           cannot
           instance
           the
           time
           nor
           the
           meeting
           in
           which
           these
           persons
           were
           reponed
           ,
           so
           they
           never
           had
           any
           proper
           or
           avowed
           meeting
           for
           such
           a
           business
           till
           the
           Indulgence
           granted
           by
           King
           James
           ;
           and
           we
           never
           heard
           it
           so
           much
           as
           proposed
           before
           in
           any
           of
           their
           avowed
           meetings
           till
           the
           last
           general
           one
           as
           was
           already
           declared
           ;
           and
           either
           the
           sentence
           lying
           upon
           these
           persons
           was
           valid
           or
           not
           :
           If
           it
           was
           not
           ,
           then
           what
           needed
           such
           a
           Solemn
           annulling
           of
           it
           by
           an
           Act
           of
           the
           Generall
           Ass
           .
           But
           if
           it
           was
           valid
           ,
           then
           the
           Ass
           ,
           approved
           of
           men
           who
           were
           contumatious
           to
           the
           discipline
           &
           government
           of
           their
           own
           Church
           ;
           for
           they
           received
           such
           to
           be
           members
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           and
           also
           choosed
           one
           of
           that
           Gang
           to
           pr●side
           in
           it
           ,
           whatever
           may
           be
           said
           as
           to
           the
           deposition
           of
           
           these
           men
           ,
           if
           it
           was
           found
           expedient
           that
           the
           Ass
           .
           should
           pass
           a
           verdict
           on
           it
           ,
           it
           had
           been
           prudent
           and
           proper
           to
           have
           done
           it
           before
           their
           admission
           as
           members
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Credit
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           had
           been
           regarded
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           have
           chosen
           a
           Moderator
           against
           whom
           there
           was
           such
           a
           considerable
           exception
           ?
           certainly
           a
           less
           reason
           may
           invalidate
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Ass
           .
           render
           it
           unlawfull
           and
           unworthy
           to
           be
           owned
           and
           submitted
           to
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           particular
           I
           shall
           trouble
           you
           with
           is
           about
           the
           choosing
           Commissioners
           to
           go
           from
           the
           Ass
           .
           to
           the
           King
           to
           make
           a
           true
           representation
           of
           their
           proceedings
           ,
           to
           intreat
           the
           continuance
           of
           his
           favour
           ,
           and
           to
           vindicate
           themselves
           from
           the
           aspersions
           of
           their
           enemies
           .
           It
           's
           said
           that
           Mr.
           Carstairs
           whom
           the
           king
           had
           sent
           down
           with
           letters
           of
           instruction
           to
           the
           Ass
           .
           expected
           that
           they
           would
           have
           honoured
           him
           with
           that
           trust
           ,
           but
           whether
           it
           was
           out
           of
           any
           Jealousy
           of
           his
           conduct
           or
           faithfullness
           or
           if
           it
           was
           to
           gratify
           others
           who
           might
           have
           had
           particular
           designs
           of
           their
           own
           they
           passed
           by
           Mr.
           ●arstairs
           ,
           and
           gave
           the
           Employment
           to
           Mr.
           
             Gilbert
             Ride
          
           and
           Mr.
           
             David
             Blair
          
           .
           The
           first
           I
           have
           often
           had
           occasion
           to
           mention
           ,
           the
           other
           preached
           in
           a
           meeting
           house
           here
           ;
           he
           is
           said
           to
           be
           not
           so
           course
           but
           something
           better
           Polished
           than
           other
           common
           Presbyterians
           :
           He
           is
           Son
           to
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Blair
          
           Minister
           at
           St.
           Andrews
           ,
           who
           was
           famous
           for
           many
           things
           but
           especially
           his
           Civility
           to
           King
           
             Charles
             the
             2d
          
           .
           when
           he
           made
           him
           a
           visit
           at
           his
           own
           house
           .
           Mr.
           Blair
           when
           the
           King
           came
           in
           was
           sitting
           in
           a
           Chair
           ,
           and
           it
           seems
           at
           the
           time
           under
           a
           bodily
           infirmity
           which
           both
           kept
           him
           from
           rising
           and
           excused
           it
           ,
           when
           Mrs.
           Blair
           ran
           to
           to
           fetch
           a
           Chair
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           he
           said
           ,
           
             My
             heart
             do
             not
             trouble
             your self
             ,
             he
             is
             a
             young
             man
             he
             may
             draw
             in
             one
             to
             himself
             .
          
        
         
           At
           last
           I
           come
           to
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           which
           was
           talked
           of
           severall
           days
           before
           ,
           and
           actually
           concluded
           and
           resolved
           upon
           Nov.
           13.
           
           Their
           last
           Sederunt
           was
           in
           the
           afternoon
           ,
           and
           continued
           till
           it
           was
           night
           .
           There
           they
           debated
           the
           calling
           of
           another
           Ass
           .
           and
           the
           time
           of
           its
           sitting
           ;
           some
           were
           for
           one
           month
           ,
           some
           were
           for
           another
           ,
           and
           there
           were
           few
           months
           of
           the
           year
           but
           was
           favoured
           by
           one
           or
           other
           as
           sittest
           for
           an
           Ass
           .
           In
           the
           midest
           of
           these
           debates
           among
           themselves
           ,
           the
           Commissioner
           (
           whose
           advise
           they
           never
           sought
           in
           the
           affair
           )
           stood
           up
           and
           dissolved
           them
           in
           the
           Kings
           name
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           same
           Authority
           called
           and
           appointed
           another
           to
           meet
           on
           the
           first
           of
           Nove.
           next
           to
           come
           ,
           1691.
           
           The
           Assembly
           was
           Surprized
           with
           this
           ,
           but
           it
           would
           seem
           they
           thought
           not
           fit
           to
           call
           it
           in
           question
           ,
           therefore
           they
           submitted
           :
           and
           all
           was
           concluded
           with
           a
           prayer
           and
           Psalm
           :
           The
           Psalm
           they
           Sung
           was
           the
           133.
           
        
         
           Thus
           ended
           our
           famous
           Assembly
           :
           an
           account
           whereof
           I
           have
           given
           you
           as
           fully
           and
           exactly
           as
           I
           could
           :
           I
           was
           not
           overhasty
           to
           believe
           any
           information
           till
           I
           found
           it
           confirmed
           by
           two
           or
           three
           others
           :
           If
           I
           be
           mistaken
           in
           some
           small
           circumstances
           ,
           which
           the
           best
           Historians
           may
           erre
           in
           ;
           
           I
           am
           sure
           no
           material
           falshood
           can
           be
           charged
           upon
           me
           ,
           Let
           it
           be
           no
           prejudice
           against
           the
           truth
           of
           my
           relation
           ,
           that
           I
           sometimes
           appear
           no
           friend
           to
           the
           Party
           ;
           but
           tho'
           I
           be
           not
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           willingly
           and
           wittingly
           lye
           upon
           them
           .
           I
           need
           not
           assure
           you
           of
           my
           ingenuity
           who
           knows
           that
           I
           hate
           to
           utter
           a
           lye
           ,
           either
           for
           advancing
           the
           best
           cause
           or
           destroying
           the
           worst
           .
           But
           I
           confess
           I
           can
           hardly
           bridle
           my
           passion
           when
           I
           consider
           the
           errour
           and
           injustice
           ,
           the
           unreasonableness
           and
           Hypocrisy
           which
           these
           people
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           who
           if
           you
           will
           take
           their
           word
           for
           it
           are
           the
           only
           true
           Godly
           ,
           and
           who
           only
           have
           a
           sense
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           practise
           of
           it
           :
           but
           I
           am
           confident
           neither
           Church
           nor
           Religion
           will
           prosper
           till
           that
           Spirit
           be
           cast
           out
           which
           possesses
           them
           .
           I
           pray
           God
           convert
           them
           ,
           and
           let
           out
           much
           of
           his
           Spirit
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           all
           others
           ,
           that
           our
           Land
           may
           have
           peace
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           divisions
           of
           our
           Church
           may
           be
           healed
           ;
           that
           our
           Confusions
           may
           be
           wholly
           removed
           ,
           and
           order
           and
           good
           Government
           restored
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           may
           be
           duly
           and
           decently
           performed
           as
           may
           best
           tend
           to
           the
           advancement
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           and
           Edification
           of
           the
           Souls
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           with
           this
           prayer
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           my
           hearty
           wishes
           for
           your self
           ,
           I
           take
           my
           leave
           at
           this
           time
           .
        
         
           
             
               December
               1690.
               
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           INFORMATION
           FOR
           THE
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           .
           &c.
           OF
           THE
           PARISH
           of
           PEEBLES
           ;
           Against
           M
           
           R.
           WILLIAM
           VEATCH
           .
        
         
           THE
           late
           Mr.
           
             John
             Hay
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           at
           Peebles
           ,
           being
           by
           Bodily
           Pain
           and
           Sickness
           utterly
           disabled
           for
           the
           publick
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           apprehending
           the
           time
           of
           his
           Departure
           to
           be
           approaching
           ;
           Out
           of
           a
           deep
           concern
           for
           his
           Flock
           ,
           after
           the
           Example
           of
           good
           and
           faithful
           Pastors
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           resolved
           to
           look
           out
           for
           a
           Successor
           ;
           And
           for
           that
           effect
           ,
           wrote
           to
           the
           Duke
           of
           Queensbery
           ,
           (
           then
           undoubted
           Patron
           of
           the
           Parish
           of
           Peebles
           )
           to
           nominate
           some
           Able
           and
           Godly
           Minister
           ,
           who
           might
           assist
           him
           as
           a
           Helper
           during
           his
           Life
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           he
           might
           recommend
           and
           leave
           his
           Charge
           at
           his
           Death
           .
           His
           Grace
           being
           well
           satisfied
           with
           so
           Pious
           a
           desire
           ,
           remits
           the
           choice
           to
           himself
           ,
           whereupon
           he
           calls
           and
           invites
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Knocks
          
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           City
           of
           Glasgow
           ,
           who
           having
           accepted
           the
           Call
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           great
           Comfort
           of
           the
           Pastor
           and
           People
           ,
           served
           the
           Cure
           for
           sometime
           :
           The
           sick
           Man
           had
           his
           peaceable
           Exit
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           solacing
           himself
           in
           this
           ;
           
             That
             he
             had
             not
             left
             his
             Flock
             as
             Sheep
             without
             a
             Shepherd
          
           ;
           Immediately
           after
           whose
           Decease
           ,
           the
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           and
           Parochioners
           ,
           did
           apply
           themselves
           to
           the
           Duke's
           Factor
           ,
           to
           Petition
           the
           Duke
           then
           at
           London
           ,
           and
           to
           acquaint
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           Unanimously
           desired
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Knocks
          
           to
           be
           their
           Minister
           ,
           in
           place
           of
           the
           deceast
           Mr.
           
             John
             Hay
          
           ,
           which
           accordingly
           the
           Duke
           agreed
           to
           ,
           and
           ordered
           Mr.
           Knox
           to
           continue
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           there
           .
           And
           thereafter
           upon
           the
           17th
           of
           November
           1689
           ,
           being
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           after
           Sermons
           ,
           the
           Session
           being
           sitting
           ,
           and
           the
           Duke's
           Letter
           read
           unto
           them
           ,
           the
           whole
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           and
           Parochioners
           then
           present
           ,
           did
           Unanimously
           and
           Cheerfully
           receive
           the
           said
           Letter
           and
           Nomination
           ,
           and
           promised
           to
           Mr.
           Knox
           all
           the
           Encouragement
           that
           could
           be
           expected
           from
           a
           Dutiful
           People
           ;
           And
           the
           Session
           did
           order
           the
           Lairds
           of
           Haystoun
           ,
           and
           
             Halkshaw
             ,
             William
             Plenderleith
             ,
             John
             Hope
             ,
          
           and
           
             John
             Gevan
          
           ,
           late
           Provosts
           of
           Peebles
           ,
           to
           wait
           upon
           the
           Duke
           at
           his
           Return
           ,
           and
           give
           him
           Thanks
           in
           all
           their
           Names
           for
           his
           care
           of
           them
           .
           After
           which
           time
           Mr.
           Knox
           having
           all
           the
           right
           to
           be
           Minister
           at
           Peebles
           ,
           which
           the
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           could
           then
           admit
           of
           ,
           viz.
           Designation
           and
           Appointment
           of
           the
           Patron
           ,
           with
           the
           Consent
           and
           Concurrence
           of
           the
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           
           and
           by
           far
           the
           greatest
           and
           most
           substantial
           part
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           wanting
           only
           the
           formality
           of
           an
           Induction
           or
           Institution
           ,
           in
           regard
           there
           was
           no
           Legal
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Judicatory
          
           then
           in
           being
           to
           confer
           it
           on
           him
           ,
           continued
           in
           the
           free
           and
           peaceable
           Exercise
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           until
           the
           sixteenth
           of
           February
           1690
           ,
           when
           some
           violent
           Interruption
           being
           offered
           unto
           him
           by
           a
           Company
           of
           Unruly
           People
           ,
           as
           he
           was
           coming
           to
           the
           Church
           on
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           in
           the
           Morning
           ;
           the
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           and
           People
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           were
           so
           much
           concerned
           ,
           that
           by
           an
           express
           Obligation
           subscribed
           under
           their
           Hands
           ,
           they
           declare
           their
           Resolution
           to
           adhere
           to
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Knoks
           as
           their
           Minister
           ;
           And
           Commissioned
           some
           of
           their
           Number
           to
           pursue
           that
           high
           Riot
           ,
           before
           the
           Most
           Honourable
           Lords
           of
           their
           Majesties
           Privy
           Council
           ;
           Upon
           whose
           Complaint
           and
           Application
           ,
           the
           Lords
           of
           Council
           finding
           Mr.
           Knox
           to
           have
           good
           Right
           to
           serve
           the
           Cure
           at
           the
           Church
           of
           Peebles
           ,
           did
           justly
           punish
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Tumult
           ,
           and
           oblige
           the
           Magistrates
           of
           Peebles
           ,
           to
           take
           such
           care
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           that
           there
           might
           be
           no
           Interruption
           offered
           to
           him
           for
           the
           Future
           ,
           and
           thereafter
           he
           enjoyed
           his
           Ministry
           comfortably
           and
           peaceably
           ,
           until
           the
           Presbytery
           having
           as
           would
           seem
           by
           all
           their
           posterior
           Acts
           ,
           resolved
           to
           Thrust
           him
           out
           ,
           and
           obtrude
           another
           on
           the
           Parish
           ,
           did
           by
           their
           Act
           of
           the
           24th
           of
           July
           last
           at
           Kirkurd
           ,
           without
           ever
           examining
           his
           Right
           and
           Title
           ,
           or
           giving
           him
           any
           Citation
           ,
           Proceeding
           upon
           a
           false
           Supposition
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           possest
           himself
           wrongously
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           required
           him
           to
           forbear
           Preaching
           ,
           till
           he
           should
           be
           allowed
           by
           them
           .
           The
           Extract
           of
           which
           Act
           ,
           being
           delivered
           to
           him
           by
           the
           present
           Provost
           of
           Peebles
           most
           unseasonably
           upon
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           thereafter
           ,
           just
           as
           he
           was
           going
           to
           the
           Pulpit
           ;
           he
           taking
           it
           as
           the
           Act
           plainly
           bears
           ,
           to
           be
           only
           a
           Temporary
           restraint
           ,
           till
           such
           time
           as
           he
           should
           apply
           himself
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           for
           their
           Allowance
           ,
           did
           patiently
           and
           pleasantly
           obey
           it
           ,
           taking
           his
           seat
           among
           the
           Auditors
           ,
           while
           the
           Provost
           fetcht
           a
           Minister
           from
           the
           Meeting-House
           to
           Preach
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           after
           Sermons
           by
           an
           Order
           (
           as
           he
           said
           )
           from
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           surprized
           the
           Parish
           ,
           by
           declaring
           the
           Church
           to
           be
           vacant
           ,
           for
           the
           supply
           of
           which
           pretended
           Vacancy
           ,
           the
           said
           Presbytery
           sent
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Eliot
          
           one
           of
           their
           own
           Number
           ,
           upon
           the
           24th
           of
           August
           being
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           ,
           to
           Preach
           and
           hold
           a
           Meeting
           for
           the
           calling
           of
           one
           Mr.
           
             William
             Veatch
          
           ;
           Which
           Meeting
           being
           called
           after
           Sermons
           ,
           the
           Heritors
           ,
           either
           by
           themselves
           ,
           or
           their
           Proxies
           ,
           together
           with
           all
           the
           ordinary
           Elders
           of
           the
           Parish
           ,
           and
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           whole
           People
           ,
           Compeered
           and
           Protested
           against
           the
           calling
           of
           Mr.
           Veatch
           ,
           appealing
           from
           the
           Presbytery
           to
           the
           next
           Provincial
           ,
           or
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           that
           should
           happen
           to
           be
           ,
           promising
           to
           give
           in
           the
           double
           of
           their
           Protestation
           and
           Appeal
           ,
           with
           the
           Reasons
           thereof
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           the
           first
           Day
           of
           their
           Meeting
           ;
           whereupon
           they
           took
           Instruments
           .
           The
           said
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Elliot
          
           in
           a
           strange
           and
           unbecoming
           Heat
           and
           Transport
           ,
           insolently
           presuming
           to
           take
           Instruments
           against
           them
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           their
           Protestation
           ,
           he
           with
           his
           Associates
           proceeded
           to
           Nominate
           so
           many
           pretended
           Commissioners
           ,
           to
           go
           the
           next
           day
           with
           Mr.
           
             William
             Russel
          
           who
           was
           sent
           by
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Parish
           of
           Peebles
           ,
           to
           offer
           a
           pretended
           Call
           to
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Veatch
           ,
           among
           which
           Commissioners
           the
           notorious
           Villain
           Beatty
           ,
           who
           occasioned
           the
           former
           Tumult
           ,
           was
           one
           ,
           who
           for
           his
           horrid
           Prophanation
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           ,
           and
           villanous
           Attempt
           thereupon
           against
           Mr.
           Knox
           ,
           had
           been
           lately
           and
           deservedly
           punished
           by
           the
           Privy
           Council
           ,
           to
           which
           Call
           ,
           albeit
           only
           signed
           by
           Cardronno
           ,
           who
           has
           but
           small
           Interest
           in
           the
           Parish
           ,
           and
           two
           or
           three
           mean
           Heritors
           who
           have
           but
           two
           Aikers
           of
           Ground
           a
           piece
           almost
           ,
           Mr.
           Veatch
           cordially
           imbracing
           ,
           came
           and
           presented
           it
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           of
           Peebles
           ,
           at
           and
           within
           the
           Chappel
           thereof
           upon
           the
           〈◊〉
           day
           of
           September
           following
           ;
           The
           
           which
           day
           and
           place
           ,
           the
           Heritors
           &c.
           by
           themselves
           and
           their
           Proxies
           ,
           compeared
           and
           gave
           in
           their
           Protestation
           and
           Appeal
           in
           Writing
           ,
           with
           the
           most
           grave
           and
           weighty
           reasons
           thereof
           ,
           
             viz.
             That
             the
             Church
             could
             not
             be
             reputed
             vacant
             ,
          
           Mr.
           Knox
           who
           had
           beside
           Possession
           ,
           a
           good
           Right
           and
           Title
           thereto
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           they
           were
           firmly
           resolved
           to
           adhere
           ,
           not
           being
           either
           Deposed
           ,
           or
           Deprived
           ,
           but
           only
           Inhibited
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           by
           the
           Act
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           his
           Right
           not
           examined
           ,
           and
           discussed
           either
           by
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           
             competent
             Judicatory
          
           ;
           And
           suppose
           the
           Church
           had
           been
           vacant
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           not
           ;
           Yet
           the
           said
           pretended
           Call
           of
           Mr.
           Veatches
           was
           
             ipso
             facto
          
           void
           and
           null
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           several
           essential
           Defects
           and
           Informalities
           of
           it
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           Call
           had
           not
           been
           made
           in
           a
           Regular
           way
           by
           a
           publick
           meeting
           of
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           and
           Town
           Council
           ,
           but
           by
           private
           subscriptions
           ,
           which
           the
           Magistrates
           of
           Peebles
           by
           menaces
           and
           promises
           had
           secretly
           collected
           from
           a
           multitude
           of
           Persons
           legally
           uncapable
           of
           any
           vote
           in
           the
           Election
           ;
           Some
           of
           them
           having
           no
           interest
           at
           all
           in
           the
           Parish
           .
           That
           there
           were
           none
           of
           the
           Elders
           consenting
           thereunto
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           multitude
           of
           considerable
           Heritors
           in
           the
           Parish
           ,
           only
           two
           or
           three
           petty
           and
           obscure
           ones
           consented
           .
           All
           which
           reasons
           are
           more
           fully
           exprest
           in
           the
           Appeal
           ,
           whereupon
           they
           took
           Instruments
           ,
           but
           the
           whole
           Presbytery
           (
           except
           an
           Old
           Grave
           Man
           who
           dissented
           all
           along
           )
           taking
           no
           notice
           thereof
           ,
           nor
           to
           vouchsafe
           in
           the
           least
           any
           Answer
           thereto
           ,
           accepted
           of
           and
           sustained
           the
           aforesaid
           pretended
           Call
           ,
           exhibited
           unto
           them
           in
           favours
           of
           
             Mr.
             Veatch
          
           ,
           Ordering
           an
           Edict
           to
           be
           serv'd
           for
           him
           the
           next
           Lord's
           Day
           ;
           which
           Edict
           being
           returned
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           upon
           the
           17th
           of
           September
           ,
           and
           called
           at
           the
           Chappel
           door
           ,
           compeared
           again
           the
           Heritors
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           &c.
           and
           Declared
           their
           Adherence
           to
           their
           former
           Protestation
           and
           Appeal
           ,
           with
           the
           whole
           Reasons
           thereof
           ,
           and
           subjoyning
           some
           more
           pregnant
           Reasons
           thereto
           ;
           viz.
           That
           the
           said
           Mr.
           Veatch
           was
           a
           person
           utterly
           unknown
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           constrained
           with
           an
           
             implicite
             Faith
          
           ,
           to
           
             intrust
             the
             care
             of
             their
             Souls
             to
             a
             Man
             of
             whom
             they
             had
             no
             competent
             knowledge
          
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           a
           Stranger
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           it self
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           had
           never
           been
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           hear
           him
           Preach
           ;
           that
           they
           might
           judge
           of
           his
           Qualifications
           for
           so
           eminent
           a
           place
           ;
           that
           the
           little
           Tryal
           the
           Parish
           had
           of
           him
           in
           two
           or
           three
           Sermons
           ,
           they
           were
           in
           their
           private
           Judgement
           of
           Discretion
           not
           well
           pleased
           with
           his
           way
           of
           Preaching
           ,
           for
           several
           Grave
           and
           Weighty
           Exceptions
           which
           they
           had
           ready
           to
           produce
           .
           That
           for
           the
           prospect
           of
           a
           more
           lucrative
           place
           ,
           he
           had
           by
           indirect
           methods
           got
           himself
           loosed
           from
           other
           Calls
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           force
           himself
           in
           upon
           the
           Parish
           of
           Peebles
           .
           And
           finally
           ,
           that
           the
           Presbytery
           had
           in
           many
           instances
           behaved
           themselves
           very
           partially
           in
           this
           whole
           Affair
           ,
           for
           all
           which
           Reasons
           more
           amply
           enlarged
           by
           them
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           contained
           in
           their
           Instruments
           ;
           They
           did
           
             de
             novo
          
           Protest
           and
           Appeal
           against
           any
           further
           Procedure
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           upon
           the
           said
           Edict
           ,
           giving
           in
           a
           Copy
           of
           this
           their
           new
           Appeal
           ,
           with
           the
           Reasons
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           taking
           Instruments
           thereupon
           ,
           in
           contempt
           of
           which
           repeated
           Appeals
           ,
           with
           the
           most
           irrefragable
           Reasons
           thereof
           ;
           the
           Presbytery
           having
           determined
           before
           hand
           to
           institute
           Mr.
           Veatch
           ;
           and
           for
           that
           effect
           ingaged
           Mr.
           
             Robert
             Elliot
          
           to
           Preach
           at
           his
           Institution
           ,
           proceeded
           the
           very
           next
           day
           ,
           being
           the
           18th
           of
           September
           ,
           actually
           to
           Institute
           him
           ,
           in
           most
           Illegal
           and
           Disorderly
           way
           ,
           contrary
           to
           an
           express
           Act
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           ,
           holden
           at
           
             Glasgow
             ,
             December
          
           17.
           1638.
           
           Whereby
           it
           is
           expresly
           provided
           ,
           
             That
             no
             person
             be
             obtruded
             into
             any
             Office
             in
             the
             Kirk
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             will
             of
             the
             Congregation
             .
          
           At
           which
           pretended
           Institution
           ,
           there
           were
           none
           of
           the
           Heritors
           of
           any
           worth
           ,
           or
           esteem
           ,
           nor
           of
           the
           standing
           Eldership
           of
           the
           Parish
           ,
           (
           and
           excepting
           the
           present
           Magistrates
           ,
           )
           none
           of
           the
           substantial
           Parishioners
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           in
           proportion
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           Parish
           ,
           few
           at
           all
           
           to
           Accept
           of
           or
           Imbrace
           him
           ;
           in
           so
           much
           that
           it
           's
           informed
           ,
           Mr.
           Elliot
           publickly
           expressed
           his
           grief
           ,
           That
           there
           were
           so
           few
           honest
           Men
           in
           the
           Parish
           to
           receive
           their
           Pastor
           .
        
         
           In
           Respect
           of
           all
           which
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Heritors
           consenting
           to
           Mr.
           Veatch
           his
           Call
           ,
           are
           but
           very
           few
           ,
           and
           against
           severals
           of
           whom
           there
           are
           Competent
           and
           Relevant
           Exceptions
           ;
           viz.
           That
           some
           of
           them
           are
           not
           Heritors
           ,
           and
           others
           by
           promise
           of
           case
           of
           their
           Stipends
           ,
           and
           some
           by
           Threatnings
           if
           they
           did
           not
           consent
           ;
           And
           that
           the
           Heritors
           who
           have
           protested
           against
           the
           said
           Call
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           the
           most
           considerable
           Heritors
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           most
           considerable
           Interest
           in
           the
           Parish
           ,
           but
           are
           double
           the
           number
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           beside
           the
           whole
           Eldership
           .
           It
           is
           therefore
           hoped
           ,
           That
           his
           Grace
           ,
           His
           Majestie
           's
           
             High
             Commissioner
          
           to
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Moderator
           ,
           and
           the
           Reverend
           Brethren
           of
           the
           
             General
             Assembly
          
           of
           the
           Kirk
           of
           Scotland
           now
           sitting
           ,
           May
           Examine
           ,
           and
           take
           into
           their
           Grave
           and
           Godly
           Consideration
           ,
           the
           whole
           Progress
           of
           this
           Affair
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Parishes
           Protestations
           and
           Appeals
           ,
           which
           they
           Humbly
           Crave
           may
           be
           publickly
           Read
           ,
           hoping
           by
           their
           Pious
           Wisdom
           ,
           to
           have
           their
           Lawful
           Pastor
           restored
           unto
           them
           ;
           And
           in
           Order
           thereunto
           ,
           to
           be
           relieved
           of
           such
           an
           Illegal
           Intruder
           ,
           who
           upon
           many
           Accounts
           has
           rendered
           himself
           unfit
           to
           be
           continued
           in
           such
           a
           Charge
           ,
           particularly
           ,
           because
           being
           conscious
           to
           himself
           of
           the
           weakness
           and
           Insufficiency
           of
           his
           Call
           ,
           partly
           by
           his
           own
           Solicitations
           ,
           partly
           by
           other
           undirect
           Motions
           ,
           he
           did
           influence
           some
           few
           Heritors
           of
           Note
           ,
           to
           sign
           it
           after
           an
           Edict
           had
           been
           served
           thereupon
           ;
           Again
           to
           shake
           himself
           Loose
           from
           the
           Calls
           ,
           which
           were
           Referred
           to
           the
           Synod
           of
           Kelso
           ,
           he
           had
           prevailed
           with
           some
           of
           his
           Friends
           ,
           to
           Represent
           his
           Call
           to
           Peebles
           ,
           as
           the
           effect
           of
           an
           immediate
           and
           Extraordinary
           Providence
           ,
           which
           they
           did
           so
           flourish
           out
           in
           the
           several
           Circumstances
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           appear
           equivalent
           to
           a
           voic●
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           which
           he
           ought
           not
           to
           disobey
           .
           Whereas
           it
           can
           be
           evinc'd
           ,
           by
           clear
           Evidences
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           a
           Draught
           and
           Design
           of
           Men
           ,
           carried
           on
           underhand
           for
           a
           considerable
           time
           .
           And
           it
           is
           left
           to
           the
           Assembly
           to
           judge
           what
           a
           gross
           Hypocrisie
           and
           Abuse
           of
           the
           
             Sacred
             Name
             of
             Providence
          
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           pretend
           an
           
             immediate
             hand
             of
             God
          
           ,
           to
           the
           Cobweb-Plots
           and
           Contrivances
           of
           sinful
           Men
           ;
           Sure
           ,
           for
           as
           well
           as
           this
           Providence
           was
           painted
           forth
           to
           gain
           this
           point
           before
           the
           Synod
           ,
           there
           were
           some
           of
           that
           Meeting
           ,
           who
           could
           see
           thorow
           the
           vanity
           of
           that
           Pretence
           ;
           And
           in
           special
           ,
           one
           Grave
           and
           Wise
           Member
           ,
           could
           not
           let
           it
           pass
           without
           a
           tart
           Reflection
           on
           it
           ;
           Siklike
           ,
           upon
           the
           day
           of
           his
           Admission
           ,
           he
           was
           not
           afraid
           publickly
           to
           take
           God
           to
           witness
           ,
           that
           no
           prospect
           of
           a
           great
           Benefice
           had
           induced
           him
           to
           come
           to
           Peebles
           ,
           whereas
           it
           transcends
           the
           comprehensions
           of
           the
           most
           vast
           and
           extensive
           Charity
           ,
           to
           fancy
           what
           other
           motive
           could
           prevail
           with
           him
           ,
           to
           reject
           Calls
           of
           People
           that
           were
           Zealous
           and
           Unanimous
           for
           him
           ;
           and
           thrust
           himself
           in
           upon
           a
           Parish
           who
           desired
           him
           not
           ,
           and
           can
           expect
           no
           Spiritual
           Comfort
           from
           his
           Ministry
           .
           And
           finally
           ,
           He
           has
           since
           that
           time
           imposed
           conditions
           of
           admitting
           Children
           to
           Baptism
           in
           that
           Parish
           ,
           which
           neither
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           nor
           the
           late
           
             General
             Meeting
          
           of
           this
           Church
           has
           warranted
           him
           to
           do
           ;
           whereupon
           several
           Persons
           were
           necessitate
           to
           take
           their
           Children
           to
           be
           Baptised
           by
           others
           ,
           and
           some
           have
           taken
           Instruments
           against
           him
           .
           And
           not
           a
           few
           Infants
           have
           been
           in
           apparent
           Danger
           of
           Dying
           without
           Baptism
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           grief
           of
           their
           Parents
           ;
           Among
           whom
           were
           weak
           Twins
           belonging
           to
           one
           of
           the
           late
           Magistrates
           .
           All
           which
           can
           clearly
           be
           proved
           against
           him
           ,
           together
           with
           several
           other
           Articles
           which
           they
           have
           to
           produce
           ,
           and
           can
           prove
           ,
           competent
           time
           being
           allowed
           unto
           them
           for
           the
           Citation
           of
           Witnesses
           ,
           but
           which
           they
           have
           hitherto
           forborn
           to
           make
           use
           of
           ,
           out
           of
           tenderness
           to
           his
           Character
           ,
           and
           will
           always
           forbear
           till
           they
           be
           constrained
           to
           take
           this
           last
           Remedy
           .
        
         
           
           This
           is
           the
           exact
           Copy
           of
           the
           Information
           and
           Petition
           given
           in
           by
           Mr.
           Heriot
           ,
           Minister
           of
           Dalkeith
           ,
           in
           Print
           ,
           to
           the
           Privy
           Council
           at
           Edenburgh
           .
        
      
       
         
           INFORMATION
           FOR
           Mr.
           ALEXANDER
           HERIOT
           ,
           Minister
           at
           DALKEITH
           .
        
         
           In
           Relation
           to
           the
           Label
           against
           him
           ,
           before
           the
           Presbytery
           at
           Dalkeith
           ,
           and
           the
           Sentences
           thereon
           .
           And
           Petitions
           to
           the
           Lords
           of
           Their
           MAJESTIES
           Privy
           Council
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Appeal
             given
             in
             by
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             Heriot
             to
             the
             Synod
             of
             Midlothian
             ,
             containing
             a
             short
             Information
             of
             the
             Progress
             of
             that
             Process
             ,
             to
             that
             time
             ,
             is
             as
             follows
             .
          
           
             MOderator
             ,
             Being
             conscious
             of
             my
             Innocence
             ,
             and
             finding
             my self
             Wronged
             ,
             and
             Injured
             ,
             I
             here
             appeal
             from
             this
             Synod
             ,
             to
             the
             first
             
               General
               Assembly
            
             ,
             when
             it
             shall
             meet
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             to
             their
             
               Majesties
               Protection
            
             ,
             for
             Justice
             and
             Relief
             ;
             And
             since
             the
             Law
             allows
             the
             Liedges
             a
             competent
             time
             to
             give
             in
             the
             Reasons
             of
             their
             appeals
             ,
             I
             here
             Protest
             within
             Twenty
             four
             hours
             ,
             to
             give
             in
             the
             Reasons
             of
             this
             my
             appeal
             to
             your
             Clerk
             ;
             And
             withall
             ,
             I
             protest
             that
             this
             be
             Recorded
             by
             him
             .
             And
             upon
             all
             I
             take
             Instruments
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             Reasons
             of
             Appeal
             of
             Mr.
             Alexander
             Heriot
             Minister
             at
             Dalkeith
             ,
             from
             the
             Synod
             of
             Midlothian
             ,
             to
             the
             next
             Lawful
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             And
             to
             their
             MAJESTIES
             Protection
             for
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Relief
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             .
          
           
             THERE
             being
             an
             Indictment
             given
             in
             to
             the
             Presbytery
             of
             Dalkeith
             against
             the
             said
             Mr.
             
               Alexander
               Heriot
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Libel
             bearing
             it
             to
             be
             given
             in
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Parochiners
             ,
             the
             said
             Mr.
             
               Alexander
               Heriot
            
             and
             Parochiners
             compeered
             ,
             and
             craved
             that
             his
             accusets
             might
             be
             named
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             might
             subscribe
             their
             Charge
             against
             him
             ;
             And
             that
             in
             regard
             that
             the
             said
             Heritors
             and
             Parochiners
             did
             not
             only
             
               Viva
               Voce
            
             ,
             but
             by
             a
             Writ
             under
             their
             Hands
             Disclaim
             and
             Disown
             it
             ,
             except
             
               Alexander
               Calderwood
            
             ,
             and
             a
             few
             others
             ,
             
               ex
               faece
               populi
            
             .
             And
             albeit
             no
             Libel
             ought
             to
             be
             admitted
             without
             a
             Pursuer
             ;
             Yet
             the
             Presbytery
             refused
             to
             condescend
             upon
             the
             Ingivers
             of
             the
             Libel
             ,
             or
             to
             ordain
             them
             to
             own
             and
             subscribe
             it
             .
             Like
             as
             ,
             none
             had
             the
             Confidence
             to
             own
             it
             ,
             except
             the
             said
             
               Alexander
               Calderwood
            
             ,
             who
             sat
             among
             them
             as
             one
             of
             the
             Ruling
             Elders
             ,
             and
             who
             is
             notourly
             known
             to
             be
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             Heriot's
             declared
             Enemy
             (
             although
             without
             cause
             )
             and
             who
             invented
             and
             reported
             most
             false
             Calumnies
             against
             him
             ,
             of
             which
             when
             he
             was
             challenged
             ,
             his
             answer
             was
             ,
             That
             whether
             they
             were
             true
             or
             false
             ,
             he
             had
             thereupon
             taken
             two
             hundred
             of
             the
             Parochiners
             from
             his
             Communion
             ;
             
             Mr.
             Heriot
             declined
             him
             as
             Judge
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
             wherein
             he
             both
             informed
             and
             accused
             ;
             which
             not
             only
             consisted
             in
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Presbytery
             (
             who
             had
             no
             other
             Information
             but
             his
             )
             but
             which
             was
             likewise
             offered
             to
             be
             proved
             by
             his
             Oath
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             thereof
             ,
             against
             all
             Law
             ,
             Reason
             ,
             and
             good
             Order
             ,
             the
             Presbytery
             would
             not
             remove
             him
             ,
             but
             allowed
             him
             to
             fit
             as
             one
             of
             Mr.
             
             Heriot's
             Judges
             ,
             and
             appointed
             him
             one
             of
             the
             Examinators
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             :
             and
             he
             forgetting
             that
             station
             ,
             informed
             and
             tampered
             with
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             threatned
             others
             ,
             as
             to
             what
             they
             should
             depone
             ;
             and
             the
             Witnesses
             being
             overawed
             and
             interrupted
             in
             their
             Examinations
             ,
             and
             not
             allowed
             to
             declare
             the
             whole
             Truth
             in
             complext
             matters
             of
             Fact
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Depositions
             may
             be
             lame
             and
             weak
             ,
             and
             carry
             a
             quite
             contrary
             meaning
             of
             the
             Truth
             ,
             of
             what
             the
             Witnesses
             offered
             to
             depone
             ;
             And
             some
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             having
             desired
             that
             they
             might
             see
             and
             read
             their
             own
             Depositions
             before
             they
             subscribed
             them
             ,
             the
             same
             was
             absolutely
             refused
             ,
             with
             this
             Expostulation
             ;
             
               What
               ?
               do
               you
               distrust
               us
               ?
               and
               do
               you
               question
               our
               Clerk's
               honesty
               ?
            
             And
             thus
             they
             caused
             these
             Witnesses
             subscribe
             what
             was
             written
             ,
             so
             that
             there
             may
             be
             left
             out
             the
             material
             parts
             of
             their
             Depositions
             ,
             which
             cleared
             their
             Ministers
             .
             And
             not
             only
             are
             there
             several
             Articles
             of
             the
             Libel
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             upon
             these
             Heads
             ,
             to
             which
             the
             Trial
             of
             the
             
               Regualr
               Clergy
            
             is
             restricted
             by
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             which
             are
             in
             themselves
             
               alterius
               sori
            
             ,
             but
             likewise
             there
             was
             an
             additional
             Libel
             raised
             against
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             ,
             and
             without
             any
             Citation
             given
             to
             him
             thereupon
             ,
             or
             Copy
             ,
             Sight
             or
             Notice
             given
             to
             him
             thereof
             ;
             Witnesses
             are
             examined
             ,
             than
             all
             which
             there
             can
             be
             nothing
             in
             judicial
             Procedures
             more
             Partial
             ,
             Pernicious
             ,
             and
             Unjust
             .
             And
             Mr.
             
               Alexander
               Heriot
            
             having
             appealed
             from
             the
             Presbytery
             to
             the
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             the
             Presbytery
             notwithstanding
             thereof
             proceeded
             ,
             and
             found
             the
             Libel
             Valid
             ,
             and
             Proved
             ;
             and
             therefore
             ,
             and
             in
             regard
             of
             Mr.
             
             Heriot's
             Contumacy
             (
             as
             they
             termed
             his
             Appeal
             to
             the
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             which
             sat
             in
             October
             last
             )
             they
             suspended
             him
             from
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             referred
             him
             for
             further
             Censure
             to
             the
             General
             Assembly
             .
             But
             the
             General
             Assembly
             having
             found
             no
             Contumacy
             in
             the
             Appeal
             ,
             they
             referred
             him
             back
             again
             to
             the
             Synod
             .
             And
             now
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             does
             again
             Appeal
             from
             the
             Synod
             ,
             and
             from
             any
             Sentence
             they
             shall
             give
             in
             this
             Matter
             ,
             to
             the
             next
             lawful
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             to
             Their
             Majesties
             Protection
             for
             Justice
             and
             Relief
             .
             For
             thir
             Grounds
             and
             Reasons
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             There
             being
             a
             Petition
             given
             in
             by
             the
             Heritors
             and
             Parochiners
             of
             Dalkeith
             to
             the
             Synod
             ,
             attesting
             ,
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             his
             Faithfulness
             in
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             his
             Innocency
             as
             to
             the
             things
             Libelled
             against
             him
             ;
             and
             craving
             ,
             that
             according
             to
             the
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             the
             Depositions
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             might
             be
             made
             parent
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             the
             better
             Redargued
             ;
             yet
             the
             Synod
             suffered
             not
             the
             said
             Petition
             to
             be
             read
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             having
             represented
             to
             the
             Synod
             the
             foresaid
             Procedure
             of
             the
             Presbytery
             against
             him
             ,
             and
             having
             craved
             that
             the
             Depositions
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             ,
             might
             be
             read
             before
             him
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             might
             have
             a
             Copy
             of
             the
             Aditional
             Libel
             ,
             which
             he
             had
             never
             seen
             ;
             and
             that
             conform
             to
             the
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             the
             Depositions
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             might
             be
             made
             patent
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             he
             might
             have
             a
             Copy
             thereof
             ,
             to
             the
             effect
             he
             might
             the
             better
             clear
             himself
             ,
             from
             any
             thing
             that
             may
             seem
             to
             be
             deponed
             against
             him
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             thereof
             ,
             (
             and
             contrare
             to
             Law
             )
             the
             same
             was
             also
             refused
             by
             the
             Synod
             ,
             and
             undoubtedly
             for
             this
             Reason
             ,
             That
             the
             Probation
             was
             weak
             ,
             and
             might
             not
             abide
             the
             Light
             nor
             Trial
             ,
             for
             
               Veritas
               non
               quaerit
               Angulos
            
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             The
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             represented
             to
             the
             Synod
             ,
             That
             he
             was
             informed
             
             that
             one
             of
             the
             Articles
             deponed
             against
             him
             ,
             was
             ,
             That
             he
             should
             have
             danced
             about
             a
             Bonfire
             the
             14th
             of
             October
             1688
             ;
             And
             that
             the
             same
             was
             the
             only
             Article
             proved
             against
             him
             ,
             which
             he
             instantly
             redargued
             ,
             for
             the
             said
             14th
             day
             of
             October
             1688
             fell
             upon
             a
             Sunday
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Witnesses
             and
             whole
             Inhabitants
             of
             Dalkeith
             cannot
             but
             declare
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             never
             Bonfires
             at
             Dalkeith
             upon
             a
             Sunday
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             deponed
             flalsly
             .
             And
             the
             Dancing
             about
             a
             Bonfire
             being
             so
             publick
             an
             Act
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             the
             Witnesses
             that
             have
             deponed
             it
             ,
             but
             likeways
             many
             others
             would
             have
             seen
             it
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             Dalkeith
             would
             have
             heard
             of
             it
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             been
             true
             :
             Yet
             notwithstanding
             thereof
             ,
             all
             the
             Neighbours
             to
             that
             Bonfire
             ,
             and
             whole
             Inhabitants
             of
             Dalkeith
             will
             declare
             and
             depone
             ,
             that
             they
             neither
             saw
             nor
             heard
             of
             their
             Minister
             dancing
             at
             that
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Bonfire
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             of
             that
             clear
             Conviction
             ,
             and
             redarguing
             of
             that
             Article
             ,
             the
             Synod
             had
             no
             regard
             thereto
             ,
             affirming
             that
             there
             was
             no
             help
             for
             it
             now
             ,
             it
             being
             so
             deponed
             ,
             which
             is
             no
             other
             thing
             than
             as
             if
             they
             had
             said
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             not
             concerned
             tho'
             it
             were
             false
             ,
             for
             it
             was
             so
             deponed
             ;
             and
             which
             is
             so
             consequential
             to
             a
             clear
             and
             positive
             Redarguing
             ,
             and
             Improbation
             of
             the
             Article
             ,
             and
             Probation
             thereof
             ,
             that
             the
             prejudice
             and
             design
             of
             the
             Synod
             to
             proceed
             against
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             upon
             whatever
             was
             alleadged
             ,
             altho'
             without
             Probation
             ,
             or
             upon
             a
             Redargued
             Probation
             ,
             is
             evidently
             manifest
             .
          
           
             4thly
             .
             The
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             represented
             to
             the
             Synod
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             formerly
             appealed
             from
             the
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             was
             but
             too
             evident
             from
             what
             is
             above
             narrated
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             Party
             against
             him
             .
             And
             which
             was
             further
             demonstrate
             from
             this
             ,
             That
             the
             said
             Presbytery
             and
             
               Alexander
               Calderwood
            
             ,
             did
             in
             face
             of
             the
             Synod
             not
             only
             interrupt
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             when
             he
             was
             speaking
             ;
             but
             likeways
             debated
             and
             reasoned
             against
             him
             as
             his
             opposite
             Parties
             ,
             so
             that
             it
             could
             not
             be
             expected
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             would
             do
             more
             when
             he
             was
             removed
             out
             of
             the
             Synod
             ,
             and
             therefore
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             declined
             the
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             
               Alexander
               Calderwood
            
             as
             his
             Judges
             ,
             and
             craved
             that
             they
             might
             not
             sit
             to
             judge
             him
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             thereof
             ,
             against
             all
             Law
             and
             Justice
             ,
             they
             were
             not
             removed
             .
          
           
             5thly
             .
             Several
             Members
             of
             the
             Synod
             interrupted
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             ,
             while
             he
             was
             vindicating
             himself
             ,
             in
             the
             face
             of
             the
             Synod
             ,
             and
             craving
             a
             sight
             of
             the
             Additional
             Libel
             ,
             and
             Deposition
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             ;
             And
             cried
             out
             ,
             That
             
               the
               same
               should
               not
               be
               granted
               to
               him
               ,
            
             as
             if
             every
             one
             of
             them
             had
             had
             a
             Decisive
             Voice
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             without
             Example
             in
             any
             Judicatory
             ,
             for
             any
             of
             the
             Judges
             to
             interrupt
             the
             Defenders
             speaking
             ,
             and
             to
             cry
             out
             their
             Opinion
             ,
             or
             rather
             Sentence
             ,
             before
             the
             Defender
             be
             removed
             ;
             and
             which
             openly
             discovers
             their
             Prejudice
             ,
             Design
             and
             Resolution
             of
             proceeding
             against
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             ,
             altho'
             without
             just
             cause
             .
          
           
             6thly
             .
             The
             Prejudice
             and
             design
             of
             the
             Synods
             proceeding
             against
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             ,
             on
             the
             said
             lame
             ,
             weak
             ,
             and
             null
             probation
             ,
             is
             evident
             ,
             in
             so
             far
             as
             several
             Members
             of
             their
             Number
             did
             speak
             and
             deal
             with
             him
             to
             demit
             ,
             or
             that
             otherways
             they
             would
             depose
             him
             .
             And
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             certain
             ,
             than
             that
             they
             would
             never
             have
             Dealt
             with
             him
             to
             demit
             ,
             if
             the
             Probation
             against
             him
             had
             been
             good
             ;
             Their
             malice
             to
             the
             
               Regular
               Clergy
            
             being
             such
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             would
             rather
             Depose
             them
             for
             Immoralities
             ,
             and
             Errors
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             to
             expose
             them
             ,
             than
             suffer
             them
             to
             Demit
             ,
             and
             get
             off
             without
             stain
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             guilty
             of
             the
             same
             .
             But
             Mr.
             Alexander
             being
             Conscious
             of
             his
             own
             Innocency
             refused
             to
             Demit
             ,
             but
             rather
             to
             suffer
             their
             Extremity
             ,
             from
             which
             he
             hoped
             GOD
             in
             his
             good
             time
             would
             Vindicate
             him
             .
             And
             therefore
             it
             being
             evident
             from
             the
             Grounds
             foresaid
             ,
             that
             the
             Synod
             has
             behaved
             themselves
             most
             partially
             ,
             and
             against
             all
             Law
             and
             Form
             :
             The
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             does
             therefore
             
             Protest
             against
             the
             Synods
             further
             Proceeding
             in
             the
             said
             Matter
             ,
             and
             appeals
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             from
             any
             sentence
             they
             shall
             give
             therein
             ,
             to
             the
             next
             lawful
             
               General
               Assemblie
               ▪
            
             And
             to
             their
             MAJESTIES
             Protection
             ,
             for
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Relief
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ;
             And
             Protests
             ,
             That
             the
             said
             Libels
             ,
             and
             Witnesses
             Depositions
             taken
             thereupon
             ,
             may
             be
             preserved
             ,
             and
             not
             put
             out
             of
             the
             way
             ,
             That
             so
             the
             ●●me
             (
             and
             not
             Copies
             thereof
             )
             may
             be
             produced
             to
             the
             next
             
               General
               Assembly
            
             ;
             Or
             to
             any
             their
             Majesties
             shall
             be
             pleased
             ,
             out
             of
             their
             Royal
             Authority
             ,
             to
             appoint
             to
             consider
             the
             same
             :
             And
             that
             as
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             will
             publish
             and
             disperse
             his
             Appeal
             ,
             and
             his
             Answers
             to
             the
             first
             Libel
             ;
             Which
             he
             only
             did
             see
             for
             his
             own
             Vindication
             from
             any
             sentence
             that
             shall
             follow
             hereupon
             ;
             So
             he
             expects
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             Desires
             ,
             that
             the
             said
             Synod
             may
             Print
             both
             the
             Libels
             against
             him
             ,
             and
             Depositions
             taken
             thereupon
             ,
             for
             vindication
             of
             their
             Justice
             ,
             (
             if
             they
             can
             conceive
             they
             have
             done
             right
             :
             )
             But
             which
             Mr.
             Alexander
             hopes
             will
             rather
             vindicate
             his
             Innocency
             .
             And
             further
             ,
             Mr.
             Alexander
             Craves
             ,
             and
             Protests
             ,
             That
             this
             his
             Appeal
             may
             be
             insert
             in
             the
             Books
             of
             the
             Synod
             .
          
           
             Notwithstanding
             of
             the
             Appeals
             foresaid
             ,
             the
             Synod
             proceeded
             ,
             and
             Deposed
             the
             said
             Mr.
             Alexander
             from
             his
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             the
             Eldership
             of
             the
             Parish
             was
             invaded
             ,
             and
             some
             few
             (
             severals
             of
             them
             scarce
             worth
             to
             be
             noticed
             as
             Residenters
             )
             have
             usurped
             the
             power
             of
             electing
             Elders
             ,
             and
             have
             elected
             many
             moe
             than
             the
             number
             formerly
             used
             ,
             purposely
             as
             they
             think
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             greater
             Figure
             ;
             altho'
             but
             of
             the
             most
             inconsiderable
             of
             the
             Parish
             ;
             and
             of
             Design
             to
             Call
             ,
             Impose
             ,
             and
             Obtrude
             a
             Minister
             upon
             the
             Rest
             against
             their
             will
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             Charity
             ,
             Practices
             of
             Christian
             Churches
             ,
             and
             profession
             of
             Presbyterians
             .
             Notwithstanding
             that
             the
             said
             Mr.
             
               Alexander
               Heriot
            
             his
             Appeal
             does
             in
             Law
             preserve
             his
             Right
             ,
             and
             keeps
             all
             in
             
               statu
               quo
            
             ,
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Appeal
             ,
             while
             it
             be
             discust
             .
          
           
             Whereupon
             ,
             not
             only
             the
             said
             
               Mr.
               Alexander
               Heriott
            
             ,
             but
             likewise
             the
             Heritors
             and
             Parishioners
             of
             Dalkeith
             have
             given
             in
             a
             Petition
             to
             the
             Lords
             of
             their
             Majesties
             most
             Honourable
             Privy
             Council
             ,
             That
             they
             may
             be
             pleased
             to
             forbid
             the
             Calling
             of
             a
             Minister
             until
             the
             Appeal
             be
             discust
             ;
             And
             that
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             he
             may
             be
             restored
             to
             the
             Exercise
             of
             his
             Ministrie
             .
             And
             that
             the
             Presbytery
             of
             Dalkeith
             ;
             And
             others
             who
             had
             the
             Libels
             given
             in
             against
             him
             ,
             and
             Depositions
             of
             the
             Witnesses
             ,
             may
             make
             the
             same
             known
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             Law
             appoints
             ;
             That
             he
             may
             know
             what
             is
             libelled
             ,
             or
             may
             seem
             to
             be
             proved
             ,
             to
             the
             effect
             he
             may
             the
             better
             clear
             himself
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             which
             is
             nothing
             but
             false
             lies
             and
             calumnies
             :
             And
             whereof
             several
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             have
             seen
             the
             Libels
             and
             Depositions
             ,
             Affirm
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             pretended
             to
             be
             proved
             ,
             But
             the
             dancing
             about
             the
             Bon-Fire
             ;
             which
             is
             not
             only
             clearly
             redargued
             to
             be
             false
             as
             said
             is
             ,
             there
             being
             no
             Bonfires
             either
             on
             the
             foresaid
             day
             ,
             nor
             for
             several
             months
             either
             before
             or
             after
             ;
             But
             likewise
             if
             the
             persons
             who
             have
             deponed
             it
             were
             known
             ,
             and
             re-examined
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             found
             ,
             they
             have
             deponed
             falsly
             ;
             And
             that
             they
             have
             been
             dealt
             with
             so
             to
             Depone
             ;
             And
             that
             this
             Falshood
             may
             not
             be
             discovered
             ,
             not
             only
             are
             the
             Depositions
             kept
             up
             ,
             contrary
             to
             express
             Law
             and
             Acts
             of
             Parliament
             ;
             But
             likewise
             ,
             no
             notice
             can
             be
             gotten
             who
             were
             the
             persons
             who
             have
             deponed
             it
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             insisted
             against
             .
          
           
             Whereas
             it
             is
             pretended
             ,
             That
             the
             Lords
             of
             their
             Majesties
             Privy
             Council
             ,
             are
             not
             Judges
             competent
             to
             the
             sentences
             of
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Courts
            
             ,
             and
             that
             as
             they
             cannot
             put
             in
             Ministers
             in
             Churches
             ,
             so
             they
             cannot
             meddle
             with
             sentences
             of
             Depositions
             .
             It
             is
             answered
             ,
             That
             by
             the
             1.
             
             
               Act
               8
               Parl.
               Ja.
            
             6.
             
             It
             is
             Statute
             and
             Ordained
             ,
             
               That
               his
               Majestie
               ,
               and
               Council
               shall
               be
               Judges
               competent
               ,
               To
               all
               Persons
               Spiritual
               and
               Temporal
               ,
               in
               all
               matters
               .
            
             And
             to
             pretend
             ,
             that
             the
             Council
             is
             not
             Judge
             
             competent
             to
             sentences
             of
             
               Ecclesiastick
               Courts
            
             ,
             is
             no
             other
             them
             to
             affirm
             ,
             
               That
               these
               Courts
               have
               an
               Arbitrary
               power
               ,
               and
               may
               do
               wrong
               at
               their
               pleasure
               without
               Remeed
               or
               Control
               .
            
             For
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             That
             
               Mr.
               Herriott
            
             is
             most
             unjustly
             pursued
             and
             Deposed
             .
             And
             it
             is
             also
             evident
             ,
             that
             if
             it
             be
             not
             Redressed
             by
             the
             Council
             ,
             he
             will
             never
             be
             Restored
             by
             those
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             have
             dealt
             so
             unjustly
             with
             him
             .
          
           
             And
             whereas
             ,
             it
             is
             alleaged
             ,
             
               That
               as
               the
               Council
               cannot
               put
               in
               Ministers
               ,
               so
               they
               cannot
               meddle
               with
               sentences
               of
               Deposition
               .
            
             It
             is
             answered
             ,
             That
             the
             Council
             has
             not
             the
             power
             of
             Admission
             and
             Ordination
             of
             Ministers
             .
             But
             if
             a
             Minister
             having
             a
             lawful
             Call
             ,
             the
             Presbyterie
             should
             refuse
             to
             admit
             and
             Ordain
             him
             ,
             albeit
             they
             have
             nothing
             to
             object
             against
             him
             ,
             upon
             Application
             to
             the
             Council
             or
             Session
             ,
             Letters
             will
             be
             directed
             to
             Charge
             the
             Presbyterie
             ,
             to
             Admit
             and
             Ordain
             him
             ,
             but
             
               multo
               magis
            
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             where
             a
             Minister
             is
             Deposed
             from
             his
             Ministrie
             ,
             as
             likewise
             from
             his
             Benefice
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             his
             Livelyhood
             and
             Maintenance
             )
             and
             yet
             most
             unjustly
             ,
             and
             without
             Ground
             or
             Reason
             ;
             The
             Council
             is
             most
             proper
             Judges
             ,
             for
             Restoring
             him
             against
             the
             foresaid
             Oppression
             ,
             Injurie
             ,
             and
             Unjust
             Sentence
             .
          
           
             And
             for
             a
             further
             evidence
             of
             this
             unjust
             Sentence
             ,
             it
             is
             Humbly
             desired
             ,
             that
             the
             Lords
             of
             Their
             Majesties
             Privy
             Council
             will
             be
             pleased
             to
             take
             notice
             ,
             That
             in
             the
             first
             Libel
             there
             are
             many
             Articles
             which
             are
             not
             to
             be
             admitted
             in
             Law
             ;
             And
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             none
             of
             them
             proved
             ,
             but
             the
             Dancing
             about
             the
             Bonfire
             :
             And
             yet
             the
             Presbytery
             by
             their
             Sentence
             ,
             found
             the
             Libel
             Relevant
             and
             Proved
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             understood
             as
             to
             the
             whole
             Articles
             of
             the
             Libel
             complexlie
             ,
             than
             which
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             false
             ,
             as
             will
             appear
             by
             the
             Libels
             and
             Depositions
             ,
             if
             they
             were
             produced
             .
             And
             yet
             thereupon
             
               Mr.
               Heriott
            
             is
             first
             suspended
             by
             the
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             referred
             by
             them
             to
             the
             General
             Assembly
             for
             further
             Censure
             ,
             as
             if
             great
             Immoralities
             in
             Life
             ,
             and
             Errors
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             had
             been
             proved
             against
             him
             .
             And
             the
             Synod
             (
             to
             which
             the
             Assembly
             remitted
             him
             )
             following
             the
             steps
             of
             the
             Presbytery
             ,
             deposed
             him
             .
             Now
             when
             Presbytery
             and
             Synod
             ,
             have
             acted
             thus
             contrary
             to
             express
             Law
             ,
             and
             have
             done
             open
             and
             manifest
             Unjustice
             ;
             (
             and
             whereof
             all
             that
             heard
             of
             it
             are
             convinced
             and
             sensible
             )
             And
             having
             stated
             themselves
             Parties
             against
             him
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Remedy
             expected
             from
             the
             said
             Unjustice
             ,
             Injury
             ,
             and
             Oppression
             ,
             unless
             the
             Lords
             of
             Their
             Majesties
             Privy
             Council
             interpose
             their
             Authority
             .
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             alleaged
             ,
             That
             the
             late
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             The
             Act
             of
             Supremacy
             in
             Church
             matters
             is
             Repealed
             ;
             It
             is
             answered
             ,
             That
             the
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             1669
             is
             Rescinded
             ,
             which
             extended
             the
             Supremacy
             ,
             to
             the
             Ordering
             and
             Disposal
             of
             the
             External
             Government
             and
             Policy
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Enacting
             of
             Constitutions
             ,
             Acts
             ,
             and
             Orders
             in
             the
             Church
             .
             But
             the
             foresaid
             Act
             of
             
               K.
               Ja.
            
             6.
             his
             8
             Parliament
             ,
             is
             not
             Rescinded
             ,
             which
             is
             only
             as
             to
             the
             Judging
             of
             Ecclesiastick
             Persons
             in
             matters
             complained
             upon
             ;
             and
             which
             power
             is
             inherent
             in
             the
             Crown
             ,
             otherways
             there
             should
             be
             
               Regnum
               in
               Regno
            
             ;
             and
             Church
             Judicatories
             should
             have
             arbitrary
             Power
             ,
             without
             Redress
             or
             Control
             ,
             as
             said
             is
             .
          
           
             In
             Regard
             whereof
             ,
             The
             Lords
             of
             Their
             MAJESTIES
             Privy
             Council
             are
             Judges
             Competent
             ,
             to
             this
             Injurie
             ,
             Vnjustice
             and
             Oppression
             ;
             And
             the
             Desire
             of
             the
             Petitions
             ought
             to
             be
             Granted
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             ACT
             of
             the
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             anent
             a
             Solemn
             National
             Fast
             and
             Humiliation
             ,
             with
             the
             Causes
             thereof
             .
          
           
             
               At
               Edinburgh
               ,
               
                 November
                 12.
                 1690.
                 
              
            
             Postmeridiem
             ,
             Sess
             .
             25.
             
          
           
             THE
             General
             Assembly
             ,
             Having
             taken
             into
             their
             most
             serious
             Consideration
             ,
             the
             late
             great
             and
             general
             Defection
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             have
             thought
             fit
             to
             Appoint
             a
             Day
             of
             Solemn
             Humiliation
             and
             Fasting
             ,
             for
             Confession
             of
             Sins
             ,
             and
             making
             Supplication
             to
             our
             Gracious
             God
             ,
             to
             forgive
             and
             remove
             the
             guilt
             thereof
             :
             In
             order
             whereunto
             ,
             they
             have
             Ordained
             the
             Confession
             of
             Sins
             ,
             and
             Causes
             of
             Fasting
             following
             ,
             to
             be
             duly
             Intimat
             and
             Published
             ;
             Recommending
             it
             most
             earnestly
             to
             all
             persons
             ,
             both
             Ministers
             and
             others
             ,
             That
             every
             one
             of
             us
             may
             not
             only
             search
             and
             try
             our
             own
             hearts
             and
             ways
             ,
             and
             stir
             up
             our selves
             to
             seek
             the
             Lord
             ;
             But
             also
             in
             our
             Stations
             ,
             and
             as
             we
             have
             access
             ,
             Deal
             with
             one
             another
             ,
             in
             all
             love
             and
             tenderness
             ,
             to
             prepare
             for
             so
             great
             and
             necessary
             a
             Duty
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             find
             mercy
             in
             God's
             sight
             ,
             and
             He
             may
             be
             graciously
             reconciled
             to
             our
             Land
             in
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             take
             delight
             to
             dwell
             among
             us
             .
          
           
             Although
             our
             gracious
             God
             hath
             of
             late
             ,
             for
             his
             own
             Names
             sake
             ,
             wrought
             great
             and
             wonderful
             things
             ,
             for
             Britain
             and
             Ireland
             ,
             and
             for
             this
             Church
             and
             Nation
             in
             particular
             ;
             Yet
             the
             Inhabitants
             thereof
             have
             cause
             to
             remember
             their
             own
             evil
             ways
             ,
             and
             to
             loath
             themselves
             in
             their
             own
             sight
             for
             their
             Iniquities
             .
          
           
             Alas
             !
             We
             ,
             and
             our
             Fathers
             ,
             our
             Princes
             ,
             our
             Pastors
             ,
             and
             People
             of
             all
             Ranks
             have
             sinned
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             under
             great
             Transgression
             to
             this
             day
             :
             For
             though
             our
             gracious
             God
             shewed
             early
             kindness
             to
             this
             Land
             ,
             in
             sending
             the
             Gospel
             amongst
             us
             ,
             and
             afterward
             in
             our
             Reformation
             from
             Popish
             Superstition
             and
             Idolatry
             ;
             and
             it
             had
             the
             Honour
             ,
             beyond
             many
             Nations
             ,
             of
             being
             after
             our
             first
             Reformation
             ,
             solemnly
             devoted
             unto
             God
             ,
             both
             Prince
             and
             People
             ,
             yet
             we
             have
             dealt
             treacherously
             with
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             been
             unstedfast
             in
             his
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             walked
             suitably
             to
             our
             Mercies
             received
             from
             him
             ,
             nor
             obligations
             to
             him
             :
             Through
             the
             mercy
             of
             God
             this
             Church
             had
             attained
             to
             a
             great
             purity
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             and
             Government
             ,
             but
             this
             was
             not
             accompanied
             with
             suitable
             personal
             Reformation
             ,
             neither
             was
             our
             Fruit
             answerable
             to
             the
             pains
             taken
             on
             us
             by
             Word
             and
             Work
             ;
             We
             had
             much
             Gospel-preaching
             ,
             but
             too
             little
             Gospel-practice
             ;
             too
             many
             went
             on
             in
             open
             wickedness
             ,
             and
             some
             had
             but
             a
             form
             of
             Godliness
             ,
             denying
             the
             power
             thereof
             ;
             many
             also
             who
             had
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             truth
             fell
             from
             their
             first
             love
             ,
             and
             fell
             under
             sad
             languishings
             and
             decays
             ;
             and
             when
             for
             our
             sins
             the
             anger
             of
             the
             Lord
             had
             divided
             us
             ,
             and
             we
             were
             brought
             under
             the
             feet
             of
             strangers
             ,
             and
             many
             of
             our
             Brethren
             killed
             ,
             others
             taken
             Captive
             and
             sold
             as
             slaves
             ,
             yet
             we
             sinned
             still
             ,
             and
             after
             we
             were
             freed
             from
             the
             yoke
             of
             strangers
             ,
             instead
             of
             returning
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             being
             led
             to
             Repentance
             by
             his
             goodness
             ,
             the
             Land
             made
             open
             Defection
             from
             the
             good
             ways
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
             many
             behaved
             as
             if
             they
             had
             been
             delivered
             to
             work
             abomination
             ,
             the
             flood-gates
             of
             Impiety
             were
             opended
             ,
             and
             a
             deluge
             of
             wickedness
             did
             over-spread
             the
             Land
             ,
             Who
             can
             without
             grief
             and
             shame
             remember
             the
             shameful
             debauchery
             and
             drunkenness
             that
             then
             was
             ?
             And
             this
             accompanied
             with
             horrid
             and
             hellish
             cursing
             and
             swearing
             ,
             and
             followed
             with
             frequent
             Filthiness
             ,
             Adulteries
             ,
             and
             other
             Abominations
             ,
             and
             the
             Reprover
             was
             hated
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             departed
             from
             Iniquity
             made
             himself
             a
             reproach
             or
             
             prey
             .
             And
             when
             by
             these
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             corrupt
             practices
             ,
             mens
             Consciences
             were
             debauched
             ,
             they
             proceeded
             to
             sacrifice
             the
             Interest
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Priviledges
             of
             his
             Church
             to
             the
             lusts
             and
             will
             of
             men
             ;
             The
             Supremacy
             was
             advanced
             in
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             and
             to
             such
             an
             height
             ,
             as
             never
             any
             Christian
             Church
             acknowledged
             ;
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             was
             altered
             ,
             and
             Prelacy
             (
             which
             hath
             been
             always
             grievous
             to
             this
             Nation
             )
             introduced
             ,
             without
             the
             Churches
             consent
             ,
             and
             contrair
             to
             the
             standing
             Acts
             of
             our
             National
             Assemblies
             ,
             both
             which
             the
             present
             Parliament
             hath
             (
             blessed
             be
             God
             )
             lately
             found
             ;
             And
             yet
             nevertheless
             ,
             of
             the
             then
             standing
             Ministry
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             many
             did
             suddenly
             and
             readily
             comply
             with
             that
             alteration
             of
             the
             Government
             ,
             some
             out
             of
             Pride
             and
             Covetousness
             or
             Man-pleasing
             ,
             some
             through
             infirmity
             or
             weakness
             ,
             or
             fear
             of
             Man
             ,
             and
             want
             of
             Courage
             and
             Zeal
             for
             God
             ,
             many
             faithful
             Ministers
             were
             thereupon
             cast
             out
             ,
             and
             many
             Insufficient
             and
             Scandalous
             men
             thrust
             in
             on
             their
             Charges
             ,
             and
             many
             Families
             ruined
             ,
             because
             they
             would
             not
             own
             them
             as
             their
             Pastors
             .
          
           
             And
             alas
             !
             It
             is
             undenyable
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             under
             the
             late
             Prelacie
             ,
             a
             great
             decay
             of
             Piety
             ,
             so
             that
             it
             was
             enough
             to
             make
             a
             man
             be
             nicknam'd
             a
             Phanatick
             ,
             if
             he
             did
             not
             run
             to
             the
             same
             excess
             of
             riot
             with
             others
             .
          
           
             And
             should
             it
             not
             be
             lamented
             ,
             for
             it
             cannot
             be
             denyed
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             in
             some
             a
             dreadful
             Atheistical
             Boldness
             against
             God
             ,
             some
             have
             disputed
             the
             Being
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Providence
             ,
             the
             Divine
             Authority
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             the
             Life
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             Immortality
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             yea
             and
             scoffed
             at
             these
             things
             .
          
           
             There
             hath
             been
             also
             an
             horrid
             Prophanation
             of
             the
             Holy
             and
             Dreadful
             Name
             of
             God
             ,
             by
             Cursing
             and
             Swearing
             :
             Ah!
             there
             hath
             been
             so
             much
             Swearing
             and
             Forswearing
             amongst
             us
             ,
             that
             no
             Nation
             under
             Heaven
             have
             been
             more
             guilty
             in
             this
             than
             we
             ;
             some
             by
             swearing
             rashly
             or
             ignorantly
             ,
             some
             falsly
             ,
             by
             breaking
             their
             Oaths
             ,
             and
             imposing
             and
             taking
             ungodly
             and
             unlawful
             Oaths
             and
             Bonds
             whereby
             the
             Consciences
             of
             many
             have
             been
             polluted
             and
             seared
             ,
             and
             many
             ruined
             and
             oppressed
             for
             refusing
             and
             not
             taking
             them
             .
          
           
             There
             hath
             also
             been
             a
             great
             neglect
             of
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             too
             much
             in
             publick
             ,
             but
             especially
             in
             Families
             ,
             and
             in
             secret
             .
          
           
             The
             wonted
             care
             of
             Religious
             sanctifying
             the
             Lord's
             Day
             is
             gone
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             places
             the
             Sabbath
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             is
             shamefully
             prophaned
             .
          
           
             The
             Land
             also
             hath
             been
             full
             of
             bloody
             Crimes
             ,
             and
             Cities
             full
             of
             Violence
             ,
             and
             much
             innocent
             Blood
             shed
             ,
             so
             that
             Blood
             touched
             Blood
             ;
             yea
             ,
             Sodoms
             sins
             have
             abounded
             amongst
             us
             ,
             Pride
             ,
             fullness
             of
             Bread
             ,
             Idleness
             ,
             Vanities
             of
             Apparel
             ,
             and
             shameful
             sensuality
             filled
             the
             Land.
             
          
           
             And
             alas
             !
             how
             great
             hath
             been
             the
             Cry
             of
             Oppression
             ,
             and
             Unrighteousness
             ,
             Iniquity
             hath
             been
             established
             by
             a
             Law
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             a
             great
             perverting
             of
             Justice
             ,
             by
             making
             and
             executing
             unrighteous
             Statutes
             and
             Acts
             ,
             and
             sad
             persecutions
             of
             many
             for
             their
             Conscience
             towards
             God.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             also
             matter
             of
             Lamentation
             ,
             that
             under
             this
             great
             Defection
             there
             hath
             been
             too
             general
             a
             fainting
             ,
             not
             only
             amongst
             professors
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             but
             also
             amongst
             Ministers
             ;
             yea
             ,
             even
             amongst
             such
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             main
             things
             did
             endeavour
             to
             maintain
             their
             Integrity
             ,
             in
             not
             giving
             seasonable
             and
             necessary
             Testimony
             against
             the
             Defectons
             and
             Evils
             of
             the
             Time
             ,
             and
             keeping
             a
             due
             distance
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             some
             on
             the
             other
             hand
             managed
             their
             Zeal
             with
             too
             little
             Discretion
             and
             Meekness
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             also
             matter
             of
             Humiliation
             ,
             that
             when
             Differences
             fell
             out
             amongst
             these
             ,
             who
             did
             owne
             Truth
             ,
             and
             bear
             witness
             against
             the
             Course
             of
             Defection
             ,
             they
             were
             not
             managed
             with
             due
             Charity
             and
             Love
             ,
             but
             with
             too
             much
             heat
             and
             bitterness
             ,
             injurious
             Reflections
             used
             against
             pious
             and
             worthy
             men
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             and
             scandalous
             Divisions
             occasioned
             ,
             and
             the
             success
             of
             the
             Gospel
             greatly
             obstructed
             
             thereby
             ,
             and
             some
             dangerous
             Principles
             drunk
             in
             :
             And
             after
             all
             this
             ,
             there
             were
             shameful
             advances
             towards
             Popery
             ,
             the
             Abomination
             of
             the
             Mass
             was
             set
             up
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             and
             Popish
             Schools
             erected
             ,
             and
             severals
             fell
             to
             Idolatry
             .
          
           
             And
             though
             the
             Lord
             hath
             put
             a
             stop
             to
             the
             Course
             of
             Defection
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             great
             mercy
             given
             us
             some
             reviving
             from
             our
             Bondage
             ;
             yet
             we
             have
             sad
             cause
             to
             regrate
             and
             bemoan
             ,
             that
             few
             have
             a
             due
             sense
             of
             our
             mercy
             ,
             or
             walk
             answerable
             thereto
             ,
             few
             are
             turned
             to
             the
             Lord
             in
             truth
             ,
             but
             the
             wicked
             go
             on
             to
             do
             wickedly
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             found
             amongst
             us
             to
             this
             day
             shameful
             ingratitude
             for
             our
             mercies
             ,
             Horrid
             impenitency
             under
             our
             sins
             ,
             yea
             ,
             even
             amongst
             those
             who
             stand
             most
             up
             for
             the
             Defence
             of
             the
             Truth
             :
             and
             amongst
             many
             in
             our
             Armies
             ,
             there
             is
             woful
             Prophaneness
             and
             Debauchery
             .
             And
             though
             we
             profess
             to
             acknowledge
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             pardon
             of
             Sins
             ,
             no
             Peace
             and
             Reconciliation
             with
             God
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             Blood
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             yet
             few
             know
             Him
             ,
             or
             see
             the
             Necessity
             and
             Excellency
             of
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             few
             see
             their
             need
             of
             Him
             ,
             or
             esteem
             ,
             desire
             ,
             or
             receive
             Him
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             offered
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             few
             are
             acquainted
             with
             Faith
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             and
             living
             by
             Faith
             on
             Him
             ,
             as
             made
             of
             the
             Father
             unto
             us
             ,
             Wisdom
             ,
             Righteousness
             ,
             Sanctification
             and
             Redemption
             ;
             and
             few
             walk
             as
             becometh
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             imitate
             our
             Holy
             Lord
             in
             Humility
             ,
             Meekness
             ,
             Self-denial
             ,
             Heavenly-mindedness
             ,
             Zeal
             for
             GOD
             ,
             and
             Charity
             towards
             Men
             :
             But
             as
             there
             is
             even
             until
             now
             ,
             a
             great
             contempt
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             a
             great
             Barrenness
             under
             it
             ;
             so
             a
             deep
             Security
             under
             our
             Sin
             and
             Danger
             ,
             a
             great
             want
             of
             Piety
             toward
             God
             ,
             and
             Love
             towards
             Men
             ,
             with
             a
             woful
             Selfishness
             ,
             every
             one
             seeking
             their
             own
             things
             ,
             few
             the
             things
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             the
             publick
             Good
             ,
             or
             one
             anothers
             welfare
             :
             And
             finally
             ,
             the
             most
             part
             more
             ready
             to
             censure
             the
             sins
             of
             others
             ,
             than
             to
             repent
             of
             their
             own
             .
          
           
             Our
             Iniquities
             are
             increased
             over
             our
             heads
             ,
             and
             our
             Trespasses
             are
             grown
             up
             into
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             they
             are
             many
             in
             number
             ,
             and
             hainous
             in
             their
             nature
             ,
             and
             grievously
             aggravated
             ,
             as
             having
             been
             contrair
             to
             great
             Light
             and
             Love
             ,
             under
             signal
             Mercies
             and
             Judgments
             ,
             after
             Confession
             and
             Supplication
             ,
             and
             notwithstanding
             of
             our
             Profession
             ,
             Promises
             and
             solemn
             Vowing
             ,
             and
             Covenanting
             with
             God
             to
             the
             contrair
             .
          
           
             Have
             we
             not
             then
             sad
             cause
             of
             deep
             Sorrow
             and
             Humiliation
             ?
             And
             may
             we
             not
             fear
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             repent
             ,
             and
             turn
             from
             the
             evil
             of
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             return
             to
             the
             Lord
             with
             all
             our
             hearts
             ,
             that
             He
             return
             to
             do
             us
             evil
             ,
             after
             he
             hath
             done
             us
             good
             ,
             and
             be
             angry
             with
             us
             ,
             until
             He
             hath
             consumed
             us
             ?
          
           
             Let
             us
             therefore
             humble
             our selves
             by
             Fasting
             and
             Praying
             ,
             let
             us
             search
             out
             our
             sins
             ,
             and
             consider
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             confess
             these
             ,
             and
             other
             our
             sins
             ,
             with
             Sorrow
             and
             Detestation
             ;
             Let
             us
             turn
             unto
             the
             Lord
             with
             Fasting
             and
             weeping
             ,
             and
             with
             mourning
             ;
             Let
             us
             firmly
             Resolve
             and
             sincerely
             Engage
             to
             amend
             our
             ways
             and
             doings
             ,
             and
             return
             unto
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             ,
             with
             all
             our
             heart
             ,
             and
             earnestly
             pray
             ,
             that
             for
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God
             ,
             our
             sins
             may
             be
             forgiven
             ,
             and
             our
             back-slidings
             healed
             ,
             and
             we
             may
             yet
             become
             a
             righteous
             Nation
             ,
             keeping
             the
             Truth
             ,
             that
             Religion
             and
             Righteousness
             may
             flourish
             ,
             and
             Love
             ,
             and
             Charity
             abound
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Lord's
             People
             may
             be
             of
             one
             mind
             in
             the
             Lord
             :
             and
             in
             order
             to
             all
             these
             ,
             that
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             may
             have
             free
             course
             ,
             and
             be
             glorified
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Preaching
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             Dispensing
             of
             the
             Sacraments
             ,
             may
             be
             accompanied
             with
             the
             wonted
             presence
             ,
             Power
             and
             Blessing
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             That
             the
             Lord
             would
             preserve
             and
             bless
             our
             gracious
             King
             and
             
               Queen
               ,
               William
            
             and
             Mary
             ,
             and
             establish
             their
             Throne
             by
             Righteousness
             and
             Religion
             ,
             and
             grant
             to
             these
             Nations
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Truth
             together
             ;
             and
             for
             that
             End
             ,
             bless
             and
             prosper
             His
             Majesties
             Councils
             ,
             and
             Forces
             by
             Sea
             and
             Land
             ,
             and
             those
             of
             the
             Princes
             and
             States
             his
             Allies
             ,
             for
             God
             and
             his
             Truth
             ,
             that
             Inferior
             Rulers
             may
             
             rule
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Judges
             be
             clothed
             with
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             that
             many
             faithful
             Labourers
             may
             be
             sent
             out
             into
             the
             Lord's
             Vineyard
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             are
             sent
             ,
             may
             find
             mercy
             to
             be
             faithful
             ,
             and
             be
             blest
             with
             Success
             ,
             that
             Families
             may
             be
             as
             little
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Lord
             would
             pour
             out
             His
             Spirit
             on
             all
             Ranks
             of
             People
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             holy
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             God
             may
             delight
             to
             dwell
             amongst
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             us
             good
             .
          
           
             And
             while
             we
             pray
             for
             our selves
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             forget
             our
             Brethren
             in
             Forreign
             Churches
             ,
             with
             whom
             ,
             alas
             ▪
             we
             had
             too
             little
             Sympathy
             ;
             Nay
             ,
             let
             us
             pray
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             ends
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             may
             see
             the
             Salvation
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             that
             He
             would
             bring
             his
             antient
             people
             of
             the
             Jews
             to
             the
             acknowledgment
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             would
             hasten
             the
             ruine
             of
             Romish
             Babylon
             ,
             and
             advance
             the
             Reformation
             in
             Christendome
             ,
             and
             preserve
             and
             bless
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             ;
             That
             he
             would
             pity
             His
             oppressed
             People
             ,
             the
             
               French
               Protestants
            
             ,
             and
             gather
             them
             out
             of
             all
             places
             ,
             whither
             they
             have
             been
             scattered
             in
             the
             cloudy
             and
             dark
             day
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             would
             be
             the
             Defence
             ,
             Strength
             and
             Salvation
             of
             any
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             who
             are
             in
             War
             or
             Danger
             by
             Infidel
             or
             Popish
             adversaries
             ,
             in
             Europe
             or
             America
             .
             And
             in
             particular
             ,
             that
             the
             Lord
             would
             be
             Gracious
             to
             Ireland
             ,
             and
             sanctifie
             to
             his
             People
             there
             ,
             both
             their
             distress
             and
             deliverance
             ;
             and
             perfect
             what
             concerneth
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             convert
             the
             Natives
             there
             to
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             reduce
             that
             Land
             to
             Peace
             ;
             and
             appoint
             Salvation
             for
             Walls
             and
             Bullwarks
             to
             Brittain
             .
          
           
             For
             all
             these
             Causes
             and
             Reasons
             ,
             The
             General
             Assembly
             hath
             appointed
             the
             Second
             Thursday
             of
             January
             next
             ,
             to
             be
             Observed
             in
             all
             the
             Congregations
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ,
             as
             a
             day
             of
             Solemn
             Fasting
             and
             Humiliation
             ,
             and
             Prayer
             ;
             Beseeching
             and
             Obtesting
             all
             ,
             both
             Pastors
             ,
             and
             People
             of
             all
             Ranks
             to
             be
             sincere
             and
             serious
             ,
             in
             Humilitation
             and
             Supplication
             ,
             and
             universal
             Reformation
             ,
             as
             they
             would
             wish
             to
             find
             mercy
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             have
             deserved
             wrath
             averted
             ,
             and
             would
             obtain
             the
             Blessing
             of
             the
             Lord
             upon
             themselves
             and
             Posterity
             after
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Lord
             may
             delight
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             our
             Land
             may
             be
             as
             Married
             to
             him
             .
             And
             Ordains
             all
             Ministers
             ,
             either
             in
             Kirks
             or
             Meeting
             houses
             ,
             to
             read
             this
             present
             Act
             publickly
             from
             the
             Pulpit
             ,
             a
             Sabbath
             or
             two
             before
             the
             said
             Day
             of
             Humiliation
             :
             and
             that
             the
             several
             Presbyteries
             take
             care
             ,
             that
             it
             be
             carefully
             Observed
             in
             their
             respective
             bounds
             .
             And
             where
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             Vacancies
             ,
             the
             Day
             hereby
             appointed
             ,
             cannot
             be
             observed
             ,
             the
             Assembly
             appoints
             the
             said
             Humiliation
             ,
             to
             be
             kept
             some
             other
             Day
             with
             the
             first
             convenient
             opportunity
             :
             And
             appoints
             the
             Commission
             for
             Visitation
             ,
             to
             apply
             to
             the
             Council
             ,
             for
             their
             Civil
             Sanction
             to
             the
             Observation
             thereof
             .
             
               Extracted
               out
               of
               the
               Records
               of
               Assembly
               ,
               by
            
          
           
             
               JO.
               SPALLING
               .
            
             Cls.
             Syn.
             National
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           PROCLAMATION
           Anent
           a
           Solemn
           National
           Fast
           and
           Humiliation
           .
        
         
           WILLIAM
           and
           MARY
           ,
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           King
           and
           Queen
           of
           
             Great
             Britain
             ,
             France
          
           ,
           and
           Ireland
           ,
           Defenders
           of
           the
           Faith
           ;
           To
        
         
           Macers
           of
           our
           Privy
           Council
           ,
           or
           Messengers
           at
           Arms
           ,
           our
           Sheriffs
           in
           that
           part
           ,
           Conjunctly
           and
           severally
           ,
           specially
           constitute
           ,
           Greeting
           :
           Forasmuch
           ,
           as
           the
           General
           Assembly
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           by
           their
           Act
           ,
           of
           the
           date
           the
           twelfth
           day
           of
           November
           instant
           ,
           hath
           appointed
           a
           Solemn
           National
           Fast
           and
           Humiliation
           ,
           to
           be
           Observed
           in
           all
           the
           Kirks
           and
           Meeting-Houses
           of
           this
           Our
           Antient
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           appointed
           their
           Commission
           for
           Visitation
           ,
           to
           apply
           to
           the
           Lords
           of
           Our
           Privy
           Council
           ,
           for
           Our
           Civil
           Sanction
           ,
           to
           be
           interposed
           thereto
           ;
           And
           they
           having
           Applyed
           accordingly
           :
           Therefore
           We
           ,
           with
           Advice
           of
           the
           Lords
           of
           our
           Privy
           Council
           ,
           Do
           hereby
           Command
           and
           Enjoyn
           ,
           That
           the
           said
           Solemn
           Fast
           and
           Humiliation
           be
           Religiously
           observed
           ,
           by
           all
           Persons
           throughout
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           both
           in
           Kirks
           and
           Meeting-Houses
           ,
           at
           the
           Dyets
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           manner
           as
           by
           the
           above-mentioned
           Act
           of
           Assembly
           ,
           hereto
           prefixed
           ,
           is
           appointed
           ;
           And
           that
           the
           same
           be
           read
           by
           all
           the
           Ministers
           ,
           in
           manner
           therein
           mentioned
           .
           And
           to
           the
           end
           that
           so
           Pious
           and
           necessary
           a
           Duty
           may
           be
           punctually
           performed
           ,
           and
           Our
           Pleasure
           in
           the
           Premisses
           fully
           known
           :
           Our
           Will
           is
           herefore
           ,
           and
           We
           Charge
           you
           straitly
           ,
           and
           Command
           ,
           that
           incontinent
           these
           Our
           Letters
           seen
           ,
           ye
           pass
           to
           the
           Mercat-Cross
           of
           Edinburgh
           ,
           and
           the
           remanent
           Mercat-Crosses
           of
           the
           Head-Burghs
           of
           the
           several
           Shires
           and
           Stewartries
           ,
           within
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           in
           Our
           Name
           and
           Authority
           ,
           make
           Publication
           of
           the
           Premises
           ,
           that
           none
           may
           pretend
           ignorance
           .
           And
           we
           do
           Ordain
           Our
           Solicitor
           to
           dispatch
           Copies
           hereof
           to
           the
           Sheriffs
           of
           the
           several
           Shires
           and
           Stewarts
           of
           the
           Stewartries
           ,
           or
           their
           Deputs
           ,
           or
           Clerks
           ,
           to
           be
           by
           them
           Published
           at
           the
           Mercat-Crosses
           of
           the
           Head-Burghs
           ,
           upon
           receipt
           thereof
           ,
           and
           immediately
           sent
           to
           the
           several
           Ministers
           ,
           both
           in
           Kirks
           and
           Meeting-Houses
           ,
           to
           the
           effect
           they
           may
           read
           and
           intimat
           the
           same
           from
           their
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           may
           seriously
           exhort
           all
           Persons
           ,
           to
           a
           sincere
           and
           devout
           observance
           thereof
           ,
           as
           they
           Regard
           the
           Favour
           and
           Blessings
           of
           the
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           the
           Safety
           and
           Preservation
           of
           both
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           would
           avoid
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           upon
           themselves
           and
           their
           Posterity
           ,
           and
           as
           they
           will
           be
           answerable
           at
           their
           peril
           .
           And
           Ordains
           these
           Presents
           to
           be
           Printed
           with
           the
           said
           Act
           of
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           these
           Presents
           to
           be
           Published
           in
           manner
           foresaid
           .
        
         
           
             Given
             under
             Our
             Signet
             at
             Edinburgh
             ,
             
               the
               twenty
               first
               day
               of
               November
               .
               And
               of
               Our
               Reign
               ,
               the
               second
               year
               ,
               1690.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             Per
             actum
             Dominorum
             Sti.
             Concilii
             .
             
               GILB
               .
               ELIOT
            
             ,
             Cls.
             Sti.
             Concilii
             .
          
        
         
           God
           save
           King
           WILLIAM
           ,
           and
           Queen
           MARY
           .
        
      
       
         
           Edinburgh
           ,
           Printed
           by
           the
           Heir
           of
           
             Andrew
             Anderson
          
           ,
           Printer
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Queens
           most
           Excellent
           Majesties
           .
           1690.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A69769-e230
           
             *
             Except
             the
             Contributions
             of
             the
             Sisters
             ,
             which
             were
             something
             to
             one
             who
             knew
             no
             other
             ways
             how
             to
             live
             .
          
           
             *
             At
             th●
             end
             of
             this
             Le●ter
             ,
             vid●
             Inform●tion
             giv●
             in
             by
             M●
             
             Heriot
             ●●
             the
             Priv●
             Council
             .
          
           
             *
             This
             Exposition
             of
             the
             Fathers
             Words
             you
             may
             find
             in
             the
             169
             p.
             of
             his
             pretended
             Answer
             to
             Dr.
             
             Stillingfleet's
             Vnreasonableness
             of
             Separation
             .
          
           
             †
             Coliness
             .
          
           
             *
             Ten
             or
             Twelve
             of
             which
             are
             said
             in
             a
             Morning
             one
             after
             another
             .
          
           
             *
             That
             is
             to
             turn
             all
             the
             Episcopal
             Clergy
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Vide
             the
             first
             Paper
             .
          
           
             ‖
             Vid.
             second
             Paper
             .
          
           
             Vide
             the
             last
             Paper
             .