SCOTLAND's Present Duty: OR, A CALL TO The Nobility, Gentry, Ministry, and Commonality of this Land, to be duly affected with, and vigorously to act for, our Common Concern in CALEDONIA, as a Mean to Enlarge Christ's Kingdom, to Benefit ourselves, and do Good to all Protestant Churches.  
Printed in the Year, 1700.   

Right Honourable, much Honovored, very Reverend, and dearly Beloved.  
LET it not divett any from a serious Perusal of what is here offered to your Grave Consideration, that you know not the Author; For here, if ever, you are called to mind what is said, not who says it: Yet I shall tell you, That I own none for my Master but Christ, none for King of Great Britain but King William: I have no Share in the Stock of Caledonia, nor probably will ever have, so that it is no worldly Interest prompts me up to make this Address, nor any Disaffection to the King or Court, but pure Conscience, if I know my own Heart.  
There is none who love Our Lord Jesus Christ, but must with pleasure Remark, how the outmost ends of the Earth are become the Possession of Zion's King, and poor Scotland among the rest. This is Ground of Rejoicing unto Us who sat in Heathenish Darkness, that Light hath sprung up, and the day Star from on High hath visited Us! So that we may well say, few Nations have been so signally owned of God as we, with respect to a Pure and Glorious Dispensation of the Gospel: Yea of all the Churches reform from Popery, we had attained to the greatest Hight of Conformity to the Scriptures of God, not only in Doctrine, but in Worship, Discipline, and Government; Yea, notwithstanding the various Essays of our Enemies, and false pretended Friends to enslave us, and the Faintness and Dispondencies of our weak but real Wellwishers in a dark and evil Day, yet we are alive, and have our God to Magnify, who hath never suffered our Haters to gain the day, but gave us occasion to set up our Ebenezer: hitherto hath the Lord helped us, and to remark some places as 
1 Sam. 23. Chap. 28 Vers.  Sela hamma-lekoth, our Enemies being diverted from bringing upon us utter Ruin, when they were about to have swallowed us up. But among the wonderful Providences of God for our Good, the late Revolution is indeed surprising, and calls for our constant Acknowledgements: Instead of Impendent Slavery and Popery, we by it enjoy Calmness and Freedom in Church and State, our banished Ministers restored, the Imprisoned delivered, the whole followers of Christ made to lif● up their Heads, and our very Enemies astonished with God's Love to his People, while they had no great Reason to complain of any Severity for their former Cruelties. Thus we have had Halcron Days at Ho●e, when Armies were encountering one another Abroad. And whatever we felt of burdensome Taxations; yet it was not much, while we ourselves were not affrighted with the Sound of the Trumpets, nor the Alarms of War. Now it was, that our Wise Patriots of all sorts (whatever speculative Differences they might have, about the Eclesiastical Government) were practically convinced of this, That we had now that Government, which might give Ease to the Nation, and none could complain of Force put upon their Consciences; and all the former Reflections against a Parity in Christ's House, were hushed, and no more discoursed of, except in drunken Cabals of Men, who had no Religion at all.  
In this time of Quietness, wherein Truth and Peace met together, did several of our most Knowing Nobility and Gent●y, encouraged by divers Acts of Parliament, and Royal Grants, sorm a Design to plant a Colony in America; considering that of all Nations in Europe bordering upon the Sea, Scotland alone had no share of Foreign Plantations, and were more than any other People, excluded from the Advantages of Trade; and this would be a Mean for Enriching the Nation, and Curing ●hese two evil Diseases amongst us, of Beggary and Idleness. And all who had a Love to the propogating of the Gospel, looked upon this as a most probable and hopeful Mean of Enlarging the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accordingly the Project goes on; and maugre all the Opposition it met with at London, Holland and Hamburg, Five Ships were sent out▪ and Two worthy Ministers with them; who at length land in Darien, a Place inhabited by a Free People, the Circumstances and Advantages of which, are well known, as being set out by others. Here our Country Men meet with good Reception, and seemed for a time to Prosper; till want of Correspondence from Scotland, and it may be some hired Traitors among themselves, and Proclamations of a strange Nature, put forth in the West Indies against them, do quite Dishearten them, and force them (except a ver● few) to Relinquish the place: And as the first Ship sent after them, miscarried on our Western Islands; so we have no pleasant News of the Company which went forth in the following May with Provisions to Relieve them; nor have we any Account as yet, of the Four Ships that went thither in 〈◊〉 l●st, and others since. But in all this Business, both abroad and at h●me. God seems to frown upon us. And whatever Sentiments some may have concerning this sad providential Stroke, yet certainly the Land is afflicted, but few are afflicted with it as becomes. It is for this cause, that I would endeavour to Excite all in the Land to join in an Address to the King of Heaven for his Help, when we a●e so much at under. And this is our Comfort, that no Courtiers there, will hinder our Address, but rejoice in it, if we approach that Throne with humble and penitent Hearts; and the Majesty of Heaven commands us to call upon him in the day of Trouble, and hath promised to hear us.  
That I may the better manage this my Errand unto you.  
I. I shall show you that we are all called to seek the spreading of the Gospel, and the enlargement of Christ's Kingdom.  
II. That our Settlement at Caledonia, would be a likely mean for that end.  
III. That this design seems to be almost crushed and born down.  
iv How discouraging this will be to the Church a●d State if the Lord help us not.  
V What are the procuring Sins of this so●e and lame● table Stroke.  
VI What is now our Duty and Work with respect to this great Concern.  
VII. Lastly, I would earnestly plead with all to cry mightily unto God, and to use suitable Endeavours for retrieving our loss; and so shall this my well meant Address, under which no bad design is hid, be committed to God's Blessing.  
I. That we should all pray earnestly for the Enlargement of Christ's Kingdom, can be doubted by none, who own the Lords Prayer to be part of the Holy Scriptures. Thy Kingdom come, is a Petition repeated by many, but understood by few. To think that the Gospel shall be still confined to a little corner of the World as it is now, is to forget the Promises of Increa●e and Prosperity that are made to Zion in the Old and New Testament, and which shall doubtless be accomplished in the Latter-days. We cannot mistake, in expecting the down fall of Antichrist, the ruin of the Turkish Empire, the National Conversion of the Jews, and the fullness of the Nations; and what a Glorious time will it be, when all these things shall be fulfilled; then Holiness shall abound, and be the Motto engraven on our smallest Enjoyments; War shall Cease throw all the Earth, Kings shall no more contend about Clods of Clay, but shall be employed in bringing their Glory to the New Jerusalem, and they shall be indeed nursing Fathers to a Church. I hope these days are not far off, tho' some have too boldly pretended to know the Times and Seasons which the Father hath put in his own Power, and kept up from us, that we may pray the more Ardently; yet he who hath promised to come, will come▪ and will not tarry. Christians therefore are not only called to keep up Communion with God as to their own Souls, but they ought with great Vigour to mind the case of Zion: And it is certain, That one Reason why many have ground to complain of their Souls Leanness, is, because the Church's Condition is not more minded by them, and their present Case at home, makes them forget the Afflictions of Joseph in the persecuted and oppressed Church's abro●d; Nor are they duly melted to think of the Blindness of the Jews, the Mahometan Delusions, and the Heathenish Idolatry. It is not said that we pray no more to have the Mountains removed which stand in the Gospel's way? Is not God the hearer of Prayer? And how many precious returns might we have at the Throne of Grace, if we were Jacob-like, wrestling the break of the Day? How did Daniel Fast and Pray, when the time drew near of the long looked for Liberty? The Promise put Life into his Prayers, and the assurance of being heard made him the more Fervent. O that God would pour out a Spirit of Prayer on the Reformed Churches, that they may set a part, Days of Humiliation and crying unto God, both for themselves and for the Jews, who were once a peculiar Treasure, but are now called, Lo-ammi, that they may be Conve●ted to the Messiah, and for the poor Pagans, that the ends of the Earth may see the Salvation of God. There is a Restlessness amongst us, about worldly Concerns, to compass Sea and Land to get some worldly Pelf; but we are not Earnest and Keen to Trade for Religion, and to acquaint poor perishing Souls with their need of Christ. How will the Memory of worthy Mr. Eliot the Apostle of the Western-Indians, be fragrant to all the Godly, who was so Instrumental in bringing the poor Idolaters in America to Know, and to Adore the Supreme Majesty; and what a Stain will the Slackness of others, when fair Opportunities have been ossered them, be upon their Names? Yea, shall Papists signalise their Zeal in Training and sending out Men for this Service, or rather for drawing deluded Creatures blindfold from one Error to another, and Protestant Churches do nothing for bringing them into the light of Truth and way of Salvation? I verily think, if there were many pleading with God, we should yet see the Waters of the Sanctuary begin to swell and overcome all Opposition. Neither High nor Low should confine their Prayers to themselves, and their own Families. The greatest in degree, and the meanest Believer, should cry unto the Lord to pity the dark Places of the Earth; but especially Ministers should be the Lord's Remembrancers, and plead fervently, That the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ; and that Heralds of Peace may be sent into Satan's Camp, to bring over poor Souls led Captive at his Will.  
2dly, If it please the Lord to grant us a Settlement in Caledonia, it would be an excellent Mean to spread Christ's Kingdom. Which may be evinvinced from these Considerations. 1. A new Colony of professing Christians might be planted there, who would own God, to be the God of that Land, and so become a Covenanted People, and would proclaim the News of Christ and set up his Worship. 2. It's hopeful, that Colony should be among the best in all the World, were once a Pious praying People sent thither. For, 1st. Our Doctrine is most agreeable to the Scriptures. 2. Our Worship most Pure. 3. Our Government most Adapted to advance the True ends of Government in Christ's House, beyond what Prelacy or Independency can pretend to. 4. Our Discipline (if Rightly Managed) the most effectual to bear down Sin, and encourage Piety. Now, all these Meeting together in the hands of Zealous Ministers in a New Colony, must render Zion in that place Beautiful as the Morning, clear as the Sun, fair as the Moon, and Terrible as an Army with Banners. 3. It might be expected, that there the many faults which have spoiled our Civil Policy here should be avoided, which would exceedingly tend to the keeping out of many Evils that ●ine Justice, and destroy Love amongst us▪ 4. It would be a Place to which many Nations would resort for Trade, and so have occasion to behold the comely order of God's House. It was frequent Converse with the Jews, that gave occasion to the Nations to know Israel's God, and so proved a Mean to gain many Proselytes. How much more may we expect this from Caledonia, since Christians will not keepup such distance from the Heathen as the Jews did? 5. We may justly expect, that this Colony shall not be confined to Darien, but shall spread to more Places; and so the Lords In erest daily gain Ground; when a People please God, their Co●ds 〈◊〉 be lengthened, as well as their Stakes strengthened. 6. This might prove a 〈◊〉 Mean to Convert even Papists. But 7. Especially ●o g●in ●ouls ●o Christ among the poor Heathens. I know Conversion is God's Work▪ but he works ordinarily by Means; and there is great appearance, that this People would become Docile, and pliable to the Gospel of Christ. For, 1. They are naturally a Kind, well conditioned and tractable People, and have many good Moral Virtues among them. 2. The great Aversion they have to the bloody Spaniards, would induce them to love our people, and our Religion the more. 3. Our People would ●e favourable ●o them, and instead of Enslaving, or otherwise wronging ●hem, would seek their Good, and endeavour to Civilize them, and acquaint them with many useful Trades, to render their Lives more Comfortable. 4, They will instruct and train their Children in God's way, and when they see our Care of their Young, they will trust us the more, and love us the better. 5. Some of themselves may in time be in case to instruct their own Friends in the way of God, and teach them to Read, and let them see in their own Language, how it hath been foretold, That the whole Earth shall be filled with the Knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea. 6. The many Prayers put up for them will not want their Effect. And 7. It will encourage them when they find that none are treated the wor●e, but the more friendly for becoming Ch●istian. All these put together, give ground to think, that we might look for much good to be done to these poor People who are at present without God, and without Hope in the World. 8. This would excite greater Flames of Devotion in our brethren's Spirits there, when they should behold the Gentiles turning unto the Lord, and renuncing their Idols, their Vanities and Lies. 9 This will draw over many good People to that Place from this Land, which is not able to sustain its Inhabitants for want of Industry, and good Policy, in providing Sustenance and work for the Poor, and where many are crushed by racked Rents and other Oppressions that keep many Godly People very low, and mars the Exercises of their Grace and Christian Duties. They would go to their Brethren abroad to enjoy the Gospel with better outward Accommodations. 10. This Colony would prove a Bulwark against Antichrist, ●nd a secure retreat to many distressed Protestant's of other Churches, a Mea● to Check the Spanish Barbarity, and curb the Popish Interest. But,  
3ly, This great Enterprise is now, alas! sadly born down, and seems for the present, to be almost crushed. For, 1. Our People who went thither first, are scattered, some are in Bondage among cruel Enemies, many of them dead throw Want and Distress, with vast Loss and Expenses and Labour, which cannot but be greatly afflicting to us. 2. We have another sad Calamity, in the loss of a Ship with Provisions in Darien; and the scattering of the Second Company, except a very few, which may put the Third Company sent out, to very great Hardship and Uncertainty in their Resolutions. 3. The West India Proclamations against us, have disheartened our Friends, and strengthened the hands of our Ill-wishers, both upon a Religious and Civil account, especially those of Jamaica, who have showed much Unfriendliness and Hatred. I think it is a needless Debate, whether our own Mis-managements at Home and Abroad, have been the Cause of our Disaster and Distress, or those Proclamations: I think it is very evident, that Both have concurred toward it; and that neither of the two (morally speaking) could have done it alone, tho' where the Effects of such strange, and unexpected Proclamations might have terminated, were the Management never so exact, is what I confess few can tell. But it is evident, that both these are of the Lord, and that we ought to consider them as Reproofs for, and Punishments our Sins; and that by these Proclamations, which in some Places have been renewed again in September last, we are brought under a most heavy and discouraging Blow, since none must relieve our People, more than if they were abominable Pirates, though they acted under the Protection, and according to the Terms of an Act of Parliament, and have not Forfeited it: And so long as these continue in Force, what can we expect but the total overthrow of our Colony, since Scotland can never be able to furnish them Supplies till they get Sustentation of there own, especially in such years of Scarcity as we have felt of late, wherein many at home wanted Bread. 4. As the Pope and his followers were mightily alarmed with this intended Colony; so they now no less rejoice at its present Distress; and how much Power our deadly Enemies have, is evident, and that they will employ it as far as they get Permission, and and vent their Rage and Hatred against the Reformation as much as they can. I doubt not, but if Ame●ica were out of the Papists Possession, their Pomp and Tyrrany would cease; and therefore, they are greatly afraid, lest Protestant Colonies get footing there. It may be, that before the ruin of A●tichrist, their Golden Mines shall no more uphold their accursed Dignity, and persecuting P●ide. I● the mean time, how greatly do our Adversaries prevail, especially when, 5. We are but little Encouraged by our reformed Brethren at home; and it would seem the States of H●lland do all they can to crush us, and some of our Brethren in England envy us the freedom of Trade, which could not but prove many ways to the Advantage of that Nation, though it may be some private Men might g●in less than they do now. But truly, it is strange, and sad, that any ●eformed Pro●estant should for Selfish and By-ends prove our Enemies. 6. Our King, the happy Instrument of our Glorious Deliverance, seems to be misinformed concerning us, whether by Dutch or English, or both, I cannot say; But it appears very plain, that His Majesty does not throughly know our Circumstances, and is not so ready for our Relief as our C●se requires; This is the most sad of all that hath yet befallen us. Lord turn our hearts to Thee, and our King's heart toward Us, save Lord and let the King hear Us when we call. 7. We are not ONE amongst ourselves ●n this Affair, some have nothing of a public Spirit, where their own private gain is not immediately concerned; others basely give it out that the King is against us, and bears ill will to our Colony, for which they deserve to be signally punished. Others to serve a Foreign interest and to divide and betray the Nation, have invented false Stories, and fomented Jealousies, as if all this zeal for Caledonia had some ill design under it against the Government, which no sensible Man can give a Name unto: And which is plainly contrary to the very nature of the thing, Those wicked, but weak and silly surmises had discouraged many, and I was I confess, myself somewhat influenced by them; I hope well meaning People's Eyes begin to be opened, and to see the falseness of many wicked insinuations and lying Stories that have been spre●d, which have discouraged and Distracted some at home, and cannot but prove a disheartening damp to those who are gone abroad, when they hear how little their Case is suitably minded by u●: And do not such mischievous practices give occ●sion to our Neighbour's t● say, that we are false Scots, Betrayers of our Country. and Ruiners one of another? What can be done to repair our ●osses, if those who are honestly Zealous ●or Caledonia, both Ministers and People, be traduced as Enemies to the Government? though we have all possible assurance of the Governments Protection, and Act in an unquestionable legal way. Who could have thought, that any would have been so aspersed for owning the just Rights of a free People? Tell it not in Gath publish it not in Askelon, that any who call themselves Members of a reformed Church and Nation, should so stand in the way of their own Mercy, both Religious and Civil, or that a National and Christian design should have met with such Opposition amongst us. The public-spirited Heathen, who generously preferred their Country's Good to all private Considerations, shall one day rise in Judgement and Condemn the Cowardice, Selfishness, and Treachery of many called Christians among us; and if any be so unhappy, as to seek to enrich themselves ●y betraying their Country's Cause, they shall find it is but the Wages of Unrighteousness, and the gains of Iniquity, a Moth and Consumption to all the rest of their Substance.  
4ly. What a sad Loss it will be to our Nation and Church, if the Lord should crush us altogether in this undertaking, will appear by considering. 1. That it will be the Nations Dishonour, if throw our want of Courage, Conduct or Honesty, we slavishly Succumb in the present Exigence, without setting about both Religious, and lawful Civil Means of Redress, we must lie under the perpetual Infamy of Fools, or Traitors to our Country, or Both. Some are soon enough kindled upon what they call point of Personal Honour: And shall we be so mean Spirited, as to have no Sense of the Bleeding Honour, and Sinking Reputation of our Country? 2. Great also will the Nations loss be in the Wealth and Treasure expended upon this noble design, if it should all come to nothing, this with the hard years have brought us very low; but thus we must fall still lower, and under the contempt of our Neighbours, and so much the more that the thriving of our Colony would have given us a very considerable figure amongst them. 3. This breach and ruin, will create many Jealousies, Heart-burnings, and Animosities among ourselves, which will not be easily quenched, and will leave a lasting stain on the Memory and Posterity of some, who will be thought to have betrayed their Country, if we shall continue to cross one another in the honest and necessary means of Relief. 4. We shall never be fit for any project hereafter, the Nation will never Centre so Universally and Hearty in any Enterprise; who will regard us or trust us after this? We may despair of ever being famous, except for Infamy, Weakness and Meanness of Spirit, if we now break having a Parliament, the Laws of the Nation, the claim of Right, we hope too our King's heart, and Fatherly Affection, and all imaginable Motives on our side; whereas if we go throw with this, as fairly and honestly we may, it will render u● if successful, as much respected, as we a●e now contemned in the World; or at worst if we fail, we shall be pitied, and not despised. 5. If we timely look on till 〈◊〉 be bu●ied against all Law and Right as well as interest, than we encourage some other Faction hereafter to deprive us of other privileges, by terrifying us with odious N●mes o● Disaffection to the Government or the like; till we be divested of all that it is dear and precious unto us, whether Civil or Religious, as w●s the practice of the late evil Reigns, the Slavery of which we ought not to forget, and wherein the least squint look to a Curate was called disaffection to the Government. We have reason to bless God that th●se times are past, and to Pray that they may never 〈◊〉 upon us and that we may not Act as if we were still under the Dread and Terror of them, in not daring to assert and plead for our just Rights. And we ought to Remember, that Presbytery is upon the same bottom of Civil Right with this Interest, and if the one be shaken, the other may in process of time come to be endangered. 6. This will bring horrid Sin upon the Land, if after such Encouragements given us to Honour God, do Good to the Souls of poor Heathens, and benefit our own Nation; we shall stand by and be Silent, while all this Enterprise is crushed. 7. This will weaken the Protestant Inteterst in America, and grieve the Hearts of God's People, in New-England and the Neighbouring Plan●ations, who Rejoice to see a place of so much Importance in the hands of a Colony f●om Scotland, and as they Hoped, under the Religious Conduct o● the Church of Scotland, of the same Principles and Profession in Discipline & Government, as well as Doctrine with themselves; so that they were ready to contribute their outmost, for supply of provisions to Caledonia, evenafter the publishing of the West-India Proclamations, tho', alas, our people knew it no●. 8. It will bring a very foul Blot and Reproach on the Ministry, if they should be found faint and remiss in contributing so far as i● competent to them, to the support of this Christian and profitable Undertaking. It will be said, where is their Zeal for advancing Christ's Kingdom, and for the good of their Country, how Zealous would Popi▪ Priests be to propagate their Superstition and stir up their Country Msh to Erect such a Colony and Plantation as this. It is said that some Minister's have been abused and imposed upon in this matter, and that many doth not consider its importance and weight, but suffer themselves to be misled into prejudices by the false Surmises & groundless Insinuations of others. And that such Advantage is given against this Interest, to the Representations of ou● Enemies in the neighbouring Nation, from the Carriage of Ministers, as may appear from this one Instance, if it be true what I have heard was spoken by a Worthy Pee● in the English Parliament concerning it, to wit, That the Design of Caledonia could not be the Interest of Scotland, and ●he Address; for it wa● only a Combination of Villain and Jacobites, since the Presbyterians, who were always known to be the great Asserters of their Countries' Rights and Liberties, were against it, and the Commission, who represented the Church of Scotland, had rejected it; and Glasgow, ●he second Town of the Kingdom, had refused it. This shows how little that Noble Lord was obliged to his Mis-in●rmers, for putting so ignorant a Speech in his Mouth: But it shows also, how the Backwardness of Minister's from doing their proper Duty is improven by our Enemies, to the trampling upon, and misrepresenting of this highly valuable and National Interest. 9 If this Place be lost, what shall we do with our Poor, who might have partly been transported thither as Workers, and partly employed at Home in Manufactures, for the Service of those Abroad? Shall not Poverty, Beggary. Idleness, and Starving increase? 10. Have not many Prayers of the Godly been put up for Caledonia? all have seemed to wish its prospering, and some have been earnest in pleading for it; some Ministers died in the Voyage, others since have ventured their Lives to serve God and the Nation, when they were acceptable at Home: Will it not be Confounding if; throw our ownBreakings and Divisions, all be lost? Will not profane 〈◊〉 scoff at Prayers; and Papists say, where is the Protestants God? And will not weak Christians be made to stagger, when they see God frowning upon such a Design? It is true, Faith can see throw all this; but should we not fervently plead, that the Ruin may not fall under our Hands? 11. How can we expect but that we ●hall be Contemned and Insulted by the Nations about us, in our private Negotiating and Tra●ique; yea, almost made ashamed to own ourselves for Scots Men, and our great Attempt that hath made so much Noise in the World, shall become every where the public Jest? Is their any Man of Sense, but mu● be affected at these fore Evils, which we have just cause to fear, as the Consequents of our giving up Caledonia?  
5. Let us then consider a little theseSins which we ought to look upon as the procuring Causes of the said Struck we have already metwith, and which may prove yet more Afflicting, if Mercy prevent not. We ought to deal Impartially, and not spare our Sins; when God's hand is upon us, we are called to search them out narrowly, and to hid none from the Lord. 1. This Nation hath never yet been duly humbled and exercised with Sorrow and Mourning for the Sins of the Land, which have been of a deep Dye, we have been still mincing our Iniquity for fear of offending of some late Actors, without minding how God is offended with us. We have not to this day made a full and free Confession of our National Sins; amongst which, our Covenant-breaking seems to me to cry loudest, and stare us in the Face; for whatever may be said of the Politic and sinister Ends of some, in contriving and carrying on the Covenant, of their mingling and thrusting some things into it to serve a Turn of its being Calculated for these Times and Circumstances; and so in its Complex form, not so proper for the present State of things of its being a League with other two Nations who have thrown it off as such, and the like. Yet, it cannot be denied, that in the Main, it was (as well as the National Covenant that went before it throw the Land) a most serious and awful Engagement of the Nation to Christianity and Godliness, with uplifted hands to the most High God, and the highest and most solemn piece of Reformation that ever this Church and Kingdom attained unto, and performed by the bulk of the People, with the greatest Moral Seriousness. And how can our resiling from, and shameful Breach of these awful Vows, but draw upon us dreadful Gild and Iniquity, not to be forgotten till it be bitterly Mourned for. How much Innocent Blood hath been shed? what horrid Aversion to Purity and Holiness, and fearful Blacksliding have been found amongst us, in which our Kings, our Priests and People have been deeply involved; and yet to mention these things, renders a Man suspected of Schism: But how can we Thrive, till we be more explicit and full in Confessing, and bitterly bewailing these and all our National Sins before the Lord. 2. We are guilty of black Ingratitude to God for the late happy Revolution, for the Singularity, as well as the Greatness of that Deliverance, when we were upon the Brink of being swallowed up; nor did we improve it as we ought to have done. 3. Gospel Ordinances and public Worship are more despised amongst us than any where: All People in the World do attend more reverently upon their several ways of Worship than we do upon ours. Heathans and Jews, Mahometans and Papists, Heretics and Schismatics, are at much more pains in their erroneous Courses, than the professing People in Scotland are generally upon the Service of the living and true God. Any Trifle, mere Laziness, Prejudice, Contempt Hatred, keep many of our great Ones from Gospel Ordinances: How then can God prosper us in our Undertake? 4. Gross Injustice and Oppression, Envy, Malice, Backbiting, Self-seeking,, narrowness of Spirit, Worldly-mindedness, Lying, and Treachery, Uncharitableness and want of Brotherly Love, are our Epedemick Distempers? How then shall we think to be Blessed in our Designs, especially since all these Sins are aggravated in us, by their being against Light & daily Warnings. 5. We did not seek the Lord, and plead for his Favour in a due manner, in the beginning of this great Enterprise, with serious Resolutions to reform our Hearts and Lives. Time was, when the People of God upon such a weighty occasion, and when the Nation was setting about so important a Work, would have been fervent in putting up their Suits to Heaven, and had remarkable Returns of Prayer. It was very comfortable to see what impression and frame some Reverend Ministers of the Commission were under in Summer last, when Mr. Sheild was engaged in this Service, with what Affection, Warmness and Weight, they observed how our Forefathers would have embraced and improven so signal an Opportunity of Spreading the Gospel, of bringing Honour to God, and to the Church of Scotland, and doing Good to Souls, if it had been in their offer: And what an edge was upon the Spirits of all in their Meeting at Glasgow, and the solemn Day of Prayer held there, upon the account of our dear Brethren and that Interest. And it is no less discouraging to observe, how far that Zeal and Fervour that then appeared, is now abated; that we have not hitherto set apart a Day of Humiliation, upon account of this sad Distress, and of Prayer for these who were sent out with so public and solemn a Blessing from this Church; that we are now turned so slack and remiss, and that we began no sooner, is more formidable and threatening than all the Opposition of the Devil, the Pope, the Spaniard, or any other Enemy, and aught to be hearty bewailed by us, with admiration of the Goodness and Patience of God, that we are not yet worse smitten for our ill-deserving. 6. Our vain pride and Confidence at the beginning of this Affair, our Carnal Expectations from it, our trusting not in God, but in an Arm of Flesh: If we had succeeded without Rubs in our way, we had burnt Incense to our own Drag, we had waxed fat, and kicked against the Lord, and forgotten that the Earth is the Lord's, and the Fullness and Riches thereof, and forgotten what weak silly Creatures we are without him. 7. There may be many Sins both of Omission and Commission to be confessed and mourned for, in the management of our Expeditions, both with respect to persons employed, and Methods followed, which I cannot undertake to condescend upon; but these aught to be searched out, acknowledged and amended. Tho ill Men may have outward success for a time; yet the Favour of God cannot be towards them. Th● Six Hundred Danites sent to take in Leish, did succeed; yet their Posterity went first into Captivity of all Israel. In a business of this nature, Men should be more considered according to their worth and real usefulness, than the Moyen of their Friends, and such as they depend upon, recommending them. 8. Great care should have been taken to set up a strict discipline over those who were sent to punish Vice, and set up Morality and good Order amongst them▪ And though the Directors are not free of this Neglect; yet it cannot be denied that much of it lies upon the Minister's score, who were too slack in providing Able, Zealous, and faithful Men to send with every Ship to Excite Directors to their Duty, yea to furnish sit Men for the Service in proportion to the encouragement agreed unto by the Directors, which might have been a mean to have prevented both much Si●, and much wrath. 9 It is also to be considered by these immediately concerned in this Company, whether much of the Money employed in this Undertaking, was not sinfully acquired; many got their Riches by Deceit and Oppression; and is it any wonder, that the Lo●d should let them know, that his Eyes are upon all their▪ Paths, that he ponders their Go and their Do; and that he will not bless the Revenues of the Wicked▪ 10. and lastly, Our bad Lives at Home, is a great Cause of the Bustling and Disapponting of our Undertake Abroad. Some even of our Great Men engaged in this Affair, given over to all Lasciviousness and Uncleanness, to work Wickedness with Greediness; yet neither State nor Church check their Impieties: And can we expect that God will bless their Designs, who so Dishonour him? or the Nations, that bear not Testimony against them? or that so long as we in this Nation continue in so defiled and unreformed a State, there can ever proceed from us any pure Stream, any happy Colony, or any Undertaking acceptable to God?  
6. What is now to be done to retrieve our Loss? What is the Duty that both Ministers and People are called unto, with reference to this great Concern? I shall not here speak of Addresses to the King or Parliament; that belongs to others; no effectual Legal Course ought to be omitted. But my work is the Religious part, and our Addressing to the King of Heaven in a due manner. I think we should cry both to our King and our God: If some Men got their Will, we should be allowed to cry unto neither: But that which I would humbly propose, is what no Christian can oppose, unless he be under a dreadful Infatuation▪ 1. Let Church and State solemnly Renew their Covenant with God, to be his, and to Serve him, in opposition to the Devil, the World, and the Flesh: Whatever may be men's various Sentiments about speculative or disputed Points; yet none can deny but it is our Duty, to embrace from our Souls, and consent unto God's Covenant of free Grace, not only as it offers to us Salvation throw Christ; but as it contains our Duty to God, regulated in his Word. Now if we are by our Baptism entered into this Covenant, and must renew it after Backsliding, or else turn Apostates and perish: Why should not the Nation do that which Israel did of old, when the Lord convinced them of their Folly and Sin● I know the mixing of things Civil and Religious in Covenants, and pressing them on people, and treating the Refusers as Enemies, hath been much disliked by the Godly who were free of Faction, but to renew our Baptismal Covenant Nationally, is what no Christian can disclaim. And I think all should be content to join in this till we be more unite in our Sentiments as to Government. I am apt to think, that a blessed change would follow upon the right and solemn managing of this most necessary and singularly useful Duty. The General Assembly may with due deliberation draw a plain Formula, which being Printed, that People may gravely ponder it; a day of Fasting and Humiliation may be appointed throw the Kingdom, for confessing our iniquities and lying low before the Lord in the sense of our Provocations: And the Lords day thereafter, People having been instructed by their Pastors in the nature of this Duty of yielding themselves in a perpetual Covenant never to be forgotten, then at the close might Minister and People avouch the Lord to be their God with uplifted hands. If this were conscientiously gone about, I am hopeful there should be a losing of Bonds, and somewhat of Heavenly influences Communicated to this poor withered Church and Nation, and that our Covenanted God would not refuse us a Token of Good. It were also desirable, that each Presbitry would keep a Day by themselves, and each Family apart (and no doubt each serious Person would follow the Example) for confessing Sin, and wrestling for a blessing upon this Noble, but long slighted Duty, in the performance of it by the whole Nation. 2. There is great need of a particular day of pleading with God for his favour to the great National undertaking of settling our American Colony: I wonder how any that wish the Enlargement of Christ's Kingdom, or have any Knowledge or Impression of the importance of this Design, can oppose it. Some have looked with a Squint Eye upon this Duty. And I shall touch their Objections against it. 1. They say it is a Monopoly, a few only concerned, and why should the Nation be called to Fast and Pray upon its account. I Answer, 1. The Parliament in their Address to the King declared it their own and the whole Nation's Concern, as indeed it is; and the General Assembly had no narrow thought of it, when by their Act they appointed all the Ministers of this Church to pray for its Success: And we cannot imagine, that ever they would have refused a Solemn Fast for its distress. 2. Neither had the Commission so mean thoughts of it the last Summer, when they came to Glasgow upon its service, as doth appear from what they did there, and by the Letter they wrote to the Colony. And I hearty wish, that the leading Members of that Commission, and all others influenced by them, may think of timely and suitable Measures to prevent, or rather wipe off, the unbecoming Imputation of being Time servers, by having showed so Universal a Zeal for the Caledonian Interest, during its seeming Prosperity; and changing their Note so meanly when they see it in Distress, and frowned upon by the Favourers of a Foreign Interest for selfish Ends. 3. The Commission in December last, though they refused a Fast, for which they have their account to make to the Assembly, yet acknowledged the importance of Caledonia, by their Letter to all the Presbyteries of this Church. And tho' they should happen to escape Censure here for a time, yet how can Ministers of the Gospel of Christ (which is all Truth) answer before His Tribunal; for Trimming and Juggling thus, in a Case of so great Importance, as the Caledonian Interest is to both the Religious and Civil Concerns of this Nation? To refuse a Fast, to gratify the Unaccountable Backwardness of one Party; and to tell the other Party, who Addressed for a Fast, that tho' they did not appoint a Nominal Fast, yet they appointed a Real One, by Recommending Prayers, etc. Is this that plain Simplicity and Singleness of Heart, which we pretend to, and preach to others? If the Prelates and Curates of the late Reigns were always said to be a Dead Weight upon the Nation in all State-Games, as too assu●edly they were, and full of their 〈◊〉 Distinctions, upon all Occasions, to palliate their Sinister and Double Meanings, what Blessed Reformation can we now justly boast of, if we Trace their very Footsteps under a different Name? I wish the Worldly Mindedness, Vain Ambition, and Double Actings of some, may not Endanger the whole Ministry, to be brought under such a Stain and Contempt, as will not be easily wiped off, if they take not up in time; and especially, if such as are yet Untainted, take not upon them, to Admonish their Erring Brethren roundly, and become more Diligent and Serious in the Work of the Lord, and in making the People delight much more, than, alas! they now do, in Gospel-Ordinances: Otherways Silence, upon such an Occasion, must make us at least Connivers at, and consequently Partakers of their Gild 4. A small part of the Kingdom in distress, will obtain a Collection from the whole, how much more should we Sympathise in this concern. 5. The gain of any one Person by bringing Wealth into the Nation, or the loss of any one by the perishing of what is exported out of the Kingdom, is the gain or loss of the Nation; much more that of so eminent a Society, must affect the whole. But, 6. Nothing but brutish Ignorance or Malice, can entertain mean and diminishing Thoughts of this Noble Enterprise, which is beyond all debate, the Greatest and Worthiest that ever this Nation did attempt, and upon the Success or Miscarriage of which, so much depends, as I have already hinted, and shall not here repeat. So that this Objection deserves to be exploded, and can be made by none who have a drop of Scottish or Christian Blood. 2. Some say this would be a Fasting for Strife and Debate. But it is a grievous perverting of Scripture, thus to apply it. Shall our keeping a Fast for our Brethren in Caledonia, and to plead with the Lord for a Blessing on our Trade, and for making his Gospel more known in the World, be compared with the private Contests and Oppressions of the Quarrelsome Israelites.—? We know the Papists and Spaniards will be offended, we cannot help that; but we are for Peace. And if the Objectors can secure themselves from that Scripture, Isa. 22. 12, 13, 14. We need not be afraid of the Prophet's Words brought against us, in following and pleading for our Duty. Beside, if there should be any Debate, or appearance of Division in this Matter, it is all upon the Objectors side, who have departed from us, and from these very Principles and Practices, which themselves but very lately owned. 3. But Persons disaffected to the Government are pressing for a Fast, therefore we should not gratify them; and it is for some bad design they seek it, and not from Love to Religion. To this I answer, 1. I am far from vindicating any who have opposed the Government, either in Church or State. I believe there are very many bad Men both for, and against the Government, at this day: But this I would say, Let none heighten Jealousy, and invent false Stories; for God will punish even our Lying against the Wicked. 2. It is plain, these Men whom they intent, are not Fools, but Men who understand their worldly Interest, as well a● others, and whom we have not seen to venture any Loss in that for King James, or in opposition to the present Government, but are desireous enough of Calm and Peaceable Living: And were some profane Ruffians, idle Talkers, and profligate Desperadoes removed, who are a burden to all sides, and generally complained of, (but so Insignificant, as to deserve no Notice, except that of Punishment for their Profanity and scandalous Lives) I believe there would be little need to talk of different Parties or Interests in Scotland. But besides ● know, that Persons as Active in the late happy Revolution, as any in this Kingdom have likewise pressed for a Fast; and shall good Men forsake a good. Thing, because perhaps some bad Men in other respects may join with them in that Good. 3. Bad Men love to cry to God when their Lives or Interest are in hazard: Did not the Heathen Mariners pray when Jonah was a Sleep, and had even the Prophet himself to awaken? Why may not quick sighted Men with a Natural Conscience be Sensible of the need of Prayer? Yea, are there not Zealous and honest Ministers and Godly People, pressing for a Fast as much as they. 4. What ill Design can be under the craving of a Fast? Is it to overturn the Government? How then shall Caledonia stand? which is an Interest all over contrary to that which is called Jacobite or French Interest; yea, it is plainly the Interest of France to have Caledonia broken; and I know nothing more likely or proper to Unite our Interests at home, and chain them to the Government, than their centring in Caledonia. Or are they only pretendedly Zealous for it, that they may carry on their bad Designs? Then I would ask, shall we give up with Caledonia altogether? No, says the Objectors, by no Means. Is not this strange? that we may still carry on this Design without hazard to the Government, but if we pray for it, than the Government is in Danger. Is not this to assert, that prayerless Purposes are safest, and thrive best? But surely, if there were any ill Design in hand, one would think, that honest Men have the more need to Pray for the discovering, and the defeating of it. 5. But, if there be no bad Design, if from the very Nature of the Thing it appears there can be none; Then, are not they greatly to blame (and by their Practice bring a reproach upon Religion) who accuse Men of what they are innocent of, or surely, must be so to them, till they can give Documents of their Gild. Truth needs no Lie to defend it, and Calumny is very inconsistent with a Gospel Pro●ession. 6. Suppose their Designs to be bad, this ought not to hinde● our Duty, unless the Surmisers can show us, that our Duty at this time, will forward the bad Design, and that it is our greater Duty to forbear, which they can never do. Ought not we then to set about our necessary and unquestionable Duty, without siding with Factions, or amusing ourselves with the Whispers and Insinuations of either Sycophantry or Malice: 7. The Humour of some who have opposed this Fast, seems strange, one day they Plead, we must not renew our Covenant, because the disaffected will not join with us, and our Ancestors were too rash in dealing harshly with the Nobility and Gentry, we must be more Calm and Sober, and wait till they comply. But then they call to us to Fast and Pray for Caledonia; O, no, say these Objectors, Tho we know we should do it, yet we will not do it, because you design no Good thereby. How shall the Persons objected against, ever come over to the Government with us, since we will not go to God with them? It may be some will tell us, The Jews would not sing a Song of Zion when desired by the Babylonians; but they required it to sport at: He●e Men are, at least, morally Serious and Sincere, and smart under the Common Calamity. The Jews would not incorporate with the Samaritans; but these Objectors were willing enough to have deal with these same Samaritans, and some did Trafsique and bestir themselves not a little to engage these to ●oyn in the Company's Stock, with whom they have since refused to humble themselves upon the account of the Company s, and Nations loss. 4. Some pretend the King and Court would have been offended had the Commission appointed a Fast, and therefore it was delaved. I answer, 1. It seems these who so pretend, would have prudently de●ayed to pray at Darius' Command, since it was but for a while, and positive Duties bind not ad semper. 2. They are highly injurious to His Majesty, who make so undutiful and false a Suggestion▪ For, 1. The King required our Prayers for himself when engaged in foreign War. 2. He hath testified Regret for our Loss; and to say we may not express our Grief before God, ●or what the King Declares himself sorry, without offending His Majesty, is to talk at a very insolent rate. 3. Wherein hath the King shown any dislike against us? By the West-India Proclamations, say they. But, 1. How know they that these Proclamations were emitted by His Majesty's positive Command. 2. Do these Proclamations discharge us to carry on the Design of Caledonia? by no means. Since then all agree, that without reflecting on these Proclamations, we may continue our Trade: May we not also pray to God for its Help? 3. Would Darius have been ofsended at any for crying to God for Daniel, when he was drawn by his Courtiers to sign that severe Decree against him, since he himself was much grieved for it all Night. Then, sure our King will not be Angry with us for seeking to God, since we have the greatest reason to believe that the King bears us fatherly Afsection; and that these Proclamations were not the effect of his Inclination. 5. Some will tell us, there is a Ferment in the Nation, and we must not Fast till that be allayed. But, doth not the present Necessity, and our brethren's distress call for it as a present and necessary Duty? Hath it not been sadly and shamefully delayed? Doth not this delay increase the Ferment, which is not like to be removed without Fasting and Prayer? And if all shall be lost, wh●t Peace can we have in these Delays and refusals? And how must it amaze our Brethren abroad? and discourage others from ever engaging in the like Services, that we would not Compassionate their dolorou, Condition. If it be found, that a Foreign Interest, and Man-pleasing, and Pensions prevail against this Duty more than all other Objections. To this indeed I cannot answer essectually (for Silver and Gold have I none) unless we could be persuaded to take the Lord's Word for an esfectual Answer; only deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the Good. 3. I add by way of Advice in the third place▪ be harmonious i● your actings for Caledonia, if some draw one way, and some another, the whole Design will pull into pieces. Act deliberately, and with real● ove to your Country, and then the means to accomplish your End, will not be hard to find out. But if under shadow of the Public, Men pursue private and base ends, all must fall into ruin. 4. Let every one of us mind the Duties of our Station, and not stand accusing this or that Mistake, Error, or Miscarriage in others, as the Cause of this Distress, lest all be found to have had a hand in drawing it on. Let Ministers mind their special Work of praying and wrestling for Caledonia, and sending it Gospel Supplies; and let Nobility and Gentry do what is proper sore them in their Civil Stations, and not standing Idle blaming one another. 5. Let all Care be taken to amend former Errors; and particularly, to transport ●or the future, good Men so far as is possible, with Ministers to take Care of their Manners and of their Souls; and let these be Active and Prudent, Men of Authority as well as serious and Godly Pastors. Next, to our obtaining t●e favour of God. This is the most likely way to be blessed of the Lord, and come into respect, instead of being turned into an Astonishment and Reproach throw the World. Now by Good Men, I do not mean of such or such a Denomination amongst us: For though I am as much in my Judgement for a Nationally Covenanted work of Reformation as any; yet truly I love a Good Man who differs from me in Speculations, before him who is Impious, be his Principles what they will. Yea, the better a Man's Principles be, if the Man be Bad, he is the worse Man. And sure, if due pains were taken, with a single eye to the prosperity of the Colony, good Men might be had. We all know what services Angus▪ s Regiment did at Dunkel, and none denied them to be at that time the best Regiment in Britain, perhaps in the World, for Religion and Sobriety. I know they were not all Saints, but had we such a Company to go to Caledonia, I should not question, but God would be with them. A praying People, are very likely to be a successsul People.  
7. I come in the last place, to press all to be concerned, and to act vigorously for Caledonia in Prayer, and by all other lawful Methods. You are not to expect Rhetorical Flourishes from such a blu●t Pen as mine. I will not say, Ornari ●es ipsa negat contenta doceri; for not only is the Subject capable of Embellishment, but the Unconcernedness of many, requires Excitement by the most moving Discourses, that they may have a just view of, and be suitably affected with this excellent Design. But this must be the work of others, whose Accomplishments and Zeal are equal. It is enough for me, who can attain no more, plainly to point out a few of these Things, that may invigorat, and stir up the Nation to a due Sense of their present Duty. And, 1. To get our Coasts enlarged by Praver, as Jabesh did, is to attain to Honour in a more eminent degree than hitherto. Let Saracens and Turks, the Monarchies of old, or the Spaniards of late, and other modern Ravages of the Earth, enlarge their Conquests by Blood and Treachery, by Pillaging and Devastation their Names shall be Infamous for ever; but for us to get a Rehoboth by Prayer and fervent Supplication to Heaven, will be an Evidence of the Favour, goodwill, and Kindness of the Possessor of Heaven and Earth to us. Let us then be stirred up to plead fervently for a Blessing to this great Work from Heaven's King. 2. Go on resolutely in this Affair; for the Lord hath much encouraged you in the way of his Providence to proceed. You have lawful Authority on your side, King and Parliament have given you Commission, and are bound to Protect you, as we hope they will against all Opposers. You have the Generality of the Nation, and all true hearted Scots Men to stand by you, none can oppose you without being Enemies to the Good of their native Country. Whatever they may pretend, they serve a foreign Interest: You have been born up under many Difficulties and Discouragements already; The Lord wonderfully directed and preserved the first Adventurers, and brought them safe to their desired Port, few of them, all things considered, dying by the way. They came into a Commodious place, abounding in many Advantages, and were asfectionatly welcomed by a Kind, Harmless, and Obliging People. In all which we see, how favourably the Lord treated us, and made plain paths before us: And it deserves a grave Remark, That whatever Distress hath since come upon our Countrymen; yet the Lord hath hitherto kept possession for us; the Place hath never been totally abandoned, though others would gladly have seized it for themselves. And as our just Right cannot be taken away, and the place is so impregnable, that if we were but willing, we may keep it against all the World; so the Lord now invites us back, and hath kept it for us, by hindering any of our Enemies to settle there. It may likewise be encouraging, that however distant we are in some things from one another; yet this Interest seems to be the Centre wherein we will all agree, and if followed closely, may prove a blessed Mean to remove different Sentiments, and unite us to God, and to one another in the way of Unity and Love. 3. All our Chastisements in this Matter are such, that we are the more to be excited by them, and not to ●e cast down, or turn faint in our Duty. It is the Lord who is trying us, to cause us trust in himself the Living God, more than in all Human Wisdom, Power, or Wealth, and drive us near to himself, by Humiliation and Reformation by searching and trying our ways, that we may turn again unto the Lord. The Removal of the two worthy Ministers was grievous, but their Names shall be precious to posterity, when others who withstand this design shall leave no good savour; their Death 〈◊〉 the Company more than many days Preach could have done. God was kind to them in taking them away before they saw the sad Disaster that befell, which would have crushed them. The Proclamations seemed to awaken us to cry to God, the less encouragement we had from Men; but alas! this fervour ●oon relented & turned aside unto a wrong course. The news of the Colonies Dissipation did grieve, but not overwhelm those most nearly concerned: Activity hath appeared in speedy supply and application to proper means Greater for remedy. Now when all our Troubles and Difficulties have not hitherto totally defeated us. Let us not despond, but come with penitent sorrow for our Povocations, and cry unto God for his Help and Assistance, who can make crooked things strait, and the Mountains a plain before his People; who knows but that yet he may cause us to sing that Song Psal 66. from Ver. 8 to the close. 4. Let us be quickened to 〈◊〉 duty from this consideration, that the Lord frequently makes way for his extraordinary Kindnesses, by some Humbling Dispensations; Israel must encamp between Migdol and Baalzephon, while the Sea is before them, and a bitter Enemy behind them; yet this Difpensation must precede the final Overthrow of the Adversary, and furnish Matter to the first triumphant Song we have upon Record in Scripture: And indeed, none should despair of Events, who are found in the Lord's way, when we see Israel meeting with such Obstacles, many Years before their Deliverance was completed, and their Divinely Authorized Colonies fixed. What have our Troubles been in comparison of what some have met with, and overcome in doing great things for their Religion and Country; were not our first Reformers surrounded with other sort of Dissiculties, which they Mastered by Ardent Prayers and Restless Endeavours. Did we pray more, and Believe more, we might yet expect Success, notwithstanding▪ standing all that hath befallen us; For, 5. If we would reflect what Promises God hath made to his People under their Troubles, we would not st●d only looking to Human Probabilities, and forget the Encouraging Com●nds and Promises of God. 'Tis from these, Faith gets Strength, and puts Vigour into the Soul▪ as the Trumpet excites a Martial Spirit. For God not only Displays his Goodness in making the Promises, and his Faithfulness in bringing them about, but also his Power Shines in the Way of his A●ting. Apply then by Faith, the Promises made to the Church, and to a Distre●ed People, and God will not cast you off. 6. The Necessity of the Nation requires you should go on with Vigour. The Poor are many, and their Straits increase: Now if ever we be relieved, Trade and Labour must be one great Mean of it, and nothing can be done to purpose in this, without a Colony Abroad and Manufactures at Home, otherwise we shall be still Exporting Money for what we want, and Earning none. 7. The Deplorable Case of the poor-Pagans Souls cry aloud to us to come over and help them; I wish this Motive had prevailed more with us at first, and that we had sent them more Effectual Spiritual Relief: But let us now mind their Conversion by our Prayers and Endeavours, that they may be our Brethren in Christ, this would tend to the Honour of our Church, and our Peace in the Day of the Lord, and the Blessing of these who are ready to perish should come upon us. Neither ought it to be forgotten, that these poor People by their Kindness to us, have exposed themselves to ●e outmost Resentments of the Cruel Spaniards, who if they be left Naked, and destitute of our Defence, will with the greatest Keenness essay to Butche● and extirpate them. 8. It is seldom that ever a Nation and Church hath had such an Opportunity for doing Good, put in their hands, or been called to so great a Wo●k. To God we must be accountable how we improve it. And if we do not actively now bestir ourselves, and fervently apply to him, without whose Help we can do nothing; with what Confidence can we ever go unto him in National Straits again? 9 Let us remember the Condition of these who were last sent from us, and what need we have to pray that they be not discouraged and quite sunk under perplexing doubts, when they find a deserted place in stead of their Friends, and prepared accommodations: The thoughts of what amazement must possess them▪ and difficulties they will be under, aught to m●ke our Hearts bleed with Sympathy for them. Are not our Friends and Countrymen, Gentlemen of Note, and Ministers sent thither. I must say, if we forget our Caledonians, we must be cruel like the Ostriches in the Wilderness. 10. There are private Christians wrestling with the Lord for this Interest, and their Cry to all, but especially to Ministers, is Dear Countrymen and Pastors, lend us the ●elp of your Prayers in this weighty Concern, that we may all jointly together go into the Throne of Grace, and give our God no rest till he appear for Caledonia, and make her Walls Sal●ation, and her Gates Praise. Satan surely, and his followers of the Romish Interest, hate your Prayers; but all the lover's o● our Lord and his Kingdom will hearty join in them, both in a private and in a public National way; and we are persuaded, that Our Lord will not ●o far d●sert his Servants as to suffer you upon so pressing an Occasion, and after so earnest beseechings to be so far byassed by sinistrous Insinuatious, or any Considerations whatsoever, as to remain unconcerned in your Master's Glory, His Church's Honour, and your countries' Interest. I shall but add one word unto such as may be suspected of bad Designs, touched under their Zeal for Caledonia, I would beseech them not to have too harsh Thoughts of simple Honest People, who by the Surmises of designing Persons may be influenced to suspect them. Some of these suspected have showed no great Friendship to Godliness, and therefore it is no great wonder that bad Impressions of them, do the more easily take. I would entreat such to evidence the more signally to the World, by sincere and upright Actings, that their true Motive, next ●o a Christian regard to the Glory of God, is a generous Concern for their Country: And I must add, That if any have indirect Views or sinful Designs, God will testify his Displeasure against them. The Pit they may be thinking to dig for others, under specious Pretexts, may be filled with their own Carcases; and though he is no honest Man who shall refuse to assist and concur with them in that which is Just and Good, yet if they turn aside to perverse Ways, all honest Men will relinquish them, and they shall be Contemned in the Earth. But I hope all our Mistakes and Jealousies shall be removed, and that we shall all cordially agree to carry on Caledonia's Interest, with Ha●mony, Love and Zeal, which the Lord of his infinite Mercy grant. I rest,  
Your Faithful Monitor, Philo-Caledonius.  
Postscript.  
WHilst the foregoing Discourse is under the Press, it hath pleased the Holy and Just God, to visit this City of Edinburgh with a most Formidable Desolating Fire, whereby he speaks unto us Terrible Things in Righteousness, and seems, amongst our many other Transgre●ions, particularly to point at our Remissness and Neglect of the Duties of Humiliation and Fasting; and that notwithstanding the Pressing Calls we have had thereto, and the Applications likeways that have been made for the same, yet the Duties have been hitherto, 'tis feared, both Shamefully and Sinfully Baulked. Causes of Fasting are heaped upon us, by Burn at New-Edinburgh, and Burn in Old-Edinburgh, one Judgement on the back of another, which seems to say, That it is more than high time, to lay aside our Mistakes and Jealousies, and Carnal Politics, and take Shame to ourselves, and redeem former Neglects, by doubling our Diligence in called for Duties, lest the Lord be provoked to consume us, by yet more Astonishing and Confounding Blows. And 'tis hoped, the Venerable Assembly, to whom this Dreadful Conflagration, as Trysting with their first Meeting, and Day of Prayer, hath a very Special Language, will make a Grave Remark upon it, and a Wise Improvement of it, by paying the Debt they own to God and the Nation, in Exciting the whole Kingdom to Repentance and Amendment, First, Upon the Account of the said Rebuke given to the Land, in their Noble and Christian Undertaking Abroad: And then, Upon Account of the other Moving and Afflicting Providences we Groan under at Home.  
FINIS.