EXPLICATION, OF-THRISSELS-BANNER. Containing a Brief Interpretation & Declaration, Of the Form & Fashion thereof, as also Of the Matter therein Expressed. ANNO 1640. Matt. Chap. 10. vers. 16. Bee- Wijse-as-Serpents Innocent-as-doves Psalm 20. Verse. 1. 5. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble: the Name of jacob's God defend thee, etc. that We may rejoice in thy salvation and set up the Banner in the Name of our God etc. Psalm 60. Verse. 4. Thou (O God) hast given a Banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of thy Truth. The Preface. SInce never Man at any time could so wisely frame his Work or compose his Wrytting but (it coming to the Public view) either Ignorance or Envy (if not both) Mortal Enemies to Virtue did always labour to Undermyne the Sincerity of the Author, seeking (with the pricking SPider) to draw their Venem out of the best Herbs and sweetest smelling Flowers? I Considering this, dare promese no security to Myself (though a continual Amator yet no daily Practiser) being but a new graffed Imp in comparison of those innumerable flourissing famous (and yet nevertheless controlled) Poets, Notwith standing (being moved with a entire Affection towards all those that from their Hearts wish, Labour for, and Aim at, the Peace of Zion) I have enterprised and, by the Grace of God, finished and perfected, My first Fruit, Intitulate Thrissels Banner? And knowing that the same shall rencontre, and come to, the Hands and Eyes, both of Friends and Foes, which I all include in three Ranks, the First, Wyse and Understanding (only Absolute Friends) the Second, Ignorants (both Frieuds and Foes) the third Malicious Partial Calumniators (only Absolute Foes) Therefore I have thought it most Necessary and Expedient (for Preventing and Eschewing, so fare as possibly I can, all false Glosses of Adversaries) to Accompany and Convoye the foresaid Banner, with this My own Explication, where in I have (so Briefly and plainly as I could) faithfully Declared My Meaning and Intention in every thing, as well anent the Form of it, as concerning the Matter and words therein contained; which I Hope shall tend, To, the Comfort and Edification of the First. Instruction of the Second, Conviction and Disclosing of the Third, and in Al and Every one of them, to the Glory of God, whom I earnestly beseech to Maintain His own Cause, to Strengthen Encouradge and Assist the Defenders thereof, to Open the Eyes of such as yet are Blinded, to Arm all those that suffer Persecution for His sake, with Wisdom and Christian Patience, granting thame, that passing Natural understanding, Peace of Conscience. Here in this Life, and in His own good Time Everlasting. Repos Ailleurs. Explication of the Form & Fashion of Thrissels Banner. The Book. SIgnifyeth The Bible and consequently a Ios. 1, 8. Psal. 119 105, ●72 Psal. 19 7, etc. Isai. 20, 8. Isai 66, 25. Luk 8, 21. joh 5, 24. 38. Heb 4, 12. 1. joh 2, 5. the Word of God, which ought to be the Foundation and Ground of our Attempts, as being the only Infallible Rule whereby all the Imaginations, Thoughts, Words, Resolutions and actions of Man should be Squared. The Sword. Signifyeth b Rom. 13, 4. Authority, and the standing of it upon the Bible, Signifyeth that c Rom 1●, 1. Prov. 8, 15, 16. Dan. 2, 21. all Authority is of God. The Thrissel Crouwned. Signifyeth the Kingdom of Scotland, Item the Binding and Knitting of the Thrissel and Sword each one to other, Signifyeth the Mutual Band betwixt King and Subjects, Item the Thrissel Decoring the Sword Signifyeth that d Prov. 14, 28. the Honour of a King standeth in his Subjects, Item the Sword carrying up the Thrissel and so the Thrissel Resting, and (as it were) Growing upon the Sword, Signifyeth, as e Rom. 13, 1●. Kings ought to Maintain and Defend their Subjects, being (under God) a Rest and Refuge unto them, so f Rom. ●3, 1 ● 1. Pet 2, 7. Subjects are Bund and Obliged to give due Respect and Honour to their King and to Obey their Superiors in all things g Act. 4, 19 Agreeing with the Law and Commandment of God, The Garter. Signifyeth h Eph 4, ●. Col. 3. 24, 25. The Bond of Peace, Item the Garter binding the Sword (by a Knot about the Guards thereof) in and fast to the Sheath, and so going upward throug the fyve Rings, with wouppings about the Sheath fastening the Sword to the Banner, Signifyeth that of all Estates, that is the most Happy, which (next unto the i Isai 54, 13. Techa 8, 19 Luc. 1, 27, 29. True Light of God's Word and His Pure Worship) Enjoyeth a Blessed k Levi. 26, 36. Num. 6, 26. Psal. 29, 11. Psal. 147, 14. Luc. 2, 14. 2. Thes 3, 6. Peace Especially within itself when King and Subjects of all Ranks, are (as it were) wrapped together in l Psal. 133, 1. Unity Peace and Brotherly Love, Item the two Loufe-hinging-Ends of the Garter, Signify that all ready some Knots of Peace are Loused, And as there is only resting one Knot about the Guards and another about the Thrissel, so Peace betwixt King and Subjects is in a weak Estate, and be all ontward appearance (except The Lord of Peace Prevent it) very near at ane End, Item as the Sword can not be Drawn, unless, that one (get resting, fast) Knot about the Guards be either Loused, or Broken, and that being done, the Garter shall Hang wholly Lousse, and not be able to bear up, or Keep fast, neither Banner nor Thrissel, So if the King Enter again in War like manner against his Subjects, and so (as it were) shaking thame of, Rejecting their Earnest and Lawful Petitions They (finding them selves altogether cast Lousse and Justice Denied to them) shallbe forced, and must Resolve, to take them to another Course, and to use all Possible, Lawful and Readiest Means for the Safety and Defence of Themselves, Religion and Liberties. The Banner. Signifyeth the True Reformed Religion, by the m joh. 8, 31. John 13, 35. Mat 12, 50. Act. 11, 26. Sincere Profession and Practice whereof, All Faithful Christians (as Soldiers by their Colours) are Known and Discerned from n Mat 23, 13, etc. Mat 7, 16, 22. Tymeserving-Hypocrites and Infidels. The Crosses into the Banner. Signify (by and attour their Ordinary usual Signification) the o Psal 31, 19 job 14, 1, john 16, 33 2, Tim, 3, 2. Many fold Troubles Miseries and Calamities, where unto all Righteous True Members and Disciples of Chryst (in this Life) are Subject, Item all the Crosses in the Banner both Beginning and Ending, p Lam. 2, 14, Gal. 2, 4. 2. Pet, 2, 1. Gal 6, 12, Ezeh 13, 2, 1 Kings, 32, 5. 6, Ier 6, 14, Ier 8, 11. jer. 23, 9, Ier 50. 6. From and Into, the Edge or Border of the Banner, Signify, that (according to the Old Proverb Omne Malum ab Ecclesia) Ordinarily in all Ages the greatest Troubles were (as yet they are) Bred and Occasioned by such as carry the Name and Show of God's Messengers, but whosoever will but, with sound judgement, call to Mind bygone Examples, with open Eyes, behold present Experience, and with patiented Hearts wait upon the Lords due time, shall certainly Learn, clearly See, and surely find, that God ever hath q job, 5, 12, 13 Psal. 31, 23, Psal 119, 21, Prov. 15, 25, Isai, 2, 12, Luc. 1, 51, Scattered the Proud in the Imagination of their Hearts, still doth r Prov, 12, 7, Prov, 21, 1●, Cor. 3, 19 Overthrow the wicked in their own Interpryses, and finally shall make the Enemies of his Truth s Psal 75, 8. wring out and Drink the Dregs of his Wrath, and put Them to t Ier, 20, 11, Isai, 41, 11. Everlasting Shame and Perpetual Confusion. The fyve Rings. Signify v Exod, 19, 5 6, Exod, 34, 27. Levi, 20, 9, Deut. 5, 2, 3. All the Faithful Covenanters in Scotland Nobility, Gentry, Borrows, Ministers and Commons, Item the Fastening of the Rings into the Banner, Signifyeth how w Exod. 24, 8. Levi, 24, 8 Levi, 26, 9, 15. 25 42, 44, Deut 4, 13, 23, Deut, 7, 9, 12, Deut, 8, 18 Deut. 29, 1, &c joshua, 24, 25, 2. Kings, 11, 7. 2. Cron, 34, 50 31 Deeply they are Sworn, and firmly Bund and Obliged (Coniunctly and unseparably) to Maintain, Defend, and Cleave fast, unto, the True Reformed Religion, to their Lives End, Item as the Losing of the Garter may well Separate the Sword from the Rings but can not Separate the Rings from the Banner, So the Breach of Peace may well make a Separation betwixt King and Subjects but x Rom, S, 35. 38, Psal, 119, 33, etc. shall never be able to make any Separation betwixt the Sincere Covenanters and True Religion. The Streamer. Signifyeth y Psal. 74, 22, 22 The good Cause, Item the Cord (whereby the Streamer is fastened to the Thrissel) Signifyeth z Ezek, 20, 37. the Bond of the Covenant, whereby the Faithful Covenanters are Fastened and Knit to the Good Cause. Explication of the Matter Expressed in Thrissels Banner. The Title. As all Right and True-Mynded Authors ever Study and Indevore to Intitulate their Labours and Wrytting, So, that, the Spectator at the first View, and the Render in one Word, may take up and Conceive the whole Matter, together with the Author his Sh●pe and Intention, So I (according to my simple judcement) have thought Thrissels Banner the fittest Title for that Work, the whole Matter therein contained, Belonging properly to the present Estate of Scotland and Inhabitants thereof. Liberum Hilarem. Standing within the Body of the Thrissel, Signifyeth that a Levi. 25, 100 Isai. 61, 6, Psal, 14. 71. All which is Free is Joyful. Si Deus nobiscum Quis contranos. Standing into the two Leaves of the Thrissel, Signifyeth that all those b Psal 23, 1, etc. Psal, 23, 25, Psal, 56, 11, Rom, 8, 31. who have God on their side, need not Fear nor Care much Who be against them. Tandem Bona Causa Triumphant. Standing into the Streamer, Signifyeth that c Psal 37, 37. jer. 29. 11. Psal, 105, 19 Rom, 8, 25. The good Cause shall finally (in The Lords due time) Triumph. THRISSELS. BANNER depiction of streamer, tied to thistle by cord Tandem Bona Causa Triumphant depiction of crowned thistle (resting upon the sword) SI. DEUS.NOBISCUM.QUIS.CONTRA.NOS depiction of sword (standing on Bible) IN. DEFENCE. O. King.of. Royal. Race. Remember. My. true. Word. Thou. ventur's Crown, and. Peace. By. Drawing. Thy. Sword. CREDE. MIHI.VERUM.LIBERTAS.OPTIMA.RERUM. NUNQUAM. SERVILI.SUB.NEXU.VIVETE.FILII. depiction of book (Bible) VERBUM. DOMINI.MANET IN. AETERNUM REMOVE. THE.WICKED.FROM.THE.KING: IN. RIGHTEOUSNES.THEN.SHAL.HEE.REIGN PROVERBIORUM XXU.U. depiction of garter, binding banner to sword by five rings DOMINUS. FIRMET.VINCULUM.PACIS. If. this.knot.loused.bee.it's.thy. Loss. and.thy.heirs.whither.the. Victor. bee.on.thy.syde.or.theirss. PRO LEGE REGE GREGE HONY. SOIT.QUI.MAL.Y.PENSE. depiction of banner proper, with acrostics WHEN. EVER.FAYTHFUL.HEARTS.BEHOLD.OUR.CROSSED.NATION OH. THEY.WIL.DROWN.IN.GRIEF.UNLES.FOR.INFORMATION THEY. ENTER.IN.GODS.COURTS.TAKING.DILIGENT.VIEW OF. ENDLES.TRUETHS.RECORD.SHAL.ALWAYS.FIND.THIS.TRUE THAT. OLD.MAN.MURTH'RING.FOE.INDEVOR'S.T'HAVE.REWALLED HIS. DOUN.THROW'N.BABYLON.AND.SVPERSTITION.STALLED EXPRESSLY. WHER.CHRYSTS.FLOCK.HIM.ONCE.DID.BANISH.OUT MIGHTY. YEA.DEVLISH.SNARES.HEE.FRAM'D.AND.CAST.ABOUT TRUE. HEARTED.THRISSELS.FAYTH.BY.CRAFTY.GUYLE.ALLURING HIS. ANTECHRISTIAN.WHOORE.HATH.LATELY.BENE.PROCURING AND. SOUGHT.HER.WONTED.THRONE.AMONGST.US.SURE.TO.PLANT THAN. WEE.QUICKLY.RENEW'D.OUR.OATH.AND.COVENANT CONFESSED. OUR.SINS.TO.GOD.WHO.HEARD.OUR.SUTE.HIGH.SOUNDED OUR. CHURCH.AGAINE.WAS.SWEEPT.OUR.FOES.ON.EARTH.CONFOUNDED NO. LAW.COULD.THEM.EXCUSE.BLIND.GUYDS.GOT.HENCE.IN.YRE TO. RE-CANT.PRELATS.HOPE.THEYR.CANNONS.GAVE.FALS.FYRE RIGHT. SENTENCE.WAS.PROCLAM'D.TH'ETERNAL.VALE.SURED OPPRESSORS. PLOTS.UNKLOACKT.HYRLINGS.DAMN'D.AND.ABIURED LIKE. VIPERS-BROOD.THEY STILL. TROUBLING.OUR.STATE.ABYDE UNBUCKLING. BRITTANS.CROWN.FOR.DOUBLING.OUT.THEYR.PRYDE SINCE. CHRYST.BECOME.OUR.KING.SYONS.TRUETH.OUR.FONDATION WORLDLINGS. DID.EVER.CROSS.OUR.PEACE.AND.REFORMATION ENVY. TH'INFERNAL.CHEIF.UNCESSANTLY.TORMENTS EVA'S. TRUE.PROMIS'D.SEED.BY.RESTLES.INSTRUMENTSS LET. CHRISTIANS.NOT GROW. FEARD.OF.SATANS.ROARING.STORY FOR. THIS.OUR.WRESTLING.DAY.WIL.BRAVELY.END.IN.GLORY EVEN. THIS.OUR.TEMP'RAL.YOKE.IT.SHAL.YEELD.AND.BRING.HOME A. CROWN.OF.RIGHTE●●●NES.TO.THOSE.THAT.OVERCOME REPOSE. ON.HIM.WIL.WEE.THAT.FURTH.OF.DARKNES.DREW.US GOD. SHALL (MAINTAIN. HIS.CAUS). NO. DOUBT.FULLY.RESCUE.US ON. HIS.TRUETH.WEE'L.DEPEND.SINCE.THOW.OUR.EARTHLY.HOPE DECEIVED. BY.MONSTERS.MASK'D.CONDEMN'S.OUR.LOYAL.SKOPE THIS. MULTIPLYES.OUR.GRIEF.THAT.THOU.O.THRISSELS.IEWEL HAST. TURNED.BRED-BORN-LOVE.IN.WRATHS.AL-WASTING.FEWEL EXPECT. NO.CONSTANT.PEACE.THY.DIADEME.WIL.SHAKE NO. TRUEREST.THOW.CANST.KEEP.IF.CROSS'D.TRUETH.THOW.FORSAKE charles's. WORTHY.FAMOUS.PRINCE.WEIGH.WEL.THIS.FINAL.SEASON AND. QUENSH.THE.KINDLED.FYRE.APPEAL.FROM.RAGE.TO.REASON REPARE. RELIGIONS.WALLES.LET.WRATH.WITH.PHAR'O.DROWN OH. DEAR.HEAD.ROOTE.OUT.SUCH.WHO.SEEKE.T'HAVE.THEE.DESMEMBERD LO. NOW.THOW.CANST.ATTAYN.TO.FAYTHS.DEFENCE.RENOWN VAIN. HAMANS.MUST.BE.TRY'D.TRUE.MORDECAIS.REMEMBERD SCOTS. TWELF.TYMES.NYNT.MAN-KING.HOLD.FAST.KING.FERGUS.CROWN WHEN. ONLY.THRISSELS.KING.OUR.FAYTHFUL.STEWARD.BORN BUT. SINCE.THE.DOUBEL.CROS.OF.BRITTANS.CHIEF.WAS.WORN S. ANDREWS.CROS.ENI●Y'D.WE.IOY'D.BY.TRUETH'S.PLANTATION WORLDLINGS. DID.EVER.CROSS.OUR.PEACE.AND.REFORMATION HOLD. FAST.THE.TRUETH.CARE.NOT.FOR.MORTAL.MEN.EXPECTING.TH'ENDLES.CROWN.MOST.COMFORTABLE. IF. CHRISTIANS.HOPE.WERE.BUT.IN.THIS.LYFE.THEN.WEE.OF.AL.MEN.WERE.THE.MOST.MISERABLE Tho. al.the. Powers. and. Strength. masked. with. Wordly. Toys. Of. Satan. Hel. and. Death Thine. (O Lord) here. Oppressed, Cunning. Cursed. Fools. at.length. hame. in. Thy. Upper-Joyes. Contentles. through. Fyr's. Breath Thee. with Thine. shal.see. Blessed 1640 Si Deus nobiscum Quis contranos. Standing into the two Leaves of the Thrissel, Signifyeth that all those b Psal 23, 1, etc. Psal, 23, 25, Psal, 56, 11, Rom, 8, 31. who have God on their side, need not Fear nor Care much Who be against them. Tandem Bona Causa Triumphant. Standing into the Streamer, Signifyeth that c Psal 37, 37. jer. 29. 11. Psal, 105, 19 Rom, 8, 25. The good Cause shall finally (in The Lords due time) Triumph. Pro Lege Rege Grege. Standing in the Margin before the Sword, Signifyeth What only are Just and Lawful Causes for Raising up Arms and Public War, To wit, d josua 22, 12. & For the Maintenance of God's true Worship, e 2, Sam, 10, 5 & Maintenance of the Authority of Lawful Superiors, f 1. Kin. 12, 16, 24 and For the Maintenance of the Common Wealth. Crede mihi verum Libertas optima rerum nunquam Servili sub Nexu vivete Filij. Standing upon the Hand of the Sword, Signifyeth (in a Praising and Recommending Manner) the g 1. Cor, 7, 21. Gal. 5, 1. Happy Estate of Freedom and Liberty, and to the Contrary Dispraising, and dissuading all Men from, the h Exod. 1, 14. Exod. 6 9 Exod. 20, 2. Deut. 28, 68 1. Cor, 7, 23. Miserable and unhappy Estate of Slavery and Cruel Yoke of Bondage. Remove the Wicked from the King in Righteousness then shall he Reign. Standing upon the Book, is Collected out of the Grave Sentences and Pithy Parables of the i 1. Kings. 4, 31. Wisest King Who never had nor shall have ane Equal, Signifyeing how Ordinally k 2 Cron. 22, 4, Esra. 4, 5. Ester, 5, ●1. Psal. 41, 9 Wicked Counselors are Nearest Kings, and how Necessary it is (if the King desireth His Throne to be Established in Righteousness, not only to be Just, Pure, and Righteous Himself, but also) to l Prov 20, 26. Psal. 26, 5. Psal. 100LS, 3 etc. Psal, 119. 1●5. Scatter the Wicked to Close his Ears and Bar his Court-doores upon all Profane Courteours and Corrupted Counsellors. O King of Royal Race, Remember My true Word thou ventur's Crown and Peace, By Drawing of Thy Sword. Standing upon the Sheath, is a Warning to the King, Signifyeing the great Danger of a Domestic War, and that m Mat 12, 25. Mark, 3, 24. Luke 12, 17. a Kingdom divided against itself can not Stand. If this Knot loused be, it's thy Loss and thy heirs Whether the Victory, be on thy side or theirs. Standing upon the Garter, beginning upon the Knot thereof about the Guards, is a Reason Backing and Binding the foresaid Warning, Signifyeing what Fruits and Effects the King is to Expect by casting lousse the Knot of Peace, and Drawing the Sword against His Subjects, Showing n 1. Kings, 20, ●● Cron, ●0, 6. Prov, 16, 33, Prov 21, 30, 31, Psal, 98, 1, Amos 2, 14, etc. Psal 32, 16. the Uncertainty of the Victory, and how His Ma.tie (go as it will) shall always be a Loser, for if His Army be Victorious, He may well Gain o Dan. 11, 21, 32 34 a Frothy Praise of Flatterers, and Belly blowers of those Troubles, together with p 2 Cron, 21, 1●, ane outward Show of Compelled Obedience, but in the Meantyme He shall Loss the Hearts and Affection of His Subjects, if Contrary, q Dan, 2, 21, Psal ●9, 19, 20, Psal, 119 6. 80, Luc 14, 30, than His Loss shallbe greater (by and attour the Stain of His Honour and Reputation at Home and Abroad) then all the Power and crafty Wit of His Cruel r Psal, 68, 30. Eccl, 9, 18, Prov, 12, 20. Warre-Counsellers shallbe Able to Nestore. Dominus firmet Vinculum Pacis. Standing into the Nether End of the Garter is a Wish and earnest Desire of the Godly, for unity, Amity and Concord, Praying s Psal, 122, 6 &c Psal, 147, 14, Ephe. 4, 3, 2. Thess, 3, 16. The Lord to Establish the Bond of Peace, Item the Standing of this Wish, into that end of the Garter, near the Knot which is about the Guards, Signifyeth, that if the King (in whose Power it is under God I keep fast this Knot and t josua 1. 16, etc. 1. Kings 12, 7, 8 be Addicted unto Peace, there is no Doubt but His Subjects in Scotland in times coming shall Remain (as they have ever been) True Loyal and Obedient to Him (their Natural Prince) in all Things Lawful. Hony soit Qui Maly pense. Standing into the Upper End of the Garter, is the proper Deton of the Garter about the King's Arms where this hath its own Signification, only the Standing of the same in that End of the Garter near the Thrissel, Signifyeth, that if the King can not be v 1 King 12, 8 16 1. Kings 12, 24. jerem, 22, 5. Dissuaded, but Absolutely Will Louse the Knot of Peace, (which yet is fast about the Guards) than no Man should think Evil or Rashly Condemn the (Compelled) Lousers of that Knot which yet holdeth fast the Thrissel. In Defence. Standing upon the Guards of the Sword, is the Kings own proper Deton, and in this Place it Signifyeth to put His Ma.tie in Remembrance, When He is going to Draw His Sword, to Ponder and Meditate upon this His own Deton, and to Consider, that even as the Guards of the Sword is Ordained only for Defence (not for Offence) of the Body, and particular Members, of Him that maketh use of the Sword, w Rom 13, 1, &c, 1. Pet, 2, 13. 7, Isai 49, 23. jerem. 22, 3, etc. Prov 8, 15. Dan. 2, 25. So that Temporal Power which The Lord hath gevin Him, He is to Employ and Chief to use, in Defence, of Himself, and of His Natural Members, Defending The Cause of Him by Whom Kings Reigns. Hold fast the Truth, care not for Mortal Men, Expecting th'endless Crown most Comfortable, If Christians Hope were but in this Life, than We, of all Men, were the most Miserable. Standing into the Edge or Border of the Banner Signifyeth, even as it goeth round about Environning the Banner, So all Faithful Pastors Continually are going about in every Part, x Isai 58, 1. Hos 5, 8. joel 2, ● Blowing the Horn from Corner to Corner, y Psal. 106, 23. Ezek 13, 5. Ezek 22, 30. Ezek 3, 17. etc. Ezek 33, 7 etc. Luc. 12, 42. Tim. ●, 7. 1. Cor 4, 1, 2. Mat. 5, 6. Act 1●, 22, as True Shepherds Standing (as it were) into the Gap, Environning the Flock committed to their Charge, as good Watchmen Advertising the People of the apparent Dangers, and as careful Stewards ever providing Spiritual Food for all such as Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness, Confirming the Hearts of the Godly Exhorting them to Continue in the Faith, Affirming that z Act. 14, 21. Luc. 9, 22, Crosses and Afflictions are the right Way and Entry to Heaven, Encourageing them with a Christian Constancy to a 1 Pet. ●●, 22, 1 Tim, 6, 19, 20, hold fast the Truth, Despising all Those whose greatest Power is only to b Mat ●0, ●8, Kil the Body, and to Consider that their c 1. Cor, 15, 19 Rom. 8 24. 2, Cor, 3, 12. Col, 1, 5, Tit, 2, 13, Heb 6, 19, &c 1. john, 3, ●. Hope and Felicity is not only in this Life, but that They shallbe Crowned with Endless Joys and Blessed Happiness when this their short Pilgrimage is finished. Wo to Them that Control Us, we'll Fear God, than Carolus. Being the first Letters of every Line into the Banner, Signifyeing that d Isai, 10, 1 Prov, 17, 15, Isai, 5●, 9, Mat, 12, 7, Luc, 6, 37, Grief and Woe shable the End of all Those that spitefully Controlleth and Maliciously Condemneth the Loyal Covenanters of Scotland Because they e Hose 5, 11, 12. Prov, 34, 21, Act, 5, 29, 1, Pet, 2, 17, Isai, 51, 12, 13. Prefer the Fear of God before the Fear of Farthly Kings and Princes. When only Thrissels King our Faithful Steward Born S. Andrews Cros Enjoyed, We Joyed by Truth's Plantation. Standing into the first or Formest (called the S Andrews) Cros Signifyeth the f 2 Kings 23, 19, 2. Cron, 34, 33 2 Cron, 29, 5, Psal, 97, 1, 8, &c, 1. Pet, 1, 6, 8, Joyful Estate of the Church in Scotland, at that Time of the Blessed Reformatton When King James, 6. was King of Scots only. But since the doubel Cros of Britain's Chief was Worn, Worldlings did ever Cross our Peace and Reformation. Standing into the Second (called the S. George) Cros, Signifyeth How (since the Isle of Briton come under the Government of One King) the Imps of g Mat, 15, 5, 6, Marc, 7, 9 13, Col, 2, 8, 26, Ephe, 5, 6 Isai, ●9, 13. Superstition and Seeds of Idle Ceremonies have (Secretly and Openly Piece and Piece) been Sent, Brought, and Cropen in to the Church of Scotland, By Carnal Men and Such as (with h 2, Timon, 4, 10. Luk, 12, 30, jam, 4. 4, 1. joh. 2, 15. etc. Demas) Embraced this present World. Explication of the Words Comprehended Within the Body of the Banner. The Meaning and Substance of the whole Verses Corsisting in 43. Lynes, is Briefly this, To Wit, 1. A Lamentable Speech of All the Godly Within the Realm of Scotlana Directed to All the Members of jesus Chryst Dispersed throw the whole World, Showing, that the Hearts of the Faithful (if They only Consider and cast their Eyes upon the i Psal. 73, 15, 16. present Estate of Scotland, Loadened with Crosses and Calamities) shall be Overwhelmed with Sorrow Dolour and Grief, But yet k Psal. 73, 17. as soon as They shall Enter into the Sactuary of God and take Consultation of His Infallible Verity, They shall Find this to have been Ever the continual Practice of l john. 8, 44. the Devit (Who is a Murderer from the Beginning) Always to Pursue (with greatest Vehemency) m Mat. 12, 44. Luk 11, 24. 2. Pet. 2, 18. etc. Those Who once were under His Dominion but Laboureth to be Freed of His Yoke, and more and more to Banish Him and Idolatry out of their Hearts and Bounds, And when He can not get Them under his Claws so Openly as Before When They were wholly Blinded in Superstition, n Act. 13, 10. 2. Cor 11, 3. Ephe 4, 14. Gen. 3, 13. He Stryves to Effectuate the same by Crafty and Subtle Allure, ∽. 2. How He Lately sought to Re-Establish, His Decayed Whorish Throne of Spiritual Adultery, in that Kingdom, Thinking with Maine and Might o Prov. 26, 11. 2. Pet. 2, 12. to Bring Them Again to (Their once Vomited) Slavery, and so Planting the Seat of Darkness amongst Them, Surer than Before, to Make Their p Mat 12, 45. Luk. 11, 26. 2. Pet. 2, 20. Last Estate Worse than the First, ∽. 3. How The Lord Disappointed Satan, and Moved the Hearts of His People, q 2 Cron 34, 27. jere. 50, 4. 6. Speedily to Renew their Covenant With Their God, Confess their Sins and Cry for Mercy and Help at His Hands, r Psal. 74, 2. 1. Kings. 8, 51, 52 Psal. 28, 9 Psal 33, 12. Psal 68, 9 Psal. 94, 14. Who (Pitying His own Inheritance) Herd Their Groans and did Grant them their Earnest Desires, in Cleansing His Church, from all filthiness and Idle Toys and in Skattering the Forgers thereof, Bringing Them and their Ceremonies to Confusion, So that those Belly Gods s Isai 42, 19 &c Isai. 56, 10. Mat 15, 14. Mat 2, 6 etc. Ichn 9, 39 etc. Rom 2, 9 etc. 2. Pet 1, 9 2 Cor 2, 4. (Blind Guides both to Uther's and also to Themselves) not being Able to find out any Reasonnable Excuse for those (of Them Invented) t Mat. 15, 3. 6. Mark. 7, 7. etc. Humayn Traditions, neither in God's Law nor Man's Law, Wondrously Enraged to See such a Sudden (of them thought impossible) Change, Went At Amazed * the Pretended Bishops of Dunkell catness Orknay. (Except 3. Who gave Glory to God by their Actual Recantation) with Speedy Posting, to the King and Canterbury Their Only Hope and Stay (as they Presume and Boast) Showing Them (with Regrate) how their Book of Cannons and Comone Prayers failed them, how Their Plots against the Righteous were altogether Discovered, How the Sentence of Excommunication, against Them (as Hirelings) was Pronounced, th' Eternal Farewell Subscryved, and All their Pomp Glory and Vain Will-worship, Damned and Abjured for Ever? This did not Ease their Burdened Stomaches, nor yet Satisfy their unhealth some appetites But v Prov 26, 25 prov, 28, 25, Ier, 9, 8. Mat, 23, 32, psal 12, 4, psal. 58, 2, psal 140, 2. prov, 6, 14. prov. 12, 20, prov, 24, 2. Their Hearts being Fraughted with Malice, Fulfilling the Measure of (the Pharisees) their Grandfathers, Like w Mat 22, 23. Mat. 12, 34. psal, 10 2, etc. psal. 26, 11, prov. 13, 10, prov. 16, 18. Ezek 16, 49, Obad, 3 Zeph, 2, ●0. Serpents and the Generation of Vipers (being Loath to Part with their Pride and Ambition) They have still Continued to Trouble and Molest both Church and State and (as * Vmq le Preter ded Archbishop of S. Andrews. One of Their Chioss Boastingly had vaunted) done what in them lay, to make Three Kingdoms Shake, for Doubling out the North Cap of their Desires ∽. 4. How the Church of Scotland was never Free of Crosses and Troubles, since they * psal. 149, 2. 1. Tim, 6, 12, 2. Tim, 2, 3, 4, 2, Tim, ●, 7, Cantic. 2, 4, 1. Cor, 11, 3, Ephe 4, 15, Ephe, 5, 23. psal. 125, 26, Zecha, 8, 3, Isai, 28, 16, 1. pet, 2, 6, Fought under the Banner of jesus Chryst their King and Captain for the Defeuce and Maintenance of Zions Truth and sure Foundation, and no wonder seeing y Gen, 3, 15 God himself hath put Enmity betwixt the Serpent and the Woman and their Seed. ∽. 5. Ane Exhortation to All Faithful Christians, that They should not be to much Afraid of Satan's Rage and Fury and not to z Gala, 6, 7. Ephe, 3, 13, Heb, 12, ●5, Faint under the Cross, But with Courage and Constancy a Ephe, 6, 12, Feght and Wrestle against the Devil the World and the Flesh, b psal, 19, 19, 54 Gen, 47, 9, the Time of our Pilgrimage being but Short (yea less than c psal, 90, 1, 2 pet, 3 8, Mark. 9, 44, etc. one Day in comparison of Eternity) being certainly Persuaded thal d Mat, 24, 13, Mark. 13, ●3, jam, 5, 11 All such as Endure unto the End shall be Saved, and that e 2. Tim, 7, 8, jam 1, 12, the Crown of Righteousness is Laid up for Althose that Feght a good Fight, Finishing their Course and Keeping the Faith, and to f Revel, 2, 7, 17. Revel, 3, 15, 21, Revel, 21, 7. Him that Overcommeth Belongeth the Promise of Eternal Life. ∽. 6. A Resolution of the Faithful Thrisselists, seeing God of His Infinite Mercy Drew them out of the g Act, 26. 18, Col, 1, 13, 1, Pet, 2, 9, Kingdom of Darkness, they will only Repose on him Assuring themselfs (while as they h Heb, 4, 14, Heb 20 23. Maintain God's Cause) of a Full, Certain, and Undoubted delivery, And so (with a New Courage) they Resolve to Depend upon the i Isai 49, 7. 1, Cor, 1, 9, 1 Cor, 10, 23. 1. Thes, 5, 24, 2 Thes, 3 3, 2. Tim, 2, 13. Truth of Gods never failing Promises, the rather, Seeing The King their Earthly Hope (being Deluded and Deceived by Wicked Counsellors and Masked Monsters, k Eze, 22, 26, 2. Zepha, ●, 3, 4. Mat, 7, 15, Act. 20, 19 Wolf's in Sheep Skins) Rejects all their Lawful Petitions and Loyal Intentions. ∽. 7. A Complaint To, and Of, the Kings Ma.tie, Regrating How His Natural Subjects their Sorrow and Grief is Doubled yea Multiplied, when they Remember and Consider that He, their Great Jewel, Borne and Bred amongst them, and so should carry the greater Affection towards them, as ˡ his Brethren, should have Turned (as it appeareth) His Love into Hatred, Threatening them with Fire and Sword and making Them the Butt of His Wrath and Indignation, Assuring His Ma.tie (if so be He Forsake the Professors and Zealous Maintainers of the Pure Truth, ᵐ by Cherissing the Crossers and Persecuters thereof) He can not Enjoy a 1 Deut, 17, 20. 1. Sam, 3●, 23, 2 Sam, 19, 12. 1 Cron. 28, 2. Psal, ●●, 8, Psal, 33, 1 &c, Prov. 16, 11. Prov. 19, 12 Constant Good Peace nor Rest, but it is to be Feared (as sometimes the Lord turned the Blessings of Faelse Prophets into (hrses and their Cursing to Blessings, that Boasting Vaunt and Threatening of that * Pretended Arch Bishob of S Andrews. Lay Hie. Priest before mentioned shall Prove but over true a Prophecy, seeing * His 3. Kingdoms. His Ma.tie Triple Diadem already to much is n Psal. 12, 2. Psal, ●●, 5, &c, Prov, 17, 15. 20 Prov, 24, 24, Deut. 2. 4 5. Ne●…, ●, 2. Psal, 100L, 28, Masa, 2, ●, Psal, 10, 2 3. Psal. 5, 1, &c, Psal. ●4 4, 5, Ezek. 35, 12, &c, jam 3. 5. 1 Cron, 28, 9 2 Cron ●●, 2. Shaken, and (be all Appearance) will yet Shake More, if Those Flatterers (who Prefer their own Standing Before the Standing thereof) be Suffered to have the Guiding of the same. ∽. 8. A Petition of All True Hearted Covenanters, to the Kings Ma.tie Their Sovereign, Mixed with a Serious Counsel, Entreating Him well to ᵒ Weigh and Consider the present Season and Troublous time, that the World is near and End, and that n Psal, ●0. 2. Isai. 14, 16. joel 3, 6. Psal. 5, 9 Psal. 12, 2, 3. Prov, 20●, ●6. Dan, ●1, 32. Rumours of Wars are the Begining of Sorrows, and Therefore to Pacify His anger, to Submit Himself to Reason, to Bury His Conceived Wrath in the Bottom of the Sea and Oblivion, to Build up the Walls of Religion, to Destroy and Root out Those Bloody Men that Aim at nothing (though under the Pretext of Service to God and the King) but the q Prov, 16, 28, Rom. 16, 17, 18 1 Cor. 12, 26. Ephe, 4, 25 Separating of Him The Head from His most Loyal and ever Truest Members, Assuring His Ma.tie that even now the Time Ezek, 7, 2. 3. 6, Amos 8. 2 10, 1. Pet. 4, 7. is Borne, the r Psal, 61, 2. Prov, 21, 3. Luk, 4, 19 Acceptable Year of the Lord, in which He can, and aught to, s 2 King, 18, 4 2. King, 23, 2, &c Psal. 49, 23. Testify Before God and Men (as He carrieth the P Mat, 24, 3 6, 7, Mark, 13, 8 2. Cron, 34, 33, Psal, 51, ●. Name and Title) that He is in Deed and Effect A Defender of the Faith, Showing His Ma.tie that (of Necessity) He must put to Trial all those Wicked Vain and Proud t Est, 7, ● &c Rom. 1. ●4 haman's (althought they were, for the present, in Chiefest Account with Him) and all Faithful and Loyal v Est, 6. 2. 3, &c, Est. 8, 1 2. 1●. Rom 13 3. 4. Mordecais (Who after Dew Examination shallbe found to have done the only best Service to His Ma.tie for the Preservation of Soul and Body, Life and Honour) must be Remembered, Maintained in their Right and Privileges, Defended against all their Oppressors, and Rewarded according as their Loyalty When Sanctifyed Reason shallbe Judge betwixt Them and their Adversaries) shallbe found to have Deserved. ∽. 9 The Last Line is A Conclusion of all the Matter, Containing, first, ane Acknowledgement of All the Inhabitants of the Realm of Scotland that the Kings Ma.tie is Their King, Secondly a Counsel Advysing His Ma.tie to Remember that He is Their King, and that No Earthly Prince can Say as He may do, to wit, that He is, even the Hundreth and eight Manking of Scots (not counting His Grand Mother Queen Mary) whereby their Loyalty is Prooyed Beyond All Nations in the World, thirdly to Consider, that as He is A King, and So called (by The Lords own Mouth) w Psal. 82, 6, 7. a God, So likewise that He is a Man and must Die as a Man, fourtly and Lastly that His Ma.tie would not Endanger that Ancient and Rare Jewel (None Such in all this Vnivers) * King Fergus, the first King of Scots, Began to Reign in the year of the World 3641. Which was 330. Years Before Chrysts Incatnation, & since that Time the Crown of Scotland was never Conquest. King Fergus Crown, for Such Matters as May and can be Accommodate a fare Surer, Easier, and Better Way, but by all Possible Means to Hold a grippe of it? Where Unto I Pray x Prov, 22, 1. The Lord (Who hath the Hearts of all Kings into His Hand as the Rivers of Waters, and Turneth them Whethersoever it Pleaseth Him) incline His Royal Heart, that y 1. Tim. 2, ●. Under His Blessed Government we may All Led a Quiet and Peaceable lice in all Godliness and Honesty, Amen. Tho all the Powers and Srrength, Of Satan Hell and Death, masked with Worldly Toys, Thine (O Lord) here Oppressed. Cunning Cursed Fools at length, Contentles through Fyr's Breath hame in Thy upper-Ioyes, Thee with Thine shall see Blessed. This Verse Standing under the Banner, being as the Subscription to the wbola Work, * Wisdom 5. 1. Collected out of the Book of Wisdom (although Apocrypha) Signifyeth How all the Godly (notwithstanding they, in this lice, are Subject to Continual Troubles and Persecutions, yet are Established in their Hope Considering what shallbe their Estate after this Life, How They (at the Last Day) shall Stand before z judge, 11, 27. Psal, 50, 6. Psal, 94, 1, 2, Isai, 23, 22 Act, 10, 42 2. Tim, 4, 8. Heb, 1●, 23. God the judge of All Flesh, with Confidence and Boldness, even in the Sight and Presence of Their Wicked Adversaries who then shallbe clothed with Anguish, Fear, and Terrible Affrightments, When they shall Hear that Comfortable Voice Spoken to a Psal, 22, 7, Psal, ●●. 6 Luk. 6, 25. Those whom they sometime had in Derision, b Mat, ●5, ●4. Come ye Blessed of My Father, Take and Inherit the Kingdom Prepared for You, from the Foundation of the World, But They to the Contrair (standing as Reprobate c Mat, ●5, 33. Goats on the Left Hand Wishing and Crying the d Luk, 23, 30. Revel. 6, 6. Mountains and Rocks to Fall on them, and to Hide them from the Presence of Him that Sitteth on the Throne, and from the Wrath of the Lambey Ressaving that Irrovocable Doom and unalterable Sentence, e Mat 7, 23 Mat, 25, 41. Luk, 3, 27. Depart from Me Yet Cursed into Everlasting Fire, which is Prepared for the Devil and His Angels? Would God, All Men (of Whathsoever Estate and quality) before they Begin to Attempt any Thing, could and would Always Remember that Old Proverb and Wyse Counsel Quicquid Agas, Prudenter Agas & Respice Finem, And, So Carry Themselves here Below, as They will (yea must) be Answerable In that Day when f Psal, 14, 21, Psal. 39, 11. Ma●●, 4. ●2. Rom, ●, 16. the Secrets of All Heart, shallbe Disclosed, and when g Psal. ●0, 21. The God of Gods shall Set All the Sins of the Wicked in Order Before Him, So should Each One keep Himself Within the Bounds of His Calling and Always Stryve to Have and Keep h 2 Cor, 1, 12, 1. Tim, ●●●9, 1, Pet. ●, 16. the Testimony of a Good Conscience, Obeying (with a Contented Mind) the i Philip. 4, ●1, 1 Tim, 6, 6. Heb 3. 5 2, Cor. 13. 14, ●. Commandment of the Apostle Paul. Of Thine Content Thee.