MANES PRESBYTERIANI: OR THE MONUMENTS OF THE KIRK. THE COVENANTS CONFESSION. Argyles RELICS. Guthrey and Giffan's PASSIONS. AND Gillespy's RECANTATION. All compiled and laid together. Ducitur iratis plaudendum Funus Amicis. Juv. Sic erit Aeternum Pontiliane Vale. Mar. London, Printed for the Reverend CLasses, in the year 1661. To the READER WHo can now deny, but that there is a Jus Divinum stamped upon Presbytery, when we have seen such signal Vindiciae of it in the Fate and Death of the most Eminent and stontest Assertors of it? We will therefore give it leave to take praecedency of any Schism of which Blood was never yet drawn. But whether Sanguis Draconis or Sanguis Ecclesiae Scoticae be the better Drug, and which will grow fastest, we leave to Dr. Trig and Time. We have made a Confection or Miscellany out of it at a Venture, and compounded the bitter Ingredients of its Death, and prescribe them you in a Dose of Mirth. The first place, as that which operated most, we give deservedly to the Covenant, of a Griping purging quality; most of the Town complain of its Physic; with groan and strainings; and they say it never worked kindly since the Time that Alderman Atkins bewrayed the Militia, for now it works upwardly in vomits altogether: It is lately torn up by the roots, and hath fetched such deep sighs, as a Mandrake at its Revulsion; a relation whereof you have in the next pages. The next Place the marquis of Arguile challengeth; this was a Great Doctor and administerer of the Covenant; we present him to you like a Mountebank on his Scaffold, where he uttered a whole promptuary of Kirk venom & readily swallowed it, wherefore we have next sent this Zany with an Antidote after him. If you say 'tis too late, we can assure you from the mouth of a Presbyterian Patriarch, that Death hath no power over a Covenanter, no more than one Gasp can kill a Cat. Room for St. Guthrey, a name conformable and consonant to the Legend, the precise moderns will make miraeles of him, and save us the labour to tell you how he was hanged. As for Giffan he was but his Sancho Panca; his story is bound up in this Quixots; and so they go together. The other Appendix of Gillespy, (being like to bear a great influence on these worst and last Times of Presbytery, wherein Scandals and Offences are like to be given by revolts and desertions,) we have subjoined by way of Parallel betwixt the case of him and Mr. Jenkins, it being like to be of exceeding use to the unstable remnant of giddy Zealots. These are the only Remains of Presbytery, and it cannot but Comfort your Hearts to hear such a word. Root and Branch of it are hewn down, and in the dead Trunks of these Furioso's, it lies still and quiet, and though you laugh never so loud at it, it will never wake and bawl again. If there be any whiffling curs that grin and snarl (such of whom it may be said, — Non quies, non tumultus, quale magni metus, vel magnae irae silentium est,) they know what Hawks-meat is, at least the worming iron of Pulpit silence will surely cure them. To the Honest and Loyal be this a Gratulation, for the Ultion and Revenge the Laws and these Happy Times have taken on that Accursed Thing, and so let it go. FAREWELL. Hominem Malignum forsan esse ru credas Ego esse Miserum credo cui Placet Nemo. The Groans and last Breathe of THE COVENANT TO Its DEAR PARENT PRESBYTERY. MY Lamp is almost spent, and nothing but a stinking snuff left to light me to Ashes; I am all over seized with a sudden Epilepsy, Death is upon me, O speedily call hither some Presbyter. Presb. Dear Child, thou shall lack nothing, that lies within the power of Art to preserve thee. I am here at hand. Cou. O sick, sick. I have not one sound Article in my whole Frame and Constitution; the whole system of Diseases lodge within me. 'Tis Promethean Fire consumes me, that which threw plagues, and all sorts of death throughout the world, when the Author had boldly invaded Heaven, and pretended it was a Doses of Reformation and Cure from thence. Presb. Do not rave dear child, this is a sad distemper I must confess, where does the pain lie most: Cou. Oh it lies all over, but most especially and grievously in my HEAD. Presb. I imagined so, that makes you talk so lightly. Cou. No Mother, 'tis Heavily, O my Head, my Head; I know not what to do with it, I would I were fairly rid on't. Certainly Mother you can tell me a way how to be without it, 'twas a preternatural (if not monstrous) excrescency you begot and brought me forth with, I have been troubled with it from the day of my birth to this instant, I had some ease for a while by the bleeding me in the jugular vein, but another Head repullulated, and my pains increased. Presb. Dear Child, you must know, that you were begot in the night of Confusion, when another Chaos was inverting the Order and Course of Things; the Head was not intended to be the chief member, but subordinate to the shoulders of Presbytery, which came into the world with its heels forward: and accordingly, though the Head resisted, we maintained our Authority, and laid that aside as useless and dangerous. Good Child be Comforted, this is but another Bustle, your appetite is not so fierce, nor your stomach so dogged as before, and fumes rise up and trouble you. Cou. There is no Fume without Fire; but I must confess my digestion is vicious, and I cannot swallow as well as I did formerly, I am subject to vomit, and up come my Bishops, Deans, and Chapters Lands in whole Manors and Houses: I have still a sickish longing after those dainties, but they will not stay with me, and therefore I can impute my languishing not to any thing within me, but to this troublesome Head, whose gust and Palate will not relish those sweet meats, nor let them down into my Abyss of Sacrilege. Presb. I know not what to do, He'll take no Scotch Physic any more, besides what's good for you is nought for him, and we want power to sever you, you must endure it as the case stands. Cou. Is that all the Comfort you afford me? well, I shall not endure it long then. Oh, now another fainting fit, a Jenkinish Qualm is upon me, O for a dram of Parliament mercy! Presb. What think you of a Cordial of London gold: Cou. I have drunk it all up already, I have left but a scruple or 2 in some men's Consciences, and they will never part with or be rid of it, besides it would come too late, some warm clothes presently, I cannot continue. Presb. What shall I do for my dear child, I'll wrap thee up softly, and pray try if you can slumber a while. Cou. What good will that do me? Oliver laid me in a sound sleep for seven years together, as long as the seven Champions of Christendom; but when I waked, I was as mad as them, raved worse than ever; then, I had a short nap when the the Rump awoke last, and when I started out of that, I was in such a maze with my rising glories, mere Dreams and Phantasms, as I became Frantic, and have Continued so ever since. Presb. ay, dear Child, we thought then to have espoused thee, and wedded the King's interest to thine, to which purpose, we new apparelled thee, reprinted thee, and thou thyself wert read in the Church instead of the Baines; thy sweet picture placed by his Majesty's Arms in sign of Embracing, How did I then rejoice, with the Comedian? Omnes omnes bona dicere, & laudare fortunam meam, quae Filiam haberem tali Forma & ingenio praeditam! but now thy beauty is withered, and thou lookest like an o'erridden whore, and I like a careful undone Bawd, a Shrove-Tuesday Baud. Cou. Mother now you rave, pray lay your Head upon sweet Mr. Croftons' Cushion, that and a little whi●e Ellebore will speedily cure you: Oh me, oh me, what strange Convulsion do I suffer, now my under parts begin to torment me Presb. Indeed Child I must confess, that Cardinal Richlieu had your maiden head, when you were tender, and it may be he left you the French kindness; I did as a Bawd should do, I withstood not my Market. Cou. Did he never stand in the stool of repentance? Presb. No Daughter, he left that for you and me. Cou. Well what ever it is, it afflicts me most acutely, when shall I be eased of these pains; from top to toe, nothing but griefs and malanders! certainly I have been the prostitute of every interest, for I have a whole Hospital of Aches about me. Presb. As I said before you have been overriden, but I never made but 2 bargains of you, that was with the Cardinal, and Mr. Pym: since that time Oliver with his Sectaries, like boisterous Hector's made what use they would of you, without contenting me for their pleasure, and you took it all in good part. Cou. What should I poor thing do! I was made of such a Compliant temper, that I could serve any man's lust any design against Church and State; to day I wore this Fucus, to morrow that dress, than another paint, I pleased all parties, what mode they liked for their Turn that I was in; the shy close Independent, the debauched Atheist, made much of me, till I began to grow out of date, and then my Lovers forsook me, and said I was a dissembling paltry baggage; so I was forced to pack up my moveables, & with the spoils I had got march after my Comrade Blew-caps under Leshley back again to my nawn Country of Scotland. There I continued a good while in some outward esteem, but that did me no good, I had no profit by it; then as I said I was lullabyed by Cromwell there for a long time, afterwards I dreamt I came to England again with General Monk, but it was but a Dream. Tresb. I stayed here in England and trucked under the Sects my very ill neighbours on one side, and the Royalists on the other, they made me live a rigid mortified life, still expecting of you; but when the General came hither as you say, I dreamt we met him and you together my dear Child, but he left you behind him, though he promised to send for you with all speed, but no such matter. Cou. I am sick of the dangerousest disease, a relapse; I have gone to and fro backward and forward so many times, and now at last I am quite tired. I sink and fall, and it will be the greater by reason of my advanced hopes in the beginnings of the last change. I was clearly on the Devil's pinnacle, had a prospect of Three Kingdoms and no more. O lament Mother my sore and grievous Fall. Presb. From that height I broke my neck, I have been up and down in the world, like a Meteor in the Air, and like a wand'ring fire end in a blaze. Cou. That's my Comet Fate. Presb. Mine is involved in yours Child, the soul of Presbytery is the Covenant, that's the ratio Formalis of our Kirk, Synods, Elders. Thou art my Daughter as Pallas was to Jupiter, when my brains ached with mischief, Out thou camest from thence, with plots and designs, ready armed, as she with wisdom; I could have done nothing without thy help, thou wert the Excellency of my strength; and must I now be robbed of thee? I see all Superlative births are short lived: I may cry out with my dear child Guthrey, Ichabod, Ichabod. Cou. Nay I depart (or rather am snatched) from you, with all the inglorious circumcumstances that could set me out; O burst your hearts with sorrow, my dear friends, rid yourselves out of the way, any way, rather than endure the Triumphs and insultings of your Enemies. Presb. My Neck is broke already I told you, my head lops like a gibleted Goose, and I droop and disconsolately mourn, while the wicked taunt and say, thou hast the number of the Beast inscribed on thee, being 666. Cou. That's three times over, sick, sick, sick, I am quite spent. Presb. I am sure when thou wert young and pretty thou hadst dainty lineaments and features, not a line was drawn in thee but had such a strain of zeal and religion, that to the devout Puritan, and to others not so curiously nice or deep sighted, thou seemedst an Angel: now they make a Beast of you indeed, a burnt offering as they term it, making me the Idol to which it is sacrificed. Cou. I have endured as much persecution almost as I caused, if bitter words could weigh with money; pray Mother do you persecute me no longer at second hand, let me be quiet. Presb. How can I do so? I have no Authority, Antiquity, Fathers, or Councils to allege for me; I must make a noise with something that's equivalent. I silenced almost all the Orthodox Ministers in England with but citing you, no body durst dispute you, you were inviolable. Cou. Yes, yes the Oxford reasons hit me in the Heel, that wound was incurable, you never knew how to heal it to this day; I went limping ever since, and ever since my Parliaments Crutches failed me, have been fain to set still, no body being willing or able to reply. Presb. Yes, yes they were sufficiently refuted, the reasoners were all turned out, and I sat in Cuerpo there, and see the sneaking Conformists baiser vostres Mains and adore you. Cou. Those compliances or submissions were like the late Addresses; and the repute and Honour I had by them, was as much as the usurpers got by those; but trouble me not now dying and expiring with such vain things. Presb. Well I must and am bound to keep you, however I will now let you alone. Cou. I am troubled at one thing, I am afraid I shall be served like the Butcher, I shall be alive when I am buried, the faction and sedition I caused in the minds of men will not so soon be deadened, and I shall revive in the dark vaults of plots and contrivances against Monarchy, though the more stir they keep, the more they will bruise themselves, and the more ghastly Spectacles, and stinking sights will they lie. Presb. Pray do not trouble your Head with these things; you will very much weaken yourself. Cou. Nay I shall never be well or at Ease, pray let me speak my mind freely, you had the conceiving of me or licking me into what fashion of words you pleased, and now let me utter myself (according to your injunction, when people swallowed me) without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever. Presb. Good Daughter forbear, it will much accelerate your End, and do not foul your nest; I have been at a great deal of care and trouble of bringing you up, and do not so ill requite me. Cou. You'll have the happiness, which better folks have wished for, to see me fairly buried before you. 'Tis not I requite you unkindly: is it not the general Gallows complaint, I may thank my friends for this? I have the scandal and the injury. Presb. Well, I am not long lived, but do not you shorten my days with such undutiful Expressions, will you lay all the Fault upon me? Cou. Alas I can never expiate them myself, you know better how to defend your Enormous Actions yourself; have you not the magic to raise another Smectymnuus? Presb. No Child, I am passed disputing, my best Argument was the two edged Dilemma of the sword, Bishops be Bishops again, now the armed rage and madness of my possessed multitudes is quelled; otherwise I would have buried thee in a military posture, as I have brought thee up, and the whole Nation should again be in Arms for thee. Covenant. ay, and such a deplorable war begin again, if (Fury as you are) you could any way contrive it. Presb. See then with what constant Affection I prosecute your beloved interest. Cou. Well pray you cease from any further Conspiracies, I like my end better than my beginning, I am resolved to unravel all. Presb. Pray Daughter forbear. Cou. I must discharge myself, I was white paper, wherein you might have as well written Allegiance as Rebellion. I detest my name, and my Parent's baseness, what am I obliged to you, but for an ill fame throughout the Universe? you have satisfied yourself in the illegitimate generation of me, and then Expose me to the shame of the world, to be branded to posterity; but lo, this Declaration of mine shall acquit me, and leave the guilt of all (Good Beldame) upon you, in this my last Speech and Confession. THE SPEECH and CONFESSION OF The Covenant, At its Burning by the EXECUTIONER. I Come hither to suffer by the general Consent and Vote of Both Houses; I am utterly a stranger to their Legislative power: I will not question their Authority, they that had power to give life and being, have doubtless the same to condemn and annihilate. Howe'er I thank them they have sent me to a Death worthy of my Parentage, 'tis Roman like to be burned; and 'tis suitable also to my crimes; Parricide and Witchery are punishable thus by our Laws, and besides I have Northern chillness and coldness enough to endure it. I shall not speak much here, too much hath already been said for, and against me; would this bright flame were the darkest Cloud of Oblivion, that ere covered foul guiltiness, or that I might expire in a DARK LANTHORNE. But I know you expect I should say something of my Religion, truly I shall I fear very much disappoint you therein, I have not had time enough to be settled in it, nor have I any foundation whereon to bottom it. The Roman Catholics have the Pope's Infallibility; The Protestants the 39 Articles, the highest I can derive myself from, is from a provincial Synod, and they have made me a Religion of myself, made up like the Koran, of Paganism, Scotti Schism, and some Christianity, and at the best but like oliver's Instrument, or Harry Martin's Descant on the Rumps Act of Oblivion, which pretended to SAVE all at the beginning, but some in the middle, and none at all in the Conclusion, as woefully appears this day. I know there is a claim laid by my faction to the Geneva Discipline and Doctrine, I profess I do not own it. Our Presbytery and that is very different, they had no Kings to make experiments on, or to try Jurisdiction and Power with; ours is a Tyrannical Presbytery, theirs a more sober Political Church Government; we are but a ranting Schism from them: and therefore dying I speak it, I do not arrogate to myself their (though not justified, or so much as approved) Religion. For the Cause of my Death, I can here assign many. The first is Natural — Nullum violentum est perpetuum, Nothing can be permanent that is violent, my fury soon wasted and consumed those spirits which might have protracted and prolonged my Fate; no abatement, no respiration allowed in my haste to the ruin of Three Kingdoms, till I had outrun myself and the Constable: though the ingenious justice of that Gentleman, who would have me whipped from Tything man to Tything man, till I came to the place of my Birth, would have delivered me into his hands. The second is Divine. I was first shown to the World as a Copy of Gods will to be done and obeyed in the new Ordering of the World; I was styled the second Covenant of Grace. A Ray of the Divinity; what not? whereas another Herostratus was my parent. I frighted the first light that looked on me, till I had driven it into a Gloomy dismal Night, that overcast three Kingdoms; and is it not just with Heaven, I should expiate those false Fires, and that imprecation be heard on me, Let fire come down from Heaven and consume me? The third is Political. Laws and Government have made an universal League between Mankind, other compacts are but enclosures of the peaceably enjoyed Common: what a Deluge of Blood did the French Catholic League draw from that Kingdom, that it might have been said to have been a League with Death, wherever was any potent Rebellion maintained without some such Confederation? And the Evils I have done, and the misery I have been the cause of, are little less than the most prevailing of them can boast of. 'Tis both security and satisfaction therefore to the Laws, and established Magistracy, solemnly to extinguish these Flames of Sedition by their Justice in lighting me. Other Extrinsical causes there were, but being but subservient to these I shall pass them, lest I touch upon some jarring Strings, in the late Revolution. For this Death I forgive all the World, though I expect not to be forgiven. I shall leave such a deep impression in the Ruins of many Families, that it will exceed their Charity, or Time's oblivion to blot it out. I am not able to make Restitution, The Crown and the Mitre will be I hope content with the Reversions: Private men must lick the Dishes. I carry nothing out of the World with me, and yet must leave something behind me. A stinking name to posterity. That justice that condemned me to this punishment, might have been pleased to order a bonfire of all the Presbyterian Books, printed from the beginning of the Troubles, and its first origine, for the Booksellers could have afforded them for waste paper; but since they saw it not good, I am content with this small rogus. I leave all my proselytes and adherers in a sad plight. I owe much to them for their ardent affection to me; but they have a recompense in their bosom, in their very conscience, and therefore I am not very solicitous for them. If they will still pine and murmur at my usage, and do as Children for a play thing or bauble, let the Fools even do so. I shall not trouble you much longer, Mr. Executioner, (I have been better attended formerly) I see none but Boys and Prentices (as malicious Persecutors of me, as once of Dr. Lamb) whom I cheated of their Holidays, and therefore I must address myself to them. Beware I advise you of keeping your Indentures, that's a sort of Covenant, which taken and observed in the strict rigid sense, will cause much Tribulation to you. You cannot but observe how your Masters are afflicted by me, though taken voluntarily by them; pray therefore restrain not any Liberty you can give yourselves; vow and promise any thing to a Girl, but beware of Covenants and Contracts, as long as you can be your Master's Oxiliaries. One word more to the Public Faith men, I warn them not to trust to any solemn Juramental Engagement, 'tis all one as to credit a Dam Cavalier; It was clearly putting of their money to Interest, or the lottery of the Holy Cheat, when they advanced such wonderful sums for my Account. Nothing was ever less meant in this my whole conscientious business than repayment, and with this I should wish them to be satisfied. I have just done, for I have no prayers to say, the Spirit fails me, this is an Extempore punishment; I doubt not of nor need I to ask your Curses, I believe you are all ready to mount me upwards— Executioner stay while I give the sign. Dun. I have stayed long enough already, I never got any of you within my Clutches, I take you for a good handsel; ha' done now. Cou. So I will, let me say these words first, Dubium vixi, anxium morior, nescio quo vadam. Dun. You Conjure; The sign: Cou. When the Presbyterians hold up their right hand again to the most High—, etc. Executioner do your Office. The Marquis of ARGYLES Last WILL and TESTAMENT. IN the Name of Smectymnnus and Hocus Pocus, so be it; I Archibald marquis of Argyle, the Devil's Viceroy in the Highlands, and the most Sacred Covenants Protomartyr in the Low, now a Prisoner in the Toll Booth at Edingborough; calling to my mind, that my prefixed bargained term of years is even expired, and knowing that all the Town can't save me: Having recollected all my unparallelled Rebellions, Treasons, Murders, Rapine, Plunderings, Witchcraft, Perjury, Covetousness and Sacrilege; for which I do expect to receive good Wages at the Hands of my Master, do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First, because it is of Form to begin so, I believe with Pythagoras that Souls do transmigrate, I myself being that very Matchiavil that lived in Florence some Two hundred years since; and therefore I will, that mine do forthwith after my Dissolution pass into one of his Wild-soule, thence into a Soland Goose, thence into a Scotch Pedlar, thence into a Man whom Lily by the Stars prognosticated (some ages to come) to be made a Notorious Cuckold, so that by that means, it may be be sure at last to come to Heaven. Secondly, for my Body (since the Parliament so detest that horrid Babarisme committed on the marquis of Montrose, that they think it not fit to retaliate it upon me the prime Author thereof) it being at my own disposal, I request my Executors hereafter named, to see it solemnly interred with the spells of the Directory, and laid so shallow, that at the next Trump of Sedition, it may by the same raise-Devil Directory be conjured up again, and meet my exalted Head, that Bound mark of Presbytery, its ne plus Ultra, Hitherto shall you go and no further: But I forbid then any such superstitious procession, as to my scandal and great offence of the Brethren, was used to the gathered relics of that late loyal Martyr. As for my worldly Goods and Estate with which the Covenant that Goddess Diana hath blest me, I say to't Presto Jupiter, lightly come, lightly go, the wicked Cavaleirs will divide the spoil; what was got by oppression, will be booned way by the King's liberality, had mine been a mean fortune, it had not probably met with such Extremes. Nevertheless my dear Brethren in affliction, I have also a Portion for you; as I had Time and Opportunity of getting, so I had the wisdom of hiding and concealing, and what I thus preserved, I give and bequeath in manner following. Inprimis, for that great Reverence and Religion I owe to the solemn League and Covenant, I give a Thousand pounds to the Pastors and Ministers of the Church of Geneva towards the Erecting a Shrine or building a Sanctuary for the Covenant, now persecuted and driven out of these three Kingdoms; whose sacred ashes (if they can be found) I will also to be there deposited in a golden Urn to be provided at the charge of my Executors. Straight requiring that no Tapors, Lamps, Torches, Links, or other lights, be used near the said shrine or in the said Sanctuary, it being Popish, Haeretical and impious, and most abominable. And I do hereby lovingly request the said Church (since our Kirk hath lost its Keys) immediately to excommunicate the London Hangman, and all other persons whatsoever who have had any hand in burning, or otherwise profaning that most Holy Thing. Item, I give 2000 l. more for founding a College or Fraternity there, to be Christened by the name of the Society of the Covenant, and for founding a Covenant Reader in that University; hoping that well disposed Presby 〈…〉 ●ill so add to this foundation, that in a short 〈◊〉 may rival for villainy with that of the Jesuists. Item, whereas the sad case of Dr. Burges hath mightily affected the tender bowels of the Sisters, who complain there is not a stone by a stone of all his late Purchases, particularly the great loss he hath had by the fire of the Covenant in his Deanery of Wells, to his utter undoing, and for which he is never likely to have a Brief; I bequeath to him the sum of Five hundred pounds, it being a good competency to keep him in Bedlam all the remainder of his life. Item, I give to that little David of the Covenant that Champion of Presbytery Mr. Zachary Crofton an augmentation of an 100 l. per annum, as long St. Peter's Bonds abide; and that through any discouragement or restraint he may not faint and fall away, I add a Noble a day for Caudles and Cordials, charging him to stand manfully for the cause, he being the chief Standard bearer, in which this Impress is written, Tu Patronus, si Tu deseris nos Perimus. Item, as next in order I give to Mr. Jenkins not out of respect to his love of the Covenant, for Satan that buffeted him knows how weak he is in that point, but for his seditious preachments, for his turbulence of Spirit, and restlesseness against the King's Government Five hundred pound; I know that's too much, for I detest a Recanter with all my Heart, and 'tis not according to our strict Discipline to revoke a Tittle: but seeing how near the brink Presbytery is brought, all things must be done to support it, and therefore we must make use of Renega● 〈◊〉— Hang him he shall have it, but the Devil do him good with it if he recants again. Item, I'll give Ten thousand pound for erecting a Seminary of such Rogues in Utopia, for I cannot persuade myself there will Ever be the like in any of these three Kingdom●s. Item, not to forget Dr. Wilkinson, I give him Twenty shillings to mend the Bellows of his Mouth and Nose, against the next opportunity of blowing up the flames of a Civil War; and for his Subdeanary of Christ-Church Oxen, a Fart. Item, to Mr. Poole with the red Head (I like him the better for that) I give Three hundrad mark to buy him some Manners, and Five hundred mark to buy him more Wit, else Presbytery will soon lose a prating nonsensical Cacafuego, and his Parish a troublesome Tythmonger. Item, To all those old Presbyterian Serpents that have slipped their skins, and are winding themselves into favour, in the A la mode Cassock, and in a submiss compliance lick the dust of the Bishop's foot, and yet keep their Venom within their teeth, I bequeath to each a Scotch Thirteen pence halfpenny for the use of Squire Dun, who shall show them slip for slip. Item, I give Four hundred pound for the building of an Alms-House for the entertaining of all Antiquated Exauthorated Elders, who cannot sufficiently or quietly live in their own Parishes. Item, I give one One thousand Mark for the building of an Hospital or Pest House, for all such as are or shall be infected with the Scotch Plague, that is such as want clothes, Money and Friends. Item, To the several Sects of Anabaptists, Fifth Monarchy men, Quakers, etc. I give respectively Ten Groats to redeem their Meeting-Houses; in condition they do not jeer that Covenant in which they voluntarily perjured themselves. Item, All my Offices and Preferments whatsoever, I give freely to those who are disabled to bear any in England. Item, For perpetual memory of Presbytery, I give a Hundred pound for the casting the figure of the dog in Brass that lay with the Elders Maid; to be placed where the last Provincial Classis was held in London, as a desk for the Directory. Item, To any that can, or shall prove Presbytery to be jure Divine, I'll give him Three Kingdoms; for than they will not be worth the Having, and the Devil's proffer, and my Legacy, will be all one. Item, I give to the Wife of Oliver Cromwell, for his keeping the Covenant in the right sense by murdering the King, a Groat a day. Item, I give to the late Secretary Thurloe, my debt due to me from his Master and the Rump for moneys expended by me for their use in Scotland, which was to be repaid me out of the Commission for Discoveries, when I was last in London, by oliver's Direction. I understand, and I thank him he hath made so large a progress in discovering, that he can pay it now to himself— The De'l was in me to suffer such a pitiful fellow to whiddle before me. Item, I give my Debentures to Captain George Withers Esq to purchase more Bishops Lands in lieu of those he sacrilegiously kept before: & that he may never cease scribbling of Rhymes, I'll not leave him a farthing. Item, I give to the Independent Gathered Churches under the cure and teachings of Cockain, Brooks, etc. all the ill qualities of our gasping Kirk, that by the impudence and deceit of their Pastors, their ruin also may be expedited. Item, I give to the Clerk of Mr. Calamies Church a Ring to wear for my sake, for his great Superlative zeal yet manifested to the Covenant— Item, To all the Sons and Daughters of Presbytery, who now mourn and lament, I give a Medal (with my squint Eyes in it leering after other times, and a better day) to dry up their tears. All these Legacies and Bequests, I will and order my Executors to perform and pay the morrow of the next Puritan Rèformation in England, or at St. Tib's Eve at farthest, without any Covin or delay. As for mine own Country, Relations, and Friends; I do also dispose of my Estate to them, as followeth. I will therefore first that the whole Scotch Nation be put into mourning in remembrance of those ruins, dishonour, conquest, and slavery, which my Covenanting covetous designs have brought upon it; though I would not have my Brethren of the Presbytery lay that so much to heart, as that they are like to do so no more. As to my Sept so famous heretofore in this Kingdom, as I never did them good in my life so they cannot expect otherwise at my Death, they have a Scotch Privilege now to beg or steal where they please, without any frustraneous dependence or expectance on my greatness; if my name will do them any service they may make use of it and stern, since they are I fear rejected of God and Man. Item, To my dear Lady I give and bequeath her full and entire Jointure, which was setleed firm enough by Law before thanking her for all the kindness and benevolence I had from her, when my keeper was out of the way. Item, To my hopeful Son the Lord Lorne I give the inheritance of my qualities, leaving him an equal portion and share of Estate and Honour; the first I forfeited from him, and the last he never had from me, nor is like to be capable of, since he must continue and preserve my hated nature: I give him my unnecessary blessing, as it is prescribed in that most exact form in the Directory. Item, To the rest of my Sons and Daughters, since I cannot be too indulgent a Father, I advise them for their great Consolation to read the Spanish Curate, and take what portions they please. Item, To all my Servants and Retainers, who I doubt not have learned from me their Master to carve for themselves without bidding; all they can cheat and purloin from mine Estate as well as from others, besides my pronsim of Oatmeal for their lives, and Hemp for their Deaths. Item, To my Vassals of my signory, I give their long desired Freedom. Item, To the Poor of my Parish, for every Curse they give me, the sum of 000. And I do make and ordain my loving and intimate friends, Archibald Johnson, Lard Wareston, and William Dundasse, sometime Governor of Edinborough Castle Executors of this my last Will, to whom I freely give all the rest and residue of my whole Estate not hereby disposed, requesting them by all the obligations of Conscience and Honesty, to compeer suddenly in this Kingdom, and take upon them the Execution of the Premises, no way doubting or mistrusting but that they shall be well rewarded. All this I ratify and confirm by the mysteries of the stool of Repentance, on which I devoutly set my breech, and having done sealed it with a— And I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me made, as not being framed according to that Holy Pattern of the Covenant, from which under Damnation no man may recede a Tittle; and which I will further to be cut in brass and laid upon my Tombstone Subscribed ARGUILE. Done in the presence of Sir JOHN CHERSLY. DAVID LESLEY. THE CHARACTER OF The late MARQUIS of ARGUILE. SO many remarkable accidents, such alterations of Government, Affairs of such moment and intrigues of State, do fall in with this Marquis' memoirs, that it will rather seem a History then a Character to speak him out. His Birth rendered him very Noble, and his Education proffered him the advantage of making it Nobler, though for that he was beholding to the first Tempest of the Times, being by his late Majesty to oblige him from the Rebellion then on foot, created a Marquis. He was of Stature something exceeding the mean, like his own Countrymen the Highlanders, with a biggness proportionable to it, his Face somewhat long, his Cheeks wide, the hair of his Beard red, his Eyes very much a squint, so that he was Nicknamed in Scotland Gleed Arguile, which remembers me of that Proverb — Quem Deus in oculo notavit hunc caveto. There will no more need to be said of h●s person, which the Hands of the Executioner have so lately profaned; nor was there any thing in him that was good so remarkable, as to invite you to be curious, and it will be best for him that he sleep forgotten, lest the remarks of his face should fright fanciful people like a spectium. He was one of that wicked Triumvirate, who began continued and lived to the End of our Troubles. A most Dexterous Artist in that prime quality of a Scot, Dissimulation, which was the ground work of all the Exploits he did after. If ever he seemed what he was (though that be not to be over-believed) 'twas in the matter of the Covenant, which he entered into so eager and resolutely, and left it and the world together so confidently and avowedly; and yet the middle agreed with neither, when in the Crisis of the sincerity, Honesty, and Loyalty of that Libel which it so highly boasted of, as to the maintenance of the King's Person Dignity and Authority; by this Marquis' Counsel, his late Majesty was delivered into the Hands of the English at Newcastle. But it is most Evident, that the right spelling of Covenant is Covetousness, and according to that he very well kept it, having shared a good part of that 200000 l. given the Scotch Army for their departure. He was as versatile as a Die, and like that sometimes, was played always with very lucky hands (as those times were) and was every way as square, stood firm on his own interest, and could oppose a broadside to every emergency of fortune (then adored by the name of Providence) He was in with all the several Usurpers, and that not by a servile subjection, but as a Petty Prince's interest, that could help them as well by informing and discovering as supplies and stores, though the latter to Cromwell was a mere Braga●ocio, and beyond the High mightiness of his Highland Sovereignty, where his baseness had lost him all respect and obedience. Certainly he was the Proteus of the Age, and had not the sudden surprisal of our most happy resolution seized him supinely careless and at a great distance (though he hurried up to London to wait on His Majesty) and then bound him fast, that he could have no liberty to assume any other shape then what he was then found in (being denied access or audience at Court) he might have been a riddle still, whereas now Death hath resolved Him. All that ever he did handsomely was then, and yet that too was but a mere disguise, since so dissonant to the whole course of his life, a mere imitation, though so well personated that we may well let it pass for a bravery, and allow it to him as he was a Gentleman. He was a great Fomenter of war, yet cared not at all to endanger himself, like the Monkey that took the Cat's foot to pull the Chestnut out of the fire, nor was he much to be blamed, having been by the Marquis of Montrosse so often put to shift (and that narrowly too) for his life: what he wanted of the generosity of a Warrior, he supplied with the malice of a Witch, being the most implacable revengeful Enemy, Loyalty ever met with in Scotland. Learned he was, and that not as a Gentleman enough to set off and polish but to accomplish him; and a most excellent way of speech he had (if it be possible any thing can sound handsome in Scotch) very fluent and Rhetorical. His Speeches at his Trial (which were said to have been spoken ex tempore, because they would not allow him his delays, but compelled him to present answer) are very grave and sententious, yet polite and very cunning. He was a deep Lawyer and was formerly Lord Chief Justice, I think not much taxed for bribery (for I take all their Lands, Estates, and whatever Scotland is worth not to be worth a Suit, much less the overplus of a Greasing) yet all this while a bad nature predominated, like stinking Oil upon generous Wine; his potentiality to virtue never exerted itself, while his vices were most notorious and boyant. It is a truth undeniable that he died unpitied of all men, and the reason was this, the universality and complication of his vices could miss no man's eyes, and for one fault or other so many single observations hit him, as drew a general Odium upon him; Excepting only the Presbyterian Clergy, who always had a particular respect for him, not from any other inducement but the necessity of dependence, the Kirk rides while the Lords hold the reins, and keep that people under the Tyranny of that worse than Turkish Government. He was the first Promoter of the Discipline, and that with an Earnestness extraordinary, wherein no doubt he served himself principally, and the large demesnes he died possessed of, will evidence, what religion he was of, and how beneficial a thing Reformation is to the first Projectors. He was at feud with all his Superiors in Scotland as well as his Peers; of four Marquesses he procured the execution of three; viz. Hamilton, Huntley, Montrosse; the other, Douglasse, through his his impotency and infirmity escaped him, so that he was Lord Paramount there No doubt his abilities prompted him to cope with the greatness and Authority of those Noblemen, whose great and Honourable Families would soon have smothered and suppressed an ordinary Envy, while his burned and flamed at their Grave. He was a profound Politician of a fine Mercurial spirit, of whom it may be said dis-junctively, what his late Majesty said of the Earl of Strafford. He was su●h a Minister of State, that he might well be ashamed of himself; and his Prince as rightly fear him. There was nothing wanting in him but Loyalty and Honesty, two such dispensable things with Presbytery, that they could hardly be afforded room in their Morals for one whole age together; but it had been direct Blaspemy to blend and incorporate them into their religion, however, for specious pretence sake they crept into the Covenant He was a most indefatigable carrier on of his Designs, and that with very great expedition, though his motions were eccentrick, but all turbulent, and violent efforts are usually very sudden: He thrice repaired, and recruited his broken Forces by the Marquis of Montrosse, before there could be any thought of an Enemy from him. He was never discouraged with any disappointment, but he would set the Kirk to thunder out anathemas, and himself made Proscriptions and levies together, fight with the Pen and the Sword at one and the same time: but his Escripts were not Julius Caesar's Commentaries, but C. Marius' his publications and Sentencing, betwixt whom there is in many things a near Parallel. To take a nearer view of him and put him altogether, he was absolutely Master of all the Arts of State; it were no injury to him to say it was his religion, since the great successes of rebellion led him to a firm belief that there was nothing but what was manageable by, and feasible to Policy. But he so mixed them both in his affairs that it was not easily discernible to which he owed most; by the first he secured his Interest, and had not the excesses of the English usurpation outrun him, probably advanced his designs to that which Hamilton was suspected of; by the other he procured an awe and reverence to himself, being vogued up by the Clergy, and rendered to the Vulgar as a Pattern of Piety and zealous promoter of Godliness, till such time as the vizor of the specious Reformation was laid aside, and bold faced Interest outstared the impudence of the Kirk, and made them veil to, and worship the Devil they had raised. In a word he was the right Antithesis to that Glorious Marquis of Montrosse, so that whoever read or hath heard of his Excellencies, may by opposition know the vileness of this. Such is the order of the world, though there be no standing mean, yet that the Extremes should balance one another: otherwise it had been a most hard fate for Scotland (who can impute her dishonour and total Conquest to name originally but Arguile) to have produced no Renowned Person his Contemporary, such as was Montrosse, whose Glories and Fame may fill up his Chasmes in their History. FINIS. A DIALOGUE BETWEEN Mr. GUTHREY & Mr. GIFFAN. Guthrey. BRother the Time is Come that we must glorify Presbytery in, and therefore I would have you to clothe yourself with resolution like as in a plad, that our Ends may be like Heroick to the righteous Royalists, whom we sent before us in this way. Giffan. I doubt we are not so well appointed, but sure we that durst do any thing, may dare to die, and therefore, good Father Confessor, give me your blessing that I may be armed with all the Kirk Ammunition and store necessary for this Expedition. Gut. I am to seek myself, the perplexities of my cause, and the treachery of a revolting party have begot the staggers; but I will muster up and summon all the confidence of my life past to bear up with at my Exit. Giff. My crimes are complicated and of a larger Extent than yours, and yet I doubt not but by the dram of the bottle and your good Example, to face it out rarely. Gut. Well said, for who would pule, and sneak now; that aught to have been done before, when some favour might have been expected from it. The Kirk will Canonize us. Giff. Besides what Presbyterian is he that would desire life longer than he may have his will? we should die of the sullens, if we were not offered this brave advantage; but you must tell me what I must say, when I come to it, in honour of the Cause, and by what Epithet I shall style it. Gut. Our Case is novel, and there was never any thing said before by any in our Condition upon this subject, save what was lately held forth by Arguile, most cunningly: now it is not requisite for you and me to be so modest or mealy mouthed, but we will bounce up the Covenant. Giff. Sir I am pretty well armed already, but if you teach me not now, when you have had so much time to digest it into a method, I shall shame you, and that will be little for your credit. Gut. Presbytery in a method! I tell you you must rave at random, never speak any thing appositely but what is direct treason, that you may be plainly understood, 'tis for our Brethren of England who yet are troubled with little learning and great benefices, to speak indifferently. Giff. Sir I say still tell me the form, I'll be hanged in the Presbyterian way. Gut. I'll assure you that's the comfortablest, and I have studied for it; as you live a rogue so you die a rogue, or contrariwise, and the Hangman himself shall not dare to quarrel with you; O the fear and terror of Excommunication! Giff. Sir pray do not spare it, thunder it out, damn the whole Town, leave nothing within a mile of a tree out of the Devils reach, 'tis as soon done by the Kirk as by a Witch. Gu. That will not advantage me or you, there's a consecrated place in the Market within the lines of Communication where we must expire, and I'll trouble the Devil no longer, I want go a foot further, here we began and here we will end. Giff. O Edinborough! O Glascow! and all the renowned places of our Principal Assemblies, thither shall the Precise ones go a Pilgrimage yearly, and devoutly worship. Gu. Well leave that to time, I shall now briefly instruct you what you are to do in this your last Act. Give. I assure you I will not vary one Jota, I know you have the infallibility of the Kirk. Gut. Well then, first you must look as grim, and sour as Varges, speak not a pleasing word to any of the Officers about you; when you have thus composed yourself, than you must with some vehement indignation declare and declaim against the licentiousness and loose living of the Times, where you must by no means take any notice of the King's restauration, and his return to his Kingdoms and Government, unless a thing offer itself, wherein you may have an occasion to reflect an imputation upon him, there you may gird a little, but be sure you laugh but at one side of your mouth, else you spoil all. Give. I think there's no necessity of laughter on any side, but I am sure there will be grinning on both; but I shall never know how to bring a story in so artificially. Gut. If you know but any Common places of raillery, Envy, Calumnations, lies, forgeries or other, stick not to lay them on sound, you know the Presbyterian rule — Calumniare fortiter, aliquid haerebit with such loud reproachful Accusations the Puritans first began their designs against Church and State. Give. Well Sir proceed. Guthrey. Then you must set forth the Excellency of our Way, by showing what a blessed change was wrought upon the people of the Nation since the Covenant was taken, and what signal tokens there were of approbation of it. Giffan. You do not reckon this for one sure, do you? Gut. O yes, that's the cream of the jest, you must own this as the greatest indulgence of Providence in the world, it being an Evident proof of the growth of Presbytery; now it comes to be watered by the blood of its Martyrs; 'twas before a dry Plant, and cannot reckon one drop spilt before on it. Give. Would it had been planted in Africa, where better vegetables grow without aid of any moisture: Sir, I am sure mine will do it no good, it is not sound and wholesome, there are the Faeces of other Opinions in it, which will rather infect then propagate. Gut. You must understand our Modern Synods make no distinction betwixt the Cause and the Person in Martyrdom for Presbytery, if the Covenant be objected against you in observing any the least scruple thereof, either by sacrilege, Rebellion, or other ways— I can assure you, you die their Martyr. Give. It is all one to me, I am not so curious, nor am I solicitous of that Honour; nor yet would I die like Hugh Peter. Gu. No he was manifestly and apparently besotted, or else so frighted with Horrors and despairs within, that his after doom was begun before Execution here. Give. Sir, I must clap in a word, I do not see our case to be much different from his, and I begin to cool, my Heart blood flutters and quakes, pray tell me what distinction the Modern Synods have made in this case. Gu. I see you are carnal and consult with Flesh and Blood, I spoke those last words of him, as an Independent, one whom the Kirk had cast off and rejected, alas! we have delivered them to Satan ever since our Project failed in England, they are no more to us then Portugal to the Papacy of Rome, or a Protestant to a Papist. Give. They say they are of a nearer relation to you, your younger Brothers and the wiser too. Gu. I confess they did follow our pattern a long time, but it was with a design to spoil our copy, and they supplanted us by the same artifice we used, a greater seeming austerity of life and conversation; now I must deal ingenuously, what ever they did else was conformable enough to what we hold forth, but rivals and competitors were not endurable. Give. In short, I think you were all one, for I can guests shrewdly by myself; after I had once taken the Covenant, (like a man who looks for no directions in the midst of the mire) I cared not what I undertook, through thick or thin. To swear for nothing was the next Employment to a Knight of the Post. I supposed we did not stretch forth our hands in vain; so like other folks, I laid my clutches on what ever I met; and to you my Confessor may I tell, I stretched out my hand (by my consent and approbation, for you must know I aimed at preferment) against my lawful Sovereign. Gu. Did you cut off his head, or were you personally present on the Scaffold when it was done? Give. No I was not, an advantage lay in my way, and my tongue tripped over it, and so I gave out that I was a chief instrument in that business. Gu. Push! all your scruples are not worth a Schoolboy's resolution; first you are frighted with the Precedent of Hugh Peter, one whose Codpiece had wasted his Headpiece; and the thoughts of a Butcher and his Wife running in his mind just before the cleaver and faggots, may allow him a little despondency: but for the other, the bringing the King to the block, that's the most impertinent case of conscience I ever heard of, for it is as Commonly imputed to us Covenanters, as our tautologies and wild excursions, bold and frivolous expressions in our Prayers and Sermons have been, and as justly. Comfort thyself Dear Brother, I tell you as long as you were not the Executioner, in oculis Diaboli, you did nothing. I preached that Doctrine in effect some years before it was perpetrated, I thank God my Presbyterian Conscience had never the least Compunction in the world for it. I have got into such a train of it, that if it had not been for that Anti-christian Fashion of Archbishop Laud to make a Sermon at my death. I would have preached a Sermon on that Subject. However now I'll do little less. Give. Now your Consolations reach me, pray go on. Gu. For the rest I refer you to our Remonstrances; I profess I wonder they do not hang them about my neck: Our Exquisite malice served Moutrosse so, we took all his Declarations and papers, and fastened them like a band to the collar, his halter. Give. If they put the Covenant to your Remonstrances 'twere but due Justice, but the law and sober men (it seems) scorn such impotent and pitiful revenges. Gu. I profess I should glory in them, as confidently as he did in his, nobly. I triumphed in the undeserved Fate of that Man, and my exasperating language when those loyal souls were sacrificed to our lusts, hath begot in me a relentless heart to mine own, much more (Dear Brother) your Condition. Give. Can you not weep Crocodile for yourself? Gu. No, no, you shall see me observe all these things I have directed you in, to a punctilio, without the least approaches to Humanity. Give. Do you mean you will be uncivil, or that you resolve to die Roman like? Gu. I'll do both, you shall hear me defy the King and all his Parliaments, Armies, and what ever comes within a Royal, Etc. Give. God's bread Sir, you'll e'en say enough for us beeths, would your reverence might hang for us beeths, I's never speak a word more against my Prince. Gu. Too late to repent Brother, do you not remember of whom it was said by Emphatical interrogation, Did not— die like a fool? Give. What do you deduce and infer out of this Scripture. Gu. That it is better to die like a Knave, and but that my time is short I would insist upon Reasons thereof, wherefore I will conclude with the Application only. My Dear beloved Brethren of the Covenant, stand fast in the persuasion to which you have sold yourselves, body and soul; and if there be any Jenkinites among you, that can turn as often as a Shrove Tuesday Pancake (my ill boding spirit foretells me of a great Apostasy) have no conversation with them, but continue steadfast, that so the blessings of your Scotch Parents may be upon you and yours henceforth and for Ever. THE RECANTATION OF Mr. PATRICK GILLESPY, etc. WHereas I Patrick Gillespy, Presbyter, being convened before the High Court of Parliament and the Lord Commissioner his Grace, and there charged in due process with several Treasonable and seditious speeches and papers against his Majesty's Person, Family, Authority, and Government, of which I ought justly to stand convict, the said crimes being manifestly found releivant against me; yet through the undeserved clemency of my Judges having obtained leave to consider and consult with myself, they desiring if by any means possible to reclaim or dispossess a Presbyterian spirit; do in satisfaction to their Lordships, and out of a pressing fear of Death ensuing, most humbly recant and retract (saving to myself always a power if occasion serve to deny them again) these following Errors, and dangerous Tenets. First, Whereas I have Dogmatically and avowedly taught that Princes if they will not be ruled tby he Kirk, and in all things conform themselves to their dictates, as being his Supreme, and a power ordained over him, might by the said Holy Kirk be bound and manacled, or more plainly, imprisoned and deposed, and finally put to death. I do now truly and unfeignedly relinquish that fond Opinion, begot in me by the Excess of our Lordly Domination over his present Majesty, (as also the necessitated condition of his glorious Father) when with us in Scotland 1650, my eyes through the multiplied terrors of Death, seeing as through a glass the manifold danger of that Principle: the rather for that the good people of Scotland will dance no longer after our pipe; when we thought the Circe● incantations and charms of our Kirk had transfor●●● and alienated them into Everlasting rebellion. I do therefore heartily and resolvedly abjure that Doctrine, which I know will never be believed again in Scotland, under the danger of being next enslaved, whereas they scape for th●s time, by being but conquered. And this I do informed by reason of State, not complying altogether with it in my Conscience. Secondly, whereas I have often declared in the Pulpit, that God had rejected his present Majesty, together with his Family; for not owning the Hand of Providence against him, but persisting in the steps of his Ancestors, who were Enemies to Reformation: I do freely confess from my heart, that I never thought of his restauration by any visible means abroad; and it was so far from the intendments of this Kirk, either to advance or defend him, that we would have made an Easier bargain of him then of his Father, had a Chapman offered in time: and (as learned Coke, I mean the High Court of Justice Solicitor said in the very same case, for his life also) since it was crimen Avaritiae non malitiae, covetousness not cruelty, I pray your Lordships do not put a greedy Presbyter to repent of that. And yet I will make bold a little further with your patience, while I repeat in an humble and submiss reverence, what a great Rabbi of our way in England, effectually Mr. Jenkins and advantageously said for himself in a most curious Petition to the Rump of the Commonwealth of England, in the same words Mutatis mutandis, about Mr. Love's business. I shall omit the Title as no way serving my design, having declared already the Powers to whom it was addressed. Shemeth, THat your Petitioner being deeply sensible of your high displeasure into which by some late actings he is unawares fallen, hath made a greater research after the mind of God in these late dispensations of his Providence in the great Curns and Changes of State in this Commonwealth, and is therein wholly convinced, that all Powers are of God, and that He both dispose of them according to his own good will and pleasure, that he is also satisfied and convinced, that no person may presume under Damnation to resist or withstand the said powers. And whereas your Petitioner, by several failures of obedience to this Authority p'aced over him by God, is become obnorious to your Justice, and that accordingly he is to be tried for the same, and unless your mercy mediate, and prevent the Sentence, is like to suffer the severity of your just indignation. Your Petitioner in all humility prostrates himself before you, beseeching you favourably to remit his offences, he engaging to live in all due obedience to your Government, and to pray for the prosperity and continuance thereof Signed W. JENKINS. This so well succeeded, that upon the return of those rotten members by Lambert's resurrection to their place, and possession of the power again, he was the only man thought fit to preach the congratulatory Sermon, which he did very gravely and heartily, thankfully remembering their bringing him from life to Death, to see a like miracle for them in that their happy day: And why may not I, my Lord, be such an Honest godly Convert, if you please to try me but this once. Thirdly, whereas it is objected and proved against me, that neither during the Time his Majesty was in Scotland, nor since, I did ever so much as mention his Majesty, (unless with bitter taunts and reflections) in my Prayers, nay, have wholly discontinued praying for him after his defeat at Worcester, besides my discontented preachments, since his return to his Kingdoms; I do freely acknowledge, that what I did was by the major vote of my fellow Remonstrants, and in obedience to the usurping English, whom in all Kirk policy and reason, and the general practice of our Brethren in England (ever since 1642 when the war began, where they prayed for the King as Gamesters for ill Dice, with Curse ye Meroz,) we were forced to comply-with, even in our private devotions; so feared we were that any body, nay God Alinighty himself should hear us to speak for the King. I must indeed herein acknowledge my weakness, for I cannot but confess, that if we did not then excommunicate him 'twas because we thought the English Sectaries would not thank us, who were able enough to shut him out of this Kingdom without our Keys. As for my malapertness since his restitution, I humbly pray your Lordship to consider, how many inveterate diseases are grown upon Presbytery in its declining age; craziness and testiness are inseparable companions of it now, as madness, rashness and hot zeal gave life and being to't. But if your Lordships suspect me incurable, deal with me as favourably as the English have done to Philip Nye, and I will learn and endeavour to frame my mouth (with him) to the thanksgivings of secret murmurs, whispers, obloquys and reproaches against the State and Kingdom. Item, whereas I stand charged with procuring and inciting the Parliament of this Kingdom, then sitting at Edinborough, to take away the lives of the marquis Montrosse, and those other Gentlemen than prisoners with him; and that I did despitefully, and maliciously traduce the memories of those Persons after their death. As I cannot deny it, so I will not nor cannot make any defence to it: if your Lordship's be pleased to consider the Kirk, whose motto from Tomyr● was Satia te sanguive, and whose inexpletible cruelties have murdered more in one age, than all the Tyrannies in the Christian world have done in Twenty; you will find my particular case, like to one in a Contagion, I did that in the height of the infection; for then the Tokens were on us, and we came to present destruction. A general malignancy and fury seized us, and we killed and slew those persons in our rage, whose courage, conduct and Loyalty might haved the Kingdom. My Lords, you have Confitentem reum to this Particular. And so I say no more to it. To all the rest of the charge exhibited against me, as refractoriness, rebellion, the business of the Remonstrance, etc. I appear before your Lordships with a clear and cleansed stomach to confess them, I have vomited up the Covenant, and have purged out the Remonstrance; I am swept clean, and if your mercy enter not speedily, the seven deadly Devils of Presbytery will soon return, and I shall be worse than I was at first. Therefore I say make sure of me, lest like my Brother Crofton, I say one thing to night by way of submission, and the next morning boggle at it again, like an old Woman's arse at no Certainty. Just, just now I am in the humour, if you let this cold fit go off me, and remove the Death-Head, I shall unsay all again, and then the London Elders will boast wonderfully, and some other fools will plague you with my Example here, as well as some there, therefore be sure you record it, that there may be no exception against the verity of it, when ever I may have the opportunity of reneging. Signed and Delivered to be kept as a Monument of the Courage of Sir John Presbyter. Patrick Gillespy. The POSTSCRIPT. PRay be pleased to communicate these sad Dispensations upon this our late Flourishing Kirk to the morning Lecture; we are utterly divided here, such skipping and leaping from Principles, such a variation and contrariety to the received Discipline, that a hoping diversicoloured Jack Daw may be a fitter Emblem for the Covenant than a Phoenix. You are never like to have any other news but of Scotland, and so good Brethren set your hearts at rest and be quiet. Farewell. FINIS.