TO THE SUFFERING PROTESTANTS, OWNING PROTESTATION, BY Mr John Guthrie, Minister of the Gospel. 1669.  
WOrthy and dearly beloved in our Lord Christ, Grace to you, and Peace from our Father. It is my hearts desire, that those who have the Tongue of the Learned, would take in hand, by their Letters, to refresh a poor scattered remnant for the Testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, being put to wandering, for offering to stand in the gap in day of Backsliding, and trial and Wrath. I suppose there is no corner, whither the sound of our Cause, Call; Carriage or Sufferings hath not spread itself; which if impartially represented throughout all the pure Reformed Churches, a Vindication of us might easily be extorted, and Apology in behalf of the Lords work of Reformation, but even from those who could, but would not; which at first we did not mistake, when the strongest in Israel for discerning times and signs of the Son of man, who for their Faith and Hope had out-stretched others, seem to be damaged in head and heart by that terrible-like blow; yet we strange, that when the Lord did so convincingly in his spotless. Providence give a call to his Peoples appearance, in ordering of their motions, and in testimony of his being pleased with his People, sealed the Spirits of the dead and living; so by this time our darkness might seem to be much removed, and some what of their damp of spirit recovered; considering the Evidences of Gods approbation, reaching the hearts of enemies, indifferent to his work and cause. Now we may wonder that we have so little of a Vindication from the one, and Confession from the other, but all we did not mistake; so we now from our sometimes sad heart forgave this long silence, knowing assuredly, that Gods Work, and Cause, and Duty is approved to the hearts of all our dearest friends, though they cannot fall upon a fit means of communicating their approbation, and also in what they can attain to, have given full proof of their fellow-feeling with us, and their tender respect for the work we had in hand; yet it shall be more refreshful, when seeing one another in the face here and hereafter, and re-count if possible all the Lord hath done to us; but we ought humbly to submit the ordering and timing of that to him, who has scattered, and can gather again; until which time let us possess our Souls with patience, comforting ourselves in this, that the Lord has not left us comfortless; yea, I know it may be said without vanity, O! if all the Land were like that Suffering-company, excepting those bonds, who had never any ground to be ashamed. My dear Companions in tribulation, rejoice that ever the Lord determinate by a strong hand, to offer our service to him in any part of his Work, especially being cleared, called, how much soever reflected upon by some; but I do without judging, leave it betwixt the God of the holy Covenant, and their own Consciences; but myself and others, we know, should never attained to peace of Conscience, if neglecting a clear call to Duty. Yet I must say, such things as were slight to others, were to me insupportable binding, considering how an unparalleled Persecution has been carried on in Scotland, for discountenancing and dissenting from Prelates, and considering also the Piety of the Sufferers, though but poor, and mean, and afflicted. I think when Scotland opened a mouth to the Lord, in Covenant against Prelacy and Popery; disadvantages were not minded as that which give freedom from their Obligation, for Nobles and Barons were obliged to it as well as the meaner sort of people; so to any rational Christian, the prayers and tears of Gods People groaning under violence done to bodies and consciences did call for mutual help according to our power, especially did they, beseeching us to help according to Vows. There have many things of this kind been helped with greater Encouragements, but never a clearer call since the first days of Reformation amongst us: But let all men take heed, that it is no small matter to engage in a naked duty without advantages on the one hand, and attended with so many disadvantages on the other. And moreover, comforting ourselves in this, the Lord strengthening us to renew our Covenant engagements to God; and so I think, that those few Sufferers, are those who has been appointed to show favour to the dross and rubbish in Zion, to the Gospel butted in these Lands, which may presage a dreadful growth of Popery, if the Lord prevent it not. But now where is the numerous company of Covenanters to God? When the poor commons could scarce get access, who now endeavour to keep their Oath and promise to God above those who shine like Torches for profession, and give ground of probability to do great things, and prove worse than nothing at last; I say, when the poor commons were showing themselves zealous, could have no access to appear for the thronging of Superior ranks to them. My heart is towards thee, good Governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly, first and last, amongst the people of Zebulon and Napthaly, were a people that Jeopardize their lives into the death in the high places: but for the divisions of Reuben, there were great thoughts of heart; for in the remarkable providence of God, some of all these three Kingdoms hath been active and zealous for a Reformation-work, and given sufficient testimony thereto. It was also in our engagement to God, that we were once in the Lord; and who knows but our renting and sinful debates may be healed by our meeting there in the good old way, wherein our Souls had peace; and oh if that word Covenanters for a Reformation-work might bury these two of protesters and public resolutioners: And since Esther is not only excusable, but commendable in going in to the King upon the safety of her people: surely they were very much commendable worthy also, who did endeavour the safety of all his peoples precious privileges; And morever, let this be remarked, that we are still overcoming by our suffering for a Reformation-work, in the stirring up others, and confirming of many by the unanimous consent and testimony of our full of grace and glory, eminently worthy brethren, in all the parts of their sufferings, who, though dead, shall speak while the Gospel is preached in these Islands. Next God hath wonderfully ordered, that since that time Popery and Prelacy has been wonderfully withered; and it is the hope of some sober men, who are fruitful in their old age, that they shall not become green again before its withering and plucking up; so that it may be seen, that many of his people in this Land have had more peace and quietness than before, even for a long time; that when the enemy waited to swallow us up, they are all fallen in the ditch they prepared for us. And if these things follow upon the cordial and conscionable duty of some of his people, what might have been expected? If all had been in their duty, surely by liberal things Gods people should have been confirmed. Likewise we may be confirmed in this, That though the Sufferers were disprobable like, yet shewed their tender respect to the glorious interest of our Lord Jesus Christ, in giving full proof of their zeal: but the Lord, when he ordered all things well, and had shewed it was easy for him to promote his work by contemptible means, said, What was done, was enough, and that the time of our deliverance was not yet come; which, though sad words, yet was no surprisal to the real godly; but since that time the Lord has been pleased to show us what he had to do with us, in following him in his Work.  
We may be comforted in this also, in converting of so many strangers merely to the power of God; and others have found grace in the Wilderness, I mean saving grace, and that most convincingly to all that converse with them. But I cannot but add his wonderfully dealing, in providing the means of life for all his friends.  
Now there are many sweet Scriptures become our own experience, since our Lord was known for a refuge; we heard of it before, but now we are the living and standing testimonies of it; but is it not far better to contain all that he may speak what he hath done to our families, to our souls and consciences.  
O! if it were registered what he hath done to us, about us, and for us; I say this in a word, he oftentimes comforts us over all our sorrows, and hath never to this day reproved us, but have given full and unanswerable Confirmations of being in duty, yea approves of zeal for him, that any who shall be most in duty, shall be most commendable. Dear brethren, if ye consider the cause, call, circumstances, concomitants of duty, and the seals upon the hearts of the living and the dead; we have not only matter of great joy and consolation in our present Sufferings, but have also more than enough to answer any enemy in the gate. Let us not faint therefore, but patiently endure, that none may take our Crown; and though separate one from another, meet at one and the same Throne, and that we may keep holy, faithful and steadfast, and not dare to seek any way to shift a across, when called to suffering by any unwarrantable bond; which if any essay to do, he is at once plucking down that which he made it his work to build up; and once condemns Gods work of Reformation, yea fights against the clearest principle of natures light, yea and all the Reformed Churches in Europe, Germany, France and Holland wrestling against these Romish or Antichristian Impositions. Let us also remember the inhuman usage towards all the Martyrs, whose blood, and whose heads and hands crys for steadfastness from all the parts of the Land, in not accepting a deliverance from Air, Irvine, Glasgow. I obtest also, that ye remember hearty in your prayers, the poor Widows and Fatherless, that ye be not affrighted throughout the terror of enemies, nor reproach of friends. But if there be any that will reproach, let him remember that it is of circumstances only, and such things cannot free a mans obligation from duty; and therefore let all forbear who hath done so hitherto; if not for our sakes, yet for the Gospels sake, for a little time will bury all circumstances; and if the Lord show kindness to generations following, the substance of that work will come to their hands, above the reach of all opposers. Study to be affectionate also, and of one mind to all our friends, of whom and against we could not but sin. If we should think that Gods honour were not as dear to them, tho they be permitted to mistake the season of duty, the testimony being more eminent, the trial more searching, happy shall he be who continues to the end. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Now the everlasting blessing of him that dwelled in the bush be with you.   

Printed for Alexander Kennedy. 1681.